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1. The Last Starfighter
$11.98 $9.25 list($14.98)
2. Major Payne
$13.49 $9.23 list($14.99)
3. Mr. Wrong
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4. Dennis the Menace
$17.98 $14.77 list($19.98)
5. The Boy Who Could Fly
6. Amazing Stories
7. Tap
$17.24 list($29.96)
8. Dennis the Menace/Dennis Strikes

1. The Last Starfighter
Director: Nick Castle
list price: $19.98
our price: $14.99
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Asin: B00000IQW3
Catlog: DVD
Sales Rank: 1615
Average Customer Review: 4.32 out of 5 stars
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Reviews (62)

4-0 out of 5 stars CULT MOVIES 29
29. THE LAST STARFIGHTER (SCI-fiction, 1984) For young Alex Rogan (Lance Guest) living in a trailer park is boring. He wants to escape from his rural existence and go to the city where he hopes to go to College. Bot for his girlfriend Annie (Catherine Mary Stewart) the prospect of leaving her grandmother behind is hard. Alex's only real excitement is playing a video game called 'Last Starfighter', having played it so many times that he finally breaks the game's points record. Soon after he's visited by a friendly alien power. They want to recruit him as one of their elite 'Starfighters' in an inter-galactic war where his skills will prove the turning point. Here he finds an unexpected chance to finally break free and follow his dreams. But will Annie join him?

Critique: The Star Wars phenomenon inspired a slew of science fiction films in its heyday that, surprisingly enough, has continued to this day. Although the 80s produced its share of memorable films, this is one of the most appealing of the bunch. Capturing the youthful exuberance and innocence that made the Star Wars fantasy a worldwide smash. The 'once upon story' line works from the disillusioned, dreamy nature of those kids whose earthly existence leave much to be desired. Wishing they could be whisked away to another galaxy, and take part in some far-off adventure. An added bonus to the film is the pairing of the 2 young leads. Exacting the warmth and amazement of encountering such a journey, and taking their love to the infinite reaches of space.

4-0 out of 5 stars Sweet, Exciting Sci-Fi Adventure!
A combination of 'Coming-of-Age', 'Small-town U.S.A.', and Science Fiction films, 'The Last Starfighter' is one of that rare breed of films that actually become more enjoyable after repeated viewings, which makes it an EXCELLENT choice for your film collection!

Famous in film history as the first film to utilize computer-generated FX for its space scenes (producing a 'big-budget' look to more modestly budgeted film), the effects today seem as creaky and out-of-date as the 'Last Starfighter' arcade game that teenager Alex Rogan (Lance Guest) is so expert at! Don't let this put you off, though, as this story is really about the youngster, and being willing to take advantage of an opportunity to 'shine', as Otis (Vernon Washington), his best friend at his trailer park home, reminds him.

The concept of the game being a secret test for fighter pilots is clever, and when game creator Robert Preston (who is magnificent, in his last screen appearance) whisks young Rogan off to fight in an interstellar war, all of the youngster's long-stated ambitions to leave home and make something of his life are tested. In a series of amusing scenes, our hero stumbles through his first encounter with alien races, meeting the affable Grig (an unrecognizable Dan O'Herlihy, who nearly steals the movie), the pilot of his fightercraft. After almost making the worst decision of his life, Rogin comes to his senses....

... director Nick Castle (who directed the sweet and equally wonderful 'The Boy Who Could Fly') understands people and small-town life, and gives the space adventure so much charm and savvy that you'll love it, nonetheless!

Guest is terrific as Alex, conveying both the humor and frustration of growing up in the trailer park; Catherine Mary Stewart, as his girlfriend, is equally good! As Alex' space-fixated younger brother, Louis, Chris Hebert has some of the film's funniest lines, and the image of him, taking his shot at the arcade game and a chance to become a Starfighter, at the conclusion of the film, is a fitting finale!

Special praise should be given to Craig Safan's rousing score, some of the most beautiful, sweeping music since 'Star Wars'!

The DVD edition IS the version to buy, with a terrific documentary on the making of the film, hosted by Lance Guest, and commentary by director Nick Castle and production designer Ron Cobb!

'The Last Starfighter' has achieved near-cult film status over the years, and is a rich experience you'll enjoy, again and again! I STRONGLY recommend it!

4-0 out of 5 stars One of my fondest memories...
One of the fondest memories of my childhood was watching this movie while eating a Chef-Boy-Ardee sausage pizza. (remember those?) Many hot summer days were spent enjoying the adventure of Alex Rogan travelling to Rylos and realizing his dreams and his destiny as a Starfighter with his navigator, Grigg. This is one of those inexplicably optimistic films that popped up in the 80's. Despite the fact that the special effects may look dated now, the story is timeless and well written for this genre. The video presentation on this DVD is rather crisp and clear but the audio could be a "little" better. Still, this is a wonderful film for kids and nostalgic adults alike. Oh, the extras are nice as well. I hadn't seen the "Making of" documentary since it appeared on HBO when I was a kid. This is a wonderful film.

5-0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly enjoyable
An interesting little film of how a dead-end kid is forced to become a galactic hero, because of his facility at a computer game, which is a secret recruiting station for starfighter pilots. The computer-generated graphics, advanced for their time, now look ridiculously crude, but it somehow adds to the quaintness of the whole thing, with marvellous performances from Lance Guest as the reluctant hero, Robert Preston as the likeably roguish Centauri who is prepared not so much to bend the rules as to smash them into very tiny fragments and Dan O'Herily as Grigg, the lizard co-pilot whose dream is to go down fighting against impossible odds!

5-0 out of 5 stars Formulaic Fun.
If you're looking for a masterpiece film that rewrites the sci-fi genre with intense drama and gritty characters, this isn't the movie for you. If you're looking for a really fun film that's a great mix of Star Wars, Saturday morning cartoons, and video games then stick this in your DVD player.

The movie's special effects hold up suprisingly well, considering that they're 20 years old. When Alex Rogan is flying the gunstar, it's like you're there with him, especially if you grew up loving this film. The characters are developed enough that you care, but not so much that it's like a daytime soap opera. Two thumbs up! ... Read more


2. Major Payne
Director: Nick Castle
list price: $14.98
our price: $11.98
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Asin: 0783230494
Catlog: DVD
Sales Rank: 4616
Average Customer Review: 4.29 out of 5 stars
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Amazon.com

Let's face facts here: You don't watch a movie like Major Paynefor its artistic merit any more than you'd watch Schindler's List for its comedy. If you go in thinking otherwise, you're bucking for a disappointment. So it's a pleasant surprise to discover that Major Payne is more entertaining than a barrel full of bad reviews would lead you to believe. It's a totally formulaic comedy about a bunch of misfit kids who turn into a crack squad of skillfully disciplined ROTC cadets, but Damon Wayans is spot-on hilarious in the title role as the hardened military bulldog who whips the little slackers into shape. Wayans plays the role as if killing and warfare were the only joys in life, and when he finds himself cast adrift without a military commission, a scene that directly parodies Apocalypse Now lets you know that Wayans (who cowrote the script) is going to bring something new to this routine scenario. Major Payne's idea of a good bedtime story is to recall his worst battlefield horrors, and Wayans gives it just the right twist of comedy to put Payne's bullet-pierced heart in the right place--he's really just a good guy with an iron-clad exterior. The young recruits strut their stuff in the final round of their cadet competition (their marching rap is good for a solid laugh), and director Nick Castle keeps it all from becoming too stupid or over the top. It's arguably only for Wayans's most ardent fans, but as a send-up of all the great movie drill instructors, Major Payne is painlessly enjoyable. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (31)

5-0 out of 5 stars Funniest movie I have seen
This movie is simply excellent. Damon Wayans achieves to transform a serious subject into a comedy which never offends the USMC. He plays so well that he deserves them.

The soundtrack is so good. Sounds are quite exagerated and thus become funny. For instance, during the Universal opening title when the (r) registred mark symbol appears, you hear a DING ! When Major Payne meets the Madison school headmaster, you can hear all these insects and butterflies (the headmaster loves entomology) flying and buzzing around and over the shaved head of Major Payne. This scene is purely hilarious, one of my favorite moment. I was laughing so much I thought I shall died. Maybe another victim of Major Payne (fortunately not the final one).

The music by Craig Safan is particularly successful and sustains any funny actions, the Aretha Franklin's musics too. It seems obvious Craig Safan enjoyed to create a real musical background that depicts a "cartoon" atmosphere. Sometimes very serious, and few seconds later so funny.

The story is not only comedy but extraordinary rich thanks to the work of Damon Wayans and the cast. One best moment is when Major Payne offers a bullet from his heart to his new "girlfriend" or when Major Payne understands that Cadet Alex Stone wants to push him outside Madison school (Do you want to see me gone?). Only Damon Wayans can play like that (heartily).

The texts are outstanding (even for a french viewer). The american vocabulary is so rich and the art of using it (and expanding it) is so irresistible. I laugh from the first to the last second of Major Payne.

The french translation is also a success even if the task was enormous because there is so much american idioms. Nevertheless, the french dub is really funny. I do prefer the original voice of Damon Wayans because he talks so perfectly as a USMC drill instructor. This man is not an actor, he is a human VTR! He can spend two weeks with Marines and then speaks like them. The french voice is very good but the dub actor was unfortunately unable to complete such performance.

The scene with the hidden man into the closet and how Major Payne definitely "kills" the Tiger's nightmare is a masterpiece.

Nick Castle did one of my favourite movie, forever and I just wanted to thank him and all the cast for giving us such good time.

Vive the USMC, Vive Major Payne, Vive Damon Wayans.

5-0 out of 5 stars Hilarious and a good movie
I'm not that big of a Damon Wayans fan, but he does a great job in this movie. He starts a program at a local school for kids who want to be in JROTC. His ultimate goal is to prepare them to win the competition for best cadets in the county JROTC competition that will be held later on. He is real strict on all the kids, so they all want to get rid of him. He has to find a way to get along with the kids while also giving them some discipline.

"Major Payne" is a hilarious movie. While you watch the movie, you'll be laughing a lot, but you'll also see that it's a good movie. I recommend anybody to get "Major Payne."

5-0 out of 5 stars "...and biz - ness - is - goooood!!!"
If there is any movie as funny as this one, I would like to know what it is. This is the funniest movie I know. Damon Wayans is so talented; he is hilarious in this movie. There is not one moment in this movie that is poorly done. It just gets better with repeated viewings. I really didn't Damon Wayans other than by name until I saw this movie.
The kids in this movie are terrific. Their acting is great! They are all grown up now. If you want to see a funny movie, you have got to get this one. A previous writer was right on the money when he said that Major Payne's character is like a cross between Gomer Pyle and Lou Gossett, Jr.'s character as a drill sergeant. This movie is full of fantastic instant-classic lines that I won't give away here. See it!!!

5-0 out of 5 stars Major Payne is Major Funny
I loved this movie and I love Damon Waynes character and I love when he insults peaple expacially when he cracks peaples fingers when they say something is hurting them and he said want me to take your mind off of that.LOL pure funny, worth watching and buying

4-0 out of 5 stars Major Funny
I liked it! I am surprised that no one seems to realize this movie is basically a remake of a Charlton Heston film, The Private War of Major Benson (which you really need to see also). This is an excellent updated version with a happy ending for soldiers as well as the Major! Laugh hard, laugh loud and watch for the cameo by the professional wrestler Bam Bam Bigelow in the "Billy Jack" fight sequence. ... Read more


3. Mr. Wrong
Director: Nick Castle
list price: $14.99
our price: $13.49
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Asin: B00006472R
Catlog: DVD
Sales Rank: 7300
Average Customer Review: 3 out of 5 stars
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Reviews (24)

4-0 out of 5 stars One of the funniest movies I've ever watched 15 times!
I bought this movie because I'm collecting everything Bill Pullman has done, and I will continue to get anything he does in the future. After purchasing it, I watched it, of course, and I admit that I didn't like it. I felt, in fact, very indignant that Mr. Pullman would do something like this. Then I read a transcript of an AOL Chat he did in which he said that he had a blast doing the movie. I decided to give it one more try and watched it again, this time trying to see it as Bill Pullman having fun with a role and as the comedy it was intended to be. I laughed so hard I almost rolled off the couch! Although Ellen DeGeneres is not as funny in this movie as I know she can be, Bill Pullman is hysterically funny. Watch his face and actions during the charades at his "mother's" house. Watch him in the background (the driver's seat of the RV) while Martha is trying to talk the kids out of the RV. The comedically (is that a proper word?) serious western hero saving his girl and the imitation of a Frankenstein monster lurching toward his bride are things that make this movie very funny. If you want to laugh, watch this movie from the perspective that the actors had a good time doing it. You'll love it! You'll watch it again and again.

4-0 out of 5 stars Delightfully zany
What a relief to see some positive reviews of this move. It can't believe that people don't see the humor in it as I laugh hysterically every time I see it. Ellen is overall believable as a lonely single looking for something wonderful and unexpected. Bill Pullman easily slides into the role of a sensitive, caring male only to become Ellen's worst nightmare. Joan Cusack is always strange and in this movie she is completely bizarre. It's hard to imagine anyone else doing her character. This isn't a sophisticated movie. It's not meant to be. It's funny partly because it's so wierd.

5-0 out of 5 stars VERY funny
I think this is one of the most underrated movies.

3-0 out of 5 stars Could of been better.
I just received my "Mr. Wrong" DVD from Amazon. Okay, to sum up what is Good with the movie "Mr.Wrong" is Ellen Degeneres, and Bill Pullman. Both of them are great I really enjoy both of these actors. What "I" Find wrong with the movie is that even though there are some very laughable moments... it is hard to find them too funny when the movie borders on such serious drama (stalking, A Threatening ex girlfriend, Loss of employment, and Kidnapping) I may be thinking too deep here but I never felt like the comedy in this movie was winning out over the "unintentional" drama. I liked the movie, but I felt dissapointed that it could of been better. ALSO, the DVD has no extra, not one. Not even a trailer. However, is in widescreen and quality was good (not great).

2-0 out of 5 stars wrong move
i didn't like this movie. i ordered it on pay per view and thought it was pretty good but it gets worse with age. ... Read more


4. Dennis the Menace
Director: Nick Castle
list price: $14.98
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Asin: B00007G1Z9
Catlog: DVD
Sales Rank: 1192
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5. The Boy Who Could Fly
Director: Nick Castle
list price: $19.98
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Asin: B00009AVA3
Catlog: DVD
Sales Rank: 6827
Average Customer Review: 4.15 out of 5 stars
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Description

A poignant, uplifting fable about a young girl and her relationship with a mute boy who dreams of flying. Together they learn if you wish hard enough, anything is possible.Year: 1986Director: Nick CastleStarring: Lucy Deakins, Jay Underwood, Bonnie Bedelia, Fred Savage ... Read more

Reviews (27)

4-0 out of 5 stars A juvenile that will deeply touch adults
First, this is one of the greatest arrays of juvenile acting talent I've seen. Jay Underwood leads the group in a poignant portrayal, ably supported by Lucy Deakins...there is chemistry between the two.

Fred Savage adds just the right comic element, to soften the darker aspect of the movie.

And then, there's the fantasy element. At first, I was disturbed by the sheer fantasy that isn't revealed until the climax of the film. It just seemed as to realistic a film to have such an ending. And yet, I found it somehow refreshing, and yet it's the fantasy which in spite of the title, just didn't come off for me, and that's the only reason for my not feeling that it deserves five stars.

All in all, though, this is a movie to watch and to enjoy. There's just enough real life sense of tragedy in the young people's background here to keep it from being overly sweet.

5-0 out of 5 stars This FIlm Was Extremely Enchanting
The Boy Who Could Fly was the most interesting movie to me when I saw it in its original release. I thought it was creative and inventive and it went on the premise that what you believe in - can be real.

It's completely fiction and almost science fiction but it works. Jay Underwood plays a boy orphaned because of plane accident. He becomes a recluse and a mute. Then his new neighbor a young girl who is also his age befriends him.

Convinced she can help him she makes an effort to communicate with him. He is a social misfit, however, he has one gift and talent that he keeps hidden well - he can fly.

A great premise and some good special wire effects (perfected because of the Superman films) the film is very simple but it has a sweet and warm chocolaty center. Bruce Broughton did a wonderful score for the film.

Special note: If you go to see a movie at the Hollywood's El Capitan - it is the score from this film that you hear as they open the curtains to view each movie. It is a wonderful score and cue that goes well with the film.

Not on DVD yet, but if it ever does - I hope it has extras. Nick Castle (The Last Starfighter) did well on this one!

5-0 out of 5 stars Sweet and Uplifting!
After moving into a new house, the Michaelson family discover that an autistic boy named Eric lives next door. Milly Michaelson(Lucy Deakins) befriends Eric(Jay Underwood) and learns that ever since Eric's parents died in a plane crash, he pretends to fly. Eric lives with his Uncle Hugo Gibb(Fred Gwynne from The Munsters) who is not fit to take care of Eric because he is often drunk. As a result, Eric is occasionally institutionalized since it is feared that his pretending to fly will harm him. Thanks to Mrs. Sherman(Colleen Dewhurst) - Milly and Eric's school teacher, Eric is brought back home. Mrs. Sherman one day asks Milly to help Eric. Milly keeps a daily journal on her efforts which seem fruitless. Near the end, Eric tries to escape from the people who come to institutionalize him, and Milly follows trying to help Eric escape. They end up on the roof of their school, Taft High. Unfortunately, they are followed onto the roof and have nowhere else to run. They walk towards the edge of the roof, threatening to jump!

The magical ending of this great movie will surely leave you with goosebumps and exhilarate you.

Milly: We're all a little like Eric. Maybe we can't soar off into the clouds. But somewhere, deep inside, we can all fly.

Also in the movie are Fred Savage from "The Wonder Years," who plays Milly's small brother, and Mindy Cohn from "The Facts of Life," who plays Milly's neighborhood friend.

Highly recommended. A great family movie.

3-0 out of 5 stars MONA, AND HER CATTY FRIENDS
The Boy Who Could Fly, was a very good movie, but my favorite character was Mona, and when she threw the volleyball at the main girl from the movie. Her presense in the film had everything to do with the movie.

4-0 out of 5 stars Remember when this was the standard for kid's films?
"The Boy Who Could Fly" is such a rarity in the genre. This is not so much a kid's movie, as it is a full-blooded drama that happens to have kids as characters. It tells the story of a family, suffering the loss of their father/husband. The decline in income requires them to move into a "fixer upper" home in a quiet residential neighborhood. The eldest child, Millie (beautifully played by Lucy Deakins) becomes fascinated with the teenage autistic boy next door, Eric (Jay Underwood) who sits in his window all day and pretends to fly. Through circumstances at school, Millie takes him on as a "project." As her kindly teacher(Colleen Dewhurst) points out, "Doctors haven't been able to get a word out of him. Maybe a friend could." She tries to draw him out of his condition through every day activities, and over time, the form a very close connection, and even fall in love. Meanwhile, Millie must deal with the burdens of home, trying to reconcile the suicide of her father, and her very stressed out and grief-stricken mother(the wonderful Bonnie Bedelia), who is trying to get back into the work force.
While there is certainly more to the story than this, it would be a shame to spoil details for those who have not seen this film. It is uncommonly intelligent, charming, and very moving. It speaks in the language of children, without ever becoming condescending or silly, even when the film's more fantastic elements are revealed. The story and its characters feel real. Their grief feels real. Their longing to believe in happy endings feels real.
The performances are outstanding. Lucy Deakins and Jay Underwood are entirely convincing. It's so rare to see a teenage girl portrayed with this kind of uncynical intelligence. Underwood's Eric barely has any lines in the film, but instead, like a young Harrison Ford, communicates so much in his face that we hardly notice. This is a teen romance for the ages.
The adult players are also fine. Bonnie Bedelia, one of the most convincing actors or our era, plays Charlene as tough yet fragile, nurturing but flawed. The late Colleen Dewhurst is lovely and compassionate as Mrs. Sherman.
Surprisingly the film has been written and directed by Nick Castle, known for such disappointments as "Mr. Wrong" and "The Last Starfighter." He is better known as being the 1st actor to play Michael Myers in the original "Halloween." This is his best film by far. He should try to make more films along these lines. We sure need them.
I hope people will show this film to their kids some day. It is a reminder that films about kids used to be intelligent and authentic, not lobotomized, as I feel they have become over the past 15 years. This film still gives me hope, and gives me the excuse to dream. ... Read more


6. Amazing Stories
Director: Paul Bartel, Joe Dante, Bob Clark (III), William Dear, Matthew Robbins, Danny DeVito, Graham Baker, Burt Reynolds, Paul Michael Glaser, Bob Balaban, Robert Markowitz, Kevin Reynolds, Mick Garris, Nick Castle, Ken Kwapis, Norman Reynolds, Phil Joanou, Clint Eastwood, Tobe Hooper, Timothy Hutton

Asin: B00005JN8Q
Catlog: DVD
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7. Tap
Director: Nick Castle

Asin: B00005JMR4
Catlog: DVD
Average Customer Review: 4.45 out of 5 stars
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Reviews (11)

5-0 out of 5 stars What a Way for Sammy To Wind Down and Hines To Heat Up..
This has to be one of the first movies I ever watched on Cable TV. It was in the early 90s' when I saw this premier on a local TV channel and its' been a definate hit with me through all these years. Along side still powerhouse actor Gregory Hines (Who most recently has been a regular character on Nickelodeon's animated children's series 'Little Bill'), acting/performing greats like Savion Glover and the late Sammy Davis Jr. make this a movie to watch once just for the incredible cast. Hines is Max Washington, the son of a legendary NY tap dancer who, in the movie's storyline, redefined and revolutionized the art. Max foiled his own chance at being a famous dancer when he becomes entangled in crime and retail-burglary. The movie begins with his release from prison. He rejoins old friends (Well, not OLD..just smarter) Sammy Davis others in his NY city neighborhood as they await his return. The story centers around Max's obvious and unmatched talent for tap dancing, and the hard-to-resist need he feels to conform to his old illegal ways over doing something good with his gift. Im an 80s' freak in all ways so I could'nt be objective about the movie, but on top of the great soundtrack and uplifting feel of the story I think this movie would be enjoyable for a lot more people than most would give it credit for. Gregory Hines has a true and untarnished talent that he lends perfectly to the film and Suzanne Douglas as Max's former (and soon to be again) love interest, gives a fantastic performance as Uncle Moe's (Davis Jr.) daughter. I wish they sold this on DVD but I guess it does'nt make all that much of a difference...its' a very wonderfully done Musical/Drama that stands alone for it's originality and all-star cast.

4-0 out of 5 stars Forget the plot.... See if for the dancing!
See this movie for the dancing only! The dancing. It's difficult to imagine Gregory Hines as a criminal, ex-prisoner, so that portrayal doesn't come off well. He's not that, he's Gregory Hines the tap dancer. The plot sandwiches typical scenes perfunctorily - the release of the prisoner into society, looking for a job, love interest, crime, etc. There really isn't a storyline, just a remanufacture of stale overused scenes. The cohesive element that makes a story work is missing, characters don't build, and it's predictable.

But what works is the dancing. See it for that. The film was shot with a smoky sepia-tone image, that impression of both black and white and color. Watch youthful Savion Glover shine! The older hoofers, Jimmy Slide, Arthur Duncan (from the Lawrence Welk Show), Sammy Davis, etc. This dancing ensemble might just be the "best" part of the film. ....MzRizz

5-0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Family Movie!
This movie was great.... I ordered it just so I could sit and watch it with my kids. A wonderful love story, and lots of drama and dance. You see the real beauty of tap dance, performed by no other than Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis Jr, two of the world's greatest tap dancers. I'm surprised that this move is not already on DVD. Sammy Davis and Gregory Hines were legends in their own right, and more of tap should be introduced to the African American Culture. Angela was astounding in this movie as well!

5-0 out of 5 stars Tap
What a loss to the world that this talented dancer, singer and actor Gregory Hines has passed away.
Tap is a wonderful, vibrant and exciting fim, especially if you are a music and tap dance fan. Watching it made me wish that I could tap dance.
While taking place in modern times, the movie transports the watcher back to a wonderful era in history when the greatest entertainers sang and tapped and Hollywood made the great Musicals.
This film is not only suitable for all ages, but is loved by all ages. My own son (at the tender age of 4) tapped his way out of the movie theater after seeing this movie, and is now in New York waiting for his big break into the business.
In this film, Hines introduced the world to another young great Savion Glover.
The film is an attempt to show the world that Tap, Soft Shoe and other forms of dance are not dead. They are alive and thriving all over the place. We just need to look.

5-0 out of 5 stars Tribute to a Star
It's strange and a bit sad to watch this movie now. Earlier this week the world heard that dancer/singer/actor Gregory Hines had passed on at the age of 57. In his obituary there was a comment that, while multi- talented, Hines always considered himself first and foremost, a dancer. This movie from the late 80s shows that to be true in all it's wonderful glory.

Possible Spoilers.....

The movie opens on a man in a cell. The darkness surrounds him and he looks pained. Slowly he begins to listen to the noise around him. Before you know it the man in on his feet and dancing to the rhythms and sounds of the life in prison. The dance is one of pain but also as it goes forth brings out relaxation as anger is spent but most importantly the man begins to feel joy. Jump forward to the man, Max Washington (Gregory Hines) being released on paroll. He has just spent a few years in Sing Sing. Originally he was sentenced for Grand Theft but time was added on for Assault & Battery of a prison guard.
Max returns to his old neighborhood and takes a hotel room across from a run down building which houses the "Sunny Side of the Street" tap dance studio. As time goes on we learn that was his father's studio but first you see the various classes taught on the first two levels by an old love interest, Amy (Suzzane Douglas) and her son Lewis (Savion Glover). The true joy of the building is the third floor where the old "Hoofer's" reside. Here we find a virtual who's who of the tap dance world with many of the old masters portraying themselves and of course Sammy Davis, Jr. playing Little Mo.
Max is not originally totally welcomed back by everyone except for Lewis who looks up to Max as a father, which strongly portrays some of the real life feelings that occurred between Hines and Glover, and Little Mo who has some big ideas of how to get the rock and roll world interested in the tap world. Unfortunately for Mo, Max has a chip on his shoulder regarding the life his father led and the lack of finances that he grew up with. It seems that Max has another family, one in which Max was a first rate second-story man...until the night he got caught and ended in jail.
The movie is one of conflict between the worlds of the alleged easy and plentiful money and the hard work, no glory, no money world of music. As much as Max hates it this is the world that is within him and continues to draw him back time and time again.
Hines was a supremely talented man. He could act, he could sing, and man he could dance like no other. He expressed himself in so many ways that it almost didn't seem fair to the rest of us. Here his character of Max is full of rage and anger. He bears a lifetime of resentment at what he perceived his father's life to have been worth and he knows what he has to do to make it better. The anger is almost palpable as it floats off his body. The look in his eyes and the set of his jaws tells people that he isn't going to take any more. That same rage appears at first in his dance. He doesn't just lightly dance on the floor a la Fred Astaire. He pounds the floor and lets it feel his frustration. He attacks it with percussive beats and syncopated rhythms that make the listeners instantly step back...but then the joy appears. First it come in the way he dives across the floor and moves free for all the world and then it reaches Hines eye's and you know at that moment that all will be well for this man.
The dance sequences alone in this movie are worth sitting through. Hines has most of them starting with the dance inside the jail cell but there are also moments such as the instruction at the construction site as well as the end sequence when he is working with the rock band that are almost hard to sit through. For long time fans of the genre, the "Challenge" segment is a treat as all the old greats get out and show just why they made the business what it was. Also, there is a brief flash of the style from Savion Glover's character at one moment that shows why he was a star at such a young age and gives hints as to his future success with Bring in the Noise, Bring in the Funk!
The world has lost a great talent this week. But movies like this and Bojangles will be around for years to come and will allow fans to share one last time the joy of seeing a true talent at work in his field. ... Read more


8. Dennis the Menace/Dennis Strikes Again
Director: Nick Castle
list price: $29.96
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: B0000E6FQ5
Catlog: DVD
Sales Rank: 20910
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