Reviews (170)

This movie was great, despite it's fictional entities
When I first saw this movie I was blown away buy it. Since then it has become one of my favorite movies of all time. Like many other people this movie gave me false ideas about Witchcraft, which I found otherwise as fictional. Even now as a practitioner of Wicca I still find it to be a great movie. This movie was made for entertainment purposes and not to persuade or disuade anyone one way or the other.

Fairuza Balk as Nancy was awesome. She played and looked the part so well and I don't think anyone could have done a better job. The movie is based around three teenage girls classified as the misfits of the school. They come together to form a small coven and cast spells one themselves and other people. Sarah is the newcomer who is quickly accepted into their circle. As the movie progresses things get out of hand and Nancy ends up way in over her head and it's up to Sarah to use her powerful inheritated gift of magick to stop her. I suggest this movie for anyone who wants to be thrilled.

Craft Services
The Craft is a solid, yet still somewhat predictable thriller, that tried to ride the surging horror wave started by Scream.

Sarah Baily (Robin Tunney) has always felt like an outsider all her life. So, when she and her Dad (Cliff De Young) move to a new town, she finds herself having to start fresh. As the new gal at St. Benedict's Academy, she immediately falls in with the high school's female misfits. But, this group of girls won't settle for being just powerless outcasts, that nobody wants to hang out with. Indeed, Nancy, (Fairuza Balk) Bonnie, (Neve Campbell), and Rochelle (Rachel True) have discovered just how much fun school can be if you have the skills to use "The Craft" and they plan to show Sarah the way.

Director and co scripter Andrew Fleming plays things pretty safe throughout the film. The tried and true horror formula isn't tested that much. Young and trendy stars populate the cast, with moments of humor and a few jolts, thrown in for good measure. The breakout performance for me here is Balk's sassy Nancy. She is one tough witch you don't want to mess with. She helps make the film better than it would be otherwise. As with any film about the wicken way, there's also a certain female "bonding" subtext that has to play itself out, as well.

The special edition DVD substitutes for the movie only edition from awhile back. The audio commentary from Fleming is a nice mix of the tecnical and on set trivia about the film. There are two making Of featurettes on the disc. The first,is a six minute EPK style prepublicity kind of thing, while the second is a 24 minute retrospective, produced for the DVD. Conjuring THE CRAFT features "new" interviews with Fleming, Robin Tunny, Rachel True among others, intermixed with on set comments from Balk and Campbell. This is well produced. Fleming provides commentary for the deleted footage that, doesn't really amount to much as far as the final version is concerned The entire film score from Greame Revell is preserved and given its due as an isolated music track. Talent files, as well as, theatrical trailers for The Craft, among other films top off the bonus material on the disc. Addtional production notes can be found inside the keep case.

The Craft is worth a dabble, with a *** and a half star rating, as long as your expectations are kept in check.

These Girls Know Their Rites!
Sarah Bailey (Robin Tunney) is the new kid in town, but even under the best of circumstances she has never been accepted by the popular crowd. At her new school, she falls in with a trio of other female misfits (Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, and Rachel True) who, it so happens, are trying to learn witchcraft and form their own little coven. When Sarah joins them to make it a quartet, they slowly develop multifold preternatural powers and learn how to focus and use them. With such abilities literally at their fingertips, it's not too long until the little coven, initially formed for self-protection and companionship, becomes an instrument for personal gain and revenge. Sarah soon realizes that one of her friends is evil to the core, and fearful of what THAT one may do with the group's newfound powers, she decides it's best to resign from the coven and thereby weaken the magic abilities of the others. But the coven has different plans, particularly regarding Sarah....

The sleeper hit THE CRAFT (1996) could've easily been played for camp, but it is instead a story of modern urban witchcraft that is both literate and emotionally powerful. The success of the film is due to Peter Filardi and Andrew Fleming's tight, well-written script, excellent direction from Fleming, and outstanding acting from principals Tunney, Balk, Campbell, and True. The supernatural elements of the story are handled carefully and earnestly, and witchcraft or the belief in it is never ridiculed or treated derisively. This keeps the tone of the film somewhat dark and edgy, which in turn creates an uneasy, spooky atmosphere that cues the audience to the fact that this is a serious horror film. Fleming wisely keeps the special FX to a minimum until the story's climax on the final reel, and he instead emphasizes the relationships in this group of dysfunctional, angst-ridden girls, well knowing that the primary target audience--to wit, teenagers--will easily relate to these characters and their normal desires and fears.

The Special Edition DVD from Columbia/Tri-Star offers THE CRAFT in anamorphic widescreen at its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The digital transfer is very good, with minimal filmic or digital artifacts. The disc also features an informative commentary with director Andrew Fleming, 2 featurettes, deleted scenes, and more. THE CRAFT is a cool horror film that most fans of the genre will enjoy, and the very reasonable price makes it easy for fans to add this DVD to their collections.

Darkly peculiar, yet entertaining all the same
I was looking for entertainment and I found it in THE CRAFT.

So maybe it was filled with holes. Maybe it's a tad unrealistic. Maybe it doesn't portray Wicca with fair accuracy (not that I care about that). So it's flawed. So what?

That said, THE CRAFT is awfully entertaining and worth more than one watch - hence my umpteenth watch a few weekends ago. I especially appreciated Fairuza Balk's performance - just as much as gorgeous Robin Tunney's. It's a shame she's no Hollywood starlet today. A year or more ago I saw her in this dreadful movie called CHERISH, a truly tedious indie flick.

Tunney plays Sarah, newcomer to the neighborhood. After being shunned by the popular girls, a circle of peculiar witches take her beneath their collective wings. Nancy, Bonnie, and Rochelle all have supernatural powers and the rumor mongers have always been spreading gossip about them. (They are played by Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, and Rachel True, respectively.) Now, it is time to get revenge on those who have wronged them - yes, revenge is the only remedy to their teenage angst and turmoil.

Each girl has a different situation. Rumors have been churning through the mill that Sarah Bailey slept with popular jock Chris Hooker (played by Skeet Ulrich, who later appeared with Campbell in SCREAM). Not only that, but he claims she sucked in bed, according to Nancy. Sarah had really been into Chris during their first date and after one kiss on a rooftop, he'd tried to take her back home with him. She'd declined and Chris had seemed a little disappointed. Still, Sarah never guessed he'd begin spreading lies about her. Now, she will get Chris, who snubs her in the halls, to fall truly, madly, and deeply head-over-heels in love with her. In fact, with Sarah's powers, he develops humorous stalker-esque tendencies.

Nancy Down's troubles mainly concern her homelife. Her father is a bum. She and her two parents live the stereotypical white trash lifestyle. Nancy uses her powers to give her father a heart attack (odd, yes...I know) and because of his death, she and Mrs. Down are left with a big 'ole sum of money. They move into a very nice apartment and are able to live quite comfortably.

Bonnie was involved in a terrible accident that left her permanently scarred - much of the high school knows about the disfiguring scars. She has a beautiful face but her scars inable her to wear certain clothes and she's oh-so self-concious about it. She undergoes a painful hospital operation that may or may not improve her condition - it does, thanks to her supernatural powers. :) Because of the operation, her mother and the doctors aren't all that suspicious. They just assume it to be the goodness of medical technology.

Rochelle's dilemma concerns racist Laura Lizzie (Christine Taylor), who is on the school's swim team with her. Laura makes it crystal clear that she can't stand Rochelle because she's black. Whenever Rochelle is at work perfecting her dives, Laura shouts out cruel remarks to distract her and she also calls her racial slurs in the locker room. Rochelle's spell causes Laura's hair to begin to fall out in huge clumps that leave bald patches all over her blonde head. Within days, she's totally bald.

But what you do to others in your spells comes back to haunt you. Times three. So now, the girls will have to deal with the consequences of their actions. Sarah must also deal with the fact that her three friends are turning on her and she must face the harrowing battle all on her own.

That is, if they don't kill her first.

With good performances and an exciting plot, this movie may appeal to fans of HEATHERS, MEAN GIRLS, and other movies in which the theme of all-girl friendships are stressed. Many critics took an intense disliking to this film, but it has been rather popular with many audiences, doing mildly well in the box office and on video.

Awesome movie
On her first day of school, Sarah is snubbed by the more popular girls and ends up becoming part of a circle of girls who are witches.

One by one, it goes through and shows each one of the girls problem. Bonnie was in a fire and left with horrible burn marks, Rochelle is the target of a racist clique, Nancy comes from a broken home, and Sarah is still haunted by memories of a suicide attempt. They all cast spells to improve their lives, and they work. Sarah makes a guy fall in love with her, Rochelle causes her harasser's hair to fall out, Bonnie overcomes her scars and Nancy ends up killing her jerk stepfather, resulting in her mother and her to inherit a bunch of money from him.

As the girls get deeper and deeper into the craft, Sarah realizes that they are taking everything too far. Bonnie has turned into a total snob, Rochelle's tormentor goes completely bald, Sarah's love spell has turned into dangerous obsession, and Nancy has completely turned power hungry. When Sarah makes her desire to leave the circle known, they will not hear of it. Nancy ends up trying to kill Sarah, resulting in one of the best fight scenes EVER.

Overall, some of the stuff referring to the craft in this movie is true. The quarter calls made by the group are actual Gardnarian Tradition quarter calls, and the threefold law is TRUE (I know from experience, lol) ... Read more

Reviews (107)

Delightful Historical Fantasy
This is one of those movies (Waiting for Guffman, Rushmore) that I absolutely loved, but don't know whether I can recommend it to normal people. It's quirky and edgy, in a soft way, but I thoroughly enjoyed its weaving utter silliness into one of our greatest periods of political angst. If you're a child of the 70's, and enjoy politics and odd comedies, this might be for you. If you like your movies and your politics to be predictable and conventional, this isn't for you.

a clever treasure
"Dick" is one of the most clever comedies that has come out of Hollywood in a long time. Perhaps only inside-the-beltway'ers might appreciate the spectacle of Woodward and Bernstein catfighting on a 'Larry King'-type talk show; but much of what is hysterically funny in this film is accessible even to to those who don't know Haldeman, Erlichman or Dean. A delightful and rare film that mixes history and humor.

Watergate Mess
"Dick" opened at 1,500 cinemas in August and has grossed to-date $6m. In terms of ranking, it ranks 126 of 257 movies for 1999 (but that includes films released yesterday!). It's going to be a long haul recovering its costs! It's difficult to understand for whom this movies is targeted, but if I were to guess, 11 to 15 year old girls is probably not far off. In which case I am the wrong person to give an objective opinion. However, Dan Hedaya does an excellent parady of Anthony Hopkins' role as Nixon, and his scenes offer some levity to a long 2 hours.

Overlooked as one of the smartest comedies of the 90's
I noticed that the reviews for the movie were all by adults. So I thought I'd do this review from through the eyes of a teenager. I just saw this for the first time about an hour ago and am now enjoying 'Teaching Mrs.Tingle'. And I must say, I enjoyed the movie so much. Though I wasn't around during Watergate, I found this movie interesting to watch, especially to see two upcoming teenage stars playing bimbos caught up in something that they can't comprehend. I found myself able to relate to their confusion at why the President would do this, but in the end you know they are much smarter than they were at the beginning. I also liked seeing Will Friel, who's hilarious on 'SNL'. The best part was that it was wicked smart, the way it so well tied in with the actual facts of the scandal. I also enjoyed it's quite 90's type turn when they prank phone called them and named themselves after a porno flick! So from a teenager, this movie is enjoyable from just about anyone's point of view and it was disappointingly overlooked by everyone.

I love "Dick"
Dick is one of those movie that you can just watch and a smile comes to your face. Then a laugh comes. Then more and more comes and then you're on the ground laughing your head off. Okay maybe I'm exagerating a tad bit but this movie really is halarious. Its a very smart comedy about the Watergate scandal involving president Nixon. If you loved "Clueless" or "Election" then you will love "Dick". ... Read more

Reviews (32)

Triple your pleasure, triple your fun
Due to a computer glitch, Alex (Lara Flynn Boyle) is classified as a boy by her college's housing department, and she's assigned to a suite with Stuart (Stephen Baldwin) and Eddie (Josh Charles). Alex reluctantly accepts the situation as she can't afford to live off campus. A curious scenario develops: Alex has eyes for Eddie, who's studious and bookish and might be gay, sexually brash and obnoxious Stuart likes the demure Alex (who can't stand him) and Eddie realizes he's attracted to Stuart. The unlikely trio explores themselves and their sexuality with an "us against them" attitude, or as Eddie puts it: "Those who get the joke, and those who don't". Very funny and thought provoking, and Boyle, Charles, and Baldwin seem to be tailor made for their roles. I'm sure this known but overlooked movie will achieve cult status over time.

one of my top 5
it also shows a smaller role played by the very funny arguette sibling Alexis Arquette who you may note for his boy george wanna be character in "the wedding singer" in this movie though he plays one of the lobby lizards. a guy with a nerdy little faghag and kittie litter breath with a big ole crush on Eddie..

one of my top 5
i love this movie. i always have since i rented it when i was about 15 (24 now). granted i probly shouldnt have been seeing this movie at 15 but when i watched it as i got older i connected with things alot more. it deals with breaking through your boundaries and basically it shows a trio of friends and what they go through, one main thing being a love triangle. This movies being set in college is too funny because that is in fact where people explore as eddie refers to it in the first 20 seconds of the movie "deviancy". "the word deviancy is from the latin roots. de meaning from and via the road, one who wanders from the road or gets lost. now days it refers to someone whos sexual practices are abnormal. This is the story of stuart alex and me and how for a while we became deviants, in both senses of the word"...
there is so much more to the movie but its not one of those gripping your heart type movies. this movie is mean to be fun. its a comedy, a romantic comedy on the verge of insanity. its also got some of the best lines ive seen in a movie.

Alex: If you're so hot on the idea, why don't you have sex with him?
Stuart: Taste of semen makes me gag.
Alex: How would you know? Whose semen were you eating?
Stuart: My own.(that was one of the many times stuart opens his mouth followed by people just staring at him with nothing to say)

Eddie: If Alex and Stuart were genetically merged into one person, he or she would've been the love of my life.(who hasnt felt like that before)

it also has a great soundtrack.

Everything is fairly much on an equalibrium until Eddie goes to pee one day and finds in the shower next to him a believed anti social suite mate, Alex who is very much a girl. Due to a computer glitch she is registered as male and cant afford her way out of it.

Time goes on as the boys (Eddie and his roommate Stuart) and Alex avoid eachother and Eddie and Stuart keep things that way by being the worst roommates they can find ways to be but soon they al find themselves connecting. well, Eddie and Alex anyway. Alex cant stand Stuart and sees him as a no neck ideot. then as alex describes it
Alex: You have the hots for me, I have the hots for him, and sooner or later he's gonna have the hots for you.
They find themselves in a triangle of hard crushes where "no ones getting out easy".
and as the title shows there is a big threeway which you can guess is going to happen after a short way into the film.

its incredibly funny. you should see it. its a movie that your gonna love wether your gay strait or bi. i dont care what you are just see it..

Sexually Fun
"Threesome" is a hilarious comedy released in 1994. It stars Josh Charles, Stephen Baldwin, and Lara Flynn Boyle. This explores three college students of different life backgrounds who unlikely become friends: a gay and artistic student, a sexually active man, and an emotional wreck. The written despliction is brilliant, keeping a unique theme. They know the perfect way to keep sexual innuendo funny, yet knowing the perfect scenes to add a hint of drama. Such erotica and other risque themes earns the cast and crew tremendous respect for expressing what few other filmmakers have in and before 1994. Many twists and turns arise, keeping audiences interested in every scene. All three lead actors perform at their career best in this film. Whether they're expressing sexual innuendo, suicidal tendencies, loneliness, or any others, they remain flawless in every scene. "Threesome" is a great comedy for those looking for something unique and sexually erotic. This is sure to keep audiences entertained for a long time, regardless the number of viewings.

Nice movie
"Threesome" is a great movie, although it is different than most films of the genre. It's a fun movie to watch, yet melancholy at the same time. I think one reason for its charm is, it is so relative to reality, although the situation, to most, is not. I gave it four stars for this same reason; it always puts me in a weird state of mind by the end. But that is okay -- sometimes, 4/5 star movies are the best. Stephen Baldwin, Lara Flynn Boyle and Josh Charles all make great performances, and I found the "Catcher In The Rye" connection they added in the movie rather unique. To close, I enjoy this film every time I see it. ... Read more

Reviews (41)

Uneven Steven Hurts Remake
Since Hollywood seems to be running out of ideas for original movie plots, I have a feeling that more updated remakes like 2003's The In Laws, are in the offing. If the film being remade is already a classic, then the update has a lot to live up to, and I'm always leary...I am a fan of the 1979 version of this film, starring Peter Falk and Alan Arkin, after watching the new film--I find myself disappointed

The Peyser and Tobias families are about to come together and celebrate the wedding of Mark (Ryan Reynolds)and Melissa (Lindsay Sloane). Little does the loving couple realize that their fathers are about to make their special day truly unforgettable. It seems that Mark's Dad Steve (Michael Douglas), is really an undercover CIA Agent, involved in a mission concerning illeagal weapons. Through a series of mishaps, the bride's father, Podiatrist Jerry (Albert Brooks) finds himself Steve's reluctant partner, helping him with the mission.

Director Andrew Flemming has big shoes to fill. For the most part, things turn out fair at best. A big problem I think is that Douglas is obviously miscast in the Falk role. Thankfully, Brooks is up to taking over for Arkin, and makes things watchable. The rest of the cast has their moments, especially Candice Begen, as Douglas's ex wife. The script is very predictable and the vital chemistry between the two men is forced and all one sided. As good as Brooks is--Douglas seems like he is out of step--therefore they don't hold a candle to Falk and Arkin.

The extras on the DVD are not really all that great. The only saving grace is the audio ommentary by Fleming. He, like Brooks is for the film is the one bright spot amid sub par material. The "hilarious" gag reel, "zany" additional scenes, and "riotous" sequences with Brooks don't really live up to any of those three adjectives. The theatrical trailers round out the laugh filled extras and the disc.

If you are a fan of Brooks, then by all means rent this version. But if you want to see what started it all, the far superior original is a better way to go.

Second Time Around
A remake, especially those that follow outstanding performances of their predecessor, often fall short of achieving the same level of greatness. Released in May 2003 by Warner Brothers and directed by Andrew Fleming, this adaptation of the movie The In-Laws (1979) had "big shoes to fill". The original film starred the comedy duo Alan Arkin and Peter Falk, who played the fathers of the prospective bride and groom. Thrown together before their children tied the knot, Falk, who played an on-again/off-again CIA agent takes Arkin, a naïve somewhat neurotic dentist, on a crazy adventure in his world of espionage on the eve their children's wedding.

In the latest version of this action comedy, the plot follows this same line. Steve Tobias (Michael Douglas), an undercover CIA agent sometimes arms dealer, drags Jerry Peyser (Albert Brooks), a mild-mannered podiatrist who is obsessed with giving his daughter the "perfect" wedding, across the Atlantic to "broker a deal" with a French drug lord, Jean-Pierre Thibodoux (David Suchet). Tobias's entanglement with unsavory characters of the underworld and being constantly tailed by a flock of FBI agents combined with traditional wedding settings provides the audience with some hilarious situations. Douglas does an excellent job with his deadpan delivery, somewhat reminiscent of his performance in Romancing the Stone, while Brooks is a perfect foil for him as he peppers the film with his somewhat phobic antics. Angela (Robin Tunney), Tobias's sidekick in his world of espionage, often outwits a befuddled Jerry Peyser in these madcap adventures. Rounding out the cast is Candice Bergen, as ex-wife Judy, Lindsay Stone, as the bride-to-be, and fiancé Ryan Reynolds.

The chemistry between Douglas and Brooks evolves over the course of the movie while Arkin and Falk clicked on all cylinders from the beginning. Even though this movie does not surpass its predecessor, it was entertaining none the less. Fleming did a good job of incorporating music to fit each scene. The In-Laws runs 95 minutes and it is a movie that provides pure entertainment without nudity and repetitive violence. Sit back and enjoy this film, even if it the "second time around."

This is a terrible DVD....
Seeing Warner Brothers movies at the theater is often better then when they come to DVD. This DVD is just awful in that it's bonus features are really bad. You have a Director's commetery spoken by a man who sounds like he forgot why he made the movie, multiple takes with Albert Brooks that look corny, and a blooper reel full of not so funny scenes. There are also deleted/alternate scenes that should have been left on the cutting room floor. I know Warners has cheap DVD standards,but this is ridicious.

The In-Laws
Man this movie sucks!I heard it was bad but I had no idea it was this bad.The plot is stupid and I di not laugh once during the whole film.Hello! This is suppose to be a comedy.The cast is fair but they aren't at their best but look what they had to work with.The characters are so annoying especially the couple that is going to get married.This definetly down there with Legally Blonde 2.They try to make it big and fancy with cool scenes and neat gadgets, but it sucks.The whole film is so utterly boring.My eyes were burning.This was suppose to be a book adaption, but I think the book probably sucked.Anyone who can sit through almost an hour and a half and think this is good has problems.Make sure to never check this one out.

Dr. Jerome Peyser is a mild-mannered podiatrist with a well-organized daily routine designed to eliminate all possible sources of stress. In his functional (if unfashionable) fanny pack he keeps a sanitary drinking cup in case he needs a sip of water away from home, a couple of Lorna Doones in case his blood sugar slumps a few points between meals, and a personal security alarm -- just in case.Meanwhile, daredevil CIA operative Steve Tobias moves through life like a heat-seeking missile. His average day consists of dodging bullets, stealing private jets and negotiating with international arms smugglers. Steve's unpredictable lifestyle has already driven ex-wife Judy (CANDICE BERGEN) to an ashram for some peace and has strained his relationship with son Mark (RYAN REYNOLDS) -- possibly beyond repair. Now he's giving potential father-of-the-bride Jerry a serious case of pre-nuptial jitters.Steve's dramatic entrances and exits, his cryptic references to a Russian runaway named Olga and his fight with a gunman in a restaurant washroom causes Jerry to see a vision of his daughter's (LINDSAY SLOANE) perfectly planned wedding blowing up in his face. As far as Jerry's concerned, letting Steve into his family takes "til death do us part" way too literally.Before he can say the wedding is off, Jerry suddenly finds himself embroiled in the chaos that follows in Steve's wake as he is dragged kicking and screaming into a series of perilous adventures that take the mismatched in-laws-to-be halfway around the world. Adding insult to injury is Steve's partner Angela (ROBIN TUNNEY), a dedicated agent who doesn't hide her hostility toward the uncooperative doctor who is -- for better or worse -- along for the ride.But when their children are in danger, Jerry and Steve will discover they can truly be an effective team -- as jet pack meets fanny pack in this riotous remake of the 1979 comedy The In-Laws. -- © Warner Bros.

"Watching The In-Laws is like listening to a drawn-out, gruesomely inappropriate toast made at a posh wedding reception by a dissolute best man."
-- Gene Seymour, NEWSDAY

Average action/comedy film
I saw this film having been unaware it was a remake prior to seeing the DVD. The premise seems amusing but as the movie proceeds the the characters' actions and reactions just don't make much sense. Fortunately, Michael Douglas carries his role well and Albert Brooks adeptly plays the role of the in-law caught up in dangerous drama he can't comprehend. The absurdity of how the plot proceeds is the source of comedy in this film, while the idea of the FBI chasing a potentially rogue deep-cover CIA agent isn't actually that strange - frankly I find the agencies themselves to be rogue operations relevant to the interests of common citizens. Getting back to the story, the spy's son and the doctor's daughter are due to be married and the Douglas character is juggling the wedding preparations with his latest spy operation. Now that Brooks' character is about to become "family" the spy decides to involve him in company business. This can appear funny or unsettling, depending upon how one identifies with the characters. It is almost in the vein of "Meet The Parents" in some ways, but the laughs are fewer and less effective here. This film has its moments but is generally just an average quality comedy and not the best vehicle for these actors. ... Read more

Description

Family matters. Laughing matters. They're all a matter of laugh or death as Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks play opposites thrust together by their children's wedding and by CIA agent Douglas' involvement in an arms-smuggling sting operation, plunging mild-mannered podiatrist Brooks into the world of international intrigue. ... Read more

Reviews (41)

Uneven Steven Hurts Remake
Since Hollywood seems to be running out of ideas for original movie plots, I have a feeling that more updated remakes like 2003's The In Laws, are in the offing. If the film being remade is already a classic, then the update has a lot to live up to, and I'm always leary...I am a fan of the 1979 version of this film, starring Peter Falk and Alan Arkin, after watching the new film--I find myself disappointed

The Peyser and Tobias families are about to come together and celebrate the wedding of Mark (Ryan Reynolds)and Melissa (Lindsay Sloane). Little does the loving couple realize that their fathers are about to make their special day truly unforgettable. It seems that Mark's Dad Steve (Michael Douglas), is really an undercover CIA Agent, involved in a mission concerning illeagal weapons. Through a series of mishaps, the bride's father, Podiatrist Jerry (Albert Brooks) finds himself Steve's reluctant partner, helping him with the mission.

Director Andrew Flemming has big shoes to fill. For the most part, things turn out fair at best. A big problem I think is that Douglas is obviously miscast in the Falk role. Thankfully, Brooks is up to taking over for Arkin, and makes things watchable. The rest of the cast has their moments, especially Candice Begen, as Douglas's ex wife. The script is very predictable and the vital chemistry between the two men is forced and all one sided. As good as Brooks is--Douglas seems like he is out of step--therefore they don't hold a candle to Falk and Arkin.

The extras on the DVD are not really all that great. The only saving grace is the audio ommentary by Fleming. He, like Brooks is for the film is the one bright spot amid sub par material. The "hilarious" gag reel, "zany" additional scenes, and "riotous" sequences with Brooks don't really live up to any of those three adjectives. The theatrical trailers round out the laugh filled extras and the disc.

If you are a fan of Brooks, then by all means rent this version. But if you want to see what started it all, the far superior original is a better way to go.

Second Time Around
A remake, especially those that follow outstanding performances of their predecessor, often fall short of achieving the same level of greatness. Released in May 2003 by Warner Brothers and directed by Andrew Fleming, this adaptation of the movie The In-Laws (1979) had "big shoes to fill". The original film starred the comedy duo Alan Arkin and Peter Falk, who played the fathers of the prospective bride and groom. Thrown together before their children tied the knot, Falk, who played an on-again/off-again CIA agent takes Arkin, a naïve somewhat neurotic dentist, on a crazy adventure in his world of espionage on the eve their children's wedding.

In the latest version of this action comedy, the plot follows this same line. Steve Tobias (Michael Douglas), an undercover CIA agent sometimes arms dealer, drags Jerry Peyser (Albert Brooks), a mild-mannered podiatrist who is obsessed with giving his daughter the "perfect" wedding, across the Atlantic to "broker a deal" with a French drug lord, Jean-Pierre Thibodoux (David Suchet). Tobias's entanglement with unsavory characters of the underworld and being constantly tailed by a flock of FBI agents combined with traditional wedding settings provides the audience with some hilarious situations. Douglas does an excellent job with his deadpan delivery, somewhat reminiscent of his performance in Romancing the Stone, while Brooks is a perfect foil for him as he peppers the film with his somewhat phobic antics. Angela (Robin Tunney), Tobias's sidekick in his world of espionage, often outwits a befuddled Jerry Peyser in these madcap adventures. Rounding out the cast is Candice Bergen, as ex-wife Judy, Lindsay Stone, as the bride-to-be, and fiancé Ryan Reynolds.

The chemistry between Douglas and Brooks evolves over the course of the movie while Arkin and Falk clicked on all cylinders from the beginning. Even though this movie does not surpass its predecessor, it was entertaining none the less. Fleming did a good job of incorporating music to fit each scene. The In-Laws runs 95 minutes and it is a movie that provides pure entertainment without nudity and repetitive violence. Sit back and enjoy this film, even if it the "second time around."

This is a terrible DVD....
Seeing Warner Brothers movies at the theater is often better then when they come to DVD. This DVD is just awful in that it's bonus features are really bad. You have a Director's commetery spoken by a man who sounds like he forgot why he made the movie, multiple takes with Albert Brooks that look corny, and a blooper reel full of not so funny scenes. There are also deleted/alternate scenes that should have been left on the cutting room floor. I know Warners has cheap DVD standards,but this is ridicious.

The In-Laws
Man this movie sucks!I heard it was bad but I had no idea it was this bad.The plot is stupid and I di not laugh once during the whole film.Hello! This is suppose to be a comedy.The cast is fair but they aren't at their best but look what they had to work with.The characters are so annoying especially the couple that is going to get married.This definetly down there with Legally Blonde 2.They try to make it big and fancy with cool scenes and neat gadgets, but it sucks.The whole film is so utterly boring.My eyes were burning.This was suppose to be a book adaption, but I think the book probably sucked.Anyone who can sit through almost an hour and a half and think this is good has problems.Make sure to never check this one out.

Dr. Jerome Peyser is a mild-mannered podiatrist with a well-organized daily routine designed to eliminate all possible sources of stress. In his functional (if unfashionable) fanny pack he keeps a sanitary drinking cup in case he needs a sip of water away from home, a couple of Lorna Doones in case his blood sugar slumps a few points between meals, and a personal security alarm -- just in case.Meanwhile, daredevil CIA operative Steve Tobias moves through life like a heat-seeking missile. His average day consists of dodging bullets, stealing private jets and negotiating with international arms smugglers. Steve's unpredictable lifestyle has already driven ex-wife Judy (CANDICE BERGEN) to an ashram for some peace and has strained his relationship with son Mark (RYAN REYNOLDS) -- possibly beyond repair. Now he's giving potential father-of-the-bride Jerry a serious case of pre-nuptial jitters.Steve's dramatic entrances and exits, his cryptic references to a Russian runaway named Olga and his fight with a gunman in a restaurant washroom causes Jerry to see a vision of his daughter's (LINDSAY SLOANE) perfectly planned wedding blowing up in his face. As far as Jerry's concerned, letting Steve into his family takes "til death do us part" way too literally.Before he can say the wedding is off, Jerry suddenly finds himself embroiled in the chaos that follows in Steve's wake as he is dragged kicking and screaming into a series of perilous adventures that take the mismatched in-laws-to-be halfway around the world. Adding insult to injury is Steve's partner Angela (ROBIN TUNNEY), a dedicated agent who doesn't hide her hostility toward the uncooperative doctor who is -- for better or worse -- along for the ride.But when their children are in danger, Jerry and Steve will discover they can truly be an effective team -- as jet pack meets fanny pack in this riotous remake of the 1979 comedy The In-Laws. -- © Warner Bros.

"Watching The In-Laws is like listening to a drawn-out, gruesomely inappropriate toast made at a posh wedding reception by a dissolute best man."
-- Gene Seymour, NEWSDAY

Average action/comedy film
I saw this film having been unaware it was a remake prior to seeing the DVD. The premise seems amusing but as the movie proceeds the the characters' actions and reactions just don't make much sense. Fortunately, Michael Douglas carries his role well and Albert Brooks adeptly plays the role of the in-law caught up in dangerous drama he can't comprehend. The absurdity of how the plot proceeds is the source of comedy in this film, while the idea of the FBI chasing a potentially rogue deep-cover CIA agent isn't actually that strange - frankly I find the agencies themselves to be rogue operations relevant to the interests of common citizens. Getting back to the story, the spy's son and the doctor's daughter are due to be married and the Douglas character is juggling the wedding preparations with his latest spy operation. Now that Brooks' character is about to become "family" the spy decides to involve him in company business. This can appear funny or unsettling, depending upon how one identifies with the characters. It is almost in the vein of "Meet The Parents" in some ways, but the laughs are fewer and less effective here. This film has its moments but is generally just an average quality comedy and not the best vehicle for these actors. ... Read more

Amazon.com

If Buffy the Vampire Slayer represents the lighter side of high school as a macabre experience, here's a movie that asks the burning question, "What happens when angst-ridden teenagers develop supernatural powers?" More to the point, how do four outcast teenaged witches handle their ability to cast wicked spells on the taunting classmates who've nicknamed them "The Bitches of Eastwick"? The answer, of course, is "don't get mad, get even." That's about all there is to this terminally silly movie, which makes up for its ludicrous plot by letting its young female cast have a field day as they indulge their dark fantasies. Fairuza Balk is enjoyable as the most wicked of the witches, and is therefore the focus of the film's most dazzling special effects. But it's Neve Campbell from television's Party of Five who made this film a modest box-office hit, just before she became her generation's fright-movie favorite in Scream and its popular sequel. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (170)

This movie was great, despite it's fictional entities
When I first saw this movie I was blown away buy it. Since then it has become one of my favorite movies of all time. Like many other people this movie gave me false ideas about Witchcraft, which I found otherwise as fictional. Even now as a practitioner of Wicca I still find it to be a great movie. This movie was made for entertainment purposes and not to persuade or disuade anyone one way or the other.

Fairuza Balk as Nancy was awesome. She played and looked the part so well and I don't think anyone could have done a better job. The movie is based around three teenage girls classified as the misfits of the school. They come together to form a small coven and cast spells one themselves and other people. Sarah is the newcomer who is quickly accepted into their circle. As the movie progresses things get out of hand and Nancy ends up way in over her head and it's up to Sarah to use her powerful inheritated gift of magick to stop her. I suggest this movie for anyone who wants to be thrilled.

Craft Services
The Craft is a solid, yet still somewhat predictable thriller, that tried to ride the surging horror wave started by Scream.

Sarah Baily (Robin Tunney) has always felt like an outsider all her life. So, when she and her Dad (Cliff De Young) move to a new town, she finds herself having to start fresh. As the new gal at St. Benedict's Academy, she immediately falls in with the high school's female misfits. But, this group of girls won't settle for being just powerless outcasts, that nobody wants to hang out with. Indeed, Nancy, (Fairuza Balk) Bonnie, (Neve Campbell), and Rochelle (Rachel True) have discovered just how much fun school can be if you have the skills to use "The Craft" and they plan to show Sarah the way.

Director and co scripter Andrew Fleming plays things pretty safe throughout the film. The tried and true horror formula isn't tested that much. Young and trendy stars populate the cast, with moments of humor and a few jolts, thrown in for good measure. The breakout performance for me here is Balk's sassy Nancy. She is one tough witch you don't want to mess with. She helps make the film better than it would be otherwise. As with any film about the wicken way, there's also a certain female "bonding" subtext that has to play itself out, as well.

The special edition DVD substitutes for the movie only edition from awhile back. The audio commentary from Fleming is a nice mix of the tecnical and on set trivia about the film. There are two making Of featurettes on the disc. The first,is a six minute EPK style prepublicity kind of thing, while the second is a 24 minute retrospective, produced for the DVD. Conjuring THE CRAFT features "new" interviews with Fleming, Robin Tunny, Rachel True among others, intermixed with on set comments from Balk and Campbell. This is well produced. Fleming provides commentary for the deleted footage that, doesn't really amount to much as far as the final version is concerned The entire film score from Greame Revell is preserved and given its due as an isolated music track. Talent files, as well as, theatrical trailers for The Craft, among other films top off the bonus material on the disc. Addtional production notes can be found inside the keep case.

The Craft is worth a dabble, with a *** and a half star rating, as long as your expectations are kept in check.

These Girls Know Their Rites!
Sarah Bailey (Robin Tunney) is the new kid in town, but even under the best of circumstances she has never been accepted by the popular crowd. At her new school, she falls in with a trio of other female misfits (Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, and Rachel True) who, it so happens, are trying to learn witchcraft and form their own little coven. When Sarah joins them to make it a quartet, they slowly develop multifold preternatural powers and learn how to focus and use them. With such abilities literally at their fingertips, it's not too long until the little coven, initially formed for self-protection and companionship, becomes an instrument for personal gain and revenge. Sarah soon realizes that one of her friends is evil to the core, and fearful of what THAT one may do with the group's newfound powers, she decides it's best to resign from the coven and thereby weaken the magic abilities of the others. But the coven has different plans, particularly regarding Sarah....

The sleeper hit THE CRAFT (1996) could've easily been played for camp, but it is instead a story of modern urban witchcraft that is both literate and emotionally powerful. The success of the film is due to Peter Filardi and Andrew Fleming's tight, well-written script, excellent direction from Fleming, and outstanding acting from principals Tunney, Balk, Campbell, and True. The supernatural elements of the story are handled carefully and earnestly, and witchcraft or the belief in it is never ridiculed or treated derisively. This keeps the tone of the film somewhat dark and edgy, which in turn creates an uneasy, spooky atmosphere that cues the audience to the fact that this is a serious horror film. Fleming wisely keeps the special FX to a minimum until the story's climax on the final reel, and he instead emphasizes the relationships in this group of dysfunctional, angst-ridden girls, well knowing that the primary target audience--to wit, teenagers--will easily relate to these characters and their normal desires and fears.

The Special Edition DVD from Columbia/Tri-Star offers THE CRAFT in anamorphic widescreen at its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The digital transfer is very good, with minimal filmic or digital artifacts. The disc also features an informative commentary with director Andrew Fleming, 2 featurettes, deleted scenes, and more. THE CRAFT is a cool horror film that most fans of the genre will enjoy, and the very reasonable price makes it easy for fans to add this DVD to their collections.

Darkly peculiar, yet entertaining all the same
I was looking for entertainment and I found it in THE CRAFT.

So maybe it was filled with holes. Maybe it's a tad unrealistic. Maybe it doesn't portray Wicca with fair accuracy (not that I care about that). So it's flawed. So what?

That said, THE CRAFT is awfully entertaining and worth more than one watch - hence my umpteenth watch a few weekends ago. I especially appreciated Fairuza Balk's performance - just as much as gorgeous Robin Tunney's. It's a shame she's no Hollywood starlet today. A year or more ago I saw her in this dreadful movie called CHERISH, a truly tedious indie flick.

Tunney plays Sarah, newcomer to the neighborhood. After being shunned by the popular girls, a circle of peculiar witches take her beneath their collective wings. Nancy, Bonnie, and Rochelle all have supernatural powers and the rumor mongers have always been spreading gossip about them. (They are played by Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, and Rachel True, respectively.) Now, it is time to get revenge on those who have wronged them - yes, revenge is the only remedy to their teenage angst and turmoil.

Each girl has a different situation. Rumors have been churning through the mill that Sarah Bailey slept with popular jock Chris Hooker (played by Skeet Ulrich, who later appeared with Campbell in SCREAM). Not only that, but he claims she sucked in bed, according to Nancy. Sarah had really been into Chris during their first date and after one kiss on a rooftop, he'd tried to take her back home with him. She'd declined and Chris had seemed a little disappointed. Still, Sarah never guessed he'd begin spreading lies about her. Now, she will get Chris, who snubs her in the halls, to fall truly, madly, and deeply head-over-heels in love with her. In fact, with Sarah's powers, he develops humorous stalker-esque tendencies.

Nancy Down's troubles mainly concern her homelife. Her father is a bum. She and her two parents live the stereotypical white trash lifestyle. Nancy uses her powers to give her father a heart attack (odd, yes...I know) and because of his death, she and Mrs. Down are left with a big 'ole sum of money. They move into a very nice apartment and are able to live quite comfortably.

Bonnie was involved in a terrible accident that left her permanently scarred - much of the high school knows about the disfiguring scars. She has a beautiful face but her scars inable her to wear certain clothes and she's oh-so self-concious about it. She undergoes a painful hospital operation that may or may not improve her condition - it does, thanks to her supernatural powers. :) Because of the operation, her mother and the doctors aren't all that suspicious. They just assume it to be the goodness of medical technology.

Rochelle's dilemma concerns racist Laura Lizzie (Christine Taylor), who is on the school's swim team with her. Laura makes it crystal clear that she can't stand Rochelle because she's black. Whenever Rochelle is at work perfecting her dives, Laura shouts out cruel remarks to distract her and she also calls her racial slurs in the locker room. Rochelle's spell causes Laura's hair to begin to fall out in huge clumps that leave bald patches all over her blonde head. Within days, she's totally bald.

But what you do to others in your spells comes back to haunt you. Times three. So now, the girls will have to deal with the consequences of their actions. Sarah must also deal with the fact that her three friends are turning on her and she must face the harrowing battle all on her own.

That is, if they don't kill her first.

With good performances and an exciting plot, this movie may appeal to fans of HEATHERS, MEAN GIRLS, and other movies in which the theme of all-girl friendships are stressed. Many critics took an intense disliking to this film, but it has been rather popular with many audiences, doing mildly well in the box office and on video.

Awesome movie
On her first day of school, Sarah is snubbed by the more popular girls and ends up becoming part of a circle of girls who are witches.

One by one, it goes through and shows each one of the girls problem. Bonnie was in a fire and left with horrible burn marks, Rochelle is the target of a racist clique, Nancy comes from a broken home, and Sarah is still haunted by memories of a suicide attempt. They all cast spells to improve their lives, and they work. Sarah makes a guy fall in love with her, Rochelle causes her harasser's hair to fall out, Bonnie overcomes her scars and Nancy ends up killing her jerk stepfather, resulting in her mother and her to inherit a bunch of money from him.

As the girls get deeper and deeper into the craft, Sarah realizes that they are taking everything too far. Bonnie has turned into a total snob, Rochelle's tormentor goes completely bald, Sarah's love spell has turned into dangerous obsession, and Nancy has completely turned power hungry. When Sarah makes her desire to leave the circle known, they will not hear of it. Nancy ends up trying to kill Sarah, resulting in one of the best fight scenes EVER.

Overall, some of the stuff referring to the craft in this movie is true. The quarter calls made by the group are actual Gardnarian Tradition quarter calls, and the threefold law is TRUE (I know from experience, lol) ... Read more