Reviews (15)

Losing Isaiah is the best
Losing Isaiah is the best movie that i've seen so what if Isaiah is african american and a white person wants to adopt him the way i see it is it shouldn't be about race it should be about the love and care that a child gets from the family that they are with no matter what race they are in my opinion Isaiah should have stayed with the family he was with before they moved him they were giving him the love and care that he needed and deserved. he shouldn't have went back with his natural mother he should have stayed where he was at in the first place.the place that he felt the most loved and secured that should have been his family.

Good story plot ;good acting by "et al"
12/04/03 The movie ends with one line on the screen Isaiah 11:6 "and a little child shall lead them"...Supense is there from the moment that the child's biological mother*(played by actress Halle Berry*)) puts him in a cardboard box behind the "beastly room she has herself & he living in"; to him being rescued from the inside of a Muncipal Trash Truck " in the nick of time;to the ER representing itself as the life saving force of hospitals once more, in rescusitating him; with a woman* (of another race and her family adopting him)played by actress Jessica Lange*) saving him from an early life of "foster homes" ,his biological mother raising from her demons,pits and dens of self destruction",the courts ruling in favor of the biological mother (so he can be raised in the culture which is the reality that he must be groomed to realize)to an ending of the adoptee's mother and the biological mother going beyond "self" to be a team in helping him reach the age of reason and beyond as a sensible human.

Who's Better at Being a Parent?
Seeing this movie for the second time, twice on television, the story is about a an African-American baby abandoned by his mother, Khaila Richars, who was strung out on crack, and his foster mother, Margaret Lewin, a social worker who raises him. The first three years of the boy's life, he is nurtured and cared for by the Lewin family while his mother goes through rehab and getting herself a job and a place to stay. She learns of the child she abandons and wants to claim custody of him.
I felt that Khaila needed more time be an adult rather than trying to claim her son back. For one thing, she abandoned a baby and got hooked on drugs. And another, she needs to know how to be a more responsible adult. Although she got rid of her married boyfriend and kicked her habit, she couldn't offer much for Isaiah who was already accustomed to his surroundings. The Lewins, who are white, raised Isaiah, despite the cultural differences. But they have to relate to a society that is colorblind. They just can't up and assume that everything is like a fairy tale. Margaret's husband cheated on her and she didn't even know it until he admitted it in court.
Unfortunately children like Isaiah are put away and await for families that reflect their background and oftentimes, they never get adopted fully. It's even more sad when people have children that they aren't prepared to care for. Government intervention has made it worse. It is argued by some people that they need to bring back group homes and orphanages and put more funding into them. But of course, that too was under fire.
I felt that Isaiah better off living with a family that was stable and nurturing and that Khaila needed to grow up and get herself together. Perhaps even form a certain bond with the family that took in Isaiah.

Cried SO hard!
I've seen this movie on Lifetime Movie Network last year, in my own home, during the Spring. All I remember is little bits and peices of it, but - at the end ... I was hystarical in TEARS! I don't want to spoil you, but - she (the birth mother) did give back her son to the one that cared for her, because the son was CRYING and not eating a THING for weeks. This is why I was CRYING because it was SUCH a happy ending! Gotta watch it... :) You'll cry, too, if you're as sensitive as I am. :)

Powerful and Emotional
For those of you that think Halle is just a pretty face...hopefully her Oscar winning performance in "Monster's Ball" showed you that she wasn't...but if you still have doubts this is a movie you should see. Halle is well deserving of an Oscar in this film as well, she plays a crack addicted homeless woman who loses it all and dumps her baby in the trash just so she can get a hit...when she comes out of her drug stooper she then realizes her mistake, but it's too late. The baby was adopted by a white family and she believes her baby to have died. The movie takes off from there, the white family raises and cares for the child. After Halle's character struggles but reforms herself she finds out that the child is still alive. Then the battle for who is rightfully the parent of the child begins. Some of the highlights here...Samuel L. Jackson's role as Halle's Lawyer and the scene in which the 2 "mothers" meet in the bathroom for the first time...that is a very powerful scene. The movie is a very powerful and moving piece of cinema. Excellent film. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Released to only a handful of theaters in the spring and summer of 1998, Homegrown was neglected by nervous distributors who couldn't figure out how to market a movie about marijuana farmers. As a result, hardly anyone saw this cleverly plotted comedy-thriller about three experienced pot growers in northern California (Billy Bob Thornton, Hank Azaria, and Ryan Phillippe) who guard their valuable outdoor crop against raids by the cops and unwanted competitors. When their mysterious leader is apparently murdered, Thornton assumes the dead man's identity to arrange one last, lucrative bumper-crop deal, but pulling off the scam proves to be a lot harder than they'd anticipated. While the three potheads seek refuge with an old colleague (Kelly Lynch) and routinely sample their goods (which explains the film's theatrical obscurity), Homegrown turns into a taut thriller fueled by equal parts comedy and paranoid tension--an update of The Treasure of the Sierra Madre with marijuana instead of gold! Featuring cameo roles for Jamie Lee Curtis, Ted Danson, and John Lithgow, this entertaining film fell victim to the misguided fear that it promotes drugs and illegal activity. If anything, it promotes interesting characters, catchy dialogue, and a welcomed alternative to mainstream Hollywood comedies. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Cut Above The Average TV Movie!
"Evidence Of Love" a.k.a "Killing In A Small Town" when it aired on CBS in the early 90's features an EMMY Award winning performance by Barbara Hershey (Beaches)The film is adapted from the book "Evidence Of Love" which is based on the true story of Candy Morrison who appeared to be an upstanding wife, mother and respected member of the community.
After an affair with her best friend's husband things spin out of control and Candy soon realizes the damage she has caused is irreversible. Confronted by her friend about the affair, their anger quickly becomes violent.
The film ends with a courtroom scene which has become all to familiar in made for TV movies. However, this film rises above such conventions with stellar performances by Hershey, Brian Dennehy and Hal Holbrook, a clever script by Cynthia Cidre and skilled direction by Stephen Gyllenhaal.
The DVD has no special features other that full screen presentation and scene selection. The picture quality is quite good and is beautifully packaged in a keep case coverbox.
This is feature film quality entertainment! Not your average made for TV movie!

Absolutely superb, should have been a theatrical release
This is a brilliant version of the book "Evidence of Love," a true story about small-town repressions that lead to horrific circumstances. Brian Dennehy, Hal Holbrook, John Terry, and Lee Garlington are letter-perfect as the supporting cast. But you will never forget Barbara Hershey as the protagonist. Her performance is completely devastating, and it takes a subsequent viewing to appreciate just how flawless she is (she gets so deep into this character that you forget you're watching an actress). She won the Emmy and had this been a theatrical release (shoulda been, IMHO) she would have trotted home Oscar. One of the most exquisite performances ever filmed. She really delivers the goods, especially in the bone-rattling murder sequence.

Riveting, unforgettable, excellent film.
I have never seen a made-for-television movie as riveting and powerful as this. Not only is the story, (based on real events) absolutely astounding, but the film offers a marvelous depiction of small town America in the bible belt and how very ordinary people can be led to do terrible things. Barbara Hershey's performance is one of the best I've ever seen by any actor anywhere. So finely nuanced and real. I will never, ever forget this film. ... Read more

Description

Candy Morrison (Barbara Hershey, The Killer Beside Me, Chicago Hope), is bored with her life as a wife and mother in a small town. She yearns for excitement and finds it in the arms of her husband’s close friend, Stan Blankenship. But, the passionate affair ends almost as soon as it began. A few weeks later, Stan’s wife is found brutally murdered – axed to death. Never before in the town’s history has someone been killed in such a violent manner. Unbelievably, Candy becomes the prime suspect. Is Candy merely a scapegoat? Or, does she harbor a secret that could push her past the brink of insanity?DVD extras include:About the Film, About the Stars, Interactive Menus, Scene Selections; Approx. 91 minutes; Color ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Cut Above The Average TV Movie!
"Evidence Of Love" a.k.a "Killing In A Small Town" when it aired on CBS in the early 90's features an EMMY Award winning performance by Barbara Hershey (Beaches)The film is adapted from the book "Evidence Of Love" which is based on the true story of Candy Morrison who appeared to be an upstanding wife, mother and respected member of the community.
After an affair with her best friend's husband things spin out of control and Candy soon realizes the damage she has caused is irreversible. Confronted by her friend about the affair, their anger quickly becomes violent.
The film ends with a courtroom scene which has become all to familiar in made for TV movies. However, this film rises above such conventions with stellar performances by Hershey, Brian Dennehy and Hal Holbrook, a clever script by Cynthia Cidre and skilled direction by Stephen Gyllenhaal.
The DVD has no special features other that full screen presentation and scene selection. The picture quality is quite good and is beautifully packaged in a keep case coverbox.
This is feature film quality entertainment! Not your average made for TV movie!

Absolutely superb, should have been a theatrical release
This is a brilliant version of the book "Evidence of Love," a true story about small-town repressions that lead to horrific circumstances. Brian Dennehy, Hal Holbrook, John Terry, and Lee Garlingtonare letter-perfect as the supporting cast. But you will never forgetBarbara Hershey as the protagonist. Her performance is completelydevastating, and it takes a subsequent viewing to appreciate just howflawless she is (she gets so deep into this character that you forgetyou're watching an actress). She won the Emmy and had this been atheatrical release (shoulda been, IMHO) she would have trotted home Oscar.One of the most exquisite performances ever filmed. She really delivers thegoods, especially in the bone-rattling murder sequence.

Riveting, unforgettable, excellent film.
I have never seen a made-for-television movie as riveting and powerful as this. Not only is the story, (based on real events) absolutely astounding, but the film offers a marvelous depiction of small town America in thebible belt and how very ordinary people can be led to do terrible things.Barbara Hershey's performance is one of the best I've ever seen by anyactor anywhere. So finely nuanced and real. I will never, ever forget thisfilm. ... Read more

Description

From the award-winning director of Paris Trout comes this powerful adaptation of best-selling author Ann Patchett's New York Times Notable Book. Emmy-winner Dana Delany (China Beach) stars as Rose, a desperate expectant woman who leaves her husband and takes refuge in a shelter for unwed pregnant women. She begins a new life, raising her daughter and marrying the shelter's handyman (Clancy Brown, The Shawshank Redemption). But when her first husband tracks her down, she is faced with the agonizing decision whether to flee her past once again ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Cut Above The Average TV Movie!
"Evidence Of Love" a.k.a "Killing In A Small Town" when it aired on CBS in the early 90's features an EMMY Award winning performance by Barbara Hershey (Beaches)The film is adapted from the book "Evidence Of Love" which is based on the true story of Candy Morrison who appeared to be an upstanding wife, mother and respected member of the community.
After an affair with her best friend's husband things spin out of control and Candy soon realizes the damage she has caused is irreversible. Confronted by her friend about the affair, their anger quickly becomes violent.
The film ends with a courtroom scene which has become all to familiar in made for TV movies. However, this film rises above such conventions with stellar performances by Hershey, Brian Dennehy and Hal Holbrook, a clever script by Cynthia Cidre and skilled direction by Stephen Gyllenhaal.
The DVD has no special features other that full screen presentation and scene selection. The picture quality is quite good and is beautifully packaged in a keep case coverbox.
This is feature film quality entertainment! Not your average made for TV movie!

Absolutely superb, should have been a theatrical release
This is a brilliant version of the book "Evidence of Love," a true story about small-town repressions that lead to horrific circumstances. Brian Dennehy, Hal Holbrook, John Terry, and Lee Garlington are letter-perfect as the supporting cast. But you will never forget Barbara Hershey as the protagonist. Her performance is completely devastating, and it takes a subsequent viewing to appreciate just how flawless she is (she gets so deep into this character that you forget you're watching an actress). She won the Emmy and had this been a theatrical release (shoulda been, IMHO) she would have trotted home Oscar. One of the most exquisite performances ever filmed. She really delivers the goods, especially in the bone-rattling murder sequence.

Riveting, unforgettable, excellent film.
I have never seen a made-for-television movie as riveting and powerful as this. Not only is the story, (based on real events) absolutely astounding, but the film offers a marvelous depiction of small town America in the bible belt and how very ordinary people can be led to do terrible things. Barbara Hershey's performance is one of the best I've ever seen by any actor anywhere. So finely nuanced and real. I will never, ever forget this film. ... Read more

Reviews (71)

JONSIN' FOR SEASON TWO
I am a huge David Lynch fan. ESPECIALY Twin Peaks. I own the episodes on VHS (as horrible in quality as they are), and was so happy when I found season one on DVD. I was extremely impressed with the quality of the DVDs (especialy after wearing out the already bad VHS tapes). What I enjoy most with the DVDs, in comparison to the VHS tapes (aside from the obvious quality improvement), is the optional intro with the Log Lady.

In some false hope that the powers that be may read this I have to ask, why couldn't the entire series have been put into one package as was done with the VHS tapes to begin with? The first season was really only a half season anyway. I beg you to release the second season on DVD, even if it is through an order form as a previous "review" suggested. This is seriously torture thinking that I may have to revert to my VHS tapes forever to finish the series.

don't toss your crummy vhs copy of season two yet
Hmph, website won't let me withhold my rating.

Taking skawes' Dec. 1 advice, I just spoke over the phone with an individual from Artisan's Home Entertainment division and learned that a Season Two DVD set doesn't show up anywhere on Artisan's 2003 production calendar.

This probably means either:
1)they're not making anything public (I didn't pretend to be a Hollywood Video regional purchaser or anything),
2)they haven't acquired the rights for dvd production (I'm guessing that's not the case, although the person who I spoke to wasn't sure), or
3)they really don't see a point in pursuing what many still misperceive as a stagnant cult market...

...which is unfortunate. I've owned the Season One DVDs for over a year, but I've resisted watching them until the rest of the series is released. I don't think I could bear watching 7 beautifully remastered, dolby digital, crystal clear, tear-inducing episodes only to be forced to revert to my old stretched out fuzzy vhs tapes for season two. better to wait. another year.. maybe more...

Lynch's Genius - Fans' Frustration
I am also a frustrated fan. I don't even have the luxury of having a set of crappy VHS tapes. I have not yet seen the television series from beginning to end. I have the original pilot, the first season, and firewalk on DVD, and have been patiently waiting for the release of season 2. I am pissed.
I don't know if this means anything, but I know that TP is a hard swallow for some people (who I think are just braindead anyway) but being introduced to TP the way I was may have been what caught my attention. I first saw firewalk before any other episodes, and the film made utter and complete sense to me. The interviews with the cast made it seem that the storyline when 'awry' for most of them. But watching the beginning after seeing the end... (or is that seeing the end after watching the beginning?) made me realise that the 'end' couldn't have occurred any differently. That show was well thought out, and the symbolism is gut level, as well as spiritual - and not just 'supernatural' as I've heard it described. I believe the whole story to be about the spiritual turmoil that results from abuse at the hands of those we trust the most, and the despair that results. Genius. Lynch is a genius.

my tapes died long ago
PLEASE get the 2nd season DVD out pronto. I know it's due out soon in region 2 so it's just the corporate jerks and studio gobblers holding this up. My vhs tapes died long ago (not that they were great to start with) and now the video rental store doesn't even carry them anymore (I think I was the only one who ever checked them out)! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!! I realize there's a bit more to the TP than there is to the crap they pump out for bad tv shows a day after the season is over, but I know it's ready to go just waiting for the studios to decide who's going to rip us off by splitting season 2 into 2 parts or something. ugh.

It seems logical to me....
Twin Peaks only had two seasons before it was cut down by network idiots. Season 1 is the only one (of the two, remember) to make it to DVD thus far. CRAP like "Friends," "King of the Hill," and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer (sorry Buffy fans--the show really is awful)" are into at least their 3rd seasons on DVD. What's the deal? THERE ARE ONLY TWO SEASONS OF TWIN PEAKS-----EVER. YOU CAN"T GIVE SOMEONE SEASON ONE AND NOT SEASON TWO WHEN THERE ARE ONLY TWO SEASONS!!!!!! I FEEL LIKE I'M LOSING MY MIND HERE! AAAARRRRRRRRGH! ... Read more