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It's not exactly Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, but this 1998 entry, starring Vanessa Williams and newcomer Chayanne offers its own terpsichorean pleasures. The story centers on Rafael Infante (Chayanne), a Cuban émigré to Texas, where he takes a menial job at a local dance studio run by John Burnett (Kris Kristofferson). There, he falls for Ruby Sinclair (Vanessa Williams), a one-time ballroom championship contender looking for the opportunity to compete for the title once more. The romance seems a foregone conclusion but has some snap thanks to a crisp performance by Williams and a sunny (if limited) one by Chayanne, a singing star in Puerto Rico. Best of all is the dancing itself. In terms of both energy, exuberance, and style, this film's dance sequences rank with the best of the decade's limited celebration of the kinetic art, such as Strictly Ballroom and Shall We Dance. Though the movie's central plot secret seems obvious from the first downbeat, the film takes off every time the dance music kicks in. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (85)

Fantastic
"Dance With Me" was a really great movie that worked on manylevels. It had great music, an enthusiastic, fun-loving cast, a great storyline, believable characters, sensitivity, romance, and a happy ending. This was accomplished without the use of gratuitios sex, violence, and bad language that seems to be all too common in todays movies of lesser character. Vanessa L. Williams was great as dancer Ruby, and Chayanne was wonderful and romantic as her male love-interest, though he did have a tendency to smile way too much. They were amazingly romantic, full of chemistry, Chayanne was very convincing in his role as a man with dubious parentage. Chayanne is hot, yes, but even hotter was the man who played Vanessa L. William's ex-partner, the father of her son, and competetion partner during the Latin dance contest sequence. He is an extremely sexy man! I only wish that he, Valenzuela (the male Valenzuela--not the woman one), could have gotten WAY more screen time. This movie makes you want to get up and dance. It moves you in more ways than one. I've watched it at least twenty-five times since it was released (very limitedly in the theaters), and I will watch it, no doubt, twenty-five more times before it's all over. This is a fantastic, glamourous movie, and if you prefer a little "ethnicity" in your movies as opposed to formulaic movies like "Strictly Ballroom" or "Dirty Dancing," and if you want to hear great Afro-Carribbean-Latin sounds and see some of the best dancers in the world, this movie is for you.

Great, wonderful, highly enjoyable movie!
"Dance With Me" was a really great movie that worked on many levels. It had great music, an enthusiastic, fun-loving cast, a great storyline, believable characters, sensitivity, romance, and a happy ending. This was accomplished without the use of gratuitios sex, violence, and bad language that seems to be all too common in todays movies of lesser character. Vanessa L. Williams was great as dancer Ruby, and Chayanne was wonderful and romantic as her male love-interest, though he did have a tendency to smile way too much. They were amazingly romantic, full of chemistry, Chayanne was very convincing in his role as a man with dubious parentage. Chayanne is hot, yes, but even hotter was the man who played Vanessa L. William's ex-partner, the father of her son, and competetion partner during the Latin dance contest sequence. He is an extremely sexy man! I only wish that he, Valenzuela (the male Valenzuela--not the woman one), could have gotten WAY more screen time. This movie makes you want to get up and dance. It moves you in more ways than one. I've watched it at least twenty-five times since it was released (very limitedly in the theaters), and I will watch it, no doubt, twenty-five more times before it's all over. This is a fantastic, glamourous movie, and if you prefer a little "ethnicity" in your movies as opposed to formulaic movies like "Strictly Ballroom" or "Dirty Dancing," and if you want to hear great Afro-Carribbean-Latin sounds and see some of the best dancers in the world, this movie is for you.

Good, but I've seen better
I enjoy this show, but as a ballroom dancer, this movie did have a lot of problems. The competition scene itself was hopelessly off. If you're going to display a ballroom competition, at LEAST get it right! The comp they showed is nothing like a real competition, you get nothing of the real feel of what ballroom is. Someone looking to get hooked on the dance style will be sorely disappointed if that's what they're expecting. There's a lot more to it than this movie shows. More to the point, I'd like to see a ballroom movie that employs REAL ballroom dancers, people who actually know what they're doing. That could bring a whole new kind of charisma to the screen. Other than that, though...the music was incredible, very dance-able, it made me want to get out and samba the night away. The story was only halfway, and sort of muddy at times, like they were trying to put TOO much into it, but not too bad. Still, give me Strictly Ballroom any day.

slow & predictable
some good dancing/music & an occassional laugh; however, i found the story slow, cliche & predictable. did i miss the scene where the us/cuban governments began allowing hassle free travel for citizens between the us & cuba??? a 2 star film with an extra star for vanessa williams, who is unbelievably gorgeous.

A real feel good film
A glimpse of beautiful, stylish dance entertainment and a capture of smooth passionate heat. Vanessa L. Williams and Chayanne worked well together. A great feel good movie. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Good, old, HBO horror series
They really should bring this series back. To those of you who have been living under a rock for the last 16 years, this is basically a very good, revamped-gory version of the twilight zone. Some great short horror stories!
Side note: I still have the old Crypt keeper dolls (still in their boxes) in my closet. I bought them at Spencer's gifts ages ago, maybe someday they will be worth something.

"Mirror, mirror on the wall. Who's the FEAREST of them all?"
Welcome to my review, horror freaks! So glad you could join me and read about the 6 eerie episodes of HBO's "Tales from the Crypt," the very ones that helped the series rise from its tomb back in 1989. It's been 9 long years since the show went off the air, and until now, I've been waiting for the Crypt Keeper's putrid puns and awful alliterations to be forever preserved on DVD format. And why not? The show lasted a full 7 seasons and featured many of the biggest actors and directors in Hollywood. Each tale carefully incorporates the grisly black humor William M. Gaines EC comic books, which were almost banned in the 1950's. Did I say 'almost?' Anyway, as other HBO programs like "Dream On," "Deadwood," and "Carnivale" were packaged and displayed on Best Buy shelves, I wondered if "Tales" would ever be among them. Well, the time has finally arrived, creeps! As stated by John Kassir himself, Warner Brothers wisely chose to create these discs so we ourselves can scare the next generation of kiddies to come. Even better is the fact that the second disc of this Season 1 set will contain a sickening array of never-before-seen extras. I don't want to give the surprises away, but I will briefly tell you the stories you are about to see. Enter, if you dare!
"Dig that Cat...He's Real Gone" stars Joe Pantoliano as Ulric, a homeless alcoholic who becomes a rich and famous sideshow performer after a mad doctor (Gustav Vintas) surgically implants a cat's gland into Ulric's brain. This procedure allows him to die and return to life nine times. Morbid hilarity ensues as a carnival barker (Robert Wuhl) presents Ulric the Undying to astounded audiences who watch him get electrocuted, hanged, drowned in a tank, and shot with an arrow (among other things).
In "The Man Who was Death," Bill Sadler (who eventually starred in the 1995 Tales from the Crypt film "Demon Knight") plays Niles Talbot, a state executioner who loses his job after spending 12 years pulling the switch. This resulted because the government unexpectantly repealed the death penalty. However, not wanting to abandon his favorite occupation, Niles drifts to the other side of the law by killing criminals who were acquitted by the courts.
The frightening and festive "And All Through the House" stars Mary Ellen Trainor as a devious housewife named Elizabeth, who brutally bludgeons her husband with a poker to collect on an insurance policy. Just when she is ready to eliminate the corpse, a homicidal maniac donning a Santa Claus costume (Larry Drake) terrorizes her with an axe. Even worse, Elizabeth can't call the police for fear of being convicted of first degree murder and losing custody of her daughter.
Vanity and greed play a central role in "Only Sin Deep," a tale about a street prostitute named Sylvia Vane (Lea Thompson). After killing a pimp and stealing his gold jewellry, she willingly sells her beauty to a strange pawnbroker (Britt Leach) in exchange for $10,000 cash. At first, Sylvia wins over the affections of a suave playboy millionaire. But immediately afterward, as a result of some black magic performed by the pawnbroker, she gets increasingly distraught as her face quickly ages. Desperate to buy back her looks, she shoots her rich lover dead, but is then forced to avoid prison by staying ugly for life.
Prepare for a honeymoon hell in "Lover Come Hack To Me." Here, a cunning bachelor named Charles (Stephen Shellen) marries a naive Peggy (Amanda Plummer) for her inheritance money. On a rainy night, after accidentally getting stuck in an abandoned mansion, the two go up to the bedroom and make perfect love for the very first time. Originally, Charles was going to kill Peggy and stage the crime to look like a burglary. But he soon discovers that her family history is cursed, and that much darker skeletons lie in the bride's closet.
Last but not least is one of my favorite episodes, "Collection Completed." M. Emmet Walsh plays Jonas, a grouchy tool salesman who finally gets to retire after 47 years on the job. His slightly odd wife Anita (Audra Lindley) has developed a fondness for pets...alot of pets. In fact, she keeps a zoo-full of cats, dogs, and birds in the house. On top of that, she talks to squirrels and runs an aquarium in the bathtub. Obviously, such an attachment to animals is enough to drive Jonas up the wall! Inevitably, he gets sick and tired of not having enough attention, and he gleefully takes up taxidermy as a hobby. But those poor animals weren't the only living creatures that ended up getting stuffed.

Tales from the Crypt
I have written HBO countless e-mails over the years begging for this dvd set. I never received one e-mail response from HBO. Oh, well. I really did not expect one.
This is one of the best horror shows, period. Some of the top horror/adventure writers and directors wrote and directed these episodes. I believe this series ran for seven seasons. This can be intense stuff, not for children because of the nudity, sex, graphic violence, superb gore effects, language, and more. Some of these stories are truly the stuff of nightmares. They will haunt you.
If you have never seen Tales from the Crypt you are in for a treat, if you are a fan of horror. Go to your local book store and pick-up a trade paperback of the old EC comics these stories are based upon to get a feel for the translation from comic book to television show. Wait until you meet the Cryptkeeper, who introduces each episode, for a meeting of the surreal and insane and just plain weird. And, you will see some big name stars come to fantastic demises. Just wait, you'll see.
Now, where are Tales from the Darkside and Friday the 13th the series. These are two more violent horror series from the pre-politically correct present day.

Great Series Finds It's Footing In A TV/DVD Obsessed World
Yes, It has finally happened: Warner Bros./HBO Productions has announced that a 2-Disc, First Season set of "Tales from the Crypt" will be released on July 12th. The first season consisted of six episodes that fit quite nicely on this set's first disc. They are: "The Man Who Was Death", Dig That cat...He's Real Gone", "All Through The House", "Only Sin Deep", "Lover Come Hack To Me", and "Collection Completed". The second disc will hold bonus features that are rumored to include 2 Featurettes: One on "Tales From Comic Books To Television" and the other on "The First Season's History." Plus a new introduction by "The CryptKeeper"(John Kassir). Now this has not been confirmed, so it's pretty much a rumor but these are the possibilities. So far, there is no cover art or any other materials but stay tuned to tvshowsondvd.com for more news info which should be coming soon! Tales From The Crypt: Season One, July 12th! ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Moral, moving, and marvellous movie...
Every doctor - and every patient! - should see this movie; the difference is that, not all doctors will understand *why* they should see it..

I use The Doctor when teaching my medical students how to avoid becoming a certain kind of doctor; the kind who is so detached from humanity that they never feel anything of the pain, fear - and the hope - that their patients feel. They have forgotten how to care, and they don't care to remember it.

This is a film about a medical `Everyman`; Jack (played by William Hurt with great integrity and skill)is redeemed as a human being - and as a doctor - by his own experience of serious illness, and by that of his friend - her death frees him from the blinkers of self-absorption. The scene where the two of them dance in the Nevada desert is breathtaking.

Supporting cast are excellent; especially Mandy Patinkin as Jack's unscrupulous surgical partner. Jack's initially dysfunctional family life is a central part of this movie, and the roles of his wife and son are well played.

The last scenes are amongst the best; especially where Jack is explaining to his interns why they are going to spend the next 24 hours not as doctors, but as hospital patients - wearing hospital gowns, undergoing all the appropriate tests, and (horror of horrors) eating hospital food.

The following and final scene is simply beautiful, as Jack stands on the roof of the hospital and dances by himself, revived and renewed.

Anyone involved in medical or healthcare education should have this video - and use it! Others should watch it to understand better what can happen to medical students along the way to becoming doctors.

beautiful film
William Hurt's performance as a cold and arrogant doctor who finds out he has cancer and gets a lesson of life is wonderful(no surprise) as well as the whole cast including Elizabeth Perkins,Christine Lahti,Mandy Patinkin,Adam Arkin(yes, the doctors of chicago hope).Then you think: "but it's a doctor film" but actually this film is for all audiences not only for doctors. The scene where he gets a letter from a patient(Elizabeth Perkins)and he reads it on the roof of the hospital with pigeons flying is so beautiful and I couldn't hold the tears from tumbling down.

THE MOVIE THAT KILLED M.A.S.H.
The Doctor was another of those excellent, well-made 1990-91 releases pre-empted by laser-guided bombs and missiles of the 1990 Gulf War and forced into the video occult. But that's not stopped it from a second chance via DVD where it may get well-deserved recognition and revenues for each actor and crew's excellent contributions.
The cast drove home messages that health care professionals need take a good look at "because one day you'll be sick to" ... So "physician, heal thyself" and thereby prepare to heal others all the way down to your bedside manners. The Word is eventually sent via Jack McKee and partner whose cavalier professionalism ("Get in, cut it out and couldn't care less!") is callously unsuited to genuine warmth patients need communicated to them. And then there's the insurance companies who, like them, run on "stats" and "the bottom line" to coldly determine who lives and dies on the medical production line.
You don't know what it's like until you hear those 3 words "You've got cancer"; they'll floor you -especially if you're a physician who knows the realities of catastrophic illness. So "a taste of my own medicine" (subtitle to book movie is based on) engages McKee when he's told that. I've walked hospital hallways like McKee on the way to radiation therapy and sat with the terminally ill, knowing I'd likely survive (Or would I?) and that others were terminal, and encountered my own death watch. The disingenuous reassurance McKee gave others is sheer hypocrisy and his facetious talk of golf antagonizes "the herd," whom he'd felt beneath his ivory tower profession and HIS herd of incompetents. But now, his relation with a dying patient, whom he actually befriends, turns him inward and he admits his and the profession's shortcomings - then he falls out of love with himself - all too late to save her but soon enough to save himself and his family from the same callousness engulfing all but a few.
It sends a strong message to those who profit from medicine at the deadliest expense to others whom it's supposed to save! My only complaint is that Amazon.com hasn't mailed me my DVD of it yet. How long will it take?

A dose of your own medicine
After getting over the initial shock of seeing half the cast of Chicago Hope (when it was still a good show...and not the pale imitation of itself that it later became: Alan Arkin, Mandy Patinkin, Christine Lahti), this movie evolves into a fine, quiet, character driven drama. There are no great heroics, apart from June (Elizabeth Perkins), and even those are real, not manipulative, cliched, corny or obvious.

This is a movie that works to develop its characters and plot simultaneously and without artifice or obvious (groanable/cringe inducing) plot devices. None of them are in anwyay what you would call 'extreme' or cliched. They are just very normal people placed is a very stressful situation- the doctor being diagnosed with a growth in his throat and the changes in many lives this growth causes. The changes are both good, bad and 'educational' for most of them. The subplot- hospitals, statistics, malpractice cases, protecting each other- is subdued, never moralized or sermonized on but explored in a way whereby you can make your own judgements, based on some realistics situations (imagine a situation where somebody's life was worth less than $1000). The cast compliment each other and really connect. This movie is quite subtle at times and doesn't use in your face methods to make a point.

This is a movie then that is honest, beautifully made, accessible and at times really funny, and at times really raw and saddening. It isn't an episode of ER. So if you're looking for high medical drama look elsewhere. But if you're looking for real multi-layered human drama then look here. Honesty is the key word and theme in the movie (which if you watch it you'll understand what I mean). Honesty to oneself, others and just to the concept in general. And how too, sometimes we find spiritual and psychological 'healing' in the midst of the greatest physical peril.

The DVD contains no special features, only the movie, scene selection and set-up. Though it was made in 1990, it doesn't look too dated (apart from the cell-phones).

I have to admit watching this movie, I looked at the clock on the DVD player and actually hoped it wouldn't end. How many movies can you say that about?

I think the best moment in the story is when the doctor reads the story June gave him. I think there is a lesson in that that is relevant to all of us. Hopefully you'll get the opportunity to see what I mean by watching this movie.

SO in all, a brilliant, engrossing, poignant and real human drama built around believeable characters doing normal things and suffering typical tragedies that are enormous in our own lives. These are people we can understand and relate to, not the superficial and stereotypical larger-than-life, weirder-than-fiction characters designed to play with our minds and strum on our heartstrings. These people do touch your heart and mind for the right reasons...And maybe, if only for a moment, it causes you to question and reassess how you deal with others and the face you present the world, then maybe it has helped heal you a little bit too...If you need it, as most of us do.

One of my favorite films
"The Doctor" is one of my favorite films. I have seen it maybe 10 times (on VHS) and know much of it by heart. There is nothing artificial about this film. It is a human story about real people, well directed and edited, and with sincere, fleshed-out performances from everyone in the cast.

At the opening we see the successful heart surgeon Dr. Jack McKee, quite full of himself, performing another major operation while "Let's Get Drunk and Screw" plays in the background. We see him as he makes his rounds, failing in his attempts to interact on a human level with his patients, substituting crude attempts at humor for genuine compassion. We see him failing at home as well, as his professional life alienates him from his wife and son. All this begins to change when a seemingly minor throat irritation is diagnosed as laryngeal cancer. Then he learns what it is like to be on the other side of the medical profession, and it changes his life.

William Hurt, a fine but perhaps somewhat limited actor, is perfect as Jack McKee, and he is wonderfully supported by Christine Lahti, who plays his wife, and Elizabeth Perkins, who gives an amazing performance as June, a young woman with a grade 4 brain tumor who has a powerful impact on Hurt's character. June and Jack share a scene in the desert at sundown that gives me a lump in the throat every time.

Also worth mentioning are Wendy Tewson, who plays a rather nasty ENT surgeon who gives Jack a dose of his own medicine (so to speak), and Adam Arkin as Dr. Eli Blumfield, "the Rabbi", who has often been the butt of Jack's humor around the hospital, because he talks to his patients while they are anesthetized.

The Doctor is a film that illustrates the importance of treating people as human beings and not as objects or numbers on a chart. Highly recommended! (I've pre-ordered the DVD too.) ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Love on screen between silence and sounds.
Sounds familiar I'm sure, man meets woman and they fall in love, fall out, and fall in again. So,when hearing man falls in love with deaf woman, and they fall out, and so on, there is good reason to think you have been there, heard it all before. Well, listen up, you may be surprised by the quiet assured tale that is the Childen of a Lesser God. A film that gives us an idea of what we thought we knew: Love needs more than words to keep it lit.

This is a film about a deaf and a hearing world trying to find a compromise in communication and echoes of all our stories of love and grief. William Hurt as a Speech Therapist, arrives with a maverick reputation and a certainty in his expectations of the speaking deaf. He can interpret the signs, yet can't undertand his lover's abused heart.

Marlee Matlin has agony across her face that has little to do with cleaning the toilet of a School for the Deaf, or her own deafness. Fortunately, the expressive face also shows the vulnerable tenderness that lies beneath and makes you believe in her struggle to be heard. The script avoids shouting about how the experience of loving someone who has hurt her, affects a woman who is deaf. She falls in love as a woman, and is affected as a woman.

In the company of a strong supporting cast, the characters learn something about their special needs when in love or alone. They stutter into love with a simple but limiting,vocabulary of passion and desire. Like all our own tales of love and grief, the early promise proves illusory when the enduring relationship requires more understanding of the other than we believe ourselves capable.

A film about hearing oppression of Deafness.
William Hurt plays a speech therapist, James Leeds, a gifted teacher. His success does not stop him from being an egotist, or from disrespecting other cultures. Marlee Matlin plays a Deaf woman, Sarah Norman, who's oppressive family experience has made her so angry that even though she is intelligent, independant, sassy, sensual woman, she prefers to mop floors in her old school. Sarah is contrasted with the other Deaf people who are working on their speech. Although he signs James is highly dogmatic about the primary necessity of speech. His pupils come across as disabled in comparison, their speech flawed compared to Sarah's eloquent and expressive signing. Their vocabulary is basic; in one scene their attempt at singing delights the hearing audience, which sees them as becoming more "normal". James falls in love with Sarah's strong and commanding personality, but paradoxically continues to treat her in a patronising way, aiming to "improve" her by working on her speech. It becomes a battle of wills between them as Sarah seeks to have autonomy over her medium of communication. Even so, the dynamic of the relationship spurs Sarah on past the horizons of her menial job.

Gripping Tale of Closed Worlds Joined
This is just an excellent, moving film of an oral track special ed instructor played magnificently by William Hurt falling in love with a Deaf sign only woman superbly acted by Marlee Matlin.

The plot develops as the energetic, determined instructor James pursues Sarah to first allow the teaching of speech, but turns it into language of love.

Two new worlds open for both as well, united at the end in a space void of silence and sound.

Passionate, enlightening, thought provoking. Keeps your interest throughout.

Emotionally Entertaining
"Children of a Lesser God" is one of the best films released in 1986, starring William Hurt and Marlee Matlin. Its brilliant plot never loses its emotional value. Its story about a high school teacher, James, who teaches deaf students, then meets a deaf female janitor who doesn't speak, Sarah, is unique. As secrets are revealed about Sarah's past, the film becomes increasingly interesting. James and Sarah later fall in love, but the battle between Sarah and her inner demons prevents the relationship to function at the fullest. Such twists turns arise within the characters that keep audiences always awaiting anxiously for what happens next. Therefore, this film is more than a love story; it's a story about hope. Such combination adds more unique themes. The distinction between the spoken words and the sign language was brilliantly translated. Rather than typing subtitles on the lower screen during the sign language scenes, James usually speaks what they are saying. Many say that having subtitles may have likely ruined the film's emotional affect. Such accomplishment makes the writing more brilliant.

Marlee Matlin became the youngest person to win the Oscar for the Best Actress catagory (age 21). Her role as Sarah proved highly difficult, considering she only expressed herself nonverbally. Her body language distinuish Sarah's emotions perfectly in every scene. Few others have accomplished this in such magnitude. Only one other actress has won an Oscar for playing a non-speaking lead role (Holly Hunter, "The Piano", 1993). William Hurt performs his role as James wonderfully. Though not as demanding as Matlin's role, his emotional value still holds on top. James struggles between love and reaching out are expressed beautifully in every scene. All other actors, major or minor, also perform their roles beautifully.

"Children of a Lesser God" is a wonderful film for those looking for powerful themes. This is sure to continue pleasing audiences for many more years. Its quality proves that this is destined to become a classic.

Children of a Lesser God
For a movie so 'profound' in its beauty of bridging the gap between hearing and non-hearing people, maybe this movie could have been much more. As it is, it's practically just the idea of 2 different people relating that holds the movie up, and much of the screen time is filled with odd, formulatic sequences.

The movie is so formulatic in its delivery and so un-bold in its unfolding of events that it feels as if you have seen this movie a million times already, possibly because it borrows here and there from other movies similar to it. If this movie is described as boring, it's not because of long scenes, or lack of music, or lenghty dialogue bits, it's only because it only has mundane, tripe, and overused scenes to offer to the viewer. It also has the uncanny heavy 80's atmosphere that most people will be displeased to find in films weak with substance, and resorting to a all-knowing mocking tone towards how the 80's were in general. Take the kid in William Hurt's class for instance, who wears 80's punk garb and plays air guitar, constantly. Forget development of this guy, or possibly a less humiliating approach to his exploration into the ocean of speech, all you really get is him acting as a moving joke for the audience to chuckle at. For that reason, a movie with the title 'Children of a Lesser God' really doesn't even start to breach the waters of what this could possibly mean. No, it shows them in little humorous sequences trying to speak in plain English as a departure from their former medium of silence, and has them dancing around like idiots under control of the director. The beautiful sequences, which seem to be hampered down in thick, rich Vangelis style music, are very few, and definitely do not include any of the 'children'. And William Hurt, while possibly pleasing as the ordinary man's role, a bit tired, a bit patronized, like in his other movies, gets old in this role. Line after line delivered with that monotone voice and absolute paucity of facial expression, really gets overshadowed by even the smaller roles. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Tales from the Crypt is no Sopranos, but in its day it was HBO's most popular original series. Based on the EC Horror comics of the 1940s and 1950s, these short shock-and-suspense stories with twist (and often twisted) endings weren't exclusively horror tales, but they consistently mined, in a comic sort of way, the dark side of human nature. The three episodes directed by series coproducer Robert Zemeckis are among the most memorable. In "All Through the Night," perhaps the single most famous story from the original comic book series, a psychotic killer dressed as Santa escapes Christmas Eve and terrorizes a middle-class home where murder has already made a holiday appearance: a homicidal wife plunges a fireplace poker into her husband's skull. (It was also adapted in the 1972 British anthology movie Tales from the Crypt). Kirk Douglas stars as a blood-and-thunder World War I general who discovers his son is a coward in the grim "Yellow," the most dramatically acute of the trio. Digital magic morphs Humphrey Bogart into "You, Murderer," a high-concept, rather gimmicky tale of murder, double crosses, and poetic justice as seen through a dead man's eyes. Isabella Rossellini (daughter of Bogie's Casablanca costar Ingrid Bergman) and John Lithgow costar as plotting lovers. Zemeckis has a great deal of fun with the first and last films, giving them a flamboyant comic book exaggeration, but the underplayed irony of "Yellow" makes it one of the darkest, most affecting stories in the series' run. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Lights! Camera! Hack-tion! Zemeckis Directs CRYPT!
Based on stories from the deliciously depraved E.C. horror comics (TALES FROM THE CRYPT, VAULT OF HORROR, HAUNT OF FEAR) of the 1950s, TALES FROM THE CRYPT was a TV horror anthology that, like most TV anthologies, had a lot of both hits and misses. Some of the stories really stank, but when a story was a hit, it was usually dead on (excuse the pun). This DVD represents three episodes that HBO execs apparently consider hits, probably because they were all directed by the renowned and Oscar-winning (1994's FORREST GUMP) Robert Zemeckis. And though CRYPT fans would like to see more episodes made available on DVD, the execs made pretty good selections with this lot.

The first story, "And All Through the House," is definitely the scariest of the three. It's about a disgruntled wife who murders her husband on Christmas Eve, only to have a madman dressed in Santa garb show up to deliver her just deserts. It is a particulary frightening morality play not only because it warns that "what goes around, comes around"; it also makes a multi-faceted statement about innocence and youth, as it is the murderous woman's little daughter who ultimately lets "Santa" into the house. Larry Drake delivers a delectably deranged performance as the insane Saint Nick. (This has proven to be one of the most enduring stories from the original E.C. Comics series, as it was also previously dramatized in 1972 as one portion of an excellent five-part British flick entitled TALES FROM THE CRYPT. In that version, Joan Collins--DYNASTY's Alexis Carrington Colby--played the part of the homicidal wife.)

In the second story, "Yellow," Kirk Douglas is a stone-hearted, by-the-book WWI General and, his son, Eric Douglas, is a craven Lieutenant under the General's command. Embarrassed by his "yellow" progeny, the General engages his son in an insidious course of action that will save the young man's reputation as well as allow the General himself to save face. Although the ending is easily predictable, the acting is top-notch and the depiction of WWI is fairly gruesome (for TV, anyway), and it all adds up to an engaging and suspenseful drama. This is definitely the strongest episode of the trio, though not as scary as the first.

The last of the three offerings, "You, Murderer," is also the weakest. It covers the last day in the life of a business exec who, altered via plastic surgery to hide from a dark past, is blackmailed and then offed by his cuckolding wife and her lover. Though the plot is a bit cliche and its ending predictable, the episode does, nonetheless, have a few interesting aspects: one, the story is told via flashbacks from the point of view of the already-dead exec; two, á la plastic surgery, the exec is the spitting image of Humphrey Bogart; and three, great performances are delivered by Isabella Rossellini (daughter of the real-life Bogart's CASABLANCA costar Ingrid Bergman) and character actor John Lithgow. The episode's biggest flaw is the special effects, which are primarily computerized insertions of Bogart film-clips á la FORREST GUMP. Unlike in GUMP, the effects come across as embarrasingly cheesy, and the manner in which they are utilized is very awkward to the flow of the narrative. Still, it's an entertaining entry for CRYPT, just one that is not up to par with the other two on this disc.

One minorly disappointing aspect to the DVD overall is the fact that there are no extras on the disc. Some HBO or syndication promotional spots or an interview with Zemeckis would've been nice, or maybe even a behind-the-scenes short featuring our gregarious host, The Crypt Keeper. Still, this DVD is well worth the expense, especially for fans of TALES FROM THE CRYPT or fans of the horror genre in general. At Amazon.com's asking price, the cost is less than $5 per episode, and that's cheaper than the cost-per-episode charged for many TV shows in either VHS or DVD format!

Yellow Shines, More Tales Please!
Of all the television series I want on DVD, Tales From The Crypt is it!

I hope this is just the first in a long running set for this series, but it doesn't look like it.

This DVD contains the three episodes done by Robert Zemeckis.

And All Through the House" (1989), remided me of the 'Tales From The Crypt - Have A Scary Little Christmas' CD I've had for quite a while. Basically the same backdrop of the story told on the CD is here, except for the 'Mother' killing her husband. Anyhow, that's how it starts, but what the poor mother does not know is that an escaped lunatic is on the prowl.

"Yellow" (1991), A dang good yarn if I do say so eh kiddies? Martin Sheen's excellent in this story of a san who cannot live up to his father's aspects of courageousness.

"You, Murderer" (1995), is really wierd. Stars Humphrey Bogart, Sherilyn Fenn, and some other famous personalities and basically the tale is in Bogart's voice. He is dead (murdered actually) but can still see what is happing around him, hear everything, and worse feel everything!

Pretty good set. Some great stars in these episodes and I really loved the episode 'Yellow'.

Hopefully more will be produced as I love the whole series.

great. but only 3 of the episodes.
this is worth buying if you are even a remote fan of tales from the crypt, however; it's only has 3 of many episodes on it. "yellow" is my personal favorite. they need to release more of the episodes on DVD so i, and everyone else who wants it, could have the complete collection. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Brentwood omitted some facts
For the price, enough good films on this set to make it a worthwhile purchase. HOWEVER, the manufacturer Brentwood, decided to omit the fact that 2 of the films are silent movies. Personally, I find a big difference between a silent and spoken dialogue film, and I believe this was no accident. I sent the comapny an email regarding this, but as with most online customer service, the recepient most likely just mumbled "f**k y**" and deleted the message.

Early Hitchcock
The director's art is revealed in these early classics. 1920s-1930s, from the silent era to early sound. primitive yet brilliant artistic mastery from one of the great masters of mystery.

Passable quality, spotty movies
Here, in one neat bundle, are presented 10 very early Hitchcock films, from classics such as the early version of THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH and THE LADY VANISHES (one of my favorites) to more obscure films such as YOUNG & INNOCENT and JUNO & THE PAYCOCK (????).

I haven't watched them all yet, but here is what you get. Five two-sided DVD's, each side with one movie. The movies themselves are available in 2.0 sound or 5.1 "virtual" surround. There are "scene selections", which involve only a few chapters per movie. And that's about it. The quality of the transfer is not first rate, by any stretch. You would probably be able to get better quality on one of the Criterion editions, but you'd pay quite a bit more. If you plan to watch over and over...go that route. If this is a curiousity for you, then these DVDs will fit the bill nicely and economically.

I won't go into the movies themselves. These are early, pre-Hollywood Hitchcock films, and even the weakest of the bunch have many great Hitch moments. I feel like for the price, you simply can't beat it (hey, less than $2 a movie!!). And any serious film student ought to have THE LADY VANISHES on their list! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

knots landing
Like everyone who has written before me, I too, am anxiously awaiting the arrival of Knots Landing on dvd! I am certain I would buy every episode even if it was sold by the show. I couldn't make plans on Thursday evenings until the summer reruns! When I started working nights when my kids were little, I would tape the shows and watch them until 2:00 a.m. because I couldn't wait till morning. That show is my all-time favorite of any show made. I fell in love with Mac, Gary and Ben. I would identify with Karen and Val. It just seemed like a typical, suburban neighborhood, except for their millions of problems. I laughed with them, cried with them, and kept hoping Val and Gary would end up together. I think that the last show had the best ending of any series with everyone ending up back at the cul-de-sac. Please release this soon as I can hardly wait anymore!!!

We Need To Be Tied Up in "Knots" All Over Again
(Lima, Oh)
I am now 26 years old and have been a huge Knots Landing fan as far back as i can remember. The phone would be literally off the hook, the door locked, and the TV tuned into CBS every thursday night at 10pm as my mom could not miss an episode of Knots Landing. I have since followed in her footsteps and have a great love for the show, we also watched Dallas and i loved it as well but there were distinct differences between the 2 shows which i thought made them both equally awesome.It gave people a chance to tune in once a week to maybe forget their own troubles for an hour and follow the lives and events of the original 4 couples on Seaview circle (the early years on Knots), The couples we grew to love and wished lived next door to each of us. I have every episode on Homemade DvD's which has taken me the better part of 2 years to put together and its been a lot of hard work but a real labor of love. If you were to put Knots out on dvd i would have to say that i would also buy them as well just cause i'm not in the habit of loaning my dvd's to people but i could see my way to loan my copies to my friends if Warner Bros were to release Knots on DVD. I think i speak for Knots Landing fans everywhere when i say that after 14 years and over 344 episodes later, we still feel the need to be Tied Up In Knots!!

What an outstanding soap!
Unfortunately Knots Landing was not telecast on my local TV station until its later years (1990 to 1992) and then it was no longer made.After seeing a special on the history of the show I realised that the early episodes wouldn't have appealed to me anyway, so getting the later episodes was fine.Who could forget when Joan Van Ark's character went a bit nutty and went around hassling everyone.And who could forget when Michelle Phillips from Mamas and Papas joined the show as Paige Matheson's mother.It was an excellent show, and hard to switch off.

WHen it does get released, it is going to start from Season 1 so it will take ages for the later episodes to be given the DVD treatment, if at all.Oh well, I have the memories of the cat fights with Michelle Phillips and Joan Van Ark.

Can Hardly Wait!
Being the biggest "Knots Landing" fan in the world, I can hardly wait for it to be released on DVD!It was one of the longest running prime time dramas ever and it is long overdue for it's DVD premiere.The cast was incredible...Michele Lee, Joan Van Ark, Ted Shackleford, Kevin Dobson, Constance McCashin, Don Murray, Donna Mills, Lisa Hartman, Julie Harris, Alec Baldwin, John Pleshette, Kim Lankford, James Houghton, William Devane, Nicolette Sheridan....I could go on and on but you get the picture.There was no shortage of star power or talent on this show. Now that "Dallas" has begun it's run on DVD, let's get "Knots" on it's way! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Brentwood omitted some facts
For the price, enough good films on this set to make it a worthwhile purchase. HOWEVER, the manufacturer Brentwood, decided to omit the fact that 2 of the films are silent movies. Personally, I find a big difference between a silent and spoken dialogue film, and I believe this was no accident. I sent the comapny an email regarding this, but as with most online customer service, the recepient most likely just mumbled "f**k y**" and deleted the message.

Early Hitchcock
The director's art is revealed in these early classics. 1920s-1930s, from the silent era to early sound. primitive yet brilliant artistic mastery from one of the great masters of mystery.

Passable quality, spotty movies
Here, in one neat bundle, are presented 10 very early Hitchcock films, from classics such as the early version of THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH and THE LADY VANISHES (one of my favorites) to more obscure films such as YOUNG & INNOCENT and JUNO & THE PAYCOCK (????).

I haven't watched them all yet, but here is what you get. Five two-sided DVD's, each side with one movie. The movies themselves are available in 2.0 sound or 5.1 "virtual" surround. There are "scene selections", which involve only a few chapters per movie. And that's about it. The quality of the transfer is not first rate, by any stretch. You would probably be able to get better quality on one of the Criterion editions, but you'd pay quite a bit more. If you plan to watch over and over...go that route. If this is a curiousity for you, then these DVDs will fit the bill nicely and economically.

I won't go into the movies themselves. These are early, pre-Hollywood Hitchcock films, and even the weakest of the bunch have many great Hitch moments. I feel like for the price, you simply can't beat it (hey, less than $2 a movie!!). And any serious film student ought to have THE LADY VANISHES on their list! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Brentwood omitted some facts
For the price, enough good films on this set to make it a worthwhile purchase. HOWEVER, the manufacturer Brentwood, decided to omit the fact that 2 of the films are silent movies. Personally, I find a big difference between a silent and spoken dialogue film, and I believe this was no accident. I sent the comapny an email regarding this, but as with most online customer service, the recepient most likely just mumbled "f**k y**" and deleted the message.

Early Hitchcock
The director's art is revealed in these early classics. 1920s-1930s, from the silent era to early sound. primitive yet brilliant artistic mastery from one of the great masters of mystery.

Passable quality, spotty movies
Here, in one neat bundle, are presented 10 very early Hitchcock films, from classics such as the early version of THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH and THE LADY VANISHES (one of my favorites) to more obscure films such as YOUNG & INNOCENT and JUNO & THE PAYCOCK (????).

I haven't watched them all yet, but here is what you get. Five two-sided DVD's, each side with one movie. The movies themselves are available in 2.0 sound or 5.1 "virtual" surround. There are "scene selections", which involve only a few chapters per movie. And that's about it. The quality of the transfer is not first rate, by any stretch. You would probably be able to get better quality on one of the Criterion editions, but you'd pay quite a bit more. If you plan to watch over and over...go that route. If this is a curiousity for you, then these DVDs will fit the bill nicely and economically.

I won't go into the movies themselves. These are early, pre-Hollywood Hitchcock films, and even the weakest of the bunch have many great Hitch moments. I feel like for the price, you simply can't beat it (hey, less than $2 a movie!!). And any serious film student ought to have THE LADY VANISHES on their list! ... Read more