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Director John Kent Harrison's imaginative film adaptation of Madeleine L'Engle's 1963 A Wrinkle in Time may not be able to fully satisfy the immense expectations of those decidedly loyal to L'Engle's book, yet delivers a family thriller impressive enough to stand on its own merits. Katie Stuart plays Meg Murry, the introverted, intelligent oldest child of Dr. Jack Murry, an astrophysicist who has suddenly disappeared without a trace. As Meg struggles with her father's absence and her own coming-of-age awkwardness, she tightens her bond with Charles Wallace (David Dorfman), her brilliant, eccentric 6-year-old brother. When a trio of celestial beings summons them to find their father, the children are joined by neighbor Calvin O'Keefe (Gregory Smith) to embark on a dangerous journey of time travel. They "tesseract" onto the planet Camazotz where Dr. Murry is being held prisoner by an evil force. The film retains the essence of the novel, and deftly employs its 128-minute running time to build viewer affinity for the heroic children. The special effects will not disappoint, though the climatic last battle should have held closer to the book. Stuart is exemplary as the understated and deeply reflective Meg, while Dorfman dazzles as conflicted Charles Wallace. (Ages 8 and older) --Lynn Gibson ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Great Story, Great Actors
I was wonderfully surprised with this movie. It ran the gambit of emotions for me: laughing, crying... Frankie Muniz and Mathew Modine were EXCELLENT in their roles. The rest of the cast was great as well. The story was interesting all along and you felt warmth and compassion for the 'deaf man' as he grew in stature.

I've recommended this to anyone who'd listen. Good job!!!!!

VHS Much Better
I was waiting for the DVD format to become available as I loved this movie and was wearing out my tape from rewinding and fast forwarding to my favorite scenes.

The VHS version contains interviews with the actors and behind the scenes making of the movie footage. I guess I expected that if footage was on the video, then it would be in the DVD. Boy was I wrong.

The DVD version was good quality, but contained no extras whatsoever. So if you are like me and hoping to replace your VHS with the DVD, you'll be disappointed. Now I have two copies of this movie depending on if I just want to see a particular scene or the behind the scenes footage. I guess the VCR is sticking around a little while longer.

Not a good representative of the Deaf population
Even though the movie is touching, it doesn't represent the Deaf population. Many of them have told me that it is a good movie and wants me to watch it but they do not understand that it is not anything to do with the culture of the Deaf. If you want to understand the Deaf culture, watch the appropriate videotape such as "Children of a Lesser God" or "Love is Never Silent." I would heartily recommended this movie.

Charming, funny, and touching
What the Deaf Man Heard is a poignantly funny story about a boy abandoned on a bus by his mother (telling you why spoils part of the plot), who tells him not to talk to anyone. When he reaches the end of the bus line, he doesn't talk, so the everyone in the town assumes that he is deaf and dumb. The bus station manager (Tom Skerrit) allows him to live at the bus station and becomes his surrogate father. There are too many funny parts to mention here, but as the events leading up to the boy, now a man (Matthew Modine), revealing that he really can hear and talk are funny and touching. James Earl Jones is fantastic (as always) as the only person in town to figure out the truth, though he keeps the secret for his own purposes. You'll laugh, you'll cry. It's better than Cats. You'll want to see it again and again.

Outstanding!
This is a show to be viewed by all, both young and old, big and small. It accentuates on kindness, hidden secrets, love, loyalty and don't forget, determination. I was impressed with it's quality and with it's humor and sentiment. I have only seen it once, when it was shown on television, but it has stayed with me for years, and will continue to be a desired DVD to add to our library. ... Read more

Description

One of the most epic adventure stories of all time comespowerfully to life in this original four-hour epic-series. Filmed inexotic locales with an international cast and featuring state-of-the-artspecial effects, Helen of Troy depicts one of the greatest battles everfought to win the love of the world's most beautiful woman. Though married to Menelaus, King of Sparta, Helen (Sienna Guillory) falls madly in love with Paris (Matthew Marsden) a handsome Trojan prince. Together, the lovers flee to Troy, where they are given safehaven by Paris' father, King Priam (John Rhys-Davies). Bent on bringingHelen back, the king's ruthless brother Agememnon (Rufus Sewell) leadsthe skilled Spartan army to the shores of the fabled city. There theGreeks lay siege to Troy, thus beginning one of history's most legendarywars which would ultimately decide the destinies of two empires. ... Read more

Reviews (73)

"The Face that Launched a Thousand Ships"
Homer's "Iliad" is perhaps the most famous piece of epic poetry in the world, chronicling the ten year siege of Troy and the actions taken by the brothers Menelaus and Agamemnon to win back Menelaus' wife Helen, stolen from her home by Paris, a prince of Troy.

In recreating the tale, the people at Hallmark have taken some liberties in presenting the story, some small and understandable, some large and baffling. Basically, if you're hoping for a loyal representation to Homer's text, this is not the movie to watch: despite the four hour running time a lot of material is omitted, the personalities of some characters are utterly changed, and fabricated events seem to have no real importance.

The story actually begins with Paris - his birth and his abandonment, leading up to the famous choice between the three goddesses: with Aphrodite promising the love of the most beautiful woman in the world, and to his reinstating as prince in Troy. In fact, he is given so much attention, that its a little confusing when his character drops somewhat from the action later on. Helen at this time is a reasonably young child (at least that's what everyone around her says - she looks pretty old to me), and is kidnapped by King Theseus, which eventually leads to his and her brother's death. Deemed cursed by her father, she is offered to the kings of neighbouring lands. Through a game of chance, she is given to Menelaus, though the timing could not be worse: soon after arrives a delegation from Troy, bearing with them Prince Paris...

In recreating the citadel of Troy and the landscapes of Greece, the film-makers triumph wonderfully: most of the special effects are just as good as one would expect on the big screen, and the scale of the movie is as huge as one would expect. Nifty camera movements, such as the vertical circling of the Trojan Horse to present its collosal size, are amazing, as are the shots of the armies and fleets moving toward Troy.

Characterisation suffers a bit, however. Out of everyone, Agamemnon goes from what could potentially be the most sympathetic hero out of everyone, to a mere brute. Through him, the siege does not become a war of pride to retrieve Helen, but to conquer for power and spoils. I love Rufus Sewell, and his grief in sacrificing his daughter is portrayed excellently by the actor (he admits to Helen that she and the city are not worth what he had to do), but the rape of Helen in front of the burning city took things a little too far. Scholars will be disguisted.

Paris also, goes from a rather cowardly youth, to every girl's dream: loving, romantic, protective of Helen, and so on. Achilles, Odysseus and Hector's roles are too short to be interesting. Menelaus is perhaps a bit young, rather than an imposing king in his own right, but his character is an intriging one, who is perhaps genuinely in love with Helen, but unable to show it. Two excellently portrayed characters are King Priam (John Rhys-Davis - could you expect anything less from him?) and Cassandra (who "Pride and Prejudice" fans will recognise as Georgiana) - her hysteria and terror are perfectly portrayed, as are her horrific visions.

But as the title suggests, it is Helen that the movie centres on, and I actually thought a rather good attempt was made to untangle her motivations and character. Tired of being a trophy bride, she seeks out true love, she tries to put an end to the war, she suffers guilt at the deaths of those around her, and seems reasonably perseptive. However, a more accomplished actress was needed to pull off this difficult role, something that new-comer Sienna Guillroy just can't do. Instead the director takes every oppurtunity he can to show off her bare bottom, even if its to the extreme of parading naked in front of an entire room full of soldiers.

It almost comes across as a preview to Wolfgang Peterson's epic movie "Troy", and so it would have been nice to have included some of the more mystical aspects of the god's involvement in the war, as "Troy" is also apparently stripped of their presence. All in all, a good production, but I have no wish to see it a second time.

Better than TROY !
This movie, although its less glamorous than the new Troy with Brad Pitt, is closer to the truth story. Menelaus and Agamemnon don't die in Troy just because they are the bad guys!!! Hello!!! Who wrote the script to the movie called TROY anyway? He was having a bad trip, I can tell you that! The only negative point in HELEN OF TROY is the almost bad acting and Achiles was bald??? C'mon give me a break! Better shoot some nice horror b-movies guys! You should better read the real thing!

Very well put together
I quite like this TV-Movie version of the story of Troy, and I'm glad I viewed it before watching the blockbuster version with Brad Pitt. Apparently this version is far more accurate and more closely aligned with Homer's Iliad and it gives a much better background in the story of Paris and Helen. Significant changes were made in the Brad Pitt version of the battle of Troy which made it hard for me to accept. However, since the actors are all good loking and the costumes are historically accurate, I'm willing to forgive this minor slight.

Watch this version as well to compare the difference. The battle scenes and special effects are B-rated compared to Peterson's version of Troy, but the story is more accurate and the acting is much better.

This Trash Departs From Homer to Depict Graphic Rape.
Boring, sadistic, exploitative version of story, altered to include graphic nudity and graphic rape of Helen. Disgusting!

prior reviews lack perception
I am sick and tired of these two-bit movie watchers that know nothing about good acting pretending to review a performance. In the process of reviewing this 3rd rate movie some people have seemed inclined to put down the theatrical release of "Troy". Wrong ! To the point: Brad Pitt. I have watched him give silly and idiotic performances and I have watched him give great performances the result of great focus. Troy is a great performance - period !!!. The problem that occurs is that just because people consider him good-looking they automatically feel that he can't act. To be honest, this time around Pitt looks much older than usual. The point is that once you get past the looks factor you have a deep, well-focused performance. Period ! ... Read more

Description

THE WINNING SEASON tells the story of a legendary baseball player's struggle to choose between the love of his life and his love of the game. In the film, 12 year-old baseball fanatic Joe Soshack finds a mint condition Honus Wagner baseball card that magically takes him back to the 1909 World Series. ... Read more

Description

The year is 1919. Amid the spectacular beauty and danger of the remote Montana wilderness, young Mac challenges the elements - and his own inner resources - to realize his dream of becoming a high-country ranger. In spite of the powerful bond he shares with his idol and mentor, legendary ranger Bill Bell, Mac's hot temper and headstrong ways constantly land him in trouble. Tensions rise even higher at the ranger's mountain camp when the new cook replaces Mac as Bell's latest "fair-haired boy." But when Bill calls on Mac to help him and the cook take revenge on a band of villanous card sharks infesting a nearby town, Mac is caught up in an outrageous, potentially deadly scheme! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Warm, like a favorite sweater.
Sam Elliott has the ability to both stamp his authority, and to give crediblity, to any film which includes him. For sleight of hand students it's always a genuine pleasure to watch the masterful card artistry of the great Ricky Jay (the cook). No camera tricks required here.

A wonderful and believable tale for the whole family.

Sam Elliott and The Hole in the Sky
This movie is something of a departure for Sam Elliott, but he, as always, pulls it off masterfully. Like fine wine, he just gets better with age.

I think that the great strength of the film is its mood. Rather than a rousing story, although the story is interesting enough, watching it is just a pleasurable experience. The characters are believable, the scenery incredible (although it was shot in Canada rather than in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness), and is suitable for the entire family.

If you are a fan of Elliott and/or just plain old good movies, then you should enjoy this one.

vociferious expostulation
Sam Elliott and Jerry O'Connell give an award winning performance. I wished there were more great movies like this today. Passion, suspence and humor are all apart of this great movie. This is a must see movie!

a well thought out story line
Great acting especially jerry o'connell he is a babe and i have a big crush on him im in love with him and i have loads of pictures of him. anyway back to the film was really supprised it has a great story line.

an outstanding coming-of-age movie
I am a grandmother but I absolutely loved this movie when I first saw it on TV. Sam Elliott is perfect for the ranger role but what is interesting is how Jerry McConnell has grown up into the man he has become. For all of you who saw Stand By Me you will remember him as the somewhat chunky klutz member of the group. He has changed dramatically and it was great to see him in this role.. ... Read more