Reviews (37)

Funny, romantic, beautiful people!
I was never a fan of neither star of the Beautician and the Beast, but after watching it on TV I became and addict to Timothy Dalton. This is a very romantic comedy but one has to look deeply into the feelings of Pochenko and Joy, he is a grumpy teddy bear that loves his children but tries to appear tough and mean and we have to understand his loneliness and lack of romantic love in his life until he truly falls in love with a woman that changes his way of thinking and humanizes him and on the other hand, Joy fulfills her love not only with a man that very much needs her but with his children that eventually will become her family. After buying the video and watching it numerous times, I think this is a great movie but has been underrated and criticized for Fran's voice which she can help and is one of her main charactericstics. Ever since, I am forming a collection of videos of this great actor Timothy Dalton, ah! that voice and his looks! But mainly what an performer! . I recommend this movie but please read in between the lines all the mixed feelings including her parent's feelings and mean old jealous envious and devious prime minister, what's his name? Ira is delightful and so are the children! Also the music! I even bought the soundtrack, the waltz is beautiful!

Beastly
Think Cinderella for lonely yentas and you get this crooked picture. Drescher is Joy Miller, who, after rescuing some bunnies from the beauty school where she teaches, is enlisted by an emissary from Slovetzia, an eastern European country where the iron curtain hasn't been fully drawn yet. Her job? No, not pedicures. She's to teach the repressed children of Boris "The Beast" Pochenko, a grumpy, Stalinesque leader played by Timothy Dalton.

Joy gets cutesy-cuddley with the president's kids and still finds time to talk to the common people (Yo! It's Evita from Queens). Bypassing all boundaries of movie realism, Joy somehow endears herself to Boris. For his part, the cold as ice commander strokes his bushy mustache, gobbles one of Joy's delicious sandwiches, and ponders a former Communist country with the gum-chewing shrew as his first lady. Predictable, eh comrade?

Apart from the Drescher's missing-in-action talent, The Beautician and the Beast suffers from an utter lack of inventiveness: the proletariat is oppressed, the prime minister is the snarling villain, and the children are sweethearts who just want daddy's love.

The only thing that keeps the silly enterprise afloat is Dalton. He, at least, looks like he's having fun putting on the hokey Baltic accent. Even with the stinker dialogue he's handed, the former 007 appears to enjoy hamming it up.

The Beautician and the Beast isn't exactly endearing Valentine's Day entertainment. In fact, if I took my wife to this one she'd probably ask for a divorce and demand half of what I own. She'd deserve it all and then some.

A great actress in a Great movie.
This film was awesome! I loved "The Nanny" and still watch it today on Lifetime. Fran Drescher is one of the great actors of our time. Her unique voice and offbeat style puts her over the top. This movie would have lost all of it personality and perkiness if not for Fran Drescher. Two Thumbs up!

Great Movie!
I think this is one of the best family/childrens movies. It has alot of different issues that are important, and it also has an adorable theme. Its beauty and the beast mixed with Cinderella.

I Loved this Movie!
I, Being a Hard-core 'The Nanny' fan, i desided to rent The Beautician and the Beast because i heard it had a simaliar plot to the Nanny(She was hired as a teacher/nanny and falls in love with her boss) and i loved it!! I loved the line where her mom fed her pet chicken and she said, "Ma! You fed the Chicken Chicken?!?! Its like Silence of the Chickens!!!"

I rate this movie 5 outta 5!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Follow That Bird is as much a journey through time as it is a romp past the Sesame Street stop sign. Curiously, the cast members--live ones like Gordon and Maria, not just the Muppets--have the timeless look to them. Only the cameos (by Sandra Bernhard, John Candy, and others) plus a few ill-conceived hairdos clue us in that this feature film was made in 1985. Otherwise, it's all sophisticated Sesame humor and bighearted fun here as Oscar, the Count, and crew set off to rescue Big Bird, who's on the lam from a family of adoptive dodos. Only one conceivable complaint: The latter crop of Street viewers may miss Elmo, who hadn't been created when Bird first flew into theaters. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (47)

Another Jim Henson Classic Coming to DVD...
I am so glad that this great Jim Henson Film is coming to DVD here at the end of the month. I am in the process of wheening out my VHS collection. This DVD will be a welcome addition to my ever expanding DVD collectiom.

I thought that this movie showed a lot of heart and some of it is dated, like the 20 minute Workout that was on the Dodo's TV set! We even get to see Super Grover in this feature outing..

We see Chevey Chase, Dave Thomas, John Candy, and a hose of other star appearances throughout the movie.. I cried when Big Bird was singing in the Sleeze Brother Circus... It also broke down walls that families can be different kinds...

It was great to see Alaina Reed and a few "old School" Sesame Street friends... I hope to see more of the original Films like Christmas Eve on Sesame Street, Don't Eat the Pictures, as well as the Party Games one get the DVD treatment in the future... I am so greatful that some of Sesame Street's older material is FINALLY getting the DVD treatment.. It's Been a long time coming!

The Original Sesame street gang, in all its crazy fun glory
The Original sesame street gang[well minus Mr hooper and david] are here,along with Big Bird, Oscar, ernie and Bert,Grover{SUUUUPer Grover}Telly[when he was still nuerotic]Cookie monster,the honkers,and leaning out a window at the very end,Elmo.It tells the charming story of Big Bird and his placement by the Feathered friends society"s Miss Finch into a home with the DODO family in Oceanville Illinois.Of course Big bird is unhappy when the dodos[they live upto their name quite ably] tell him that Snuffy, his best friend[whom viewers might remember, at that time was thought to be imaginary to Big Bird}cant come to visit. So big bird, his teddy bear radar[cultural refernces abound]split up[he mails radar]and he starts his adventure back home. Along the way we meet the SLEAZE Brother,played with good fun By SCTV veterans, Joe Flaherty and Dave Thomas. The Sleazebrotheres operate a {F}UNFAIR,the worst funfair imaginable. They atteempt to kidnapBig Bird and turn him into a sideshow,but thsi being Sesame Street,it all works . Along the way Big Bird hitches a ride with turkey farmer waylon Jennings[who sings the lovely There Aint No Road too Long],stays ata farm with two children,one of whom Ruthie,later gows up to be LOONETTE on te BIG COMFY COUCH!}They sing EASY GOING DAY, probably the best song on an excellent soundtrack. Ernie and Bert and Big Bird pay homage to Alfred Hitchcock with a scene from North by Northwest,done with the susual Sesame street deftness.Of corse all is well and all will be well, and the end finds everyobe united a happy. This is a great DVD transfer,the picture and sound a quantum leap from the Vhs,which, having 5 children,I went through 3 in the intervening years.i have seen this movie literally hunderds of times, and it is a joy to watch. the song selections on the DVD are nice,otherwise the extras are nothing much. Still, this would be the one movie I would own for my children if I could have only 1. It is wonderful to look at,great to listen to, and sheer bliss watching your children enjoy. Oh, that and 278,incredible collossal credits....

A must watch..young and old
I watched this movie as a kid, over and over again. I finally wore out the first tape, then my parents bought me another. When i was younger, it would keep my occupied, the singing, the laughs, and different lifestyles of the characters in the movie. I was fascinated with the farm the little boy and girl live on. This movie didn't just last during my childhood, but i'm 17 now and i still love to watch the movie. It has meanings and morals all through the movie. And when you're older and watch the movie, you regroup with your inner child and it's is when you realize what the movie is telling you, that happiness is right in your neighborhood. I finally learned that after watching the movie for 17 years...

one of the best sesame street films ever!
I admit I'm 27 not a parent & still ove this movie. I saw it with my best friend when I was little. So it could be sentiment of that. You get to see the classic Charictors in some of their great momments! Including that it starts with the grouch national anthem sung by Oscar.
Its good humor, good songs ok quite corny at times but also quite sweet. It shows the whole gang out to help their friend find his way home. With a few embedded lessons like bad things can happen if you accept rides from strangers. Without terrifying them. Showing that family is not just who you look like but who you love. Especially good lesson for adopted children. that friends are valuable family too.
quite frankly I think that No elmo is a major plus! Remember when Kermit the frog was a big hit? Mr Sniffaluffagus & my personal favorite cookie monster. Those who remember those good old days will love this film.

Good-but be careful
I remember watching this as a kid and my mother even has pictures of me balling everytime it came on. This movie has made me scarred for life...everything goes wrong over and over again and takes forever to let up. Poor Big Bird...give him a break. If your kid has a big heart and pitties others easily, do not let he/she watch this alone. I still get teary-eyed when he sings "I'm a Blue Bird." I don't think this movie is for everyone...be careful, at least watch it with your kids and pay attention to their reaction. If you kid(s) don't get sad at that part...you should think about what all they've been exposed to and make sure he/she still has a heart. I'm serious(...) ... Read more

Amazon.com

High society gets a dose of monkey business in this family-friendly bit of simian slapstick. Less foul and more fun than Clyde from the Clint Eastwood comedies, Dunston is the practical-joking orangutan partner of foppish jewel thief Rupert Everett. Making his escape in a five-star New York hotel, Dunston lands in the protective care of 10-year-old Eric Lloyd, the high-spirited son of harried hotel manager Jason Alexander, and together they turn the snooty social event of the year into a zoo. Faye Dunaway is Alexander's overbearing boss just aching for a comic comeuppance, and Paul "Pee-wee Herman" Reubens dons a mauve tuxedo as Buck La Farge, animal-control specialist. Would you believe the monkey upstages them all? Though hardly the smartest comedy around, this is a cute, cuddly little barrel full of monkeyshines just made for the younger crowd. Rated PG for one (yelled) word. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A fun movie
You might expect "Dunston Checks In" to be a kiddy or cutesy show, and in a way it is, but it can also be a good family movie for anybody who likes comedies. A manager of a 5-star hotel in New York, Mr. Grant (Jason Alexander), has a great job, but he has to watch every step he takes because if he makes one mistake in the eyes of the owner, Mrs. Dubrow (Faye Dunaway), he could lose his high paying job and go from living in a 5-star hotel to something not so nice. Mr. Grant has two kids to raise, but things just might go haywire when an orangutan starts hanging out at the hotel.

But not to fret, not only is the orangutan named Dunston real smart, he can also make simple things hilarious. "Dunston Checks In" isn't a groundbreaking comedy and it's not that original, but it is fun to watch, and it can be funny. I recommend anybody who likes comedies that feature an animal as the main star to at least rent "Dunston Checks In," if not buying it.

Dunston = Brilliance
Ah, the simple pleasures in life. Monkey movies are getting to be few and far between, with the bad ones overtaking the good. (Did anyone see Ed with Matt LeBlanc, yeah, i didn't think so) All those that feel that the genre of monkey movies is almost dead should see the brilliant Dunston Checks In. This film has it all: a monkey that wreaks havoc in a swanky hotel, and Jason Alexander really overacting. Jason, lighten up bud! you are in a monkey movie! The real pleasure comes in knowing that this film was an attempt to breath life into the monkey movie genre, a field that has been over looked by the Oscars for numerous years. The only problem with this film is that it is far too short. When will filmakers realize that monkey films should be epics, not 90 minute comedies. Give me an epic monkey movie over the same old Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy garbage anyday. Dunston, i think i speak for everyone when i say: I love you!

Good
I like this movie very much. My favorite thing in the whole movie is Paul Reubens as Buck LaFarge, the animal control man. It is a childrens movie, but overall well acted and funny. Jason Alexander, Faye Dunnaway, and Rupert Everet are also very good.

Great family fun!
"Dunston Checks In" is great family fun. The plot involves a chimp who wreaks havoc in a five-star Manhattan Hotel and befriends the manager's young sons in the process. Warm-hearted, funny, and quite entertaining for ages 4 and up. The chimp and his antics are adorable and the acting is quite good, featuring performances by Jason Alexander (as the hotel manager), Faye Dunaway (as a Leona Helmsley-like hotel owner), Rupert Everett (as Dunston's owner), and Pee-Wee Herman.

great
if had this movie ever since i was a little kid and every time i watch it i still laufh if seen it a hundreed times and me my mom my grandma and my sister thank its great a film for kids and family. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Here's Why:
I came across this page while searching for Season 2 myself. FYI, to shed some light on the question you've all been asking (and I've been asking myself) as to why it has taken so long for season 2 to come about: I recently heard that the toughest part about releasing some shows on DVD have to do with music copyrights; that is, any song used on a show, you have to get permission for the DVD release and of course, pay a royalties fee. I heard, was it Freeks & Geeks, was going to have to pay $500,000 alone for the music to release that series on DVD. You take a real "niche" show like that and it's a bit of a gamble. I've heard some series have been released without the music, but there were MANY bands featured on LS. I think that's got to have something to do with it. Also, I'm wondering how Bravo's failed attempt to re-broadcast the shows figures into the mix. They had to have paid something for those rights and I wonder if they also need to be paid for a DVD release.

all seasons must be released!!!!!
this show is a classic. original and clever. so many crap dvds that get released why cant they release something great.

We can buy "Punky Brewster" but not The Larry Sanders Show?
Pretty screwed up, eh?C'mon.

My brain cannot handle the dissonance of remembering how The Larry Sanders Show was a critical splash and a runaway hit which made possible every future HBO series.In other words, there would be no "Sex In The City" or "The Sopranos" if there had never been a Larry Sanders.Meanwhile, here in the present, sales were evidently poor enough that we're STILL waiting for Season Two.What happened?

I'm inclined to blame it on poor promotion . . . .

come on, hurry up!!
Please hurry up and release this. What's the matter with tri star? the greatest, most influentialamerican comedy show of the last twenty years and all we have is one series dvd and one poor compilation. get on with it.

YES PLEASE RELEASE THIS PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!
Season one of "The Larry Sanders Show" from 1992 was released on DVD over 3 years ago.It is unclear why season two has yet to be released, as some TV shows seem to have been practically hemmoraging boxed sets in the interim.Let me take this opportunity to BEG the powers that be to continue releasing this wonderful series on DVD!!!!Thank you ... Read more