Reviews (23)

"I am a giant, and I'm surrounded by ants."
With perhaps the best cast ever assembled for this play, David Susskind's 1961 production of Raisin in the Sun is a classic film and a landmark achievement during the civil rights struggles of the early 1960s. Starring a young Sidney Poitier as Walter Lee, Claudia McNeil as his mother Lena Younger, Ruby Dee as his wife Ruth, and Diana Sands as his sister Beneatha, the film closely follows the script of the play, and director Daniel Petrie wisely confines the setting almost entirely to one room, as it is on stage. This intensifies the emotions and interactions of this three-generation family, which share a small, two-bedroom apartment in South Chicago, and makes their longing to break free obvious both visually and emotionally.

Sidney Poitier as Walter Lee is the "giant...surrounded by ants" as he dreams of escaping his job as a chauffeur and investing in a liquor store. Poitier's body language and subtle gestures as he argues about how to spend his mother's ten thousand dollar life insurance check powerfully convey his anguish. The close-up of Poitier's slow transition from an insolent and angry young man to a tearful and repentant son in one scene with his mother is unforgettable. Claudia McNeil, as the mother, is stalwart, strong, and full of pride. Ruby Dee, as the devoted wife, trying to decide whether to have an abortion in order to lighten her husband's load, is simultaneously resolute and resigned. Diana Sands, as Beneatha, the agnostic medical student, reflecting the beginning of the "Roots" and "Black Power" movements, provides some comic relief as she practices African "home-from-the-hunt" dances.

At the heart of the play is the issue of discrimination against black people and the limitations on their dreams, and the filming in black and white is appropriate. The small dying houseplant that Lena nurtures remains the major symbol here, as it is in the play, but through the cinematography new symbols emerge. The kitchen cupboard door opens and shuts as family members open and shut themselves to each other and the outside world, and numerous scenes take place between two people with a door in the background, opening and closing as their emotions change. The film quality and its high contrast have withstood the test of time, the sound is good, and the acting, especially as revealed in the close-ups, makes this a classic film, better than any stage version I have ever seen or imagined. Mary Whipple

Subject matter still an issue today
This film is excellent. I first saw it on television umpteen years ago and in school, and I was touched by the whole plot. An African-American family obtains a large amount of money from an insurance policy and they decide to use it to buy a home in the suburbs. But the residents of the white suburban neighborhood where this family wants to move don't want them there. And prior to that, there is contention between family members for even entertaining the thought of moving there. Powerful performances by Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeil and Diana Sands. This is still a relevant topic today, even though this film was made 40 years ago because these things are still happening. No doubt Lorraine Hansbury, the playwright, was influenced by the very public genrification story of entertainer Nat King Cole, who faced the same kind of racial problems when he brought a house in a wealthy white neighborhood in California in 1948.

Wonderful family film. Highly recommended.

Excellent Adaptation
Beautifully acted. Heartfelt and heartbreaking. A simple story intelligently and sympathetically told. Among Poitier's best. This is a one movie example of how important and excellent Poitier was in the late 50's & 60's. One of the few must sees for every American.

The human striving for the American Dream
A Raisin In The Sun is the DVD recording of the on-screen adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry's classic stage play about black identity, starring Danny Glover and Emmy Award winner Esther Rolle. When a $10,000 insurance benefit generates dreams and squabbles in a Chicago ghetto family (the son yearns to start his own business while the mother longs to live in a house of her own), A Raisin In The Sun wonderfully captures the human striving for the American Dream and the realities confronting those who have grown up and lived their lives poor and disadvantaged. DVD extras include an about the author section, tidbits of information about the play and the cast, and more. 173 minutes, color, suitable for family viewing.

The Best of Black Cinema
This is acting at its best. Not only for African American Actorsand Actress,but for acting period. The story is based on the everyday struggles of a Black family. The story is based sometimes in the early 60ds or late 50ds but these struggles still go on today. As a black women in the struggle I related to every part of the story, not only do we get knocked down by the world as per say, but we also get knocked down by our own people.Black men try hard to find a way to take care of their families and sometimes things look better on the other side, as brother in the story does he trusts his friends because his mother trusts him and things go bad for him, but out of every thing bad comes something good, I don't want to tell the story for those who hasn't seen it, the family still go own to move on with their plans and whole their heads up high as they go on and that makes the struggle even better, as least the family still has their self worth and dignity. And as usual Momma the head of the family per say teaches them lesson and also teaches them a lesson in the lost that they experince. always keep your head up and never do anything to loose your self worth or your diginty. This is one movie that every black family shouid see. I recemmond it highley.!!!!! dean.r.m@worldnet.att.net. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Adapted from a Harold Robbins potboiler, The Betsy offers powerstruggles, incest, adultery, gold digging, and car racing.Laurence Olivier plays a ruthless but fallible auto tycoon with a tortured family historyincluding a weakling son (Paul Rudd), a daughter-in-law he loves too much(Katharine Ross), a resentful grandson (Robert Duvall), and a devotedgreat-granddaughter (Kathleen Beller) to whom he bequeaths most of hisfortune.In the midst of all these family squabbles is racing enthusiastAngelo Perino (a very young Tommy Lee Jones) whom the old man hires to builda revolutionary, ecologically advanced car which will be called The Betsyafter his great-granddaughter. Angelo builds The Betsy (the car), seducesBetsy (the great-granddaughter), and even has a fling with Duvall's mistress,played by the haughty Lesley-Anne Down. In order to boil down Robbins's plot-heavy novel to 125 minutes,some of the connecting tissue has been lost. ButOlivier is a grand old ham and Jones shows early on why he was destined to be a star. Lavishly produced, The Betsy has been formatted for the smallscreen, which doesn't allow us to fully enjoy the elaborate sets.But it's achewy two hours of pulp, nonetheless. --Richard Natale ... Read more

Reviews (6)

One of my top 10 movies....
I love this movie, it's one of my top 10 favorites. It's glitzy and it dazzles me, and it's just the kind of movie that gives me sweet dreams and one you'll love to cozy up with on a Saturday night. It's so very lavish and everything in this movie is just beautiful and huge!! Everything about this movie is on such a grand scale, everything is just so big and gorgeous, the mansion is again just gorgeous, the rooms are perfectly and beautifully decorated and the colors that are used are just dreamy, the flower arrangements are also huge and they sit atop huge fireplaces, this movie is just a feast for the eyes! (I found that I watched it again so that I could rewind and rewind just to feast on the sets!) For the most part, the movie stays pretty close to the storyline of the book, and the book was again a huge and wonderful read, (which I also suggest!) My husband also liked this movie, he liked the actors and the storyline, the cars, the racing and the bird's eye view of the auto industry, and one of his favorite actress is Leslie Ann Downs. The flashbacks made me feel like I had slipped back in time, and oh I also just loved how Betsy got her man, the little swim she took... (she's the same actress who played the little girl on Make Room For Daddy with Danny Thomas--I think?). Lawrence O is in my opinion, very sexy and magnetic and perfect for the part, he's very handsome and even though I had never seen him before in any other movie, whew, what a cutie he is, even for an older man! But I love Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones. And yes, I totally agree with the viewer who said there was no chemistry between any of the actors and that Tommy Lee rushed through his lines like he was in a hurry to get to an audition for Coal Miner's Daughter (I had a good laugh at this!), but still he's young and cute and he does not disappoint. I love movies with good actors, pretty sets, lovely clothes, romance and happy endings and any movie that goes back in time or ia a period piece, gets my vote every single time.

Not a masterpiece but still good
The betsy which is based on a novel by Harold Robbins is not

a very good movie but it is not that bad.I didn't like Olivier's

performance but i think Tommy Lee Jones did great.The love

scenes in the movie are very beautiful and Kathleen Beller is

a very gorgeous actress [Most known for her role as Kirby

andrews in Dynasty] and i adore her love scene with Tommy Lee

Jones.

A So-Bad-It's-Great Classic
There's so much awfulness to love in this movie, a camp classic done as straight as an arrow.

I have a hard time figuring out what's my favorite thing about this movie because there's so much to love -- the total miscasting? Olivier's "Americanish" accent which is frequently slurred? The complete lack of chemistry between any of the principle characters? That "Where's My Paycheck?" look on Katherine Ross' face? The way Tommy Lee Jones spits out his lines so quickly like he needs to leave the set early to go to the Coal Miner's Daughter audition? ... The heavily gauzed-lens flashbacks? The complete implausibility of Harold Robbins' story? Mansions decorated with whicker furniture? Sir Larry's parade of horrendous toupees?

If you miss Dynasty or The Colbys for any of the above reasons, or if you are just a connoisseur of So-Bad-They're-Great movies you can't miss this one. ...

Great Fun in A Grat Pot Boiler
This is a movie with no pretensions. It is about corporate intrigue, family disputes and beautiful bodies. It is an unashamed pot-boiler. It is helped by the fine acting that does not descend into camp. There are many highy capable actors here. No one hams it up for the camera which only makes this glorius bit of cheese all the more fun.

A 3-star movie, 5 stars for Tommy Lee Jones, average to 4
This is a big, gorgeous movie, but can drag at times. Whenever Tommy Lee Jones is on the screen, however, it's fabulous. I remember seeing this movie when it first came out, and wondering why he wasn't in more movies. Some very beautiful and surprisingly explicit nudity showing the actress playing Betsy. I wonder what happened to her? ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Everything Old Is Not New
The original Cocoon, directed by Ron Howard, was a charming sci-fi/fantasy that proved age and getting older is just a state of mind. While it was great to see the legendary cast from the first film reunite, director Daniel Petrie's sequel Cocoon: The Ruturn, can't quite recapture the magic of its predesessor.

The retirees who chose to leave earth to find eternal life come back to Earth for a short visit with their loved ones while their alien escorts attempt to rescue a cocoon dislodged by Sara (Courteney Cox), an oceanographer. Art Selwyn (Don Ameche), along with his friends Ben Luckett (Wilford Brimley) and Joe Finley (Hume Cronyn) and their wives, Bess (Gwen Verdon), Mary (Maureen Stapleton), and Alma (Jessica Tandy) find little has changed. soon they rediscover the value of human emotion and the fragility of their own lives as they visit with their old friends and remember what it's like to live on earth. As the group of friends reconsider what life would be like if they stayed on earth permanently, they shop, party, and make some miraculous discoveries about the future of their relationships. Meanwhile, their alien escorts, led by Kitty (Tahnee Welch) lead the rescue attempt of the an alien cocoon from the hands of the government, with the help of her old friend Jack Bonner (Steve Guttenberg).

The cast proves that they can rise above any of the film's shortcomings. The major problem of the film in general, is that, by its very exsistence, it diminishes the first film. Some of the philisophical issues raised in the first movie are examined again, this time with not as much urgency or surprise as the first go around. Petrie does what he can but can't really escape the "carbon copy" feel of the film.

The extras on DVD aren't as exstensive, for the sequel, as they were for the original. All you get are some theatrical trailers and a few TV spots and that's it. I would have liked to see some behind the scenes stuff at least--considering a good portion of the cast has now passed on. Viewers can watch the film in either the full-screen, or, widescreen formats.

Not quite the gem that was the original, Cocoon The Return, is a serviceable retread. It's cast of Hollwood veterans are a reason to watch the movie.

Growing Old Is Not For Sissies
In this sequel most of the main members of the cast from COCOON return on a visit to their old retirement community in St. Petersburg, Florida after an absence of five years. Their extraterrestrial hosts provide the transportation as they have to return to earth to rescue another one of their comrades left behind on an earlier trip. This means that not only are Don Ameche, Wilfred Brimley, Hume Cronyn, Maureen Stapleton, Jessica Tandy and Gwen Verdon back but also Brian Dennehy , Tawnee Welch and Tyrone Power, Jr. from the original spaceship crew as well as the skipper of the glass bottom boat (Steve Guttenberg) and crusty old Jack Gifford. The big question on this trip is mostly about who will elect to stay on earth and who will decide to go back to eternal bliss. That is not an easy decision to make and we all probably have some experience wrestling with the same question.

For those who are curious about whatever happened to the initial voyagers this movie will be satisfying even though it gets a little heavy at times. There are some memorable scenes especially a few involving Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, Jack Guttenberg and Tawnee Welch. Daniel Petrie is the new director in place of Ron Howard.

Worthy effort.
The orininal is by far better, and this new one at times allows (dare I say!) mediocrity to set in. But for a sequal, this is pretty good. This time, the familiar alien group returns to earth to save a fellow extraterrestrial , who has been captured by the St. Petersburg Oceanograpic Institute (or somethin' like that). Which also gives time for the good old group of retirees to visit their old friends. The all the elements are back: science fiction, fantasy, drama, and a lot more laughs! It still manages to drag a few tears out of you. Still a good science fiction movie saga.

Never return to old places
Never, ever, come back to the place where you have aged. For one reason : you will never want to go away again, because you will find all kinds of things you will have missed. For a second reason, because you will discover all those you have loved and you have known either have gone or have changed. For a third reason, because all you have missed, and all you left behind is still so strong that you will never want to go away again. This sequel is good because of that, because it shows that returning is the worst thing you can ever dream of after having left any place you have lived long in enough to love it. Apart from that, one interesting element is in the fact that an Extraterrestrial is nothing, certainly not a « human » being, able to think and feel emotions, but only a guinea pig to be analyzed and autopsied with a scalpel, even if it is a computerized one. The armed forces, the national security of our countries, and pretty soon of our globalised planet will look after that. Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, Paris Universities II and IX.

As good as the original and that's high praise
See my review of the original "Cocoon." Much the same can be said for this sequel. As another reviewer commented, the hospital scene between Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy is very touching. There is good belly laugh material too, for example when the oldsters take on some arrogant young basketball hotshots. I want to say a word for the soundtrack, too, the music. Lovely themes, well done and well integrated. This film and the original are good jobs all around and leave one (at least me) with a warm glow. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

A rich family movie
This movie is a fine ensemble performance. There is the afther, Burt Lancaster, who is reaching the end of a full life. His children and their families are joining him for a birthday bash that will be the talk of the town. Yet this isn't about a birthday party, it is about connections.

Lancasters children are all enmeshed in thier own lives and families. But it is the children who are closest to Lancaster's charecter. He tells them stories of Vikings and valhalla and the kids take not and remember. Lancaster expresses a final wish for what to do with his body after he dies. He doesn't tell his children, maybe sensing their opposition, so instead he tells the grandchildren - maybe not expecting them to do it but convey his wish to their parents.

There is comedy, despair, anger and sadness throughout the film. It doesn't dwell on one particular emotional level, rather it touches them and moves on, as we all do in life.

The conclusion is a remarkable combination of humor, suspense, sadness and togetherness. It is worth the whole movie to just watch the last fifteen minutes.

I recommend this to anyone with families and to those who want to watch a well crafted film production. It is a keeper for any video library.

Who Said Children Should Be Seen and Not Heard?
This warm and sentimental movie brings to the forefront of our thoughts that as adults we become so enmeshed in the engrossing and all consuming details of day to day life, that we sometimes cannot see what the imminent event about to occur right in front of us is. Burt Lancaster portrays a loving father and grandfather who has had time to reflect on his life, and as a result, has expressed to his grandchildren his admiration for the Viking tradition of saying goodbye to their loved one as they pass on to Valhalla. His grandchildren take the time to understand his respect for this rich tradition, while their parents are too busy planning a birthday for the patriach. McCauley Caulkin is wonderful as the youngest grandson. He has a special relationship with his grandfather that is telepathic at times. Watch this movie with your children, and let them know that the death of a loved one is a time of sadness, but it is also a time of great reflection.

Unique!
Although the story lines are a bit busy in this fine film, the work turned in by Burt Lancaster and MacCaulay Culkin are truly worth seeing. The viewer is immediately aware of a bond between grandfather and grandson. Mac displays that rare talent of his, in this early film--what a fine portrayal and what an opportunity for him to be able to play opposite Mr. Lancaster.

Great!
I only saw this movie because Kevin Spacey was in it and I adore him. So as I watched it I got so involved in the story. This movies was funny, sad and loving. Kevin's struggling comedian, Dwayne, was by far the best, although Blue is great too. Kevin uses humor, and wit to steal the show from all the other satrs!

Rocket Gibraltar
It is a great movie I dont have to write much just buy it, it is the type of movie that you smile and cry at the same time when your watching it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Paul Newman stars in this harsh portrait of a police station ina crumbling neighborhood. Newman plays John Murphy, a veteran policemanwho's been on the force long enough to be tired, but not so long thathe's lost his idealism. The plot is loosely tied to the arrival ofConnolly, the new precinct captain (Edward Asner). Is he a crusaderwho's going to finally whip a corrupt, apathetic force into shape, oran interloping by-the-book bureaucrat who can't possibly understand theneighborhood and will do more harm than good? The movie is gratifyinglyambiguous on this point and many others. While Newman's character isalmost by default the hero, he is far from perfect--most all the majorcharacters get complex personalities, just like real people. The Bronxitself is given complex, thoughtful treatment as well, full of bothoverwhelming problems and hope for the future. Fort Apache, theBronx also has action sequences, but doesn't make the mistake ofreveling in violence. Here, black and white are far less defined and,consequently, far more satisfying. --Ali Davis ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Obscure Classic
This is a classic film that hardly anyone that I know have ever heard of. This is a shame since this is a movie that has hardly any of the cliches that clog up so many police dramas. Paul Newman stars as a cop who tries to enforce the law without engaging in violence against suspects. This sets him at odds with other officers including the new precinct captain played by Ed Asner. This is the heart of the movie and it leads to a surprising conclusion.

A script, acting and directing job that adds up to on excellent movie.

A little hokey, but a solid film with great performances
Good cop films are really important, and this is an excellent portrayal of the human side of law enforcement. What a find. It's a very convincing, gritty New York drama, something that is always appreciated. One of the film's strengths is its ability to shift from comedic moments into harsh tragedies, and in this sense feels like an accurate reflection on real life. Newman is absolutely convincing in his top rate performance, as is the rest of the cast. Which brings us to the plot - it's solid, but not dazzling. You have a sense it is trying to be a tour-de-force about police mentality and corruption but falls a bit short. But, for the rest of the film's strengths, this can be overlooked. Highly recommended.

pam grier is hot
pam grier makes me want to go out and bang a junkie

Just fair
The script was a little hokey and the overall movie was nowhere near as good as I remembered from when I was 7 and saw it in the movies.

Having said that, Pamela Grier was much better than I remembered her being. Her ... hooker with a razorblade smile defined my opinions on females for a long time to come.

BRUTALLY REAL
THIS FORGOTTEN CLASSIC DELIVERS A NUMBER OF GUT PUNCHES.....MOST NOTABLY DANNY AIELLO PITCHING THE GUY OFF THE ROOF,RACHEL TICOTINS OVERDOSE AND THE PROSTITUTES MURDER AND DISPOSAL OF IN A ORIENTAL RUG[WE NEVER SEE WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BODY UNTIL THE END, BUT PAY ATTENTION, IT DOES TURN UP,AFTER ALL]. PAUL NEWMAN IS AT HIS BEST HERE,BUT SADLY THIS MOVIE IS SELDOMLY SEEN TODAY.THE BLASTED OUT NEIGHBORHOOD DEPICTED IS DESOLATE, AND THE POLICE STATION DOES APPEAR TO BE AN OASIS AGAINST SOME OF THE SENSELESS MADNESS WE SEE IN THIS GREAT,UNFORGETTABLE MOVIE...... ... Read more

Reviews (12)

A great family film !!!
this movie is very good ! i love watching all the t.v. shows with Lassie and i love watching Lassie save poples lives ! i think "Marge and Bob" should get a life.... Tom Guiry is a great actor. and he does a great job playing Matt in the movie. so if you have not seen this movie... I WOULD SEE IT !! its a great movie for all ages !

A Great Family Film
I rented this video for my kids, ages 2 and 8, thinking it was the old-time Lassie flick. Was surprised to hear a comment about "Nintendo" early in the film, and references to skateboarding. But this modern remake is true to the story and my kids were thrilled with the movie, asking to see it again and again and also asking Santa for their own copy.

Great Family Film!!!
Im usually an action comedy movie guy, but I saw this along time ago and I watched it a fews ago.This is a great film for the family and worth buying.

Traditional Family Values
This movie is a refreshing updated version of good old Lassie family movies!! It is predictable in plot, but in a comfortable way. My 3 sons, aged 10 years old-3 1/2 years old, all enjoy this delightful show. It is hard to find a movie with traditional family values that entertains the whole family. A dog-lovers must have DVD!!

Nice Update of the Lassie Story
Very enjoyable update of the classic Lassie film, even if the villain of the piece is so stereotypical it's laughable (he uses guns and chews tobacco, so he must be a bad guy, right?). Gorgeous scenery and the kids aren't goodie-goodies but reasonably real children. Richard Farnsworth is wonderfully warm as the grandfather. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

An 'unforgettable journey'
Anyone who is of the opinion that Rob Lowe comes across as being 'dull' on screen, or perhaps 'just a pretty face', should take time out to watch 'Square Dance'. His 'Golden Globe nominated performance' was justly deserved for his portrayal of the 'mentally-impared man-child', Rory.

There are some films watched during your childhood or teenage years that have a profound effect on you and, for me, 'Square Dance' is one such film. It is nice to see it released on DVD format so promptly.

Lowe skilfully plays the role of Rory, eliciting what can only be described as an emotional reaction from myself and, I'm sure, many others who have watched this heart-warming drama. It is roles like this and his portrayal of deaf mute, Nick Andros, in Stephen King's 'The Stand' that substantiate Lowe's talent and versatility as an actor.

'Square Dance' also features Winona Ryder in her acclaimed screen debut as Gemma, a 13-year old girl tired of living in Texas with her quarrelsome grandfather (Jason Robards), and who decides to go live with her mother (Jane Alexander) in Fort Worth. Whilst there, Gemma falls in love with Rory. She also discovers some hidden truths about her mother and the father she has never met. Life in Fort Worth turns out to be not as exciting and uncomplicated as she had initially expected.

Critically acclaimed, 'Square Dance' is an emotional drama that will remain with you forever.

Music: Don Henley, Ricky Scaggs, George Strait and Trace Adkins.

Special Features: Widescreen presentation; Audio commentary by producer & director Daniel Petrie ('Cocoon: The Return' & 'A Raisin in the Sun'); Director's biography.

a.k.a. HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS..
For a drama made in 1986 on a low budget "Square Dance" isn't bad. It does have a few rewards to offer. First off it has a top-notch cast. Winona Ryder is wonderful in her first lead role. She first appeared in a supporting role in "Lucas". Also Rob Lowe is convincing playing a semi-retarded boy. Jane Alexander is a scene stealer as Ryder's loose living mother. Not to mention Jason Robards as Ryder's grandfather who (if nothing else) does one nice thing for her. He taught her how to square dance. For fans of Winona Ryder, you'll be happy to see that she is in every scene of this nearly 2 hour coming of age drama. If your reading this your likely to be a fan of Winona Ryder. Here is a list of other films you may like to see her in. LUCAS, 1969, BEETLEJUICE, HEATHERS, GREAT BALLS OF FIRE!, WELCOME HOME ROXY CARMICHAEL, MERMAIDS, EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, NIGHT ON EARTH, BRAM STOKERS DRACULA, THE AGE OF INNOCENCE, HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS, REALITY BITES, LITTLE WOMEN, HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT, BOYS, LOOKING FOR RICHARD, THE CRUCIBLE, CELEBRITY, ALIEN RESURRECTION, GIRL INTERRUPTED, AUTUMN IN NEW YORK, LOST SOULS, MR. DEEDS. camero appearances in.. ZOOLANDER (and) SIMONE.

A.K.A. HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS
FOR A 1986 DRAMA MADE ON A LOW BUDGET "SQUARE DANCE" IS NOT BAD. THERE ARE A FEW REWARDS OFFERED. 1. CONTAINS A TOP NOTCH CAST THAT INCLUDES: WINONA RYDER, JASON ROBARDS, JANE ALEXANDER AND ROB LOWE. 2. IN A BRIEF SQUARE DANCING SCENE, YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO SQUARE DANCE THE O' FASHION WAY. 3. THERE ARE ALOT OF THINGS HAPPENING IN THE FILM, EVEN THOUGH THE PLOT IS SIMPLE. RYDER IN HER 1ST LEAD ROLE DOES AN OUTSTANDING JOB. LOWE IS CONVINCING AS A SEMI-RETARDED BOY. ALEXANDER IS A SCENE STEALER AS RYDER'S LOOSE LIVING MOTHER. FOR WINONA RYDER FANS YOU'LL BE HAPPY TO SEE THAT SHE IS IN NEARLY EVERY SCENE OF THIS ALMOST TWO HOUR COMING OF AGER.

Poor instruction of MWSD
This was done by a non square dancr ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent family film!
This is one of those movies that will warm your heart and stay with you for a long-time. Great story! ... Read more

Description

In a small Cajun town on the Louisiana bayou, a pack of wild dogs howla in the night. The body of a young girl is found viciously murdered on the property of a wealthy family. The townspeople belive the feral dogs are to blame, but as the killing increase, it becomes evident this is a mystery that holds long buried secrets. Andrew Rodanthe(Bradford Dillman) and his wife Louise(Barbara Rush)are the owners of the back woods home of the murder girl. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Moon Of The Wolf
Beginning with the murder of a young girl, a small cajun town in the Lousiana bayou runs rampant with accusations and suspicions! is there a vicious pack of killer dogs on the prowl? or, does the wealthy family outside of town have a terrible, oge-old secret? VERY GOOD STORY! WORTH YOUR $$$

David Janssen: Sheriff...
David Janssen is the sheriff of a small Louisiana town. When a girl is found murdered (was it a man or wild dogs that killed her?), things look like they're going to get exciting. But then, looks can be deceiving. Everyone sort of stands around talking. And talking. Sheriff Janssen investigates by driving to the homes of various suspects to... talk. And talk. A posse is formed to hunt down and kill any stray dogs roaming around. Finally, the dead girl's brother ends up in jail for slugging the town doctor, who had gotten the girl pregnant. The werewolf shows up, tears the bars off the window, kills the deputy, and murders the brother in his jail cell. Now we're getting somewhere! Well, not really. Nothing else happens that could be described as remotely interesting. The werewolf (Bradford Dillman) looks like a man with a dirty nose who needs a shave. His sister (Barbara Rush) spends most of the movie talking with David Janssen. And talking. And talking...

MOON OF THE WOLF
This movie is CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For being one of those 1972 horror classics, it definitely isn't! It is so boring and the wolf doesn't come till the end of the movie. In the future I hope movies never ever turn out to be as bad as this one!

How's it bayou?
Based on a novel by Leslie Whitten, this made-for-TV thriller blends a murder-mystery with an old-fashioned werewolf story. David Janssen is the southern sheriff with a string of bloody murders on his hands. An incoherent, bed-ridden old man down on the bayou babbles in a Cajun dialect of something that sounds like "luke-a-ruke." As the victims pile up, the sheriff finally learns that the old man is saying "Werewolf!" (loup garou). This movie is a mixed blessing. Most of the script devotes itself to fathoming the mystery, and red herrings abound. Time is also spent on the subplot of a mild flirtation between Janssen and Barbara Rush. She is of the local gentry, and her brother disapproves of Janssen's attentiveness. About 59 minutes into the 73-minute film, the movie shifts gears and the horror elements finally kick in. The local Larry Talbot suffers a peculiar genetic malady that usually can be controlled by drugs. Things get serious one night when the moon is full, and a young girl is brutally murdered. The fright makeup looks as if it came from a shopping mall Halloween shop. Where is Jack Pierce when you need him? Nevertheless, there is some suspense. As the werewolf pounds on the door, Rush barricades herself into the spooky antebellum mansion. There are no silver bullets to report, but there is a handy pistol with sanctified cartridges that have been blessed. Great foresight on someone's part. The '70s cars and clothes add to the modest budget look of the movie. Die-hard fans of horror thrillers should be pleased. Others beware. ;-)

David Jannsen Rules!! Nice Film!!
Set in Louisiana,after several people are brutally murdered,the local sheriff(David Jannsen)strongly suspects that the murder was done by a werewolfe.It's a very nice,must see film!! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Another gem from the golden age!
Would you believe these Studio One episodes were rescued from a condemned warehouse? That's what the back cover claims! Many thanks to the art lover who understood what these old kinescopes mean to those of us in "the silent generation." (A term for children born in the '30s, between "the greatest generation" and "the baby boomers.") Thanks also to whoever digitally remastered them, for they are crisper and cleaner than when we saw them on our old cathode ray tube TVs.
James Dean turns in another fine peformance on August 17th, 1953, as a man falsely accused of killing Virginia Vincent's husband, while Betsy Palmer, an unbelieved eyewitness, frantically tries to get detectives Gene Lyons to believe her. There is also a plot twist at the end. The second episode from 1957 (two years after James Dean's death)is a about the mass hysteria created by "The War of the Worlds" radio broadcast in 1938. Warren Beatty, Warren Oates, James Coburn, Ed Asner, Al Markim (Astro from Tom Corbett, Space Cadet), Vincent Gardenia, an uncredited John Astin, and many others are featured. Also, there's an exceptional documentary of other Studio One episodes narrated by Charlton Heston, Jack Klugman, John Frankenheimer, etc.. This is the stuff nostalgia is made of! I recently read the D. Russell novel "Dreamdust" (also available at Amazon), which covers that period of time. At last those of us "Deaners" in Jimmy's "silent generation" of the '30s can relive those tender moments like no other, when the whole neighborhood gathered at the house with the television set. It's great fun seeing these previews with Joanne Woodward, Elizabeth Montgomery, Dennis Hopper, Natalie Wood, Corey Allen (Buzz Gunderson from "Rebel Without a Cause."
I hope Westinghouse transfers all these "See them the night they're on or lose them" stories. James Dean Lives! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Moon Of The Wolf
Beginning with the murder of a young girl, a small cajun town in the Lousiana bayou runs rampant with accusations and suspicions! is there a vicious pack of killer dogs on the prowl? or, does the wealthy family outside of town have a terrible, oge-old secret? VERY GOOD STORY! WORTH YOUR $$$

David Janssen: Sheriff...
David Janssen is the sheriff of a small Louisiana town. When a girl is found murdered (was it a man or wild dogs that killed her?), things look like they're going to get exciting. But then, looks can be deceiving. Everyone sort of stands around talking. And talking. Sheriff Janssen investigates by driving to the homes of various suspects to... talk. And talk. A posse is formed to hunt down and kill any stray dogs roaming around. Finally, the dead girl's brother ends up in jail for slugging the town doctor, who had gotten the girl pregnant. The werewolf shows up, tears the bars off the window, kills the deputy, and murders the brother in his jail cell. Now we're getting somewhere! Well, not really. Nothing else happens that could be described as remotely interesting. The werewolf (Bradford Dillman) looks like a man with a dirty nose who needs a shave. His sister (Barbara Rush) spends most of the movie talking with David Janssen. And talking. And talking...

MOON OF THE WOLF
This movie is CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For being one of those 1972 horror classics, it definitely isn't! It is so boring and the wolf doesn't come till the end of the movie. In the future I hope movies never ever turn out to be as bad as this one!

How's it bayou?
Based on a novel by Leslie Whitten, this made-for-TV thriller blends a murder-mystery with an old-fashioned werewolf story. David Janssen is the southern sheriff with a string of bloody murders on his hands. An incoherent, bed-ridden old man down on the bayou babbles in a Cajun dialect of something that sounds like "luke-a-ruke." As the victims pile up, the sheriff finally learns that the old man is saying "Werewolf!" (loup garou). This movie is a mixed blessing. Most of the script devotes itself to fathoming the mystery, and red herrings abound. Time is also spent on the subplot of a mild flirtation between Janssen and Barbara Rush. She is of the local gentry, and her brother disapproves of Janssen's attentiveness. About 59 minutes into the 73-minute film, the movie shifts gears and the horror elements finally kick in. The local Larry Talbot suffers a peculiar genetic malady that usually can be controlled by drugs. Things get serious one night when the moon is full, and a young girl is brutally murdered. The fright makeup looks as if it came from a shopping mall Halloween shop. Where is Jack Pierce when you need him? Nevertheless, there is some suspense. As the werewolf pounds on the door, Rush barricades herself into the spooky antebellum mansion. There are no silver bullets to report, but there is a handy pistol with sanctified cartridges that have been blessed. Great foresight on someone's part. The '70s cars and clothes add to the modest budget look of the movie. Die-hard fans of horror thrillers should be pleased. Others beware. ;-)

David Jannsen Rules!! Nice Film!!
Set in Louisiana,after several people are brutally murdered,the local sheriff(David Jannsen)strongly suspects that the murder was done by a werewolfe.It's a very nice,must see film!! ... Read more