Reviews (44)

Good, but bogged down slightly
This was an enjoyable movie, but unfortunately it had many, many plot holes that made liking it difficult.

A spy-movie-enthralled young woman named Linda Voss ("half Jewish, half Irish") gets a job with a man named Ed Leland whom she suspects is a spy. Before long, they are lovers, but their budding relationship is dashed by World War II. Before you can say "Berlin strudel" she's whisked off to Germany as an undercover operative, to discover secret plans in the house of a handsome and sympathetic Nazi (the always-good Liam Neeson)

One of the problems is Melanie Griffith. She might be good in other roles, but as Voss she fails. Voss comes across as amazingly lucky and none too intelligent, constantly licking her lips in a very distracting way. Michael Douglas is completely convincing as Ed Leland, although he looks slightly embarrassed sometimes. Liam Neeson and Joely Richardson are excellent in their smaller roles.

Second problem is the attitude of the heroes. When Voss does not show up in time for the rendezvous, Leland disregards orders in favor of carrying her to the Swiss Border. Though it may seem heartless, an actual spy would have followed his orders and left Voss to die. In fact, we see the evidently smarter Germans such as Neeson's Dietrich and Richardson's Margrete following their orders despite their personal feelings about Voss.

Watch the movie if you are interested, but do not expect great accuracy.

A good comedy -- a bad war drama
I think I might have enjoyed "Shining Through" more if I'd been drunk. This movie is a fantastic ensemble comedy, but I don't think they were trying to make one! The only redeeming points of the movie were Liam Neeson and Joely Richardson's performances as a pair of Nazis.

Melanie Griffith plays Linda Voss, a young woman of mixed Irish and Jewish ancestry in World War II. Because of her linguistic skills, she's hired as a translator for Ed Leland (Michael Douglas), who works for the government as a spy (he keeps denying it, but she's seen movies so she knows better!). They become lovers, until his work comes between them. But no sooner have they been reunited than a spy is needed to sneak into Germany to find some bomb-related plans.

She's accompanied into Germany by Konrad "Sunflower" Friedrichs (Sir John Gielgud, who looks like he's always thinking "What am I doing in this movie?") and his niece Margrete Von Eberstein (Joely Richardson). Her position as a chef blows up on the first night, and she quickly finds herself hired as a nanny by elite Nazi official Franz-Otto Dietrich (Liam Neeson, Richardson's now-brother-in-law). And now that she's inside his house, she has only a limited amount of time to find the plans.

I don't think the people who made this movie wanted me to like the Nazis more than the Americans, but unfortunately the Nazis are a lot more likeable. Richardson comes across as competant and multifaceted, divided in her loyalties; Neeson comes across as a loving father, a nice sensitive guy (we don't ever hear of him actually doing anything bad!) with big puppy-dog eyes. Frankly it's hard not to like him, especially compared to the insensitive clod Leland. Douglas looks unhappy and embarrassed all throughout the movie, he's as stiff and cold as a pine board, and Griffith's performance is the stuff of nightmares.

It doesn't help that the best description of Linda is "ditzy blonde." She gets all her info about spies from movies, whines when Douglas goes on missions, and thinks she's qualified to be a spy because she can make strudel. (In one scene she runs through a crowded street chanting a secret password out loud!) She also mouths off to everyone in a way that would not be tolerated in a mere secretary (prepare to cringe when she says "My other half's Irish"), and bungles everything spy-related.

I would say this is a movie best shown to young children but there's a fair amount of profanity, violence, and a detailed sex scene. The direction is pretty terrible -- you'd think WWII included only a handful of people. The Nazis have none of the casual amorality that the real people did. There are one or two creepy, freaky moments that work, like the German woman who exults that the house they took from a Jewish family had everything they wanted (even bedsheets with correct monograms), but they're few and far between. If they'd had Dietrich doing something, anything wrong, then it might have worked. There are a few moments of intentional comedy ("That pompous little (butt) ate a raw bird to prove it was edible!") but most of the comedy is totally accidental. ("What's a war for if not to hold on to what we love?" Gaaaaaggg!)

I only can recommend this to fans of Joely and Liam, because they are the only ones who actually have good roles to play. "Schindler's List" this ain't!

Shining Through
If it were possible to give this movie a six star rating, I would. Besides being a GREAT movie, the soundtrack helps push this movie to more enjoyment. Moonlight Serenade, I'll Be seeing You, Goodnight Sweetheart and the main musical score lingers pleasantly in your mind long after the movie ends. I recommend it to all who has ever been in love.

Rips the emotional guts from the book
I have a hard time liking this movie because it made such a travesty of Susan Isaacs' book. The book, as originally written, was a classic ugly duckling-to-swan story set in New York, Washington, and Germany during World War II. Linda Voss, the character played by Melanie Griffith, was a working class girl in love with and eventually married to her gorgeous cad of a boss. She had the brains; he had the social cachet. They move to Washington, she gets a job as secretary to a top intelligence agent (played by Michael Douglas), the marriage founders, and in despair she signs up as an undercover agent. The rest of the movie follows the book's plot fairly closely, although the Douglas character does NOT figure in as a romantic interest until the very end. In the book, he's Linda's unexpected reward--pure gold where her husband was only gold-plated. The movie, by simplifying the story, guts its emotional core and turns a contemporary fairy tale into your basic trite Hollywood production--glitzy but without a heart.

That said, there are some strong performances in the movie. Douglas's stiffness makes much more sense in the context of the book, but doesn't work in the movie as filmed. Griffith is Griffith--you either love her or hate her. Liam Neeson is good, as is Joely Richardson (although the "Mein Gott, you have guts" line is a bit over the top). There are some suspenseful moments in the scenes in Nazi Germany. At times the movie's enjoyable, but overall, it disappoints.

Excellent film, with excellent acting!
I have loved this film since I saw it when it first came out on VHS! In fact, I watched it so many times that I ruined the tape. The story is engrossing, and the acting is top-notch! The obvious chemistry between Melanie Griffith and Michael Douglas made the film so much more realistic. I can't say enough good things about it. I am eagerly anticipating the film's release on DVD so I can add it to my growing collection of excellent films. ... Read more

Description

Provides a behind-the-scenes look, with unprecedented access, into life inside the Vatican. With rare footage of secret archives, private chapels and papal quarters, the program explores the Vatican's long, powerful history, and the unique traditions and ceremonies that have survived for nearly 2000 years. Accounts from Vatican officiants, historians and devoted individuals who work closely with the Pope John Paul II provide privilieged insight into the inner workings of one of the richest wonders of the world. 60 minutes. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great insights
This DVD provides great insights into the Vatican and the role of the pope. This video tells a great story with pictures.

EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO THE HOLY SEE
Gain behind-the scenes access to the See of Peter in National Geographic's INSIDE THE VATICAN. This documentary provides an unprecedented view of the inner workings of the Church, such as the election of a new Pope, enlistment of Swiss Guards, the ordination of Archbishops, the restoration of priceless works of art, and a history of the Papacy and its critical role in the development of Western civilization.

The Papacy has its beginnings with St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and leader of the formative Church. He is the first Pope, who ministered the flock in Rome at the time of Nero, and was martyred at Vatican Field in a circus in the outskirts of the city. The disciples recovered his body and buried it in the same field, which became a center of pilgrimage in the ensuing centuries. The exact spot of his crucifixion was preserved by tradition, and is now marked by an altar. Constantine the Great built a basilica at the site of his tomb, which has been replaced with the magnificent renaissance structure of today.
One can see for the first time the original tomb of Saint Peter, which had been lost for centuries and has been rediscovered only a few decades ago, right under the main altar of today's basilica.

Of particular interest are the priceless documents from the last two millennia in the Vatican's Secret Archives. One can see letters from Michelangelo to Pope Julius II, the request of Henry VIII for the annulment of his marriage (this was denied, and led to the formation of the Anglican Church), and even a demand from the Mongol Emperor that the Pope pay homage to him! (Of course, denied.)

Great attention is given into a "normal" day in the Vatican: the restoration of priceless tapestries by Raphael; the cleaning of Bernini's colossal baldachino; meetings of international figures with the Vicar of Christ. In addition, one can see the blessed ministry of Pope John Paul II, a man of great compassion. Particularly moving is footage of his visit to a leper colony in Korea: the Holy Father embraces and kisses these poor souls, not shying from their diseased flesh, but rather sharing with them the love of Christ.

Truly the Gates of Hell have not endured against Christ's Church. The successors of Peter have served the Church, and will continue doing so, throughout the ages. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Ideal for teaching about the Vatican and Papacy
Every teacher of the Catholic faith to young adults and adults should incorporate this DVD into their classes. It is so unusual to see the Catholic faith presented without an agenda -- and this succeeds. Everything is clearly explained and given a historical context. I was impressed with the archival newsreel footage incorporated into the explanation of the papal elections.

Fascinating!
I found this dvd very entertaining and informative. It is a fascinating look into the operations of the most visited place in the world. The beauty and grandeur of the place especially the priceless paintings and artifacts have made the Vatican the most valuable wealth of historical information available. The dvd is great! National Geographic has done a great presentation of the Vatican and great to watch especially if you have never been there. This dvd is a great addition to any dvd collection.

Well researched!
This video is an excellent video to show students, young adults as well as adults who want to know more about their faith and how did the Vatican came to be. I think it is also encourage anyone who is interested or curious about the Cathoilc faith to take a preview of the video. The video decribes how an ordination happens at Saint Peters, what actually goes on during an ordination. The video also decribed a Blessed and is story and how one day, he could become a Saint by the Pope. Finally, once a Pope dies, a new Pope must be elected, the video will cover that as well. The pictures of the Vatican are just awesome. I've been to Rome before, and these pictures just bring back memories. Also, I forgot to mention, the Swiss Guards. The video goes into how one becomes a guard for the Pope and there uniform. You must buy it or at least rent it if you can. The Pope is seen in several frames thoughout the video. ... Read more

Description

Relive one of the greatest tales of adventure and exploration in history, as National Geographic brings to life the epic journey of Lewis, Clark, their guide Sacagawea and the brave Corps of Discovery across the land that would become the United States. Now, two hundred years after the launch of this ambitious expedition, experience first-hand the danger and breathtaking beauty of the unknown West as it unfolded before the eyes of Lewis & Clark. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

See it at an IMAX if you possibly can!
This is a fascinating re-enactment of Lewis and Clark's original journey, told with Jeff Bridges doing the voice-over but with real actors and the original locations. It is authentic down to the last detail, including such remarkable scenes as the expedition shooting rapids in canoes made from burn-out trees, and pulling their boats by rope over the mountains of Montana.

If you possibly can, though, catch this one in its IMAX version. The movie's story is entertaining enough but imagine it on a screen several stories high - literally larger than lifesize - with a powerful sound system to match. Imagine how much cooler shooting those rapids is in the IMAX form! If you can't find an IMAX, make sure you've got a big screen and turn the sound up. This is history as exciting as it was when it happened the first time.

WMV-HD Disc Is NOT Self Destructing
This is in response to the_digital_dude's comments from July 1. The license will renew after it expires as long as the disc is in the drive. You can copy the WMV file to your computer and play it without the disc being in the drive as long as the license is active. After it expires, you will have to place the disc back in the drive and the license will be renewed. As far as I know, this is the way all of the Imax and National Geographic WMV-HD movies are. Unfortunately, one of the earlier WMV-HD movies, Terminator 2, required an active internet connection to acquire the license. I agree that the digital rights management is confusing to the consumer and really should be documented somewhere on the disc or packaging.

WMV HD is MS _JUNK_!
Please note that this film is terrific and rates five stars all the way! I first saw it in an IMAX theater and then had to have it on DVD. Read the favorable reviews of the movie itself to gain an appreciation of what makes it so great, even though it is regrettably very short considering the huge amount of effort that went into making it. It's a timeless masterpiece for better understanding a cornerstone of the history of the United States. Don't be surprised if you watch it a few times!

This review, however, is of the Special Edition DVD. Disc 1 is the standard movie playable in a regular set top DVD player hooked up to your TV. Disc 2, however, contains a high definition 720p version of the film for playback on a fast computer. At first glance of the DVD cover and the generic instructions included inside, one realizes that a fairly recent and rather powerful PC is required. Okay, for a fair number of us, that's not a problem, and it was not a problem in my case. For those of you with a PC slower than 2.4Ghz, your computer doesn't even meet the minimum requirements.

So, I was fairly excited to see what such high definition playback looked like on my 2.8Ghz PC. I noticed that there was no 1080p version of the film on the disc, as the generic instruction card inside the DVD case indicated, but I later realized that the instructions were indeed that, generic, and simply didn't apply to this particular title. Okay, at this point, the documentation goes from bad to absolute crap extremely quickly.

Putting the disc into my DVD-ROM player began Autoplay. Well, immediately an ActiveX control error appeared and suggested I look at www.wmvhd.com for a solution. Actually, that website couldn't have any less technical support for this problem than if it had been written in Latin with a black pen on a black wall and viewed in pitch darkness. Trudging through the Microsoft website links off the main WMVHD page gives precious little useful information, so after Googling on the problem for a while, I found out that this whole scenario is a Microsoft marketing ploy to sell its five-year-old Digital Rights Management scheme to content providers to eliminate media piracy. Wow, talk about shooting the baby when dumping out the bath water. This DRM anti-piracy product is downright draconian in its implementation.

Setting all ActiveX controls, cookies, and security/privacy settings to the lowest possible did not resolve the ActiveX error, nor did disabling my Anti-Virus, Firewall, or anti-Spyware software. Hunting through the Microsoft Support Knowledgebase came up totally empty. Good grief, is this technology ever poorly documented and supported even in house!

Well, after some more Googling, I finally found a piece of advice in an AV forum to just run the main movie file directly from Windows Media Player, but AFTER running the License Registration executable in the root of the DVD directory. Running licgen.exe doesn't appear to do much at first, but apparently it will authorize the playback of the main movie file by unlocking the key encrypted within it.

Okay, at this point, surely one is thinking "Hey, I finally get to see this movie on DVD in high def on my PC". Well, yes, you do, but here's the kicker: THE PLAYBACK LICENSE EXPIRES IN 9 DAYS!!! While the movie is playing in Windows Media Player and looking and sounding nice and pretty, right-click on the filename in the playlist column on the right of the screen and look at the License information. Sure enough, you'll see that there is a limited duration playback period! What in the world?????? Where was this stated on the DVD packaging anywhere?

Truly pondering if this scheme meant that disc 2 of this special edition amounted to some sort of a self-destructing DVD, I ran the license request executable the next day to see if the playback duration would get reset, but no, it didn't.

Keep in mind that none of these limitations are clearly documented anywhere in the online product description, on or in the DVD box, or even anywhere prominently on the WMVHD website. However, if you dig far enough off of that website into the Microsoft sales information for why content providers should use DRM software, it becomes quickly apparent how very anti-consumer this anti-piracy scheme really is, especially as it concerns limiting the playback options for a movie DVD that is not at all advertised in good faith as having such restrictions.

So, whether or not this High Definition DVD ends up being a frisbie in a week remains to be seen, but the poor support and documentation in getting the movie to run in the first place only to learn that it may be self-destructing is absolutely inexcusable. I wonder for this particular release if National Geographic even fully understands what they are selling here.

Again, the movie content itself is terrific. This MS WMV HD DRM DVD, however, is beyond bizarre.

Save your money
There is very little historical information in this DVD. They omitted the number of persons that began the trip, the number of boats and they did they tell anything about what equipment and goods they took along. It may be interesting for someone who never heard of Lewis and Clark nor heard anything about their journey but for the average person it is boring. There are some good scenes along the way but they are generally out takes that do not fit in with the trip. It appears to have been produced by someone that had little knowledge and little interest about the significance of the expedition. National Geographic can do much better!

Four Stars for Your Viewing Pleasure
The photography is superb, and the action and sound are enough to keep viewers of all ages engaged. As an Imax movie, this is designed for the eyes and ears, and towards those goal, it provides a great experience. Don't purchase this with an expectation of learning much about history, however. While the general course of the expedition is followed, the short length of the film severely limit the needed details to describe the journey. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

A True Teen Movie
Let me tell you, Lucas is one of the best teen movies ever! In an age when people think teens have no feelings, and are sex, and party crazy, it is refreshing to see a film like this. A true gem sbout the joys and pains of growing up. Excellent performances. It is too bad Corey Haim made bad movie choices afterward, because I believe he has talent. Anyway, he wil always have this one. Charlie Sheen, and Kerri Green are also marvelous. Do yourself a favor, and check it out.

A rare example of very good film making
I saw this movie 7 years ago and I thought it was a very
special film,not only because of the script but because of the incredible acting talent on display.
I have to say that those glasses do not flatter Corey Haims features but they were an important part of making the character Lucas more believable as a nerdy,yet highly inteligent young boy.
Charlie Sheen and Winona Ryder are great as Lucas`s protectors against the school bully.

The magic between Haim And Ryder on screen has to be scene to be believed and as I have said before in respect of Corey Haim its a shame that he could not have continued the same standard of acting in his more recent appearances.
Great film buy it or lose something very special forever

Heroes Come In Every Shape and Size!
"Lucas" is a film about growing up. We all can relate to the problems associated with adolescence and puberty, especially the part about wishing we were someone else. This film is about heroes and the unlikely places you will find them. Underdogs can win in the game of life. An excellent movie for young and old alike!

Corey, is that you?
80s heartthrob Corey Haim first tackled the role of supremely dorky outcast Lucas Blyde before THE LOST BOYS and LICENSE TO DRIVE.

Many people are unaware of this, which is understandable. In 1985's sleeper hit, LUCAS, he is minute and scrawny. He doesn't sport the messy bleached and chopped style he did when swooning teen girls tacked his photos on their bedroom walls, courtesy of TIGER BEAT magazine.

During Corey Haim's 15 minutes of fame, I was a tot waddling in diapers. And when Lucas hit theatres, I wasn't even alive yet. But I did see bits and pieces of this movie on the Disney channel when I was about 7 or 8 years old. Only later did I rent the DVD. Is this another teen movie? I think not.

Lucas is super-cheery and super-smart, intellectually above his peers. In fact, he skipped not one, but TWO grades. So he's a 14 year-old sophomore in a typical suburban high school.

The end of the summer, he meets a new girl named Maggie (Kerry Green). If it weren't for his perseverence, he never would have won her friendship. After gawking at her on the tennis court, and after she implies a good 2 or 3 times she'd prefer to be alone, she finally succumbs to his charms. They spend the last two weeks of vacation attending classical music concerts, looking at different types of insects, and cruising the neighborhood in Maggie's car. Maggie finds a friend in Lucas. She even confides in him about her divorced dad and his 19 year-old girlfriend.

When high school officially starts, things change. Lucas is blinded by his infatuation with Maggie. Maggie sees him as a very good friend and nothing more. She's deeply hurt when she sees how some of the jock crowd treats him, humiliating him to no end. One of the exceptions, however, is Cappie, played by Charlie Sheen. "I used to treat him like everyone else does," he laments in the school basement. Cappie changed his ways after Lucus brought him his homework while he was away from school sick. Since then, they've been on friendly terms.

But Maggie isn't attracted to Lucus, who is 1 1/2 years younger than she is. She wants Cappie, but he's got a girlfriend, Alise, played by Ally McBeal's Courtney Thorne Smith. When Cappie and Alise break up (which I saw coming), Cappie turns to Maggie for support and a shoulder to cry on. And a new relationship, much to Lucas's dismay.

Lucas had previously vowed to stay away from the world of jocks and cheerleaders. In fact, jocks and cheerleaders are everything Lucas is not. Before, he deemed their world "superficial." Now, to impress Maggie, he is willing to do whatever it takes.

He wants to be a footballer.

Can he do it? Or will is experience out on the field knock sense into him (figuratively speaking, of course)? Will he win Maggie's love or are they destined for friendship and nothing more?

Watch and see.

I'm surprised that LUCAS received so little recognition. I'm also surprised that Corey Haim tackled the role with such ease, considering that the same boy in LUCAS also starred in a plethora of unmemorable 80s cheese. Charlie Sheen was sexy, subtle, and wonderful. Kerri Green was also fantastic - this movie made me contemplate why she is no longer a Hollywood starlet, being this, along with THE GOONIES, are her only two films worth mentioning. Audiences may expect this comedy to be cheesy and lacking the heart of some 80s classics, yet I'd rank it high on my list. It's got poignant heart and soul and the entire cast gives praise-worthy performances.

A really enjoyible movie
This is just a fun movie. It is one of those movies that you can watch over and over again. It is a heartwarming true 80's movie that I love. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In its usual engrossing fashion, National Geographic presents The Incredible Human Body. Starting with the science of conception, this special takes you from one couple's journey through in-vitro fertilization to the removal of a man's brain tumor (while he is awake!) to the amazing memory of London cab drivers. Our body consists of 206 bones, 650 muscles, and a heart that will beat three billion times in our lifetime. How and why does our body develop the way it does? DNA expert J. Craig Venter says, "It's just like solving a jigsaw puzzle, only the jigsaw puzzle in our case has 27 million pieces [and] it came in a very big box and there was no picture on the cover." The Incredible Human Body explores how the brain and body interact to not only function, but adapt and learn. Narrated by actress Kate Burton, The Incredible Human Body is a fascinating lesson in mind-body interaction. --Dana Van Nest ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The Best Geographic Video I've Seen
I gotta say that this is the best National Geographic video I've seen and I have a whole bunch on my video shelf. The animation is fantastic. I'll remember the story of the school teacher and his brain tumor as long as I live. I also liked seeing behind this scenes of thast basketball team as it was something I hadn't seen before. I highly reccommend this video.

Amazon.com.uk have a much better option...
The Human Body is a good theme, but this one is "no-so-good" approach (very rare, because NGS make very good videos). The better documentary I ever seen about it, is the Dr. Winston's The Human Body, from BBC. Only available from Amazon.com.uk (please American Amazon's friends, what do you are waiting). I recommend to wait.....believe in me !.

Below the average
I thought this DVD slightly below an average National Geographic video once there is more personal dramas than scienfic information. However I was moved by the story of a teacher with a brain tumor and his family anxiety.

An Incredible DVD on the Incedible Human Body
I found this DVD fascinating. It is a great blend of live footage, real life stories and beautiful animation. There is a fun sequence on the brain's of London cab drivers which is followed by a very moving portrait of a school teacher in need of brain surgery. You also get to see the actual conception of a baby and then follow the pregnancy at every step. I was with it every step of the way. By the way, I also really liked the narrator, Kate Burton. ... Read more

Description

National Geographic journeys deep behind battle lines to experience a different side of the Vietnam War - the side seen only through the lenses of North Vietnamese photographers. Renowned British photojournalist Tim Page travels back to the land where he nearly lost his life to meet with North Vietnamese war photographers, revealing remarkable, never-before-seen photos and personal stories long hidden by time and tragedy. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Good Documentary
A very good-emotional documentary of the Vietnam War, it's hard to imageine that someone could have so much heart of fighting a war( North Vietnamese). The Film show how the people fought against the American, most of all- how the media was running under the war. A photographer wash his films at night without dark room. A dangerous way of walk the film back to the North. And some images were too horified to look, like the one show what was left of a town after was bomb by US B-52. If someone think that ths documentary or a reinactment they not human- probably some dead animal that has no brain at all. Buy this- it's very good.

A joke at best
1st of all its only an hour long. There is less than a dozen "pictures from the other side" <----------------and these are STILL PICTURES. This reminded me of watching America's Most Wanted.....It had what seemed to be a ton of reinactments. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Funny and Touching
I was sitting at home one night and this movie came on. I really didn't expect to watch it so I flipped through some other channels for a little while and came back to it. I must say, I really laughed a lot with this movie and it also touched me as well. My eyes were all teary and I had the biggest smile when it was over. There is just so much love on the screen that it will bring you into the movie. It's worth a buy...

Gary Oldman and Skeet Ulrich are a hilarious duo!
I had never heard of this movie - perhaps it was a "straight to video" film - but, being a huge Gary Oldman fan as well as enjoying the work of Skeet Ulrich (the "poor man's Johnny Depp" I have heard him described), I decided to give it a shot. I was amazed! This movie made me laugh AND made me cry and the performances, especially Oldman's and Ulrich's are wonderful. The cast also includes Mary Steenburgen, Matthew Modine, Ed O'Neill as well as some very talented actors I was unfamilar with. Granted, many people (myself included) will think at first that this movie is just another version of "Raising Arizona" but it has some twists and turns in it as well as a very poignant ending that separates it from the Coen Brothers' film. I was also interested to see in the credits that Mr. Oldman was one of the producers. He and Skeet should team up again sometime!

The Best I've seen in to long
I must say I didn't think much of the title when I saw it sitting on the shelf and I would never have picked it up had it not had Gary Oldmen in it. However, I must say, and I am not saying this lightly, Nobody's baby is Great film.

I am a major movie lover and if I had to rank this film I would put this in the top five of all time. the movie made me laugh and the ending made me cry. A big thank you to the writer, director,producers, and actors.

Nobody's Baby
This is the best film I've seen produced by the SE8 Group. I loved it! The comedy smacks of Cheech and Chong. Other parts of the film made me end up sobbing. Especially, the ending. It was an emotional roller coaster.
I'm one who tends to be critical of every aspect of a film or play (as anyone who knows me can tell you), having done theatre most of my lifetime. I've watched this one several times already and have yet to get bored with it. However, I'll wait to purchase a copy when the price comes down a bit. ([price]for VHS! Please!)

Very funny, awesome performances
Being a huge Gary Oldman fan, I bought this DVD the second it came out on..., and I can't say I got dissappointed.

The basic storyline:

Buford (Oldman) and Billy (Skeet Ulrich) are two petty criminals, who get sentenced to serve 10 years in jail. They manage to escape though, and get seperated. Billy rescues a baby from a car wreck, and Oldman spots a perfect opportunity for extortion when he's contacted by Billy.

The story goes on with Billy growing really attached to the baby. On their way to find out who the baby's parents are, they encounter a trailer park community (featuring Peter Green ('Zed' from Pulp Fiction) and the gorgeous Radha Mitchell), and a typical car dealer (Ed O'Neill (Yes, Al Bundy)).

Overall, the movie is both funny and heartwarming. ... Read more

Description

Noted Egyptologist Zahi Al-Hawass showcases the most up-to-date archaeological work going on in Egypt and reveals new discoveries that may shed light on some of the most enduring mysteries of the pyramids. You'll witness the opening Egypt's oldest intact sarcophagus and follow a specially-designed robot as it reveals what lay beyond a blocking stone in the Great Pyramid's mysterious southern shaft You'll learn more about how the Great Pyramids were built as a worker's city is unearthed and its clues revealed for the first time. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

All Speculation
This show presents a lot of inaccurate and unsubstantiated information about the great pyramid.

They drill a hole through a so called 'door' in the pyramid to reach a tremendous archeological discovery: there's a wall behind the 'door'.

Then they suggest that there are more archeological treasures waiting behind this. So I guess they're planning on drilling another hole into the pyramid to destroy it even more than it already has been.

Christopher Dunn in his book 'The Giza Power Plant' has discovered the true secret behind the great pyramid. It was a machine.

There's no evidence that anyone was ever buried inside the great pyramid.

The current theories about the great pyramid being built to bury someone are not substantiated. It should be obvious that nobody would build something like this just to bury someone.

Nobody knows how it was even built anyway. The new age psychic Edgar Cayce said the great pyramid was built using anti gravity forces.

Jeff Marzano

egyptologists passions...
I have been studing Ancient Egypt for many many years . I got addicted and could never stop, but I had many questions about the Pyramids. This DVD answered them all and i enjoy watching it over and over again! If you are as passionate about Egypt as me or Zahi Al-Hawass then this is a must have! The only flaw was an american personality doing the report on the sarcopogus! He was pushy and whine.

Five Stars For The Information, One For How It Was Done
The vast amount of information on this subject found on this DVD well exceeds my expectations, But I did not like how it was done. They tried to make this too exciting, In a similiar style to Dick Clarks' New Years Eve Party but more closer to a live on the scene news broadcast. "Stargate" fans, Who believe what they see on that show, Will probably not like this documentary. It proves what I've always believed, We built the Pyramids. The scientific facts are all here, That prove beyond any doubt, That the Egyptians had everything it took to build such awesome structures. Yes, The facts presented here disprove the myth, Which "Stargate" embraced, That aliens built the Pyramids. We built them. I do love the "Stargate" movie and TV show, It's good sci-fi entertainment to me, But that's all it is... Just a fantasy. National Geographic does a fantastic job on their documentaries. For what i've learned from watching them I must show them a little respect. I just don't like their style, But maybe you will. Cheers. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

So funny I almost lost bladder control.
Watch for the scene where Field is in a big hurry to get ready for houseguests. You'll be rolling on the floor.

Underrated, almost brilliant, but flawed
Punchline begins with an engaging premise. Steven Gold (Tom Hanks at age 31) is a med student driven by his physician father to become a doctor. But Steven hates medical school, can't stand the sight of blood, etc. Instead of going to class, he goes to the local comedy club (The Gas Station). Instead of doing his homework, he does standup. He's very good. Lilah Krytsick (Sally Field at 42) is a frumpy Jersey housewife with three kids and a husband (John Goodman) who sells insurance. He wants her to stay home nights, but she has a passion for wanting to make people laugh. So she too moonlights at The Gas Station. She is not funny. In desperation she spends five hundred dollars of household funds to buy jokes to use on the audience. Everything bombs.

Meanwhile, Steven is a little behind in his rent and thinks that, what the hey, he can sell Lilah some jokes. But it never comes to that. Instead he becomes enchanted with her and helps her break free of her inhibitions and perform naturally and effectively on stage. Can true love be far behind? (Rhetorical question, but the answer is not pat.)

If you are a Tom Hanks fan, see this movie. You will be delighted. He puts on a versatile performance depicting a guy who needed to be, in the very fiber of his being, a comedian. The role shows off his talent, and makes us understand why he is now, at the relatively young age of 45, one of America's premiere screen idols.

The rest of the movie, however, is a mix of strengths and weaknesses. Sally Field, in a difficult role, gives an uneven performance which I think is partly the fault of director David Seltzer, who also wrote the script. His direction is brilliant and awful by turns. In particular the schmaltzy, unnecessarily unrealistic ending is very disappointing. He also dug himself a hole because the top comedic performance had to be the last, yet it wasn't. All the expectations of the audience fell, and perhaps that is why Seltzer stuck himself with an ending that played like something devised by a committee of filmland execs intent on political correctness above all else. Also, any difference between the John Goodman who played Rosanne Arnold's husband on TV and the John Goodman here was not immediately discernable.

However some of the scenes were just perfect I especially liked it when Steven's overbearing father (instead of a network producer) shows up at the club. Steven Gold's anguished, self-revelatory on stage reaction is excellent. --Or when Lilah rushes to prepare dinner slapstick style for company; or when night is done and it's four or five am and Steven has helped her discover herself and he asks how she will explain being out all night to her husband and she says she will crawl into bed with one of the kids and he will think she slept there all night. Also good was the singing in the rain scene and the scene in which the daughter, showing the wisdom of children, says to Lilah, after her husband asks to see her perform, "Say yes, mom." Also good were the motley troupe of semi-pro comedians, including a fine performance by Mark Rydell as Romeo, the manager of the club.

This rates a five point something at IMDb, but that's a little unfair. It's a better movie than that. See it for Tom Hanks, and for David Seltzer, who just missed making a great movie.

EXTREMELY UNDERRATED!
This is such a good movie! Tom Hanks plays a promising, self - destructive comic with emotional problems, and gives an OSCAR-CALIBUR PERFORMANCE! I have been a huge fan of Hanks since Bosom Buddies, but this was the film which made me realize just how great he is! It actually came out about the same time as "Big", which Hanks was nominated for, and I never understood why this film got slighted. Check it out, and see the first sign of the greatness to come in "Philledelphia" and Forest Gump"!

Tom Hanks looks so young!
I caught this film on HBO or Showtime the other night, after not having seen it in years and I have to say that it's better than I remembered it. I totally loved the non-standup comedy details of the film- Hanks making comments about "going under" as he tries in vein to clean himself up before going onstage after not having taken a shower in awhile due to the fact that he's been kicked out of his apartment, Sally Field's portrayol of a woman wanting more in her life than just motherhood, etc. You really get the feeling that these are real people with dreams and you want to root for them, hoping that they'll "make it". I found myself getting nervous before each of their stand up performances. Anyway, great film, highly recommended.

It's more than a film on comedy club
Chaplin said comedy is tragedy plus time. I love the character Tom Hanks plays, a medical student who fears blood and would not have opted for learning in surgery but for his parental instructions. What really moves me is not the lines (they are funny) but the philiosophy the whole film brings out - be yourself, always. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Nobody's Baby combines the kidnapping high jinks of RaisingArizona with the sheer goofiness of Dumb and Dumber. Billy (SkeetUlrich) and Buford (Gary Oldman, channeling Michael Jeter with scraggly hair andmoustache), like characters in the crazed comedies of the Brothers Coen andFarrelly, are as kindhearted as they are softheaded. The two grew up in the sameorphanage and have been like brothers ever since. Due more to stupidity thanmalicious intent, most of their adult lives have been spent behind bars. After alucky escape from a paddy wagon (just as they're about to be sent to separateprisons), Billy witnesses a car crash and rescues the sole survivor--a baby. Hedecides to keep it. Buford would prefer to exchange the tyke for ransom money,but fate has other plans in this black comedy that works best as drama, but isless effective when reaching for laughs. --Kathleen C. Fennessy ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Funny and Touching
I was sitting at home one night and this movie came on. I really didn't expect to watch it so I flipped through some other channels for a little while and came back to it. I must say, I really laughed a lot with this movie and it also touched me as well. My eyes were all teary and I had the biggest smile when it was over. There is just so much love on the screen that it will bring you into the movie. It's worth a buy...

Gary Oldman and Skeet Ulrich are a hilarious duo!
I had never heard of this movie - perhaps it was a "straight to video" film - but, being a huge Gary Oldman fan as well as enjoying the work of Skeet Ulrich (the "poor man's Johnny Depp" I have heard him described), I decided to give it a shot. I was amazed! This movie made me laugh AND made me cry and the performances, especially Oldman's and Ulrich's are wonderful. The cast also includes Mary Steenburgen, Matthew Modine, Ed O'Neill as well as some very talented actors I was unfamilar with. Granted, many people (myself included) will think at first that this movie is just another version of "Raising Arizona" but it has some twists and turns in it as well as a very poignant ending that separates it from the Coen Brothers' film. I was also interested to see in the credits that Mr. Oldman was one of the producers. He and Skeet should team up again sometime!

The Best I've seen in to long
I must say I didn't think much of the title when I saw it sitting on the shelf and I would never have picked it up had it not had Gary Oldmen in it. However, I must say, and I am not saying this lightly, Nobody's baby is Great film.

I am a major movie lover and if I had to rank this film I would put this in the top five of all time. the movie made me laugh and the ending made me cry. A big thank you to the writer, director,producers, and actors.

Nobody's Baby
This is the best film I've seen produced by the SE8 Group. I loved it! The comedy smacks of Cheech and Chong. Other parts of the film made me end up sobbing. Especially, the ending. It was an emotional roller coaster.
I'm one who tends to be critical of every aspect of a film or play (as anyone who knows me can tell you), having done theatre most of my lifetime. I've watched this one several times already and have yet to get bored with it. However, I'll wait to purchase a copy when the price comes down a bit. ([price]for VHS! Please!)

Very funny, awesome performances
Being a huge Gary Oldman fan, I bought this DVD the second it came out on..., and I can't say I got dissappointed.

The basic storyline:

Buford (Oldman) and Billy (Skeet Ulrich) are two petty criminals, who get sentenced to serve 10 years in jail. They manage to escape though, and get seperated. Billy rescues a baby from a car wreck, and Oldman spots a perfect opportunity for extortion when he's contacted by Billy.

The story goes on with Billy growing really attached to the baby. On their way to find out who the baby's parents are, they encounter a trailer park community (featuring Peter Green ('Zed' from Pulp Fiction) and the gorgeous Radha Mitchell), and a typical car dealer (Ed O'Neill (Yes, Al Bundy)).

Overall, the movie is both funny and heartwarming. ... Read more

Description

The Pentagon encompasses the military nerve center of the United States, reaching out to far-flung battlefields, formidable weaponry, and a culture that permeates more of America and the world than many realize. Inside the Pentagon interweaves stories covering the sweep of the Pentagon's 58-year history, taking viewers into the restricted inner workings of the American military machine, including the new war on terrorism and coverage of the historic response following the attack of September 11, 2001. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Waste
This DVD is not nesecary for anyone to watch. 90% of the DVD revolves around 9/11, and only the remaining 10% is how the Pentagon, and the Armed Services work. Very little (10 minutes) is spent focusing on new technology that will be availible in the future.

Of the 90% talking about 9/11, 75% is propoganda for the "war on terror." If we want propoganda, we can turn on the television and watch it for free, not pay for a DVD or a DVD rental. The 15% reolving around 9/11 that is not propoganda, it talks about how the attacks effected the Pentagon, and how it all worked before, and after.

This is a waste of money, the only good part is the 10% talking about how the Pentagon & the Armed Services for in conjuction with each other. There is an interesting piece on the coast guard, however, that merely falls on the borderline between interesting information, and propoganda.

Pentagon
I was planning to write a review on this for a couple of months, but the reviewer from Chicago really stole my thunder. Indeed, there is too much emphasis on 9/11, the proximity of the event being so close to the production time of this film. It gives some glimpse into the inner workings and the physical structure of the Pentagon, though as the previous reviewer pointed out classified areas underground are off limits, and the analysis is really lacking. Instead of analyzing the Pentagon in a broader political context, the film wraps it in the flag, but this was somewhat inevitable given the events of Sept. 11th. The Pentagon directly employs hundreds of thousands of people, only the Post office employs more -- almost a million workers now. And the Pentagon is responsible for indirectly employing millions of others as defense contractors and subcontractors. It is the nerve center of the military - industrial complex and a bastion of America's defense against enemies, whose number seemed to have increased since the end of the Cold War.

I am hopeful, however, that just as with the Cold War, the Pentagon will be instrumental in getting us successfully past our current hurdles.

Made in April 2002, decent, though too much focus on Sep. 11
There were too many cheerleading sessions guised as interviews with Rumsfeld and the other spectacle-eyed swagger sticks, but the overall video is decent, showing many aspects of the rebuilding efforts and documentation of the attack. Strategically, they did go into the Pentagon as a command structure and showed how it is basically a brain for the largest organization known to man (which is pretty cool). Some stuff about the original commision of the building, though not too much.

The real disappointment was too much focus on the "mindset" of everyone, instead of taking you on an actual tour of the place. National Geographic tells you about millions of square feet, but seen is almost nothing. They do go inside boardrooms not normally allowing cameras (ooohh, ahhhh) and some other crevaces like the parking lot security office (after a suspicious manilla envelope is sighted on the grounds).

What would have been INCREDIBLE, is if they had shown Pentagon Library, or any part of the virtual CITY that's underneath street level (there are reportedly more floors underneath than above). And I would like to have AT LEAST seen the inner courtyard. Or maybe a tour of the "A-ring", inner-sanctum of the top dogs. Something other than a memorial for September and the whining of top generals that they need more more more. A bit of a dissappointment.

A thorough history of the Pentagon
This National Geographic DVD features a very detailed history of the Pentagon,from it's initial planning to it's construction and how it has changed through the decades. There is also a detailed report showing the terrorist attack on the Pentagon in photos,as the plane hit the building,and has interviews with survivors of the attack.
There is footage of military leaders discussing the attack filmed in 2002 and a tour of parts of the building. The documentary also has an interesting photo history of the running of the Pentagon over the years and a timeline of it's history.
If you want to know about the Pentagon,then this is the documentary to get. ... Read more

Description

In Saqqara, Egypt's city of the dead, archaeologists began chipping away to find a honeycomb of burial shafts, passages and funeral chambers connected to Ramses and Tutankhamen. Filming for two years, National Geographic has exclusive access to this amazing site as the team uncovers one incredible find after another. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Exellent spellbounding adventure!
This DVD (Digital Video Disc) is exellent with no doubt. It talks about just about everything you can think of for Egypt. If you love geography, like me, this is a must buy. All National Geographic movies are excellent, but this one is over excellent! BUY! BUY! BUY! ... Read more