House Of Sand and Fog

A Heartbreaking and Stunning "House" of Emotions!
With the exception of Niki Caro's sublime "Whale Rider," no movie moved me more this past year than Vadim Perelman's "House of Sand and Fog." This story of a broken and desperate young woman who loses her house because her depression won't allow her to simply open her mail and the determined and steadfast Iranian colonel who strives to secure a better life and future for his family is a cacophony of raw emotion and heartbreak. Further, it is a meditation on what is important in life and how easy it is--no matter the intentions--to forget that very thing.

This is a movie that is well photographed, beautifully adapted from Andre Dubus III's Oprah-approved novel of the same name and stunningly helmed by first time feature director Perelman. But "House" is a film that is anchored by its performances. There is hardly a false note in the acting (Ron Eldard occasionally seems overwhelmed by the powerhouse actors who surround him, however his work is still convincing). Jennifer...

WHEW!!! One of the year's best without a doubt!!!
This is an emotionally wrenching movie...utterly fascinating and devastating. Some critics have blasted the movie for having an over-the-top or far-fetched ending. The ending is quite devastating, but it is totally convincing and earns its "tragedy" the old fashioned way...by making us care VERY much for the characters.

You probably know the basic plot. Jennifer Connolly, a recovering addict who is still in deep depression, has ignored pleas to pay taxes on the home she inherited from her father, and is suddenly evicted with no place to go. The house is bought by Iranian emigree (and former colonel and confidant of the Shah) Ben Kingsley, as a way of bringing his family a little closer to the American dream.

Kingsley has no idea the circumstances under which Connolly loses her house...he's got things pretty rough himself. Some early scenes in the movie beautifully show the dignity with which Kingsley endures two horrible jobs...working on a road crew and in a convenience store...

Welcome to Heartbreak Hotel, er, House...
You may have never heard of "House of Sand and Fog" as it went over the heads of mainstream audiences as quiet and transparent as the fog itself. But it is worth an extra squabble or two to hunt and experience this movie playing in very limited theaters near you (it is available on DVD right now). Based on a book with the same name by Andre Dubus III, picked by Oprah as her book club selection, this is a very powerful albeit depressing movie that will greatly satisfy those who are craving for an antidote for the usual fun and safe movies. This is a "feel bad" movie, not a "feel good" one, that will leave you very angry and miserable for days to come. Yet, you choose to, because that is exactly the point. The ugly side of human nature is not a pretty thing.

Massoud Amir Behrani (Ben Kingsley) is a former colonel in the service of Iranian Shah who fled from his country with his wife Nadi, a seemingly spoiled yet very kind woman, and his son Esmail to America. As an immigrant, now...

Click to Editorial Reviews

King Me

Sports with an underlying theme
While the movie focuses on Checkers (or Draughts as some parts of the world call it I learned), there is an underlying and strong message about societal divides. The apartheid which ended not long ago in South Africa still has deep effects on the population, and you see it first hand in this excellent documentary. The biggest question it brings up for me is how much do we help those who need it? I think the answer provided, which is a good one, is that if you give someone a boost, they will do the rest! A great movie!





Click to Editorial Reviews

Pretty Dead [HD]

Real acting in a surreal situation
So often, scary movies are undone by their campy acting, which undermine a situation that could be truly terrifying...But in this movie, directed by a new filmmaker who clearly understands the genre, we get real human emotion in a surreal setting. Carly Oates brings a girl-next-door sweetness and vulnerability, which immediately makes us root for her, worry for her, and scream for her. Romance and Fear have never been so cleverly intertwined.

Almost Dead, Not Quite Dead, Nearly Dead...Pretty Dead
I have to say this movie was original, well executed, entertaining, suspensful and one of the best I've seen this year. I thoroughly enjoyed it, it didn't lose me for a moment. Given the actors, supporting cast and director have no other films to their credit - I must say...WELL DONE, YOU ALL PULLED IT OFF. What's more, you've pulled it off without a hitch and made something here that will probably change your lives. A new kind of horror flick & I loved it! Please can we have more? Don't miss this one, people will be talking and you'll be left out!

This is a awesome film and Carly is a star to watch
This film made the Wicked Channel Top 5 last year and with good reason, it is a really cool take on both found footage films and zombies. Carly comes across as a star, and the film really is smart and gives us a unique taste of horror. This is not a must watch, this is a should be watching.....wickedchannel.com

Click to Editorial Reviews

Warrior

This War Is Not in an MMA Cage
Except for the lack of a SPOILER note at the beginning of the first reviewer, I think these first two reviews pretty much cover the story and hit some high points of the film. I do want to disagree with some of the remarks, though.

First, I would not call this a sports movie. It is not Rocky, Raging Bull, The Wrestler, or The Fighter. Warrior, according to many professional critics, is better than all of them, and I agree. There is the suspense factor of who will win the championship fight, for sure, and the stand-up-and-cheer factor as the opponents are picked off one by one, and there is the heartwarming factor as the school teacher tries to save his home from foreclosure. These cliches somehow are not relevant to this film and I salute O'Connor and the other writers for telling a story that glosses over them.

As some reviewers have pointed out, this film is not really about MMA (mixed martial arts) winners and losers. Like others, I had never heard of MMA...

Best sports film I have ever seen
I went to an advanced screening (my first) and I must feel the need to brag about how lucky I was to see it a week before everyone else has. The film itself is......wow. There really aren't that many films that make you feel like you are actually living the life of another individual alongside that person or persons, but this film does! The writing is absolutely great and realistic, with the characters' dialogue ingraining itself in your memory for days to come. It also paints an amazing and provoking story. Tommy Riordan (Tom Hardy) is a war hero who has just returned from service and looks to enter a MMA tournament, the prize of which is $5 million. At first, it appears that the reason he is doing this is just for pure activity and for fun, but it is eventually revealed that he wants to donate his prize to support the wife and children of his slain war buddy. The man has got some raw talent, due to the fact that his father, Paddy Conlon (Nick Nolte) trained him in wrestling and...

Freaking Fantastic-A Must See!!!
I loved this movie! This is the best movie I have seen in a long time. Not only are the fight scenes incredibly exicting, but the family drama is very moving. I cried during this film more than once. I think I am a little in love with Tom Hardy now. Nick Nolte, Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton all gave Oscar Worthy performances.

Tommy (Hardy) and Brendan (Edgerton) are estranged brothers who both enter the same MMA Tournament. Tommy is an ex-Marine, an Iraq War hero, fighting for a fallen brother and Brendan is a married Physics Teacher fighting to keep a roof over his family's head. They have an ex-alcoholic, ex-abusive father that they both dislike who caused heartache and a terrible childhood for both of them. Their father, played by Nick Nolte (incredible performance)tries like hell to make it up to both of them and becomes Tommy's trainer. Their past mistakes and regrets all come to a head in the arena.

This is a beautiful and moving story about love and...

Click to Editorial Reviews

The Chronicles of Riddick - Unrated Director's Cut [HD]

Sometimes Bad Is Really, Really Good
My mind hasn't been boggled in a while -> The very first StarWars did me in, and then various parts of The Lord of the Ring years later. Other than that I'm not one who stares at the screen in awe of special effects. In fact, the bore me very quickly. What I likes about the original Riddick film, Pitch Black, was that, outside of the Alien knockoff monsters, there was very little in the way of large scale special effects. In many ways, it was an intimate thriller rather than a vast drama.

So I really wasn't prepared for what appeared on this screen as the film unrolled. It sneaks up on you as it opens with Riddick's attempted capture by Toombs, a bounty hunter. The irritated (and very hairy) Riddick sets out to find out who put the bounty on his head and discovers that he is being recruited to stop the conquest of space by the Necromongers. These latter are truly the knights of total badness. Their goal is entropy - the total destruction of life and rebirth onto...

You keep what you kill
Even if I have to apologize to my Friends and Favorites, and my family, I have to admit that I really liked this movie. It's a Sci-Fi movie with a "Mad Maxx" appeal that, while changing many things, left Riddick from `Pitch Black' to be just Riddick. They did not change his attitude or soften him up or bring him out of his original character, which was very pleasing to `Pitch Black' fans like myself.

First off, let me say that when playing the DVD, the first selection to come up is Convert or Fight, and no explanation of the choices. This confused me at first, so I will mention off the bat that they are simply different menu formats, that each menu has the very same options, simply different background visuals. Select either one and continue with the movie.

Chronicles Of Riddick takes place after Riddick's escape from the planet of monsters on Pitch Black, starting out with his recapture after being in hiding for many years. Now we are going to get a glimpse...

Critics and boring people SHOULD NOT SEE IT
The Chronicles of Riddick is the continuing story of Riddick (Vin Diesel), the bald-headed, night seeing convict who escaped from prison and was ultimately so tough that he could beat up aliens with just a knife. Given that the first movie was called Pitch Black, Riddick's peculiar eyes lent him a particular advantage - both against his captors and the aliens that inhabited the planet.

On the surface, one could summarize Pitch Black as an Aliens knockoff. But it was so much more than that. Just as Aliens was more than about soldiers blowing up aliens, Pitch Black was about how people hide behind who they really are and that people don't change - they just reveal their true natures. The movie was also noteworthy for being a science fiction film that portrayed Muslim beliefs in a positive light and as the dominant religion.

Keeping those elements in mind, the Chronicles of Riddick (TCOR) is the logical extension of the first movie, even though it doesn't involve many aliens or all...

Click to Editorial Reviews

Simply Irresistible

Sarah Michelle Gellar IS Irrisistible!
First of all let me say I am a HUGE Sarah fan, and this film has gotten bad reviews from alot of people. This is not a film for you if you are looking for action, if you are, don't get this, because you won't like it. If you like romantic dramas, you will definetly like this. This movie wasn't made expecting EVERYONE to fall head over heels in love with it, it was made for people who enjoy films like this. Sarah plays a young girl who has no parents, and she lives by herself, and she runs her mom's resturaunt with her aunt. When the resturaunt may have to close because rent can't be kept up, somehow, Sarah's character starts to make delicious, delectable, irrisistible food that everyone falls in love with. She meets this guy who is opening a resturaunt, and the film just flows out from there. It's a great film, and it's great for those who want to watch a good movie with their girlfriend or boyfriend or for someone who just wants a good Saturday night movie to chill and watch. Sarah...

Simply Magical
Simply Irresistible may not have done well in the box office, but that certainly doesn't mean that this film doesn't have any charm. Just because a movie doesn't find a proper following doesn't make it any less charming, in my opinion. Simply Irresistible is one of the best movies I've seen that hasn't had much viewership. It's fun, sweet, romantic, and just simply enjoyable all the way through.

This movie certainly boasts a top-notch cast that is led by the wonderful and amazing Sarah Michelle Gellar and Sean Patrick Flanery. Amanda, played by Sarah Michelle, starts off as an awful chef but almost magically turns into a wonderful one overnight. She then begins falling in love with Tom, played by Sean Patrick, who is the owner of a popular department store.

Simply Irresistible tells a wonderful and romantic story of how scary falling in love can truly be and how wonderful it can be all at the same time. If you're in the mood for a light, romantic comedy, then I highly...

A Sweet Little Souffle of a Movie...
I rented this movie purely on the basis of a pretty charming little rave print review by Roger Ebert,and was glad I did (ended up even buying a copy on VHS for myself). The movie is slight and whimsical -- lots of magic, not a lot of gritty reality -- but it's sweet and strange and has a lot of charm. The characters are daffy and whimsically painted, and don't go the usual hollywood movie route. Gellar is sweet and insecure as the heroine -- a much less glamorous role than her weekly (equally fabulous) vampire slaying Buffy heroine -- while Buckley and Flanery and the fine supporting cast are all enjoyable to watch in the romantic mishaps that ensue. The wonderful Patricia Clarkson meanwhile is so much fun that she steals every scene she's in without detracting a bit from the appeal of her costars -- a pretty good trick (it's worth the price of admission to hear her say, "This is nutty. Hazel-nutty.").

I really loved this movie -- started out wondering...

Click to Editorial Reviews

J. Edgar

Choose one name and go by it...
A scene at a clothing store in which John Edgar Hoover is told he has bad credit finds him telling them that they are incorrect, they must be speaking of another John Hoover. They ask if he is indeed John Hoover and he says yes but adds that he signs his name different ways, not usually just plainly as John Hoover but with his middle name or E initial included (his mother did always call him Edgar). The shop owner then tells Hoover to open up a new account and sign it with one name and to go by that name. John takes the application form and writes J. Edgar Hoover.

To me this scene is symbollic of the larger film. J. Edgar Hoover is a film about a man who, like many of us, had many sides and aspects that composed who he was. He was greatly conflicted about which side he should portray publicly and stumbled rather awkwardly in his younger years, illustrated wonderfully in the film, until finally deciding that J. Edgar Hoover was who he was going to be. That was the side he...

Masterful, Thought Provoking, Dark, Emotionally Powerful
Clint Eastwood, Dustin Lance Black and Leonardo DiCaprio join forces to understand the 20th century's most admired, hated and controversial man, J. Edgar Hoover (with a tour de force performance by DiCaprio).

Let me first say that when I first heard of this project in the works I virtually knew very little about the F.B.I founder. I had however seen great depictions by actors like Bob Hoskins, Vincent Gardenia, Billy Crudup and more recently by Enrico Colantoni. All good performances without a doubt but only two dimensional portrayals. Here DiCaprio creates a 5th dimensional character that the audience can try to more or less understand.

The film spans nearly 50 years in the history timeline, jumping timeframe by time frame and creating a rich tapestry of political drama and turmoil in our nation's history. DiCaprio plays both the young, ambitious and advanced Hoover as well as the old, embittered czar whom all politicians feared by the 1950's.Armie Hammer plays...

The Recalcitrant Daffodil
J. EDGAR is a cinematic accomplishment of the first order! From the screenplay (Dustin Lance Black) as acted by a host of consummate actors and directed with extreme sensitivity by Clint Eastwood, the sum of the parts is an extraordinary achievement in presenting a portrait of one of the strangest men in history. The manner in which the life and deeds and personality are woven together presents as full an image of a man of contradictions, a man who planned to have his personal files destroyed after his death in order to maintain the iconic image he so desperately desired, is nothing short of a work of dedicated investigation on parts of everyone involved. And electing to tell this story through the ever-changing chameleon aspects of this bizarre man by shifting from youth to old age in a constant parenthetical manner was a stroke of genius.

The rise of young John Edgar Hoover from a mother-favored child, through the emotional conflicts this mother worship produced, through...

Click to Editorial Reviews

Act Like You Love Me

Great movie
I enjoyed this movie. I wish it was a little long. A good movie to watch on a girls nights.

Good message
I thought it was going to suck when first started, but to my surprise it was pretty good. Christian Keyes is funny and Essence is cool to. I've watched it more than once. Now some of the actors are not as seasoned as others, but they all have to start somewhere. Overall I enjoyed.

Cute and fun
Of course, who doesn't like Christian Keyes? A nice rom-com. Set in LA or So-Cal this flick follows a woman who hires an actor to portray her boyfriend. Yes, predictable but nice situations.

Click to Editorial Reviews

Absence

Yet Another Found Footage Indie: Likable Enough Performances, But Light On Actual Chills
Utilizing the increasingly popular "found footage" genre that combines elements of the thriller into a faux documentary presentation, "Absence" takes a rather slight story and serves up exactly what you might expect. I suspect that some may absolutely loathe "Absence," and I can understand their frustration. People anticipating a full-on horror show based on how the movie is portrayed in its own marketing material and description will likely be disappointed. There is some creepiness, but this presentation doesn't show you much of anything that will actually scare you. For most of its running time, it is a veritable home movie chronicling the vacation of its three central characters. I actually found the trio passably entertaining, so I didn't mind hanging out with them. But if you're looking for more in-your-face chills, this stays relatively uneventful until its final moments. The action picks up for the conclusion, but it lacked any real element of surprise. It's reasonably...

Absence is good found-footage for found-footage fans
Absence is a suspense release that uses the found-footage technique. I give it a mild recommendation for its target audience. A woman is seven-months pregnant; then, her child suddenly disappears from her womb. Then, her family and she disappear into the woods for a vacation after this traumatic event. Much like the Blair Witch Project, viewers see the actors much, much, much more than they see any creatures or special effects in the movie. Much like in Paranormal Activity, scary events happen mostly subtly and on a small-scale. Many found-footage movies have followed this cast-centric approach recently. Perhaps, they do so for budgetary reasons. Absence is the best film of this type that Absence can be. The performances are strong. These actors can act. I was actually very impressed with the main three cast members. The dialogue is witty and realistic. If one seeks good found-footage, Absence exemplifies well-done limited-budget found-footage.

Hidden Gem
This movie was surprisingly good. My finance and I both agreed why can't there be more horror movies like this instead of the same, typical run of the mill ones that are present today. This is why I choose Amazon to find this unknown "gems" instead of On-Demand.

Click to Editorial Reviews

The Take

Excellent Movie....Highest Recommendation !!!!
I rented this DVD without any prior knowledge of its content and was very, very impressed by the gritty realism of this independent movie.

High points: The acting was superb. John Leguizamo, Rosie Perez, and Bobby Cannavale turn in what I believe are their finest performances on film. The supporting cast was flawless. John and Rosie, and the young actors that portray their children, present a painfully realistic portrait of a poor-but-happy family that is torn apart by the brain injury he receives and his inability to just "turn the other cheek".

The plot is convincing at all times. Felix (Leguizamo's character) is framed for an inside-job robbery that is shockingly realistic in its violence. The FBI agent (Cannavale) behaves credibly, not as a cold-hearted, judgemental investigator (like his partner) but with a big dose of humanity and compassion. His instincts tell him that Felix is innocent, but the evidence (and his partner) increasingly speak to the...

Please enjoy an overlooked SOCAL title...
The depictions and descriptions of the film can be read on numerous reviews here and elsewhere - but I have to say most of these writs seem determined to discredit a good film. I truly believe most can agree this is one of the best pieces of fiction best paralleling reality for L.A. filmed since (and including) Crash, Harsh Times, Training Day, etc.

Watching the deleted scenes, docu on filming, listening to commentary, and related media, they all reveal a true sense of wanting to make a non-Hollywood film with succession and an honest feeling of REALITY. Reading thru several armored car inside-jobs this film reveals a very authentic feel that deserves more credit than it is being given.

Outstanding performances by Cannavale, Perez and Gibson proving small films can bring the best out of someone. Regardless of the negative and technical reviews written about the end scenes and cultural inaccuracies - I have to give this film one of the most realistic portrayals I...

action and suspense
The Take isn't a particularly groundbreaking or original film by any means- it's a fairly typical action/suspense with perhaps a tad more focus on the drama elements than other films of the genre.

It's about a truck driver who accidentally gets caught up with a gunman looking to steal some money as part of a plan, and the bad guy needs the truck drivers help (against his will, of course) in order to pull off the crime successfully.

Well when the events go horribly wrong and the truck driver ends up getting shot and put into the hospital, he eventually recovers and goes out searching for the guy who shot him.

From there, a good portion of the storyline is devoted to the truck drivers new and unpredictable relationship with his family (particularly his wife) and of course the cops get involved and actually suspect the truck driver might be guilty of certain crimes himself.

The acting is pretty good and believable, the action is really good at...

Click to Editorial Reviews

La Sirga

A Port In The Storm: A Haunting Colombian Film That Revels In Silence And Subtlety
Subtlety has become a lost art in cinema. Anything that is slightly ambiguous, open-ended, or challenging tends to elicit equal proportions of confusion and/or hate among mainstream movie goers. In response, studios crank out easily digestible formula flicks and serious film lovers are often left flocking to indie art houses for international fare or low budget risk taking. I mention this in preface to William Vega's "La Sirga" due to the fact that it spells out almost nothing of its central plot. It is left to the viewer to decipher what the bigger picture is behind the tranquil and uneventful depiction that drives the narrative. The movie is quiet, thoughtful, and contemplative. And yet, there is a danger and unease that lurks behind every scene. Set amidst the desolate beaches (or perhaps swamps would be more accurate) of Colombia, the movie alludes to the political atrocities that plague the countryside. Every decision is fueled by this violence, but none of it is ever...

The Somnambulist
LA SIRGA (`The Towrope') is a stunningly beautiful little film from the mind and pen and direction of William Vega, a California-born graduate in social communications from the University del Valle in Colombia, who mastered in film and TV scripting at the TAI College of Arts and Entertainment in Madrid. Vega has subsequently served as a university teacher, director, screenwriter and assistant director for film, video and TV projects. In 2010, he was assistant to Oscar Ruiz Navia on the latter's Berlin award-winner Crab Trap. Though he has created several short films - Amnesia (2001), Sunrise (2003), Tricolor Soccer Club (2005), Juan Mochilas (2011) and Simiente 2012 from which he developed La Sirga) - LA SIRGA is his first feature film and it is a dazzling success. Vega has said, `Writing La Sirga originated from my being seduced by the thought of a peripheral geographic location unknown to Colombians and the world. The manifestation of wonderment from the people of that area goes way...

The beauty in modesty
Let me state upfront that I am a huge fan of the Film Movement library of foreign and independent movies, so much so that last year I finally entered my subscription to their DVD-of-the-month club. This is the April, 2013 release of that subscription.

"La Sirga" (2012 release from Colombia; 90 min.) brings the story of Alicia, a young woman who has just fled from her village which was burnt down, and ending up in a remote part of the Andean wetlands of Colombia at her uncle's. Her uncle manages an inn called "La Sirga" but it is run down and needs serious repair before the upcoming tourist season. Her uncle reminds her that "life is hard here" but Alicia chips in without complaint. She meets Mirichis, a local boy who takes a liking to her. Then, about midway into the movie, out of nowhere shows up Freddy, the uncle's long lost son who might've been "swalloped by the mountains". To tell you more of the plot would ruin your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for...

Click to Editorial Reviews

Beast: A Monster Among Men [HD]

Good movie for 4 bucks
The acting at times was not the best. But overall, it beats watching TV instead. Good movie to sit back and watch with a glass of wine as you laugh at some of the silly things they do during this movie.

this movie was so creatively done
this movie was very creatively done. I was held in suspense the entire movie. I really enjoyed hows it flowed and kept me on the edge of my seat. The producer and writer of this Movie Mike Lenzini is going to go far as I can see that he is true my engaged in his passion. It is clearly reflected through out the movie.

GENIUS
This is a very well written movie, with one of the best endings I have ever seen. It's not all blood and guts like so many horror movies now days but more suspenseful and scary like horror movie were suppose to be made. I highly recommend adding this movie to your collection.

Click to Editorial Reviews

Entrapment [HD]

A great caper movie!
I saw this on opening night in the theater and I had a great time. I knew, of course, that it wasn't going to win any awards, but I really had a lot of fun watching it, which is the best judge of a movie's quality- at least in my mind.

Sean Connery is, of course, a classic. He makes bad movies good and good movies better. Catherine Zeta-Jones is simply the most beautiful actress in Hollywood today (nice to see a girl with a full-figure, as opposed to, say, Gweynth Paltrow). The supporting cast is interesting as well, but Ving Rhames must be sick of playing the heavy.

As for the film itself, the plot is fairly entertaining, with crosses and double-crosses until the last reel. The highlights here (and the reason I enjoy the film) are, of course, the theft sequences, and they are beautifully directed and edited. Even if you hate the film, the mask-heist will grab you.

The new DVD special-edition is a marked improvement over the old one- the new anamorphic transfer...

Good Movie
Entrapment is a very action packed film. It DOES NOT use violence or gore to make it entertaining. It has some intense scenes that keep you on the edge of your seat. The plot was excellent, and it changed quite rapidly. The acting and directing was superb. Sean Connery was better than ever and Catherine Zeta-Jones added an interesting touch. I strongly suggest you rent this, it is well worth it!

TERRIBLE BLU RAY TRANSFER!
I am only going to review the Blu Ray disc. The image quality is poor, most occasions it's blurred. Especially when the film starts I end up wondering why it gets blurred.
I had the same issue with Die Hard 1 and 2 and In the Line Of Fire. Why do I get the feeling the they just transferring the image from dvd to Blu Ray or using some type of Noise Reduction which actually worsens the picture quality,

Click to Editorial Reviews

The Shape of Things to Come

Brilliantly, hilariously bad!
Up until I saw "The Shape of Things to Come," I thought Joe D'Amato's hysterically atrocious "Troll 2" was the best "so bad it's good" film out there. Well, I still believe that, but this movie comes in a close second. I suspect if you watched both films as a double feature, your head would explode under the endless assault of numerous scenes loaded with bad dialogue, ridiculous overemoting, and impenetrable plot points murkier than a cup of black coffee. This is a film so mind meltingly horrible, so offensive to every cinematic sensibility, that only lovers of bad movies who have fortified themselves beforehand should venture into this challenging territory. And even then I am not sure you will emerge unscathed on the other side. "Hey," I'm hearing people say, "How could a film starring Jack Palance and Barry Morse--set in a future where radiation from a series of robot wars wiped out the planet earth--be so bad?" That's a good question, grasshoppers. A very good question that I...

Get Down With Jack Palance
The onscreen written intro tells us that this film is taking place in the "Tomorrow after Tomorrow". So apparently in the next two days we'll have experienced the "Robot Wars" and have had to relocate to the moon coz Earth is too damn polluted and radioactive. The people of the moon colony come under attack by Jack Palance and his army of trashcan robots who do his dirty work. Palance hangs out on Delta 3, but he wants control of the moon as well. The wimpy moon people don't wanna take action, but 3 badazz renegades and a reprogrammed Palancebot aren't about to just roll over. So, before you can slap on your Skin Bracer, they're off to turn the tables on Jack Palance. First a quick pitstop on Earth for repairs. Meanwhile on Delta 3, about 7 people have formed a resistance against Palance's dictatorship. When they're not being fried to a frizzly frazzle by the Palancebots, they hide from these innovative, high-tech death machines by merely crouching in the grass about 2 feet...

"The Time Is The Tomorrow After Tomorrow."
I have two words to describe "H. G. Wells' The Shape of Things to Come": oh, brother. I felt certain when I discovered that it was made in Canada in the wake of "Star Wars" with Jack Palance as an evil overlord, that the movie had extreme cheese potential, and not only was I right I had no idea how right I was. Of all the films I would have loved to see MST3K deal with this has to top the list.

The film starts with a ponderous crawler explaining the background of the film. In a nutshell we learn that the Earth has been destroyed in the great robot wars, that man has colonized the moon, and that (for some never explained reason) the human race is wholly dependent on the supply of a miracle drug, RADIC-Q-2, which is only made on distant planet Delta Three. What could possibly go wrong? After seeing the extremely cheesy credits (they are reminiscent of the original "Battlestar Galactica" without the realism), which reveal that the film stars Jack Palance, Carol Lynley, and...

Click to Editorial Reviews

Between 2 Worlds

A truly great and useful explanation of the 2012 Mayan Calendar change and all the phenomena occurring around it... :-)
I think this is an excellent DVD. It explains clearly what the time scheme is for the Mayan calendar and what the change and significance of the 2012 date really is. It is reminiscent of some of Gregg Braden's explanation in Fractal Time and is helping me make sense and cope with all the extreme changes occurring, that will continue to happen until the earth transitions through this period.

I watched the dvd, it is only 1 hour and is very clear and easy to understand. After I watched it, I immediately got up and punched the "Play" button and watched it again. I have told friends about it and they subsequently viewed it, called me up and thanked me for bringing it up to their attention. They bought 3 more copies and are sharing it with their friends. I recommend this rational and useful explanation to all.





Click to Editorial Reviews

Faeries

Enthralling and refreshing
This is definitely a great show for children and people who enjoy a good fairy story. If you liked "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," you'll probably like this one as well. The plot is simple, and geared toward a child's pace and grasp of conflict. But it has an ample supply of magical and unexpected twists that keep the story enthralling, even for some adult viewers like me.

The animation is different from what you might expect. It's nothing like the mega-budget eye candy typically put out by Disney, Dreamworks, and other media giants. (Some of us actually consider that a plus.) "Faeries" uses a combination of 2-D hand-drawn animation and very simple 3-D, flying-toaster-like computer animation. The result, as I said, is quite different. But it's not unpleasant, and I found myself getting quite used to it after only a few minutes. So while the animation technique is unusual and more economical than some, the artists use it well, and the result is a...

Enchanting -- And good for kids
About the animation: Whatever you're expecting, this film isn't like that. "Faeries" in no way resembles the mega-budget masterpieces you might expect from Disney, Dreamworks, or other media giants specializing in state-of-the-art, rapid-fire eye candy (though departure from that can sometimes be a good thing). It's definitely a lower-budget production, utilizing a rather conspicuous blend of hand-drawn animation and very simple, flying-toaster-like computer animation. To the artists' credit, they've managed to do a very credible job within the obvious limitations of their technique. And younger children (the audience to whom the film is targeted) probably won't mind the animation style. Some adults might not either. I found myself getting quite used to it after only a few minutes, and was rewarded with a very charming and enjoyable experience. However, if you're a person who tends to be distracted by film styles that fall outside the popular media norm, then maybe...

Great Entertainment For Kids of All Ages!
I watched this (and bought it) movie recently. It's very cute indeed. I must confess the reason I even watched was because the WONDERFUL Kate Winslet lent her beautiful voice for this film. Though I am glad I checked it out! If you have young kids, you may want to check it out! It's brilliant!

Click to Editorial Reviews

The Loveless

"Well, I was born overheated. . . beneath a blue/black sky"
"The Loveless" marked the feature film debut for co-director/co-writer Kathryn Bigelow ("Near Dark," "Blue Steel"). The movie was actually Bigelow's graduate student film thesis--a stylized and downbeat little film with a neo-noirish undercurrent that showed enough promise to prompt a brief art house circuit theatrical release--after which it achieved a cult following overseas and, to a lesser degree, in the U.S.

Willem Dafoe exudes a surly raw sexuality in his first credited screen role as 'Vance,' a rough and tumble biker traveling the back roads of America with his gang during the 1950's. Vance establishes the duality of his character in the very first scene of the film: He is decent enough to come to the assistance of a lone woman driving along a deserted stretch of road by changing out her flat tire. However, when the woman offers Vance a grudging pittance for his time and trouble, he doesn't hesitate to reach through the car window, grab her purse and rifle through...

A Motorcycle Film with Realism, Exlpoitation and Objectification All in One!
Kathryn Bigelow (who went on to do a New Order video, Blue Steel and Strange Days) made this movie when studying in NYC as a film student. This movie truly captures many aspects of a interstate motorcycle run. There will be inevitable prejudism from the locals, especially men who feel threatened, and then there will be girls who think it's cool. There's a lot of waiting around to hook up with your group (or gang), it's dirty, and most accurately, Harley Davidsons are known to break down. (That's why so many people carry them on their pickup trucks).

Forget about Captain America and Easy Rider. That's the romantic notion that everyone seems to think of when they talk about motorcycle movies. Think Danny Lyon instead. I rode from NYC to California and back with a friend, and we get together every year or so to watch this movie and laugh at Wilem DaFoe's lines. We both agree that this movie really captures the less glamorous side of going cross country on our sleds...

"we're goin nowhere...fast"
What's so enticing about "The Loveless" isn't so much the story, well...there really isn't one. Just a bunch of biker's on their way to Daytona to "watch em howl". Or Robert Gordon's (who also co-stars) great rockabilly film score. It's Kathryn Bigelow's (Martin Scorsese-esque) direction that keeps you mesmerized throughout. Co-written and directed by Monty Montgomery (perhaps best known for producing David Lynch's "Wild At Heart"). "The Loveless" is an uncompromising look at late 50's social disorder starring Willem Dafoe and the sexy petite Marin Kanter. Although it could be argued that "The Loveless" parallels "The Wild One" to a certain degree, only...Willem Dafoe's character (Vance) seems a little more believable than Marlon Brando's campy over-the-top portrayal. Thus making "The Loveless" not only a cult classic, but an 80's drive-in sensation as well. A true biker masterpiece!

olofpalme63

Click to Editorial Reviews

Dogman

Not scary but goofy.
This is like Duck Dynasty trying to be scary. The picture is nothing like this show. It is not at all scary and really never gets going. Pretty goofy overall.
I had to I have been watching it for like 20 minutes already and considering not to continue. It is not even a B level movie.

I think even I can pull something like this together.
Even if it was for free..I am not sure I want to watch it. You will choke yourself if you order and pay to watch this. I cannot believe they actually make people pay to watch this.

This has to be the worse ever that I have come across even if I compare it to homemade movie. Sorry but I am going to spare other viewers form spending their money on this.

Classic!
I am probably biased because I live 5 minutes from Benzie County (where it was filmed). And I get a kick out of seeing locals act in the film. But I really liked it. The film reminded me of 70's styled thrillers. I bought the film and have been passing it around to everyone I work with. Some loved it just as much as i do. Others didn't.

Scary Fun times!!!!
Absolutely LOVED this movie! Fantastic story, acting, directing, locations, cinematography and balance of humor and terror. The fact that you never actually quite see the "Dogman" sends the fear factor way up... leaving it's appearence imagined in the viewer's mind....which is way more effective.

Click to Editorial Reviews

Long Night's Journey Into Day

Devils and Angels
A hard, hard film to watch. But I kept watching it. I had to remember in my own doings that our higher angels can prevail.

Devils transformed into angels. The aggrieved could and did forgive.

This story said that change is not enough. We must do the emotional work of changing, the hard inner struggle. They could do it. They did it. And so can we.

One of the best documentaries I've ever seen
I saw this at Sundance Film Festival years ago where it won Grand Jury Prize for best documentary and it still is with me today. It is a story about forgiveness at an incomparable depth. What would you do if faced with the murderer of your child? You will be astonished and incredibly moved to witness how these remarkable people heal and do the unthinkable.

This is a documentary not to be missed.



Click to Editorial Reviews

Berserk: Golden Age Arc II - Battle for Doldrey

The Golden Age Saga Continues *SPOILERS*
Well it's been quite a wait, but at last, The Golden Age Arc II: The Battle for Doldrey is here. The movie series, it seems, has taken after the manga in releasing updates at a snails pace. Why we had to wait 14 months for this film to make it from theaters in Japan, to a DVD/BR in America, I do not know (for those keeping track, that's twice as long as the first movie took), but I suppose the wait just makes getting the final product that much sweeter. Anyway, on to the movie itself:

A lot of people's biggest complaint about the first Golden Age movie was the cheesy CGI that would crop up now and again. I am very pleased to be able to say that this movie definitely cleaned this up a lot. This installment is a big visual improvement over the first. Not that the first had much room for improvement, it was beautiful movie, but here they were able to clean up some of the previously mentioned problems with the animation.

While the first movie was about the beginnings...

please buy this
there is only one way to get them to continue adapting the awesome manga you need to buy this product. don't torrent it. don't stream it. please buy this dvd/ bluray/ its not perfect some majorly cool scenes were cut but i still think this is fantastic and a friend of mine lives in Japan has seen the third one. He told me its incredible. we need the whole manga adapted don't let it die again.

The Golden Age Saga Continues *SPOILERS*
Vast improvement over the first film. The CGI is cleaned up, and visually the movie is just much better. The voice acting for both the English and Japanese dubs are strong, as well as the soundtrack. My one pet peeve is that there is a lot left out from the original manga. The story of Griffith killing the queen is entirely passed over. All in all it's a great addition to the franchise and sets things up nicely for the eclipse.

Click to Editorial Reviews

My Amityville Horror

More interesting than the actual Amityville Horror
This is a very interesting if occasionally repetitive revisit of the original Amityville Horror story, focusing on one of the children (Daniel Lutz) who was forced through what was unquestionably a difficult childhood experience. Daniel Lutz is now an adult with a lot of psychological issues and as he chain smokes and F-bombs his way through the interviews, the subject of his anger is clearly less about the paranormal questions around the house and more related to the introduction of a fairly deranged ex-Marine step father.

The documentary lets the audience draw their own conclusions but from my perspective I see a family that mentally abuses and confuses the children while seeking fame and fortune through an extremely elaborate lie. Ignoring the admitted hoax, lack of evidence and complete disappearance of these supposed paranormal activities once the family left the house, the more I listen to Daniel as an adult, the more I feel the experiences were a side-effect of...

Very interesting
This is nothing like I thought that it would be, but at the same time it is exactly what I thought that it would be.
I understand a lot of the frustrations that Danny has in regards on how to explain things. It is very difficult to explain things to someone who doesnt understand. From paranormal experiences to even natural phenomenon. Men will not understand fully what it is like to give child-birth, and woman will never understand the feeling of getting kicked in the nuts. Same goes for paranormal experiences.
Now, do I believe that Danny went though these things? Absolutely. Do I believe the George (the father) was the cause of these things occurring? That is highly possible. Is Danny angry? Ohhhh yes, but I also believe that he has a right to be angry. It isnt fair to force a child to deal with these kinds of psychological instances, and it isnt fair for him as an adult to be expected to casually "waltz" though these memories. They bring emotions that are not...

A Sad, True Account
It's good to finally get a first-hand account of the Amityville haunting from one of the children who lived through it. I believe Danny's account to be true to the best of his recollection. He comes across as sincere, in spite of (or maybe because of) his unapologetic bitterness towards his step-father, George Lutz. The fact that he has run from the publicity of this incident his entire life, rather than attempting to profit from it as his parents (or at least George) did, increases his credibility for me. He relates his story in an unadorned fashion, almost reluctantly, and the pain in his voice is not masked by the guarded, profanity-laced defensiveness in some of his responses to interviewers' questions. I could sense a sweet, vulnerable guy under the gruff exterior of Danny Lutz---a very damaged guy. I hope doing the documentary was cathartic for him. I hope he finally finds some peace.

Click to Editorial Reviews

Deer Crossing

A lot of fake reviews a good film do not make
Got together with some friends and decided to get this based on the "reviews" this "film" got in Amazon. It was a big mistake.

Let me divide my review in two parts. First I'll talk about the movie itself, then about its 5 star rating it currently has in Amazon, and how that is possible.

The movie itself deserves no more than 1 1/2 stars. It is just plain bad. From the cinematography (did they shoot this in a $100 camera?) to the sound (very bad in some spots, like the conversation of the detective with the captain in the bar), to the editing and shot framing, it all feels very amateur. I have to say there are parts which are better than others (some of the acting is not too bad, and some of the dialog is actually acceptable, if very unequal and ridden with cliches).

The subject matter itself is nothing new, but the treatment is such that the movie is neither disturbing nor scary. The person that said this movie is like a descent into hell must have...

The Worst of the Worst
My friend and I rented this movie at the Redbox thinking it was going to be a great movie especially since on Amazon its rated 4 stars. Well it had to have been one of the worst movies I have seen. Horrible I dont want anybody to go through torture of how bad this movie is. We watched about 30 minutes thats all you can take.

worse movie i have ever seen in my life
this movie doesn't deserve any more of my time, it isn't worthy of a review. everyone involved in the making should be shot.

Click to Editorial Reviews

Pickin' & Grinnin' [HD]

Pickin and grinnin
A tale of two clumsy and funny musicians on a cross country trip to a contest in Nashville. Good music and good laughs

Picking & Grinnin is one of the best movies.
Picking & Grinnin is one of the best movies. I loved every minute of it. It should be shown in the major movie theaters. I would go to see it on the big screen many times!

Mighty, Mighty, River, River FLOW!!!
A comedy about two guitar-toting brothers and their journey through obscurity and (hopefully) into fame. If they just don't screw it up this time. Life on the road is hard, but they find their long lost cousin who's an amazing mandolin player and a Winnebago named Gomer. What they learn is that all they really need is family to make it big. Other surprises in this film include a star studded cast including Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top, Garrett Morris (original SNL alum), and even Kenny Loggins (Highway to the Danger Zone, Footloose). Pretty much every scene has laughs and the story is just great. You can tell they had a lot of fun when making it.

Click to Editorial Reviews

3 Geezers! [HD]

Very funny movie
I really enjoyed this movie. Not life changing but was a fun time. A lot of celebrities. Raunchy yes and different.

A MAN LOOKS INTO THE ABYSS AND SEES HIMSELF STARING BACK
Warning: This is NOT the new "Expendables" film.

I am embarrassed to admit I enjoyed portions of this film. The plot is non-linear. J.K. Simmons visits Coconuts, a retirement home and finds 3 Geezers full of life. He interviews and films them for a new film, which is immaterial to the script. Lou Beatty Jr. plays Benard, a blind man who does all the things a sighted person does from being a line judge to sculpturing. Victor (Basil Hoffman) is the lead in the group. He has the hots for Ruth (Beverly Polcyn), eat your heart out Phoebe Cates. Will Bonaiuto rounds out the group, although his role is minor.

I can understand a young audience not enjoying this film. There are things older people will pick up on such as the Phoebe Cates imitation scene, and the sound track playing the theme from "Shaft" while the group plays a trick on Bernard. I personally enjoyed this film in spite of being filled with much low brow humor. Clearly not for everyone.

Parental...

Waste of time
The only reason I watched this was to see Scott Caan. His part lasted less than a minute. Tim Allen's less than 2 minute part was funny. The rest of the movie was awful. Parents, do not let small kids watch as it's full of nasty words.

Click to Editorial Reviews

An African Election [HD]

Click to Editorial Reviews

American Dreamz

American Dreamz is an American Doze
This is barely a spiffy spoof on American culture and politics that might be all too close to a current TV show called "American Idol." Hugh Grant is a producer of the wildly successful "American Dreamz." He is professionally engaging and personally shallow, self-centered, and sleazy.

On the other side of the globe is an uncoordinated, two-left-footed terrorist in training whose mother was killed by an American bomb. Unfortunately, he loves American show tunes, and is caught by the silhouette of the light in his tent, dancing to one of them. His commanders decide that he will never be of any use, and order him to go to America as a sleeper agent. He is to take up residence with his aunt, uncle and two cousins. They plan on letting him sleep for a long time.

Then there is the President of the United States, played by Steven Quaid. He is a bone-headed, numbskull who gets everything he is supposed to say from his chief of staff, played by Willem Defoe. One morning...

"I think I'm Omar-sexual."
President Joseph Staton (Dennis Quaid) sees the world as a fairly black-and-white place, but a glance at the daily headlines on the eve of his reelection leaves the most powerful man in the free world shaken to the very core. Upon reading this, Staton locks himself in his bedroom boning up on information, which causes concern for his chief of staff (Willem Dafoe) and first lady/wife (Marcia Gay Harden). Eventually, Staton finds himself booked on his favorite show, "American Dreams", hosted by the cynical Martin Tweed (Hugh Grant). The event is in favor of two contestants, Sally Kendoo (Many Moore) and Omer (Sam Golzari). But one of them has a dark secret that will ensure a season finale no one will soon forget.

With "American Dreams," Paul Weitz is finding himself in a new direction. Known for movies about getting past first base ("American Pie"), childish adults who want kids ("About a Boy"), and wounded egos in the workplace ("In Good Company"), the director is now moving...

"BAD is such a nebulous word"
Writer/director Paul Weitz (AMERICAN PIE , ABOUT a BOY) hits us with his new film American Dreamz satirizes the White House incompetence, the flaws in the "war on terror" and the idiocy of TV's "American Idol." Weitz uses these easy targets for send-ups, while (again) attempting to make us like stupid and unlikable characters. While this worked in ABOUT a BOY and his AMERICAN PIE series of films, it is awkward at best, and he has greatest success with his show tune loving-would-be-terrorist, OMER. Let me explain...

...the story begins when President Staton (Dennis Quaid) wakes up one morning and decides, for the first time, to read the newspaper. He awakens to the possibilities of an outside world. Meanwhile, the self-absorbed host of TV's talent contest "American Dreamz," Martin Tweed (Hugh Grant), about to start another season, he demands to have an Arab represented on the show. His call is answered by, Omer (Sam Golzari), a less than enthusiastic terrorist "sleeper"...

Click to Editorial Reviews

The Chronicles of Riddick

Sometimes Bad Is Really, Really Good
My mind hasn't been boggled in a while -> The very first StarWars did me in, and then various parts of The Lord of the Ring years later. Other than that I'm not one who stares at the screen in awe of special effects. In fact, the bore me very quickly. What I likes about the original Riddick film, Pitch Black, was that, outside of the Alien knockoff monsters, there was very little in the way of large scale special effects. In many ways, it was an intimate thriller rather than a vast drama.

So I really wasn't prepared for what appeared on this screen as the film unrolled. It sneaks up on you as it opens with Riddick's attempted capture by Toombs, a bounty hunter. The irritated (and very hairy) Riddick sets out to find out who put the bounty on his head and discovers that he is being recruited to stop the conquest of space by the Necromongers. These latter are truly the knights of total badness. Their goal is entropy - the total destruction of life and rebirth onto...

You keep what you kill
Even if I have to apologize to my Friends and Favorites, and my family, I have to admit that I really liked this movie. It's a Sci-Fi movie with a "Mad Maxx" appeal that, while changing many things, left Riddick from `Pitch Black' to be just Riddick. They did not change his attitude or soften him up or bring him out of his original character, which was very pleasing to `Pitch Black' fans like myself.

First off, let me say that when playing the DVD, the first selection to come up is Convert or Fight, and no explanation of the choices. This confused me at first, so I will mention off the bat that they are simply different menu formats, that each menu has the very same options, simply different background visuals. Select either one and continue with the movie.

Chronicles Of Riddick takes place after Riddick's escape from the planet of monsters on Pitch Black, starting out with his recapture after being in hiding for many years. Now we are going to get a glimpse...

Critics and boring people SHOULD NOT SEE IT
The Chronicles of Riddick is the continuing story of Riddick (Vin Diesel), the bald-headed, night seeing convict who escaped from prison and was ultimately so tough that he could beat up aliens with just a knife. Given that the first movie was called Pitch Black, Riddick's peculiar eyes lent him a particular advantage - both against his captors and the aliens that inhabited the planet.

On the surface, one could summarize Pitch Black as an Aliens knockoff. But it was so much more than that. Just as Aliens was more than about soldiers blowing up aliens, Pitch Black was about how people hide behind who they really are and that people don't change - they just reveal their true natures. The movie was also noteworthy for being a science fiction film that portrayed Muslim beliefs in a positive light and as the dominant religion.

Keeping those elements in mind, the Chronicles of Riddick (TCOR) is the logical extension of the first movie, even though it doesn't involve many aliens or all...

Click to Editorial Reviews

Meet the Parents [HD]

Very Funny Movie(Another Ben Stiller Winner)
I wasn't really sure what to expect with Robert De Niro in a more comedic role and the so-so reviews of Meet the Parents. Well, let me be the first to tell you that all theses reviews were wrong and De Niro shined in his role as the father. The toilet humor of There's Something About Mary is still present in Meet the Parents--I won't give any of it away since the shock factor is what makes these scenes so hilarious. Ben Stiller is wonderful as Gregory, the misguided yet well-intentioned boyfriend of Jack's daughter. This movie had so many well placed comic moments that I never really stopped laughing. Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller make such a great pair because of the fact that they are such polar opposites. De Niro's paranoia feeds Stiller's own paranoia and makes for a lot of awkward but humorous confrontations. Their misunderstandings range from the hidden meaning of "Puff the Magic Dragon" to premarital relations. Mixed in somewhere within the gags and the shock humor...

In-Law Laughs....
This review refers to the VHS edition(Universal) of "Meet the Parents"......

You may not think your in-laws are really so bad after seeing what poor Greg Focker has to go through with his future family. Yes you read right, his name is Greg Focker and he's about to spend the weekend with the parents of the girl he intends to marry. Pam's dad, Jack Byrnes, really loves his daughters, and any man who wants to share their lives better be up to his standards. He's an ex-CIA agent who will scrutinize your every move and you better like his cat as well.What will it take for Greg to win the hand of the girl he loves..and does he really want to be a part of this crazy family after all? It's laugh out loud stuff as every move he makes turns into a hysterical series of events that has Pam's family turning against him.

Who else could be the over protective,over bearing,over analyzing, prospective father-in-law than than Mr. Tough Guy himeslef..Robert De Niro. His straight...

Funniest Flick Of 2000
In a year filled with less-than-par movies (especially those in the comedic genre) this was a breath of fresh air. I haven't heard a theatre audience laugh harder since 1995 when I watched "Dumb & Dumber". This is a similar comedy with a little more sense and a little less slapstick.

Greg Focker is a nurse who, before asking his girlfriend to marry him, must visit her parents and o.k. it with them. Things seem to be going well enough when he picks up the wrong bag at the airport, causing the oncoming hell that is 'Meeting the parents'.

Robert DeNiro stars as the father, an ex CIA agent who keeps a very close eye on Focker, and doesn't like what he sees. He mistakes him for a pot smoking, test-cheating, porno-watching liar who isn't fit for his daughter. At the comedic climax of the film, DeNiro even gives Focker a polygraph test.

In the end, sides aching, this film left me more satisfied than I'd been walking out of a theatre in a LONG time. Although comedies...

Click to Editorial Reviews

Amelia's 25th

Endearing Indie Comdedy Built to Last
I was cruising On Demand one day, when I saw this great title- "Amelia's 25th". I am glad it started with an A, or else I might not have clicked on it. I thought it might be a bit high-brow from the title, perhaps it was about a symphony, or else Amelia Earhart? After looking up the description online, I immediately ordered it. The film is chalked full of amazing Independent film stars, laughter and witty language. It is peppered somewhat with un-even performances, especially by the 2 leads, but this is definitely made up for within moments of the film's opening sequence.

Amelia (Electra Avellan- "Machete" & "Grindhouse")is a struggling bi-lingual actress who is a bit down on her luck, but still has a lot going for her. She is late on the rent, late on her auditions, and late on her monthly visit from "Aunt Flo". Her agent asks her to lose the accent, and informs her she is over the hill in Hollywood. This is difficult for Amelia, as her father is a famous film...

Passable Birthday Celebration Delivers Sugary Wisdom
One of the problems that can plague a solid independent feature is that its ideas may be good enough to stand on their own; however, considering the low-budget no-budget nature of indy filming, the vehicle ends up getting hamstrung with a cast of players who don't have the acting chops to make it all come alive the way it needed. Such is the case with AMELIA'S 25th, where every one out of three cast members probably was the best producers could get ... or else they didn't do enough takes to give the director and/or editor enough to work with. There's a nice spark to their interplay at times, but it isn't consistent enough to keep the engine running. What saves the picture are the handful of veterans who have a few tricks up their sleeve when it comes to providing some nuance.

(NOTE: The following review will contain minor spoilers necessary solely for the discussion of plot and characters. If you're the kind of reader who prefers a review entirely spoiler-free, then I'd...

Incredibly Funny Ensemble Cast!!
I recently rented Amelia's 25h On Demand, because I saw Jennifer Tilly was in it. I am a HUGE Jenn Tilly fan. I would watch her read the phone book, but haven't seen her in a big film for a while. Proud to announce MISS TILLY IS BACK!!! She was hilarious, sexy, bouncing off the walls, and back to her Bullets Over Broadway/Liar Liar/Bound days. And that voice! In addition, Dany Trejo was HILARIOUS, especially in a scene with Margaret Cho, and a buxom African American woman. Wait for THAT scene! I laughed out loud, and then brought friends over to watch it a second time. I pre ordered it, and Cannot wait to get my own copy!! The writing is hilarious, the supporting cast is really really incredible, and you recognize a lot of them from different films.

If you are an indie movie freak, this is one of the best indie comedies I have ever seen. In the spirit of Garden State, Juno, 200 Cigarettes, and Harold & Kumar. Quirky & irreverent, you will laugh from beginning to...

Click to Editorial Reviews

The Damned

A French Post-War Thriller From 1947: Had the Potential To Be A Claustrophobic Classic, But Left Me Largely Uninvolved
Of all the recent releases on the DVD/Blu-ray market, I was particularly excited to catch the debut of "The Damned" by French filmmaker René Clément. Clément was one of the strongest post-WWII era directors to emerge from France with a resume that included such fantastic classics as "Forbidden Games" and "Purple Noon" (both of which I own). I had never heard of the "The Damned," but I was eager to experience the 1947 wartime thriller. Despite my enthusiasm, however, the movie never really connected with me. It is a serviceable entertainment, to be sure, but I found its shifting narrative perspective a bit awkward. Ostensibly the story is told from the vantage point of a French doctor co-opted onto an enemy sub. At times, he is the film's narrator which can provide a claustrophobic and harrowing effect as he tries to figure out what is going on. Many more times, though, the screenplay simply abandons this viewpoint whenever convenient for the story. More...

What Happens When "Das Boot" Collides with "Huis Clos"
This film grows on you...or possibly more accurately, closes in on you. It is the intense claustrophobia in the quarters of a submarine - brilliantly filmed in black and white, that is unforgettable. So the more I think about it, the more I like the movie.

The movie is clearly influenced by the short masterpiece of Jean Paul Sartre's "No Exit" (French translation - Huis Clos) in which a group of people who can't stand each other are forced to live in close quarters with no exit. They are in Hell. This unsavory collection of Nazis and Nazi sympathizers boards the U-Boat in Olso to escape from the Allies as the war is just about to be lost. Some of the characters are a sadistic SS officer, his young homosexual lover and petty criminal, an Italian industrialist, a Swedish nuclear scientist (and his unwilling 17 year old daughter), a Nazi general, his mistress, and a French businessman. However, each individual has his or her own selfish agenda. When the submarine boat...

Fine piece of film history
Beautifully photographed in black and white. Not Bergman or Wells, but quite a pleasure. The story is very interesting and the acting is sufficient. If you like old black and white films by excellent directors, this may be for you. Also I happen to like films that explore Nazi thinking and the interplay between the fanatics and the people who just get dragged into the mess. So this one hit the spot, though there are others that I prefer.

The extra features were very interesting. The discussions about the director gave a take on French cinema and the director's problems with the New Wave enthusiasms were especially interesting and certainly for anyone interested in film history. The narration by film experts over the film itself was light, but much, much better than the average insulting c**p of stars and directors joking around and reminiscing.

Click to Editorial Reviews

La Leyenda De La Llorona

Buenisima!!!
My kids watched it at least four times the same day we got it!!! it is very funny!!! we cant stop watching it.. The quality of the movie is excellent.





Click to Editorial Reviews

Silver Streak [Blu-ray]

Adventure on a Train
This movie is one I can watch over and over again. While Gene Wilder's cluelessness may seem to wear a little thin in places, the chemistry between the characters works. Admittedly when Richard Pryor appears the movie goes from humorous to hilarious, but in the meantime the Hitchcockian flavor will keep most viewers entertained.

Gene Wilder is a book editor travelling by train from Los Angeles to Chicago. Jill Clayburgh is a professor's assistant. During a romantic interval in Jill's compartment Gene see's a man killed. Of course the man is the professor. Let the fun begin.

Gene Wilder is a perfect straight man for this movie. He is clearly intelligent, but unused to crime and guns. His bravado is likely that of a typical suburbanite, and while we laugh at his actions, we also identify with his character.

Other stars make this movie an absolute joy to watch over and over. Richard Kiel of James Bond "Jaws" fame makes another silent appearance...

Silver Streak
More than a quarter of a century has passed between the release of this movie and my review. It looks current, exciting, and brand new. I highly recommend it. The pace is great, the suspense is ubiquitous, but not overblown (as it tends to be in so many contemporary movies), and the comedy is fantastic. I believe this is one of the best comedies of the last thirty years.

Gene Wilder displays more energy in this one than Richard Pryor. He is still quite young here and runs all over the place, being thrown off the train and all. But when Pryor shows up, the overall tempo of the movie picks up somehow, and we move from the middle to the conclusion so quickly that one can hardly stop to catch his breath.

The train wreck conclusion was nicely done. Somebody mentioned that this was the forerunner of Speed, and I think that is right one the mark. Nice comedy/suspense that made me feel a litte better after I watched it. I have not taken a train since I don't know when. In Southern...

My favorite of the bunch
Of all of the collaborations between Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor, this one is my favorite. The characters are well drawn, the plot is balanced nicely between the elements of romance, adventure and mystery, plus the dialogue sparkles wittily.

The story is about a man who decides to combine a business trip with a little bit of relaxation, by taking the train from Los Angeles to Chicago. Along the way, he is involved with a beautiful woman, murder, a loveable thief and slate of "bad guys" well worthy of black hats.

The film is a charming diversion from the world; one that can be enjoyed by most of the family. It is a must have, either as a family film (for kids over 13) or a "date" movie. If you like to laugh, then add Silver Streak to your collection.

Click to Editorial Reviews

Rubbadubbers: Tubb's Pirate Treasure & More Swimmin' Stories

Okay DVD
This would have been better if when on continuous play the music played at the beginning of each episode - the song is very catchy and kids love it!
Without the music interrupting the episodes they become a bit boring

Great show
My three yr old loves this show. She watches it often and sings the song. She can't seem to get enough of it.

Overall Pleased
This is the video I ordered, but on the bottom during the whole video is a note that it is for promotional purposes only. It gets in the way of the picture at times. I would probably still have ordered it because it was a good price, but I would like to have known about the print at the bottom of the screen before I purchased it.
I was pleased with the condition of the item and it arrived on time. I would order from this seller again.

Click to Editorial Reviews

Robin Hood

Worth the upgrade? Probably.
Previous to this 'Most Wanted Edition' release, Disney had released a Gold Collection version. Having seen the two head to head, the Most Wanted is definitely a worthwhile purchase, though purists may wish to hang onto their Gold Collection Edition.

For those interested in the movie's plot (though if you don't know it by now), this 1973 Disney film follows the adventures of the classic Robin Hood story (though all the characters have been replaced by Disney animal versions), where he and his pal Little John are constantly thwarting the plans of Prince John, his servant Sir Hiss, and the rotten Sheriff of Nottingham. It doesn't follow the original legend too closely, but then, Robin Hood is a walking, talking fox, so don't expect historical accuracy. Made during Disney's less 'talked about' era (the void between Disney's untimely death and the song stylings of Elton John), the film is still a delight for adults and children. At least, I like it, but critics and animation...

Clever Cartoon Version of a Classic Tale
There have been dozens of movies and television shows that capitalize on the legend of Robin Hood. This version is clever and funny, and the music of country music legend Roger Miller makes this movie one for everyone to watch.

Everyone knows the tale of Robin Hood. Forced to be an outlaw, though always loyal to King Richard, Robin Hood fought against the usurper Prince John. Robin Hood sheltered and protected poor people and redistributed wealth from the rich to the needy poor. Robin Hood performed these deeds from his base in Sherwood Forest.

Though we have seen this movie with many different great actors, this version has excellent comedy and very good animation. Robin Hood is appropriately swashbuckling and handsome, and Maid Marian is beautiful; both characters are drawn as foxes. In fact, all the characters in this movie are animals, as Alan-A-Dale points out at the beginning of the movie.

This film has its share of great actors. Englishman Brian...

A Good Transfer of a Good Film
Firstly, those who have complained about the aspect ratio are partially correct. This film was drawn in 4:3 BUT it was shown in widescreen when it was exhibited to the public upon its initial release. While it is true that some of the material is missing primarily from the top of the cell, the film was drawn so that that area could be missed. I must give credit to Disney for delving into their own history and discovering how each film was exhibited. Take a look at the recent reissue of The Fox and the Hound to prove this point. They could have cropped that film into widescreen but did not because it was shown in 4:3 originally.

As to the transfer, it is quite good and much improved over the Gold Collection release. The colors are crisper and there are less artifacts that can be seen.

I must admit that I enjoy Disney's Robin Hood quite a bit. It's not the best film in the Disney stable but it is enjoyable and has its charms. Roger Miller's music adds a...

Click to Editorial Reviews

The Weekend

Direction is amazing!
Brian Avers does an amazing job directing! One of the best Indies I have seen in years! Well worth watching.

Very Funny
This movie was very funny throughout and definitely realistic. The cast worked together very well and put it all together nicely. It was like I was reliving it, not like I was watching a movie. Recommend for all!

Realistic and Witty
I loved The Weekend. I thought that this film was one of the most realistic depictions of what happens when a group of old friends reunites. I spent the entire film laughing and thinking about how I could see me and my friends acting the exact same way as the characters on screen. I highly recommend this film to anyone who is looking for a good way to spend their night.

Click to Editorial Reviews

Antiviral [HD]

Picture Perfect Horror
Antiviral is a new film by David Cronenberg's son Brandon, and needless to say the influence shows through brilliantly in this single attack on the insanely stupid celebrity worshipping culture which has gripped society.
A company sells celebrity viruses to it's clients so they can experience and receive a little part of their favorite star into their own bodies. They can also go out and grab a celebrity steak, grown from the cells of their favorite star.
Naturally things take a turn for the worse for one of the company salesmen, who comes down with a nasty virus all his own while trying to find out what happened in the death of their most famous contracted celebrity.
Sure it's grim and disturbing with a few gruesome and decidedly Cronenberg-esque touches that will make the viewer twitch a little, but the core of this film is just a big kick in the nuts to anyone who is worried about Kim K's dress being a little too flashy for the Grammys.

Abjection Horror Well Done
Antiviral is an interesting abject horror film on several levels. I loved it. The story, the dialogue, the acting (for the most part) and the use of a limited color pallet all combined for an engaging horror flick.

While some have pointed out a perceived indictment on the "thrall of celebrity", the moral dilemma here is not only media or fandom gone amok - it is the separation of the subjective emotions of the fans from the abject, Hannah Geist. Geist in German, as many know, can be loosely translated to mean ghost or spirit.

Geist fandom in this starkly painted world is driven by the desire to connect with the abject (that which is cut off) by experiencing their illnesses, their infections or partake of their body in the form of cell-farmed 'steaks'.

How that spirit is experienced, replicated, stolen, subject to copyright is at the center of the Antiviral thesis. When Syd, a celebrity-virus salesclerk becomes infected with Hannah Geist's latest and...

"Antiviral": Unique But Underdeveloped
Sometime in the near future, some people get obsessed with celebrities so much that some companies start providing these admirers with a new way to get closer to their "stars": getting infected with the same virus as their favorite celebrities. Young Syd March (Caleb Landry Jones) works for the Lucas Clinic, a company that owns the exclusive rights for such super-celebrities as Hannah Geist (Sarah Gadon).

I know this is a satire - not a very good one, but a satire nonetheless - so I decided to keep watching, ignoring the film's unbelievable premise. But when Syd smuggled the virus out of the company's lab by getting himself infected, I lost interest in whatever was going on. "Antiviral" tries to depict a near-futuristic world that is bleak and captivating, but with its underdeveloped idea the result is simply pretentious and boring.

Caleb Landry Jones, better known for some movie fans as Sean Cassidy / Banshee of "X-Men: First Class" turns in a compelling...

Click to Editorial Reviews

Crop Circles: The Enigma

Terrible
This is bad. Don't bother. I watch a lot of stuff and this one is terribly put together, poor qualtiy. I want my money back!

Powerful
Silbury Hill has always been fascinating to me. This DVD covers the phenomenon at that site (among others), and covers it well--you almost feel as though you are there. I feel the power of that area just seeing the footage in this film. I cannot imaging visiting the site in person...the energy there must be overwhelming.

Worth my time...
If you are reading this review it might be because you are interested in the subject of Crop Circles. That being said, I think the time I invested in watching "The Enigma" was well spent. The information provided is interesting and thought provoking. If you are interested in learning all you can about the subject - I recommend you take the time to see it.

Click to Editorial Reviews

Mud

"Mud" could've been called "Ellis"
"Mud" (2012 release; 130 min.) is the newest film from writer-director Jeff Nichols, who just last year brought us the excellent "Take Shelter" thriller (starring Jessica Chastain). As the movie opens, we get to know two young boys, 14 yr. old Ellis (played by Tye Sheridan) and his best friend Neckbone (played by Jacob Lofland), in a small boat on the Mississippi river, on their way to an island where they have found something incredible: a boat that somehow ended up high in a tree. The boys think the boat is abandoned and want to make it their playground, only to find out that someone is living in the boat: Mud (played by Matthew McConaughey). Mud is a refuge of the law for killing a man who got involved with Mud's on-again, off-again girlfriend Juniper (played by Reese Witherspoon). Mud gains the trust of the boys and convinces them to assist him in getting the boat lowered from the tree. We also get to know Ellis' family, as his mom and dad are going through tough times and are...

Well-written, well-acted and very well directed!
MUD may be the best movie of 2013 through the end of April. I was thoroughly entertained and captivated from the opening moments until the final shot. The movie is so well crafted and acted. It grapples with resonant themes. This is a small movie that never feels small. It's as gripping as any blockbuster thriller...yet is told on a small, personal level.

It all starts with a great script by director Jeff Nichols (who also did the outstanding, but leisurely paced TAKE SHELTER). Nichols is telling a coming-of-age story...and that's about as worn-out an idea as you can think of. Yet even as portions of it feel as familiar as a Mark Twain novel...it's also never less than fresh and invigorating. Nichols has packed his script full of serious themes, yet he never forgets to tell a good story.

The story is set in Eastern Arkansas, right along the banks of the Mississippi. In fact, our hero is Ellis, lives in a houseboat right on the water. His parents (Sarah...

****1/2
Genre-wise I would say "Mud" is best described as a coming of age drama thriller. Matthew McConaughey sporting the most terrifying prosthetic dentures in film history outside of the horror genre, stars as the title character Mud. As good as he is in his role and as good as the other adult actors are, the film ultimately belongs to the young teen actors Tye Sheriden (The Tree of Life) and Jacob Lofland (film debut). I actually would love to see these boys get noticed come Oscar season but that isn't likely to happen.

Film Breakdown
After a flood in a small Arkansas town, two teenage boys discover a boat lodged in a tree in a wooded area near the river. They quickly discover that someone resides in the boat's cabin area. The boys soon find out that it is Mud living in the boat and that he is hiding out for reasons I won't say in this review. In no time road blocks are set up to try and find Mud, one of the boys lets Mud know of this development and that is when Mud...

Click to Editorial Reviews