Billy Baldwin

Pretty Woman (15th Anniversary Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

GREAT MOVIE
Best Romantic Comedy of All Time
already classic of Hollywood
An entertaining motion picture that had women calling out the delights of true love...
Just ok

Pretty Woman (15th Anniversary Special Edition)
Starring: Jason Alexander , Bill Applebaum , Hank Azaria , Judith Baldwin , and Ralph Bellamy
Manufacturer: Buena Vista Home Entertainment / Touchstone
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

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Dirty Dancing (Ultimate Edition)
Ghost (Special Collector's Edition)
My Best Friend's Wedding (Special Edition) [Region 99]
Notting Hill (Collector's Edition)
Sleepless in Seattle (10th Anniversary Edition) [Region 99]

ASIN: B00081U7HC
Release Date: 2005-08-30

Description

This 15th Anniversary celebration of PRETTY WOMAN is even more irresistible than ever with all-new, never-before-seen special features you'll love at first sight. Academy Award(R) Winner Julia Roberts (Best Actress, ERIN BROCKOVICH, 2000) is a spirited, streetwise diamond in the rough when she meets a no-nonsense billionaire played by Golden Globe winner Richard Gere (Best Actor In A Motion Picture -- Musical Or Comedy, CHICAGO, 2002). It's a chance encounter that turns a weeklong business arrangement into a timeless rags-to-riches romance. This Special Edition will seduce you with all the comedy, charm, and passion you remember about this classic -- plus more!

Customer Reviews:

GREAT MOVIE.......2007-05-13

GREAT CHICK FLICK, THE CINDERELLA STORY WITH RICHARD GERE, WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT??? -SMILE-

Best Romantic Comedy of All Time.......2007-03-18

This 15th Anniversary edition has some deleted scenes inserted into the movie that has had some "purists" howling, but for me, I think it adds a new dimension to the relationship between Edward and Vivian. Aside from that the commentary from Garry Marshall was fun (of course, hearing from Julia Roberts and Richard Gere would have been great, but whatever). The wrap party is a joke; they shouldn't have bothered inserting that. The "Pretty Woman Tour" which takes you to the actual places where the movie was filmed was also informative. But all that aside, it's about the movie and it is a movie that still seems fresh and original all these years later. It's well worth owning because this a is a movie that will surely get more than one viewing.

already classic of Hollywood.......2007-01-28

The film is about a wealthy businessman, (Richard Gere), who inadvertently meets a prostitute, (Julia Roberts).
He hires her not just for the night but as a companion for an entire week!

Typically, it's fantastically 'Chik Flik' because of the love story between the lead couple, within the film. And yes, it obviously has a smushy romantic ending that makes every girl's heart melt :)
But I found that this film isn't your average light-hearted Rom-Com, purely because, when dealing with the subject of a prostitute, it would be hard to make it all sunshine and smiles...

I liked the fact that I found this film 'intelligent'. They look at some of the prejudices that Julia Roberts' young character would encounter.
(Please note this was also picked up on in my school and clips of the film were shown to us while we were studying prejudice and discrimination!)

As expected from such seasoned and successful actors, both lead characters are convincing and extremely likeable in their roles. Support actors are also well-played.

I have just one final comment and that is, my boyfriend is generally not a fan of the 'Chik Flik' genre- didn't like Dirty Dancing and Love Actually didn't rock his world- but he has commented on several occasions on how much he enjoyed watching this...
And that just says it all!!

An entertaining motion picture that had women calling out the delights of true love..........2007-01-11

"This is Hollywood where people come to fulfill their dreams! Some dreams come true and some don't! Believe in your dreams!"

While visiting Los Angeles for a week, Edward Lewis borrows his friend's car and gets lost on Hollywood Boulevard... He asks a hooker for directions... She proposes to help him for 5 dollars... For $20, she accepted to show him where the stars live...

Edward invites her to join him in his hotel suite, but not for sex...

Enjoying her company, he offers her to be his 'date' for a series of business activities including a strategic dinner and a pool match... Out of the 'bargain,' she gets $3,000 cash, a classier wardrobe and a visit to the opera...

All the characters of the film are convincing, original and sympathetic, feeling comfortable with each other... Director Gary Marshall did a great job...

Ideal for the role is Richard Gere... He plays Edward Lewis, the terrific rescuer who 'free' Vivian from the streets conducting her to his penthouse suite... He is handsome, charming and shy... 'Henry Higgins' at his best... But Edward is a millionaire... He buys companies that are in financial difficulty... He takes them apart and sells the pieces for more than he paid for the whole... "It's strictly business", he tells Vivian... "You and I are both such similar people. We both screw people for money."

Edward's only defect is that he hurts what he loves... He wins a certain imaginative power by how painful that treason is...

Julia Roberts plays Vivian Ward, an attractive and smart hooker with a heart of gold... She gives her character a great sense of humor, charming Edward with her honesty... She is intensely appealing and amusing, making women feel comfortable...

Into the snobbish clothing store, she delivers a great exit line, just devastating the saleswomen... he song is terrific as the scene... In the hotel lobby, she walks in a 'killer' red dress... She learns which fork to use in the formal dinner meeting, projecting an escargot through the air... At the opera she innocently asks: "Where's the band?"

There's more than a touch of Eliza Dolittle in her role, specially when she decides she wants more from Edward than money... She gets the perfect rescue scene with a limousine, a fire escape, a balcony, birds, music and red flowers...

Hector Elizondo turns a supporting role into more than that... He plays the formal, intolerant hotel manager... He takes an affection to his best customer's "niece" and trains her on which fork to use at a fancy dinner... His amusing performance as Edward's smooth competent hotel manager nearly shapes Roberts and Gere...

Ralph Bellamy is very good as the aging millionaire, creator of a small company Edward is trying to take to pieces...

Laura San Giacomo plays Vivian's pal roommate, her first role since she played the amorous sister in "sex, lies & videotape."

"Pretty Woman" is a contemporary Hollywood fairy tale, a sweet romantic comedy, an innocent 'love story' in the middle of self-interest and agreement... It remains as an entertaining motion picture that had women calling out the delights of true love...

Keep on dreaming!

Just ok.......2007-01-10

I got this version of the DVD because the original version is so much more expensive. The special features/scenes are nothing to be excited about.

Other people who reviewed this product were being ridiculous when they were trying to put this movie down because Julia Roberts plays a hooker? It's called a movie role! And after all, it all turns out for the best in the end. Whatever happened to just reviewing the actual product?

Average customer rating:

Usual Suspects
Definitely a DVD to Own - But Don't Read Any Plot Spoilers!
Violent yes but it blew me away!,
Good Blu-ray trans for a great movie
Who in the heck is Kaiser Soeza?

The Usual Suspects [Blu-ray]
Starring: Suzy Amis , Stephen Baldwin , Paul Bartel , Bill Bates , and Billy Bates
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

Action & Adventure | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video

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Mystery & Suspense | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

L.A. Confidential
Seven (New Line Platinum Series)
Memento (Widescreen Two-Disc Limited Edition) [Region 99]
Reservoir Dogs (15th Anniversary 2-Disc Special Edition)
American Beauty (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B00000F214
Release Date: 2007-02-13

Amazon.com essential video

Ever since this convoluted thriller dazzled audiences and critics in 1995 and won an Oscar for Christopher McQuarrie's twisting screenplay, The Usual Suspects has continued to divide movie lovers into opposite camps. While a lot of people take great pleasure from the movie's now-famous central mystery (namely, "Who is Keyser Söze?"), others aren't so easily impressed by a movie that's too enamored of its own cleverness to make much sense. After all, what are we to make of a final scene that renders the entire movie obsolete? Half the fun of The Usual Suspects is the debate it provokes and the sheer pleasure of watching its dynamic cast in action, led (or should we say, misled) by Oscar winner Kevin Spacey as the club-footed con man who recounts the saga of enigmatic Hungarian mobster Keyser Söze. Spacey's in a band of thieves that includes Gabriel Byrne, Stephen Baldwin, Kevin Pollak, and Benicio Del Toro, all gathered in a plot to steal a large shipment of cocaine. The story is told in flashback as a twisted plot being described by Spacey's character to an investigating detective (Chazz Palmintieri), and The Usual Suspects is enjoyable for the way it keeps the viewer guessing right up to its surprise ending. Whether that ending will enhance or extinguish the pleasure is up to each viewer to decide. Even if it ultimately makes little or no sense at all, this is a funny and fiendish thriller, guaranteed to entertain even its vocal detractors. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Winner of two 1995 Academy Awards(r), including Best Original Screenplay, this masterful, atmospheric film noir enraptured audiences with its complex and riveting storyline, gritty, tour-de-force performances (including an Oscar(r)-winning* turn by Kevin Spacey) and a climax that is truly deserving of the word stunning. Also starring Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri, Kevin Pollak and Pete Postlethwaite, this 'thoroughly engrossing film (HBO) is so gripping and diabolically clever (The Wall Street Journal) that it becomes a maze you'll be happy to get lost in (Los Angeles Times)! Held in an L.A. interrogation room, Verbal Kint attempts to convince the feds that the mythic crime lord not only exists, but was also responsible for drawinghim and his four partners into a multi-million dollar heist that ended with an explosion in San Pedro Harborleaving few survivors. But as Kint lures his interrogators into the incredible story of this crime lord's almost supernatural prowess, so too will you be mesmerized by a lore that is completely captivating from beginning to end! *1995: Supporting Actor

Customer Reviews:

Usual Suspects.......2007-05-13

Great Movie - Who is Kaiser Sosi? This where I became a real Kevin Spacey fan. This was his first Oscar winning role and he deserved it. The story is engrossing, and the climax terrific. If you haven't seen it, you won't guess what happens. I have never met anyone who has seen this film who didn't think it was terrific.

Definitely a DVD to Own - But Don't Read Any Plot Spoilers!.......2007-05-13

The Usual Suspects is a film noir movie set in modern times. I adore film noir movies, and one of the first things you learn about this genre is NOT TO READ PLOT DETAILS! I will not give away ANY plot details in this review. If you get even the inkling of what happens in the plot, it tends to make you "wait" through the entire movie for that particular twist or turn to happen. It is so much better to watch the movie all the way through the first time, plot unknown, to watch how it unfolds. That's what makes the film noir movies so great for watching and rewatching. The first time you see it, you are caught up in how the mystery elements are linked together and unraveled. In subsequent watchings, you know what the end game is, and you now enjoy all the clues and hints that are laid out for you along the way. Where most movies can get boring after a viewing or two, I've seen many of my film noir movies quite a large number of times.

The beauty of The Usual Suspects is the stellar cast involved - Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Benicio Del Toro, Kevin Pollak, Kevin Spacey, and many others. Every one of these actors does a fantastic job. There are so many quotes, so many specific lines of dialogue, so many tiny eye movements and looks that just bring incredible depth to this story. Again, I don't want to give away the details of the plot for you to "watch for". Once you've seen the movie, there will undoubtedly be moments that stand out for you. But don't stop there. Go back and watch it again. Suddenly you'll realize the meaning in the way someone looks at someone else - the way someone reacts to a specific line of dialogue. It's simply brilliant.

There are a number of heavily accented characters here which means the first time through you might not really realize what someone is saying. They do that on purpose. Those people *have* accented voices. It means you don't really understand what's going on in some scenes. Again, when you re-watch, you start to sink deeper into the environment. You realize what certain words mean. You realize the context of the situation. It is a multi-layered adventure and each time you take a look, something else unfolds for you.

Definitely recommended for owning. This isn't a one-time-watch film. It's something you see multiple times, share with family and friends, and then discuss afterwards. Highly recommended!

Violent yes but it blew me away!,.......2007-05-11

I remember after watching Pulp Fiction, it became hard for me to find new films during those days that excited me. I mean "Pulp" was so unique and original that I was so stunned when I first watched it. I couldn't believe my eyes, it was funny, violent and it wasn't meaningless either because at the end of each story there is a message of redemption. Now it brings me to "Usual Suspects." I didn't really know what to expect when I first watched it because it looked like it was going to be some prison movie. But I was wrong. The plot just kept twisting and turning which kept me on the edge of my seat. It was suspenseful and mysterious, the whole bit with Keyser Soze, it's gold! And the ending is what made this movie. The film truly has THE BEST ENDING in any movie ever made. I'm not gonna ruin it for those who haven't seen it.

So I desperately urge all of you who haven't seen it to go out to either rent it or buy it. Buying it is good because this one is a keeper; I have a copy of it myself. It's always fun to watch it with someone who hasn't seen it just to see their reaction. And of course, great performances on behalf of Kevin Spacey (who's career skyrocketed after his role as Verbal Kint) and Benicio Del Toro (whose talent was recognized after his useless role as Fenster where he basically took a guy who only had like two lines in the whole movie and actually was able to turn him into a character that people care about after watching it.

Good Blu-ray trans for a great movie.......2007-04-30

This movie's resolution on Blu-ray is fantastic in most sceens. There will be a few that look a bit grainy, but over all it's very nice for being a older movie produced before HD became common.

It's just a bit weak in extra features on Blu-ray and a bit pricy.

Who in the heck is Kaiser Soeza?.......2007-04-08

If you like complex, action filled films with a mystery element that keeps you guessing, this is definitely your film. Perfect? No--that title for me goes to the film where this film's title came from, "Casablanca."

Average customer rating:

The easy life
CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN DVD
One of the greatest ever
Cheaper by the Dozen (old version)
Oldie but Goodie

Cheaper By the Dozen
Starring: Clifton Webb , Jeanne Crain , Myrna Loy , Betty Lynn , and Edgar Buchanan
Director: Walter Lang
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Belles on Their Toes
Yours, Mine and Ours
William Powell: Life With Father (Unrated)
I Remember Mama
With Six You Get Eggroll

ASIN: B00013RCAM
Release Date: 2004-03-16

Amazon.com essential video

Though it's impossible to gauge just how much of it is true, this endearing family comedy (based on the book by their children Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey) is inspired by the true story of the husband-and-wife efficiency experts Frank and Lillian Gilbreth and their adventures raising 12 kids at the turn of the century. Director Walter Lang takes a loping pace through the episodes of family life: the kids descend upon the new school in force while Dad (fussy Clifton Webb) offers his unsolicited views on education; Dad takes his oldest daughter (wholesome Jeanne Crain) to the school dance and becomes the hit of the ball; a mass tonsillectomy becomes an opportunity to document the ordeal as an experiment in efficiency. Myrna Loy almost steals the film in her one standout scene, holding back a smirk while a birth-control advocate (played by Mildred Natwick) solicits this mother of 12 to speak at a rally, but her martini-dry comic deadpan is criminally underused in this picture, which is dominated by Webb's stern, military-like parenting and Crain's adolescent crises. Though this sometimes overly sentimental classic never builds to any real dramatic plateau or comic highlights, it maintains an even tone of good humor and warmth throughout, capturing a bygone era through the travails of a loving family. A charming sequel, Belles on Their Toes, followed two years later. --Sean Axmaker

Description

This colorful depiction of life in a family of 12 children stars Clifton Webb as Frank Bunker Gilbreth, an eccentric father who prides himself on some truly unorthodox child-rearing methods. Based on the bestseller by two children of the real Mr. Gilbreth, this charming film co-starring Myrna Loy is "alive with big laughs" (Los Angeles Times). Narrated by the oldest daughter (Jeanne Crain), the story follows a series of family crises over the years: from how the children over-whelmed their new school's administration office, to the time they threw a hospital into chaos when they arrived for a mass tonsillectomy. There's even a memorable encounter with a birth control advocate. Simultaneously hilarious and sentimental, "Cheaper by the Dozen is a family comedy in the truest sense.

Customer Reviews:

The easy life.......2007-05-24

It is great to see a family from the past and see the problems of that day in time. Children that behave. and love for one another. pat

CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN DVD.......2007-05-14

The dvd was in excellent condition. I have seen this movie before and I wanted to add to my collection of movies based on true stories. I enjoy comedies as well as movies based on true stories. I would recommend this movie over the ones with Steve Martin.

One of the greatest ever.......2007-05-07

I saw this as a movie when I was a younger girl. It left such a great feeling I have never forgotten it. Then I was so glad to see I could get it in DVD form. Since receiving it I have watched it numerous times. With a storyline like this one it is such a treat to escape the real stresses of the day. It makes for alot of laughter and warm feeling in the heart. Since I come from a large family it brought back alot of memories. All of them happy ones. I also purchased Belles On Their Toes, the sequel. It was just as entertaining and touching. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to feel good about life.

Cheaper by the Dozen (old version).......2007-01-16

Wouldn't watch the new movie, love the old one.

Oldie but Goodie.......2007-01-14

I purchased this to show my industrial engineering students - they hadn't heard of it and the Galbreaths are the founding father/mother of industrial engineering ... also should see the sequel Bells on their Toes

Average customer rating:

Both a Classic and a Beginning
Movie of the Year in 1976 - The Best of the Rocky Movies
Cut me, Mick.
"Rocky" still goes the distance
Best Picture 1976

Rocky
Starring: Bill Baldwin , Simmy Bow , Tony Burton , DeForest Covan , and Thayer David
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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Rocky II
Rocky III
Rocky IV
Rocky V
Hoosiers

ASIN: B0006GAO5Y
Release Date: 2005-02-08

Amazon.com

The only remaining evidence that Sylvester Stallone might have had a respectable career, this 1976 Oscar winner (for Best Picture, Director, and Editing) is still the quintessential ode to an underdog and one of the best boxing movies ever made. After writing the script about a two-bit boxer who gets a "million-to-one shot" against the world heavyweight champion, Stallone insisted that he star in the title role, and his equally unknown status helped to catapult him (and this rousing film) to overnight success. The story is familiar, but it has been handled with such vitality and emotional honesty that you can't help but leap and cheer for Rocky Balboa, the chump turned champ (despite his valiant defeat in the ring) who stuns the boxing world with the support of his timid girlfriend, Adrian (Talia Shire), and grizzled trainer, Gus (Burgess Meredith). Oscar nominations went to all the lead actors (including Burt Young as Adrian's hot-tempered brother), but four sequels could never top the universal appeal of this low-budget crowd pleaser. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Nominated* for 10 Academy AwardsÂ(r) and winner for Best Picture, it's the film that inspired a nation! Audiences and critics alike cheered this American success story of an "everyman" triumphing over all odds. Featuring a dynamic musical score, a thrilling fight sequence and four OscarÂ(r) - nominated* performances, this rousing crowd-pleaser will send spirits soaring. Fighting for love, glory and self-respect, RockyÂ(r) scores an exultant knockout! Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) is a Philadelphia club fighter who seems to be going nowhere. But whena stroke of fate puts him in the ring with a world heavyweight champion, Rocky knows that it's his one shot at the big time - a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go the distance and come out a winner! *1976: Actor (Stallone), Actress (Talia Shire), Supporting Actor (Burgess Meredith, Burt Young), Director (won), Original Screenplay, Original Song, Editing (won), Sound

Customer Reviews:

Both a Classic and a Beginning.......2007-02-14

This is one of the rare movies that could have stood well on its own, but ended up being just the beginning to a number of impressive sequels. Generally speaking, I don't like Hollywood heroes. But this is one exception. It works because Rocky is very human and real. (Granted, a great deal of the credit probably belongs to Director John Avildsen who has a real talent for artistic beauty and realism. For that matter, I consider him second only to Directors John Badham and Franco Zeffirelli.) Moving to the subject at hand, the story focuses on a down on his luck everyman. (Namely Rocky) The opening scene is effective as Rocky takes part in a brutal club boxing match. He gets injured for $65, and right away he can only pocket about $43. (due to club fees). We later learn that he works as an enforcer for a loan shark named Tony Gazzo. But interestingly, he reveals his human side when against Gazzo's directions, he refuses to break a late payer's thumb. Moving on, Rocky has his eyes on his friend Paul's sister Adrian. It is interesting that instead of showing herself to be the beauty queen she is, Talia Shire makes Adrian appear less than perfect. (Almost geeky.) This actually works in making the very human Rocky attracted to a very human woman. She is notably reluctant and shy, and Rocky wins her affection by being kind to her. (Not using wicked seduction techniques that Hollywood often glorifies.) The scene where he takes her skating and tells her about himself is a scene of artistic beauty. Later, the current boxing champ Apollo Creed runs into some hard luck. His big fight has been called off because the top contender had a medical problem. The clever Apollo Creed rather than cancelling the match, decides to give a 'local underdog' a chance for the world title. (Guess who gets the chance.) While the movie leads us into cheering for Rocky, we really have no legitimate reason to dislike Apollo Creed. Moving on, Rocky's to be trainer Mick didn't like Rocky because he did work for Tony Gazzo. But Rocky and Mick put aside their differences (after a moment of emotional outbursts). It is interesting that as the movie goes on, Rocky's former boss Gazzo starts to show some redeeming qualities. (Perhaps John Avildsen was trying to show that good will is contagious.) After some beautifully filmed training sequences, Rocky realizes that while he will certainly make the most of his opportunity, it's somewhat absurd to think that he will actually beat Apollo Creed in the ring. But that's alright with him. While we live in a society and age that doesn't look well on 2nd best, Rocky points out that winning isn't so important. What IS important is doing your best! Adults often teach that to children but don't seem to believe it themselves! The final fight between Apollo and Rocky is done surprisingly artfully without being overly brutal. If you like this movie, the sequels for the most part are really impressive. Part 2 starts just where Part 1 left off. 2 remains one of my favorites; chapter 3 gives a surprisingly well done story in that Rocky wins the approval of the former champ; I didn't really like chapter 4 much, but one could argue that it has the interesting theme of technology versus the human spirit; chapter 5 focuses on deception, and remains one of my favorites. (I understand 5 was not so popular. But then Rocky realized that going the distance, even against the odds, was the important thing. So, against the odds, I'll hold to my opinion that Part 5 is one of the best.)

Movie of the Year in 1976 - The Best of the Rocky Movies.......2007-01-03

The original "Rocky", released in 1976, is without a doubt the best of the series of six Rocky movies. It won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1976, and fully lives up to its billing.

Sylvester Stallone wrote the script to this inspiring movie based on the Muhummad Ali - Chuck Wepner fight in 1975, where the unknown and out-matched Wepner dropped Ali, and then went 15 rounds with the Champ. Instead of seeing another boring boxing mismatch as most reporters and fight-fans did, Stallone was instead inspired by the doggged determination of Wepner, the knockdown of Ali, and Wepner's 15 rounds of fame. After seeing the fight in person (he was working security in the sports arena), Stallone holed himself up in his apartment and feverishly wrote the script to "Rocky". Many rerwrites later, Stallone presented the script to a production company and they liked it so much, they offered Stallone up to $330,000 dollars for the script. But there was one catch, Stallone wanted to star as "Rocky" in the film. Not wanting to chance the production on an unknown like Stallone, MGM had its eyes on Ryan O'Neal or Burt Reynolds as the star. Despite being financially impoverished, Stallone so believed that this was his one and only shot at getting into the movie business, he turned down the money. MGM liked the script too much to let it go, so they reluctantly accepted Stallone's terms, and work began on the low-budget movie.

Although inspired by Chuck Wepner, Stallone's Rocky was not based on Wepner's personality or life. Rocky is a rough, tough, street-wise character who works for a loan shark breaking people's thumbs when they don't pay up on time. Yet beneath that rough rocky exterior exists a soft-hearted gem-of-a-man just waiting to be discovered and inspired. Rocky finds his inspiration in his sweet, innocent, and pure love for his girlfriend Adrian (Talia Shire), and also in his trainer, Mickey (Burgess Meredith).

You all know the plot, the amateurish Philadelphia club fighter, Rocky Balboa, gets picked by chance to fight the reigning heavyweight boxing champion, Apollo Creed. Creed is clearly a Muhummad Ali character, played to absolute perfection by another unknown - Carl Weathers. Rocky knows he has no chance to win as he is clearly outmatched ability-wise. Instead, he sets as his goal "to go the distance" (15 rounds), for no one has ever gone the distance with Creed. If he can survive 15 brutal rounds with Creed, then Rocky won't be "just another bum from the neighborhood".

The musical score by Bill Conti is tremendous. The score matches the emotional tone of the movie perfectly. It will have you hurting with every step as Rocky starts his training run at 4 AM, cheering with raised goosebumps during the training scenes with Mickey, and will have you on the edge of your seat with anticipation during the fight with Creed. (You will want to own this soundtrack!)

The casting is perfect. Stallone makes the perfect Rocky Balboa, Shire is wonderful as shy Adrian, who goes through a visual and esteem transformation throughout the movie, and Meredith is the hard-nosed Mick, who transforms the rock of a fighter into a polished gem. Rounding out the cast is Weathers, who is a fantastic "Ali", and Burt Young, who poses perfectly as Adrian's troubled and emotionally abusive brother Paulie.

Don't think of this film as a boxing movie; it is so much more than that. It's a tender love story, a story of a man finding purpose and meaning to his life, and it's an inspiration to all of us who have ever aspired to be more than we can be.

Rocky is a 5-star Academy Award winning movie, and if by chance you have not seen it yet, it is a must-see. If you watched it long ago, it is so good, it is worth another look. I guarantee you will be inspired, excited, and thoroughly thrilled with "Rocky". The movie was a million-to-one shot in 1976, and no one, including MGM, thought they were producing a classic. How wonderful to know that miracles still happen.

Jim "Konedog" Koenig

p.s. Great trivia question for the Rocky fan in your life: What is Mickey's last name??? (Goldmill).

Cut me, Mick. .......2006-12-24

"Rocky" is about a man. It is the story of a man who exceeds past all normal expectations and makes the most out of what he is doing. What is he doing? Boxing. Why? As Rocky says in the film, "You have to be a moron to want to box."

Rocky is played by Sylvester Stallone, whose only other film before "Rocky" was "Weekend at Kitty and Stud's," and, as you can probably guess by the title, it was an X-rated movie. But Stallone gives just about the best performance of his career here. Before he started getting into recycled action movies and unfunny comedies, the man had talent, as seen shining through in "Rocky." Somewhere along the way he lost that talent, but it's pretty evident that he had it at one time.

Stallone wrote the script, which is about a down-on-his-luck Philadelphia man named Rocky Balboa. Rocky is your average tough-guy you see walking down the street, but this film takes a closer look INTO the guy walking past you, and not AT the guy walking past you.

He lives in a beat-up, old apartment, infested with roaches, and he barely makes enough money to support himself. His job? Rocky retrieves money for loan sharks. His real job, however, is to break the loaners' thumbs if they don't pay up. He's a muscle man.

After he returns from his "job" every day, he takes time to do what he has been doing for the past six years, which is boxing. Then, after that, he takes a trip to the local pet store to see the love of his life, Adrian, who works there. He constantly tries to impress her and talk to her, but she is shy and literally does not talk much throughout the entire film.

But things change for Rocky after heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) decides that he wants to make a big performance on the 4th of July. He wants to appear nice by letting a regular Joe Schmoe fight him in the ring. All for show, of course. As he is looking through a book of local boxers, he points his finger at the letters THE Italian STALLION, a.k.a. Rocky. He says that fighting an Italian is perfect. "An Italian found America," Creed says. If he fights an Italian-American on the 4th of July, it will be symbolic and will also make Creed look good.

But Rocky doesn't realize this is all for show. When he receives word that Apollo Creed wishes to fight him in the ring, Rocky begins to train long and hard with Burgess Meredith, which results in the famous scene where Rocky runs up an entry of stairs in Philly with the music "Gonna Fly Now" playing in the background. This scene is spoofed by films world-wide, and it's one of the cornerstones in film history. You will see it all the time. It's just one of those film moments that are marked down in history.

The most entertaining thing about "Rocky" is how innocent Sylvester Stallone comes across in his role as Rocky. You feel for him when he is trying to impress Adrian and she shrugs him off. The scene where her brother invites Rocky over, and Rocky keeps saying, "Are you sure she knows I'm coming?" is a sign of how the guy has been put down. And then when she comes over to his apartment, he acts nice and talks to her. He's not trying any moves on her. He just enjoys being with her. Rocky is a bit of an idiot, as he himself admits, but he's a sweet idiot.

And the end, when Rocky fights Apollo Creed, is amazing. A nobody who actually stands a chance against the heavyweight champion of the world. Creed and Rocky are being battered by each other. Creed goes into the opposite corner as Rocky, and one of Creed's managers says, "This guy thinks this thing is for real -- knock him out!" You feel sorry for Rocky there, because he is giving the fight all he's got, when it was just a publicity stunt from the beginning, but he didn't even realize it.

Things like that are what make "Rocky" what it has become over the years. It is a great film, and it has many classic moments that you will see spoofed in films all the time. You should probably see it just for that fact.

But the truth is, if you take away all the underlying intricacies, "Rocky" is just the story of a simple guy who gets a chance to do something amazing, and he gives it all he's got. I think we've all gone through something like that before, and if so, you will be able to identify with "Rocky" all the more.

"Rocky" still goes the distance.......2006-11-01

It was fun to revisit "Rocky" after many years. As a Philadelphian, I always hear "Rocky this" or "Rocky that" when talking about the city to visitors or folks out of town, but I hadn't actually seen the movie for quite a while. Happily, it still remains quite a film... subtle yet crowd-pleasing, complex yet supremely entertaining. And the small touches are as great as I remembered: the ice rink employee yelling out the minutes Rocky has left to skate with Adrian; the loan shark Rocky works for, who's actually almost as sensitive and nice as Rocky; Rocky's turtles Cuff and Link, etc., etc. In the end, the original "Rocky" is, I think, up there with the better works of Francis Ford Coppola: it has mood, intense visual details, and characters faced with some major decision-making about their futures and where they want to go. "Rocky" is still a winner.

Best Picture 1976.......2006-10-20

Rocky is an excellent movie with a mediocre series that, while cash ins, surve to fully realize the potential of a superstar like Stallone and the charisma he has and the charisma with realistic on screen characters like Rocky. Rocky is the story of Rocky Balboa, a second rate, 2 bit boxer from Philadelphia who goes the distance when he gets that one a million shot against champion Apollo Creed, a Muhammed Ali style flambouyant boxer. The stubborn, street smart Rocky doesn't realize he's just a fill in for the show against chamoion Apollo Creed; all ranked contenders were out of action and Creed and company give Ricky the shot because he had a goiod gimmick- Creed versus The Italian Stallion on inpendxcence day. Rocky also falls in love with Adrain, a hoimely 30 old woman who works at a store. Also featured is her brother Paully and Mick, Rocky's crusty trainer. The ending is classic, when Rocky goes the distance, not being knocked out by Creed and yells Adrian over and over again as his face is covered in blood and bruises, as is Creed's face. No movie fan should miss Rocky, the upbeat, super realistic story of a two bit boxer who gets that one in a million shot against the champion on independence day.

Average customer rating:

Another Great Wilder Classic
Stalag 17 Directors Cut Version
Stalag 17
TorpanInternational
Classic

Stalag 17 (Special Collector's Edition)
Starring: William Holden , Don Taylor , Otto Preminger , Robert Strauss , and Harvey Lembeck
Director: Billy Wilder
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Mister Roberts
The Great Escape
The Bridge on the River Kwai [Region 99]
Von Ryan's Express (Special Edition)
The Dirty Dozen (Two-Disc Special Edition)

ASIN: B000CNESN0
Release Date: 2006-03-21

Amazon.com essential video

Black comedy and suspenseful action inside a German POW camp during World War II--a setting that was later borrowed for the TV sitcom Hogan's Heroes. The great director Billy Wilder adapted the hit stage play, applying his own wicked sense of humor to the apparently bleak subject matter. William Holden plays an antisocial grouse amid a gang of wisecracking though indomitable American prisoners. Because of his bitter cynicism, Holden is suspected by the others of being an informer to the Germans, an accusation he must deal with in his own crafty way. Holden, who had delivered a brilliant performance for Wilder in Sunset Boulevard, won the 1953 Best Actor Oscar for Stalag 17. Very much his equal, however, is Otto Preminger, an accomplished director himself, who plays the strict, sneering camp commandant. --Robert Horton

Product Description

Two worthy Academy Award® nominees from 1950's Sunset Boulevard - actor William Holden and director Billy Wilder - reteamed three years later for the gripping World War II drama, Stalag 17. The result was another Best Director nomination for Wilder (his fourth), and the elusive Best Actor Oscar® for Holden. Holden portrays the jaded, scheming Sergeant J.J. Sefton, a prisoner at the notorious German prison camp, who spends his days dreaming up rackets and trading with the Germans for special privileges. But when two prisoners are killed in an escape attempt, it becomes obvious that there is a spy among the prisoners. Is it Sefton? Famed producer/director Otto Preminger tackles a rare acting role as the camp's commandant; actor Robert Strauss won a Supporting Actor nomination for his role as "Animal." Here's Wilder's powerful, acclaimed film classic -- now packed with never-before-seen special features, including audio commentary and "behind-the-scenes" featurettes.

Customer Reviews:

Another Great Wilder Classic.......2007-06-05

It's amazing how many great films Mr. Wilder made along his career. I'm more fond of his true comedies, sad comedies at times, romantic to the max, but his incursions into more serious themes leave also the mark of genius. From the very first scene one has pretty clear the idea that 'this one is art cinema'. His dexterity at finding the right pace and combining the subtle, but precise, ingredients to captivate his audience for 2 hours is such that very few film directors ever had. Such naturality.

He combines a dramatic setting and subject with cartoonish characters, and Hitchcockian suspense. The music is excellent, the photography is great. And this is one of his minor films. Imagine how great are his other masterpieces!

Stalag 17 Directors Cut Version.......2007-03-20

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fast Shipping!!!!!!!!!!!

Product as described!!!!!!!!!!!!

Outstanding Buyer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stalag 17.......2007-03-20

I loved this movie. I have seen it several times. I had a vcr of it and watched it many times.

TorpanInternational.......2007-03-15

Wiliam Holdern gives a medioca performance in a medioca film---he got a Academy Award for this---no wonder he thought hed get it for something else.

It just got 3 stars from me..just!

Classic.......2007-02-17

This was my first buys off of amazon, i was quite happy about the way i received it. and how quick it was. this was in exilent conditions and i was really happy.

Average customer rating:

One's Too Many and a Hundred's Not Enough
LOVE IT!
A Very Powerful Film by the Great Billy Wilder and Performed Masterfully by Oscar Winner Ray Milland
"Talent, ambition. That's dead long ago. That's drowned. That's drifting around in the bloated belly of a lake of alcohol."
The Lost Weekend

The Lost Weekend
Starring: Ray Milland , Jane Wyman , Phillip Terry , Howard Da Silva , and Doris Dowling
Director: Billy Wilder
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Days of Wine and Roses
My Name Is Bill W
Clean and Sober
Marty
Drunks

ASIN: B0000549B1
Release Date: 2001-02-06

Product Description

The Best Picture of 1945 has lost none of its bite or power in this uncompromising look at the devastating effects of alcoholism. Ironically, this brilliant Billy Wilder film was almost never released because of poor reaction by preview audiences unaccustomed to such stark realism from Hollywood, but the film has since gone on to be regarded as one of the all-time great dramas in movie history.Ray Milland's haunting portrayal of a would-be writer's dissatisfaction with his life leads him on a self-destructive three-day binge. Filled with riveting imagery, the multiple Academy Award-winner offers an unforgettable view of life on the edge.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com essential video

"I'm not a drinker--I'm a drunk." These words, and the serious message behind them, were still potent enough in 1945 to shock audiences flocking to The Lost Weekend. The speaker is Don Birnam (Ray Milland), a handsome, talented, articulate alcoholic. The writing team of producer Charles Brackett and director Billy Wilder pull no punches in their depiction of Birnam's massive weekend bender, a tailspin that finds him reeling from his favorite watering hole to Bellevue Hospital. Location shooting in New York helps the street-level atmosphere, especially a sequence in which Birnam, a budding writer, tries to hock his typewriter for booze money. He desperately staggers past shuttered storefronts--it's Yom Kippur, and the pawnshops are closed. Milland, previously known as a lightweight leading man (he'd starred in Wilder's hilarious The Major and the Minor three years earlier), burrows convincingly under the skin of the character, whether waxing poetic about the escape of drinking or screaming his lungs out in the D.T.'s sequence. Wilder, having just made the ultra-noir Double Indemnity, brought a new kind of frankness and darkness to Hollywood's treatment of a social problem. At first the film may have seemed too bold; Paramount Pictures nearly killed the release of the picture after it tested poorly with preview audiences. But once in release, The Lost Weekend became a substantial hit, and won four Oscars: for picture, director, screenplay, and actor. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

One's Too Many and a Hundred's Not Enough.......2007-05-21

As with all the great products on Amazon, the spotlight reviews have just about covered everything that should impel one to watch this fine film. I should only like to resonate and emphasize those points.

At its core, The Lost Weekend is a didactic movie that tries to show all the degenerative aspects of alcoholism, with a self-conscious sense of unflinching character. Of course, by now there are plenty of films--both fictional and documentaries--that take on the same goal. The beauty of this one, and the reason for watching it, is in the approach the director takes to relate the message.

To make sure we sympathize with Don Birnam, rather than see him as a doomed sod of a separate class from us, the director employs the film noir style. Don is not a bum or a wife-beater, but an intelligent, witty fellow, with his own quirks (like constantly putting a cigarette the wrong way in) who is driven to drink by the weight of his ambitions--a typical film noir presentation of an essentially decent man corrupted by a wrong decision. As his vice starts to dominate and he tumbles into the abyss, his surroundings reflect the change by moving from the bright cheeriness of an opera or the prospect of a relaxing weekend in the countryside to the dark and seedy halfway ward of the hospital. Here, too, the film noir technique of stark lighting contrasts and dominating shadows play an effective role. Ultimately, as Don reaches rock bottom, he intends to find redemption one way or another, although the ending picks, somewhat superficially, the cheerier of the alternatives.

The reason for watching this movie, then, is not the plot necessarily--even by watching the trailer, you should find out it will focus entirely on a man's spiritual dissolution--but for the empathy it aptly evokes. Don is fully fleshed out, is portrayed as a convincing representation of even the most good-natured person in the audience, and the result is that the viewer feels the heartfelt pangs of withdrawal almost as much as Don himself.

Whoever wants to see superb manipulation of lighting and character development, in other words, need look no further than this noir classic. Everything that needs to support these things is present--a great director, fantastic acting, memorable writing (a quote of which is the title for this review), all these are present. The only thing it lacks is consistency with the ending, but even that is handled so eloquently that you won't walk away with disappointment.

As a side note, since this is a review for the whole product, the DVD has nice video quality, though some of the very dark scenes do show signs of "static." The features include only the trailer, and images of production notes and actor/production team biographies. Though lacking in all, at least the production notes are very pithy.

LOVE IT!.......2007-02-07

Being a man in recovery, I was really pleased by this performance by Ray Milland. Very real. The scheming and the hiding of the booze in his apartment. He deserved his Oscar!
By the way, was he Bryan Ferry's Dad? Ha Ha Ha!

A Very Powerful Film by the Great Billy Wilder and Performed Masterfully by Oscar Winner Ray Milland.......2007-02-04

The first time I saw "The Lost Weekend" was about a year ago on TCM and in my own opinion, it was a excellent film. Billy Wilder, who had just done "Double Indemnity", does not miss a step. Ray Milland's performance as Don Birnam, who was chosen as the star, after several of Hollywood's box office draws had turned it down, was perfect for the part and most deservedly won the Oscar. Jane Wyman was perfect as Don's girlfriend, Helen St. James, who stuck by Don no matter what the outcome. There was also the support of Philip Terry, Howard DaSilva and Doris Downing, who helped to add to the film as well.

While the ending may seem a bit rosy in some regards, any other way in which the film would have ended, possibly with Don committing suicide would have violated the Production Code, which still was prevalent during the 1940's. Also, to take into consideration of World War II coming to an end when the film was made, a rosy ending would probably help to bring a little bit of optimism after years of fighting and bloodshed. That's just what I have surmised from this.

Anyways, excellent film and performances. This film is highly recommended and should not be missed!!

"Talent, ambition. That's dead long ago. That's drowned. That's drifting around in the bloated belly of a lake of alcohol.".......2006-11-24

Billy Wilder pulls no punches in showing the horrors of alcoholism in "The Lost Weekend." So ahead of its time was this film upon its original release that it still holds up pretty well to modern sensibilities.

Writer Don Birnam (Ray Milland) is an alcoholic. Both his brother, Wick (Phillip Terry), and his girlfriend, Helen St. James (Jane Wyman), have tried to get him to sober up. Don is making progress but he gives into his demons once more during one harrowing weekend. During this time, Don lies, steals, and does whatever he can to get his hands on booze and more booze. After staying at the drunk ward of a hospital and experiencing a series of terrifying hallucinations, his journey enters even darker territory when he contemplates ending his life

Wilder's unwavering direction coupled with Milland's remarkable performance gives "The Lost Weekend" a dramatic power that disturbs and frightens. The scenes in the film are so well staged that they attain a heightened sense of realism that is impressive for a non-documentary. The only problem with "The Lost Weekend" is an ending that feels a little too neat and tidy. Specifically, Don's final proclamation has a dubious ring to it. Wilder undoubtedly wanted to end his film on a hopeful note but the ending just feels awkward. Yet, even though "The Lost Weekend" ends oddly, its depiction of one man's total meltdown remains a powerful viewing experience to this very day.

The Lost Weekend.......2006-11-08

This movie has stood the test of time and I haven't seen a more realistic and horrifying film about alcoholism. The book was even more graphic so when the film makers ended the movie with just a glimmer of hope, I was relieved and I think that the "Hollywood" ending was appropriate for once. But be warned, this movie will haunt you.

Average customer rating:

Rocky Is Still A Knockout!
Andrian !
Going tru the same things
ROCKY - 1080P glory with none of the extras...
We forget...

Rocky [Blu-ray]
Starring: Bill Baldwin , Simmy Bow , Tony Burton , DeForest Covan , and Thayer David
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

General | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video

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Casino Royale [Blu-ray]
Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl [Blu-ray]
Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest [Blu-ray]
Pearl Harbor [Blu-ray]
Rocky Balboa [Region 99]

ASIN: B000JSI7DK
Release Date: 2006-12-05

Amazon.com

The only remaining evidence that Sylvester Stallone might have had a respectable career, this 1976 Oscar® winner (for Best Picture, Director, and Editing) is still the quintessential ode to an underdog and one of the best boxing movies ever made. After writing the script about a two-bit boxer who gets a "million-to-one shot" against the world heavyweight champion, Stallone insisted that he star in the title role, and his equally unknown status helped to catapult him (and this rousing film) to overnight success. The story is familiar, but it's handled with such vitality and emotional honesty that you can't help but leap and cheer for Rocky Balboa, the chump-turned-champ who stuns the boxing world with the support of his timid girlfriend Adrian (Talia Shire) and grizzled trainer Gus (Burgess Meredith). Oscar nominations went to all the lead actors (including Burt Young as Adrian's hot-tempered brother), but four sequels could never top the universal appeal of this low-budget crowd pleaser. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Nominated* for 10 Academy Awards(r) and winner for Best Picture, it's the film that inspired a nation! Audiences and critics alike cheered this American success story of an "everyman" triumphing over all odds. Featuring a dynamic musical score, a thrilling fight sequence and four Oscar(r) - nominated* performances, this rousing crowd-pleaser will send spirits soaring. Fighting for love, glory and self-respect, Rocky(r) scores an exultant knockout! Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) is a Philadelphia club fighter who seems to be going nowhere. But whena stroke of fate puts him in the ring with a world heavyweight champion, Rocky knows that it's his one shot at the big time - a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go the distance and come out a winner! *1976: Actor (Stallone), Actress (Talia Shire), Supporting Actor (Burgess Meredith, Burt Young), Director (won), Original Screenplay, Original Song, Editing (won), Sound

Customer Reviews:

Rocky Is Still A Knockout!.......2007-06-14

Sylvester Stallone's best work! A movie that was up for awards! Great story, great characters, great acting, great buildup to the end fight, and just an all around great drama movie! A must own for any great movie lover's collection!

Andrian !.......2007-01-22

This movie was a colt classic when it came out in 1976. It spawned five sequels in, a little over 30 year. A word of warning this movie has some mild language, mild violence and a couple midl disgusting parts like when Rocky drinks the five egg yokes uncooked. Rocky is a young little now boxer who's struggling to make a living. He's fate when he is given a rare chance. This thirty year old 180 pound man gets a chance to go up against the heavy wait champion a 30 year old 225 pound young buff black man Appolo Creed. This movie may not have a ton of actions but it makes up with it's beautiful potrayed characters and thrilling musical score. This is a movie that will inspire the most discouraged of all people. Will rockies training pay off can he do what no fighter has ever been able to do. Find out in the thrilling conclusion to this 1976 classic film.

Going tru the same things.......2007-01-02

Whats the meaning of buying the Blu ray if there are no extras, especially for older movies.
The same old marketing trick is on again. They will first publish plain movies (again) on BD, then they will publish director cuts, then collectors editions, then special editions etc. etc.
I will not buy any BDs just because they are plain BD copies. Consumers should demand more content in BDs.

ROCKY - 1080P glory with none of the extras..........2006-12-09

One of the only films in my top ten list that seems to get better every time I see it. Rocky Balboa is one of the most charming down on his luck loser's the cinema has ever seen. The film sweeps a range of emotions from hope where it was all but gone to chill you to the bone despair. A film of loneliness, surrender and ultimately redemption. Just re-watched the scene where Mickey comes to ask Rocky if he can manage him. The fear in the sub-text and in Rocky's eyes is so tragic and beautiful. I still get caught up in it after dozens of viewings. Just amazing.

Movie 5.0 out 5.0 stars

Blu-ray details

The picture quality is stellar, grainy and wonderful. There are some inconsistencies in the shadows during the fight and of course a large color shift when they cut to stock footage of the audience, but most if not all of these artifacts are probably from the original release. The sound is tinny here and there and over modulates once in a while, again I think this probably due to the original sound track being 30 years old but it is distracting on occasion.

The biggest disappointment is the lack of extras. MGM simultaneously released a collector's edition 2 disc DVD of ROCKY with commentary from Stallone and hours of behind the scenes and documentaries on the film. Unfortunately none of these are on the Blu-ray edition. The only extra is the original theatrical trailer. Quite a disappointment and although the picture is great, I would have opted for the DVD if I knew ahead of time. A 30 year old film is technically sub-par to what we see today and seeing it on a DVD vs. a Blu-ray Disc is probably not a hugely dramatic difference. I suggest saving a few bucks and getting a lot more with the 2 Disc DVD.

Blu-ray score, due to lack of available extras: 3.0 out of 5.0

We forget..........2006-07-30

I think in the 30 years since this movie was released we forget what a classic it is. Sylvester Stallone has been remembered for movies that have been so painful to watch that this one gets forgotten.

There is the argument that this is the greatest boxing movie of all time...possibly but "Cinderella Man" and "Million Dollar Baby" give it a run for its money.

Rocky was an example of the talent that Sylvester Stallone has at writing scripts and directing movies.

Rocky, as has already been stated, won the 1976 Oscar for best picture. It deserved it.

Average customer rating:

Inspirational
Pound for Pound
No Deleted Scenes
It ain't over, till it's over!!!
Quite Possibly The Greatest DVD Reissue Of All Time

Rocky (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Starring: Bill Baldwin , Simmy Bow , Tony Burton , DeForest Covan , and Thayer David
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Rocky Balboa [Region 99]
Rocky II
Rocky: The Ultimate Guide
Rocky Balboa: The Best of Rocky
Rocky Anthology (Rocky / Rocky II / Rocky III / Rocky IV / Rocky V)

ASIN: B000ICM5MG
Release Date: 2006-12-05

Amazon.com

Description

Customer Reviews:

Inspirational.......2007-06-17

This is a must for any collection. I can watch this movie a hundered times and never get bored with it.

Pound for Pound.......2007-05-23

This is a great movie. It's about a guy who hates meat. Every day he wake up and wants to pound on meat. His dream finaly comes true and a meat shop guy lets him pound on meat. There are other aspects of the movie as well (something about boxing or whatever) but the main theme is how much this guy hates meat. It's just lunch.

No Deleted Scenes.......2007-04-12

Well the movie was perfect, as usual. But there were no deleted scenes anywhere on either disc which contradicts what the description says.

It ain't over, till it's over!!!.......2007-01-24

All the reviewers have hit the nail right on the head with this fabulous 2-Disc Collector's Edition of Rocky. If you love this movie as much as I do, then you'll find that all of the extras on this particular editon are definitely worth the upgrade. There's well over two hours of behind-the-scenes information on Disc 2, along with the special tribute to the late Burgess Meredith, who played Mickey. As one of the other reviewers also mentioned there's a special feature about the director of photography, Garrett Brown, and his invention of the steadicam, which enables a cameraman to use a hand-held camera to film with, but without the jerky movements that usually accompanies it on a moving shot. In the feature, Garrett films his wife running down the famous outside steps of the Philidephia Museum of Art. He runs alongside of her with his steadicam. Once they get down to the bottom (and he's out of breath from this), she immediately turns around and runs back up the steps. He decides to follow her back up, but this time his camera is more focused on her bottom than anything else. That was funny. Also, it was that particular footage of the Art Museum's steps that caused the director of Rocky, John Avildsen, to put in the scene of Rocky running up the steps to the top and then jumping up and down with his arms straight up in the sign of victory before the big fight with Apollo Creed. The special Easter Egg of Sly talking to his fictional character, Rocky, is from the 2001 DVD that came out with all the movies in a boxed set, but it's still wonderful to watch. You tend to forget that it's actually one person and get emotionally caught up in the dialogue between the two men as they thank each other for the success that was brought to them. Both Sly and Rocky make funny comments about the other's height, each thinking that the other person was taller than he actually is. In real life, Sly's only about 5'6", but he does look taller in all of his movies. Also, Rocky calls him Rambo just before Sly gives him the Oscar statue that he won for Best Picture of 1976. Last, but not least, a free ticket to see Rocky Balboa was included, which saved me eight dollars when I went to see it on Christmas Eve day. So this special edition ended up costing me on $12.00, rather than twenty. The ticket expires on January 31st, so there's still time to use it if you can find Rocky Balboa playing somewhere. This is certainly a "must-have" for any serious collector of DVDs, not to mention fans of the movie. I, for one, don't like double-dipping by the movie studios, but when a ton of extras are included on a new edition, I simply have to go for it. This is the ultimate edition of Rocky, and I think it was made especially for the fans. I hope the studio does the same kind of treatment with Rocky Balboa when it comes out on DVD in a few months. Highly recommended!

Quite Possibly The Greatest DVD Reissue Of All Time.......2007-01-23

Quite a claim, huh? But this DVD, the third DVD release of Stallone's greatest film and creation, is truly the "be all, end all" of this film. So many extras, even on just the movie disc alone! Believe anyone here on Amazon that gave "this" DVD version of Rocky 5 stars, it's a must!

Instead of repeating all those great reviews and descriptions of the discs, I'll post the DVD's Easter Egg! On Disc Two, select "In The Ring:Three-Part Making-Of Documentary". Once in it's menu, you'll automatically be on "Play All", but push LEFT on your remote, and you'll hear a bell and a pair of red boxing gloves will appear on the left. Now just press ENTER and you'll be treated to the three minute short "Rocky Meets Stallone", where Sly and Balboa exchange gratitudes between each other!

Get the DVD, not just for the Oscar winning movie, but for all the extras as well!

Average customer rating:

Too much to cover in too short a time
great nostalgia
Excellent Collection
Classic.... Just classic!
Okay anniversary REPEAT; let's just get each season released

Saturday Night Live - 25th Anniversary
Starring: Dan Aykroyd , Alec Baldwin , Candice Bergen , David Bowie , and Garth Brooks
Director: Beth McCarthy-Miller , and James Signorelli
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Saturday Night Live - The Best of Steve Martin
Saturday Night Live - The Best of Eddie Murphy (Bonus Edition)
SNL - First 5 Years
Saturday Night Live - Christmas
SNL - Best of Dan Aykroyd

ASIN: B00014K5CI
Release Date: 2004-02-24

Amazon.com

Like many of the clips that make up the bulk of its content, the Saturday Night Live 25th Anniversary special suffers from that malady specific to almost every SNL sketch: it starts out brilliantly, loses steam about halfway through, then slowly but gamely limps to the finish line with occasional spurts of humor. This special (which actually marks the show's 24th anniversary, but never you mind about those small details!) gathered almost all of the Saturday Night Live alumni--well, the funny ones, anyway--for a celebration of the show's entrenchment in the cultural landscape. It's basically an occasion to show a lot of clips, ranging in time from the Coneheads to Mary Katherine Gallagher, put together in a sprightly, rapid-pace manner and interspersed with occasional live audience-interaction bits. An hysterically funny Bill Murray kicks things off as a lounge singer at an Indian reservation casino who hobnobs with the celebrity audience members; Tom Hanks, a fave guest host, offers up a lively Q&A session (with a dryly funny Christopher Walken, among others); and Billy Crystal revives his Fernando persona to great effect. Dan Aykroyd, Laraine Newman, and Steve Martin provide the best cast tribute, warmly remembering John Belushi while wryly offering up memorabilia for online auction, and Jan Hooks introduces a heartfelt short film featuring her and the late Phil Hartman. Other cast members, with the notable absence of Eddie Murphy and the surprise appearance of Norm MacDonald, pop up for various intros of clips--some are funny (Dennis Miller), some are not (Adam Sandler), some are obviously uncomfortable (David Spade), but at about the halfway mark it all starts to wear on you, like most tribute shows. Still, the stable of classic skits (including a surprisingly strong showing from the current cast) make this worth sticking around for. And at least this time, unlike during the live broadcasts, you can fast-forward through the unfunny parts. --Mark Englehart

Customer Reviews:

Too much to cover in too short a time.......2007-03-21

This DVD functions more or less as an advertisement for the other SNL DVDs that have been and continue to be marketed by NBC. The 25th anniversary special on this DVD lasts 2.5 hours, which sounds like a long time, but it's not long enough to do justice to the talent that appeared on the shows over such a long period of time. As uneven as the show was from week to week and year to year, there was still a lot of great material--far too much to cover in this format in any satisfying way. As a result, the clips that are shown are soundbites of soundbites--often, just enough to cover a famous quote ("wild an crazy guys," etc.) with a touch of lead-in. This may be enough to evoke a smile of nostalgia from someone who's seen the skits, but that's about it. When the skits were originally aired, they usually went on too long, but here the DVD's producers err by going way too far in the opposite direction. I'm not sure how you could do a worthwhile retrospective of 25 years worth of programming that would fit on one DVD, but if it can't be done... maybe one shouldn't do it.

The DVD comes with three "extras": an interview of Lorne Michaels by Tim Russert, which is mildly interesting; the "day-after" coverage of the 25th anniversary show by a heinous TV show I never heard of, "Access Hollywood"; and promotional TV coverage by some other NBC news show, which featured clips that mostly overlapped with the special included on the DVD. Again I ask: Why put this material on a DVD? The so-called extras bring nothing to an already lackluster party.

All in all, disappointing.

By the way, for those who care, the Beastie Boys don't actually perform a number on the DVD. They play a couple of measures of one of their own songs before getting interrupted by Elvis Costello, and then they end up playing back-up for him.

great nostalgia.......2006-04-27

I only started watching SNL in early 2001 after moving to the US from Britain, and hadn't heard much of it before then apart from knowing that was where the Blues Brothers movie etc had originated. I soon became an avid watcher, partly because of a teeny weeny crush on Tina Fey but also because I loved Will Ferrell and Jimmy Fallon, amd later on, Rachel Dratch and Amy Poehler.

I bought this DVD because I was keen to have a look for myself at some of the older stuff that other SNL fans were in raptures about. I have to say some of it was a bit dated, somewhat inevitably, but a lot of it was still very funny. I guess the people putting it together avoided topical political stuff, which quickly dates, although some of the stuff like impressions of various presidents holds up well.

On a slightly macabre level, I loved the opportunity to watch people who have since died, particularly the outstandingly charismatic performers such as John Belushi and Chris Farley. In fact, the funniest thing on the whole show for me was Chris Farley interviewing Paul McCartney - funny and sweet all at the same time!

The show is put together pretty smoothly, with current performers coming out and introducing each set of skits, which fits well with the DVD format since I can skip easily to the bits I regularly rewatch - I do think it could have been divided into shorter sections though. The introductions were quite variable in quality as other reviewers have pointed out, I was hoping for better things from Chris Rock and Adam Sandler for example. I was also a bit disappointed with the musical guests - it's a shame the Beastie Boys didn't get to play for real, and the Eurythimcs got too long, good though they were. I suppose the music had to a mix of up tempo and relaxing stuff to fit the mood of the show.

I really enjoyed the special features like the interviews with former cast members and with Lorne Michaels, and I loved watching all the stars turn up in their tuxedos and dresses - there was such a sense of anticipation beforehand! The atmosphere was clearly very convivial among the audience, one could tell that former anxieties and tensions were put aside for the evening and former cast members and writers were all very much aware that the show was much bigger than they ever were.

I really recommend this DVD for fans of SNL. Its the kind of show that you can dip into here and there according to your mood. Buy it and enjoy!

Excellent Collection .......2006-01-09

SNL- 25th Anniversary really shows the best of the best. Running about 2 hours and 40 minutes long, you get the history of the show for sure. The musical guests were excellent, and the tributes to the ones that have sadly passed on were touching and times very sad especially when Jon Lovitz can barely speak when having to give an intro to the memory of Phil Hartman because he is literally holding back tears.

This is a loving tribute to the first 25 years of SNL and I really do pray that it will go on for 25 more, and I really do think it will

Classic.... Just classic!.......2005-09-21

I haven't seen anything this funny in a long time. There doesn't seem to be anyone in Hollywood (who's funny) that isn't on this DVD. The old (Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, Jane Curtain, The Blues Brothers, etc.) and the newer (Mike Meyers, Chris Rock, Will Farrell, etc.). Some of the best SNL ever and the DVD has got to be over 3 hours long. I really enjoyed this and will watch it many times with my friends and family. You get your money's worth here, and more.

Okay anniversary REPEAT; let's just get each season released.......2005-06-19

This anniversary show was just okay the first time around-in 1989. That's right. If anyone taped that show(or owns it)there's a really good reason why THAT show, the 15th anniversary, isn't here-IT'S THE EXACT SAME SHOW!!! The 25th anniversary is not a taped rerun, mind you, but the EXACT same script(with minor changes in guests-which is understandable: some may not have been able to make this one). I thought that this was beyond surreal, when I first saw this one. I mean, it was down right just plain lazy on the writer's part. Am I the ONLY person to have caught this? C'mon, you guys!!! Anyway, since the 15th anniversary is no longer available here, no one else will ever know. Pathetic! As far as the show goes, itself, it's about as good-and bad-as the other criticism here explains. What really needs to be done is, as with any other TV show, start freaking releasing the seasons. I mean, they can stand on their own. Sadly, it'll only become more obvious that the writing became lazier-and less pointed-after the 70s. However, very little ever holds up to it's original incarnation-ie. original seasons(M*A*S*H, All in the Family, The Jackie Gleason Show, Texaco Star Theatre w/ Milton Berle, Bewitched, Lost in Space, Star Trek, The Twilight Zone, Gunsmoke). There are fans for most of the seasons, though. Anyway, if there are completists for shows like "X-Files" and "M*A*S*H", there are surely those for this show. Just get them out NOW-or be caught behind the times(really, with what's left of the big 70s-90s shows finally being released, it's already way late). C'mon, already!

Average customer rating:

Pretty Woman
My Order
All these years later, still a fabulous film
The extras are 'pretty', but parts of the character development are unrealistic
A great "sleeper" movie.

Pretty Woman (10th Anniversary Edition)
Starring: Jason Alexander , Bill Applebaum , Hank Azaria , Judith Baldwin , and Ralph Bellamy
Manufacturer: Dimension
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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