Brian Thompson

Average customer rating:

I love David Bowie
A must for all Bowie and/or SciFi fans
classic fantasy movie
Nothing more than an involved puppet show.
wonderful imagination unfortunately no substitute for solid story

Labyrinth
Starring: David Bowie , Jennifer Connelly , Toby Froud , Shelley Thompson , and Christopher Malcolm
Director: Jim Henson
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

Adventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

7-9 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

10-12 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Family Films | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Fantasy | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

The Dark Crystal
Willow (Special Edition)
Legend (Ultimate Edition)
The NeverEnding Story
The Goonies

ASIN: B00000K3D4
Release Date: 1999-10-12

Amazon.com essential video

Sarah (a teenage Jennifer Connelly) rehearses the role of a fairy-tale queen, performing for her stuffed animals. She is about to discover that the time has come to leave her childhood behind. In real life she has to baby-sit her brother and contend with parents who don't understand her at all. Her petulance leads her to call the goblins to take the baby away, but when they actually do, she realizes her responsibility to rescue him. Sarah negotiates the Labyrinth to reach the City of the Goblins and the castle of their king. The king is the only other human in the film and is played by a glam-rocking David Bowie, who performs five of his songs. The rest of the cast are puppets, a wonderful array of Jim Henson's imaginative masterpieces. Henson gives credit to children's author and illustrator Maurice Sendak, and the creatures in the movie will remind Sendak fans of his drawings. The castle of the king is a living M.C. Escher set that adults will enjoy. The film combines the highest standards of art, costume, and set decoration. Like executive producer George Lucas's other fantasies, Labyrinth mixes adventure with lessons about growing up. --Lloyd Chesley

Customer Reviews:

I love David Bowie.......2007-06-08

I cant help myself, David Bowie is my hero. And Jennifer Connelly shines in this movie as well

A must for all Bowie and/or SciFi fans.......2007-06-08

Original version of the story, still a must see though

classic fantasy movie.......2007-06-02

I'm always surprised to hear that this movie did poorly in the box office when first released. It's an imaginative and entertaining fantasy movie that doesn't need CGI dragons or epic battles to pull it off. Instead it has the kind of goofy creatures and battles that thrill and make one smile. David Bowie influenced a generation of young girls with his various pants in this film.

Nothing more than an involved puppet show........2007-05-31

This film was designed for staging an elaborate puppet show. The acting of the two main human actors is wooden, and the plot is shallow at best. The film's interest is harmed because of the slow pace. Fine work by the late Jim Henson, but beyond that, it just doesn't hold the viewer's attention.

wonderful imagination unfortunately no substitute for solid story.......2007-05-26

This is yet another movie from the 80s I remember seeing advertisements for as a child, but not being allowed to see at the time. (This is a children's movie, but rated PG which is a bit of a strange combination. We'll get to more of that below). For one reason or another I never bothered to catch up with it in the years since, but in college and beyond I met several people who were huge fans of this movie.

Although I know this movie has a large cult fan base among people of my generation, I think much of that is based on nostalgia. Which is hard for me, at the age of 29, to plug into. If I had seen this movie when I was 7, I'm sure it would have been a different story. And perhaps if I had seen this movie at 17, when I was just getting into classic rock and learning who David Bowie was, it might still have had a lot of appeal as a psychedelic rock film. But as it was, I'm afraid I found most of the film pretty stale and boring.

It's a pity because there's so much talent attached to this film: George Lucas, Jim Henson, Terry Jones of Monty Python as the screen writer, the drawing of MC Escher...(now that I'm no longer 17, I've decided I'm not a David Bowie fan, but you can't win them all).

And don't get me wrong, there are moments of genius in this film. A lot of the weird fantastic creatures are absolutely wonderful, and reminded me of why I liked the Muppet show so much as a child. And the general atmosphere of the film reminds me of "The Jim Henson Hour", (a short lived television that was on for a few months when I was in 5th grade) and so gets a couple nostalgia points from me there.

Unfortunately despite all the weird and wonderful Muppet creatures that populate this movie, the story is long, pointless and wandering. And, as usually happens with Muppet movies, the human actors really stink up the stage even though the puppets do a wonderful job.

The humor in this movie is really touch and go. Especially after all the recent children's movies by companies like Pixar which have sharp cutting humor that can also be enjoyed by adults, the humor in the Labyrinth doesn't hold up well by comparison. Typical example:
"If she kisses you,I'll make you a prince."
"You will?"
"Prince of the land of stink!"

A lot of the humor is also based purely on random strangeness, which is got to be the laziest kind of humor.

And yet, again, there are periodic moments of genius, where the old Monty Python influence seems to be coming through in Terry Jones. Like the scene where the Stone creatures are yelling out warnings of doom, and when they get told to shut up they become sensitive and reply that they are only doing their job.

The obvious comparison for a film like this is "Alice in Wonderland". Which was a children's film Disney released in 1951 and 20 years later, much to the Disney company's dismay, became known as a classic "Head" movie.

I think by the time "Labyrinth" came around, they were already anticipating that this film would be a hippy classic. Call me cynical, but I can't believe the people making this film never leaned over and said to each other something like, "Man, this is going to be such a good film to watch while high."

And this is the biggest problem with this movie. It doesn't have a clear idea of what it wants to be. Is this a children's movie with lovable puppets and messages about friendship? Is this a psychedelic rock musical with David Bowie? Is this just a weird trip? Mixing genres isn't a bad thing to do, but it's a dangerous thing to do if it's not pulled off right, and this movie doesn't pull it off right. Scenes from one part of the movie don't fit with scenes from another part.

And the Muppet urinating scene? What were they thinking?

Average customer rating:

Enjoyable Movie
Not the Best Jane Austen movie
adorable movie
Funny and beautiful!
Surprisingly close to Jane Austen

Emma (1996)
Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow , James Cosmo , Greta Scacchi , Alan Cumming , and Denys Hawthorne
Director: Douglas McGrath
Manufacturer: Miramax
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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( E ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Sense & Sensibility (Special Edition)
Persuasion (1995)
Pride and Prejudice - The Special Edition (A&E, 1996)
Mansfield Park (1999)
Pride & Prejudice

ASIN: B00000G3AZ
Release Date: 1999-01-05

Amazon.com

Most people didn't mind Gwyneth Paltrow's English accent in this charming, 1996 adaptation of Jane Austen's novel (which also inspired Clueless). But even if it doesn't sound quite right to you, there are plenty of authentic and wonderful Brit thespians in this film by screenwriter-turned-director Douglas McGrath (co-author of Woody Allen's Bullets Over Broadway), including Juliet Stevenson (Truly Madly Deeply), Alan Cumming (Buddy), Phyllida Law (Much Ado About Nothing), Ewan McGregor (the Scots star of Trainspotting), and Sophie Thompson, outstanding and finally heartbreaking as the chattering Miss Bates. Paltrow plays Austen's benign busybody, Emma Woodhouse--so busy trying to arrange the lives of others that she is sidestepping her own. McGrath brings a kind of pretty and light touch to the production, his best move the wise delegation of creative authority to the actors themselves. --Tom Keogh

Description

This delightfully fun and lighthearted comedy is based on the story that inspired the hit movie CLUELESS! Dazzling Gwyneth Paltrow (SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS) shines as EMMA, a mischievous young beauty who sets up her single friends. Funny thing is ... she's not very good at it! So when Emma tries to find a man for Harriet (Toni Collette -- THE SIXTH SENSE, ABOUT A BOY), she makes a hilariously tangled mess of everyone's lives. You'll enjoy all the comic confusion ... until Emma herself falls in love, finally freeing everyone from her outrageously misguided attempts at matchmaking.

Customer Reviews:

Enjoyable Movie.......2007-06-25

I found this version of Emma to be more enjoyable than the A&E production. I found the characters to be more attractive and distinctive in their roles, especially that of Mr. Knightly. I enjoyed the subtle humor of this version. I think it deserves a higher overall rating.

Not the Best Jane Austen movie.......2007-05-19

The movie renditions of "Sense and Sensibility" and of "Persuasion" and the BBC version of "Pride and Prejudice" are the best of this sort of thing. This movie comes in behind those, even though I think it's the most compelling of Jane Austen's stories. "Emma" is a novel with great moral significance because it is about everyone's inner secret belief in his own importance and infallibility. And Gweneth Paltrow is pretty good. She has a limited range of expression and ability to become someone else however and this combined with the failure of the writers and director to find the essence of the novel led to its being more of a costume romp than a good story. It's a very pretty movie and Gweneth Paltrow is an interesting looking, pretty woman. She was the prettiest woman in the film. Nor was she forced to stand in shadows created by the other actors' superior acting, except in the scenes with Toni Collette, who is a superb Harriet Smith.

All of which is to say that "Clueless" was a much more entertaining and even more meaningful "Emma" than this "Emma" was.

adorable movie.......2007-05-19

My favorite role for Gwyneth Paltrow. It's the original storyline for "Clueless". It's so cute and clever! My favorite line is:

Mr Knightly says "Why didn't you ask me to submit a riddle." and Emma replies "Your entire personality is a riddle. I thought you overqualified."

Funny and beautiful!.......2007-05-15

This was my first introduction to anything Jane Austen... It is funny, beautiful to watch, the character's are honest. I can truly thank this movie for peeking my interest in the genre. It's light enough to entertain. But with enough meat to make you think.

Surprisingly close to Jane Austen.......2007-05-02

I have to say I went into this movie thinking that it was a typical Hollywood movie based only loosely on the original book. Emma is a favorite book of mine, and so I was expecting to not enjoy the movie at all. The picture of Paltrow shooting the arrow on the cover added to my trepidation.

Instead, I found a movie that was not straight out of the book, but was still much better than I expected. Mr. Knightly was the dashing gentlemen required. The relationship between he and Emma was less subtle than in the book. In the book, at least the first time you read it, there is a delightful suspense in the Harriet/Emma/Elton triangle as well as between Churchill/Emma/Knightly. In the movie there is none. Some of the other characters had similar double-edged qualities. The Mrs. Elton, for example, brought out her silliness - all the "Mr. E"'s, "Knightly"s, and "Maple Grove"s - but not her vindictiveness.

Another problem is that I did not see Emma's development as I remember through the book. Although the movie does have a very nice scene of Emma taking care of the poor, it seems to me that it focuses too much on her matchmaking aspects. One of my favorite continuing themes of the book is Emma's self-examinations when her various ways of controlling people blow up in here face, and I didn't get that so much from the film. I thus come away feeling that the cover shot was aptly (if a bit falsely) chosen.

All in all, a good adaptation of the book, surprisingly good for a big-star Hollywood effort.

Average customer rating:

Great Movie, but this is not the Special Edition DVD.
Man plus Machine equals Schwarzenegger!
Great movie
The Terminator
The History Of This Movie (and of course the review)

The Terminator (Special Edition)
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger , Michael Biehn , Linda Hamilton , Paul Winfield , and Lance Henriksen
Director: James Cameron
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Sci-Fi Action | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

Robots & Androids | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

Futuristic | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

Adventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Science Fiction | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Special Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video

Terminator 2 - Judgment Day (Extreme DVD)
Terminator 3 - Rise of the Machines (2-Disc Widescreen Edition)
Terminator 2 - Judgment Day [Blu-ray]
Predator (Widescreen Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl [Blu-ray]

ASIN: B00005N5S5
Release Date: 2001-10-02

Amazon.com essential video

This is the film that cemented Schwarzenegger's spot in the action-brawn firmament, and it was well deserved. He's chilling as the futuristic cyborg who kills without fear, without love, without mercy. James Cameron's story and direction are pared to the bone and all the more creepy. But don't overlook the contributions of Linda Hamilton, who more than holds her own as the Terminator's would-be victim, Sarah Connor--thus creating, along with Sigourney Weaver in Alien, a new generation of rugged, clear-thinking female action stars. It's surprising how well this film holds up, and how its minimalist, malevolent violence is actually way scarier than that of its far more expensive, more effects-laden sequel. --Anne Hurley

Description

In the year 2029, the ruling super-computer, Skynet, sends an indestructible cyborg (Arnold Schwarzenegger) back in time to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) before she can fulfill her destiny and save mankind.

Customer Reviews:

Great Movie, but this is not the Special Edition DVD........2007-06-23

Don't be fooled, I have been looking everywhere for the Real Special Edition DVD.

The first DVD was a barebones Disc that was non-anamorphic. Then in 2001 MGM released the Special Edition with the following features.

- Other Voices Documentry.
- Terminator: a retrospective fetturette.
- Deleted Scenes with optional Commentary
- Theatrical trailers and TV spots.
- DVD-ROM features.

The DVD that Amazon is selling is only includes one trailer and some DVD-ROM stuff. I can't find the Special Edition DVD anywhere. Also, there are three Reagon 2 releases, a Special Editon, a Definitive Edition, and an Ultimate Edition! Why aren't there any Reagon 1 Ultimate Editions, all we have is a barebones Disc with no good extras. Someone tell me where I can find the Reagon 1 Special Edition DVD.

Man plus Machine equals Schwarzenegger!.......2007-06-16

Entertainment Weekly recently touted the first sequel ("Terminator 2: Judgment Day") to this film as being one of The Twenty-Five Best Action Films of all time. That title may be an accurate assessment of the non-stop action of the sequel but what would it have been without its predecessor which ranks as one of the best science fiction commentaries on the path that we may be going with our computer-dependent society.

James Cameron scored a casting coup when he gave the role to Arnold. At the time, the muscle-bound actor had had a few films under his belt, films that played mostly on his physical appearance and his novice acting skills. "The Terminator" character was short on dialogue but Cameron made the best of his star by providing him with one-line zingers and stares that could wake the dead.

To call the part "tailor-made" for Schwarzenegger would be a major understatement. He was muy perfecto.

Linda Hamilton, not yet the household name that she would become for TV's "Beauty and the Beast," as well as not yet the future "Mrs. James Cameron," is appropriately confused and terrified as the waitress that would ultimately become the mother of the man that would rescue humanity.

Michael Biehn is well-cast as the other traveler from the future, intent on preventing Arnold's malevolent cyborg from doing his killing-thing.

Stan Winston's effects still hold their own after almost a quarter of a century.

Great movie.......2007-06-07

Great movie, pretty impressive FX for it's time. The Blu-ray version suffers a little due to this movie's old master. It's no where near being Pirates of the Carabean clear (Probably the best Blu-ray video quality so far).

There are some extras, one which show the making of the FX, which is a plus.

But for 19 dollars, it's a no brainer. Get Blu-Ray version if you don't already own DVD version.

The Terminator.......2007-05-27

Lots of action from beginning to end. If you love an action film, this is for you!

Schwarzenegger was a perfect pick to play this character.

The History Of This Movie (and of course the review).......2007-05-20

Since I'm a HUGE Terminator freak (I've read ALL of the books I could get my hands on about the Terminator series),I also know the history of this movie and it's rather quite interesting:
James Cameron actually made this movie after he had a nightmare about a killer robot from the future and from there, he created one of my favorite movies of all time; The Terminator (T2 was FAR superior but that's another story).
Before they starting filming they actually wanted Arnold to be the good guy but once he read the script for Cyberdyne System's Model 101 (or better known as the Terminator) Mr. Cameron decided to put him as the killer robot.
James Cameron called his good friend Stan Winston to be apart of the film (Stan Winston is an AMAZING special effects artist; he also did work for another film starring Arnold; Predator), he drew up the skeleton for CSM-101.
At the time Linda Hamilton was dating James Cameron; he put her in the main role of Sarah Connor and the rest is history.

The story goes like this; in August 21, 1997 Cyberdyne launched nuclear warheads at Russia, and after mankind was nearly wiped out thanks to the nuclear winter, there was another war; a war against the machines.
John Connor decided to launch a rebellion against the machines but the war must be fought in the past before John is born.
Cyberdyne decided to send a machine back into the past to kill the mother of John Connor back in 1984, but along with the machine comes John's father Kyle Reese to help Sarah and to help train her into becoming the soldier of the future so she can train her son into the man that he is going to become.

The movies are VERY INTERESTING to me and I'm not into sci-fi at all but I LOVE The Terminator series and everything that is associated with it, so if you haven't seen it yet (God knows where you have been if you haven't seen this movie yet) or just want to catch a really good flick this is the movie for you.

Average customer rating:

outstanding!
Magnificent
Wonderful movie
Marvelous
Hated it!

Angels in America
Starring: Al Pacino , Meryl Streep , Emma Thompson , Mary-Louise Parker , and Justin Kirk
Director: Mike Nichols
Manufacturer: Hbo Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Miniseries | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Latter Days (Unrated Edition)
Brokeback Mountain (Widescreen Edition)
And the Band Played On
The Laramie Project
Transamerica (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B0001I2BUI
Release Date: 2004-09-14

Amazon.com

Tony Kushner's prize-winning play Angels in America became the defining theatrical event of the 1990s, an astonishing mix of philosophy, politics, and vibrant gay soap opera that summed up the Reagan era for an entire generation of theater-goers. Post-9/11 would seem to be too late for a film version--philosophy and politics don't always age well--but this 2003 HBO adaptation, ably directed by Mike Nichols (The Graduate), provides a time capsule of the '80s and reveals the deep emotional subcurrents that will give the play lasting power.

The story centers around Prior Walter (Justin Kirk) and Louis Ironson (Ben Shenkman), a gay couple that falls apart when Prior grows ill as a result of AIDS. But cancer is not the only thing invading Prior's life: He begins to have religious visions of an angel (Emma Thompson, Sense and Sensibility) announcing that he is a prophet. Louis, who doesn't cope well with disease and suggestions of mortality, leaves and starts a relationship with Joe Pitt (Patrick Wilson), a closeted Mormon who works for Roy Cohn (Al Pacino, Dog Day Afternoon)--the real-life right-wing lawyer, notorious for his ruthless behind-the-scenes machinations. Add in Joe's depressed and hallucinating wife Harper (Mary Louise Parker, Fried Green Tomatoes), his determined but open-minded mother Hannah (Meryl Streep, Adaptation), a fierce drag queen/nurse named Belize (Jeffrey Wright, Basquiat, reprising his celebrated performance from the Broadway production), and you've still only begun to discover the wealth of characters and storylines in Kushner's ambitious work.

The powerhouse cast (also featuring James Cromwell, Michael Gambon, and Simon Callow) is uniformly superb. The script has its weaknesses--some of the fantastic elements, including Prior's journey to Heaven towards the end, fall flat--but even what doesn't work is bristling with ideas and a ferocious desire to capture human existence in this time and place. --Bret Fetzer

Description

Academy Award-winners Al Pacino, Meryl Streep and Emma Thompson lead an all-star cast in a 6-hour HBO Films Event. Directed by Mike Nichols and written by Tony Kushner based on his Pulitzer Prize-winning play: Angels in America.

Customer Reviews:

outstanding!.......2007-03-25

If I could rate it 10 stars I would. Heart-Wrenching, Funny, Appalling, Spiritual, Sexual, Powerful. Evoking Anger, Laughter, Sadness, Joy, Hope, Love for fellow human beings who have been discarded and ignored instead of included and cherished. Amazing Film Adaptation.

Magnificent.......2007-03-03

I have seen many hundreds of movies, and this is only the third that I rate 5 stars. The acting was beyond superb, the screenplay and story line truly outstanding. I saw the play many years ago and totally enjoyed it. The DVD was even better.
While reading the reviews, it becomes obvious folks get different things out of the movie depending on their frame of reference. As a straight man working in San Francisco during the 80s and 90s, I watched the devastation this disease wreaked on friends, colleagues and strangers while the world ignored the issue. This movie gave me an insight into some of the emotional and spiritual struggles of the human beings affected by AIDS. I also loved how the lives of the characters intertwined in unique and sometimes outlandish ways. For me, a truly satisfying film. Most of the reviews express my thoughts better than I. A must see, but schedule 3 hours for each of the 2 DVDs.

Wonderful movie.......2007-01-04

This is a long movie but well worth the time. It's thought provoking, insight and even humorous in parts. Money well spent.

Marvelous.......2006-12-19

Profoundly moving. Evangelicals, please read the description. Don't buy it just because of the name and cover. It might not be about what you think it is. Nevertheless, if you've found yourself with it and have around six hours on hand, it's definitely worth a viewing or two. Part 1: Millenium approaches might drag a little bit, but Part 2: Perestroika, is some of the best theatre that I have ever seen or read. It's well worth your time. The writing is excellent, the acting is wonderful. It's a piece of art that definitely stays with you long after you've viewed it. Additionally, for people who truly love the miniseries, I also strongly recommend you read the play itself. There are a few changes in the adaptation, and it's worth your time from a critical perspective so how things are different. Both the DVD and the written play are wonderful on individual merit. Highly recommended!

Hated it!.......2006-11-05

I spent more than $30 for this movie based on the glorious cover with no idea what it was about. I then spent six hours watching the entire movie. Twice. Someday in the new millenium the Republican-Christian hegemony prophesied in the movie during the 80s will outlaw movies like this and the behaviours that they portrey. Then we can have an Angels in America movie where the Angel swoops in with an AK47 and blasts the infidels to Hell with the help of a wholesome white straight couple who have faithfully loved each other since high school and never even think about having sex.

Average customer rating:

Branagh Does Another Fine Shakespeare!
Cute movie for a rainy day
Much Ado About Nothing
Much Ado about this film.
Shakespeare Rocks

Much Ado About Nothing
Starring: Chris Barnes , Kate Beckinsale , Brian Blessed , Richard Briers , and Richard Clifford
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

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( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

A Midsummer Night's Dream
Twelfth Night
Hamlet
Henry V
William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice [Region 99]

ASIN: B0000714BZ
Release Date: 2003-01-07

Amazon.com

Kenneth Branagh's 1993 production of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing is a vigorous and imaginative work, cheerful and accessible for everyone. Largely the story of Benedick (Branagh) and Beatrice (Emma Thompson)--adversaries who come to believe each is trying to woo the other--the film veers from arched wit to ironic romps, and the two leads don't mind looking a little silly at times. But the plot is also layered with darker matters that concern the ease with which men and women fall into mutual distrust. Branagh has rounded up a mixed cast of stage vets and Hollywood stars, among the latter Denzel Washington and Michael Keaton, the latter playing a rather seedy, Beetlejuice-like version of Dogberry, king of malapropisms. The DVD release has optional full-screen and widescreen presentations, Dolby sound, optional Spanish and French soundtracks or subtitles.--Tom Keogh

Description

Full of "sparkling merriment" (The Hollywood Reporter), this sexy, sunny comedy positively sizzles as one set of lovers battles against a dirty trick, and another set simply battleseach other! Adapted by Oscar® nominee* Kenneth Branagh and featuring an all-star cast, this charming romp "casts the battle of the sexes in the form of an elegant dance" (The New York Times). A military war has just ended, but the "merry war" between Beatrice (Emma Thompson) and Benedick (Branagh) rages on! Can their friends trick them into making love instead? For that matter, can another couple's devotion survive the evil Don John's (Keanu Reeves) vicious lies? It's up to the blundering constable (Michael Keaton) to save the day so that the course of true love may yet run smooth! *1989: Director, Actor, Henry V; 1992: Short Film-Live Action, Swan Song; 1996: Adapted Screenplay, Hamlet

Customer Reviews:

Branagh Does Another Fine Shakespeare!.......2007-06-14

1993's "Much Ado About Nothing" is Kenneth Branagh's superb film rendering of Shakespeare's classic romantic comedy. Veteran Shakespeare actors Branagh, Emma Thompson, and Brian Blessed are joined by veteran Hollywood actors Denzel Washington and Michael Keaton. The movie features the then-young actors Keanu Reeves, Robert Sean Leondard, and Kate Beckinsale.

The movie is set at a sun-drenched and sumptious villa in Tuscany, where all have assembled for the pending wedding of Claudio (Robert Sean Leonard) and Hero (Kate Beckinsale). To the pass the time before the wedding, Don Pedro (Denzel Washington) sets up a romantic trap for the confirmed bachelor Benedick (Branagh) and his arch nemesis Beatrice (Thompson), who delight in their verbal tormenting of each other. Don Pedro allows the two to believe that each is intent on wooing the other. This deception is the heart of the movie, as through some delightful dialogue and hilarious scenes, Beatrice and Benedick arrive at a new appreciation of each other.

The romantic mood is almost spoiled by Don Juan (Keanu Reeves), who seeks to undermine the relationship of Claudio and Hero by suggesting that Hero has been unfaithful. Reeves looks uncomfortable with the material and his wooden performance as the villian shows it. Fortunately, the local sheriff (Michael Keaton), a bumbling, manic barrage of malapropisms, uncovers Don Juan's plot and saves the day.

This overlooked movie is highly recommended to fans of Shakespeare and Kenneth Branagh's film adaptations of them.

Cute movie for a rainy day.......2007-06-02

This flick is a very lively interpretation of Shakespeare's play Much Ado About Nothing. (For those of you who aren't familiar, take Romeo and Juliet + Taming of the Shrew, and you have Much Ado About Nothing). Performances are brilliant (if you're a fan of Robert Sean Leonard, you won't be disappointed), and the setting is absolutely gorgeous. I recommend it for a rainy day.

Much Ado About Nothing.......2007-05-12

I do not usually like Shakespeare, but this movie is very enjoyable.
The actors and actresses are top notch.
It does prove that Shakespeare can be enjoyed and understood.

Much Ado about this film........2007-05-08

This is a wonderful adaptation of Shakespeare's play.
The transition from stage to film is accomplished
with incredible energy. Everyone that is in this
film really seems to enjoy what they are doing.
The settings, costumes, music, and cinematography
are all beautiful. If you are sceptical about some
of the cast members, try to withhold your judgment
until you have seen this film. You will be pleasantly
surprised. Even if you are not a fan of Shakespeare,
this film is a delight to watch.

Shakespeare Rocks.......2007-04-10

This was a delightful view into the highs and lows of courtship, love, jealousy, and hate and what havoc can be wrought by schemes devised to satisfy emotional turmoil. With the lovely backdrop of Italy, all is well that ends well for the characters. Michael Keaton as comic relief is brilliant.

Average customer rating:

Superb Film
Clark Gable's 12 O'Clock High
Long Lost Classic WW2 Movie..!!
Not Really a War Movie
Please offer Command Decision in DVD.

Command Decision
Starring: Clark Gable , Walter Pidgeon , Van Johnson , Brian Donlevy , and Charles Bickford
Director: Sam Wood
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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

Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo
Air Force
Purple Heart
Twelve O'Clock High (Special Edition)
Hell and High Water

ASIN: B000NTPG5W
Release Date: 2007-06-05

Description

World War II drama that shows the battles - on and off the field - that a general must fight in order to win the war. General Casey of the US Forces in England must fight congressional representatives and his own chain of command to be allowed to complete an important mission. He must get his men's planes out, during a small window of fair weather, in order to prevent the Germans from making more military jet planes. Although the general knows the success of his plan could decide whether the Germans get the upper hand in the war, it could also mean suicide for his men. Adapted from the William Wister Haines stage hit.

Customer Reviews:

Superb Film.......2007-06-03

One of the best war films ever made. Brilliant performances by a host of top stars. Based upon a hit play, this is a fascinating movie that proves once again that great stories of men in war can be told without all the blood and gore so beloved by today's film makers.

Clark Gable's 12 O'Clock High.......2007-03-05

This is a really great film of the air war of World War II. Clark Gable is the commander who knows that to win the war, men will die. Someone has to give the orders. This film also shows how politics influences the course of war. This movie has a really stellar cast that included Walter Pidgeon, Van Johnson and Brian Donleavy. Many others too numerous to name are in this film also. Good action, taut drama and great cast deliver excellent entertainment

Long Lost Classic WW2 Movie..!!.......2007-03-03

This movie stars Clark Gable and Walter Pidgeon as Air Force generals forced to send up bombers during daylight to bomb Germany. As casualties mount their tactics are questioned by Congress and the top brass in Washington. All through it all you realize the stress of combat is not only born by those flying the missions but the officers who send them. One of the best WW2 Air Force movies. Both Gable and Pidgeon give outstanding performances and convey what it really means to be a combat commander. Excellent..!!!

Not Really a War Movie.......2006-05-28

In a larger sense "Command Decision" is not really a war movie but a film about the responsibility of command and leadership. It is one of the few films that effectively explores these topics; and belongs right up there with the original "Flight of the Phoenix" and "The Red Tent". Not having the visual power of those two films (the limited combat/action scenes are almost entirely stock footage), it must focus more narrowly on the human complications arising from the responsibility of command. The contradiction being that while a leader must cease to be human, no one who can do this is fit to be a leader.

Adapted from a stage play, "Command Decision" suffers from a fair amount of "long-windedness". Fortunately the most long-winded character (Major General Kane-played by Walter Pigeon), is well written and has many substantial things to convey. Much like his character in "Forbidden Planet", Pigeon is tasked with inserting historical and philosophical details into the story, and his commanding screen presence makes him ideal for this purpose.

Brigadier General K.C. Dennis (Clark Gable) has the most screen time and most challenging role, as his character is the guy stuck between a rock and a hard place. He is accountable for making the hard decisions that send his men off to die, but has a fragile authority dependent on how much independence his superiors are allowing him at a particular point in time. Gable does fine in this part, probably his best totally "serious" performance. Although the film takes pains to use the German high command to illustrate examples of bad leadership, it is easy to infer that the same mindset applies to the Allies. With many military leaders distorting events to cover their own ass and willing to sacrifice men for their own career advancement and personal ideology.

The premise of the film is the Air Corps discovery that the Germans have developed the first jet combat plane. Based on the real life Messerschmitt Me-262 (shown as a model in the film and in some archival footage), it is called the "Lantze-Wolf" here and considered so effective as a fighter aircraft that full production would allow the Luftwaffe to regain air supremacy over Europe.

The planes are being assembled in three cities deep in Germany. The only hope to delay their full production is "Operation Stitch" (named for its goal of gaining a stitch in time), a plan to attack these sites through dangerous daylight bombing raids. Dangerous because they will be heavily defended and because the bombers will have to go the final hundred miles without fighter escort-since the America fighters do not have the range to reach and return from the target. This type of daylight bombing was called precision bombing because the bomb-site was more effective with better visibility and a lower altitude. The alternative was safer but less accurate saturation bombing at night (insert Dresden here).

General Dennis must decide whether to start the operation, and then when the bombers take substantial punishment he must decide whether to continue in the expectation of additional high losses.

The film takes certain historical liberties as only after a postwar evaluation of the actual ME-262 did anyone really understand its strategic potential (in the hands of well trained pilots) as a fighter aircraft. Until the end Hitler insisted that it be utilized almost exclusively as a bomber. Although able to carry out this alternative role, its bomb load capacity was too little for any significant impact. That the ME-262 is more a footnote to the war than a major element was due more to Hitler's decision than to any allied efforts to limit its production.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

Please offer Command Decision in DVD........2006-04-12

"Command Decision" is that rare WWII era studio offering that attempts to penetrate the fog of patriotism and expose the myth of the good war. While no one will deny the Nazi menace in Europe had to be destroyed to prevent a return of the dark ages, the day to day routine of the U.S. 8th Air Force's program of daylight bombing was as ruthless and cold blooded as any campaign fought then or now. "Maximum effort" and missed targets are not too subtle reminders that precision bombing was one of the great fictions of WWII. When an American commander, stoically played by Army Air Force veteran Clark Gable, attempts to destroy a German jet fighter program with a series of very dangerous bombing raids, the politics of winning the war take center stage. Based on the play by William Wister Haines, "Command Decision" comes as close as the times would allow to telling the behind the scenes story of America's air war over Europe. Directed by Sam Wood, MGM spared no expense in producing this 1948 classic with an all star cast and some of the best in-flight footage of B-17s this side of William Wyler's famous documentary, "The Memphis Belle." For those who flew the missions as well as those who love this film, please can we have "Command Decision" back and in DVD?

Average customer rating:

5 stars? Are you kidding?
Simply The Best
Atomic Shakespeare
Moonlighting Season 3
Big Man on Mulberry Street!

Moonlighting - Season 3
Starring: Cybill Shepherd , Bruce Willis , Allyce Beasley , Robert Ellenstein , and James Karen
Director: Robert Butler
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Moonlighting: Season 4
Moonlighting - Seasons 1 & 2
Moonlighting - Season Five - The Final Season
Remington Steele - Season 3
Remington Steele - Season Two

ASIN: B000CRR3NI
Release Date: 2006-02-07

Customer Reviews:

5 stars? Are you kidding?.......2007-06-16

Okay, remember when we were in school (or still are?) and you'd "half-azz" a paper, and BS your way through it, and finally turn it in. Remember what would would happen? You'd get a "lousy grade" maybe a C, if you were lucky. Didn't matter how well certain parts were, which may have been stupendous!

Well, that's how I felt watching this season. Sure it was the best, and "smashing" in many parts. Yes, the storylines were brilliant! But, it had only around 16 episodes! Come on! And at least 4 of them started off with joke premises of the show being delayed for weeks and weeks. I think around two, near the end, actually had footage from prior shows, adding up to five minutes per episode (some even being repeat footage, from the "repeat footage" of the prior show!) Ridiculous!!!

Sorry, I demand my money's worth! I won't give 5 stars to shoddy, incomplete seasons! Shame on those who will give lousy star ratings to DVD sets like WKRP in Cincinattie for the changed music, but then let this one slide under the radar! This was a shoddy season, and was incomplete! Deserves less than a 5 star perfect rating, and you know it!!!

MC White said: Excellent in many parts, but incomplete overall!

Simply The Best.......2007-04-14

Season 3 of Moonlighting arguably contains the best episode of the best season of the best TV show from the 1980s.

All the sexual tension that Moonlighting rode on was on display in The Atomic Shakespeare episode. Considering the real life tension between the stars, the episode practically wrote itself. The wit of Moonlighting combined with the greatest writer of the English language make it the best 50 minutes of TV ever broadcast.

But Atomic Shakespeare is only the best of the best. It's a Wonderful Job is my favorite take of the many parodies of the classic Capra movie. Big Man on Mulberry Street contains a dazzling dance/dream sequence directed by the great Stanley Donen. Throw in the usual strong Moonlighting episodes (see Cybill Shepherd with her feet sticking out of a mail cart in Yours Very Deadly) and you have a must have DVD.

The last two seasons were not as strong for a variety of reasons but you can't go wrong with season 3. Atomic Shakespeare alone is worth the cost. Throw in the other episodes and you would have a hard time persuading me that any season on commercial TV was better.

Atomic Shakespeare.......2007-03-25

This particular show is worth the cost of the entire CD. Brilliantly done with great wit.

Moonlighting Season 3.......2007-03-14

While we have not had time to review the CD to make sure it has the single episode on it that we need the CD arrived in quality condition, in a very timely manner and I have no complaints.

Big Man on Mulberry Street!.......2007-01-29

If I could, I would give this season 10 out of 10 stars because of the "Big Man on Mulberry Street" episode. The ending scene on the plane, the dream sequence with Billy Joel's song, and the scene where Maddie shows up in David's hotel room make this DVD well worth the price. Plus, there are many other great episodes including, of course, the four-parter that ends with "I Am Curious, Maddie." In that episode, the scene in the elevator/parking garage where Maddie watches David walk away is classic!

Average customer rating:

Esta chida
Bought for B-day gift
Better than a kiss on the veranda
Three Amigos
Classic

Three Amigos
Starring: Chevy Chase , Steve Martin , Martin Short , Patrice Martinez , and Philip Gordon
Director: John Landis
Manufacturer: Hbo Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Farce | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Spies Like Us
Spaceballs
Funny Farm
Airplane! (Don't Call Me Shirley! Edition)
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

ASIN: 0783115202
Release Date: 1999-11-23

Amazon.com

Three Western stars (Martin Short, Steve Martin, Chevy Chase) from Hollywood silent films go to Mexico for what they assume will be a publicity appearance, and find they've actually been summoned to fight a local bandit. John Landis directed this 1986 comedy with self-conscious artifice, and it's hard to get into his self-congratulatory joke. Even the three main stars, brilliant comics all, can't sustain anything funny in it. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Esta chida.......2007-05-15

Esta pelicula la vi en los 80's y me orine de la risa, a hora que la compre despues de 20 años sin duda son buenos comicos, sobre todo Alfonso Arau y no se diga de Chevy Chase y Steve Martin.

Bought for B-day gift .......2007-04-29

Bought for B-day gift for my husband I am sure he is going to love it

Better than a kiss on the veranda.......2007-03-04

This movie has brought me and my nine year old son closer together. In fact, after watching it together just five times, we will be Amigo's forever. He likes the one liners... "Do you have anything besides Mexican food?" I like the visuals; The dirty, dusty faces south of the border compared to the Amigos in their clean flashy costumes.It is stunning. He likes the singing bush. I like "Blue Shadows." The next day I asked my boy if he liked the dinner I cooked. He said it would have been better with a "light chicken gravy." It is the only movie I have ever seen that makes me bust out laughing when I'm just thinking about it. Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short.... "I like these guys. They are funny guys!"

Three Amigos.......2007-02-23

Great movie. Very entertaining. Its a classic just like the other Martin Short, Steve Martin and Chevy Chase movies of that time. Add it to your collection.

Classic.......2007-01-30

How anyone could not love this movie is beyond me. It's probably my all time favorite movie since I was a kid. It never fails to make me laugh and had me spending hours rewinding the "My little Buttercup" song scene as a kid trying to learn their whole routine (yes, I still know it! LOL). It's strange and quirky, but never fails to make you laugh. It's definitely a movie that becomes an instant favorite!

Average customer rating:

HD-DVD version

Dragonheart [HD DVD]
Starring: Sean Connery , Julie Christie , John Gielgud , Jason Isaacs , and Pete Postlethwaite
Director: Rob Cohen
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: HD DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Adventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Action & Adventure | HD DVD | Formats | DVD | Video

General | HD DVD | Formats | DVD | Video

Drama | HD DVD | Formats | DVD | Video

Horror | HD DVD | Formats | DVD | Video

Science Fiction & Fantasy | HD DVD | Formats | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Frighteners: Peter Jackson's Director's Cut [HD DVD]
The Ultimate Matrix Collection [HD DVD]
Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest [Blu-ray]
Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl [Blu-ray]
Sneakers [HD DVD]

ASIN: B000O179F4
Release Date: 2007-05-29

Customer Reviews:

HD-DVD version.......2007-06-22

Okay folks, I am guessing you have seen this movie as it is quite a few years old now so I will not bother going into the details of it. If you wish to know more about the plot then check it out on imdb.

The big question is, how did it fare being transfered to HD-DVD? Well to sum it up I would say brilliantly. The video transfer is crisp and detailed, it does suffer a tad with film artifacts but this is the best we are ever going to see it that is for sure.

The audio transfer is absolutely superb.

You want HD-DVD? Well this is as good as it gets for this title.

Average customer rating:

From first to worst.
Inferior sequel
GREAT LOL COMEDY!
Flawless victory? I think not !
MORTAL KOMBAT

Mortal Kombat: Annihilation
Starring: Robin Shou , James Remar , Talisa Soto , Sandra Hess , and Brian Thompson
Director: John R. Leonetti
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs as Low as $5.49 | The Big DVD Sale | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Mortal Kombat
Street Fighter -- Collector's Edition
Spawn - The Director's Cut (New Line Platinum Series)
Super Mario Bros.
Masters of the Universe

ASIN: 0780622057
Release Date: 1998-04-07

Description

In defiance of the Elder Lords, the evil Outworlders are back to wreak hell on Earth. Led by the mighty Shao Kahn, their gruesome goal is humanity's complete and utter destruction. Earth's last and only hope is the mighty martial arts warrior Liu Kang.

Customer Reviews:

From first to worst........2007-06-10

Mortal Kombat is a great movie. The best video game movie ever and fun even if you never played the game. Mortal Kombat: Annihilation is the worst video game movie ever made. First off, anytime you can't get the same actors to reprise there roles you know you have a bad movie. A different Sonya and a different Rayden (No way Christohper Lambert would have done this stinker... not even after Highlander 2). The plot isn't just weak, it's stupid. One of the worst sequels ever made.

Inferior sequel.......2006-08-11

I loved Mortal Kombat,and I thought the sequel would carry on the great Kombat legacy.I was heartily dissapointed when I saw annihilation.Brian Johnson was cool as Khan,but some of the special effects were so fake I had to laugh.Robin Shou returns as Liu Kang,the savior of Earth.After killing Shang Tsung,the group heads on home when all of a sudden,the Emperor busts up the party and sends his minions down.There,Khan makes his first appearance,along with his abnormal,yet awesome soldiers.Johnny Cage is killed,and Rayden(now played by James Remar)fights Khan,winning but sacrificing Johnny Cage.Now,Earth has seven days before it's destroyed.What I didn't like about this movie was appearances by people who had died in the first film,like Scorpion and Sub-zero.Who heard of Sub-Zero having a brother.Another thing that got me was how Liu Kang's fighting got worse since the first film.He was losing every battle,except the end,and even then he wasl osing.Do not get this film if you want to avoid dissapointment.

GREAT LOL COMEDY!.......2006-08-05

I won't lie. This movie sucks.

However, it is so cheesy and lame that it will make you wet your pants. I don't care what people say, but I like the no-name actors and the wanna-be power ranger ninjas. It is a great movie because it is the worst movie ever.

Also, I must add that the action was utterly stupid and the acting was absolutely pathetic. :) Great movie, though.

Yes, I will agree, the plot sucks. However, there is no plot, therefor the movie rocks.

Buy it now and own the best movie ever for two bucks used and new. It's the corniest and cheesiest movie ever! :)

Flawless victory? I think not !.......2006-06-12

Three years after the first mortal kombat film, fans couldn't wait for Annihilation to come out. Unfortunately, the sequel did not do well at the box office and after viewing it, I can see why. First, I will start with what is positive about the movie. Kitana had more of a role as did Jax, I preferred Sandra Hess as Sonya a little over Bridget Wilson even though she did a good job with Sonya's character in the first movie, some of the fight scenes (Jax vs. Cyrax, Sonya vs. Mileena, Liu Kang vs. Baraka, Sub-Zero vs. Scorpion) were sequenced good, the dvd bonus features were nice, and the soundtrack was awesome. These positive aspects, however, could not save the overall film from disappointment. So what went wrong? Like the first MK, Annihilation attempted to blend two mortal kombat games into one movie (mortal kombat 3 and ultimate mortal kombat 3). Unlike the first MK, however, the blend was not successful. Too many characters were put into the movie and therefore the character development for most of them was almost non-existent. Aside from that, only three of the actors to my knowledge returned from the previous movie though it is understandable why the other actors did not return. What else went wrong with this sequel? Some of the acting was either over-the-top and/or downright pitiful. Shao Kahn's character along with Raiden's character was poorly resembled. Also, some of the characters didn't even get much screen time at all. One flaw that is immediately noticed at the beginning of the movie is that one of the main characters gets killed off (I won't say who because it is probably obvious). While some of the fight sequences were good, most of them were rushed and some were just flat-out ridiculous. This goes double for the animality sequence. Sadly, MK Annihilation doesn't rank up with the first one. Despite all this, there is some good news. After eight long years of waiting, a third mortal kombat film will hit the big screen with most of the actors returning from the first movie. Plus, the third installment will not only kontinue where the first left off but will also ignore the events of Annihilation.

MORTAL KOMBAT.......2006-03-21

I DID NOT RECEIVE THIS MOVIE AND I WAS CHARGE FOR IT
I WOULD LOOK TO RECEIVE THE DVD
THANK YOU
CAN SOMEONE EMAIL ME WITH THIS INFO
rossannemccullough@hotmail.com
or call me at 312-404-0267 my name is ROSSANNE MCCULLOUGH

Actor:

Actor

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