Chris Elliott

Apollo 13 (Widescreen 2-Disc Anniversary Edition)

Average customer rating:

Apollo 13 is a gripping tale of moon travel
Review
Keep It Honest !
Can't say enough good about this movie!
well told technically accurate film

Apollo 13 (Widescreen 2-Disc Anniversary Edition)
Starring: Tom Hanks , Bill Paxton , Kevin Bacon , Gary Sinise , and Ed Harris
Director: Ron Howard
Manufacturer: Universal Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

The Right Stuff (Two-Disc Special Edition)
From the Earth to the Moon - The Signature Edition
October Sky (Special Edition)
Forrest Gump (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition)
The Hunt for Red October (Special Collector's Edition)

ASIN: 0783219695
Release Date: 2005-03-29

Amazon.com essential video

NASA's worst nightmare turned into one of the space agency's most heroic moments in 1970, when the Apollo 13 crew was forced to hobble home in a disabled capsule after an explosion seriously damaged the moon-bound spacecraft. Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and Bill Paxton play (respectively) astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise in director Ron Howard's intense, painstakingly authentic docudrama. The Apollo 13 crew and Houston-based mission controllers race against time and heavy odds to return the damaged spacecraft safely to Earth from a distance of 205,500 miles. Using state-of-the-art special effects and ingenious filmmaking techniques, Howard and his stellar cast and crew build nail-biting tension while maintaining close fidelity to the facts. The result is a fitting tribute to the Apollo 13 mission and one of the biggest box-office hits of 1995. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Apollo 13 is a gripping tale of moon travel.......2007-05-19

I remember seeing this movie in the theater, and it was awesome. It still is, on DVD. The astronauts almost didn't make it back. One of the top ten movies ever made.

The extras are nice, if you have the time. Together they take at least a couple of hours.

Review.......2007-05-07

I had to replace my original Apollo 13 DVD which, after several successful playings, started to fail to "play back." Possibly, this failure was exacerbated by my attempted "fix" which was to clean the business side of the DVD with an (electronic grade) 99% alcohol cleaning solution.

At any rate, I am happy to have the new disk.

(Of the many [more than 100] DVDs I have, this is the only instance of media failure I have experienced.)

Keep It Honest !.......2007-04-29

Good movie of a great human adventure,well acted and professionally filmed.
Looks a bit stiff and un-imaginative in the developpement of the "story" but overall a very fine visualisation of this tragic-heroic piece of American history.

Can't say enough good about this movie!.......2007-04-12

There were a few "hollywood" inaccuracies that bothered me. For example, it was Meniere's disease, not an ear infection that plagued Al Shepard. Furthermore, it wasn't Menieres that kept him off Apollo 13. It was an administrative decision based on the need to give him and his rookie crew more time to train.

Other than those minor nitpicks, I REALLY enjoyed this film. I didn't obsess over the missed details, mind you. This is, after all, a hollywood adaptation of Jim Lovell's recounting. Facts are going to be skewed a bit here and there. As entertainment value goes, it was wonderful! Suspenseful, emotional and, all-in-all, pretty close to the reality of the situation.

As historical movies go, it actually wasn't too bad on accuracy. And what it lacked in accuracy, it more than made up for in sheer entertainment value.

Jim Lovell's cameo in the end was the icing on the cake.

well told technically accurate film.......2007-02-28

I first saw this film at the cinemas back in 1995 and have seen it countless times since then. I have always been a space enthusiast and remember reading books about astronauts and the Saturn V rocket as a kid. This film is probably the most technically accurate spaceflight film out there. I love how all the zero G scenes are real (filmed in KC-135 aircraft) and all of the switches,lights etc. in the Command module are 100% realistic. The Saturn V liftoff was incredible. This film is still as exciting to watch today as it was back when it came out.

Groundhog Day (Special Edition) [Region 99]

Average customer rating:

great comedy with empathy
Good Stuff
FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY!
FUNNY
Hilarious!!

Groundhog Day (Special Edition) [Region 99]
Starring: Carol Bivins , Ken Hudson Campbell , Brian Doyle-Murray , Rick Ducommun , and Robin Duke
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

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

What About Bob?
Scrooged
Back to the Future - The Complete Trilogy (Widescreen Edition)
Forrest Gump (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition)
Airplane! (Don't Call Me Shirley! Edition)

ASIN: B00005U8EM
Release Date: 2002-01-29

Product Description

Bill Murray at his wry, wisecracking best in this riotous romantic comedy about a weatherman caught in a personal time warp on the worst day of his life.

Teamed with a relentlessly cheerful producer (Andie MacDowell) and a smart-aleck cameraman (Chris Elliott), TV weatherman Phil Connors (Bill Murray) is sent to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to cover the annual Groundhog Day festivities. After a surprise blizzard traps him in small-town hell, things get even worse; Phil wakes the next morning to find it's Groundhog Day all over again... and again... and again.

System Requirements:
Starring: Bill Murray, Chris Elliott, and Andie MacDowell.
Directed By: Harold Ramis.
Running Time: 101 Min., Color.
This film is presented in "Widescreen" format.
Copyright 2002 Columbia TriStar.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

Bill Murray does warmth in his most consistently effective post-Stripes comedy, a romantic fantasy about a wacky weatherman forced to relive one strange day over and over again, until he gets it right. Snowed in during a road-trip expedition to watch the famous groundhog encounter his shadow, Murray falls into a time warp that is never explained but pays off so richly that it doesn't need to be. The elaborate loop-the-loop plot structure cooked up by screenwriter Danny Rubin is crystal-clear every step of the way, but it's Murray's world-class reactive timing that makes the jokes explode, and we end up looking forward to each new variation. He squeezes all the available juice out of every scene. Without forcing the issue, he makes us understand why this fly-away personality responds so intensely to the radiant sanity of the TV producer played by Andie MacDowell. The blissfully clueless Chris Elliott (Cabin Boy) is Murray's nudnik cameraman. --David Chute

Customer Reviews:

great comedy with empathy.......2007-05-20

One of Bill Murrays best. Great Harold Ramis direction. One for the collector's shelf

Good Stuff.......2007-05-07

We should all be so lucky as to have our own personal groundhog day.

FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY!.......2007-03-26

I watch this movie every Groundhog Day with my wife. Goundhog Day just happens to be her birthday and she loves this movie! A smart funny romantic comedy with Murry at his comedic best. The DVD is a good transfer and should be in everyones collection.

FUNNY.......2007-03-14

One of the funniest movies I have ever seen! Also, one of the best movies I have ever seen. Great Movie. No flaws.

Hilarious!!.......2007-03-13

This is one of the funniest movies you're going to see...but it's also got some thoughtful messages about life. Some of the funniest scenes are when Murray's character realizes he not only can't get out of Groundhog's Day, but there are no consequences to his actions, because he keeps waking up to the same day. What follows is a hilarious string of self-destructive situations...just how many ways CAN a person try to kill themselves?! My personal favorite scene is in the diner, where Murray gorges on every artery clogging breakfast treat, while smoking a cigarette...gluttony at it's best! As the movie moves along and he tires of his self-descructive attitude, Murray's character starts to explore the possibilities of having unlimited time to do all the things a person would ever want to do and how much more meaningful it is to be kind instead of cruel. Interesting twist...while being lots of fun.

Average customer rating:

A good movie.
Oh please
More than a just a movie, its an experience you live through
A TRUE Story and an Excellent Historical War Movie!
An excellent example of an air mobile assault

We Were Soldiers (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Mel Gibson , Madeleine Stowe , Greg Kinnear , Sam Elliott , and Chris Klein
Director: Randall Wallace
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Black Hawk Down [Region 99]
Saving Private Ryan (Special Limited Edition)
Platoon (Collector's Edition Steelbook)
The Patriot (Special Edition) [Region 99]
Hamburger Hill

ASIN: B000068TPN
Release Date: 2002-08-20

Amazon.com

Based on the book by Lt. Col. Harold Moore (ret.) and journalist Joseph Galloway, We Were Soldiers offers a dignified reminder that the Vietnam War yielded its own crop of American heroes. Departing from Hollywood's typically cynical treatment of the war, writer-director Randall Wallace focuses on the first engagement of American soldiers with the North Vietnamese enemy in November 1965. Moore (played with colorful nuance by Mel Gibson) and nearly 400 inexperienced troopers from the U.S. Air Cavalry were surrounded by 2,000 North Vietnamese Army soldiers, and the film re-creates this brutal firefight with graphic authenticity, while telling the parallel story of grieving army wives back home. While UPI reporter Galloway (Barry Pepper) risks his life to chronicle the battle, Wallace offers a balanced (though somewhat fictionalized) perspective while eliciting laudable performances from an excellent cast. Like the best World War II dramas of the 1940s, We Were Soldiers pays tribute to brave men while avoiding the pitfalls of propaganda. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

A good movie........2007-06-23

THis movie tells of the men who fough and died in the Vietnam Nam War.

Oh please.......2007-06-18

Super American Mel has actually tarnished reality. He superbly recreates what transpired for the first 2/3rd of the movie. But that unbelievably embarrassing charge that hill ending is so far from the truth that it removes any redeemingvalue from this movie--read the book--see what happens the next day as the "relief" force marches back to camp.

I guess Mel thought that the follow up battle, which was even worse than X-Ray, never happened much like he and his father feel the holocaust never happened.

I know some reviewers have said how they got it right and that is true for the grunts, but what does the movie's John wayne message say to those who died at Albany onboth sides?

More than a just a movie, its an experience you live through.......2007-06-17

As many of the previous reviewers mentioned, the reality of this movie made it more than just a movie in itself. Being the most accurate and realistic Vietnam movie Hollywood has ever produced, it has turned into a invaluable tool for Husbands, Sons and Fathers to be able to truly show their families just how horrific being in a combat situation was for them. It can really open the eyes of some people that couldn't understand why Vets are still strugling to deal with the after-effects the war had on them mentally. This is just my experience as a 34 year old father and husband and how it effected me watching this movie with my father.

I was not in the Vietnam war, but my father flew the Huey right through the thick of the battles, exactly as it shows in the movie. He has also been a Bell Helicopter employee all his life.

I watched this movie with him when it came out on DVD, I saw it in the theatre and finally convinced him to come over and watch it with me when it came out on DVD. See, my dad is not a big movie fan, he has a ranch here in Texas and isn't much impressed with all the Hollywood flair and glorification they used in the other movies. I could tell this was different when about 1/3 of the way through I looked over and he was intently watching the movie and had not said one word. When it was over, he simply said "Wow, I never thought a movie would hit so close to home, that was pretty darn close to real".

That's when a movie became more than "just" a movie. We watched it again, but this time he told me stories I have never heard about his tour, details of how Mom and him lived on base like that, things I never knew but am very thankful that the movie brought back memories he had forgotten and I heard a part of his life I had only speculated about.

It was great listening to him point out parts of the movie and explaining how accurate a certain part was and how that's just how it was like on another part. There were some really incredible events that he lived through over there, I mean amazing stories I would have never known about. I never even knew he had been that involved in the action, he never really would go into detail, but this movie have him a picture to use to help me visualize the fear and horror that he and the other front line soldiers had to endure.

This movie still had some Hollywood flair to it, but when a movie can create that kind of impact on someone, and create an unforgetable evening spent with my father learning about his past, it is worth 5 + stars to me. We watched it 3 times since then, and those moments spent with my father are forever going to be remembered by myself.

Amazing movie, one of the best ever put on film, period.

A TRUE Story and an Excellent Historical War Movie! .......2007-06-11

WE WERE SOLDIERS is a great war movie that has tense battlefield action as well as tear-jerking moments over the families left behind.

The DVD cover should have described this film as the TRUE STORY that it is! That is what makes this movie interesting, it is the TRUE STORY of the first official battle between US troops and North Vietnam Army troops!

This is soldier against soldier, both sides wearing their distinctive helmets and uniforms. This is not the typical Hollywood version of evil US troops fighting civilians and the enemy disguised as civilians, (which, come to think of it, is the very problem that we now have with the War on Terror, that the terrorists often disguise themselves as civilians).

Sometimes the writing in WE WERE SOLDIERS seems a little corny, cheesy, or melodramatic, but if you listen to the informative Director's Commentary, he explains that most of those moments are directly from the real life book, WE WERE SOLDIERS ONCE... AND YOUNG, by the real life main character, played in the film by Mel Gibson.

The movie has a lot of very nice, family moments, and there is plenty to like in that the characters all honor traditional family values and wanting to keep the family together -- but which soldiers will come home again?

The Bonus Features add about 40 minutes of interesting documentary and Making Of material, and often it is surprising how similar the final movie version looks compared to the old footage of the characters and places in the story! Many characters seem to be just generic, made up characters, until you watch the Making Of footage and see that most of them are named and based on real life soldiers, and often they even seem to look like the real life people did, too!

There is about 20 minutes of Deleted Scenes, which are all good, too. Most of these should have been kept in the film, in my opinion, because they add a lot of good character development.

Like most Mel Gibson movies, WE WERE SOLDIERS can get a little graphically violent, but I don't mind as long as they are portraying historical violence in a realistic way. The films that Mel Gibson directs are more intense, as well as historical, like APOCALYPTO, and Mel Gibson's best film, THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, but WE WERE SOLDIERS is still very good. Mel Gibson's Apocalypto (Widescreen Edition) The Passion of the Christ (Definitive Edition)

The film makers did an excellent job of staying true to the material, and this is a very interesting, entertaining, tense, and heartfelt film!

An excellent example of an air mobile assault.......2007-06-07

We Were Soldiers is about a Lieutenant Colonel Harold Moore(played by Mel Gibson), commanding officer of one of the infantry battalions, the 1st of the 7th, of the 1st Calvary Division, during a fight in the Fall of 1965,since the book was written by Colonel Moore, now Lieutenant General (retired). Colonel Moore comes off looking pretty good. Maybe he was, maybe that's why he made Lieutenant General.

All I can say is Hollywood sure loves napalm (it isn't anywhere near as effective as shown in the movie; the Air Force must have paid to have the movie made. All I can say is that I never had a Phantom stay on station longer than ten minutes and you had to cease firing all artillery and mortars before they'd come in. All for one or two 500 pound bombs. Just not worth it.

Artillery on the other hand could crank out 60 105mm rounds per minute sustained fire with a battery of six howitzers. . That's with just with the direct support 105mm howitzers in direct support of the infantry battalion, not counting any 155mm or eight inchers.

This movie is primarily about the Battle of the Ia Drang Valley. As far as I could tell it was fairly realistic, except that:

I never saw the first tracer round fired and no one showed an illumination fire mission. Useful when you're fighting at night. They did show the infantry firing their 81mm mortars and their four deuces. I used these primarily for illumination fire mission, of course I was in Viet Nam somewhat later, in 1969 and 1970, and had some twenty batteries of artillery that could shoot for me.

As an artillery officer I'm appalled at how poorly they used their artillery fire support. I would have relieved my forward observer if that had been mine. Maybe artillery needs to hire a better PR firm.

All-in-all an entertaining movie.

The movie is rated R for a reason. A lot of blood and guts.

Gunner June, 2007

Average customer rating:

One of the best Presidents of the United States of America
We need more movies about Teddy Roosevelt
History and Patroitism in Action Movie
WARNING: This Magnificent Film is for Patriotic Americans ONLY!
An unflinching look at America begining the 20th century

Rough Riders
Starring: Tom Berenger , Sam Elliott , Gary Busey , Brad Johnson (II) , and Illeana Douglas
Director: John Milius
Manufacturer: Turner Home Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Louis L'Amour's The Sacketts
You Know My Name
Last Stand at Saber River
Conagher
Broken Trail [Region 99]

ASIN: B000EOTUSA
Release Date: 2006-05-30

Description

In 1898 the US government, led by Theodore Roosevelt (Tom Berenger) back when he was still a young, ambitious Naval Secretary, intervenes on the side of the Cuban rebels in their struggle against Spanish rule. Always ready for action, Roosevelt leaves the confines of the sidelines and forms a volunteer cavalry regiment which later became infamously known as the "Rough Riders." Roosevelt's regiment brings together volunteers from all corners of the nation to fight against a far superior adversary in one of the most rousing victories in American history.

Customer Reviews:

One of the best Presidents of the United States of America.......2007-04-18

Rough Riders was a surprise. Did not know much about the life of President Theodore Roosevelt, and knew little if anything as to the events that lead Americans to fight for the independence of Cuba, during the Spanish-American War.

As a Cuban American, I loved watching this film, seeing the efforts of valiant men, willing to give up their lives in search for freedom for a country, just 90 miles away. At some point during the movie, there is a philosophical interchange amongst the characters, where they discuss the reasons that have compelled their actions. They say they are fighting to see fellow men free, but that some think it is all in search of the self interest of a nation that wants Cuba for its sugar. This presented the never ending argument of men sacrificing their lives for ideals, only to be ridiculed by envious people, not willing to sacrifice, and yet ready and willing to put down the efforts of others.

At any rate, it was awesome to know that Theodore Roosevelt was the inspiration behind the war that freed Cuba from the grasps of Spain, but it is with regret that we did not get the same support during the Bay of Pigs, and continue as a nation to be under the grasps of a tyrant, Fidel Castro Ruz.

The movie does a great job in highlighting the 1st US Volunteer Calvary Regiment as a group of heroic men consisting of rich and poor IVY league athletes and leather tough cow pokes, polo players and thieves coming together under the leadership of great men, one Theodore Roosevelt, to overcome and conquer the freedom and independence of Cuba against Spain.

Americans take much for granted when it comes to their heritage, but watching this film gave me the pride of knowing that when I chose to become an American Citizen, I was joining a nation of the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Thanks to this film I now know a bit more about one of the greatest presidents of the United States of America.

We need more movies about Teddy Roosevelt.......2007-03-29

I was really surprised at how good this film was. I was expecting the kinda so-so made for cable stuff that is watchable but not exceptional. This was a whole lot more.

Other people have written some great reviews here. I just want to underline one thing.

Tom Berringer's performance as Teddy Roosevelt was very good. At first I didnt even know it was him. Then when I knew it was him I still was like, I cant believe its Tom Berringer. He really nails the eccentric personality of Roosevelt, and he does it in a way that honors that great Presidents memory. I think this is one of the best performances of his career and when you think about who he was portraying and how great that man was, Berringer nailing it like that shows he was the right man for the job.

The whole cast does a great job, with standouts from Gary Busey, Sam Elliot, and even George Hamilton.

If you like historical films, you should like this one.

Teddy Roosevelt was one of the best Presidents we ever had. Its a shame so few people today have any clue about him.

History and Patroitism in Action Movie.......2007-03-12

Great action movie with many characters real historical figures. Viewers who love their country will feel a sense of pride and patroitism as they view this film. A footnote is that the firearms used in the movie are authenic to era and some to include the machine guns were probably actually used in the actual battle.

WARNING: This Magnificent Film is for Patriotic Americans ONLY! .......2007-03-03

During these most troubling times, when so much in our nation appears to be going so terribly wrong and we are infiltrated and surrounded by Fifth Column "special interest" groups, weak-minded/mealy-mouthed liberals, treason mongers, cowardly, gutless politicians, hoardes of illegal alien invaders, and engulfed by overwhelming mediocrity and the stifling, crippling effects of nation-killing political correctness, there are, every now and again, memorable venues that offer us a brief glimpse of just what this country USED to be made of. "Rough Riders" happens to be one such venue!!! Now, if you are a proud, true-blue, red-blooded, 100% American who loves this country, then this film is a MUST-OWN. If you DON'T fit into this category...well, I would say that you shouldn't waste your time and you can stop reading my review right now. You're certainly not gonna see lib-losers like Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, Danny Glover or Jane Fonda here...no way!

Not being much of a television watcher, I missed the original showing of "Rough Riders" (which aired on TNT way back in July of 1997), and it was only by chance that I happened upon the DVD early last summer while doing some shopping at a local store. Already being somewhat of an amatuer military historian and serious Theodore Roosevelt admirer from way back, I immediately bought the DVD, took it home and watched it that night and...WWWWWWWWOOOOOOWWWWWW!!! It had been some time since I had stood up and cheered while watching a movie, but I certainly did so that night! To say that "Rough Riders" was a hard-charging clean breath of fresh air and uplifting would be an major understatement! Amidst the endless sleeze, slime, filth, crud and garbage that oozes endlessly from out of the Hollyweird sewer these days, this glittering gem somehow managed to emerge, albeit, without much publicity (doesn't surprise me at all...given the bold, uncompromising, no-nonsense and entirely pro-conservative/pro-America message that this film broadcasts loud and clear).

Tom Berenger does an outstanding job by literally transforming himself into the one and only Theodore Roosevelt, and without a doubt, this stellar performance is probably the high-water mark of Mr. Berenger's entire career...at least for me it is! Tom brings Old Teethadore back to life in such a vibrant, energetic and larger-than-life (yet very human) performance that after just a few moments, one actually believes that it IS the real Theodore Roosevelt on that screen! Many kudos to Tom for getting this role so right. Of course, Mr. Berenger is surrounded and ably supported by a host of other highly skilled and talented actors, such as Gary Busey, Sam Elliot, the late Brian Keith and even Geoffrey Lewis shows up as well (it's been quite awhile since I'd seen him)! KFI radio talkshow host and military advisor, Capt. Dale Dye, USMC-Ret., is also featured and all put forth exemplary and commendable efforts in this made-for-TV production that really should have been a major theatrical release! A correspondingly heroic and memorable musical score by stalwart western/action-adventure composer, Elmer Bernstein, compliments the film perfectly (by sheer luck, I managed to acquire a copy of the soundtrack...now long out-of-print...from a friend of mine - thank you Mr. Ripley!).

Furthermore, I have already corresponded with Capt. Dye about his involvement in the making of "Rough Riders," thanking him for not only his excellent performance, but for his technical accuracy in getting so right the period uniforms, weaponry, etc. (yes, just as with any other movie production, there are a faux paus and technical discrepancies to be found in the historical timeline and in a few other areas, but set against the totally upbeat, powerful, forceful, feel-good-about-being-an-American projection of this total kick-butt winner, who the heck cares!), but I also wish to send my most heartfelt thanks to conservative director, John Milius, for not allowing the self-proclaimed socialist, Ted Turner, to step in and use his Left-wing influence to ruin this excellent and long untold story about these gutsy American heroes that, unfortunately, have been all but forgotten by so many today...TR and his heroic regiment of Rough Riders (or more correctly, the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry)!

THIS is film-making at its very best - the way films SHOULD be made and if he were still with us, I'm confident that the great John Wayne would have approved as well! Yep...you can forget all of that multi-culti and homosexual cowboy trash that the morally defunct libs try to push down our throats via the Academy Awards. I have watched "Rough Riders" at least eight times since buying it, and it has been a tremendous joy each and every time! Buy "Rough Riders" ASAP...trust me, you won't regret it!

Long live Col. Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders!!!

An unflinching look at America begining the 20th century.......2007-02-22

I have waited for years to get this on DVD. I already have it on VHS. Well done and well acted. You get a real feel for how America looked at themselves and the world as it moved into the 20th century. Great action sequences.

Average customer rating:

Great movie...dissapointing dvd
A Total Waste Of Money
Lenticular Rip off Do not get OUT FOXED
One of my Top 10 Films, but I admit it's not for everyone
Almost a classic. . .

The Abyss (Special Edition)
Starring: Ed Harris , Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio , Michael Biehn , Leo Burmester , and Todd Graff
Director: James Cameron
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
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

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

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

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

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

Contact
Independence Day (Limited Edition)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) [Region 99]
Aliens (Special Edition)
Armageddon

ASIN: B00005V9IL
Release Date: 2003-02-11

Product Description

In this thrilling, underwater action adventure from writer-director James Cameron (Titanic, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Aliens), a civilian oil rig crew is recruited to conduct a search-and-rescue effort when a nuclear submarine mysteriously sinks. One diver (Ed Harris) soon finds himself on a spectacular odyssey 25,000 feet below the ocean's surface where he confronts a mysterious force that has the power to change the world or destroy it.

System Requirements:
Starring: Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and Michael Biehn.
Directed By: James Cameron.
Running Time: 171 Min., Color.
This film is presented in "Widescreen" format.
Copyright 2002 Twentieth Century Fox.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com essential video

Meticulously crafted but also ponderous and predictable, James Cameron's 1989 deep-sea close-encounter epic reaffirms one of the oldest first principles of cinema: everything moves a lot more slowly underwater. Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, as formerly married petroleum engineers who still have some "issues" to work out, are drafted to assist a gung-ho Navy SEAL (Michael Biehn) with a top-secret recovery operation: a nuclear sub has been ambushed and sunk, under mysterious circumstances, in some of the deepest waters on earth, and the petro-techies have the only submersible craft capable of diving down that far. Every image and every performance is painstakingly sharp and detailed (and the computerized water creatures are lovely) but the movie's lumbering pace is ultimately lethal. It's the audience that ends up feeling waterlogged. For a guy who likes guns as much as Cameron (his next film after all, was the body-count masterpiece Terminator 2: Judgment Day), it's interesting that the moral balance here is weighted heavily in favor of the can-do engineers; the military types are end-justifies-the-means amoralists, just like the weasely government bureaucrats in Aliens. --David Chute

Customer Reviews:

Great movie...dissapointing dvd.......2007-06-22

I can't tell you how excited i was to find this for 8.99 new at the mall. i also can't tell you how awesome movies look on my 42" lcd hdtv (thats a 16x9 ratio for the uninitiated) and upscaled on my xbox 360. what i can tell you is how dissapointed i am at the treatment this dvd got.

first of all, there is no 5.1 (or dts for that matter)mix, even though it says there is on the back of the box. its only dolby surround. "okay well thats not too big of a deal i said", and i hit play. then came the 2nd and worst thing that could possibly happen...the fox logo came up as the movie started, but at about a 6th the size of my tv. it lasted too long to be anything asthetic and then the movie started.

here's where i get mad. the movie is filmed in a 2:35:1 aspect ratio. (which for the layman, means it appears wider in scope, but at the expense of actual viewing space (ie bigger black bars on a standard tv). now on an hdtv this isnt too big of a deal (especially if the dvd is mastered anamorphically) because its already widescreen, so your black bars at a 2:35 ratio arent so bad (and are smaller). however it appears that the movie was mastered on the dvd in a 4:3 (standard tv size) box, with the bars as "part" of the actual movie.

basically its like someone took a widescreen VHS tape and dubbed it on a dvd. meaning:

(1) the movie looks about 6 times too small on my widescreen tv (its like this little rectangle surrounded by black bars)

(2)this is not actually widescreen and gives it a really bad bootleg look

(3) the resolution and detail of the dvd is absolutely terrible (ie vhs quality)AND i have to zoom the video TWICE to get it to fit on the tv, making the flaws of the already terrible transfer even more apparent.

this upsets me greatly because it is the "Special Edition". whats so special about it? but apparently all of the versions of this movie share the same flaws. the special dvd edition of "Aliens" (also by cameron) its fantastic and has none of these issues i describe to you now. i saw the movie awhile ago and i havent finished the "special" edition yet, but from what im reading from users on amazon, some "special" editions dont even have the extra 28 mins of footage even though they claim to on the dvd.

forgive the pun, but this and all dvd versions of the abyss are simply...abysmal

A Total Waste Of Money.......2007-06-20

Before I even begin, I'd like to say that my one star rating is directed solely at the DVD itself-ANY VERSION, I've bought them all - NOT THE MOVIE! None of them!!!NOT ONE! is in anamophic (Enhanced) widescreen!!!! This movie is probably - who am I kidding? - is most defintely - THE BEST sci-fi movie ever made! It deserves a hell of a lot more than 5 measily stars! I give it 10, personally. All DVD incarnations of it, however, get absolutely NO stars from me. I can't, without being absolutely vulgar, express how unhappy I am with 20th Century Fox. They've sucked over $150.00 out of me - just trying to find a decent copy of this movie. I really wouldn't mind - $150.00 ain't much money - but I'm disabled and am trying to survive on about $700.00 a month! Get with the program fellas! Let me see it in true widescreen at least once before I die!

Lenticular Rip off Do not get OUT FOXED.......2007-06-06

This is a disgrace Lenticular means a different box cover Abyss is the first version of the movie. Get the special 2 disc dvd.The same this for all the 6-5-07 fox releases.

One of my Top 10 Films, but I admit it's not for everyone.......2007-06-05

I'm a fan of James Cameron. Although he has a big ego, he is a big talent unlike others in this business. This film is an odd mixture of several genres including science-fiction, action, disaster and romance. Somehow Cameron makes it all work and this edition includes almost 30 minutes of relevant footage that help explain the gaps in the theatrical release as Cameron was forced to edit his completed film from nearly 3 hours to 2:20 minutes by the producers who wanted more showtimes.

The story opens with a military sub that is mysteriously hit by something in the deep and falls into a great abyss (a sort of bottomless drench in the ocean floor). There is no crew to rescue at that depth and as a result of the "collusion", but the military wants to secure the nukes on that submarine and before the Russians in the area get to the wreckage first. An experimental deep drilling underwater rig capable of moving across the ocean floor at great depths is asked to assist the military, but as soon as military show up on the rig a hurricane arrives and cuts everyone off from the surface. This is where the tension builds and the story really develops in this character and special effects driven film.

The acting by all is first-rate with Ed Harris of Apollo 13 and A History of Violence as the head of the experimental undersea drilling rig, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio of The Color of Money and The Perfect Storm as his soon-to-be ex-wife that he still holds a torch for but hates to admit it designed the rig, and Micheal Biehn of The Terminator as the head of the elite military team that clashes with Harris' men on the rig. It's amazing how much action can take place in such claustrophic quarters, but it does and does so in a believable manner.

The Cameron's script is uneven as it ranges from very believable dialogue between co-workers, military personnel with myopic points of view, and husband and wife at war to over-the-top preachy stuff about the environment, violence, hate and love. He does offer a lot here in that the story has something for everyone. Cameron's direction is also uneven as he doesn't seem sure which direction to take his film at times, but still delivers a very satisfying experience. The special effects are brilliant and helped to really launch the digital effects we have come to know and take for granted today. In addition, the score by James Horner (Titanic) is haunting, uplifting, and very memorable.

Although admittedly uneven at times, this movie is awesome and is a terrific experience. My whole family loves this film and we've seen it numerous times even at the nearly 3 hour length of this "Special Edition" which is better than the original theatrical version wherein Cameron was forced to cut the film down. The full 3 hours better tells the story and is as Cameron originally wanted the film to be seen. You can see that the additional scenes fit into the film seamlessly and not choppy like other "Director Cuts" can look like.

This film is, in my view, a masterpiece in its own way and although it's not for everyone, I think most will enjoy this Cameron classic.

Almost a classic. . ........2007-05-01

I guess I have to be the lone voice which is not too fond of the Tidal Wave sequence in THE ABYSS. When I first saw the film in a theatre in 1989, I loved it--great acting, great writing, great film. Heck, I cried a couple of times as I viewed it, which doesn't happen very often with a big-budget actioner. The strongest parts of THE ABYSS are the characters and especially the performances of the always solid and believable Ed Harris and his ex-wife but still only love, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. The entire logic of underwater oil drilling and exploration are right on the nose, which is not surprising, given James Cameron's love of the sea and the underwater sciences. Mating this to, what was, for me, a BIG left turn at the end of the film (Director's Cut) was not wise. Too jarring, and it felt (to me) like Cameron had decided that the film needed a big, explicit message and a big, big ending.

What is great in the "Director's Cut" is all the character material cut back into the film. This is the same thing that made Cameron's ALIENS a whopping good film--the people, well written and well played. Cameron is very, very good at writing strong female roles, and his male roles are no slouches, either. He doesn't give his supporting characters a moment or two of color to make them distinctive, he gives them flesh and bone, makes them so real that you feel you actually know them. These people have stories!

Cameron made his point about what we humans are doing to ourselves much mo' bettah in TERMINATOR 2. Succinct, to the point, and scary as heck.

I still recommend the two-disc Special Edition of THE ABYSS so you can judge for yourself. That's the way it should be.

Average customer rating:

Unrealistic and annoying - one slow motion kill after another
Possibly the most realistic Vietnam war movie ever
They were Soldiers, and much more!!
The GORE of WAR
HD ACTION

We Were Soldiers [HD DVD]
Starring: Sam Elliott , Clark Gregg , Denis Leary , Keri Russell , and Madeleine Stowe
Director: Randall Wallace
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: HD DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Action & Combat | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

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

General | HD DVD | Formats | DVD | Video

Military & War | HD DVD | Formats | DVD | Video

The Last Samurai [HD DVD]
Batman Begins [HD DVD]
The Mummy Returns [HD DVD]
Apollo 13 [HD DVD]
The Italian Job [HD DVD]

ASIN: B000GW8VTO
Release Date: 2006-08-01

Description

The year is 1965 and America is at war with North Vietnam. Commanding the air cavalry is Lt. Col. Hal Moore (Gibson), a born leader committed to his troops. His target: the la Drang Valley, called "The Valley of Death." As Moore prepares for one of the most violent battles in U.S. history, he delivers a stirring promise to his soldiers and their families: "I will leave no man behind...dead or alive. We will all come home together."

Customer Reviews:

Unrealistic and annoying - one slow motion kill after another.......2007-06-24

There are hundreds (at least it seems that way) of deaths shown in slow motion. It gets really annoying. Ruins what could have been a good movie.

Possibly the most realistic Vietnam war movie ever.......2007-06-14

As many of the previous reviewers mentioned, I am a war movie fanatic. I was not in the Vietnam war, but my father flew the Huey right through the thick of the battles, and has been a Bell Helicopter employee all his life.

I watched this movie with him w en it came out on DVD, three times in a row, and once again on HD.

Dad's not a movie type guy, and no Vietnam movie ever impressed him because of too much Hollywood flair and glorification. This was completely different, he said it was the most realistic Vietnam war movie he had ever seen.

It was great listening to him point out parts of the movie and explaining how accurate a certain part was and how that's just how it was like on another part.

This movie still had some Hollywood flair to it, but when a movie can create that kind of impact on someone, and create an unforgetable evening spent with my father learning about his past, it is worth 5 + stars to me. Especially when I had such high expectations after Braveheart and the movie still impressed me, that is why I am a Mel Gibson fan.

Great movie, one of the best!

They were Soldiers, and much more!!.......2007-05-15

I like this movie, and especially on HD. Overall, the story was good, and it was just passionate scene with Mel and Pepper at the end. I bought this for my HD Collection and I'm happy to say that it was worth the purchase! Although, its not the best HD DVD Movie that I own, it is certainly a great movie about a war. Keep me at the edge of my seat! Good war movies, and I hate war movies, but it drew me in every minute. Atleast give it a watch to see if you would like it before you by the Standard or HD version.

The GORE of WAR.......2007-05-14

Warning do not eat anything during this film (because of the gory scenes)This HIGH-DEF WAR FILM does not hide anything,the pictures talk for themselves An absolutely Brilliant FILM only to be surpassed from the sound,amazingly detailed and directional the best gunshot sounds i have ever heard on film,you can tell with closed eyes which weapon is being fired and from where.You are virtually captured in this war film.At the end I crept out from behind my couch to check the floor of my Home Cinema for blood stains and the walls for bullet holes.It dosen't get more realistic than this unless you are a soldier

HD ACTION.......2007-03-08

Good movie have it on original dvd, the HD version is very good. The sound and gunfire effects are great on HD> A great addition to your HD library.

Average customer rating:

Original Theatrical Version MUCH BETTER--WHERE IS IT?
Classic. I love it.
"I'd rather get Munsoned out here in the middle of nowhere..."
Used book; long out of print
Up there with their best

Kingpin
Starring: Woody Harrelson , Randy Quaid , Vanessa Angel , Bill Murray , and Chris Elliott
Director: Peter Farrelly , and Bobby Farrelly
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( K ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

There's Something About Mary (Widescreen Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Dumb and Dumber
The Big Lebowski (Widescreen Collector's Edition)
Me, Myself & Irene
Tommy Boy (Special Collector's Edition)

ASIN: 6305161860
Release Date: 1999-05-18

Amazon.com

The team behind Dumb and Dumber and There's Something About Mary--two really stupid, gross-out films that worked and were quite funny--also made this really stupid, gross-out comedy that doesn't work and isn't funny at all. Woody Harrelson stars as a former bowling phenomenon with a hook for a hand, and Randy Quaid is an Amish farmer with a hidden talent for pins. The two join forces and get a sexy business partner (Vanessa Angel), and the film starts looking more and more like a jokey variation of The Color of Money. The Color of Money, however, didn't feature jokes about having oral sex with a hideous landlady or defecating in a sink or dragging disgusting stuff out of one's teeth with a length of floss. Bill Murray provides some much-needed relief as Harrelson's ex-partner turned rival. How come this stuff is obnoxious while the equally perverse punch lines of There's Something About Mary are a riot? It's a great mystery, all right, but there it is. --Tom Keogh

Description

The guys who brought you There's Something About Mary and Dumb and Dumber strike again with a gut-busting farce that's "just too funny" (Los Angeles Times)! Woody Harrelson, Randy Quaid and Vanessa Angel come up winners in this riotous, joke-a-second comedy with plenty of balls. Harrelson is Roy Munson, a pro bowler who seems destined for greatness, or as close to greatness as a bowler can get. But after a run-in with angry competitors, Roy finds himself sadder, wiser and minus his bowling hand! Years later, he meets the naive Ishmael (Quaid), an Amish bowling whiz. Together they set out for a million-dollar tournament in Reno, and along the way pick up Claudia (Angel), a sexy vixen with brains, attitude and really big...ideas. With her help, they make it to the tournament. But will Roy and Ishmael win the big match and score fame and fortune...or will all their hopes and dreams go barreling down the gutter?

Customer Reviews:

Original Theatrical Version MUCH BETTER--WHERE IS IT?.......2007-06-05

Again, as in The 40 Year Old Virgin, we have what was a classic comedy re-edited for its dvd release, and made all the poorer for it. Why won't they release the original theatrical version of Kingpin on DVD--it was PERFECT as it was. The gags they re-inserted for the DVD release add nothing and actually detract. I wish I'd never sold my old VHS, which had an untampered with version. The original version was easily the best flick the Farrelly Brothers or Woody Harrelson ever made.
The original Kingpin was FAR superior to Something About Mary.
Bring us the original!

Classic. I love it........2006-11-20

Very rarely do you look back to when you were young and remember 85% of a movie. I am young, and this movie first came out when I was really to young to understand it. Still over the years of me growing up I watched this film and learned what it was about more over time. For example, the jokes, comedy aspects, etc. Anyways, this movie is a classic. They definently need to make a movie like this now days!!!

Pros:
Truly unique, Extremely funny, Good plot (who would've ever thought to bring an Amish guy buy the name of Ishmail into the story?).

Cons:
I was sort of annoyed by the chick (Claudia I think?), but I think she had to play that character to make the movie what it was.

Overall:
A must have for anyone who loves comedy movies!

"I'd rather get Munsoned out here in the middle of nowhere...".......2006-10-19

Isn't it funny that the guy chosen to write the editorial review gave this movie the written equivalent of zero stars, while the 120+ customers who reviewed it gave it an average of 4 1/2 stars? I have yet to meet someone who didn't think this movie was absoluteley hilarious, but according to Tom Keogh (who?), it "doesn't work at all" and "isn't funny at all". Who picked that guy? Do not listen to him.

This is one of the funniest movies that you'll ever see, full of laugh-out-loud slapstick as well as a myriad of more subtle, creative jokes that will just crack you up. Its so funny and so enjoyable its basically guaranteed to put you in a good mood, and I can't imagone anyone thinking it's not funny, unless their name is Tom Keogh. Its an excellent sophomore effort by the Farelly brothers, following the enormous success of the insanely funny Dumb and Dumber, and it has their trademark style imprinted all over it (downtrodden protagonist, stunning hottie, crude gags, cheerful rock soundtrack). But rather than relying almost entirely on the comic genius of Jim Carey, this movie spreads the funny almost equally amongst its stars. Woody Harrelson as the cynical, alcoholic bowling has-been Roy Munson, and Randy Quaid as his naive Amish prodigy, are a pure joy to watch, and Bill Murray gives one of the funniest performances of his career as Roy's perfectly evil worm of an arch-nemesis, Ernie McCracken ("Big Ern's got a heart of gold, Bob").

This film kind of flew under the radar and didn't recieve as much attention as the Farrelly flicks that came immediately before and after it (Dumb and Dumber & Something about Mary), but its at least just as funny. In fact, in my opinion, the Farrelly brothers have not approached this level of funny since. Sure, Something About Mary was very funny, but it is much more dependent on the crudeness of its humor than on the funniness of its chracters and script. And each Farrelly movie that has come out since then is for the most part forgettable. There are way too many hilarious moments in Kingpin to list here, so many that there are a few you might not even notice ("What're you doin' there, Mr. Munson?" "Flossin'." "Flossin? Where'd I get Munson from?"). But trust me, if you watch this with your friends, you're stomach muscles will hurt from laughing and you'll be quoting its jokes amongst each other for years to come. I'll leave you with this:

"I took the liberty of milkin' your cow for ya. Took a while to get'er warmed up, she sure is a stubborn one." (sips from the pail of milk)
"We don't have a cow. We have a bull."
"......I'm gonna go brush my teeth."

Used book; long out of print.......2006-08-28

The book was as advertised and arrived on time. It was a pleasant transaction.

Up there with their best.......2006-08-21

The Farrelly Brothers reached their peak with There's Something About Mary, but Kingpin was overlooked by many and that is just a shame. Not only is this the best bowling themed movie, but up there with one of the best sports comedies.

As Roy Munson, Harrelson really did a good job as the down and out former pro-bowler. His meal ticket Ishmael (Randy Quaid)is an Amish "boy" with a whole lotta talent. With the help of Ms. Rebecca (Vanessa Angel) they set their sites to Reno for the Million Dollar championship. Along the way they hustle, fight, and get lit up as they embark on their desired fortunes. It is during their journey that they grow and establish their friendship.

Big Ern (Bill Murray) was a fantastic antagonist as only Murray can portray. His foster dad commercials especially were a riot.

The bowling scenes were impressive...really great camera work and both Harrelson and Murray did very well form-wise.

One of my all-time favorites

Average customer rating:

Graphics, Story, Blu-ray, get it!
subpar transfer
Into the Valley of Death
Dedication to One's Loyalties Against All Odds
Irresistibly watchable

We Were Soldiers [Blu-ray]
Starring: Sam Elliott , Clark Gregg , Denis Leary , Keri Russell , and Madeleine Stowe
Director: Randall Wallace
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

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

General | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video

Drama | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video

Military & War | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Casino Royale [Blu-ray]
The Departed [Blu-ray]
Black Hawk Down [Blu-ray]
Pearl Harbor [Blu-ray]
Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest [Blu-ray]

ASIN: B000K7UG34
Release Date: 2007-01-23

Description

The year is 1965 and America is at War with North Vietnam. Commanding the air cavalry is Lt. Col. Hal Moore (Gibson), a born leader committed to his troops. His target: the La Drang Valley, called "The Valley of Death." As Moore prepares for one of the most violent battles in U.S. history, he delivers a stirring promise to his soldiers and their families: "I will leave no man behind…dead or alive. We will all come home together."

Customer Reviews:

Graphics, Story, Blu-ray, get it!.......2007-05-31

This is a great movie, the graphics are uber crisp and clean. One of the best of the HD generation. The story is classic and Mel does a great job as the main character. I do wish the studio had of included the lossless PCM audio instead of just Dolby Digital, but hey, the sound was fantastic anyway.

If you've got BD, get this one. It's also out on HD-DVD, can't speak to that version but it's probably equally as good.

subpar transfer.......2007-03-18

this film looks terrible on my 1080p hdtv. this blu-ray disc looks worse than some of the regular dvds that get upscaled to 1080i thru my regular player. paramount should be ashamed of themselves.

Into the Valley of Death.......2007-02-01

Mel Gibson's WE WERE SOLDIERS is a provocative war film. It works effectively as an action war film but that is a rather simplistic assessment. What makes this film effective is the camaraderie that flourishes and intensifies amongst the American soldiers, their valor, heroism and Mel Gibson's sincere performance as the dedicated Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore who is the first man on and last man off the field of battle. The film is both intense and emotional and we also get to see their families stateside adding another perspective to this military engagement. Perhaps the film's greatest strength is its intimacy of putting the viewer in the center of this frenetic encounter where staying alive for the good of the whole involved reflex-like action tinged with a great deal of energy and emotion.

Dedication to One's Loyalties Against All Odds.......2007-01-12

What I like about this movie is how both sides are depicted in this vicious engagement during the Vietnam War. You get a genuine feeling of conviction for the ideals being fought for by both opposing officers in command. The fighting is fierce and the North Vietnamese are going to hold their ground at all costs. The Americans will try and take the ground until ordered otherwise. This film examines the nature of war through the eyes of both men in charge on the field of battle. Barry Pepper in a very colorful role represents every man's instinct to survive.

Irresistibly watchable.......2007-01-08

Well it is Mel all right; he started getting gung ho with whit "Brave heart" hand has been gearing up ever since. The only problem I have with this movie is I can not figure out what he has to say even when he tells you. With the probable exception of "All Quiet on the Western front", most war movies just use war as a back drop to their main purpose as in "Apocalypse Now" (an updated "Hart of Darkness"). This movie has the look and feel of an updated "Green Berets" Pluck out John Wayne and plug in Mel.

We know the base story is of the stand off of the NVA at Ia Drang November 1965 against overwhelming odds, with a little help of superior technology. The uniforms and equipment look pretty authentic. The terrain was well done also; it could be the real thing as much as California. Not all of Vietnam is swamp.

Even though there is a lot of action (more phosphorus than C4) this is not just a shootemup movie. They also focused on the wives back home, showing how they had to cope with the situation. There were also some cursory sub stories as a combat photographer getting more than he expected.

I have the same conundrum as others do that have not been there. The Vietnam I was in (67-68) had a few firefights; but most of the time it was our spies against their spies and there was no front. When we tangled both sides lost an even average of 15% but if you could find them and drop something on them you got your 15% from a safe distance. I was in the special reactionaries and trained for just the situation this movie depicts. I was the RTO and was supposed to fight out and retake the base to not let the NVA get a foot hold. However it never came.

One thing you can say about this movie is that you will get involved and almost forget that it is a movie.

Scary Movie 4 (Unrated Widescreen Edition)

Average customer rating:

A comedy that pokes fun at scary movies.
Cornball Sophmoric Parody
Hit and Miss Comedy, Just Average
Fun movie with a boatload of Special Features on the DVD
Mostly blah, but has its moments

Scary Movie 4 (Unrated Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Craig Bierko , Chris Elliott , Kevin Hart , James Earl Jones , and Cloris Leachman
Director: David Zucker
Manufacturer: Weinstein Company
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

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

Scary Movie 3.5 - Special Unrated Version (Dimension Collector's Series)
Date Movie (Unrated Edition)
Scary Movie 2
X-Men - The Last Stand (Widescreen Edition)
Poseidon [HD DVD]

ASIN: B000FOQ1KY
Release Date: 2006-08-15

Amazon.com

Some comedy is like a scalpel; the Scary Movie series is a hand grenade, spewing bodily fluids and big-breasted women in all directions as they lampoon the latest horror. In Scary Movie 4's case, the main targets are War of the Worlds, The Village, The Grudge, Saw, and Tom Cruise jumping all over Oprah's couch (the scariest of the lot). Along the way, potshots get taken at non-horror fare like Brokeback Mountain and Million Dollar Baby, as well as obvious targets like Michael Jackson and George W. Bush, among others. Anna Faris (Lost in Translation) and Regina Hall (The Honeymooners) return as the central characters wandering through a crazy quilt of horror scenarios, joined by Craig Bierko (Cinderella Man) doing a dead-on parody of Cruise at his most manic. Cameos include everyone from Charlie Sheen to Shaquille O'Neal to Carmen Electra. Some of it's funny, some of it's not, but there's a generally buoyant zaniness that comes from director David Zucker, one of the creators of Airplane!, which started the whole firehose-of-jokes aesthetic. --Bret Fetzer

Description

The Scary Movie gang is back for their funniest, most fearless installment yet. -Starring Anna Faris & Regina Hall (previous Scary Movie films), Leslie Nielsen (The Naked Gun, Airplane), Carmen Electra (Cheaper by the Dozen 2)

Customer Reviews:

A comedy that pokes fun at scary movies........2007-06-13

If you've seen any of the 4 Scary Movies, you know what they're about. They're comedies that poke fun at scary movies. They don't have any real story line. They're just there to make us laugh.

So what's to like about this movie? There are quite a few jokes that had me laughing out loud. Some of the funny parts remind me of my own weird sense of humor and it's good to see a movie that contains not-so-typical/predictable jokes. Also, it's good to see the same old characters again in this movie (if you've seen Scary Movie 2, you'll appreciate the fact that the "Take my little land!" guy is in this one as well).

What's not to like about this movie? There's a couple of things. First, if you're not a horror movie fan (or if you haven't been to the movie theatre in a while), you may not understand some of the jokes and/or part of the plot. The majority of this movie is based on the movie "The Grudge" and "War of the Worlds". If you haven't seen both of these movies (or at least know in general what they are about), it's easy to get confused. Also, as I said above, if you're expecting a really good story line, don't even bother. All of the movies in the Scary Movie line are basically just random scenes thrown together to gain some laughs that will come together to create an ending (and not even a good one at that).

My rating: 3.5/5 stars. If you've seen any of the other Scary Movies, you'll know what to expect. If you haven't seen them or you aren't a horror movie fan, you may be disappointed.

Cornball Sophmoric Parody.......2007-06-05

I actually founds some parts of this film amusing. I'm a big "war of the world's" fan, so when I saw this film was going to spoof it, I checked it out. Yeah, I'm not a fan of the potty humor (the scene with the old woman getting the sponge bath), or homophobic jokes (Brokeback Mountain parody), some of this film had some amusing bits. Tom on the Winfrey show. The Michael Jackson 'cameo' when the Tripods are attacking, the scene where "Tom" is trying to take the minivan.

Other scenes were just lame. (The beginning Saw scene), The scene in the Village.

I really can't see rating this film any more than 2 stars. It was Trash TV. But some of the scenes were well done, and I thought the actors: particularly the Tom character and his daughter (dead ringer for the kid in the actual movie), did an excellent job.

Recommend this film for adults only. Too much sex and potty humor for the kiddies.

Hit and Miss Comedy, Just Average.......2007-05-28

"Scary Movie" franchise still goes on, with lots of parodies about the recent hit movies such as "War of the Worlds" "SAW" "The Village" and "The Grudge." David Zucker who also helmed the second sequel "Scary Movie 3" throws in lots of gags with his trademark zany humor. He just cannot sit still behind the camera. He is always trying to find something to joke about and the results are hit-and-miss.

Each gag or parody should be seen for yourself. Some are very funny, some unfunny and misguided, and all in all, well, just good. One sad thing for me is that the glorious days of comedies in the 1980s like "Airplane!" and "The Naked Gun" are gone. Funny as they are, the gags of "Scary Movie 4" still look repetitious and predictable for the fans like me who have seen these classics 20 years ago.

Maybe the filmmakers should have chosen some other materials for parody. The combined story of sci-fi big budget "War of the Worlds" and Japanese horror remake "The Grudge" is not likely to work, so are the occasional flashbacks that are inserted for the sole purpose of introducing another parody of "Million Dollar Baby" and others. Or maybe some jokes are not just funny when a little girl (spoof of Dakota Fanning's screaming girl in "WOTW") is forced to suffer numerous painful experiences repeatedly. Or just maybe, Charlie Sheen (who appears as cameo here) should be in the lead instead of Craig Bierko, who is, I think, miscast as "Tom Ryan."

The film makes fun of at least three internationally famous people - Michael Jackson, Tom Cruise, and President of the United States of America (the last one done by Leslie Nielsen). I don't say it's not funny - yes, I laughed, I admit - but the targets are too familiar and the jokes are too obvious. The many cameos (including James Earl Jones, Doctor Phil McGraw and many others) are surely interesting to see, but some originality in the plot or humor would not hurt.

I really like comedies of David Zucker and Jim Abrahams, and lovely Anna Faris who has returned to the film as "Cindy." She shows her comedic talent again, and the film is benefited from its surprisingly good (and costly) production designs and special effects for this genre. What it needs is the laughs up to the standard of the past masterpieces.

Fun movie with a boatload of Special Features on the DVD.......2007-04-04

I've enjoyed the Scary Movie franchise. I know some are sick of it but fot me it's good fun. This time they focused making fun of "Saw", "War of the Worlds", "BrokeBack Mountain", and "Grudge" to name a few.

The gags work some of the time and others they don't. One of my favorites jokes had to be that killer intro mocking "The War of the Worlds" and the whole bit with Tripod. Other jokes aren't as funny because they're jokes that don't leave much surprise. The Tom Cruise bashing in the Oprah show is a riot.

The DVD for the flick is extensive and if you liked the movie is well worth watching. A lot of deleted scenes, bloopers, commentary, and makings on the film. Many of the deleted scenes are alternate or extended scenes that were left on the cutting room floor. The makings on the movie are done well. The cast clearly loves the franchise and hopes it never ends. All in all a decent dvd if you saw the movie but what more than what the theatrical release gave you.

Mostly blah, but has its moments.......2007-01-16

First warning: if you saw the trailer, some of the best bits are there. The opening, a parody of Saw with Dr. Phil and Shaq, is the funniest bit - and probably one of the funniest things Zucker's done in years. From there, the film is a little light on laughs. Parodies are mostly of Saw, War of the Worlds, the Grudge, and the Village. SM4s greatest asset is the casting. Leslie Nielson has a great moment as the bumbling president and Craig Bierko is almost more convincing as Tom Cruise than the real Tom Cruise is. Kudos are also in order for Chris Elliot as the Village Idiot (Isn't it obvious?). It's stated on the disc that Zucker has rules for spoofing. Unfortunately, the rules are probalby a little dusty, as the formula is getting old, and most of the gags are too dated, obvious, or knee deep in vulgarity. If the franchise is to continue (and as long as Hollywood keeps churning out horror movies of the week, it will), then there needs to be a better formula. SM4 is funny, just a little bit too low on the laughs for repeat viewings. Rent it.

Average customer rating:

A comedy that pokes fun at scary movies!
Bored
keeps getting funnier!!
FUNNY!
Funniest of them all

Scary Movie 2
Starring: Veronica Cartwright , David Cross , Tim Curry , Chris Elliott , and Richard Moll
Director: Keenen Ivory Wayans
Manufacturer: Dimension
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video