Geraldine Fitzgerald

Average customer rating:

Excellent!
Dudley Moore "Arthur"
CLASSIC COMEDY IS STILL GREAT
alert the media
It just doesn't get any better than this-

Arthur
Starring: Dudley Moore , Liza Minnelli , John Gielgud , Geraldine Fitzgerald , and Jill Eikenberry
Director: Steve Gordon
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Arthur 2 - On the Rocks
Tootsie [Region 99]
Foul Play
Unfaithfully Yours
Micki and Maude [Region 99]

ASIN: 0790731886
Release Date: 1997-07-30

Amazon.com

When you get lost between the moon and New York City (ahem), chances are you'll find yourself taking another look at this hit comedy starring Oscar-nominated Dudley Moore as the charmingly witty, perpetually drunken millionaire Arthur Bach. Arthur falls in love with a waitress (Liza Minelli) who doesn't care about his money, but unfortunately Arthur's stern father wants him to marry a Waspy prima donna. The young lush turns to his wise and loyal butler (Oscar-winner John Gielgud) for assistance and advice. Arthur was a huge hit when released in 1981, as was its Oscar-winning theme song by Christopher Cross. Few remember that the movie was, sadly, the only one ever made by writer-director Steve Gordon, who died less than a year after the film's release. Consistently funny and heartwarming, Arthur was hailed as a tribute to the great romantic comedies of the 1930s. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Excellent!.......2007-04-11

Excellent price, speed of delivery, and quality. I am very happy with this purchase!

Dudley Moore "Arthur".......2007-03-28

Dudley Moore makes you just want to crawl up with a warm blanket, hot cocoa and think about what it would be like to have all this and then have it taken away. Great movie.

CLASSIC COMEDY IS STILL GREAT.......2007-03-25

I love this film! The cast's comic timing is so good, you'll be doubled over laughing! The DVD could use an upgrade though. As funny as this movie is, it is amazing how bad the sequel turned out! Lightning in a bottle the first time...I guess?

alert the media.......2007-03-11

I have a friend who looked for a year for this movie on dvd in brick and mortar stores, I ordered it for her and she had it in a week, and by the next week, she'd watched it ten times. Its a very good movie.

It just doesn't get any better than this-.......2007-01-02

This has been one of my favorite movies for a long time. Recently I was happy to see it on DVD which is a relief from watching the old, grainy VHS versions.

I hadn't seen it in years and watched it today to find myself amazed at how well the movie stands up to time. It's one of those rare, perfect storms of comedy where great writing (truly funny line after truly funny line) is paired with great direction and outstanding performances all at the same time.

Dudley Moore got an Oscar nomination for "Arthur" but lost (although John Gielgud won for best supporting actor). If Moore's performance in "Arthur" doesn't win a Best Actor Oscar -it's proof that no comedic actor could ever win the title (another example is Gene Wilder in "Young Frankenstein").

Steve Gordon crafts the film beautifully keeping true to each of the characters and the warm-hearted tone of the story. Quite simply, IMHO the movie is a rare gem. It's only sad that Steve Gordon passed away just a year after "Arthur" was released.

Regarding the DVD, it's so/so. Although the video quality is a leap over the old VHS copies, there is still no widescreen version available.

The DVD has a few extras that are nice but it's just not enough. One example is commentary from the Director stating how he greatly wished how certain deleted takes and scenes could have been included (because they were hysterical), but that he had to make tough choices for a final edit. The DVD, being the perfect format to include such material, certainly should have offered it as well.

This, the original "Arthur", is a classic comedy that is one for the books.

Average customer rating:

POLTERGEIST III is the main focus here and I'll tell you why......
Portergeist
2 in 1 is cool
they are better than the first, but that is still no feat
El perfecto complemento de la trilogía...

Poltergeist II/Poltergeist III
Starring: JoBeth Williams , Craig T. Nelson , Heather O'Rourke , Oliver Robins , and Zelda Rubinstein
Director: Brian Gibson , and Gary Sherman
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Poltergeist
Pet Sematary (Special Collector's Edition)
Carrie (Special Edition)
The Exorcist (The Version You've Never Seen)
Exorcist II - The Heretic

ASIN: B00009PY4G
Release Date: 2003-08-26

Amazon.com

As sequels go, Poltergeist II has the advantage of retaining most of the original film's cast (although the absence of the actress Dominique Dunne, a murder victim, is not explained). It's still not enough to turn this dreary outing into a passable horror movie. The terrorized Freeling family has moved from their haunted house, but the bothersome ghosties are not finished with them yet. The lame scares include a sequence built around Craig T. Nelson swallowing a demon worm from a tequila bottle and then regurgitating it. Far more frightening is the wizened face of theater legend Julian Beck, who appears as a foreboding old guy with bad news for the Freelings: "Yer all gonna die!"

Poltergeist III recruits only blond cherub Heather O'Rourke (who died before the film's release) and dwarf psychic Zelda Rubinstein from the first movies. The action has shifted to a Chicago high-rise, where little Carol Anne's otherworldly gift is being studied (Tom Skerritt and Nancy Allen play the uncle and aunt she boards with). Director Gary Sherman tries to get some ideas going with mirror images, but the bargain-basement atmosphere and the limited special effects undercut the movie at every turn. --Robert Horton

Description

POLTERGEIST 2 POLTERGEIST 3

Customer Reviews:

POLTERGEIST III is the main focus here and I'll tell you why.............2007-02-07

I hate it when movie companys decide to combine two movies of the same series into one DVD. Sure, your getting more for your buck but I consider it to be a cheap excuse to sell the movie (especially if the film wasn't popular at the box office) weather the fans asked for it or not. That happens to be the situation here with POLTERGEIST, which is basically part II and part III slapped into one disc. Now, I know the title of my review is all about the third sequel but I don't want people getting the wrong impression about my opinion. I love the second movie and I happen to think it's even better than the third film. Actually, I think all the POLTERGEIST movies are best from start to finish. The first being the best (not to mention one of my favorite Horror films of all time), the third being the last. With that being said, lets talk about the actual movie POLTERGEIST III now. A while ago, I decided to buy the entire POLTERGEIST series on VHS because they were so cheap on Amazon's Market place. The other day I watched the third movie to refresh my memory about the film. When I was younger, I thought the third movie was pretty creepy so I had high expectations for the film to hold some of that spooky "magic" from my childhood. What started out as a pretty good follow up to the second movie was quickly dashed with terrible ending. When the movie was over, I couldn't help but feel dissapointed and a little bit mad. Like I said, the movie starts out great and then near the end, falls flat on it's face. Now, at the time I had no idea about the production or any of the "drama" that was happening behind the scenes of POLTERGEIST III. I heard when I was younger that the main actress (Heather O'Rourke) died at an early age after this film was made. Thinking nothing of it (at the time), I had no idea how much her death effected the over all production and direction of the film POLTERGEIST III. I did a little reading about the third sequel online and came into alot of information about the actual film and what happend in the last few weeks of production. As it turns out, Heather O'Rourke died before the actual film was finished. Nobody it seemed wanted to finish the movie (due to her sudden death) and from what I read online, the movie was going to be scrapped until the producers could remake the entire film. The movie company MGM basically told the film producers and directors to finish the movie, dispite the fact they had little to work with. Before Heather O'Rourke died, the movie already was finished (with a complete ending) but MGM didn't like the original ending and wanted them to change it. O'Rourke passed away and the producers/directors were left with a pretty much black & white choice to finish the movie or have someone else step in to do it. The end result is a quickly thrown together ending that not only feels "sudden" but cheats the viewers out of actually seeing Heather O'Rourke's face in the final scene. If you actually own this movie (considering the terrible reviews on Amazon and online, I couldn't see anybody wanting to own this movie), watch the last scene where the entire family walks out of the mirror. Carol Anne's face is buried in her Aunt's shoulder (hugging) and you never actually get to see O'Rourke's face. From what I read online, MGM decided on a quicker ending and used a "body double" for the role of Carol Anne at the end of the film. Coming into this information online helps explain why the second half of POLTERGEIST III is lame compared to the enjoyable start of the film. Online, I read how the original ending was ment to happen and I personally think it would have finished the film alot better than the actual end result. (If your curious as to how the original ending was ment to be, I suggest going to Yahoo and looking up the title POLTERGEIST III) Now that I have come across that information, it helps shed a different light on the third POLTERGEIST project and makes some of the bad parts (the chopped up ending, the wooden acting) a little more understandable. Now, we've talked an awful lot about the actual direction, production and situations behind the scenes of POLTERGEIST III. I think it's time we talk about the actual plot of the movie. From what I gather, POLTERGEIST III was ment to be the final movie of the series. It was ment to include "THE FINAL CHAPTER" in the main title. Basically the movie is about how Carol Anne is sent to live with her Aunt because her family believes she was the main source for all the "evil" that followed them. Personally I think that was a cheap excuse for a sequel idea and the film makers should have come up with a better idea than that one! If anyone has ever seen the two movies before this one, they would know that Carol Anne's family would never do such a random and stupid thing! They loved her and after everything that has happend to them, I don't think they would want to part with Carol Anne. It doesn't make sense and makes the over all film of POLTERGEIST III feel totally different from the first two movies. Anyways, Carol Anne lives with her Aunt and Uncle at very large apartment building in New York. Fastforward some pointless plot details (Carol Anne see's a Psychologist during the day and he doesn't believe a word about her being haunted in the past) and eventually the evil ghosts have found her in New York. The idea that Carol Anne must lead this "monster" Kain into the light (because she was the first born in the house that was built above the graves in the first movie) is a hold over plot from that was exposed in the second film. So now the entire apartment building is haunted by these ghosts and alot fo creepy scenes are done with mirrors! When I was a young kid watching this movie (my opinions about plot weren't the focus of my attention) alot of the mirror scenes scared me to death! Of course these are all done with camera tricks but they're done with a brooding sense that something horrible is about to happen. Thus, the haunting of an entire apartment building! Looking back at the movie, the director doesn't explore that idea nearly enough. Most of the movie makes the viewer feel like the cast is limited, you hardly ever see anyone else in the apartment building besides the main cast and I can't help but think the "extras" were limited due to a small production fund. Lucky enough the main actors are good enough to keep you interested, they're far from bad actors. So the movie starts out with some good spooky scenes of mirrors and interesting special effects that seem like something out of a NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET movie. Carol Anne is eventually sucked into "the otherside" and the rest of the film is about her Aunt and Uncle trying to find her using some random crest (or whatever) that Tangina gave them to help find Carol Anne. Oh', did I forget to mention that Tangina is in this movie too? Well, she might as we not be considering her role is next to nothing in this sequel. It's yet another luke warm reason to have another member of the original cast put into this messy third chapter. Tangina travels to Carol Anne after getting "visions" (this part is a little unclear) that Kain has found her again. That part of the movie kinda' makes me mad because it seems so pointless and yet another thing that makes POLTERGEIST III feel unlike the other two films. Why Tangina decides to travel alone (without Carol Anne's parents) is beyond me. Don't you think they would like to know Carol Anne is in trouble again? I guess thats a plot detail the film makers decided wasn't important enough to flesh out for the fans of the films. So the rest of the movie is about the Aunt and Uncle running around this apartment building, trying to find Carol Anne. By this point in the film, most of the true "scares" are lost due to many of the reasons I listed above. There is an interesting part in a meat locker where the dead animals come to life and some pretty good special effects where Kain's head is chopped off and melts on the floor but thats about it. Everything else feels so rushed, so chopped up that everything you just watched will be forgotten due to the terrible ending. What could have been a good sequel is bogged down by the tragic death of Heather O'Rourke, low budget (hopefully you don't expect to feel the same magic of the first movie or the wonderful special effects) and a terrible script forced into an ending rewrite. Normally I tell my readers (the Gore Hounds) to check out a movie if I think they will find some enjoyment in the gore. Sadly, POLTERGEIST III lacks any real good latex or bloody special effects. The movie starts out well enough with some good spooky scenes with mirrors and then is quickly ruined by the rushed ending. The only people who might find this movie enjoyable are fans of the first two and those who are curious as to what happens after the second film. On a personal note, I think it's terrible that Heather O'Rourke died at such a young age. She graced our world long enough to make three POLTERGEIST movies and dispite my negative feelings twords the third sequel, I think all three of them are needed for anyones Horror collection. For those of you who enjoy large Horror movie collections, I suggest buying this movie set because it comes with the classic POLTERGEIST 2 and the third sequel to boot. Learn and understand the situation behind the third movie before watching it and give it some credit for trying. By no means is POLTERGEIST III the worst movie I've ever seen. It's a film that was ruined by "too many fingers in the pot" if you ask me. If only MGM would have left in the original ending, the movie may have felt a little bit better as a whole. Instead we're left with a messy project called POLTERGEIST III and alot of questions in the end. Gore hounds, skip this one. Horror fans, add it to your ever growing collection and understand the film before you judge it harshly. I've said my two cents, R.I.P Heather.

Portergeist.......2007-01-16

Very good story, it is sad that this little actress Heather died during one of these movies.

2 in 1 is cool.......2007-01-16

The convenience of having the last two movies in one DVD is great, and that alone earns the three stars. As for the movies. . . . .
Poltergeist II is a decent follow-up attempt, but let's face it--it's hard to beat the first and original Poltergeist. Kudos for Jillian Beck's truly spooky portrayal of the preacher, it makes the film actually scary, in what's an otherwise gross-out FX flick. Adding anything else will ruin the plot for those who've never seen the movie, so let's move on to Poltergeist III. DON'T bother. The only reason to see this movie is to see the original stars Zelda Rubinstein and Heather O'Rourke (in her last performance--she passed away before completion of the film, and that explains the crappy ending) try to salvage a pathetic franchise going down that tunnel "into the light." Amen--rest in peace Poltergeist Legacy, but this trio deserved a better send-off.

they are better than the first, but that is still no feat.......2007-01-11

i dont know what possessed me to go out and get the poltergeist series. maybe it is because i was in dire need of a thrill or just because i couldnt find anything better to waste dollars on. the first movie was already a flop and i felt depressed as i bought this one along with that dvd the same night. so i thought, what they heck...it IS something to watch.

II is much better because there are less of those disney-esque FX. still, the stupid storyline and predictability ruin it. the only creepy things about it are when the dad gets possessed and the appearance of the beast as the old guy. it is a good one to pass on though.

III is definately the best of the series. we get away from that annoying family and thrust into a cityscape and skyscraper. i think the mirror scenes were well done. the ending was pretty lame, but yeah this one would be worth a special edition although i doubt id get it.

all in all. skip it would be wise to skip over this if you hated the original. if you make the mistake i did (that is, buying both dvds) be sure to check out the third one before you sell them, give them away, etc.

El perfecto complemento de la trilogía..........2006-11-11

Excelente calidad de producto, muy buena presentación y es exactamente lo que yo estaba buscando... que esten en español e inglés me parece muy bueno...

Average customer rating:

Polyanna
Remake far surpasses the original
Actually Better than the Original
First Rate!
Superb

Pollyanna
Starring: Amanda Burton , Kenneth Cranham , Georgina Terry , Aden Gillett , and Pam Ferris
Director: Sarah Harding
Manufacturer: Wgbh Boston
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Masterpiece Theatre: Railway Children
Pollyanna
The Railway Children
Pollyanna (Vault Disney Collection)
The Secret Garden (1975)

ASIN: B00009MEKB
Release Date: 2004-11-23

Description

A young girl reveals how a little positive thinking can make a big difference. Every dark cloud has a silver lining—and young Pollyanna knows how to find it. Newcomer Georgina Terry makes a stirring debut as Pollyanna in this heartwarming tale of a little girl whose effortless charm captures the hearts of family, friends, and strangers alike. After the death of her father, Pollyanna moves in with her downcast, embittered aunt (Amanda Burton, Silent Witness). Soon, Pollyanna charms everyone in the beautiful English village she now calls home—except her cold-hearted aunt who refuses to see the brighter side of life. Aunt Polly, despite her vast wealth, impressive estate, and numerous servants, treats young Pollyanna more like an stranger than a relative, but when tragedy strikes, Pollyanna's sunny outlook persuades her aunt to confront past ghosts and embrace the promise of happiness. Based on the classic novel by Eleanor H. Porter, Pollyanna is a treat sure to be treasured by the entire family.

Customer Reviews:

Polyanna.......2007-03-08

This movie should be seen more often by children and adults. It can help a lot in today full of stress environment. Adult can learn what they forgot about good attitude and manners. Children will be able to learn how to treat evryone properly.

Remake far surpasses the original.......2007-02-24

This film is a must-see and a wonderful treat for the whole family. My kids asked me to check it out from the library and after we watched it together as a whole family, I bought a copy from Amazon to add to our collection of family films. It's rare that a remake would outshine the original, but this one is in a class by itself and leaves the 1960 version in the dust. The casting and writing were superb; this film remains true to the book, which I appreciate. (I cannot tell you how annoying it is when filmmakers second-guess the classics and compromise the story in order to make it more "appealing.")

Amanda Burton did right by author Eleanor H. Porter in her interpretation of Aunt Polly. It would be so easy for an actress to make this a mere two-dimensional character, but Burton thoroughly masters this role. Georgina Terry is a wonderful Pollyanna. She is a relatively new to the film industry and she does have a few bad acting habits onscreen here and there that I noticed, but she was such a lovable Pollyanna that the shortcomings really don't matter.

As a mom I can wholly recommend this film to add to your family's home library. If you want your children to enjoy a film that embraces Christianity, upholds the sanctity of marriage, and tickles your eyes with sweet glimpses of English country living, then this DVD would probably be the best 18 bucks you've spent in a long time.

Actually Better than the Original.......2007-01-09

I caught this movie on TV. I was interested in watching the remake after enjoying the Walt Disney version.
I must say that I found this version a lot more enjoyable to watch. I enjoyed this movie so much that I went on Amazon to buy a copy as it is not available in Australia.
If you are looking for a movie that the whole family can watch look no further.
I am always pleased when I come across a well made production which is also clean and enjoyable.

First Rate!.......2006-09-13

A giving, young girl brings warmth and cheer to older people, who had lost all joy. And so she visits you.

I had seen the Disney version first, and liked it at 4-stars. This is a completely different movie, though the same story. The Disney is more entertainment. This film is a warm, uplifting, friend coming to visit you. More depth. Moving. Beautiful English country homes, within a beautiful countryside. Some subtle humor. A pleasant film of encouragement.

Well-made period films are: "Pride & Prejudice 1940, 1996, 2006", "Wives & Daughters", "North & South", Disneys' "Summer Magic", and "Naughty Marietta 1935 with Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy". Fairly made is "Under the Greenwood Tree". Excellent period series is "Road to Avonlea seasons 1-6", and "Christy the Complete Series".

Superb.......2006-08-25

I watched this version of Pollyanna years after I had seen the Disney version, and was pleasantly surprised at how close it came to the book. Georgina Terry is exceptional, and leaves one wishing there were more to see. She absolutely owns the role, and you can't help but love her and all her gladness.

Is it just me, or does anybody else think she would make a wonderful Anne of Green Gables?

Average customer rating:

Deeper Than We Might Think.
NEEDS A DELUXE TREATMENT! CLASSIC COMEDY
Missing the Boxing Match scene!!!!
Missing Scene ?
Classic Rodney! (R.I.P)

Easy Money
Starring: Rodney Dangerfield , Joe Pesci , Geraldine Fitzgerald , Candice Azzara , and Val Avery
Director: James Signorelli
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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( E ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Back to School
Meet Wally Sparks
My 5 Wives
Rodney Dangerfield - The Ultimate No Respect Collection
Ladybugs

ASIN: 0792846141
Release Date: 2000-07-18

Description

Rodney Dangerfield gets a load of respectand a chunk of changein Easy Money! Joined byJoe Pesci and Jennifer Jason Leigh, Dangerfield is outrageous as a working-class buffoon who takes on the first-class tycoons in this million-dollar comedy!Monty Capuletti (Dangerfield) has everything money can't buya loving wife, two devoted daughtersand a few things it can: he drinks, smokes, gambles and eats way too much! But Monty couldn't be happier especially when he learns that his mother-in-law has left him a hefty inheritance. There's just one catch: according to the will, he must turn his vices into virtues before he can turn his windfall into cold, hard cash! Now, themisbehaving Monty will have to put the brakes on the binging and trade his lifestyle for a LifecycleÂ(r), or lose his one shot at the family fortuneforever!

Customer Reviews:

Deeper Than We Might Think. .......2007-04-09

While "Easy Money" may APPEAR to be a simple comedy, it really confronts us with many problems of our human condition. Monty (Dangerfield) is shown as a child photographer who is good at his job. We soon learn that he has several vices. (Smoking, drinking, some illegal drugs, gambling, and some lustful desires) But he is an EVERYMAN. Most of us have at least 1 vice. To some extent, we are ALL Monty. Soon afterwards, a will from his mother in law offers $10,000,000. to Monty if he can shake off all his vices. (And lose weight on top of that.) Monty's friends confront us as well. They are GREAT at telling Monty why he should go through with it. They are also REALLY GREAT AT TELLING Monty he should not drink, smoke, overeat, etc. But they continue to do it themselves, and at times IN FRONT of poor Monty. Again, to some extent, we are all Monty's friends. To make matters more difficult, Monty's rival heir Clyde (Jeff Jones) wants the money for himself, so he looks for ways to tempt Monty into his former vices. (To a large extent, Clyde represents the presence of the devil.) Clyde CAN NOT force, but he can CERTAINLY tempt. Quite convincingly, Monty's tense feelings start to get the better of him, and the movie stops being funny. A notably sad scene is where Monty loses his job. (For the record, I am guessing the boxing scene was taken out for 2 reasons. (a.) In uncut form, there was nothing to indicate Monty had fallen asleep. (b.) In a way, the boxing scene breaks the consistency of the film. Monty losing his job is most appropriately followed by his crying in front of the tv.) Moving on, comedy reenters when Clyde offers Monty a great job. But little does Monty know that Clyde is going to make one final attempt to defeat Monty. (Like the devil, Clyde can't just pull something out of the sky...Monty to some extent has to consent by accepting the job...and the patterns of Monty as a person have to somehow be involved.) In yet another moment as the devil, Clyde confronts Monty's friends with their hypocrisy: "If you're really Monty's friends, you'll stop making it so hard for him...You do want Monty to have the money don't you?" In a well done scene, tensions explode at Monty's house, and we see that the desire of money can destroy our lives that undoubtedly had their problems, but really weren't so bad to begin with. SIDE NOTE: Check Paul's letter to Timothy in the Bible: "For the love of money is the root of all evil" ('Timothy' 6:10). Without ruining the ending, Monty comes through magnanimously. On a trip to Coney Island, he invites and forgives his friends (who could have been more helpful to him), someone who accidentally wounded him, and even Clyde who tried to tempt him throughout. But the devil (Clyde) does get one small but significant consolation prize that he laughs darkly at. And this is true to life too. Usually when we think we beat the devil, he manages to get a small consolation prize. (Remember the end of "The Devil and Daniel Webster?") Low class comedy? Not on your life! "Easy Money" confronts us with our weaknesses, as well as our hypocrisies. It also shows us how the desire for money can hurt us; it shows how the devil works; and it shows the beauty of forgiveness.

NEEDS A DELUXE TREATMENT! CLASSIC COMEDY.......2007-03-13

This a a very funny movie! Dangerfield and Pesci work great together. The 3 star rating is for the low rent DVD treatment. This really deserves an upgrade! Still a must have for me!

Missing the Boxing Match scene!!!!.......2006-06-15

They cut out the Boxing match scene where the lovely Kimberly McArthur(the babe on the lawn) is re-exposed to Rodney when her top pops open in temptation! WHY DID THEY CUT THIS SCENE OUT OF THE VHS AND DVD RELEASES??? Otherwisw, it's a funny movie.

Missing Scene ?.......2006-02-02

Why they cut out the boxing match scene from the DVD is beyond me.

This film captures Rodney D at his peak of popularity and comic genius, a true original! Joe Pesci and the entire supporting cast are also fantastic.
But to cut a major scene out of the film is just criminal!

Movie 5 stars, DVD has no extras & deleted scene = 3 stars

Classic Rodney! (R.I.P).......2004-10-07

This is one of those movies I saw a million times on HBO as a kid. My mother and I would laugh like hyenas. Anytime we'd heard a crying baby, we'd say "Somebody, anybody, please shut that little b*stard up!". Even though this film did not do well at the box office, I thought it was much better than "Back To School". Regarding the reviewers comments about that missing scene . . . I thought I had dreamed that up. I regret getting rid of my old VHS copy! Anyway, a LOT of great laughs in this one. THANK YOU, RODNEY! WE LOVE YOU!

Average customer rating:

An unsentimental look at survivor's guilt
Haunted by the past
When acrors took pride in their craft.
Informative drama...
simply haunting

The Pawnbroker
Starring: Rod Steiger , Geraldine Fitzgerald , Brock Peters , Jaime Sánchez , and Thelma Oliver
Director: Sidney Lumet
Manufacturer: Republic Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Holocaust | Jewish Heritage | Specialty Stores | DVD | Video

Judgment at Nuremberg
Network (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Sophie's Choice
In Cold Blood [Region 99]
Reds (Special 25th Aniversary Collector's Edition)

ASIN: B0000EYUES
Release Date: 2003-12-16

Amazon.com essential video

Based on a novel by Edward Lewis Wallant, this gritty story follows Sol (Rod Steiger in a breakout performance), a lonely camp survivor who has dealt with the destruction of his family by suppressing all emotion and cleaving to the philosophy that nothing matters except money. (His bedridden and dying friend Mendel describes him, to his face, as "the walking dead.") Sol cannot accept the friendship of his assistant, Ortiz (Jaime Sanchez), or of an equally lonely widow (Geraldine Fitzgerald). As the 25th anniversary of his wife's murder approaches, he starts to fall apart, and it becomes clear that what he really wants is to die. The film was considered shocking when first released, both because of its rawness and because of brief nudity. Time has made some of the dramatic touches seem melodramatic--especially the corny "blood on my hands!" final scene. But Steiger's performance is still remarkable, and, even after MTV, the sudden-flashback editing is a forceful technique. A high point of Sidney Lumet's career. Black and white, with lots of atmospheric trumpets by Quincy Jones. --Richard Farr

Customer Reviews:

An unsentimental look at survivor's guilt.......2007-04-10

`The Pawnbroker' was directed in 1965 by: Sidney Lumet (12 Angry Men,1957; Serpico, 1973; Dog Day Afternoon, 1974)
The film deals with a Holocaust survivor suffering survivor's guilt after his wife and children died in the camps. He is now experiencing flash-backs to his experiences in the camps. He is clearly a man at war with himself and seeks to isolate himself from the world and people believing only in absolutes. Several people who appear to be lonely and desperate come into the store simply seeking company or help only to be turned away by his now cold indifference. Essentially this is a wonderful character study of man who has given up on life believing the world to be cruel and inhumane. I found the film well worth watching because it avoids a lot the sentimentality that can be seen in films of this nature.

Cinematography on `The Pawnbroker' was by Boris Kaufman the younger brother of Dziga Vertov (Man With A Movie Camera,1929) He had shot perhaps the finest of all poetic realist films, `L'Atalante' (1934, Jean Vigo) as well as `Zero For Conduct' (1933. Jean Vigo). In 1942 he moved to America where he made a name for himself by working with Elia Kazan on `On The Waterfront'(1954)and `Baby Doll' (1956) winning an Oscar for the former. His cinematography had a high contrast monochromatic element to it that can be clearly seen in `The Pawnbroker'. It has the same grittiness that can also be seen in the films of John Cassavettes. Music was composed by Quincy Jones which gives it a sixties Harlem flavour. The film stars the underrated Rod Steiger (On The Waterfront, 1954; In The Heat Of The Night, 1967; Fist Full Of Dynamite, 1972) in the lead role.

Haunted by the past.......2007-03-24

Rod Steiger is superb in his first major role giving an inspired performance as tormented Jewish Holocaust survivor Sol Nazerman in "The Pawnbroker". Brilliantly directed by the accomplished Sidney Lumet this black and white masterpiece was filmed in realistic fashion on the teaming garbage strewn streets of New York City.

Steiger, a Harlem based pawnbroker and native German has seen the utter destruction of his family and been subjected to dehumanization via concentration camp internment, leaving him a soulless shell of a human being. Muddling through life devoid of emotion he scorns humankind particularly the customers who frequent his shop. He is unable to respond to enthusiasm for life and concern for him displayed by his eager young assistant Ortiz played passionately by Jaime Sanchez nor lonely widow Marilyn Birchfield played by Geraldine Fitzgerald.

Excruciated by flashbacks from the past has Steiger reeling through his daily existence. With his soul extirpated by the past he is again subjected to violence at the hands of slumlord Rodriguez played by Brock Peters and some sketchy acquaintances of Ortiz.

In the riveting final scenes only too late does he realize the importance of interpersonal relationship that he's shunned for so long.

When acrors took pride in their craft........2007-03-09

Emotionally overpowering. Steiger at his best. There was something about these actors who served in WW II. Sol's four minute bit on what its like to be "one of you people" (a Jew) is one of the most compelling bits of acting in the history of cinema. Such compression! Not a superfluous word of dialogue in the entire bit. As close to perfection as possible. It does'nt get any better than this. Brock Peters and Jaime Sanchez (The Wild Bunch) are also superb. An absolute must. The only two performances that can touch Steiger in this one is Steiger himself in "The Heat of the Night", George C. Scott in "The Hospital" and Richard Burton in "Look Back In Anger." Like most things, older is better when it comes to great movies and actors.

Informative drama..........2007-02-16

This drama gives a perspective on how a Jewish person might be negatively affected by experiences they had during the holocaust...
The movie tries to provide some story background for the instability and dsyfunction in his behavior and outlook etc...
I think the movie did a good job 'introducing the elements' of the apathy and changes he goes through, although the sequence being not necessarily totally convincing to me personally... an overall admirable attempt none the less...

simply haunting.......2007-01-20

The Pawnbroker follows the story of Sol, A pawn store owner in a shady part of New York. To Sol nothing matters but the almighty dollor. The memory of warmth and kindness have long since abandoned him. At first you might find yourself disliking Sol for his rude and self centered nature untill his painful past is slowly revealed. The film flashbacks periodically, showing how Sol and his wife where captured and placed in a concentration camp during WWII.(One flashback that is particually painful is when Sol's wife is seperated from him and placed in the camp's joy division) Sol copes with these painful memories by killing his emotions. His past leaves him unforgiving and emotionally dead to the world. The beauty of "The Pawnbroker" is that it shows the devastating effects that the holocaust had on the lives of it's survivors. Many movies have dealt with the holocaust but none of them have showed such an intimate view of a man broken by it. One image I've kept from the Pawnbroker is of Sol looking painfully at the bar code tatooed on his forearm. A horrible reminder that no matter what, his past will always haunt him. A beautiful film that everyone should see at least once.

Average customer rating:

Second Only to Arthur 1
Where's my fabricated half inch pipe?
Loved it!
UFFDA....
A sorry followup to a screen classic

Arthur 2 - On the Rocks
Starring: Dudley Moore , Liza Minnelli , John Gielgud , Geraldine Fitzgerald , and Stephen Elliott
Director: Bud Yorkin
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Slapstick | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

3-6 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Arthur
Unfaithfully Yours
Micki and Maude [Region 99]
Blame it on the Bellboy
Lovesick

ASIN: B0006J28NW
Release Date: 2005-02-15

Description

The world's richest tipsy wit is living in grand style with former waitress Linda as his wife. The two are thinking of starting a family, but the father of his ex-fiancee hatches a plot to leave Arthur penniless. Now, will Arthur have to take a job?

Customer Reviews:

Second Only to Arthur 1.......2007-05-13

Dudley and Liza together again is amust see..
Very satisfied.

Where's my fabricated half inch pipe?.......2007-03-19

This movie is excellent, and probably much better than any subsequent work done by Moore. My kids love it, especially his lamentation in the bar after being fired. I have to admit that I never was a big Moore fan - his work done with Peter Cook was a bit offensive, and this movie proves that humour need not offend.

Mark Fredericks esq.

Loved it!.......2006-12-21

I'm not sure what everyone is talking about. I thought that this movie was great. For the one who gave a synopsis that Arthur and Linda weren't happily married didn't watch the movie. That was not the case at all.
This movie has all the same characters including Burt Johnson, Arthurs fiance from the original's father. Burt Johnson is still continually trying to get Arthur to marry Susan. He makes it so Arthur looses his all of his money. Arthur and Linda continually try to find an place to live..Burt gets them thrown out. Arthur tries to get a job...he gets fired because of Burt Johnson. Susan confronts Linda and Linda realizes that they are not going to give up, so Linda gives up fighting for her and Arthur.
I love this movie. Sometime I think that I like it more then the original because it's a more believable story then the original. Its more "down to earth"
I would recommend this to anyone.

UFFDA.... .......2006-05-16

That`s Norwegian for "Ooops"....

This is a tiresome "pastiche" in which Dudley Moore has lost the charms from 1981 and is just plain annoying. This happens with drunks in real life as well.... the charms and fun just escapes them when they reach the middleage and still refuses any kind of commitment...

This is a needless sequel. The only reason it was made must have been because the stars filmcareers had come to a halt... It`s like a tiresome homemovie...

Still, Liza Minnelli is a pleasure to see(though there is no depth in her charcter as well)...

They ALL should have known better....

A sorry followup to a screen classic.......2005-12-07

This is a truly unfunny followup to the classic Arthur. Arthur and Linda are married, unfortunately not happily married. They want to adopt a baby but first Arthur must sober up. Even a visit by Hobson's ghost (Gielguld) cannot bring life into this uninspired sequel.

The original writer and director Steve Gordon died shortly after the original was released and it is obvious that it is missing his touch.

Don't waste your time or money on this one. Watch the original!

Dark Victory (Restored and Remastered Edition)

Average customer rating:

Dark Victory
Powerful Acting
If you are ever in the need of a good cry...
One of Bette's Finest, a True Vehicle for Her Genius
A Great Movie And Performance By Davis

Dark Victory (Restored and Remastered Edition)
Starring: Bette Davis , George Brent , Humphrey Bogart , Geraldine Fitzgerald , and Ronald Reagan
Director: Edmund Goulding
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Now, Voyager (Keepcase)
Jezebel (Restored and Remastered Edition)
The Letter
Mr. Skeffington
The Little Foxes

ASIN: B0008ENIDE
Release Date: 2005-06-14

Amazon.com essential video

Critic Pauline Kael called this shamelessly enjoyable, vintage Bette Davis weepie a "kitsch classic," and time hasn't diminished its ability to give the tear ducts a good flushing. Davis plays a swinging socialite, living the fast life of booze, smokes, and--with the help of Humphrey Bogart as her Irish stableman--raising thoroughbred horses. When a brain tumor starts giving her headaches and eroding her vision, she falls in love with her surgeon (George Brent), who grows more determined than ever to cure her. Davis gives one of her most vibrant performances, and her costars also include Ronald Reagan and Geraldine Fitzgerald. The film received Oscar nominations for best picture, best actress, and for Max Steiner's score. --Jim Emerson

Description

Bette Davis?s bravura, moving-but-never-morbid performance as Judith Traherne, a dying heiress determined to find happiness in her few remaining months, remains a three-hankie classic. But that success would never have happened if Davis hadn?t pestered studio brass to buy Dark Victory?s story rights. Jack Warner finally did so skeptically. Who wants to see a dame go blind? he asked. Almost everyone: Dark Victory was Davis? biggest box-office hit yet and garnered Academy Award nominations for 1939?s Best Picture, Actress and Original Score (Max Steiner).

Customer Reviews:

Dark Victory.......2007-06-20

Based on Casey Robinson's stage drama, which starred Tallulah Bankhead, this Oscar-nominated weepie about a dying socialite trying to find happiness in the remaining months of her life scored with audiences in 1939. It's not hard to see why: the luminous Davis is superb, convincingly transforming herself from a bossy, devil-may-care horse breeder into a down-to-earth, spiritually humble human being. Humphrey Bogart does a sprightly turn as an Irish stable hand (yes, it's true), and watch for Ronald Reagan, who's terrific as Judith's suitor, Alec Hamin. If you're in the mood for a good cry, "Dark Victory" is your ticket to tearful bliss.

Powerful Acting.......2007-04-20

Judith Traherne (Bette Davis) lives a life of luxury. She has great friends like Ann King (Geraldine Fitzgerald), a smitten gentleman friend (Ronald Reagan), and a bevy of horses and her own stablehand (Humphrey Bogart). That all changed when her eyesight begins to fail. Reluctantly, she goes to a doctor (George Brent) and is told that she must undergo and opperation. She believes it has been a success, but Dr. Steele knows that she has a short time to live. The problem is, he has fallen in love with her, so in order to protect her, he decides to let her believe everything is okay.

The acting in this film is superb. Davis constantly performs and always knows how to draw emotion from the audience. Fitzerald is also remarkable, a little known talent. There are several times when Max Steiner's music and the dramatic events turn the film into a high class melodrama, but the emotional intensity makes it seem more realistic than campy.

If you are ever in the need of a good cry..........2007-04-14

Bette Davis gives a virtuoso performance here as Judith Traherne, a young, rich, headstrong woman who has a brain tumor. At first she denies her symptoms, the headaches, the blurred vision, the loss of sensitivity in her right arm, the fainting spells, but then she is taken to Dr. Frederick Steele (George Brent) who is about to quit his practice and devote himself to medical research. A wonderfully animated Bette Davis shows us how a young woman might react as she is won over by a man to whom she is becoming increasingly attracted. As he examines her she goes through the stages of reluctance, acquiescence, attraction, and then the headlong fall toward love.

Dark Victory is famously known as a "three-hankies tear-jerker" and it is that for sure. If you can keep a dry eye through the last reel, you need to have your pulse taken. This is a tragedy with a silver lining, a human victory over the darkness to come. It is melodramatic with the focus on the utter capriciousness of the tumor that medical science cannot arrest, and on what it is like to go from happiness to despair, to the depths of depression, and then to acceptance and even a since of triumph. Davis takes us on this bumpy ride in a most convincing manner.

Humphrey Bogart is the trainer of horses who loves Judith from afar. Geraldine Fitzgerald plays Judy's best friend Ann King. Ronald Reagan has a small part as Alec Hamm, a rich drunk. Edmund Goulding directed. He is the auteur of many fine movies from the studio days of Hollywood, most notably perhaps, The Razor's Edge (1946) and Of Human Bondage (1946). The movie was adapted from the stage play by George Emerson Bremer Jr. and Betram Bloch.

(Beware of possible spoilers to come.) I would like to see the script of that play because I think there is something in this movie that was handled so delicately as to be unrealistic and even unnatural. Although Dr. Steele and Judith declare their undying love for one another, we do not see them in a scene involving physical passion. The reason for this may have been because Goulding didn't know what to do about sex and the consequences of sex in a married woman who has but a few months to live. The implication is that their marriage may not have been consummated in the usual sense.

Also handled delicately--but very well, I think--is the relationship between Ann and Dr. Steele. At one point Judith has reason to believe that Ann and Dr. Steele have been intimate, but they have not, and she comes to realize that, although they have grown close because of their mutual love for Judith. Yet at the end Judy makes her friend swear that she will take care of Frederick after she is gone. We in the audience believe that she will and we also believe that that "care" is bound to blossom into something more.

If you want to know how Bette Davis became a great star, this movie is a great place to begin. She considered this her favorite role of a lifetime and it is not hard to see why. The part allows for a wide range of emotion. Vivacious, energetic Judith is a sympathetic character, yet there are places in the story where Davis is able to be the hard, mean Bette Davis that we know from other movies, and other places where she is as light and frivolous as an airy teen.

One of Bette's Finest, a True Vehicle for Her Genius.......2007-02-22

Any real classic movie fan has seen Dark Victory at least once. Some of us have done so many times. Yes, it's a glossy, beautifully done, soapy story that gives us a young, vital, wealthy, doomed heroine (Ms. Davis) who must cope with a cruel sentence of early death. Yes, it's a good script well-played by a marvelous cast, well-directed by Edmund Goulding, etc., etc.

But why is it still considered such a classic almost SEVENTY YEARS after its release (as this is written)? Other high-class soap operas have had their day and vanished from memory--and from lists of truly good films, if they were ever there to begin with.

Not Dark Victory. And the reason for it, I am convinced, is the genius-level performance of Bette Davis, plain and simple.

Okay, her Judith Traherne has all the standard Davis mannerisms (all of them in their absolute prime in the film, like the star herself)--the manic energy, the emotional wildness, the eloquent manner of her chain-smoking, the voice, the delivery. Such a character in such a movie shouldn't move us so many decades later if it's just a standard "star turn", now should it?

But it does move us--emotionally, deeply.

It is because Davis uses everything she's got to make this character not only a bit overwhelming at times, but very real. Her change of character when she truly understands what she is facing is beautifully, gracefully done and ultimately believable. She goes from wild, self-indulgent, uncaring, spoiled rich woman to someone who through her own tragedy has learned to care for and love others. Very dangerous, cliche-ridden territory for an actress, unless you are Bette Davis, who manages the change not only with emotional realness but intellectual believability as well!

There is an undercurrent of restraint in this at-times flamboyant portrayal, and it is one that I believe Davis deliberately chose for this performance. In her final scene, when she must face her own death, it is with a truly courageous, understated acceptance which nonetheless fully shows her sadness at leaving life.

How could anyone--even Bette Davis--do this and make it so real?

The secret: She never lets her character feel sorry for herself. Rebel against her fate with characteristic self-indulgence, yes. Get angry, yes. But anyone who has seen this woman in her final moments knows that her sorrow (and quiet courage) at the inevitable end which is so close is absolutely devoid of self-pity, and it gives Judith Traherne a quality of magnificence, thanks to Davis.

That is what makes it so heartbreakingly moving, so timeless, so deeply touching.

That is the genius of Bette Davis in this, one of her greatest roles, one that she made great through her matchless talent.

Pick up this title and see what I mean!

A Great Movie And Performance By Davis.......2007-02-20

I have seen every single Bette Davis movie except for about five and those of course being the most expensive and hard to get your hands on DVDs.She is my favorite actress and blew me away in this timelessly wonderfull drama.She tells the story of life and death so well that it leaves you in tears.The outfits she wears and the eyes that she gives you are worth a million dollars.The man that plays Doctor Steele does a great performance along with Ronald Reagen, and do not dissapoint you.This is my favorite Bette Davis movie and it is a true triumph in its' own right.

The Last American Hero (AKA Hard Driver)

Average customer rating:

the last american hero
Racing Driver Drama
Great Movie!!!
Last American Hero
the last american hero

The Last American Hero (AKA Hard Driver)
Starring: Jeff Bridges , Valerie Perrine , Geraldine Fitzgerald , Ned Beatty , and Gary Busey
Director: Lamont Johnson
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Crime | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Auto Sports | Sports | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Heart Like a Wheel
Dirty Mary Crazy Larry (Supercharger Edition)
Born to be Wild - Four High Octane Movies
Funny Car Summer
Thunder Road

ASIN: B000BZISWQ
Release Date: 2006-02-07

Description

Based on Tom Wolfe's magazine article, this film follows the unlikely career of race car driver Junior Johnson. Jeff Bridges stars.

Customer Reviews:

the last american hero.......2007-01-19

Being a nascar fan I had pleasure following the career and familiar ways of the "hero"...

Racing Driver Drama.......2006-11-15

I have not read the Tom Wolfe essay this story is apparently based on, but as a film it works quite well. Jeff Bridges, looking like a rougher member of the Beach Boys, is effective as a young guy from a small-town moonshining family, who decided he's going to take the world by storm as a champion driver. Great supporting cast includes Ned Beatty, Gary Busey, and Valerie Perrine. Kind of a cross between Monte Hellman's Two-Lane Blacktop and Rebel Without a Cause. And understand that you don't have to be a NASCAR enthusiast to enjoy the film - it's just a great drama.

Great Movie!!!.......2006-03-23

This movie tells the story of a mountain boy who goes from runnin' moonshine to entering local demolition derbies and dirt races to earn money for his family. Eventually, our Hero, Elroy Jackson Jr. makes it to the heights of the sport, although that is not covered in the movie.

Jeff Bridges is one of my favorite actors of all time, and I was elated when this movie finally became available on DVD. Great story, great cast, great theme song ("I Got A Name" performed by Jim Croce).

Last American Hero.......2003-06-29

This is 5 stars if you are a true race fan. Otherwise, it's still an interesting story. This film is loosely based on Tom Wolfe's essay about the younger days of Junior Johnson, although for some reason they changed his name for the film. (Notice, though, that Junior himself was a paid racing consultant on the film.) The race footage is very well done and there is some good footage from the old Southern 500. Bridges and Busey are a lot of fun to watch together as well.If you like stock car racing and wonder what the old days were like when the sport was still developing, you'll love this film. Only pity is it's not on DVD.

(Also another great film (although a little cheesy) about the old days is 43 The Petty Story starring Darren McGavin as Lee Petty and Richard Petty as himself AND Dale Inman AND Buddy Baker!!! It is a classic look at the old values that are still carried forward in the sport to some degree. It also has some insight to what NASCAR was and what it has become..Some really good vinatge racing footage is also included.) Also a pity it's not on DVD...We need to prolong the life of these smaller "special interest" films. Anyway have fun, great summmer stuff.

the last american hero.......2000-06-26

This is a classic movie about moonshing And small town life. It was the best when he went on to racing,It was great . I bought 3 copies and it's worth it. If you like muscle cars you love his black mustang. Great T.I.G.R

Average customer rating:

Not funny
A Faitour de Force of Giggles and Grandeur . . .
Great Show!

Tartuffe (Broadway Theatre Archive)
Starring: Donald Moffat , Stefan Gierasch , Tammy Grimes , Patricia Elliott , and Ray Wise
Director: Kirk Browning
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

The School for Scandal (Broadway Theatre Archive)
Six Characters in Search of an Author (Broadway Theatre Archive)
A Doll's House
Oedipus Rex (1957)
Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie (Broadway Theatre Archive)

ASIN: B00008DDRQ
Release Date: 2003-04-15

Description

Molière's timeless comedy stars the incomparable Donald Moffat (The Right Stuff) as the scoundrel Tarfuffe who manipulates his way into the confidence and affection of Orgon, an affluent bourgeois concerned with his own salvation, and whose wife and daughter Tartuffe attempts to seduce. Also stars Victor Garber (Titanic) and two-time Tony-winner Tammy Grimes (High Art).

Customer Reviews:

Not funny .......2007-02-01

I have come to expect a lot from Broadway Theatre Archive. They save the best, I thought. However, this is defintely not the best version of Tartuffe that I have seen. I first saw it onstage, presented by the Trinity Square Reperatory Company in Providence, Rhode Island. The audience, including me, laughed so much we almost fell out of our seats. But, this version, unfortunately, is boring. If you want to see a really funny version, watch the BBC filmed version of the Royal Shakepeare Company's production of Tartuffe. It's a great laugh!

A Faitour de Force of Giggles and Grandeur . . . .......2005-03-20

If you see only one Tartuffe in your lifetime, skip the one about which you are currently reading. Grand, to be sure, it is 2nd best to the 1st best Tartuffe: the 1983 BBC/Royal Shakespeare Company's production of "TARTUFFE, OR THE IMPOSTER" by Molière, (Jean-Baptiste "Crazylegs" Poquelin)

A Faitour de Force of Giggles and Grandeur . . .

Comedy is notorious for its inability to properly translate from one language to another or from once upon then to the here and now. It is quite undeniable that the fitful psycho-familial rantings of King Lear do move us so; as do other 17th Century sensations such as Henry V's Azincourt call-to-arms or our Jew of Malta's enkindled response to a naughty daughter's apostatizing Semitical dis (the burning down of her nunnery to kill NONE but her; but instead killing ALL but her) . . . alright...that has the merit of mirth in a rather sick, sad, base, colour and hue. But genuinely intended time-worn giggles and humour from yesterday invariably fall flat upon contemporary ears and sensibilities. Flat they fall invariably, BUT FOR Jean-Baptiste Poquelin a.k.a. the grand French playwright of clever comedies, Molière.

Without too much contemporary tinkering, Molière's 17th century play 'Tartuffe, or the Imposter' is the Royal Shakespeare Company's brightest and most pleasant production. Chris Hampton's adaptation from the original French text is faithful AND funny-the text DOES translate-and this a supreme credit to Molière's transcendent creative merit.

The casting is as good as for one could wish for such a production. Nigel Hawthorne is Orgon, the inforbearant father taken twice by our imposter Tartuffe. Alison Steadman is Elmire, his wife and better-minded better half into whose knickers our principal wishes to get. Try as she might, Elmire can not nearly sway away or temper Orgon's supplicative genuflexions for Tartuffe.

Lesley Sharp and Ian Talbot play Mariane and Valère, the in-and-out-of-love, might-be, could-be lovers; and Stephanie Fayerman plays (and quite obviously love to play) the family's impertinent maid. A girl, by her low birth and ignoble breeding, so often improperly punctures her way into any and nearly all conversations her opinions, which as invariably as her interruptions are in opposition to father Orgon's. And then there is our principal; the man to which this play lends a title: Antony Sher: the Imposter.

The acutely brilliant Sir Antony Sher is herein as acutely brilliant as ever before or since. Sher is unquestionably a Tartuffe that would find love with Molière himself. He is the ever-so-well-played clever Tartuffe; he is the ever-so-well-played wicked and dissembling Tartuffe. But standing tall and inclining in oblique coital preparedness above all, he is the Tartuffe hopelessly aroused by Elmire's (Steadman's) ample merits. Setting is eyes and other assorted bits upon Orgon's wife, Elmire, the perfidiously prophetically wise Tartuffe wages all earned faith and currency from the family for a less ecumenical inclination toward Elmire.

The 1983 BBC Royal Shakespeare Company's production of 'Tartuffe, or the Imposter' is, I'm sure, available at better libraries and rental outlets. It is well worth the effort of renting; and for others better worth the effort of purchase.

Molière's works-this Tartuffe MOST among all others-shall never corrode. It is a clever play and a funny play that is rendered so well by the Royal Shakespeare Company; and not a play without some distinct relevance to today's world of demiprophets, prevaricators, shanks, shysters and story-tellers. As comedy is the voice the clever mind at muse, so Antony Sher is the voice, and Molière his muse; and this is a clear masterwork of humour.

Great Show!.......2004-03-13

I was in a high school production of Tartuffe and had the chance to see the movie. The movie is a bucket of laughs and a good time. It gives you the chance to see a very young Tammy Grimes and Victor Garber as well as a great cast. Its a great show for you theater lovers out there. Great show, great cast, great plot. Just good old fun and good old laughs! Based on Moliere's Classic Comedy.

Average customer rating:

Excellent!
Dudley Moore "Arthur"
CLASSIC COMEDY IS STILL GREAT
alert the media
It just doesn't get any better than this-

Eikenberry, Jill | ( E ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Elliott, Stephen | ( E ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Fitzgerald, Geraldine | ( F ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Gielgud, John | ( G ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Gleason, Paul | ( G ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Salvo, Anne De | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

General | Comedy | Genres | VHS | Video

Comedy | Today's Deals in Video | Features | VHS | Video

Deals Under $8 | Today's Deals in Video | Features | VHS | Video

Arthur 2 - On the Rocks
Tootsie [Region 99]
Foul Play
Unfaithfully Yours
Micki and Maude [Region 99]

ASIN: 6304437234
Release Date: 1992-12-04

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Excellent!.......2007-04-11

Excellent price, speed of delivery, and quality. I am very happy with this purchase!

Dudley Moore "Arthur".......2007-03-28

Dudley Moore makes you just want to crawl up with a warm blanket, hot cocoa and think about what it would be like to have all this and then have it taken away. Great movie.

CLASSIC COMEDY IS STILL GREAT.......2007-03-25

alert the media.......2007-03-11

It just doesn't get any better than this-.......2007-01-02

Actress:

Actress

Actress