Jerry Hall

Average customer rating:

Batman VS. Batman Begins
Fairly awful rendition of Batman
The film that began the modern "superhero" genre
The best batman movie ever..... ever!
Pure classic. Best one in the series!

Batman (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Starring: Michael Keaton , Jack Nicholson , Kim Basinger , Robert Wuhl , and Pat Hingle
Director: Tim Burton
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Two-Disc Special Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video

Batman Returns (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Batman Forever (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Batman Begins [HD DVD]
Batman & Robin
Superman - The Movie

ASIN: B000B5XOY8
Release Date: 2005-10-18

Amazon.com essential video

Thanks to the ambitious vision of director Tim Burton, the blockbuster hit of 1989 delivers the goods despite an occasionally spotty script, giving the caped crusader a thorough overhaul in keeping with the crime fighter's evolution in DC Comics. Michael Keaton strikes just the right mood as the brooding "Dark Knight" of Gotham City; Kim Basinger plays Gotham's intrepid reporter Vicki Vale; and Jack Nicholson goes wild as the maniacal and scene-stealing Joker, who plots a takeover of the city with his lethal Smilex gas. Triumphant Oscar-winning production design by the late Anton Furst turns Batman into a visual feast, and Burton brilliantly establishes a darkly mythic approach to Batman's legacy. Danny Elfman's now-classic score propels the action with bold, muscular verve. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Jack Nicholson is the Joker, who emerged from a horrible accident as a maniacal criminal. Michael Keaton is the Caped Crusader, who emerged from a childhood trauma to become a masked crimefighter. Kim Basinger is Vicki Vale, the talented photojournalist desired by both men. And Batman is the movie, the all-out spectacular directed by Tim Burton, set to songs by Prince and a music score by Danny Elfman, and an Academy AwardO winner* for Best Art Direction/Set Decoration (Anton Furst and Peter Young).DVD Features:
Audio Commentary:Commentary by director Tim Burton
Documentaries:Legends of the Dark Knight Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight Parts 1-3 Beyond Batman Documentary Gallery
Featurette:On the Set with Bob Kane Shadows of the Bat Pts. 1-3 Batman: The Heroes and Villains Gallery
Music Video:Partyman by Prince Batdance by Prince Scandalous by Prince
Theatrical Trailer

Customer Reviews:

Batman VS. Batman Begins.......2007-06-20

The other reviews contained here seem to divide into preferring Burton's original "Batman" vs the new "Batman Begins". I have some thoughts on this.

First, let me say I much prefer Burton's film. I find it's baroque theatricality far more interesting and entertaining than "Begins" attempt to shoehorn Bruce Wayne/Batman into something like the real world. It always seemed to me the approach on "Batman" was to ask "what kind of world could have created these people?". "Begins" approach is to ask "what would these people be like in the real world?". I suspect that the "Begins" franchise may run into significant problems as it tries to reconcile some of Batman's more exotic villains into that reality.

Despite having no super powers, Batman is a mythic character. He doesn't belong in everyday reality. None of Burton's films are set in reality. Like myths and fairy-tales, they exist in a parallel reality that informs our own.

The last point I'll include here is the CHARACTER of Batman himself (not the actors or their performances: they're both excellent).
By the end of "Begins" he has pretty much overcome his childhood traumas (bats & loss of parents) and the decision to become/remain Batman is a conscious, rational choice. (What a swell guy.)
That's OK, but not nearly as interesting as what they did in "Batman". In Burton's films he is almost like a drug addict. There is no altruism here. He MUST be Batman to deal with his inner demons. Repression creates perversion and 'Batman' is what has oozed out of the cracks in Bruce Wayne's psyche. Anyone who has to create as elaborate a coping mechanism as Batman must be really screwed up. Wayne must be Batman or go mad. Perhaps he has done both. Burton's version of Batman may be less "real" but it is far more human.

Oh, yeah. Also- Danny Elfman's score rocks and the Batmobile in "Begins" sucks!

Fairly awful rendition of Batman.......2007-06-01

Tim Burton's "Batman" is celebrated as a classic and the best Batman movie... mostly by people who saw it sometime in the past and can't remember it. The movie doesn't hold up today. For trying to craft a realistic Batman, much of the movie makes no sense.

Batman, who is supposed to be an agile fighter and a fearsome force is too stiff, getting repeatedly shot (conveniently into his body armor), gets beat up by regular thugs, has his plane shot down by a handgun and for the most part, can hardly seem to move in his suit. And since when did Batman unapologetically kill without remorse?

Nicholson's Joker is just as bad. Nicholson, in typical fashion, takes over the movie with his larger than life ego, and plays a Joker that wants to be funny and often lacks motivation. In one scene, the Joker randomly hosts a street parade and hands out money while Prince plays in the background. How very faithful Burton is to the comics.

Kim Basinger's character spends one night with Bruce Wayne and instantly falls in love with him, even though their relationship is never fleshed out while Alfred proclaims her to be "special." So the all secretive Bruce Wayne is willing to give up his secret identity to a woman he has known for a few hours?

The movie just doesn't make sense. The action scenes are terrible, Batman has no motivation and is impotent in many scenes, Nicholson was a terrible casting choice and jumps in logic are standard. Check out Batman Begins instead.

The film that began the modern "superhero" genre.......2007-04-30

This film holds a special place in my heart. It's really the film that got me into comic books and solidified Batman as my all-time favorite superhero. That being said I realized it was probably over a decade since I last watched this film. I've pretty much every line of this film memorized since I watched it so much as a kid, but whenever I talked about the film with friends it was always through those rose-colored glasses of nostalgia. After watching this new 2-disc DVD and the recent film Batma Begins I have to say Batman Begins is indeed a better film--but only slightly. Burton's Batman set a stylized reality for Batman on film, but Nolan's version gave Batman something Burton's lacked: plausibility. Now, some people may say plausibility has no business in a superhero film, but I disagree. I think the more realistic you can make the characters and their problems the more the audience will be able to connect with them and the story.

What Burton's films lack in plausibility it makes up for in style. There are a few points in the film that don't hold up so well to the trained filmgoer's eye, honed on years of sophisticated CGI pampering since this films initial release in 1989. In case you forgot, BATMAN used all models and at least two scenes use obvious (and inexplicably unnecessary) cell animation. The Acme Chemical plant and Joker's chopper are the two most obvious and cheesy models used in the film, but the rest are gorgeous and nearly seamless. Plus the Batmobile scenes are breathtaking. The 1989 Batmobile has to be one of the coolest cars ever designed.

And let's not forget performances. I absolutely love, love, love Jack Nicholson's Joker. It's classic. A lot of reviewers criticized it as over the top and hammy, but that's exactly what the Joker is! Keaton doesn't say much, but he doesn't have to: his eyes say it all. And Bassinger as Vicki Vale is just the right amount of scared and confused.

The DVD extras on this new 2 disc edition are the best of all the Btaman DVDs I've seen. We get a new 3-part in-depth documentary with new interviews from all the key players (except for Keaton--they just use footage from an older interview) plus other great featurettes including one on the making of the Batmobile. An Tim Burton who usually gives yawn inspiring commentaries manages to be insightful and informative with his Batman commentary.

The best batman movie ever..... ever!.......2007-04-29

The only people who dont like this movie are "Batman Begins" fans. They keep saying, the movie is so dark, the movie is so dark, the movie is so dark. Shut up, we know the movie is dark, but otherwise it was a suck fest!

This is the original Batman that inspired all the immitators (including Batman Begins). Tim Burton made many wonderful, dark, and fun movies in the 1980's, including Edward Scissor hands, beetlejuice, pee wee's big adventure.

Michael Keaton was wonderful as Bruce Wayne, and somehow he was a wonderful Batman too! Jack Nicholson was amazing as the joker. There isn't anything about this film worth complaining about. Wonderful sets, actors, costumes, and creative ideas.

So if you want to see an awesome movie, buy this. If you are a moron and you want to see an overrated dark, dark, dark, overhyped, dark, movie then go see batman begins.

Pure classic. Best one in the series!.......2007-04-07

This was a great movie. Flowed perfectly from one scene to the next. It had a strong humorous element as well! I believe this is the best one in the entire series. Jack Nicholson stole the show, he was phenomenal as the Joker!

Roger Waters - The Wall (Live in Berlin)

Average customer rating:

Great Cover to a great album
Much better than I expected
Just as I remember it.
"Classic"
The Wall

Roger Waters - The Wall (Live in Berlin)
Starring: Bryan Adams , Leonard Cheshire , Tim Curry , Rick Danko , and Thomas Dolby
Director: Roger Waters
Manufacturer: Island / Mercury
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

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( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Roger Waters - In the Flesh (Live)
Pink Floyd - Pulse
David Gilmour in Concert
Pink Floyd - Live at Pompeii (Director's Cut)
Pink Floyd - The Wall 25th Anniversary (Deluxe Edition)

ASIN: B00009VTYE
Release Date: 2003-06-24

Amazon.com

The Wall (Live in Berlin) seemed uninspired and gimmicky in 1990 but looks and sounds terrifically compelling on DVD, thanks to its vivid image quality and greatly improved audio mixes. The freshly mineswept Potsdamer platz--a once-thriving plaza destroyed by Allied bombing in 1943--proved the perfect place to mark the opening of the Berlin Wall with an all-star production of Pink Floyd's magnum opus: a Wall for a wall. An unlikely assemblage of musicians augments Roger Waters's impressive house band (led by guitarist Rick DiFonzo and organ wizard Nick Glennie-Smith), with everyone from the Scorpions to Joni Mitchell to the Military Orchestra of the Soviet Army getting in on the rock-opera action. Cyndi Lauper, Bryan Adams, James Galway, Thomas Dolby, and Albert Finney all turn in tasty cameos, while Sinead O'Connor looks unaccountably aloof in "Mother." The documentary is thorough and juicy, and producer Tony Hollingsworth offers an above-par essay in the booklet. --Michael Mikesell

Customer Reviews:

Great Cover to a great album.......2007-06-08

This is a great DVD.
It becomes greater once you read the album notes.
One can only imagine the feeling that those who attemped the concert felt considering it was done after the Berlin Wall was torn down.

Much better than I expected.......2007-06-07

I love Pink Floyd/Roger Waters stuff (In The Flesh Live is my favorite concert DVD) but I'd avoided this for years because, frankly, I didn't want to see The Wall done by a bunch of people not even remotely connected to Roger Waters' music (Scorpions, Jerry Hall, Cyndi Lauper, etc). Finally I gave in and what a surprise! Not only is the stage show an unbelievable spectacle to behold but the music and performers are great. Van Morrison, Scorpions, Cyndi Lauper, Ute Lemper, Bryan Adams, Paul Carrack, Sinead O'Connor,etc., all do really good jobs with the songs they are given. The only two performances that I didn't care for were Joni Mitchell (Goodbye Blue Sky) and Jerry Hall (Are All These Your Guitars?). Joni Mitchell's voice is very good but she embellishes a little too much for my taste and Jerry Hall's speaking part was a bit too over the top. Other than that, my only disappointment is that this is in (it's original) fullscreen version. An anamorphic 16x9 presentation (it is cropped however from the fullscreen) does exist on The Wall: Live In Berlin (Special Edition) but this disc is either a) a non-Region 1 disc or b) no longer unavailable. The 5.1 sound was very good but lacked a bit in the low end. Overall, the concert is spectacular, the performers are really good, the audio is great, and the video is average. The documentary is worth watching, too. I was completely overwhelmed with how good this concert really was and only regret not having gotten the disc sooner.

Just as I remember it........2007-05-24

Just as I remember it. The concert was great but the special features were unbelievable. Worth way more than I paid for it.

"Classic".......2007-05-11

This title is a must have for any pink floyd fan. Worth every penny. This concert is a must see since it was the rarest of all pink floyd concerts."At least in my book".

The Wall.......2007-05-07

If you are a pink floyd fan and you like the wall, you will love this
great show and good guests

The Sum of All Fears (Special Collector's Edition)

Average customer rating:

The Sum of All Fears (Special Collector's Edition)...
terrorism and wmd brought to the big screen
Sadly disappointing!
good dvd
What can I say?

The Sum of All Fears (Special Collector's Edition)
Starring: Ben Affleck , Alan Bates , John Beasley , Michael Byrne , and James Cromwell
Director: Phil Alden Robinson
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Disaster Films | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Thrillers | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Suspense | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Mystery | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

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( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

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

Clear and Present Danger (Special Collector's Edition)
Patriot Games (Special Collector's Edition)
The Hunt for Red October (Special Collector's Edition)
Paycheck (Special Collector's Edition)
The Recruit

ASIN: B00005JL8F
Release Date: 2002-10-29

Amazon.com

It's not easy replacing Harrison Ford as a beloved screen hero, but Ben Affleck brings fresh vitality to The Sum of All Fears, reviving Paramount's Tom Clancy franchise in the role Ford made famous. As CIA agent Jack Ryan, Affleck is a rookie in the covert ranks, unraveling a plot that lures Russian and American superpowers into a nuclear standoff, while a neofascist faction turns most of Baltimore into an atomic wasteland and holds the world in the grip of a terrorist nightmare. Affleck combines sharp intelligence with a new-guy's perspective, while a senior agent (Morgan Freeman) passes the torch of back-channel authority. The result is one of the best Clancy films to date, ably helmed by Phil Alden Robinson (whose comic thriller Sneakers was sorely underrated) with a stellar supporting cast, and adapted with abundant humor, humanity, and thrills by Donnie Brasco screenwriter Paul Attanasio and cowriter Daniel Pyne. Even the typically reticent Clancy would approve. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

The Sum of All Fears (Special Collector's Edition)..........2007-06-02

This is a good movie that invites one to think. The acting was very good. Morgan Freeman again, is outstanding!

terrorism and wmd brought to the big screen.......2007-04-03

Great video with all star cast that shows the realities that face us here in america. A terrorist mastermind wants to drag the U.S. and Russia into WW3 and uses a smuggled nuclear device to do it. The only thing i would have done differently, is to have used Islamic terrorists to make it more lifelike.

Sadly disappointing!.......2007-02-14

Tom Clancy's "Sum Of All Fears" is a 900 page thriller - complex, highly detailed and smart. A mini-series would be necessary to preserve the integrity of the story, but alas it was squashed into two hours for the theater. Large parts of the story were completely discarded and what remains has been compressed to the point of being barely recognizable. What makes the book so interesting is the premise that the US and Russian governments could be manipulated by clever terrorists, and in spite of all safeguards the world could be brought to the brink of nuclear war. The movie shows us the escalating danger, but without the insights. Be afraid, be very afraid!

While I can understand the problem of creating a coherent screenplay I cannot understand the characterization of Jack Ryan (played by Ben Affleck). Jack Ryan (as portrayed by Tom Clancy) is not just a guy who runs with guns. He is smart, thoughtful, and highly articulate. He is the Deputy Director of the CIA and an advisor to the President! Yet in this film he says things like "I really don't believe the Russian leader would act that way, Sir." Apparently we are supposed to believe that Jack Ryan saves the day because he can walk away from helicopter crashes, and because he's really, really sincere.

Still, on the plus side the film is nice to look at, moves at a fast pace, has a few well done special effects, and some decent acting (notably Morgan Freeman). The ride can be enjoyable if you don't think about it, so I give it two stars. Regardless of how you feel about this film I say read the book. You won't believe how much more there is to this story.

good dvd.......2007-01-04

It is a good merchandise very low price. It a great opportunity to collete all those movies that can t bee fond in any store.

What can I say?.......2006-11-10

A Movie that will make you wonder if it could be true. It made you wonder what would happen next or if they would be able to stop it in time and did not come with the normal hollywood happy ending that we all wait for. I would recommend this movie to anyone who likes a good action movie.

Batman: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997 (Batman / Batman Returns / Batman Forever / Batman & Robin) (Two-Disc Special Editions)

Average customer rating:

Batman...before Bale
Excellent Box Set! Shame on Amazon!
Batman
Batman began here
Simply Amazing!.....But.....

Batman: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997 (Batman / Batman Returns / Batman Forever / Batman & Robin) (Two-Disc Special Editions)
Starring: Michael Keaton , Jack Nicholson , Kim Basinger , Robert Wuhl , and Pat Hingle
Director: Tim Burton , and Joel Schumacher
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Action & Adventure | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

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

Batman Begins [HD DVD]
The Complete Superman Collection
Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition (Superman - The Movie/ Superman II/ Superman II - The Richard Donner Cut/ Superman III/ Superman IV - The Quest for Peace/ Superman Returns)
War of the Worlds (Widescreen Edition)
King Kong - Extended Cut (Three-Disc Deluxe Edition)

ASIN: B000B5XOYI
Release Date: 2005-10-18

Amazon.com

For fans and newcomers, this boxed set holds a great collection, including all four great movies. The first in the series, Batman (1989), and arguably the best of the four movies, exudes the moodiness of the Dark Knight's character. Tim Burton's direction and Michael Keaton's rendition of Batman are an electrifying combo. Together they capture the sinister atmosphere of Gotham City and Batman's darkness. Jack Nicholson as the fiendish Joker and Kim Basinger as the resourceful and gorgeous Vicki Vale lend their charm. Three years later, in 1992, Burton and Keaton reunited for Batman Returns. This time our pointy-eared hero has to combat two villains: Danny DeVito as the disturbed and freaky Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman. In Batman Forever (1995), Joel Schumacher gave his direction to the story with Val Kilmer under the cape. Kilmer keeps the moodiness but adds a little panache to his rendition. His archenemies this time are the Riddler (Jim Carrey) and Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones). Luckily, he enlists the help of the Boy Wonder, Robin (Chris O'Donnell). The final movie in the series, Batman & Robin, is great eye candy, and this time Schumacher returns with George Clooney as the leading man and Chris O'Donnell again as Robin. Together Batman and Robin battle the icy Mr. Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger), with a little help from Batgirl (Alicia Silverstone). Delve into the Gotham City world with the Dark Knight to protect you, and don't forget to make lots of popcorn for this Batman marathon. --Samantha Allen Storey

Description

BATMAN TWO-DISC SPECIAL EDITION Batman (Michael Keaton) vs. The Joker (Jack Nicholson) in the amazing first extravaganza! With Kim Basinger. BATMAN RETURNS TWO-DISC SPECIAL EDITION The Bat (Michael Keaton), the Cat (Michelle Pfeiffer), the Penguin (Danny DeVito). And Christopher Walken, too! BATMAN FOREVER TWO-DISC SPECIAL EDITION Riddle me this: The Dark Knight (Val Kilmer) bat-battles Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones) and the Riddler (Jim Carrey). With Nicole Kidman, Chris O'Donnell. BATMAN & ROBIN TWO-DISC SPECIAL EDITION Will Mr. Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger) put the world on ice? George Clooney wears the hero's cape. Also with Chris O'Donnell, Uma Thurman, Alicia Silverstone.

Customer Reviews:

Batman...before Bale.......2007-05-25

Alright. I'll try to be brief.
Batman was good. Joker was weird. but it was interesting to see the 80's take on Batman. The new rubber suit looked very, very stiff. I know they all are, but this was the stiffest. I liked the beginning, but the bat sign on his chest has too many sharp angles that looks ugly. Other than that the story was good, very dark too. Keaton doesn't play the rich boy, playboy persona too well but you get used to it. Surprising that it was joker who killed his parents. Very surprising. 3 out of 5 stars.
Batman Returns was really good. Loved the suit.It fit more on Keaton and wasn't bloated like the first. Absolutely great Catwoman. Michelle Phieffer nailed that part.Penguin was really weird but Danny nailed it too. My one gripe is that they should really stage some good fight scenes. It seems like Batman is just a walking display. Good movie. 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.
Batman Forever...well it was a strange movie. New Bruce...New Batman...Different style. Extremely bright crazy lights and alot of an overreacting Two Face. Riddler was great and funny. Good job Jim. I liked this when it first came out mostly because the action improved alot. Great fights. Hideous Batmobile. Great Robin story. I give it a 3 out of 5, only because it was a lot less realistic than Returns.
Batman and Robin was a complete joke. I actually saw this in the theaters. What a bad movie. Period. I heard the same guys who made the Power Rangers kid show made this. No wonder. Way to goofy and stupid. Even the action couldn't save it. Bad Ivy, Bane is a walking, bulking dunce who only says "AAUUURGHH!" What is with Mr. Freeze. Arnold? Of all the people. Arnold? He was so cheesy in this. Batgirl doesn't help either.This is where everyone thought (including myself) that Batman sunk and would never be ressurected...until he "Begins" again in '05. This gets a 1 out of 5.

Excellent Box Set! Shame on Amazon!.......2007-04-10

Well, I must tell you guys: this product is awesome! It has everything a fan of Batman needs and wants! The only bad thing about it (at least for me) was that I thought all the discs had Spanish subtitles and that was why I bought it, but then when it arrived home, I noticed that only the movies had the subtitles, the other discs with all the bonus features didn't.

I think Amazon should specify which discs have subtitles and which discs don't, so we -all the customers- know what we are going to get. Is it so difficult to write something like: AVAILABLE SUBTITLES: English, Spanish and French (only in discs 1, 3, 5, and 7). That would be fair; Amazon is not a garage shop, it is an international web site where people from all over the world buy products.

Batman.......2007-02-13

Very disappointed. The video has a bubbble in the plastic and does not play. I would like to exchange it. It was a Christmas present.

Batman began here.......2007-01-26

While I did not like all of the BATMAN movies especially the campy TV one. I found some of them interesting in how different actors approached the project. I was given a gift card for Xmas and I felt it was worth the money I did not spend personally. Holy Arnold Batman now he is The Govenator.

Simply Amazing!.....But............2006-12-10

Ok....even though I used that title I agree with some.....
Batman Forever and Batman & Robin weren't as good as the first 2 Tim Burton flix.
BUT..........
It's Batman. Plain and simple. The acting was good. A bit over the top and "cartoony" under J.S.'s direction but the actors can't be blamed. Joel envisioned it that way. He didn't know the characters as well as Tim.
Clooney has been known to say that he had a hand in ruining the franchise. I disagree. George did a great job. He had the feel, look, heart and drive of Bruce Wayne/Batman.
Val did as well. Both men did excellent jobs with what they had to play with. I honestly believe that the "failure" of these movies was due to Schumacher's loss of vision of who The Batman really is. He looked at The Batman as a cartoon. If you're doing Spongebob Squarepants that's fine. But The Batman is dark, determined and won't let anything stop him from achieving his goal. The J.S. movies felt fake and limited.
The loss of Danny Elfman's music also added to the decline. Goldenthal is good.....but let's face facts....he's no Elfman. Danny has the gut feeling for the characters and the chops to bring everything he touches into a different world.
The main difference is the direction. Tim Burton is the man! Everything he touches turns to gold. He's great. We know it. His vision and integrity is what Hollywood should be all about.
All this being said I think, overall that the set deserves a good rating. It's nicely packaged and has a quality about it that will keep any fan interested.
Also.......
Check out BATMAN BEGINS! A new twist.....a new vision.....different, fresh....and right on the spot!

PJK

Average customer rating:

clueless...
Wagner, Elliot and Conrad
GREAT MOVIE TO AD TO YOURE COLLECTION
War is never human, always barbaruc.
much ado about nothing

Apocalypse Now Redux
Starring: Sam Bottoms , Marlon Brando , Bo Byers , Colleen Camp , and Robert Duvall
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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

Drama | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

War Epics | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Platoon (Collector's Edition Steelbook)
Full Metal Jacket
The Deer Hunter (Universal Legacy Series)
Hamburger Hill
Taxi Driver (Collector's Edition)

ASIN: B00005OWEG
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Amazon.com

Digitally remastered with 49 minutes of previously unseen footage, Apocalypse Now Redux is the reference standard of Francis Coppola's 1979 epic. A metaphorical hallucination of the Vietnam War, the film was reconstructed by Coppola and editor Walter Murch to enrich themes and clarify the ending. On that basis Redux is a qualified success, more coherent than the original while inviting the same accusations of directorial excess. The restored "French plantation" sequence adds ghostly resonance to the war's absurdity, and Willard's theft of Colonel Kurtz's beloved surfboard adds welcomed humor to the film's nightmarish upriver journey. An encounter with Playboy Playmates seems superfluous compared to the enhanced interplay between Willard and his ill-fated boat crew, but compensation arrives in the hellish Kurtz compound, where Willard's mission--and the performances of Martin Sheen and Marlon Brando--reach even greater heights of insanity, thus validating Redux as the rightful heir to Coppola's triumphantly rampant ambition. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

clueless..........2007-05-22

this film never made any sense to me--simply because this director never lived through any of it and does not get the subject. critics who praise this mess are just as misguided as the guy who made this joke of a war flick.
the reason Platoon works for me is because Stone knew what he was talking about; he lived it, spent time in the jungle, was shot at, etc.
what's the use?
get it if you like being conned.

the most hated line in the history of the cinema (for me) is "I LOVE THE SMELL OF NAPALM IN THE MORNING."
I wished someone could have taped the actor's mouth shut for saying something so insidious.

Wagner, Elliot and Conrad.......2007-01-22

Apocalypse Now is number 28 among the best American movies ever, and this Redux version is among the 1000 Best Movies on DVD by Peter Travers. The Redux version adds 49 minutes to the original movie, among them, the dinner scene with the French. The only "extra" in this Redux DVD is a theatrical trailer, which is very poor.
This movie is Coppola's version of the book Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. The movie also leads us to "The Hollow Men" by T.S. Eliot, a great poem Wurtzs (Brando) is reading at the end of the movie. In the middle of the movie, in one of the best scenes in movie history -the helicopters' attack on a village-, we can listen to Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries". A lot of references between the movie, literature, and music (good Rock tracks by The Doors, etc.) that make this movie a great asset of the American culture.
I first watched this movie in the 80's when it was broadcasted on TV. While watching it yesterday, I could remember parts of it. It is really difficult to me to rate this movie fairly. I am torn between a good or excellent rating and a modest one. Is it a masterpice? Is this redux version better than the original one? Today, I am giving this movie 4 stars, or 7 over 10. I found this redux version to be too long. Besides the "egg" scene, and the sex afterwards, the scene dinner with the French is pointless and too long. One of the best assets of this movie is Martin Sheen, who is absolutely great and carries his character in a mesmerizing way. I know nobody is going to like this, but I don't like Marlon Brando. The narrator is, at some points, tiring (is it the same narrator of the video game Max Payne?), and one of the final scenes where they sacrifice a water buffalo is some place between nasty, and ubearable. A disturbing and tough one!
I recommend this movie to the adult public (it is rated R for disturbing images, language, sexual content and some drug use). I honestly think I need to watch this movie several more times, to completely understand it. But as for today, I can't give it more than 4 stars.
P.S. If you like my review vote YES. You can read all my other reviews if you wish to. I modestly write them to help people form an opinion about movies, music and books, but if nobody reads them (if you don't vote I do not know if you did) there is no point in writing them

GREAT MOVIE TO AD TO YOURE COLLECTION.......2007-01-10

This is an extended verssion of the original Apocalypse now version that was edited.This is great to see the rest of the movie.By it you will love it.

War is never human, always barbaruc........2006-10-03

A long awaited version of this cult film. Even Francis Ford Coppola has been submitted to cuts in one of his most important films. They say it was commercial. They know it was not... entirely. One main scene was cut off : the French plantation scene that reveals how the Americans had played a double game during the war in Indochina between the Viet Minh and the French : they had helped the Viet Minh and hence had produced the French defeat. Poor loser's explanation, for sure, and yet not entirely false. Think of the Americans helping Saddam Hussein against Iran, or the Djihad in Afghanistan against the Soviets. We know the results. Double agents are always those who lose in the end. But this full and final cut of the film, though it does not change the meaning of the film, does change the depth of this meaning. We get down into horror little by little as we go up the river. Of the five men on the boat the first to die is the black soldier, and then the second to die is the black sergent. The blacks have been eliminated first : quite a symbolical truth. The third victim will be the white soldier from New Orleans who speaks French. It is also very symbolical today, though maybe less in those days, though it was symbolical of what happened to the French in Indochina : they were defeated. The only two survivors are the two white pure Americans. But what is shown under a new depth is the meaning of this horror. We could have thought Kurtz used the basic and daily horror of those historically-retarded jungle people to impose savagery and total carnal violence. But what appears now is that it is not the savagery of these people that produced their war but it is the war imposed from outside that produced the savagery, or liberated this savagery from its box. In other words a war that comes from outside, and I have the propension to think all wars always come from outside, even the most patriotic and justified defensive war, such a war liberates the deepest layers of the survival instinct in man, not even the animal instinct of survival. These men who commit gratuitously-embellished violence do not plainly aim at surviving which would simply imply killing their adversaries, enemies or challengers.They survive in a completely different way : they have the feeling to be alive because they make the other die in atrocious suffering and in the most barbaric way. It is not so much the dying of the enemy that gives them this feeling of being alive, but the torture, the suffering, the horror in which this death is performed. In other words it is no longer only the survival instinct that is at stake but it is also the pleasure instinct. In other words they transform the cold necessary killing of an enemy into a hot pleasurable sexual event that replaces real sexuality. Killing in such a horrible way becomes a pleasurable intercourse and the victim is seen as fulfilling its destiny, just like the buffalo that is killed at the end of the film. A man who enters such a war is supposed to accept his dying in such a sacrificial way because that is his ultimate function. But then where is the war ? We have regressed to the emergence of humanity from animality, of man from the animal he was before : this dire moment when human beings felt that killing animals had a religious dimension, when human beings felt that killing their enemies had a religious dimension, that is to say in both cases a pleasurable power dimension. That led humanity to inventing religions, religions that originally always justified the killing of enemies and that provided the believers with the conviction that they had special powers enabling them with unfailing and totally justified capabilities, powers. But what will remain after this thrilling sensation of absolute power provided to soldiers by those sophisticated new technologies that kill with a micronic precision ? The horror, nothing but the horror, the haunting and gnawing question : Why did I do this ? Why did I feel pleasure when doing it ? Why does it feel so easy to go beyond limits that should never be trespassed, such as into torturing activities ? And for us the film brings up one question : Is there a Kurtz in each one of us ? Is there an Eichman in each one of us ? Is there an Auschwitz in each one of our memories ? Coppola seems to tell us that war is a Pandora's Box that we better not open. Coppola is in phase with Clive Barker who tells you war, and maybe life, is a secret cube that you must not open because beyond it there is nothing but suffering and the pleasure of inflicting as well as receiving that suffering. The old film was a masterpiece, this new director's cut, or redux is a biblical masterpiece : think of Abraham who is going to sacrifice his own son with the full assent of everyone around him, or at least no protest from them, including the son himself, and God replacing the son with a ram at the very last minute to symbolise that humanity has to move away from any type of human sacrifice, even in war. Human life is sacred and no human being has the right to take one single human life away. That's where Kurtz is wrong : everyone has the right to judge him, to call him a murderer, but no one has the right to perform justice and to kill him to do so, except in a completely perverted version of rightfulness.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University of Paris Dauphine & University of Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne

much ado about nothing.......2006-10-02

ANR is an over the top, concocted, pointless mess. It mystifies me why AN is considered such a masterpiece, but whatever... it hasn't been the first time I didn't understand what sells as art. :) I am so glad I rented this rather than bought the new '2 CD / both movie' release with my gift certificate. It doesn't merit the shelf space.

Rather than go into great detail deconstructing and berating this, I will toss 2 stars at it for the chopper "blowed em up real good" scenes and forget about the MIA screenplay and schlocky 'military as circus' antics. Meaning? Nada.

Average customer rating:

A Very Funny, Star-Packed, and Deeply Disturbed Romp
"The winner is the one who doesn't blow his brains out."
so under appreciated
Delusional and Paranoid Meltdown
it wouldve been perfect if theyd shown eunice singing "feelings"

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
Starring: Drew Barrymore , Isabelle Blais , Melissa Carter (IV) , Chelsea Ceci , and Michael Cera
Manufacturer: Miramax Films
ProductGroup: DVD
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Adaptation (Superbit Collection) [Region 99]
Human Nature
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind: An Unauthorized Autobiography
Being John Malkovich
Full Frontal (2002)

ASIN: B00008XERA
Release Date: 2003-09-09

Amazon.com

The memoirs of game-show creator-host Chuck Barris (the man responsible for The Newlywed Game and The Gong Show) are the inspiration for this sneaky biopic, which not only covers Barris's television career, but also his exploits--unsubstantiated, but also not disproved--as a government assassin. As Barris, Sam Rockwell gives a gutsy, manic-depressive, warts-and-all performance, depicting how Barris cheated repeatedly on his longtime girlfriend Penny (Drew Barrymore), was recruited into the CIA by a stone-faced agent (George Clooney, who also makes a stylish directorial debut), created some of the most popular yet reviled TV shows of the 1970s and '80s, and had a torrid affair with a mysterious, beautiful operative (Julia Roberts). For a screenplay by Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation), Confessions of a Dangerous Mind is pretty straightforward, letting Barris's fevered brain speak for itself. The result manages to be lurid, comic, and oddly philosophical. --Bret Fetzer

Description

George Clooney (OCEAN'S ELEVEN), Drew Barrymore (CHARLIE'S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE), and Sam Rockwell (THE GREEN MILE), star in the comedy thriller that poses an irresistible question: What would happen if a wildly successful TV producer was also a top-secret CIA assassin? While a maverick creator of America's favorite game shows gains notoriety for his smash television hits, he is also drawn into a shadowy world of danger as a covert government operative! But soon his life begins to spiral out of control -- both of them! Directed by George Clooney and based on Chuck Barris' cult-classic autobiography, with a script by Charlie Kaufman (ADAPTATION), this entertaining hit delivers comedy to keep you laughing . . . and intrigue to keep you guessing!

Customer Reviews:

A Very Funny, Star-Packed, and Deeply Disturbed Romp.......2007-04-03

A movie that combines "Ocean's Eleven" stars and a core storyline from "A Beautiful Mind" with the TV progenitor of Simon Cowell? It seems unlikely, as does much of the book this film's script was based on, yet it all comes together well in a very weird, but hilarious piece of entertainment.

Sam Rockwell is dead-on as game show producer Chuck Barris, who created not only two staples of American television mediocrity (The Dating Game, The Newlywed Game), but also the "American Idol" of the 1970s -- The Gong Show. The only differences between Barris' production and today's "Idol" are that Barris featured ONLY bad wanna-bes, so there were no recording contracts and such offered, and his judges were a lot funnier, as was he. Of course, viewers were different back then, too, in that they didn't know what to make of a show on which struggling "talent" were verbally abused. Today, that's half of Idol's viewership. In any case, Rockwell's portrayal of him is perfect.

Equally good are Drew Barrymore, as Barris' on-again, off-again, on-again love interest, George Clooney as Barris' supposed CIA handler, and fellow assassin Julia Roberts. In fact, Barrymore is considerably better here than in most of her roles. The appearance of Rutger Hauer also made me laugh, especially given the tough guy roles he used to play. And cameos by Brad Pitt and Matt Damon are priceless.

As for the "A Beautiful Mind" reference, Barris' assertion that he served as a CIA assassin during that period is so absurd that it immediately made me think of the Russell Crowe/Jennifer Connelly film's delusional spy sequences. It's also fitting considering that the central message of Barris' book is that it is immensely painful to have a brilliant mind in early life, yet end up wasting it on developing cheap fodder like "The Dating Game." (Pretty much the story of American televison in general.)

Don't get me wrong -- this is NOT a movie classic. Still, Barris is such a weird yet bright man that the film is fun throughout. And its depiction of this period of TV-making in America is funny, believable, and all too insightful as to how we ended up with the flood of "reality" and game shows that pollute our TV screens today. The film blames Barris, because he did himself, but it's the networks that pushed and paid for this dreck, and still do.

If you have an absurdist bone in your body, you'll at least get several laughs out of this. Enjoy.

"The winner is the one who doesn't blow his brains out.".......2006-12-13

`Confessions of a Dangerous Mind' has its fair share of followers. I, for one, am not one of them. I just couldn't get into this film the way I wanted to. I couldn't find much about it that made me all that interested. It covers the life of famed TV host Chuck Barris, the creator of shows like `The Dating Game' and `The Gong Show' but what this film really tries to chronicle is his supposed (never proven, never denied) stint as an assassin for the CIA. This isn't handled the best way and it ends up coming off a bit far fetched. Even his recruitment is a scene that makes me laugh; like anyone would just walk up to you and offer you a job as an assassin.

Sam Rockwell does a fine job here, but he's easily upstaged by the two women in his life, long time girlfriend Penny (Barrymore) and fellow assassin Patricia (Roberts). This being Clooney's debut in directing he didn't do terrible...he did far better in the directing department then he did in the acting for his Jim Byrd was so stiff and unbelievable it was laughable. Actually, my favorite scene of incredible acting came when Brad Pitt and Matt Damon cameo as two contestants on `The Dating Game' who get passed up for the overweight loser sitting next to them...the best scene in the movie and it only lasted a few seconds. So it has its moments of comedy but for the most part this film is far fetched, drug out and meandering, so much so that it loses interest and speed long before it should.

so under appreciated.......2006-11-10

This movie is great - great plot- great story - great cast. Clooney does an awesome directing job here. One of the few films I left in the theatre saying - "I'm gonna buy that on DVD."

Delusional and Paranoid Meltdown .......2006-07-25

I like films that deal with Faustian characters who trade their soul for money and fame. Take Boogie Nights and Mulholland Dr., two of my favorites. Now Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. Like those other two movies, we have a character who throws his whole life away to become a glittery celebrity. As such, Chuck Barris creates such abominations as Dating Game, Newlywed Game, The Gong Show. His TV ideas we learn are born out of his disgust for the human race: its need to be seen on TV even in a foolish light; its love of money even if it means selling out your spouse. In addition to seeing Barris' inner mind work as he creates these popular programs, we see his parallel life--mostly delusional we are to assume--of his job in the CIA, complete with killing 33 people. We assume this delusion is designed to make him feel important.

The film truly captures the pathos of the Faustian Bargain and is even suggestive, especially with its mother conflict and the need for unconditional love, of the masterpiece Citizen Kane.

it wouldve been perfect if theyd shown eunice singing "feelings".......2006-07-04

i liked "the gong show" 30 years back, but the spoofs of it were always sophomoric and obvious (save for a brilliant moment when eunice on "the carol burnett show" appeared). but the ultimate goof on it is chuck barris's autobiography, wherein he "reveals" his alternative life as a cia hit man. this movie takes you along on a hallucinogenic ride, and if you are willing to enjoy it, you will. first-time director (and costar) george clooney, as well as julia roberts do great work, but the drew barrymore character just seems to drag the story down. and sam rockwell as barris gives what *shoulda* been a star making performance. if its ten minutes too long (it is), its still a grand concept.

Average customer rating:

Negro League Baseball
Bang the Drum Slower
Characters, not accuracy make this movie wonderful
The Best Baseball Movie...Ever...
One of the great baseball movies ever

Soul of the Game
Starring: Delroy Lindo , Mykelti Williamson , Edward Herrmann , Blair Underwood , and R. Lee Ermey
Director: Kevin Rodney Sullivan
Manufacturer: Hbo Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings
Pastime
Bang The Drum Slowly
The Tuskegee Airmen
Rebound: The Legend of Earl "The Goat" Manigault

ASIN: B000053V7F
Release Date: 2001-01-23

Amazon.com

An aging Satchel Paige wanted to be the first African American baseball player to integrate the major leagues after World War II. Of course, things didn't work out that way: the visibly dignified and younger Jackie Robinson got the nod, while the Negro Leagues he left behind carried on with such brilliant talents as Josh Gibson segregated from deserving opportunities. This HBO movie concerns the period just before Robinson was pressed into a difficult role breaking the color barrier, and the rich script by David Himmelstein and Gary Hoffman concerns his aspirations as well as those of the frustrated Paige and the deteriorating Gibson. Blair Underwood plays Robinson with an expected nobility, while Delroy Lindo is superb as Paige as is Mykelti Williamson as Gibson. Directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan, the film really does fill a gap in a viewer's imagination about what these three legendary men must have been going through--and much of it is painful to witness. With Edward Herrmann as Branch Rickey. --Tom Keogh

Description

In 1945, the world of baseball was divided between the Majors and the Negro Leagues - but the time has come for change. Will Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson or Jackie Robinson be the first to take the field in the Majors?

Customer Reviews:

Negro League Baseball.......2007-04-12

You don't have to be a baseball fan to enjoy this movie. Good acting, historically sound. Very entertaining.

Bang the Drum Slower.......2007-03-09

Recently I bought both 'Bingo Long' and 'Soul of the Game' and compared the two not on which is best but if they still hold up. Bingo is still entertaining but Soul has more 'soul'. It's also a very dark look at a time when men were judged by how they would behave in society and the irony hits you in the face. Today we have so much outlaw actiions taking place and people look the other way on black player's behavior. One such player during those cruel times judged by his character was Josh Gibson, who in any league would have been a bonafide slugger, hitter and catcher. That they choose Jack Robinson on how he would behave doesn't set the record straight. Soul lays it down by also showing two black men and their professional respect for each other. Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson. A good movie indeed.

Characters, not accuracy make this movie wonderful.......2005-04-30

Sticklers for accuracy will find this movie lacking as the paths of Jackie Robinson, Josh Gibson and Satchel Paige weren't as well intertwined as the movie suggests. The connection with Willie Mays is an interesting, meaningful plot connection . . . and extremely hard to believe.

Still, the acting and film/myth making is perfect for this most important story of "America growing up." The pace of the film, keyed by a jumpy-jazz soundtrack fits with exuberance of the post-war, "time to get moving" era. A cross-country automobile trip juxtaposes the new (a new class of prosperous African-Americans with their shiny automobile) with the old (not able to use a toilet in a small town).

The many changes of the era are used to tell the story -- the challenge of professional baseball to stay profitable, what to do about "negros" (who had just fought with distinction for world democracy) made something, somehow inevitable.

Josh Gibson was the great slugger (the "Negro Babe Ruth" he was called), although by 1946 was fading due to age and a brain tumor. Satchel Paige was (one of?) the greatest pitcher ever and was a great box office draw.

The story turns on Branch Rickey's selfish, sneaky, and noble plan to integrate baseball. The City was right (Brooklyn - the melting pot); the politics were right (Fiorella LaGuardia appealed to minorities and Happy Chandler, the new baseball commissioner, had stated his openness to integration); the ownership was right (Rickey had played baseball on an integrated team in college); and of course, Jackie Robinson was the right man.

Rickey is portrayed by the statesman-like Ed Hermann. The famous meeting where he explains to Jackie Robinson that he requires his pioneer to be strong enough to "not fight back" is portrayed with the subdued importance that's required. Robinson's background (an officer in the Army, a star halfback with UCLA) is portrayed convincingly by Blair Underwood.

Delroy Lindo is a bit too serious, and too devoted to his wife, not to mention possessing too broad a body, to make me believe that he's Satchel Paige. Still, he plays the part of the superstar pitcher with the big ego that's required.

I have no idea if Mykelti Williamson's portrayal of Josh Gibson is realistic, but it's delightful, poignant and ultimately tragic.

Rickwood Field (Birmingham) and League Stadium (built for "Field of their Own" in Indiana) add another touch of colorful, enjoyable non-realism to the story.

Enjoy the myth, but don't make any bar bets based on this film.

The Best Baseball Movie...Ever..........2004-08-24

I would agree that the baseball skills of the actors is somewhat deficient but, really only a trained eye could detect the. This a truly a great baseball movie for the ages and a truly great movie regardless of the baseball aspect... it is filled with emotion, intrigue, stunning photography, fabulous music, and even historical accuracy. It is an open door into the deep, rich history of negro league baseball. This truly is a film not just for baseball fans, Go get it!!!

One of the great baseball movies ever.......2003-01-18

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. One of the only movies that give recognition to Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson. As well, as cover the lives of the player in the Negro Baseball League. I feel this is a must see movie.

Average customer rating:

Would you like fish or meat?
If you liked "Airplane!" you must own this film!

Zero Hour!
Starring: Dana Andrews , Linda Darnell , Sterling Hayden , Elroy 'Crazylegs' Hirsch , and Geoffrey Toone
Director: Hall Bartlett
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Man in the Middle
Unconquered (Universal Cinema Classics)
Caged!
Fixed Bayonets
Fury at Furnace Creek

ASIN: B000OHZJOQ
Release Date: 2007-06-26

Customer Reviews:

Would you like fish or meat?.......2007-05-29

Zero Hour! was the basis for the comedy favorite Airplane!, which is the reason why it is considered a cult classic. In fact, many of the lines and scenerios from Airplane! are lifted straight from this movie. Zero Hour! is the story of an ex-fighter pilot Ted Stryker (Dana Andrews) who finds himself chasing his discontented wife (Linda Darnell) and child Joey (Raymond Ferrell) onto a commercial airplane. Once on the plane, he discovers that there are worse problems than just his failing marriage. There is a problem with the fish (thankfully, he chose meat) and the passengers are falling ill rather rapidly. It soon becomes a matter of seriousness when both pilots take ill and Ted is the only one with any flying experience.

The problem with this movie is the fact that it is supposed to be serious. There are so many ludicrous things in it that it is impossible to take seriously, but since it was not supposed to be funny, there are many long stretches where an audience can find itself bored. One of the best examples of this is the long "suspenseful" ending. Still, it is worth watching at least once for fans of Airplane!, just don't expect it to become your favorite.

If you liked "Airplane!" you must own this film!.......2007-05-19

I caught some of this movie on Turner Classic Movies one evening, during a day of tributes to movies and their remakes. This film was the inspiration (and the source for many lines) for the 1980 comedy spoof "Airplane!". Just like "Airplane!" "Zero Hour" is about a former war pilot who is forced to take over an airliner when half the passengers get sick from eating bad fish! (Yes, the choice for dinner was 'chicken or fish' just like "Airplane!"). My wife and I were practically in tears, because so many classic lines from "Airplane!" were lifted directly from this film, only the punchlines never came, which somehow made it funnier.

I'll be pre-ordering this one for purchase when it comes out!

Average customer rating:

Dated classic from the Fifties
Scenes from a Marriage
OK period piece
.......Corporate America versus Middle America..... [1956 ]
The Compromises Demanded of Everyone

The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit
Starring: Gregory Peck , Jennifer Jones , Fredric March , Marisa Pavan , and Lee J. Cobb
Director: Nunnally Johnson
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
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Gentleman's Agreement
In Old Chicago
The Keys of the Kingdom
The Razor's Edge
Kiss of Death (Fox Film Noir)

ASIN: B0009NZ2OW
Release Date: 2005-08-09

Amazon.com essential video

Gregory Peck plays a young New York executive who defies the wisdom of the corporate class by deciding his family is more important than the offer of a new job. Lots of melodrama, guilt, and a revelation about a wartime affair (told in flashback), but this well-oiled, good-looking 1956 film still holds up pretty well. Based on a novel by Sloan Wilson, the script and direction are by Nunnally Johnson (The Three Faces of Eve). --Tom Keogh

Description

Based on the novel by Sloan Wilson, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit stars Gregory Peck as a haunted New York executive whp defies convention and decides his family is more important than his career in this post-war melodrama scripted and directed by the celebrated Nunnally Johnson (The Three Faces of Eve).

Customer Reviews:

Dated classic from the Fifties.......2007-05-23

While this may have been a classic film from the 50s, it now appears rather dated in the acting and direction compared to the films of 2007. The film plods along slowly, and Gregory Peck does little to improve things with his standard stiff, wooden acting. The story may have been good on paper (and I'm sure the source material was excellent) but the film comes across very awkward, stiff, and melodramatic.

Scenes from a Marriage.......2007-05-22

For some reason, I didn't think I'd seen "The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit" before when I watched it last night. However, I readily remembered a number of scenes I seen many years ago. Most of the scenes were odd ones involving what I considered to be strange behavior or dialogue. The first one that comes up is the "biography" that the Gregory Peck character has to write for his executive job interview. He gets an hour by himself to write about himself and how he'll be an asset to the National Broadcasting Association (or whatever it's called). Off by himself, he is focussed on a difficult WWII flashback and comes up with three or four sentences that says, essentionally, "What a dumb idea; just hire me". I thought it was extremely lame but the head honcho, played rather absent-mindedly by Fredrick March, thought it was outstandingly original. Thus begins an akward job that doesn't seem to involve anything other than writing a speech for a medical convention. The whole executive staff seems to be involved with "The Speech". Peck's offering gets tossed which is what should have happened with his "biography" instead. Meanwhile, March has a confusing scene with his ex-wife about their 18 year old daughter in which the ex asks March to try and straighten her out. She says that if he doesn't at least try to do this, she'll never speak to him again. People are saying absolutes and accussations left and right in this movie. There is a lot of personal issues that come up but we never get to hear "The Speech". Maybe that's just as well; with so many contributors, it was probably a cure for insomnia. There's an excellent part played by Lee J. Cobb who, with Gregory Peck's performance, nearly saves the film. The ending is strong or else I would only have given this movie "3 Stars".

I mentioned having seen the movie before because those same scenes I mentioned had been in the back of my mind all these years (I just had it mixed up as to which Gregory Peck movie they were from). I guess it says a lot when so many scenes (and there were others as well) stay with you for so long. Maybe I was just confused by how such seemingly important people spent so much time doing nothing. This is a movie about business vs. family and the choices those seeking success need to make. It attempts to portray the pros and cons of both choices (office politics vs. unattentive children, for example) yet the way so many people over-react to the situations that come up alienated me from giving the movie's message more serious attention. Maybe you'll have better luck with it. At least you ought to get a kick out of the rich folk's interior decorator.

OK period piece.......2007-05-10

It is kind of an odd movie to have been made in the mid fifties. It's themes seem more like a movie made in the seventies: the horror of war, PTSD, impacts of infidelity, conflicts of career advancement vs. family obligations. The story is ahead of it's time and is enjoyable.
Though the production values are attractive, the script is meandering and some of the performances are melodramatic.
Overall a OK period piece.

.......Corporate America versus Middle America..... [1956 ].......2007-04-19

What will it be??... as Gregory Peck [Tom Rath] must decide for his future...he is a man of principle coupled with discipline learned from his military past, by which a 'flashback' pops out in his memory/bank while on his daily commute into NYC...how odd, these ne'er forgotten images ingrained, all of a sudden arise from one lil sighting; nonetheless, it shows the PTSD syndrome within those men who were locked in close combat, which images are now far removed from their present civilian daily rush of life...this one scene piqued my total interest in Sloane Wilson's adaptation from his book [bestseller] to the technicolor film production...Peck portrays a good man, devoted husband, observant father as this movie revolves around him for the most part; unfortunately, a very and much talented and beautiful woman [Jennifer Jones] is hardly noticed with mundane prose, too bad, because she and Peck had sultry chemistry in, "Duel in the Sun" previously...Frederick March [CEO] knows exactly the dilemma Peck wrestles with if he wants to come on board full knowing his 'other' life may become flotsam...Peck does the right thing for..Tom Rath...I won't spoil the ending for you...great book and a better film reproduction into PTSD and the personal ramifications that interweave Tom Rath's life after WW2 ends...SSGT CHRIS SARNO-USMC FMF

The Compromises Demanded of Everyone.......2007-02-21

The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit concerns the inevitable compromises demanded of everyone while earning a living. Should we always tell our employer the brutal truth? Are we obligated to commit economic suicide? Alas, we all must compromise in the real world. The only real question is how far can we go before betraying our ultimate values. Tom Rath (Gregory Peck) is a WWII veteran trying to make it in the Big Apple. Should he dedicate his whole heart and soul to the company? Is there any room for Rath's family? Where must he draw the line? The only serious negative is that women are treated as stay-at-home moms. Still, this is a well done movie and worthy of your time and interest.

This movie will almost certainly resonate with those viewing it even in the distant future. Its central themes are eternally relevant. However, there is one scene that reminded me that The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit is a fictional account of the mid 1950s. Tom Rath is informed by his wife that they must purchase a new washing machine. It will cost $250.00. Please note that this is an era when a $10,000 income was considered to be far above average. This clothes cleaning appliance, for all practical purposes, would therefore retail at about $2,500 in our present era! Do we really want to return to the past? I don't think so.

David Thomson
Flares into Darkness

Average customer rating:

The kind of charismatic film making that only Coppola can provide
Homer without the virtues
Memorable thril ride
The horror ... the horror ...
Magnificent Film In Any Form... '....The Complete Dossier' Due Out In August 06

Apocalypse Now
Starring: Sam Bottoms , Marlon Brando , Bo Byers , Colleen Camp , and Robert Duvall
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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

Drama | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

War Epics | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

Anti-War Films | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: 6305609705
Release Date: 1979-08-15

Amazon.com essential video

In the tradition of such obsessively driven directors as Erich von Stroheim and Werner Herzog, Francis Ford Coppola approached the production of Apocalypse Now as if it were his own epic mission into the heart of darkness. On location in the storm-ravaged Philippines, he quite literally went mad as the project threatened to devour him in a vortex of creative despair, but from this insanity came one of the greatest films ever made. It began as a John Milius screenplay, transposing Joseph Conrad's classic story "Heart of Darkness" into the horrors of the Vietnam War, foll