Pretty in Pink (Special Collector's Edition)

Amazon.com

The era of Molly Ringwald's profitable collaboration with writer-producer-director John Hughes (Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club) was at its peak with this 1986 film (directed by Howard Deutch but in every sense part of the developing Hughes empire). Ringwald plays a high school girl on the budget side of the tracks, living with her warm and loving father (Harry Dean Stanton) and usually accompanied by her insecure best friend (Jon Cryer). When a wealthy but well-meaning boy (Andrew McCarthy) asks her out, her perspective is overturned and Cryer's character is threatened. As was the case in the mid-'80s, Hughes (who wrote the script and produced the film) brought his special feel for the cross-currents of adolescent life to this story. In its very commercial way, it is an honest, entertaining piece about growing pains. The attractive supporting cast (many of whom are much better known now) does a terrific job, and Ringwald and Cryer have excellent chemistry. --Tom Keogh

Description

Young Andie (Molly Ringwald) is one of the not-so-popular girls in high school. She usually hangs out with her friends Iona (Annie Potts) or Duckie (Jon Cryer). Duckie has always had a crush on her, but now she has met a new guy from school, Blane (Andrew McCarthy). He's one of the rich and popular guys but can the two worlds meet?

Customer Reviews:

John Hughes captures teen angst once again..........2007-09-04

What can I say? Yes, I am 49, was out of HS several years before 'Pretty In Pink' came on the scene. Yet to me, a SUPERB classic. It tells of your typical 'poor girl on wrong side of tracks, meets upper crust boy'...and it shines! Molly Ringwald is exquisite in her roll. McCarthy and Cryer, too, are very real and authentic in their roles.

2 thumbs up for Molly.......2007-08-04

Molly really shines through on this movie. You just begin to realize how talented she really is. She can be sexy, sultry, emotional and funny.
Her acting is underated and the movie itself is excellent. This movie, as with the Breakfast Club, is an excellent learning lesson for teens.
I recommed this movie highly to all, as time has not diminished the message that this great film sends out.

Pretty in Pink-Great 80s Film.......2007-07-23

Molly Ringwald is awesome in this 80s classic. She is from the wrong side of the tracks and falls in love with someone from the right side. If you enjoy this movie you will alson enjoy Sixteen Canldes.

80's Classics.......2007-07-23

Now, Molly Ringwald had to be my most favourite actor of the 80's. This story is sweet too. Being an outcast through highschool, Andy (Molly Ringwald), is a budding designer and she makes up all of her clothes, but gets ridiculed by the popular girls. Who doesn't get teased? But Andy likes Blane, a rich kid who has money and hangs out with the popular crowd. Then there is Duckie, Andy's loyal friend who is totally in love with her, and is against Andy wanting to go out with Blane, as he thinks he will break her heart. And there is Stef (James Spader), who wants Andy, but Andy does not want him. So Stef gets to Blane trying to make out that Andy is crazy and that she is not worth dating. But Blane still likes her. They go out on a few dates, and then he pulls away from her and she gets angry. Then the prom comes, and Duckie takes Andy to the prom and tells her that Blane is a nice guy and not like the others. So Blane sees Andy and she is upset. he walks up to her and tell sher that he loves her. Then he walks away. Andy stares after him, and Duckie tells her to go after him. And so ends the movie of them kissing in the carpark.
A great ending that shows no matter what social class you come from, love will always conquer.

Pretty in Pink review.......2007-07-05

If you're an '80s kid like me there's a good chance you're a fan of John Hughes' Pretty in Pink. When watching this special edition DVD it's apparent that this is the Queen of '80s teen movies. With that said, it's still pretty underrated. I'm surprised at how many people still tell me they never watched this movie!

James Spader plays the extreme a-hole and there's no bigger jerk in all of movies! Molly Ringwald is the quintessential '80s girl acting along with some amazing songs in the background. You also have a quirky "She's so Unusual" type performance from Annie Potts (Janine Melnitz from Ghostbusters), an Oscar worthy showing from Andrew Dice Clay, and even a hot Kristy Swanson as Duckette. You can't go wrong with Pretty in Pink, one of the '80s best teen movies.

A Room with a View (Two-Disc Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

I wanted to like it..
Phenominal movie
A Room With a View
Passion, uncorseted , in this E. M. Forster story
One of My Favorites

A Room with a View (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Starring: Maggie Smith , Helena Bonham Carter , Denholm Elliott , Julian Sands , and Simon Callow
Director: James Ivory
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
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ASIN: B0001DCYUU
Release Date: 2004-04-06

Amazon.com essential video

The prestigious filmmaking trio of producer Ismail Merchant, director James Ivory, and screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala had made other critically acclaimed films before A Room with a View was released in 1985, but it was this popular film that made them art-house superstars. Splendidly adapted from the novel by E.M. Forster, it's a comedy of the heart, a passionate romance and a study of repression within the British class system of manners and mores. It's that system of rigid behavior that prevents young Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham Carter) from accepting the loving advances of a free-spirited suitor (Julian Sands), who fears that she will follow through with her engagement to a priggish intellectual (Daniel Day-Lewis) whose capacity for passion is virtually nonexistent. During and after a trip to Italy with her protective companion (Maggie Smith), Lucy gradually gets in touch with her true emotions. The fun of watching A Room with a View comes from seeing how Lucy's thoughts and feelings finally arrive at the same romantic conclusion. Through an abundance of humor both subtle and overt, this crowd-pleasing "art movie" rose to an unexpected level of popular appeal. The Merchant-Ivory team received eight Academy Award nominations for their efforts, and won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, Art Direction, and Costume Design. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Nominated for eight Oscars in 1986, including Best Picture, and winner of three (Costumes, Art Direction and Adapted Screenplay), A Room with a View is the film that defined Merchant-Ivory as the masters of the romantic period piece. A brilliant adaptation of E.M. Forster?s novel, A Room with a View tells the story of the coming of age of Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham-Carter). Longing to burst free from the repression of British upper class manners and mores, she must wrestle with her inner romantic longings to choose between the passionate George (Julian Sands) and the priggish but socially suitable Cecil (Daniel Day-Lewis). Boasting a brilliant supporting cast, A Room with a View is one of the most romantic of romantic comedies ever filmed.

Customer Reviews:

I wanted to like it.........2007-09-04

I really did. I bought it with high hopes of liking it, yet i did not. I kept looking at the clock on my dvd wanting it to end. It started very slow for me and did not pick up at all. And i love period piece movies and have seen alot. This one did not do anything for me, except bore me.

Phenominal movie.......2007-08-03

I originally watched this movie around 10 years ago and it is one of my all time favorites. The actors do an incredible job of pulling you into the story and feeling the emotions their characters are experiencing. I recently read the book and decided that I must own the movie, and it was as good as I remembered! The movie is as good as the book- if not better!!!

A Room With a View.......2007-07-06

One of the finest examples of the longstanding Merchant/Ivory alliance, "Room With a View" is a superbly executed romance set in 1907 and adapted from the book by E.M. Forster. Nominated for eight Academy Awards, the film boasts dazzling sets and costumes, along with note-perfect early turns by Merchant-Ivory regular Carter and an uncharacteristically priggish Daniel Day-Lewis. Don't miss this smart and sumptuous cinematic treat.

Passion, uncorseted , in this E. M. Forster story.......2007-07-06

Take two stuffy,repressed English ladies, pour them into gorgeous Florence of the late 1800's, throw in a few fiery encounters with the native Italians (amorous and/or violent), and watch for the ensuing combustion. Helena Bonham Carter loosens her hair and her heartstrings. Maggie Smith, my favorite character who is the chaperone, also learns a thing or two. The real stars arcing over this production, however, are "bella" Florence itself and the singing of Kiri Te Kanawe in the background, as she delivers her thrilling aria, "O Mio Babbino Caro."

One of My Favorites.......2007-06-06

Now I'm a girl that loves a period piece movie but this is one of my all time favorites. All the roles are great campy caricatures (my favorite is the pompous Cecil), beautiful Florence is the setting and it has humor, romance and adventure.

Average customer rating:

Enjoyable Movie.
Wonderfully appealing love story
only the lonely
One of John Candy's best!
My look at the movie

Only the Lonely
Starring: John Candy , Maureen O'Hara , Ally Sheedy , Kevin Dunn , and Milo O'Shea
Director: Chris Columbus
Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay
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ASIN: B0007WFXT4
Release Date: 2005-06-14

Description

Danny, a cop, meets and falls in love with Theresa. They get engaged, despite sneaking around behind his mother's back, but when push comes to shove, he can't quite quit worrying about his mother long enough to be any kind of lover to Theresa.

Customer Reviews:

Enjoyable Movie. .......2007-07-21

But a little campy and somewhat difficulty to believe. There were certain facts and circumstances here that challenge our ability to suspend our disbelief such as Candy, a Chicago policeman, being "transferred" to a job in Florida and also his tremendous obesity at that point in his life made the attraction between he and Sheedy a bit suspect. But John Candy was a tremendous joy in practically everything he ever did. His acting was always good and he portrayed the mother-dominated Danny Muldoon with aplomb. In fact, the acting overall, with Maureen O'Hara excelling in her role and Anthony Quinn adding a certain something to the endeavor, was another reason for why the film succeeds. As far as the romance was concerned I found it a little too manufactured, but tastes do differ in this regard.

Wonderfully appealing love story.......2007-05-12

With an amazingly tender and gentle performance by John Candy and a perfect portrayal of a protective mother by Maureen O'Hara, this movie is an appealing love story. The mother, the son and the girlfriend are all individually represented beautifully and all melded together in a most delightful movie.

only the lonely.......2007-03-08

John Candy is a very funny actor, especially with the cast he is working with in this movie. Very hearwarming movie.

One of John Candy's best!.......2007-02-14

Well, it's really extremely '80's in feel, but still a classic. If you liked Trains, Planes, and Automobiles, if you like John Candy, or if you can't stand your mother-in-law, this one is for you.

My look at the movie.......2007-01-23

John candy was great!!!
The movie is funny and heartwarming

Average customer rating:

Kinda Generic
no title
another classic that was almost as good as juice Joe Brown
This is the real s( )t (My name is O.I)
Nice Basketball-Oriented Drama

Above the Rim
Starring: David Bailey , Darien Berry , Anthony Hargraves , Robert Harvey , and Leon
Director: Jeff Pollack
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
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Product Features:

Classic DVD
Exclusive interviews, highlights, and behind the scenes coverage
DVD's main menu allow you to jump directly to the action
Presented in full-screen digital video

ASIN: B00005JLG1
Release Date: 2004-06-01

Product Description

A hot prospect threatens his college career by playing in a high stakes street basketball tournament. Starring Duane Martin, Tupac Shakur and Marlon Wayans. Year: 1994 Director: Jeff Pollack Starring: Duane Martin Leon, Tupac Shakur, Marlon Wayans

Amazon.com

This rousing basketball drama centers around Tommy "Shep" Sheppard (Leon), a former high school basketball star now haunted by the accidental death of his best friend, and Kyle Watson (Duane Martin), an arrogant high school player in danger of slipping into crime. Though Shep avoids commitment in his life as a security guard, his attraction to Kyle's mother (Tonya Pinkins) draws him out of his protective shell--but Kyle is more interested in mentorship from Shep's gangster brother Birdie (Tupac Shakur). Above the Rim is melodramatic but played with grit and energy by a solid cast, particularly Shakur. Writer-director Jeff Pollack keeps the story moving and gives the characters enough spin to rescue them from being clichés; the result is engaging despite its formulas. Also featuring Bernie Mac and Marlon Wayans. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

Kinda Generic.......2006-10-04

"Above the Rim" is about the city game of basketball, played on asphalt in a rough, physical style, where the rewards are status and glory in the neighborhood. It was shot on location in Harlem, and especially at Rucker's Playground, a legendary court where, in the 1970s, visiting stars like Wilt Chamberlain and Julius Erving would drop by to play with the local heroes.

The movie moves the action up to the present and tells the story of a high school basketball whiz named Kyle (Duane Martin) who has attracted the attention of top college scouts. A Georgetown recruiter has been in the stands for several games. Kyle dreams of someday playing in the NBA and waits anxiously for a letter of intent from Georgetown, which doesn't come - maybe because, in an attempt to impress the scout, he's been hogging the ball and taking unwise shots.

Parallel to high school basketball, but in a world of its own, is the neighborhood Shoot-Out, a tournament held at Rucker's Playground with teams sponsored by local merchants, including drug dealers. Kyle plans to play for a team run by his school coach. But then his best friend, Bugaloo (Marlon Wayans), talks him into visiting a club run by the sinister Birdie (Tupac Shakur), and the kid is seduced by its shabby glamor into agreeing to play for Birdie's team.

This is not a wise move. Birdie is a drug dealer, and that's a fact well-known to the tall, silent Shep (Leon), a former Rucker's star who moved out of town but is now back as a security guard at the high school. Shep was once friendly with Kyle's mother (Tonya Pinkins), and now, as they begin to see each other again, he tries to guide Kyle in the direction of college, and away from the superficial glories of the Shoot-Out.

The movie climaxes, of course, with the big Shoot-Out game, and with a violent surprise that I found less than likely. But that's not really what it's about. It's more about the dreams of poor black kids to use their basketball skills as a ticket out of the inner city.

This is an elusive dream, as the brilliant Chicago-based documentary "Hoop Dreams" demonstrates. Only a tiny percentage of high school stars ever play in college, let alone in the NBA. But kids like Kyle can't help hoping. And both Shep and his mother point out that education, not the NBA ticket, is the real reason to go to school.

The movie lives easily on the streets where it is shot, and the performances - especially by Martin, Shakur and Pinkins - are convincing. We get a sense of the daily rhythm of the character's lives, and for a drama, the movie finds room for a surprising amount of humor, especially in the dialogue.

The movie, directed by Jeff Pollack, was co-written by Pollack and Barry Michael Cooper, who wrote the poetic and evocative Wesley Snipes drama "Sugar Hill." In both films Cooper has a strong interest in family, in how extended support networks can fill some of the gaps left by the disintegration of the traditional family unit.

Here Kyle is a kid in a lot of potential trouble, but also with a lot of good support.

My complaint about the movie is that the plot goes on automatic pilot in creating the character of Birdie. The neighborhood drug dealer is such a standard cliche by now that it's almost as if they plugged him into the movie as a shortcut to a villain. Shakur plays him well, and he makes a satisfactory bad guy, but the subliminal message is that drugs are where the money is. The movie could have come up with more original choices.

no title.......2006-03-31

Well, here's a movie I didn't want to see at all (I loathe basketball), but I enjoyed it very much. Two actors to watch who are very charismatic - Leon and Tupac Shakur (whose murder robbed the screen of a very fine talent). The former exudes a quiet power reminiscent of Lawrence Fishberne; the latter has amazing eyes with incredibly curly lashes. Another note: I haven't seen a movie that looked this sharp and clear, whose colors were crisp and bright, in many a year. And the basketball shots during the "tournament"! Wow! What editing! Whoever did that really knew his stuff. The story was fairly hokey - good guy, bad guy, competing for the young basketball whiz, and fairly predictable. I did think his overblown jealousy of his mom dating Leon a little too too. But Shakur's portrayal of the local king-pin was very effective. He actually seemed friendly and OK, but the menace below was subtly done. I have seen him before in "Poetic Justice".

another classic that was almost as good as juice Joe Brown .......2005-08-02

this is tupac's other good movie 4 those of u question tupac's acting ability tupac does it once again this time as a street wealthy gangsta more calm and smoother than his outragerous character n juice n da movie, he has a older brother leon (known as shep) they r both different from each other and both lost a family member with da scene showning both of their at da graveyard togehter marlon wayans did surprisingly good acting considering that he is usually a comedian n most of his movies but n above da rim he was funny but yet serious at da sametime duane martin delivers a very good 2 considerly great performance who needs more roles he does both comedy and serious actin and rumor had it that he once play n da nba 4 a short period of time 4 da ny knicks bernie mac acted well and was funny at da sametime this movie he played a drugholic who lived out n da streets I love da soundtrack 2 da movie from Warren G and Nate Dogg which is one of da best soundtrack songs i have ever heard

This is the real s( )t (My name is O.I).......2005-07-02

This is the best sports movie ever, tied with Any Given Sunday. This movie was really melodramatic, and had excellent actors, like Duane Martin, Tupac, MArlon Wayans, that dude named Leon, and Bernie Mac. This movie was really violent and at the same time dramatic. My favorite character was Birdie (Tupac Shakur). Trust me, if you are thinking about getting this movie, get it. It is very good for all men to watch out there, and plus, get the soundtrack along with it. It is a classic, g-funk, rap album that is my favorite soundtrack, and I'm sure yall will like it to.

Nice Basketball-Oriented Drama.......2005-05-16

The 1995 classic basketball movie "Above The Rim" is a great movie, even though it is going on ten years old. However, time can not erase the fact that this movie is spectacular. The cast of characters is good, the script is good, and overall this is an awesome movie if you're a fan of Tupac Shakur, or just a fan of basketball movies with more than just basketball in it.

The story is about Kyle Watson (Duane Martin) and Tommy "Shep" Sheppard (Leon). Kyle is really into basketball and he plays for the high school team, but he's a little self centered on the court. When his friend Bugaloo (Marlon Wayans) busts out of jail, he introduces Kyle to Birdie (Tupac Shakur), who wants to put Kyle on his annual Shoot Out Tournament team. Even though Kyle told his coach he was going to play for him in the shoot-out, he decides to play for Birdie, as he offers him somewhat of a better or good life. This part of the story is kinda cliche, either sell your soul for riches or do the right thing and go the better way out. Which one will Kyle choose when it's time? Shep has a story of his own. From what I could tell, Shep was a very good ballplayer when he was Kyle's age. Due to a certain tragedy, Shep threw it all away. Shep comes back from where he ran to, and ends up meeting Kyle's mother, and starts dating her. Kyle doesn't like Shep at all, due to a little bit of Birdie's influence, who is tied to Shep. Turns out, Shep helps Kyle throughout the movie.

There is not many extras on the DVD though. You could either get this on VHS or DVD and have the exact same thing. The movie has a great cast to back it up: Duane Martin, Marlon Wayans, Leon, Tupac Shakur, Tonya Pinkins, Bernie Mac, etc. They are all great in their roles. Despite being just about a decade old, this movie stands the test of time for me. It also has a great soundtrack, featuring hits such as "Regulate" by Nate Dogg and Warren G, and "Pour Out A Little Liquor" by 2Pac, and "Pain" by 2Pac and the Outlaws, which is one of my favorite songs. It really fits with the movie when they play it.

However cliche the storyline may be, this is still an excellent movie. The acting is tremendous, especially by Tupac and Marlon Wayans. This movie also established Leon and Marlon as 2 of my favorite actors. If you're looking for a great basketball movie with enough drama to keep you entertained, other than basketball, then this is the movie for you. This is also a good addition to your 2Pac collection (R.I.P.) Go ahead and buy Above the Rim now!

Average customer rating:

Slow, stylish, and somewhat entertaining
ho hum
surprisingly dissapointing
A fair movie, but an inept remake
Doesn't Score up to Michael Caine's Original ..........

Alfie (Special Collector's Edition)
Starring: Jude Law , Renée Taylor , Jane Krakowski , Jeff Harding , and Marisa Tomei
Director: Charles Shyer
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00077BOFG
Release Date: 2005-03-15

Amazon.com

Jude Law's Alfie, much like Michael Caine's Alfie in the 1966 original, is what you'd call an unrepentant womanizer. He beds 'em but never weds 'em, and New York provides ample opportunity to continue the process--until reality slaps him in the face. Because Jude Law is, well, Jude Law, you can see why he gets away with it as long as he does, and the actor also pulls off the usually awkward trick of narrating directly to the camera. Neither his Alfie, however, nor director Charles Shyer's remake emerges completely without scratches. Law has a Chesire Cat carnality, but he emanates too much intellect to buy him as the relatively dim bulb he's supposed to be. The film, meanwhile, is a bit soft around the edges; the whole thing would have more resonance if it wasn't quite so intent on watching the unrepentant repent. Regardless, it's a surprisingly thoughtful diversion, and there's fine work from Marisa Tomei, Nia Long, and Susan Sarandon as the women who understandably make Alfie reconsider his ways.--Steve Wiecking

Description

In this remake of the 1966 classic, Jude Law stars as Alfie, the quintessential Don Juan who is rather caught up in himself. Using his charm and a great smile, Alfie searches for beautiful women who will give him what he wants. Once they become too attached, he breaks their heart. This ideal bachelor lifestyle ends up unraveling and Alfie must learn to admit defeat and change his ways.

Customer Reviews:

Slow, stylish, and somewhat entertaining.......2007-08-16

Alfie Elkins (Jude Law) is a limo driver who likes to hop in the back seat with some of his customers. The commitment phobic Alfie has numerous women that he sees. Marisa Tomei happens to play his " sort of kind of girlfriend." She is a single mother whose son Alfie is crazy about, her not so much. She is involved mentally as compared to Alfie's physical interest and when he is not willing to settle down with her they break up. This sends Alfie into the arms of several other women including Susan Sarandon as an attractive 40 something and Jane Krakowski who is the limo customer that rendezvous with Alfie in the backseat. He really messes up though when he gets his best friend's girlfriend (Nia Long) pregnant. Alfie finds himself all alone and with a possible fatal health crisis. During the time it takes for him to get his test results he plans on becoming a better man and changing his ways. When his results come back negative he is back to picking up women and sleeping with them. His next female companion is played by the beautiful Sienna Miller. This is the film where the two became an item and Law really must have been a Method actor in this role since he left his then wife for Miller and would eventually be dumped by Miller for sleeping with the nanny. Anyway Miller's brief performance as a bipolar party girl who is given to violent mood swings is very good. She wants to get healthy and back on her meds so that her and Alfie have a chance but he dumps her since he has someone else. Or so he thinks. In a nice twist she is sleeping with someone else and puts Alfie in his place by telling him that she is sleeping with this guy because he's younger. Alfie is left all alone and realizes the error of his ways but of course it is too late since all of his former lovers have moved on and are happy. The film looks good but overall it gets slow and there is not much that can be done with the plot. Its hard to feel sympathetic for someone as selfish as Alfie who thinks he is living the life sleeping with all these women and not being truthful to any of them. When he is left all alone to try to figure out how he came to be that way he does not reach any epiphany of sorts. This is not the only annoying problem I had with the film. I understand that as in the Michael Caine original the narration is done directly to camera but this technique grows tiresome after a while as does the film's soundtrack. The music is by Mick Jagger and his ballads appear in nearly every scene when Alfie has either dumped a woman or been left by a woman or comes to some kind of realization in other words too frequently. Still the film is entertaining at times and if you're a fan of Law you will probably be able to overlook these problems.

ho hum.......2007-08-02

This movie is too boring. It is painful to sit through the hold thing.I would never watch this movie again.Unless I was really bored with nothing else to do.
Jud Law isn't very good in it even when he talks into the camera.

surprisingly dissapointing.......2007-07-22

i am a fan of jude law and think he's very handsome. i was also excited to watch this movie (and see sienna miller who was emerging as the "it" girl when this came out). i saw the previews and on-set pics for Alfie and thought it would be good. unfortunately it was boring. it just had no spark. it was lackluster. and for some reason jude law's speech is a bit incomprehensible (guess it's his accent). the people i watched it with kept saying "what did he just say?" that makes the movie difficult to follow b/c Alfie is the one narrating the movie. only when sienna entered it got a bit exciting, but even then it wore off and went back to being dull. i don't know what went wrong with the movie. maybe they need to try it again in a few years.

A fair movie, but an inept remake.......2007-07-09

Jude Law is a fine actor and does his usual excellent job in this remake. If you've never seen the original you'd probably think it was a decent enough movie. But if you've seen the original, with Michael Caine, you'd be wondering why they bothered to make this in the first place- especially the butchered version that resulted.

Like a lot of latter day remakes, this is very much a prettified version of the original. All of Law's conquests have model good looks- as does Law himself, for that matter. He's also a good deal more refined, in accent and in manners, unlike Caine's rather crude Cockney. He moves about in beautiful surroundings. And that loses an essential element of the setting of the novel. Alfie did not live in a beautiful world, and his conquests were not necessarily beautiful women; in large part they were women whom someone else desired- and that was what compelled him to seduce them.

Caine's (and the novel's) Alfie exploited weak women; for whatever reason, the director, or perhaps the producers, decided this Alfie's conquests had to be modern, strong women who use him as much as he uses them. That of course makes Alfie a good deal less of a cad; Jude Law's Alfie is not leaving behind the wrecked lives that Caine's did, and he becomes almost sympathetic at one point- a sentiment completely absent in the book and the original movie.

In the end, this version misses the essential Alfie- his inability to recognize flaws in himself, even as he rationalizes his actions and convinces himself that he's doing the right thing. The result is a shallow character study completely lacking the depth and impact of the original.

Doesn't Score up to Michael Caine's Original .................2007-07-09

This remake might have a few things going for it, though I can't pin point what it would be.

I thought it was unjust and dull compared to the original 60's version and found myself disappointed , bored and deep in thought of how great it would be to star Michael Caine in it again.

Michael Caine as an older bachelor still up to his old tricks. I even got to thinking how he and Shelly Winters could have another go at it.

but as I watched this dull, dreary remake , I realized there's no going back in time.

Average customer rating:

A Room with a View [Blu-ray]
Starring: Kitty Aldridge , Helena Bonham Carter , Maria Britneva , Peter Cellier , and Daniel Day-Lewis
Director: James Ivory
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

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ASIN: B000T28PX8
Release Date: 2007-10-02

Description

Nominated for eight Oscars in 1986, including Best Picture, and winner of three (Costumes, Art Direction and Adapted Screenplay), A Room With a View is the film that defined Merchant-Ivory as the masters of the romantic period piece. A brilliant adaptation of E.M. Forster's novel, A Room With a View tells the story of the coming of age of Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham-Carter). Longing to burst free from the repression of British upper class manners and mores, she must wrestle with her inner romantic longings to choose between the passionate George (Julian Sands) and the priggish but socially suitable Cecil (Daniel Day-Lewis). Boasting a brilliant supporting cast, A Room With a View is one of the most romantic of romantic comedies ever filmed.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary:Commentary from producer Ismail Merchant, director James Ivory, actor Simon Callow and cinematographer Tony Pierce-Roberts
Featurette:E.M. Forster remembered Merchant Ivory Tribute
Other:Archive promotional appearances by Daniel Day Lewis and Simon Callow BBC report on the film's success in the U.S.
Photo gallery

Average customer rating:

John Hughes captures teen angst once again...
2 thumbs up for Molly
Pretty in Pink-Great 80s Film
80's Classics
Pretty in Pink review

Pretty in Pink
Starring: Bruno , Andrew Dice Clay , Margaret Colin , Jon Cryer , and Rock Deadrick
Director: Howard Deutch
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005JKOI
Release Date: 2002-08-20

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

John Hughes captures teen angst once again..........2007-09-04

2 thumbs up for Molly.......2007-08-04

Pretty in Pink-Great 80s Film.......2007-07-23

80's Classics.......2007-07-23

Pretty in Pink review.......2007-07-05

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Baghdad on the eve of elections . . .
An Intimate View
watch this and watch another old 1974 documentary

My Country, My Country
Starring: María Hinojosa , and David Brancaccio
Director: Laura Poitras
Manufacturer: Zeitgeist Films
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000LP5D2E
Release Date: 2007-03-20

Amazon.com

Produced for PBS series POV, this Oscar-nominated documentary takes an up-close-and-personal look at the occupation of Iraq. While War Tapes explores the situation from the American standpoint, My Country, My Country presents the other side of the equation. And while fellow nominee James Longley (Iraq in Fragments) combines Sunni, Shi'a, and Kurdish perspectives, Laura Poitras (Flag Wars) sets her sights on one Sunni, Baghdad-based Dr. Riyadh. She also takes detours to check in with the US military, UN personnel, and Australian security contractors supervising the 2005 elections, either directly or indirectly (as one notes about the occupation, "It's not all bad, you can have some fun"). Dr. Riyadh, a physician and city council member, runs for a seat on the National Assembly in order to help rebuild his country. Poitras began shooting in 2004 and spent eight months with her protagonist, his wife, and their children. She captures a time of doubt and fear, as shells are constantly exploding in the background. Just as the Iraqi people are wary of the outsiders trying to restore democracy, there is only so much insiders, like Dr. Riyadh, can do. Elegantly shot by the director and set to a mournful score by Kadhum Al Sahir, My Country, My Country may be pessimistic about the prospects for present-day Iraq, but Poitras gives one decent man a voice. For that it remains an invaluable document of its time and place. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Description

Working alone in Iraq over eight months, American filmmaker Laura Poitras follows Iraqi physician Dr. Riyadh—father of six and Sunni political candidate -- for an unforgettable journey into the heart of war-ravaged Iraq in the months leading up to the January 2005 elections. An outspoken critic of the occupation, Dr. Riyadh is equally passionate about building democracy in Iraq. Yet all around him, he sees only chaos, as his waiting room fills each day with patients suffering the physical and mental effects of ever-increasing violence. Dramatically interwoven into his personal journey is the landscape of U.S. military occupation, Australian private security contractors, and the U.N. officials who orchestrated the elections. Luminously photographed and emotionally complex, MY COUNTRY, MY COUNTRY captures the downward spiral of one man caught in the tragic contradictions of the U.S. occupation of Iraq and its project to spread democracy in the Middle East.

Customer Reviews:

Baghdad on the eve of elections . . ........2007-04-23

Given more recent events in Iraq, this wonderful documentary is already somewhat dated, made as it was during the months leading up to the first democratic elections in that country, but it marks an important moment in history as well and deserves a viewing for that reason alone. The central figure, a medical doctor in a Baghdad neighborhood, Dr. Ryadh is a member of a Sunni party, running for election to the country's new parliament. Tenacious in his commitment to his community, he is pulled in many directions by the needs of his patients, his prospective constituents, his friends and family. His story is played out against a background of continuing gunfire and explosions and an unending stream of complaints from those who have lost faith in the American presence and hope for the future. In one sequence a colleague's son is kidnapped for ransom by insurgents, and we watch as the father despairs of ever seeing him alive again.

Meanwhile, cameras visit other parts of the country, including Kurdistan, where anti-Sunni and pro-American opinion prevail. We also follow the months of behind-the-scenes preparation for elections and the precautions taken by contracted security firms, with commentary by international election observers. Branded by some as a "show" for the benefit of the White House and boycotted by Dr. Ryadh's own Sunni party, the election draws long lines of voters anyway, and we watch with appropriate amazement the risks voters take to participate in a process that is taken so lightly in the West. Assembled in a way more akin than most documentaries to the ideals of cinema verite, the film has no narration and leaves it to the audience to interpret much of what it is viewing. A fine and important work.

An Intimate View.......2007-04-21

"My Country, My Country" is an opportunity to see Iraq through the life of an Iraqi doctor and his family. The camera perspective is personal and I felt as though I was right there with Dr. Riyadh. The airborne scenes and the country vistas complimented the intimate nature of the coverage of the people involved.

The consequences of the American occupation of Iraq are complex. The politics are complex. I didn't feel imposed upon by some moral message, but rather felt I had a chance to see the depth and interrelationship of viewpoints that allowed me to think for myself. This movie did not clear a lot up for me, but rather gave me a sense of familiarity with the people - a chance to see them as real people and not abstractions. I felt empowered by a far more unprocessed opportunity to gather information for thought.

I wholeheartedly recommend seeing "My Country, My Country" to people whose understanding of "Iraq" comes from nightly news reports or newspaper articles. I believe this documentary is an outstanding way to learn more about the circumstances of recent Iraqi history.

watch this and watch another old 1974 documentary.......2007-02-17

'hearts and minds', then you would know that after we lost the vietnam war, lost so many american soldiers there, the lesson never was learned by those who run our government, president or politicians on the hills. because these people never lost a son or a daughter in a self-righteous and self-serving war. a country full of one kind of people blinded by the 'patriotism' big word, but never understood those invasions and wars got nothing to do with 'patriotism' at all. we invaded other peoples' countries, destroyed their homes, killed their people by first using the excuse of 'fighting the communism' in vietnam, now we just change one word of such slogan, 'fighting the terrorism' to invade iraq. i just don't know who gave us the right to meddle other peoples countries and their lives under the big word of 'patriotism'. what patriotism got anything to do with this godforsaken unjustifiable wars. we ruined their lives but still shamelessly claiming that we're helping them, we're liberating them. we're repeatedly making the same mistakes and tragedies again and again to other peoples and to ourselves. that's why the peoples in other countries when they fought or fignt against us never changed their unique slogan : 'fighting the american imperialism'. and imperialism equals another word in their eyes: 'colonization'.
so far, we americans were blinded by the ridiculous patriotism custom tailored by the corporate friendly government, gave you a false belief that invasion of iraq was justified and the majority iraqi people were so grateful and appreciated what we did to them, by watching this my country, my country, we knew that country is not your country, it's other peoples' country and we absolutely have no right to interfere their own problems. if you are not convinced enough, then you must watch the oscar nominated 'iraq in fragments', to see how the general iraqi people really feel about our 'war on terror(ism)', it'd give you clearer picture what we did to iraq and the irqi people.
why we could never learn?

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A Room with a View [HD DVD]
Starring: Maggie Smith , Helena Bonham Carter , Denholm Elliott , Julian Sands , and Simon Callow
Director: James Ivory
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: HD DVD

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ASIN: B000T28Q14
Release Date: 2007-10-02

Description

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A movie with no faith in the book
The Bullet missed its target!
Should You Take This Ride?
Its not scary and its not brilliant
good start to a giant turd -5

Riding the Bullet (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: David Arquette , Jeff Ballard (II) , Erika Christensen , Tony Cuzela , and Keith Dallas
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0007NFMB2
Release Date: 2005-04-19

Amazon.com

A vintage Stephen King concept unfolds in Riding the Bullet: a college kid, circa 1970, must hitchhike a very long (and very dark) hundred miles to visit his hospitalized mother. The ghosts waiting for him along the way are either real or of his own mind (which seems to be a dark place itself). As a King short story, this might have been a usefully frightening premise, but it's almost entirely literary; on screen, it boils down to a guy walking down a road at night. Jonathan Jackson is suitably tortured in the lead role (or roles--he frequently appears double on screen, arguing with himself), but the movie is stolen by David Arquette, rocking it up as a '50s greaser who died in a car crash years earlier. Barbara Hershey and Erika Christensen are wasted in support. There's a strain to make the Woodstock-era setting relevant, but this doesn't seem to have a great deal to do with the private demons of the protagonist. (And if you're going to set it in 1970, how hard is it to catch dialogue anachronisms?) Director Mick Garris is a longtime King conduit (The Stand), but this one is misconceived from the start. --Robert Horton

Description

Riding the Bullet is based on, the master of macabre, Stephen King's first e-book and was directed by Mick Garris (The Stand). Alan embarks on a 100 mile hitch hike to see his mother in the hospital. Along the way he must confront his many demons - both living and dead - and in the end make the ultimate choice that will mean life or death for him and his mother! "A nifty standalone supernatural drama that features some truly terrifying scenarios, while also offering up a bit of well-placed humor and poignancy." - Horror.com

Customer Reviews:

A movie with no faith in the book.......2007-08-16

There are some filmmakers who celebrate the work of Stephen King by faithfully translating his stories into the medium of film, in a way that exalts the best attributes of the source material. Then there are filmmakers who apparently have no faith in King's work, and seem to operate under the principle that a Stephen King movie is necessarily a campy B-movie. Movies like "Shawshank Redemption", "Misery" and "The Green Mile" fall into the former category. Movies like "Riding the Bullet" fall into the latter category.

It's frustrating to read all of these reviews claiming that this movie faithfully depicts Stephen King's nostalgic tale set in the 60's. In fact, the novella "Riding the Bullet" is set in the present day. For reasons unbeknownst to anyone, the filmmakers decided to set their movie in the 60's, apparently as an excuse to include lots of dope-smoking, pointless discussions about Vietnam and Nixon, and bad 60's music (which is completely incongruous with the modern metal that makes up much of the movie's score).

While this movie may be inspired by the novella, it is by no means a direct adaptation. Apparently dissatisfied with King's taut psycological drama, the filmmakers have added several ridiculous and seemingly pointless scenes to the story. Thus, we get the main character smoking a joint with the Grim Reaper in the bathtub, getting cursed out by a talking bird, and fighting a rabid dog (before the dog gets randomly run over by a truck). Some may enjoy this for what it is, but fans of the novella will be disappointed.

In the book, the main character is a straight-laced, devoted son who takes care of his mom, and drops everything to visit her in the hospital. Much of the novella's effectiveness relies on this characterization of Alan Parker; the reader sympathizes with Alan's decision to choose his own life over his mother's, and the subsequent guilt that Parker feels. In the movie, Alan is portrayed as a snivelly stoner with a morbid fixation who attempts suicide in the first ten minutes of the film. This severe alteration of the main character's basic personality traits has serious dramatic ramifications; depicting Alan as someone who wants to die right from the outset completely changes the meaning of the story.

As other reviews have noted, the manner in which Alan's interior dialogues are presented is unimaginative and thoroughly irritating. The film gives us two Alans conversing on screen, in order that we may witness his thought process. This doesn't just happen once or twice; the device is continually employed throughout the entire movie, and ultimately becomes pretty obnoxious.

On the rare occasion that the movie presents King's material without embellishment, it's not half bad. David Arquette is convincing as the ghost of George Staub, and his scene with Alan in the Mustang is the most compelling thing in the film. Unfortunately, it is interrupted by an invented back story that further muddles the action, and a scene in which Staub gets to chase Alan around an amusement park (after which Alan gets into a roller coaster with his dead Dad and two college stoner buddies). As the film progresses, more and more preposterous happenings are piled on, seemingly without rhyme or reason; this serves to completely obscure the dramatic arc of the story. It's also fairly appalling that the filmmakers were audacious enough to take these kinds of extreme liberties with King's work.

You'd think that it'd be hard to mess up a story as lean and straightforward as "Riding the Bullet"; apparently, that's not the case.

The Bullet missed its target!.......2007-06-25

I've never seen a horror movie with a plot like this before. It's absolutely original. The first half of the movie is engaging. Some frightening and suspenseful scenes happened while he's walking on the street at night. For example, the moment when he was chased into a car cemetery by two strangers.
The second half is boring and repetitive. The worst thing is it turned out they all came from his own imagination!

It's worth watching once.

Should You Take This Ride?.......2007-04-06

Once again Mick Garris is at the helm of another Stephen King adaptation. Garris has made many King movies(if it's a mini series or tv movie, you can bet it was most likely Garris), and while his contributions aren't as memorable as efforts by other directors, Garris tries his damndest to stick as close to the source material as possible. Plus he is one of the most active and dedicated individuals in the horror scene, and for that I respect him quite a bit. But I can't honestly say he made a great movie here. Not bad, but nothing worth a second viewing. Much more plot has been added to the story in order to fill out the 90+ minute running time. A story like this(which if I recall was around 50 pages, give or take) should have been done as one of Garris' Masters Of Horror episodes rather than a full length movie. But when Garris is on, he's on. Alot of the dialogue is straight from the story. A big problem with this movie is Garris' repeated use of the daydream gimmick. You know those scenes in film when something happens to a character(usually horrific and outrageous), then the scene quickly flashes back to the character before the horrific event and you realize that it was all in the character's imagination? This movie is full of these. In fact, it may actually have set a record for uses of this movie trick. It seems to happen at least once every two minutes and quickly becomes silly and then downright annoying. Plus we add a bunch of hallucinations and the main character continuously talking to himself(two of the same actor onscreen at once) and it dulls the suspense and seems like a desperate attempt at being flashy. Plus, the film takes place in 1969, but every now and then we get a blast of very modern sounding music. Personally I can't stand anachronistic music in a film that's supposed to be taking place in a different time period. But even with all of my yapping and whining, Garris managed to pull off another passably entertaining and fairly accurate King adaptation. Just not a terrible memorable one.

Its not scary and its not brilliant.......2006-09-04

Its kind off like Stephen king meets Twilight Zone. Dont get me wrong both are brilliant but i appreciate King as more of an "Epic" 3 hour mini-series kind of storyteller and not the hitchcock short story kind of guy.

It really feels like you have just watched a short story from Twilight zone at the end of the day. The character development and storyline is just too limited to be worth the 2 hours.

If it was one of 3 stories on a ("twilight zone like") compilation and only an hour or so in length, it would have been 5 stars!

If you want an epic tale by King (like Rose Red, Storm of the centuary, the Shining) rather look for something else because this will dissapoint you.

(Please forgive me Mr. King)

good start to a giant turd -5.......2006-04-14

i also love every adaptation of kings books even storm of the century & rose red was cheezy but had good acting & was semi scary. this started out really good & like the others. once he begins his journey its over from their, first you find out that he is a supper wimp that tries to act cool, a character that is saposed to not be the main charcter unless a comedy, he is afraid of even an old weak man. david arquete cant act his way out of nut sack, so theirs no saprise that this is his worst movie ever. they try to play every sceen with at lease 3 ways that the situation could happen in his head but dosent come true, that is a great use of showing horror or scary elements that dont happen but thats the whole movie, no one really dies except he has a vision of his dad blowing his head off but just shows the wall splatter, but hese already dead before the movie starts & his mother at the end but she died of lung cancer, he dosent even really get hurt although he gets fakly attacked several times. the end of the movie will possibly make you throw up its so bad, they try to monolague the rest of his life that ends making him look even more pathetic than he was throught the movie, which is a lot more trust me or watch for your self. i have no idea how this got an r rating due to no severed parts, light swearing, no nudity, & the only part that i could say is his dad blows his head off but ive sceen worst in pg-13. they must have begged to get the ratting because i wont watch those sad pathetic pg-13's unless just cause. im not sure what the rest of you saw giving this 4 & 5 stars. yall must love the cry wolf & all the pg-13 horror garbage, so if thats your style this movis is ripe for your picking.

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