Sunset Boulevard (Special Collector's Edition)

Amazon.com essential video

Billy Wilder's noir-comic classic about death and decay in Hollywood remains as pungent as ever in its power to provoke shock, laughter, and gasps of astonishment. Joe Gillis (William Holden), a broke and cynical young screenwriter, is attempting to ditch a pair of repo men late one afternoon when he pulls off L.A.'s storied Sunset Boulevard and into the driveway of a seedy mansion belonging to Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson), a forgotten silent movie luminary whose brilliant acting career withered with the coming of talkies. The demented old movie queen lives in the past, assisted by her devoted (but intimidating) butler, Max (played by Erich von Stroheim, the legendary director of Greed and Swanson's own lost epic, Queen Kelly). Norma dreams of making a comeback in a remake of Salome to be directed by her old colleague Cecil B. DeMille (as himself), and Joe becomes her literary and romantic gigolo. Sunset Blvd. is one of those great movies that has become a part of popular culture (the line "All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up," has entered the language)--but it's no relic. Wow, does it ever hold up. --Jim Emerson

Customer Reviews:

Who's that strange lady at 10086 Sunset Blvd.??.......2007-09-05

XXXXX

"The body of a young man was found floating in the pool of her mansion [on Sunset Blvd.]...The poor dope. He always wanted a pool."

This is how this bizarre movie begins, a movie that contains elements of drama, horror, and black comedy. The title is named after the famous boulevard that runs through Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. Also, the full title of this movie is "Sunset Boulevard: A Hollywood Story."

The movie is about a down-on-his-luck screenwriter named Joe Gillis (William Holden, 1918 to 1981) who narrates the story (the above quotation is by Gillis) and his accidental encounter with a fading silent screen movie star and femme fatale named Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson, 1899 to 1983). She involves the unsuspecting Gillis in her fantasy world of making a comeback to the movie screen. Norma has a somewhat strange butler named Max (Erich Von Stroheim, 1885 to 1957) who tries to protect her from sinking to far into a depression with regard to her fading career.

There are also famous people in the past that have bit parts in this movie. I identified the director Cecil B. DeMille (who plays himself), Jack Webb (of "Dragnet" fame), and Buster Keaton (silent screen comedian who has a cameo).

The entire movie has witty, well-written dialogue. Besides the quotation above by Gillis, here are two more of my favorite quotations:

(1) Gillis: "You used to be in silent pictures. You used to be big." Norma: "I am big. It's the pictures that got small."

(2) This is the last line of this movie given by Norma: "All right Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up."

The acting is superb! Gloria Swanson gives an unforgettable performance as Norma Desmond (that somewhat parallels Swanson's own life since she at one time was a top silent screen actress). I also enjoyed the performance of Erich Von Stroheim who plays Norma's butler.

The background music heightens the tension of each scene. I was also impressed with the photography throughout this entire movie.

This movie was nominated for 11 Academy Awards. It won 3.

Finally, the DVD itself (the special collector's edition released in 2002) is perfect in picture and sound quality. It has some interesting extras.

In conclusion, this is an unforgettable movie. See for yourself why it was rated #16 on the 2007 American Film Institute's list of the 100 best American films!!

(1950; 1 hr, 50 min; black and white; full screen; 19 scenes)

< >

XXXXX

Mr. De Mille, I'm ready for my cloe-up.......2007-09-04

This is a favorite of mine. Billy Wilder made a perfect movie. One that is entertaining and has some of the best acting I've ever seen. William Holden plays his part perfectly and Gloria Swanson is just magic in her role. The entire cast is wonderful. A movie like this makes me proud, this was long before actors required millions just to do a movie and gave subpar performances.

This movie details Hollywood before Hollywood was the Hollywood we know of now. Yet the message rings true to this day. A wonderful movie to say the least. Highly recommeded. Actually, I recommend any and every Billy Wilder movie. A true genius.

Be sure you definitely check out:
Some Like It Hot (Collector's Edition)
The Apartment
The Lost Weekend

a gem in movie making.......2007-08-26

I truly enjoyed this movie especially since it is decades old and in black and white.Gloria Swainson was absolutely brillant.

Highly Recommended.......2007-08-21

The plot may sound like a cliche, but the characters and their choices are very well developed. There are perfect touches at every turn, from the scene of collection agents hounding William Holden while "Putting on The Ritz" plays in the background to the closing scene as Gloria Swanson descends the staricase down into the hell of the pack of wolves-reporters- "ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille". The old silent movie of herself that Gloria Swanson watches one evening is Queen Kelly, which the actor playing her butler had in fact directed, and which did not get released because (for among other reasons) sound had arrived in full force during its shooting. Everything about this movie just works beautifully.

Gloria Swanson, the REAL Norma Desmond..........2007-08-16

I think I've watched this movie is astonishing awe hundreds of times as Gloria Swanson pours her ALL into the role of Norma Desmond. You can just feel her every emotion throughout the movie as Norma invites you into her world of stardom and right into her mind so that you'll know exactly what she means. Gloria's portrayal of the washed up silent film icon leaves nothing to the imagination as you live every dark minute with her there in her Moorish-style Palace on Sunset Boulevard.

It's a Wonderful Life (60th Anniversary Edition)

Average customer rating:

It is really wonderful.
Nothing less than 5 stars!
Things to consider
Merry Christmas
It's a Wonderful Life

It's a Wonderful Life (60th Anniversary Edition)
Starring: James Stewart , Donna Reed , Lionel Barrymore , Thomas Mitchell , and Henry Travers
Director: Frank Capra
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( I ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Special Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000HEWEJO
Release Date: 2006-10-31

Amazon.com essential video

Now perhaps the most beloved American film, It's a Wonderful Life was largely forgotten for years, due to a copyright quirk. Only in the late 1970s did it find its audience through repeated TV showings. Frank Capra's masterwork deserves its status as a feel-good communal event, but it is also one of the most fascinating films in the American cinema, a multilayered work of Dickensian density. George Bailey (played superbly by James Stewart) grows up in the small town of Bedford Falls, dreaming dreams of adventure and travel, but circumstances conspire to keep him enslaved to his home turf. Frustrated by his life, and haunted by an impending scandal, George prepares to commit suicide on Christmas Eve. A heavenly messenger (Henry Travers) arrives to show him a vision: what the world would have been like if George had never been born. The sequence is a vivid depiction of the American Dream gone bad, and probably the wildest thing Capra ever shot (the director's optimistic vision may have darkened during his experiences making military films in World War II). Capra's triumph is to acknowledge the difficulties and disappointments of life, while affirming--in the teary-eyed final reel--his cherished values of friendship and individual achievement. It's a Wonderful Life was not a big hit on its initial release, and it won no Oscars (Capra and Stewart were nominated); but it continues to weave a special magic. --Robert Horton

Description

George Bailey has so many problems he is thinking about ending it all - and it's Christmas! As the angels discuss George, we see his life in flashback. As George is about to jump from a bridge, he ends up rescuing his guardian angel, Clarence. Clarence then shows George what his town would have looked like if it hadn't been for all of his good deeds over the years. Will Clarence be able to convince George to return to his family and forget suicide?

Customer Reviews:

It is really wonderful........2007-09-06

I have tried to buy this DVD twice before from non-Amazon Internet vendors and failed. Finally I bought it from Amazon. It is really wonderful to watch "It's a wonderful life". I especially enjoyed the special features of the DVD with Capra Sr. and Jr. and Jimmy Stewart recapturing the making and the history of this movie. Can you imagine it wasn't a hit when it was first released? It is a very interesting story, almost as good as the movie itself.

Nothing less than 5 stars!.......2007-08-27

It's a classic movie with a thought provoking message that we all can make a positive impact on the people's lives around us.

Things to consider.......2007-08-26

This is a classic, not just for Christmas. Everyone should reflect on their lives as Jimmy Stewart's character does.

Merry Christmas.......2007-08-12

If you want a great Christmas movie, this is one of the best X-mas movies I have ever seen. The old Miracle on 34th Street and this movie (It's a Wonderful Life) are the two best Christmas movies ever made. I remember watching it as a kind (I'm 28) and loving it even then, watching it over and over again!

It's a Wonderful Life.......2007-07-30

A brilliant movie with excellent values. Very moving and encouraging. Makes a wonderful gift for Christmas or any other time. Continuously voted one of the best movies of all time. Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Interesting Documentary But Lacks A Solution
Financial Education
The Borrower is Slave to the Lender
Valuable, if unbalanced, perspective
worthwhile viewing

Maxed Out
Director: James D. Scurlock
Manufacturer: Magnolia
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

ASIN: B000OU081M
Release Date: 2007-06-05

Amazon.com

In Maxed Out, author/director James D. Scurlock (Maxed Out: Hard Times, Easy Credit and the Era of Predatory Lenders) takes on America's debt crisis. Consequently, he touches on related issues like race, corporate malfeasance, and political subterfuge. Scurlock's multi-media approach incorporates statistics, news excerpts, and interviews, but it's rarely dull (comedy bits from Louis CK and tunes from Queen and Coldplay don't hurt). Speakers include economic professors, debt collectors, pawn brokers, investigative reporters, beleaguered consumers, and even Robin Leach (Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous). Instead of New York and Los Angeles, he concentrates on mid-size cities, like Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, and Seattle. Plenty of small towns also come into play. Though he never presses the point himself, Scurlock allows his subjects to note the similarities between the credit industry and the drug trade (others use such incendiary terms as "rape"). One thing he neglects to mention, however, is pride. If house payments are ruining your life, selling that property may be the only solution. In most cases, however, it's hard not to feel for those individuals who didn't know what they were getting into before they signed their lives away. For some viewers, this will be a dispiriting documentary--three subjects recount the suicides of relatives who found their debt too much to bear--but in explaining exactly how lenders and creditors make money, Maxed Out can help others to avoid some of their most egregious practices. In other words, debt may be a downer, but knowledge is power. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Customer Reviews:

Interesting Documentary But Lacks A Solution.......2007-09-11

Maxed Out is a documentary about the financial woes of the American People. The documentary chronicle's families problems with staying afloat in a debt ridden environment. Maxed Out was able to get some pretty big names in the financial community to agree to interviews including Dave Ramsey & Suze Orman. Although I think that the documentary makes a good case that credit card companies are taking advantage of certain families with ridiculous interest rates and fees I also believe that the DVD lacks making the case for personal responsibility when it comes to credit issues. I do not feel that stronger regulation will fix the credit problem. We live in America and should try to keep government out of any industry possible. Look what government regulation did to the airline industry. The only solution to Americas ever growing credit problem is personal responsibility and more education regarding financial products.

Financial Education .......2007-08-31

I saw this video at a Finacial Education workshop this summer and thought that I would should it to my Consumer Education class grades 9th thru 12th.

The Borrower is Slave to the Lender.......2007-08-28

I like "In Debt We Trust More".

Proverbs 22:7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

Valuable, if unbalanced, perspective.......2007-08-28

Maxed Out glosses over personal liability. Consumers must be held responsible for their financial decisions; however, responsibility is a two-way street. The credit card executives and collection agents shown in the film portray themselves as mere functionaries in a complex financial system. In doing so, they omit the ethical choices necessarily made by people in their chosen industry. Lending executives reveal to Elizabeth Warren that interest and penalties paid by the poorest borrowers are the cash cow of the debt industry. Debt collectors share their most humiliating techniques for extracting payment. Overly-abundant debt ruins families and takes lives as pre-approval letters continue to pour in. All the while, the profiteers are hiding behind the smokescreen of personal responsibility. Maxed Out is certainly a one-sided film; precisely the side you WON'T get from the industry PR machine.

BTW, if you want to rent a car but don't like spending money you don't have, use a debit card.

worthwhile viewing.......2007-08-26

Once again, the immorality of the current administration is exposed for what it is and the effects their policies actually have on American families. The manipulation is mind bongling.
The one thing this film does not emphasize is personal responsibility. Clearly many of the victims in this documentary had deeper psychological issues they were dealing with.

Average customer rating:

Good Performances, Good Action
It takes stones to steer clear of trouble andd wrong choices - Turturro
A Great Gambling Movie
rounders
Poker Players Only?

Rounders (Collector's Edition)
Starring: Matt Damon , Edward Norton , John Turturro , Paul Cicero , and Gretchen Mol
Director: John Dahl
Manufacturer: Miramax
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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

ASIN: B0002DRDB4
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Amazon.com

A little drunk on its own arcane exotica as a gambling movie, Rounders is a film that takes us inside a world of high-stakes card players but falls short on such essentials as character development, relationships, that sort of thing. Still, it is a real curiosity, written by a couple of guys (David Levien and Brian Koppelman) who appear to know something about the dark underbelly of card hustling for fun and profit. Matt Damon stars as a reluctant law student who can't put aside his subterranean career of playing poker and blackjack for big money. After he loses his post-grad nest egg to a weird Russian kingpin (John Malkovich)--and also loses his disgusted girlfriend (Gretchen Mol) in the process--Damon's character turns to an unreliable old buddy (Edward Norton) for a dangerous game of sharking wherever there happens to be a game underway: frat boys, cops, bad dudes, you name it. Norton appears to be living out every young actor's fantasy of re-creating Robert De Niro's prototypical head case in Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets, and while his performance is burdened by obvious quotation marks, his estimable talent still shines through. Damon's charm and intelligence bring some oomph to the curiously flat proceedings, and while his hushed, soul-bearing scenes with Martin Landau (as a law professor who takes a shine to the kid) seem gratuitous, they're still nice to watch. Behind all this is director John Dahl (Red Rock West), who is not exactly at the top of his game here but who brings his distinctive toughness to the crime-noir tone. --Tom Keogh

Description

Academy Award(R) winner Matt Damon (GOOD WILL HUNTING, Best Original Screenplay, 1997; THE BOURNE SUPREMACY) and Edward Norton (THE ITALIAN JOB) star in this story of passion, risk, and the extreme price of friendship! After losing a high-stakes card game, Mike (Damon) gives up gambling for law school and a fresh start with his girlfriend (Gretchen Mol -- CRADLE WILL ROCK). But then his best buddy (Norton) gets out of prison and in over his head with a ruthless card shark (John Malkovich -- BEING JOHN MALKOVICH). From there, Mike's strong sense of loyalty -- and the lure of the game -- draw him back to the tables in a game he cannot afford to lose! Also starring John Turturro (O BROTHER, WHERE ARE THOU?) and Oscar(R) winner Martin Landau (ED WOOD, Best Supporting Actor, 1994).

Customer Reviews:

Good Performances, Good Action.......2007-08-12

Damon and Norton both shine as Poker hustlers. Damon is the the guy who's studying law and trying to transition into the respectable world of a law student in a committed relationship. Norton is excellent as his friend who is pure hustler and who eventually drags him in deeper than he seemingly wants to be.

Great action sequences and the Poker games are very entertaining. John Malkovich plays a very weird Russian mafia guy named Teddy KGB who is menacing and ultimately taken down by Damon at head to head Texas Hold Em.

DVD has some nice special features including a brief tutorial and some comments from leading Poker pros.

It takes stones to steer clear of trouble andd wrong choices - Turturro.......2007-05-25

ROUNDERS (1998), with an exceptionally well chosen cast (John
Turturro, Ed Norton, Matt Damon, Martin Landay, and John Malkvich) is
a movie that will appeal to those above 25 / 30, considering the
strong mental and rational aspects that the movie emphasizes, coupled
with other human aspects that everyone will relate to, nonetheless.

If you believe that full stars should never be awarded to a story
that has a happy ending, (guy gets the girl and the money), then you
will understand how this movie is a remarkable achievement, yet not
the best I've seen, due to the Hollywood policy of avoiding tragic
endings, steering clear of despair, suffering from gambling
addiction or otherwise, due to entertainment reasons.

The acting is splendid and beyond reproach, from all actors, by
exposing the subculture of gambling as a hobby and as a social
networking and human release tool. It also exposes those players who,
naturally, take advantage and profit insidiously from the humanity
and compelling addition that exists in the weaker players at the
tables.

As such, the story is a somewhat of a microcosm of what goes on in
the financial markets, the greed and fear emotions that go back and
forth among the traders, the majority of whom lose as much as they
gain from the game, in the long run, not knowing when to stop or how
much is enough.

With a pleasing widescreen release, and sharp, professional
technique, and perfect transfer to DVD, the story underlines the
importance of one's reputation and ability to socially network to be
able to get a seat at the tables where the action occurs. It also
brings up the banking aspects, and loan sharks charging "juice", and
of collectors who are called on to act on difficult debts, the
pariah mechanics, the special visual reading skills needed to be
successful in beating opponents.

Perhaps unnoticed, is the aspect of the movie, that contrasts and
compares the various protagonists character, who they really are,
their destinies, how they found their niche, by choosing settings at
peep shows, or libraries of wealthy reputable judges, lawyers, at
police officers messes, intermixed with convicts, gambling addicted
people of all kinds, including innocent tourists to Las Vegas, etc.

Catchy one-liner: "It takes stones to steer clear of trouble and the
wrong choices" ... yet overall, the movie suggests to viewers that
those making no choices, stopped in the middle of the road of life,
still get run over.

A Great Gambling Movie.......2007-05-14

Matt Damon and Edward Norton team up in this Gambling drama about two men who love to play cards. Both men live different lives, and conflicts arise but in the end one thing is never forgotten; How good these guys actually are at what they do.

rounders.......2007-05-10

this is a wonderful story about two guys who cheat at everything. A few ups and a lot of downs. hustlers to the enth degree. very entertaining

Poker Players Only?.......2007-03-25

There seems to be mixed reviews about this movie. One either likes it or has very little if any response. I'm a poker player and I loved the story and the cast is excellent. If you like poker as well as suspense, I believe this film will be very satisfying to you. If you don't fit that description, it's still worth a look.

Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels (Widescreen Edition)

Average customer rating:

An OK film, nothing more....
No Honor Among Thieves
One of the Best British Comedies Ever
Madcap British crime caper
The only film that makes me proud to say I'm British

Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Jason Flemyng , Dexter Fletcher , Nick Moran , Jason Statham , and Steven Mackintosh
Director: Guy Ritchie
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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

ASIN: B00007ELEP
Release Date: 2002-11-05

Product Description

Streetwise charmer and cardshark Eddy (Nick Moran) walks into the biggest card game of his life carrying a stake backed by the life-savings of his three best mates, Tom (Jason Flemyng), Bacon (Jason Statham) and Soap (Dexter Fletcher). Eddy is the sharpest player on the circuit but the game is a set-up, and Eddy leaves owing the underworld boss Hatchet Harry (P.H. Moriarty) half a million. Harry gives Eddy a week to come up with the money before he starts taking fingers as collateral. Eddy s dad, JD (Sting) can cancel the debt by handing over his bar, lock, stock and barrel to his old adversary, Harry. JD refuses to give in, feeling his street-tough son can get himself out of his own messes. So, while Harry sends a couple of petty crooks to steal a pair of antique shotguns to add to his collection, Eddy and his mates plan a caper that will enable them to pay off Harry and make out like bandits! In a comedy of errors, and a helter-skelter ride through London s gangland, the guns, cash, drugs and identities become all mixed up as a full complement of London s lowlife get involved in a melee which even all their menace can t handle. Full of energy and surprising twists at every turn, it s a rollicking comedy that has it all, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

Cockney boys Tom, Soap, Eddie, and Bacon are in a bind; they owe seedy criminal and porn king "Hatchet" Harry a sizable amount of cash after Eddie loses half a million in a rigged game of poker. Hot on their tails is a thug named Big Chris who intends to send them all to the hospital if they don't come up with the cash in the allotted time. Add into the mix an incompetent set of ganja cultivators, two dimwitted robbers, a "madman" with an afro, and a ruthless band of drug dealers and you have an astonishing movie called Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Before the boys can blink, they are caught up in a labyrinth of double-crosses that lead to a multitude of dead bodies, copious amounts of drugs, and two antique rifles.

Written and directed by talented newcomer Guy Ritchie, this is one of those movies that was destined to become an instant cult classic à la Reservoir Dogs. Although some comparisons were drawn between Ritchie and Quentin Tarantino, it would be unfair to discount the brilliant wit of the story and the innovative camerawork that the director brings to his debut feature. Not since The Krays has there been such an accurate depiction of the East End and its more colorful characters. Indicative of the social stratosphere in London, Ritchie's movie is a hilarious and at times touching account of friendships and loyalty. The director and his mates (who make up most of the cast) clearly are enjoying themselves here. This comes across in some shining performances, in particular from ex-footballer Vinnie Jones (Big Chris) and an over-the-top Vas Blackwood (as Rory Breaker), who very nearly steals the show. Full of quirky vernacular and clever tension-packed action sequences, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels is a triumph--a perfect blend of intelligence, humor, and suspense. --Jeremy Storey

Customer Reviews:

An OK film, nothing more...........2007-09-06

The first time I saw this, I liked it a bit, but I wasn't overly impressed. It was British, slick, but I never felt like I had seen a masterpiece of the British gangster genre (The Long Good Friday is light years better than this. Even lighter films like The League of Gentlemen and The Lavender Hill Mob are much better than this one. So is Donald Cammell's Performance.). Watching it again recently on The Sundance Channel, it's really a vain, shallow film, with very predictable dialogue that sounds Tarantinoesque, except with Cockney accents. It's really trying to be hip, edgy, and clever, but it's really rather tiresome and ultimately boring. Most people have said it's a U.K. ripoff of Quentin, and there's some truth to that. The film has a cute title, and it's nice to see London, but aside from that, I can't really think of anything this film can offer you. If you've seen it once, that's all you need.

No Honor Among Thieves.......2007-07-24

I enjoy Guy Ritchie movies. "Snatch" is probably my favorite, but "Lock, Stock, & Two Smoking Barrels" is a blast to watch too. These dark British comedies are some of the best you will see. However, you will need a tolerance for violence. If you enjoy the "Kill Bill" movies and/or "Formula 51", you will probably enjoy this movie.

A member of a gang loses all his money and goes into debt to a crooked loan shark. His own gang is held responsible for the debt. They rob a group that robbed some pot dealers. Throw in some double barrel shotguns that get stolen that the loan shark wants and him hiring to many thugs to get him want he wants and you have lots of people dying. Great story and action. I recommend it.

One of the Best British Comedies Ever.......2007-06-25

If you've seen "Snatch" you have to watch this film (since it is the pre-sequel to "Snatch".) It is a very funny and yet full of action that you won't get bored. I am a big fan of Jason Statham so I purchased this film and I am hooked. Everyone who I recommended this film to has purchased it to add on to his/her collections. This film is idea at get-togethers.

Madcap British crime caper.......2007-04-16

Director Guy Ritchie expertly concocted an amusing crime thriller replete with crosses and double crosses among various criminal groups in London's underworld. The plot surrounds a group of 4 low level criminals played by Jason Statham, Nick Moran, Jason Flemyng and Dexter Fletcher who pool their resources to sit in at a high stakes card game with a 100,000 pound admission. Nick Moran playing Eddie is a card shark but the game run by porn king Harry "Hatchet" Lonsdale played by P.J. Moriarty is fixed. He loses the 100,000 and an aditional 500,000 which must be paid within a week or else.

The band of 4 friends contrive to recoup the stolen funds by ripping off a marijuana growing cartel that conveniently live next door. That group had already been targeted by other group of robbers and things as a result get predictably muddled.

Meanwhile The "Hatchet" has commissioned the theft of a pair of antique shotguns worth a small fortune that bizarrely wind up in the hands of Moran and his friends. The various groups begin exchanging both the money and the shotguns among them leaving behind a trail of bloodied corpses in this farcical romp.

Ritchie concludes this well contrived comedic thriller, which includes a plethora of tough looking British thugs, with a touch of irony that effectively caps this winning film.

The only film that makes me proud to say I'm British.......2007-04-01

This is the best british comedy EVER....well in my opinion ;-)

It has a pulp fiction vibe, following a group of wheelers and dealers (hustlers) who get into a sticky situation with an East End gangster.

Original plot, clever dialogue and great cinematography. I'm sure Americans will struggle with the dialogue but give it a try!

Average customer rating:

Should have taken heed of the reviews I read!
Saving Grace
Hilarious
Great fun!
Saving Grace - Funny, heart warming movie

Saving Grace
Starring: Bill Bailey , Brenda Blethyn , Martin Clunes , Tchéky Karyo , and Phyllida Law
Director: Nigel Cole
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Comic Criminals | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video

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

ASIN: B00003CXMY
Release Date: 2000-12-19

Amazon.com

Imagine a Cheech and Chong pothead comedy, only instead of two scruffy lowlifes, the movie is about an aimless Scottish gardener and a middle-aged British widow with a green thumb. Grace (Brenda Blethyn of Secrets and Lies and Little Voice) has just discovered that her recently deceased husband has left her with an enormous debt when her gardener Matthew (Craig Ferguson, The Big Tease) asks her to help him tend to his small, personal-use marijuana crop. Grace soon realizes that they can turn her green house into a hydroponics laboratory and turn out a profitable crop--if only they can keep the local constables at bay and then find a dealer to actually sell the stuff. Saving Grace has well-developed characters, intelligent dialogue, a charming and capable cast, and clean, clear direction. But at heart it's still a marijuana comedy, with most of its funniest moments coming from the silly, stoned behavior of elderly ladies and other stuffy Brits. Nothing wrong with that, and Blethyn and Ferguson give the film a strong anchor. The ending goes a little over-the-top, but most of the movie is well-grounded in genuine human behavior. A subplot about Matthew's girlfriend's pregnancy is treated with respect and integrity. Sweet, silly, and sincere. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

Should have taken heed of the reviews I read!.......2007-09-10

I'm sure that I will never complete reading this book. I have purchased or read most of the books by Elizabeth George and have been very happy with almost all of them. I could not get interested in this book at all and can't see wasting the time to try to read all of it.

Saving Grace.......2007-07-29

One of the funniest movies I've seen in years. I saw it in the theatre and had to own it for the "want a good laugh" nights. The whole town is with Grace in their own secret way. Craig Ferguson is just fantastic as the lousy gardner and the town doctor is a real adorable loser. You will laugh out loud at the whole thing.

Hilarious.......2007-06-29

I had to buy this movie. I saw it for the first time when it first came to video. I wanted to buy it then but it was over $100. I am so glad I found it now for under $20. This movie will leave you in stitches. It is such a different story line than most. Highly recommended.

Great fun!.......2007-06-08

We've watched it many times and can't help ourselves from laughing again and again.

Saving Grace - Funny, heart warming movie.......2007-05-12

Saving Grace is a funny, yet heart warming movie about a widow facing financial difficulty after the death of her husband. Help comes from her faithful gardener as well as the moral support of her neighbors. Craig Ferguson plays the gardener and he is as brilliant and funny as usual. You can't go wrong with this movie if you are one of Craig's fans.

Average customer rating:

THE SEXUAL REVOLUTION IN THE 1960'S IS ABOUT TO BEGIN WITH SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS!
A Star is Born
Splendor alright
Splendor in the Grass
Move - Splendor in the Grass

Splendor in the Grass
Starring: Natalie Wood , Pat Hingle , Warren Beatty , Audrey Christie , and Barbara Loden
Director: Elia Kazan
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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

ASIN: B00002ND7B
Release Date: 2001-03-13

Amazon.com essential video

Elia Kazan's pedal-to-the-metal approach to psychosexual melodrama paid off handsomely when he had layered material by Tennessee Williams or John Steinbeck to work with. The very raw material here is an original by hot-blooded playwright William Inge, about a pair of teenagers in the American Midwest in the 1920s whose lives are ruined by the repressive sexual climate of the period. The girl, played by Natalie Wood, is literally driven batty by her pent-up adolescent lust and ends up in the bin---which admittedly plays better than sounds, because the hunk she yearns for is the young and almost impossibly handsome Warren Beatty. This is a very lush and beautiful movie, but also a deeply silly one. It's grade-A American cheese, with a pinch of dime-store Freud on top.--David Chute

Customer Reviews:

THE SEXUAL REVOLUTION IN THE 1960'S IS ABOUT TO BEGIN WITH SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS! .......2007-08-29

I am writing a review on the legendary historic breakthrough movie entitled "SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS" starring two of Hollywood's all-time greatest movie icons ever. I give you the multi-talented and always beautiful, the late great NATALIE WOOD and the young star that would be born and introduced to the entire world as WARREN BEATTY. "SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS" was originally released in 1961 by Warner Brothers.

When I watch "SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS" today, it is extremely hard to believe that this is how our parents and our grandparents actually grew up and lived. This is our elders in their youth living by the old-fashioned values that their parents were brought up believing in. To many of you, this movie may seem like a bore, but in reality, look how far moviemaking has come. Please remember that this movie was made and released in 1961. This is exactly what I meant when I stressed in many of my other NATALIE WOOD movie reviews that NATALIE was the barrier between the old-fashioned actresses of yesterday and the independent and liberated actresses of today. Nothing could have proved this theory more than the movie "SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS." This movie is actually NATALIE WOOD screaming out of her shell on the screen and daring to be independent and liberated on behalf of all of the women in the world. "SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS" was truly far ahead of its time.

In the 1960's, movies really beat around the bush or hid many sexual subject matters in the closet. In a way, "SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS" was an attempt in bringing these sexual subject matters out of the closet before our very eyes. To make it short, "SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS" is about the sexual tension building up between two youths (Or virgins) that do not understand how they feel especially since the two have never had a sexual experience together. The movie actually explores the sexual frustration between the two who feel dirty thinking impure thoughts about sex. The two never had a chance considering the wrong advise that the two youths were getting from their parents. In today's society, it is acceptable to have sex before marriage. When our parents and grandparents were growing up, their parents mandated and raised them to have sex after they are married. In a way, "SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS" is the most breakthrough movie as far as giving birth to the sexual revolution in the 1960's. Also, what "SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS" did for the youth movement in the 1960's is what "THE WILD ONE" and "REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE" did in the 1950's. These legendary movies would all singlehandedly give birth to the liberation and independence of the youth movement.

As for the acting in "SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS," NATALIE WOOD was magnificent! You can see by her acting roles that she was ready to blossom and come of age by coming out of her closet and shock us even more with her more daring and complex roles. "REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE" prepared WOOD for "SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS." "SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS" would prepare WOOD as an independent and liberated actress to tackle roles in movies such as "LOVE WITH A PROPER STRANGER," "GYPSY," "WEST SIDE STORY," "SEX & THE SINGLE GIRL" and "BOB & CAROL & TED & ALICE" to name a few.

"SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS" would introduce an actor that was then a newcomer in the world of moviemaking. In a way, NATALIE WOOD gave us WARREN BEATTY. BEATTY'S good looks and charm was irresistible to every woman in the entire world including WOOD herself. Wow, what I wouldn't give to be WARREN BEATTY at that very moment. The chemistry between WOOD and BEATTY on and off screen is the real Hollywood stuff that is made of legend.

If you haven't seen this movie yet, please find a way and watch this movie somehow. When you see this movie, you will realize how made we really have it today as far as expressing ourselves freely and discussing sexual subject matters in the open as compared to hiding it in the closet like it was in the past. In a way, "SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS" opened the doors for all of the other movies that were yet to come. In my opinion, "SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS" is one of the very few movies that would contribute in giving birth to the sexual revolution in the 1960's that the youths can relate with. Believe it or not, even the youths of today can identify with it. "SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS" besides "REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE," really put NATALIE WOOD on the Hollywood map forever. So here's to you NATALIE and WARREN. I will always love you NATALIE. May you always rest in peace. Thanks for reading my review and I truly hope that you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it for your reading pleasure. I also deeply hope that you will continue in reading all of my other reviews in the near future when time permits. NATALIE WOOD FOREVER! R.I.P. NATASHA NIKOLAEVNA ZACHARENKO A.K.A. NATALIE WOOD, Born 20 July 1938, Died 27 November 1981 at age 43. Forever in Entertainment, John L.

A Star is Born.......2007-06-12

Natalie Woods play a excellent part of a young High School girl in love with her High School sweetheart, played by Warren Beatty(screen debut)torn by beening respected by her mother's wishes and her human desires. This movie moved her from a child actress to a major player in the movie industry in adult roles.

Splendor alright.......2007-05-28

Splendor in the grass is a wonderful old Hollywood film. It's no wonder that Natalie Wood was a "million mens" dreamgirl. She is breath-taking and multi-dimensional in this film. The acting is emotional, and the actions cliff hanging in this beautiful story of love and letting go. It's a must see for anyone who loves old Hollywood classics.

Splendor in the Grass.......2007-05-07

I enjoyed this movie very much seeing natalie and warren in their youth and artistry was what made the movie so engrossingl.

Move - Splendor in the Grass.......2007-03-08

Great product, nice seller, fast service, very happy, will buy again!

Average customer rating:

Interesting But Incomplete
Go Danny Go!
In Debt we should ALL trust !
Borrow now, pay later - an American way of life
Informative

In Debt We Trust
Director: Danny Schechter
Manufacturer: Disinformation
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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

General | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000NDFLWG
Release Date: 2007-04-24

Description

Just a few decades ago, owing more money than you had in your bank account was the exception, not the rule. Yet, in the last 10 years, consumer debt has doubled and, for the first time, Americans are spending more than they're saving -- or making. This April, award-winning former ABC News and CNN producer Danny Schechter investigates America's mounting debt crisis in his latest hard-hitting expose, IN DEBT WE TRUST.

While many Americans are "maxing out" on credit cards, there is a much deeper story: power is shifting into fewer hands...with frightening consequences. IN DEBT WE TRUST reveals a hitherto unknown cabal of credit card companies, lobbyists, media conglomerates and the Bush administration itself, which has colluded to deregulate the lending industry, ensuring that a culture of credit dependency can flourish. In the film, Schechter exposes the mechanisms and machinations behind the hidden financial and political complex that allows even the lowest wage earners to indebt themselves so heavily that house repossessions have become commonplace. One expert in the film goes so far as to dub this "21st-century serfdom."

Inspired by scholar Robert Manning - one of the films' key advisers' - and his seminal book "Credit Card Nation", IN DEBT WE TRUST showcases his insights about the impact of debt on young people and our society. It also suggests the kinds of practical efforts needed to empower the public with information to avoid the traps of debt dependency.

The whole world depends on the economic stability of the United States. Yet, as its national and consumer debt escalates, our interconnected global economy is at incredible risk. IN DEBT WE TRUST, as timely and relevant as a film can be, delivers an urgent warning that can't be ignored.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting But Incomplete.......2007-08-18

This is a very good documentary on the subject of credit card debt and predatory lending, but doesn't pack the emotional punch of a similar documentary titled Maxed Out that came out roughly at the same time. The documentary shows as a society that the middle and lower classes are drowning in a sea of debt from payday loan places and credit card debt. It offers some good advice and gives a lot of cause for concern, but leaves you with a feeling of unanswered questions and wanting more information. It does however show you that debt is often not caused by stupidity or foolishness but by circumstances that could affect any one of us.

Go Danny Go! .......2007-07-19

Keep up the good work Danny!
I hope you do another documentary on this ever expanding problem.
Reward cards are something that need looking at more closely.
Who is actually paying these "rewards". It's the merchant fees that we all pay for whether we use credit cards or not! Fact is, many people can't use a reward card or simply don't want to deal with greedy credit card co's and their long list of dirty tricks and yet they don't get a discount when they pay cash because everywhere you go, they take credit cards. And that means merchant fees that we all pay in the form of higher prices! And these card co's have it set up so the merchants can't give a lower price for cash customers! It's outrageous!
And I hope you do more about debt buyers. It's insane these co's can buy debt for pennies on the dollar and then pile on more interest. Interest is supposed to be charged for money borrowed! Nobody borrowed money from a debt buyer and yet they can charge interest! It doesn't make any sense to put someone in debt further.
And last but not least, these predators who flood the mailboxes of the newly bankrupt should not be allowed to send them any mail for at least ten years. That is the amount of time bankruptcy remains on someones credit report. If the newly bankrupt want to get back in the credit card game, then let them find these cos. There should be a law that these co's with their dreadful offers not be allowed to send offers to those who have just gotten out of bankruptcy. Unfortunatly, some will not understand these offers or will be desperate. They are nothing but a trap wrapped in envelopes with seductive message like "we want to help you re establish your credit" or "you deserve a second chance". Those who have filed bankruptcy have gotten a second chance and these predators only want a second chance at ripping them off and putting them in debtors prison again! These co's will even extend credit to people living below the poverty line!!

In Debt we should ALL trust !.......2007-07-02

I went on a debt reduction program on my own at 42 years old and now at 45 I am debt free. I recommend that you buy this DVD at any price. I also recommend that you don't watch it alone. Let some others benefit from the knowledge of what debt has and is doing to our society. Even if they don't do anything about it at least they will have the education of how the debt system works.

Borrow now, pay later - an American way of life.......2007-06-13

Americans spend more money than they make and that's the modern trend in today's society. This stems from the fact that it is so convenient to live this way but it is also a progressive danger to consumers and the economy.
The public faces a daily barrage of advertisements for credit cards and lending options and it filters down to everyone in all walks of life. In 2005 alone, the top 10 credit card companies spent over 2 billion dollars in advertising.

Commercials have been shown to use subtle and creative messages to tap into your subconscious desire to spend money but no attempts are made to educate individuals about any fiscal responsibilities. The situation is even worse when you realize that many companies have inflated interest rates, they overcharge on late fees, and some often misappropriate confidential consumer information such as you personal credit history.

Looking at the dilemma of this debt crisis begs the question of what is going wrong. A big element is the fact that rising costs of healthcare, housing, education, and consumer goods hurts so many and credit and lending play a significant part here. The federal government is another factor that does not favor the consumer and hurts you more than it helps. Recent bankruptcy reform initiated by President Bush now makes it more difficult for persons to file bankruptcy and recover from financial hardship. Powerful lobbyists in Washington are very influential in helping to manipulate fiscal policies and financial institutions are the number one contributors to political campaigns.

There really isn't any happy ending in sight to this widespread problem but there is a growing light at the end of the tunnel. Consumer advocate groups are becoming more prominent nowadays and their attempts at debt education and awareness are steadily working their way into mainstream society. Any type of help whatsoever is productive and necessary for everyone affected and this keeps the hope alive that we can eventually make significant progress in overcoming our huge dependency on borrowed money and credit.

`In Debt We Trust' really appealed to me because it was quite comprehensive in how much material it covered and because it was presented in an easy to understand and straightforward manner. For informational and educational purposes, I would seriously recommend this documentary to everyone.

Informative.......2007-06-08

I made my teenager watch this movie, just so he can be aware of how corporate American busineses profit of the working class.
Very informative.A definite must see

Average customer rating:

A waste of time
Wow
Just okay
Move over Disturbia, make room for Alpha Dog
A classy classic

Alpha Dog (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Bruce Willis , Matthew Barry , Emile Hirsch , Fernando Vargas (II) , and Vincent Kartheiser
Director: Nick Cassavetes
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Suspense | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Mystery | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

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

ASIN: B000NO39FG
Release Date: 2007-05-01

Amazon.com

With harrowing intensity, Alpha Dog dramatizes one of the most tragically notorious murders in recent history. Ripped from the headlines, writer-director Nick Cassavetes' flawed but riveting crime drama (a polar opposite to his previous film, the romantic hit The Notebook) is based on the real-life case of Jesse James Hollywood, a drug dealer in California's San Gabriel Valley who, in 2000, became one of the youngest men to appear on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list. Names and details have been changed, but the criminal circumstances remain the same: With family links to organized crime, Johnny Truelove (Emile Hirsch) is on the warpath against Jake Mazursky (Ben Foster), a sleazebag addict who owes him money. Fate intervenes when Johnny and his stoner pals including Frankie (Justin Timberlake) encounter Jake's 15-year-old half-brother Zack (Anton Yelchin) and hold him as collateral until Jake pays his debts. What begins as a casual, seemingly harmless situation escalates into a crisis of capital crime, as Alpha Dog employs split-screen, docudrama, and mock-documentary interviews to chronicle a tragic tailspin of reckless events and lawless behavior.

Cassavetes himself became part of the real-life drama when prosecutors (hoping to locate then-fugitive Jesse James Hollywood, who was captured in 2005) gave him legally controversial access to their case files. Alpha Dog clearly benefits from this inside information, and while the film's grueling depiction of underage squalor (including rampant drug and alcohol abuse) is inevitably off-putting and at least partially exploitative, there's no denying that Cassavetes has worked wonders with a well-chosen ensemble cast including Timberlake, who contrasts his music-industry stardom with a convincing performance as a likable, not-too-bright party animal who quickly gets in over his head. The film is ultimately compromised by Cassavetes' ambitious attempt to cover too much dramatic territory, but like his father John before him, he demonstrates a remarkable skill with actors (including Sharon Stone, Bruce Willis, and Harry Dean Stanton in supporting roles), and Alpha Dog is full of powerful, dangerous moments that aren't easily forgotten. --Jeff Shannon

Description

They grew up together in the suburbs of LA, living their own version of the American dream, with every day a blur of partying and looking for the next thrill. Johnny (Emile Hirsch, Lords of Dogtown) is the leader in their sordid world of drugs, greed, power and privilege. But when he is double-crossed by another dealer, things quickly begin to spiral out of control, and an impulsive kidnapping leads to a shocking conclusion. Justin Timberlake (Edison), Sharon Stone (Bobby) and Bruce Willis (Lucky Number Slevin) co-star in this powerful and controversial film.

Customer Reviews:

A waste of time.......2007-08-27

Absolutely horrible. What a waste. Justin Timberlake needs acting lesssons big time! The only scene worth any salt was at the end. Bad acting and poor direction blew it to hell.

Wow.......2007-08-25

I loved this movie! I thought it was awesome. Justin Timberlake was actually a good actor, and I wanted to just make fun of the movie! I thought the acting was spectacular, even though (and I know this is a true story) I think Zach should have used some of his black belt skills on Elvis when he had the chance!

Just okay.......2007-08-21

I guess this film was okay. I'm glad I didn't see this in theater. This movie was pointless. Just a bunch of kids that had nothing to do except party. Well, Alpha Dog is about a guy named Johnny, who is a drug dealer,his friend Jake owes him money. Since Jake doesn't pay. Johnny and his friends kidnap his younger brother brother. **spoiler begginning**They kill him but in the end, they all get caught, no big deal, it is a true story.**Spoiler End** This movie is not worth $20.00 bucks. Take it or leave it.

Move over Disturbia, make room for Alpha Dog.......2007-08-14

Alpha Dog is one of the better films I've seen in 2007. There is no central character as such but most characters are rather absorbing. Bruce Willis has no role in the film, Justin Timberlake was actually good but the most harrowing of acts was done by a man called Ben Foster. It's interesting because this wanna be of sorts knows he has nothing to lose - his act in the film is great. Ben Foster is very convincing as "Jake Mazursky" in this film. He's a little mad in the film, likes to take fist shots at people, will go to any length to procure drugs and to save his job. The girls in the film hardly mattered but I liked the mother who slaps Ben Foster. There are a few scenes in the film which will made me raise my left eyebrow. The end made me go gulp. Alpha Dog is worth watching - it's a pretty good tale of how things go wrong and is reminiscent of films like Juice, 11:14 and Bully - while definitely being better. Where Alpha Dog loses out is at not being as consistently forthright at "Running Scared"

Nonetheless Alpha Dog alongwith "Black Snake Moan" is one of the best films I've seen this year but "Zodiac" remains on top. Watch this and look out for Justin Timberlake.

A classy classic.......2007-07-26

A true classic in every sense of the Tarrantino word. I could watch this movie a dozen time and see something new every time. Great plot, action, suspense, has it all. I rate this movie up there with Casablanca and Pulp Fiction as one of the great classics.

Average customer rating:

Tim & Kirstie:Welcome to Amish Country!!!
For Richer or Poorer
HILARIOUS!!!
For Richer or Poorer
For Richer or Poorer

For Richer or Poorer
Starring: Tim Allen , Kirstie Alley , Jay O. Sanders , Michael Lerner , and Wayne Knight
Director: Bryan Spicer
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Slapstick | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Screwball Comedy | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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