Broken English

Amazon.com

Though made by the daughter of iconoclastic filmmaker John Cassavetes, Broken English is a surprisingly old-fashioned affair. Just as her friend Sofia Coppola wrote about a woman much like herself for Lost in Translation, Zoe Cassavetes has done something similar for her first film (although Before Sunset seems to have exerted a greater influence). Nora (Parker Posey in typically fine form) works in guest relations for a hip New York hotel, just as the writer/director once did. Her best friend, Audrey (Drea de Matteo, The Sopranos), has been married for five years, while Nora remains single. Her mother, Vivien (Gena Rowlands, Zoe's real-life mother), would like to see her settle down. First, Nora goes on a date with self-obsessed actor Nick (a mohawked Justin Theroux), then blind date Charlie (Josh Hamilton). Neither ends well. Nora laments, "Men hate me," but Audrey argues that Nora really hates herself. Her self-confidence gets a boost when she meets Julien (Melvil Poupaud, François Ozon's Time to Leave), a chain-smoking, fedora-sporting Frenchman. Just as she starts to falls for him, Julien returns to Paris, so Nora has to decide whether to stay...or to go. Much like the ladies of Sex and the City (on which Theroux guested), she's the kind of character who appears to have it all, but feels worthless if she isn't in a relationship. It isn't a particularly progressive notion--that the right man will solve every problem--but that doesn't mean plenty of women won't be able to relate. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Customer Reviews:

Comes off a bit awkward, out of place, confused and, well, broken..........2007-09-11

I have a real problem with this film because I know what it was trying to achieve and for all means of discussion it should have been able to get there. The script itself is decently penned, while not truly revolutionary. It pales in comparison to its closest comparison, ala Sophia Coppola's brilliantly crafted `Lost in Translation', but it still should have been able to transcend its familiarity and deliver some goods. The overall direction is a bit shoddy, almost like its lost true grip on where the film was headed. There are some scenes that feel so out of place that the film itself comes off a bit lost. And speaking of out of place leads me to Parker Posey. I am a huge fan of Parker and she was the reason I grabbed this of the shelf at my local video store and decided to give it a try. As much as I love her she comes off way too awkward here. There are quite a few scenes where she seemed so detached from her character it was painful to watch. Maybe I just have to watch it a few more times to appreciate her performance but upon my initial glance I'm left cold.

The film doesn't know if it wants to be dramatic of comical and in the sheer confusion it fails to deliver on either level. Like I said, I know what Cassavetes was trying to accomplish here, and that makes it ever more disappointing for me to watch her fail at it.

So Parker Posey plays Nora, a thirty-something hotel worker who can't seem to find a good man. She has failed relationship after failed relationship and the one good man she could have had she set up with her best friend Audrey who is now unhappily married to him. Nora's mother would love to see her daughter finally settle down, but the truth of the matter may be that Nora is not ready for it, at least not until she finds herself. So yes, this is one of those `coming of age' type films for the middle age woman. Supposedly most women are supposed to be able to see themselves in Nora, but I can't really judge as I am not a woman myself. My wife thought this was ridiculous and abhorred the film, so I don't know if that says anything, but she's not middle aged and never struggled to keep a man so what does she know, right? Regardless, Posey to me drops the ball here. Scarlett Johansson did a much finer job with ultimately the same character in `Lost in Translation' (yes I know the age difference and setting is far from the same but the whole `finding the right person, finding yourself' type void is found within both characters).

One shining light in the midst of the film is the performance of Drea de Metteo as Audrey. I've loved Drea since her Sopranos days and here she comes off so naturally that I wish they would have given her the role as Nora. I feel she would have handled it much better. I also enjoyed Justin Theroux as Nick, the actor jerk that ultimately starts the downward spiral that is Nora's journey to self appreciation. I liked his character and feel that a further fleshing out of his relationship with Nora could have proved more suitable for the film. The departure into foreign territory (literally) with the introduction of Frenchman Julian was just a bit unrealistic. His character was just so clichéd to me. He had no purpose other than to help Nora find her purpose and Poupaud did absolutely nothing to make Julian even the slightest bit attractive (emotionally that is).

So, this is no `Lost in Translation', and that's not to say that it had to be, but it could have been better than it is. Zoe Cassavetes certainly has the talent running in her blood, but unlike her friend and fellow golden child Sophia Coppola she was unable to bring her A-game to her debut film. `Broken English' goes to prove that personal projects (as in based off life experiences) don't always translate as beautifully as we'd like them to. Maybe next time she'll try something different.

A Little Zoë Cassavetes Triumph.......2007-08-27

BROKEN ENGLISH has so many of the elements of films that are becoming difficult to find these days - superb intelligent script, a story that is frankly what it is instead of an overdone parody of itself, a director who knows how to pace a storyline to keep it compelling, and a cast of first class actors who have the gift of diving right to the core of characters we all meet every day and making us care about them. Writer/director Zoë Cassavetes may be young in her trade, but she here gives evidence that she clearly knows her way around creating fine movies!

Nora Wilder (a mesmerizingly fine Parker Posey) has looks, a good job as a client relations director of a smart New York hotel, but she is now in her thirties and in comparison to her friends she is a social wasteland. She simply cannot find a satisfying relationship in this time of fast one night stands. Her mother (Gena Rowlands) is supportive of her plight and her best friend Audrey (Drea De Mateo, proving that she indeed is a fine actress) who is supposedly in a 'good marriage' with Mark (Tom Guinee) understands her needs and is willing to help, but all Nora can end up with are losers like mouthy actor Nick Gable (Justin Theroux) and morning after hangovers - until she encounters Frenchman Julien (Melvil Poupaud). Julien sees and appreciates Nora for who she is and while Nora seems on the brink of having found the perfect guy, her past history of failed romances prevents her from staying in the moment. But when Julien must return to Paris (seemingly the door of exit for yet another mismatch), Nora eventually gathers her courage and accompanied by Audrey sets off to Paris in hopes of joining the effervescent Julien. In Paris the two women search but cannot find Julien, but what Nora finds is herself - and that is rewarded by a climax that brings the film to a satisfying close.

Though Parker Posey has given us some excellent independent film roles in the past, nothing can match the magic she brings to this role. In fact the entire cast is so fine and so well motivated and directed by Cassavetes that every detail of the film is polished and shines like a the little triumph the film is. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, August 07

A Masterful Posey Keeps Cassavetes' Low-Budget Debut Film Afloat.......2007-08-27

Like father, like daughter. As the daughter of maverick indie filmmaker and actor John Cassavetes and actress Gena Rowlands, first-time director/screenwriter Zoe Cassavetes has a pedigree that inevitably comes with exalted expectations. Interestingly, you can see traces of her father's recognizably low-budget, improvisational-feeling style in this 2007 character study masquerading as a romantic comedy. She's fortunate to have recruited the wonderful Parker Posey to portray Nora Wilder, a confident guest-relations manager at a luxury boutique hotel who is also a neurotic thirty-something concurrently longing for and repelled by the thought of a long-term commitment with a man. What makes this film a bit meatier than an episode of Sex and the City is in the idiosyncratic ways Posey informs her multi-layered performance as she attempts to show a flailing dignity in the face of every possible humiliation she could suffer as a single woman within her married social circle.

The rest of the film does not quite measure up to Posey, as Cassavetes has her going through the paces of dating men particularly bad for her until by happenstance at a co-worker's cocktail party, Nora meets Julien, an affectionate Frenchman who appears quite smitten with her. They naturally embark on a weekend fling that neither wants to end. The rest of the movie plays out in a predictable pattern but with some odd quirks along the way. The result is not a misfire. However, there seems to be a desperate reliance on Posey to bring it all home, which she does handily. Still, there is a charming performance by the charismatic Melvil Poupad as Julien, and he makes Nora's attraction understandable even if the script does not allow him to counterbalance the film.

As married best friend Audrey, Drea de Matteo plays a frustrating character drawn strictly by the numbers, while Justin Theroux manages to exude smarmy conceit as the self-absorbed actor who manipulates Nora. Cassavetes conveniently has her mother play Nora's meddlesome, well-heeled mother with a not-quite-present Peter Bogdanovich as her second husband. The film drags somewhat in the last third, and the ending is both pat and familiar given all that has come before. Still, it's hard to resist Posey excelling in such a fully dimensional role. There are quite a few extras on the 2007 DVD - a fifteen-minute making-of featurette, a thirty-minute episode of HDNet featuring extensive interviews with Cassavetes and Rowlands, and about sixteen minutes of deleted scenes, two of which are comically awkward encounters at the opening cocktail party with an urbane married older man (Griffin Dunne) and a friendly lesbian (Nadia Dajani).

Journey into Myself.......2007-08-23

This is one of those movies that you watch solely for the great performance alone. Zoe's film hovers between being a movie about self-discovery (which is far more interesting!) and being a trite little romantic comedy (boring!, who cares!).
Parker Posey however is a wonder to behold, she makes sitting at home alone seem somehow heroic and yet not overstated. It was a joy for me to watch her performance as Nora because there are moments when you see her world unravel and she does the brave thing of trying to be herself. When she finally gives in at the end and goes after what she knows she really needs it's somewhat bittersweet because I wanted her to be herself on her own terms and not depend on a guy (the guy is average by the way!).
If you love Parker Posey, I know I do, then see this film just don't expect any wonders from Zoe.

I just want to be loved.......2007-08-22

Have you ever known that you would just love a movie without having seen it or heard anything about it? I was at Best Buy and I just saw the cover and recognized Parker Posey and bought it without thinking, a little impulsive. Or maybe I just always expect great things from Parker. From the beginning lyrics and opening scene I knew I was in for a treat.

Parker plays Nora Wilder, an average twentysomething female just kind of living her life, but not loving life. In the opening scene we see her get ready for a dinner party and she is walking around anxiously. Sipping red wine and staring at herself in the mirror we can tell that she is a little broken. She is beautiful but she doesn't know it. She is unsure of herself and is afraid.

All of her friends seem happy and Nora just kind of tip toes through life. She dates but nothing ever goes her way, though no fault of her own. She just wants to be truly loved, but she has no love for herself. Nora reminds me of myself and I am sure every woman has a little Nora in her.

But one night Nora bumps into a man that takes a notice to her and through all her fighting and insecurities she submits and lets herself get swept away. But she is so desperate for someone to love her that she has put a wall up because she is ultimately afraid of getting hurt and this has created somewhat of an anxiety disorder. There is a great scene that shows just how vulnerable she is. She is having dinner with a man and thinks that he is mad at her so she excuses herself to the bathroom and starts to yell at herself for making a mistake.She ultimately ruins the evening because she has to run home to take medication for her anxiety.

The plot thickens when she falls in love with the mystery guy but he is only in town for a few days and he is leaving for Paris soon. Will she stay or will she go? She needs to decide what her life has become and what makes her happy.

This is a long movie- and I enjoyed every second of it. This is a movie about an insecure woman who is coming to grips with her insecurities and her emotions and decides to take charge. But this isn't an overnight solution- it takes time and heart. Broken English really touches at reality and our real relationships with ourselves. We don't always hold our head up high and we often try to go through life unnoticed. But in the end the message is clear- to be loved we must learn to love ourselves.

Average customer rating:

Unleashed [HD DVD]
Starring: Christian Gazio , Bob Hoskins , Michael Jenn , Phyllida Law , and Jet Li
Director: Louis Leterrier
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: HD DVD

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ASIN: B000P0J05Q
Release Date: 2007-06-26

Description

Martial arts superstar Jet Li delivers a break-out performance in the gripping, action-packed story about a man raised from childhood by a ruthless crime boss (Academy Award nominee Bob Hoskins) and becomes a violent killing machine. When a blind piano tuner (Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman) takes him in, Danny (Li) tries to start a new life, but his brutal past follows him, forcing him to fight back. Featuring breath-taking fight choreography by Yuen Woo Ping (The Matrix and Kill Bill: Vols. 1 & 2).

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Best band with the Worst Videos...
Great Videos MONO SOUNDTRACK
My Mind is Upside Down!
For the Value - It's Worth it!
Massive flashbacks...

Massive Attack - Eleven Promos
Starring: Olegar Fedoro , Tracey Thorn , Shara Nelson , Massive Attack , and Mushroom Vowles
Director: Wiz , Stephane Sednaoui , Jonathan Glazer , Walter Stern , and Baillie Walsh
Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0000639HM
Release Date: 2002-04-09

Customer Reviews:

Best band with the Worst Videos..........2006-03-02

Massive Attack is one of the best bands ever in my opinion, so it's twice the shame that their videos should feel like rejected concepts tossed at other bands. Rapping at a table. Bad lip-syncing down a boring street. Returning to a gritty apartment. A white guy watching his wife cheat on him with two black men. A baby singing in the womb. A stripper video that is a great example of nudity for nudity's sake. These are some of the worst video concepts ever completed, even early 90's Madonna videos had more taste than this. It's astonishing when the band and their live shows are so clearly intending to bring us something different.

I have to say though, that the video for ANGEL should be seen, as it is the one great video they've done.

Great Videos MONO SOUNDTRACK.......2004-04-11

I was pretty disappointed with the DVD's sound. I have not a problem if the band decided to release the videos in mono, but somebody along the way forgot to inform the customers about this decision, and the disc itself has printed "LPCM Stereo" on it. That is the ONLY problem I have with the soundtrack.

I don't ask for 5.1 sound, simply because 90% of music DVD's with 5.1 are "faux", in other words, echo and reverb added on the surrounds, which results in horrible sound imaging. Much better off with PCM Stereo and using your amplifier's Dolby Prologic II if you can.

Why am I disappointed? Well, I don't recall if the videos were in stereo when I watched them on TV, but if they were, which I highly think the case, then a mono soundtrack doesn't hold true to the original video as it was conceived.

Anyway, still a collection of great videos from some amazing directors like Gondry and Sednaoui.

Recommended

My Mind is Upside Down!.......2004-02-13

This is a nearly perfect music-DVD. The videos (the good ones) are top notch. They will continue to bring you back for more viewings.
There are, however, very dissapointing things on this DVD. The actual DVD menu is absolutely sparse and pretty bad. And the first four or five videos you can forget about - one of which is pretty much soft-core porn (seems bizarre and stupid).
Disregarding those minor draw-backs the remaining videos shine! If it were not for the bad things mentioned above this would easily be five stars.
Some videos are genious - they are simply works of art created around songs that are works of art unto themselves.
This DVD is no question worth the price - i could watch the videos of Angel, Teardrop, Inertia Creeps, or Karmacoma at least ten more times. I can also imagine this as a backdrop for a chill-out time with your friends
THOUGHT PROVOKING, INTERESTING, TWISTED, BUT SOMETIMES UTTERLY STUPID.
(sorry if i'm being too harsh)

For the Value - It's Worth it!.......2003-07-22

I seem to buy a lot of DVDs with videos on them, and I could not pass up these 11 promo videos from Massive Attack. It's like a GREATEST HITS or SINGLES package, so it should please the casual as well as obsessive fan. Songs go chronilogically in order throughout the disc. There are no extras - just eleven videos in stereo with no bells or whistles. But most of these don't need explaining. The good part is that you have many guest vocalists near the end - Tracy Thorne of EBTG, and Tricky to name two. So it seems to lend itself to parties or bar settings! Video quality is fine, though on widescreen televisions you may see some funky aspect ratios. This is built for squares! It's only in 2.0 stereo, but so were the singles. Wish more bands would release their videos this way!

Massive flashbacks..........2003-07-16

In 1991 I was fortunate to be a vocalist for a band and we opened for Massive Attack during their first US tour supporting Blue Lines. They didn't bring Shara Nelson and their stage show wasn't quite worked out yet but they had 3 videos on VHS that they were handing out. The VHS has been long lost so to get this DVD is a flash from the past for me. But some of their later videos (circa 1998) I couldn't quite get into as much. Too much focus on 3-D in the camera. But still it is cool to have this DVD and travel down memory lane.....

Average customer rating:

Foundation Painting with Shawn Barber

Manufacturer: Massive Black
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

Art & Artists | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

Marko Djurdjevic: Character Ideation

ASIN: B000U67UWA
Release Date: 2007-07-23

Amazon.com

In this exciting new DVD released by Massive Black, Shawn Barber reveals his unique approach to the art of painting. While watching Shawn work, students will learn about many of the basic elements of painting including drawing, composition, color, form, and value. Shawn also demonstrates many of the important lessons one must understand before even picking up a brush: stretching canvas, color mixing, palette setup, and choosing the right medium. Finally, the DVD features a behind-the-scenes interview with Shawn that covers his personal work, career, and what it takes to become a successful artist.

Out for Fame: National B-boy Championship Tour and Finals

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Out for Fame: National B-boy Championship Tour and Finals

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Ultimate B-Boy: City vs City

Product Features:

TRIPLE DVD SET!

ASIN: B000QX1R2Q

Product Description

Includes all final battles for each of the 7 cities plus some of the classic battles in each city. Also the finals with returning champs and winners from each tour stop. 3 Discs of Bboying all across the nation.

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Marko Djurdjevic Character Ideation

Marko Djurdjevic: Character Ideation

Manufacturer: Massive Black
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000LP66OI
Release Date: 2006-12-05

Customer Reviews:

Marko Djurdjevic Character Ideation.......2006-12-21

Marko Djurdjevic is a true visionary, his characters will not only seize your breath, they will punch you hard as well. With this DVD you will find yourself mesmerically lured into his vivid and wicked world. As highlighted in the DVD Marko Djurdjevic got no traditional art school background, which is perhaps what makes this so interesting. The DVD serves both for the beginner as well as the seasoned professional artist because the DVD is inspirational and educational.

This DVD is something I would recommend every artist to have in their library, if nothing else just because it will show you a completely different way of doing things. The second DVD is a very cool bonus and a nice surprise, which only goes to show that this is a production made with a heart and soul.

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Massive Asses
Director: Sam No
Manufacturer: Elegant Angel
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

FOR ADULTS ONLY

ASIN: B000UGZCOI

Product Description

Size Does Matter! Elegant Angel proudly presents Massive Asses. When big just isn't big enough... this series is for you. See one of the hottest new-cummers in the industry, Alexis Texas, manhandled by former AVN performer of the year Manuel Ferrara. Watch Brianna Love's swollen butt cheeks bouncing. Sunny Lane is pure perfection swaying her gigantic bottom back and forth for the camera. Carmen Kinsley has everything: a beautiful face, perfect breasts, and a huge ass. Finally, Georgia Peach graces the camera with her mighty rear end, receiving an onslaught from Anthony Rosano. Massive Asses features a great all-star cast, pristine camera work, high-end production values, and a great collection of DVD extras. Be sure not to miss this outstanding production.

Charlie Rose with Anthony Robbins (July 19, 2000)

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Charlie Rose with Anthony Robbins (July 19, 2000)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose, Inc.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000HBL8G2
Release Date: 2006-08-15

Description

Motivational speaker Anthony Robbins on his unusual career advising everyone from Andre Agassi and President Clinton to the IBM Corporation and the United States Army and the launch of his new website, www.dreamlife.com.

Average customer rating:

good show but...
Good Program - Limited Play DVD Format

Heavy Metal: B-52: Stratofortress

Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000E370S8
Release Date: 2002-08-18

Description

It has flown for nearly fifty years, and is projected to remain in service until 2045. With a range of 8,000 miles and the ability to carry 70,000 pounds of bombs, it is the most lethal aircraft in the world.HEAVY METAL goes from the Ohio hotel where the B-52 was first conceived to the skies over Afghanistan and interviews military planners, pilots, crewmembers and aviation experts to chronicle the history of this extraordinary plane. Revisit the decades when a fleet B-52s remained aloft 24 hours a day, armed with nuclear warheads and just two hours away from the Soviet Union, as a key component of America's Cold War deterrence strategy. Fly in missions from Vietnam, when the Stratofortress was first exposed to fire from surface-to-air missiles, to the Gulf War and beyond, and tour the cockpit with the men who have piloted the B-52 through the years.This is a fascinating look at the aircraft that is arguably the most important and successful warplane ever made.

Customer Reviews:

good show but..........2007-03-01

Had to take this one to a friends house to watch it.
The DVD does not play in all DVD players
but over all the show does show the b-52 and its uses since its beginings.

Good Program - Limited Play DVD Format.......2006-07-06

The history channel program is an adequate compilation of the history of the B52 strategic bomber. However, the DVD version is in a format not accepted by all DVD players including our panasonic DVD player and the DVD burner and DVD player (two devices) in our HP computer.. It will however play in our NEW samsung DVD/VHS combo.

Muscletech Presents Bodybuilding: Passion - Pain - Perfection Mission of Massive Proportions

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Muscletech Presents Bodybuilding: Passion - Pain - Perfection Mission of Massive Proportions

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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BODYBUILDING PASSION-PAIN-PERFECTION SECRETS OF THE PROS VOLUME 3

ASIN: B000GXNQN4

DVD:

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