Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End (Two-Disc Limited Edition)

Amazon.com

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End is a rollicking voyage in the same spirit of the two earlier Pirates films, yet far darker in spots (and nearly three hours to boot). The action, largely revolving around a pirate alliance against the ruthless East India Trading Company, doesn't disappoint, though the violence is probably too harsh for young children. Through it all, the plucky cast (Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom, Geoffrey Rush) are buffeted by battle, maelstroms, betrayal, treachery, a ferocious Caribbean weather goddess, and that gnarly voyage back from the world's end--but with their wit intact. As always, Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow tosses off great lines ; he chastises "a woman scorned, like which hell hath no fury than!" He insults an opponent with a string of epithets, ending in "yeasty codpiece."!

In the previous Dead Man's Chest, Sparrow was killed--sent to Davy Jones' Locker. In the opening scenes, the viewer sees that death has not been kind to Sparrow--but that's not to say he hasn't found endless ways to amuse himself, cavorting with dozens of hallucinated versions of himself on the deck of the Black Pearl. But Sparrow is needed in this world, so a daring rescue brings him back. Keith Richards' much ballyhooed appearance as Jack's dad is little more than a cameo, though he does play a wistful guitar. But the action, as always, is more than satisfying, held together by Depp, who, outsmarting the far-better-armed British yet again, causes a bewigged commander to muse: "Do you think he plans it all out, or just makes it up as he goes along?" As far as fans are concerned, it matters not. --A.T. Hurley

Description

Just when he's needed most, Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), that witty and wily charmer of a pirate, is trapped on a sea of sand in Davy Jones' Locker. In an increasingly shaky alliance, Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) and Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) begin a desperate quest to find and rescue him. Captain Jack's the last of the nine Pirate Lords of the Brethren Court who must come together united in one last stand to preserve the freedom-loving pirates' way of life. From exotic Singapore, to World's End and beyond, from Shipwreck Island, to a titanic battle, this adventure's filled with over-the-edge action, irreverent humor and seafaring myth and magic. Everything has led to this twisting, turning, wild swashbuckling ride in this final chapter of the Pirates Of The Caribbean trilogy

Customer Reviews:

Pirates 3 = great movie!.......2007-09-11

I have to admit.....when the first Pirates came out I was one of those people saying it would be stupid and I would never watch it, but after some persuasion from my sister-in-law, thought I would give it a chance and you know what....I LOVED IT! I was hooked. I loved Dead Man's Chest and I could not wait until At World's End came out. It turned out to be just as adventurous and fun as the first 2! I am now PIRATES OBSESSED! And I loved that they kept the same characters through all 3 movies. I recommend this movie and the first 2 to everyone!

Writer Commentary??.......2007-09-06

All I have to say is that I sure hope this DVD has feature-length writer commentary from Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio like the previous films did, as it truly turned out to be a MAJOR highlight with those DVDs. I've read that they have not yet recorded any commentary, but they give so much needed insight (needed especially for this film in particular) that their commentary is a MUST. It would be a bit of a disappointment without.

This Is Why Pirates Suck.......2007-09-05

Pirates have always made a terrible theme for a movie. You don't see a lot of big hits based on them do you? I enjoyed the first installment of the trilogy. The second took a sharp dive in the wrong direction. Now, if you took someone who had never seen the movies and told them to watch part one and then watch part 3 right after that, they would be disgusted with how awful the acting has gotten and worse how dull and dry the dialog as well as the story-line had gotten. If you watch all 3 in order you would hardly notice this, take out part two and it becomes more evident that the creators were in a rush to finish a story and get their pay checks.

Why many people hate this movie.......2007-09-04

I think that i know the reason that many people say that the 3rd pirates movie was horrible. I think that it is because people don't watch after the credits!!! After the credits in the 1st movie it shows the monkey grabbing a coin from the chest, and becoming immortal, after the second movie it shows the dog on a throne with a crown, and a big bone in his mouth plus all of the island people are worshipping him!! and of course after the 3rd movie it shows Elizabeth walking towards the beach with her nine or 10 year old daughter, and then it shows Will appearing on davy Jone's (sorry if i spelled that wrong!) ship, and meeting Elizabeth and his daughter. SO IT ISN'T A SAD ENDING LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT IT IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! also if people couldn't follow the plot then maybe they should pay more attention!!!

Pirates 3=Worst Movie of ALL TIME!.......2007-09-04

After being truly engrossed by the first two Pirates movies I was all set for the third movie but I could never have anticipated the letdown. I was stunned at the utter lack of a story in this truly awful movie. The Pirate Lords???? Hallucinatory Jack seeing multple Jack Sparrows??? Swann as Pirate King???? Keith Richards never looked so uncool and silly. What trash. Don't listen to the people who start their reviews of this movie with "I don't care what people say, I loved this movie" It's a lie. Nobody could love this movie and I was a HUGE fan of the first 2. I have never got up and walked out of a movie but I never came closer than this garbage. I couldn't wait for it to be over it was so stupid. Not only will I not buy this DVD to complete the trilogy, but At World's End was so horrid it actually lowered my opinion of the first two. Stay away and hope Depp & Co. actually try with the next one.

Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest [Blu-ray]

Average customer rating:

No HD DVD version
Disney delivers magic on Blu-ray
Solid movie with brilliant picture and crisp sound make this a must-buy for Blu-Ray owners!
Wow, amazing picture!!
Great Quality

Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest [Blu-ray]
Starring: Christopher Adamson , Lee Arenberg , Josie Dapar , Johnny Depp , and Spider Madison
Director: Gore Verbinski
Manufacturer: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

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ASIN: B000N6UERU
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Product description

Charming rogue pirate Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) is back to wreak hilarious havoc on the high seas on Blu-ray Disc®! Also starring Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly, this swashbuckling joyride will amaze you as never before in this spectacular, "see-worthy" format! Jack's got a blood debt to pay: he owes his soul to Davy Jones, ghostly Ruler of the Deep. Get caught up in the whirlpool of Jack's misadventures as he schemes to avoid eternal damnation by seizing the fabled Dead Man's Chest. Thrill to the nonstop action, devilish humor, monstrous sea creatures and breathtaking black magic presented in astonishing 1080p and thunderous 5.1 48 kHz, 24-bit uncompressed audio. Experience oceans of fun with Blu-ray™ High Definition.

Customer Reviews:

No HD DVD version.......2007-08-23

If I were the same as all the Blu-Ray fanboys, I'd rate this movie 1 star and complain that it's not on HD DVD and say how Sony has Disney in their pocket etc and swear I'll never buy any version of this movie until it comes out on HD DVD and secretly go buy the standard def version and have it packaged in discreet brown packaging.

That being said, Dead Man's Chest was not as good as the Curse of the Black Pearl, and only slightly better than the 3rd movie.

Disney delivers magic on Blu-ray.......2007-08-06

This movie was simply amazing in picture quality and sound. I had already owned Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest on standard DVD. When I compared the standard DVD with the Blu-ray version the Blu-ray outperforms on all levels. The scenes in the movie where you see the islands and ships sailing the ocean were very beautiful. Dead Man's Chest on Blu-ray delivers such sharp crisp picture quality. The people, plants, grass, and trees looked so real it was like you could reach out and touch them. Simply put everything looks life like in this Blu-ray movie. Also when watching Blu-ray scenes Davy Jones and his crew look very real. Unlike the standard version DVD you can actually tell Davy Jones crew have facial features. The sound quality of this Blu-ray movie was also very great as well. For all you Blu-ray naysayers when I compared watching the standard DVD versus Blu-ray the standard dvd looked like a bootleg movie. Yeah I couldn't believe myself but there it was. I could not believe how much I was missing out from the Blu-ray movie. Oh did I mention that I received an amazing Blu-ray experience with a outdated setup. I used my 1080i HDTV ,component cables, and Playstaion 3. Imagine how much better this Dead Man's Chest Blu-ray movie would look on a 1080p hdmi setup with surround sound! Overall this Dead Man's Chest Blu-ray was amazing and is the best Blu-ray movie out right now. I finally want to say that Disney you truly delivered a magical masterpiece on Blu-ray. Great job Disney keep delivering the Blu-ray magic : ) :) :)

Solid movie with brilliant picture and crisp sound make this a must-buy for Blu-Ray owners!.......2007-08-04

If you own a Blu-Ray player, this is a must-buy movie! If you're just a fan of great movies overall, this is a must-buy movie! Johnny Depp delivers in this non-stop action/adventure film, with loads of laughs as well. You all should know what this flick is about, so I will not go into details on that. If you are thinking of getting this movie on Blu-Ray but you already own it on SD-DVD, then that choice is up to you. The picture is pristine on BD-DVD, and the audio quality is very clean and crisp.

I own a very cheap HDTV and sound system that I purchaed for my 15-month tour here in Iraq and am blown away by the quality and differance compared to the standard-def version of this movie. Simply put, if you own this movie already, it is entirely up to you if you wish to purchase and view it in high-def. But for those of you who do not own any version of this flick then the decision should be a no-brainer-buy this now!

Disney did a flawless job with this one, loaded with extras and bonus material galore. I'm not really big on the extras and junk, but all Blu-Ray releases should be as jam packed as this one. Way to go Disney and I look forward to future releases from you guys in the future!

Wow, amazing picture!!.......2007-08-04

I did a comparison with my 720p HDTV with this in my PS3 and my original DVD in my DVD player, and the picture quality is amazing in this Blu-Ray release. I would find a screen with a lot of detail and pause it and flip back and forth, and I can see details on Blu-Ray of things that I just couldn't make out on the DVD release. Add that to the fact that the Pirates series is, to date, one of the biggest and best trilogies since 2000, makes this Blu-Ray release a must have for any owner of a Blu-Ray player. I am really glad that I repurchased this in HD format. Thanks for picking my format side Disney!

Great Quality.......2007-07-25

Much in the same way movies like Top Gun were "show off" movies for the DVD format this movie really shows the quality in Blu-Ray.

The difference is very apparant in darker scenes where on a DVD the picture might not show everything as well as it does on the BD.

Plus the extra disc includes very interesting stuff. The little thing that shows Captain Jack and explains every detail that went into making the costume really shows off what some of the people in the credits go through to make Jack look the way he does. And shows how much of a primadonna Johnny Depp is!

Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl [Blu-ray]

Average customer rating:

Buy the DVD version instead - until Disney re-release it.
Buyer beware! Heads lopped off!
Misframed for 10 min
Big framing problem on Blu-ray version
Problems with Playback

Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl [Blu-ray]
Starring: Lee Arenberg , Johnny Depp , Trevor Goddard , Kevin McNally , and Jonathan Pryce
Director: Gore Verbinski
Manufacturer: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

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ASIN: B000N6UERA
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Product Description

Disney Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl (Blu-ray)
From producer Jerry Bruckheimer("Pearl Harbor") comes "Pirates Of The Caribbean:The Curse Of The Black Pearl," the thrilling high-seas adventure with a mysterious twist. The roguish yet charming Captain Jack Sparrow's (Academy Award(R) Nominee Johnny Depp) idyllic pirate life capsizes after his nemesis, the wily Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), steals his ship, the Black Pearl, and later attacks the town of Port Royal, kidnapping the governor's beautiful daughter Elizabeth (Keira Knightley). In a gallant attempt to rescue her and recapture the Black Pearl, Elizabeth's childhood friend Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) joins forces with Jack. What Will doesn't know is that a cursed treasure has doomed Barbossa and his crew tolive forever as the undead. Rich in suspense-filled adventure, sword-clashing action, mystery, humor, unforgettable characters, and never-before-seenspecial effects, "Pirates" is a must-have epic onthe grandest scale ever.

Customer Reviews:

Buy the DVD version instead - until Disney re-release it........2007-09-08

Disney will be re-releasing this version as it contains 9 minutes of incorrectly framed footage. In this Blu-ray version people are being decapitated, and not by pirates! For those 9 minutes, the framing is about 12% lower than it should be.

The DVD version is framed 100% correctly - so buy that one until Disney issues a new Blu-ray release of this title.

Buyer beware! Heads lopped off!.......2007-09-05

There is a serious framing problem for 9 minutes of the movie, where the frame is lower than it should be. So you will be looking at groins and torsos instead of full faces.

Misframed for 10 min.......2007-09-03

About 9 or 10 min of this film is framed incorrectly. The sequence in question is the sword fight between Jack Sparrow and Will Turner in the blacksmith's shop. The image is shifted down so at some points the actors are actually delivering dialog with their heads cut off. I would avoid ordering this title until Disney issues a corrected version.

Big framing problem on Blu-ray version.......2007-08-30

Disney made some mistakes on the Blu-ray release and some scenes are misframed. The original film was shot using the Super 35 process (1.85:1) and cut to a 2:35:1 ratio for theaters and home release. Some scenes that required framing at the top of the film image were center cut instead, so heads are cut off, and there are numerous revealing mistakes such as exposed floorboards when they should be fighting on rafters 10 ft off the ground! I would wait for a corrected version.

Problems with Playback.......2007-08-25

I have a Samsung BDP 1000 - in the BD package from Disney you get 2 disks, one special features and the game and the movie itself. The movie is unplayable even with the latest firmware update for the player but strangely the Special features disk is fine. Unfortunately I am returning these 2 disney Pirates BD's

Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End [Blu-ray]

Average customer rating:

Fantastic Hi Def
A pretty good addition to the series...

Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End [Blu-ray]
Starring: Johnny Depp , Keira Knightley , and Orlando Bloom
Director: Gore Verbinski
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

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ASIN: B000U7UWVA
Release Date: 2007-12-04

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic Hi Def .......2007-08-29

This film in Blu Ray format is a must have for any Hi def fan.
The transfer & detail is fantastic.
The only word of advice is make sure your player has the latest firmware update or it won't play.

Buy it !!!

A pretty good addition to the series..........2007-07-28

While the first pirates was amazing and caught the eye of many many people the second one in most peoples eyes was a dissapointment. However, it is always hard to make a great sequel. However in hindsight, after watching the 3rd pirates it makes the second much better because the 3rd one will explain many things that left us questioning things in the 2nd pirates. That'd being said i can't wait to pick this up on blu-ray

Average customer rating:

amazing!
Finally
Very Good, but Could Have Been Great - Blame the Director
Pretty long and slow
Well Spent Time....

The Painted Veil
Starring: Naomi Watts , Edward Norton , Liev Schreiber , Toby Jones , and Diana Rigg
Director: John Curran (II)
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000NOIX48
Release Date: 2007-05-08

Amazon.com

Produced by Edward Norton and Naomi Watts, The Painted Veil works well as a movie--even better as an actor's showcase. The year is 1925. When her domineering mother pressures her to marry, Kitty (Watts) settles for shy bacteriologist Walter (Norton). Then Walter is transferred from London to Shanghai and the lonely and bored Kitty drifts into an affair with married diplomat Charlie (Liev Schreiber). When Walter finds out, he makes a startling proposition: either Kitty accompanies him to the cholera-infested countryside or he'll divorce her. With no other prospects, she comes along on what looks like a double-suicide mission. Based on the novel by W. Somerset Maugham, The Painted Veil was adapted by Philadelphia's Ron Nyswaner (who knows a little something about infectious diseases). As two previous versions made little impact--despite Garbo's presence in the 1934 melodrama--John Curran's film is sure to stand as definitive. Interestingly, Norton, who studied Chinese history at Yale, chose Watts as his co-star, while Watts chose Curran, for whom she appeared in 2004's underrated We Don't Live Here Anymore. Filmed on location, the handsome production is, in many respects, just as old-fashioned as its source material--sex is merely suggested and Kitty is shocked that their English neighbor (Toby Jones) has a Chinese lover--but the ending packs a feminist twist. Mostly though, The Painted Veil is about the acting, and Watts and Norton, along with Diana Rigg as a disillusioned Mother Superior, have rarely been better. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Description

Based on the classic novel by W. Somerset Maugham, "The Painted Veil" is a love story set in the 1920s that tells the story of a young English couple, Walter, a middle class doctor and Kitty, an upper-class woman, who get married for the wrong reasons and relocate to Shanghai, where she falls in love with someone else. When he uncovers her infidelity, in an act of vengeance, he accepts a job in a remote village in China ravaged by a deadly epidemic, and takes her along. Their journey brings meaning to their relationship and gives them purpose in one of the most remote and beautiful places on earth.

Customer Reviews:

amazing! .......2007-09-11

I couldn't ask for more in a tragic, sweeping, romance. Beautiful cinematography, beautiful love story. I watched the movie first, loved it, then read W. Somerset Maugham's novel. It brought everything alive. I was so impressed with Watson and Norton, although I hadn't really known much about them prior to this movie. Definitely my favorite movie in a long time.

Finally.......2007-09-09

Hooray for a movie about love that lasts and the price that has to be paid to have it!!! I am tired of hook-up movies with their thousands of one-night relationships. In a world were it is too easy to change one's mind about relationships, there is finally a movie which shows that sticking together through thick and thin and getting lost in service to others, attains the greatest union.

Very Good, but Could Have Been Great - Blame the Director.......2007-09-09

2006' "The Painted Veil" has so much going for it, it should have been another "English Patient" -- a retro romance that sweeps awards and captures hearts.

Instead we have that most frustrating creature -- a very, very good movie that just misses the mark of greatness.

Even so - if you like period romances, you may love what is lovable in this movie enough to forgive it its flaws.

What "The Painted Veil" has going for it:

1.) The plot of the Somerset Maughm novel. A nerdy, scientific, cuckolded husband, who knows his beautiful, shallow, society wife married him because she was dangerously close to being an old maid and wanted to get away from her mother, punishes her for an affair by taking her to a remote Chinese cholera epidemic. Yawza! How operatic!

2.) Sky-high production values. "The Painted Veil" was filmed on location in China. Locations were mixed and matched. At one point they were along the Li River, among Guilin's famous karst scenery. Karst is the "lumpy" looking limestone topography. Towers rise abruptly, and weirdly, out of river valleys, fringed by lush rice paddies and bamboo. The village Huang Yao is a five-hundred years old, intact Ming Dynasty town.

3.) Edward Norton is perfection. He gives Walter everything he needs -- as the nerdy, scientist cuckold husband, Walter is, by turns, arrogant, insecure, vengeful, loving, sweet, icy cold, naive, calculating ... you see it all on his face, and fear him, feel for him, and forgive him.

4.) Alexandre Desplat's award-winning score. Minimalist, and yet it conveys the plot's sense of entrapped passions and spiritual dimensions. Very good use is made of Eric Satie's Gnossienne # 1 and "A La Claire Fontaine," a French folksong whose bittersweet lyrics, which can be found on the web, are so appropriate to the plot that they are heartbreaking.

5.) Diminutive blond Toby Jones' depiction of Waddington, a British provincial officer who is just barely keeping up appearances, in his day old stubble, shabby, sweat-stained suits, and live-in Chinese lover, young enough to be his daughter. Jones pumps this small role full of life. In another actor's hands Waddington would have been forgetable; with Jones, he's one of the most interesting features of the movie.

6.) The Love / Sex / Death / Religion / Self-Sacrifice nexus that modern pop culture doesn't even seem to realize exists; any work of art that reminds us that what we love is mortal and that God and Sex live next door to each other in our brains / souls / lives is way ahead of the pack.

7.) A scene from a Chinese opera. A vermilion and turquoise costume. Lin Zheng's brilliant performance.

8.) Anthony Wong as Colonel Yu. Again, a minor part, but Wong is riveting.

What I wish had been different:

1.) Liev Schreiber has an unmistakable earnestness that just doesn't work for him to be believable as a rake, cad, and bounder. He was much better as the earnest, befuddled cuckold in "Walk on the Moon."

2.) Naomi Watts. She's very pretty and very sweet and I just never, ever believed her as a shallow, devastatingly beautiful socialite who could drive two men to irresponsible action.

I kept thinking of Greta Garbo in the original "Painted Veil," or Vivien Leigh as that insufferable monster, Scarlett -- as much as you hate her, you are fascinated. Not so with Watts.

3.) John Curran's direction. This is a MELODRAMA, John. Walter says, "I despise myself for loving you." Kitty says, "If a man doesn't have what it takes to make a woman love him, that's his fault." I mean, how can you direct that so anemically? As if they are asking for change to buy cheez crackers from the vending machine? In melodrama, you have to turn up the heat, send a few lightening bolts across the screen.

4.) The ending. I didn't need a happy or a sad ending. I just needed an ending that would serve the plot, and feel less like a dead end, a flat tire, that drained, rather than contributed, meaning to what has come before.

Pretty long and slow.......2007-09-08

The Painted Veil has it all going for itself. Naomi Watts and Edward Norton leading, two great actors. An interesting theme and issue, Cholera in China in 1920 and a great location to tease beauty from, but none of this is taken to its advantage. The movie was such a disappointment. I honestly thought that since I read so many good reviews of this film, it's going to pick up soon. But it never did. Honestly, the only good thing about this movie was the scenery and acting. That's it. The storyline seemed good, but, was this movie a bore! It lasted roughly two hours, but it seemed like a good five. I was wondering when the heck this movie was going to end. It was so long and drawn out. The entire movie was dialogue. That's it. There was no action whatsoever. I am not a lover of melodramas but if you want to see a good recent one, see The Lives of Others.

Well Spent Time...........2007-09-08

This adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham's novel with the same title is stunning visually, and emotionally wrenching. It ends with brilliant simplicity, leaving your mind and heart still entrapped in the story -- it's the kind of film you'll still be thinking about 2 days later while sipping a cup of tea. Curran creates magic with his sweeping scenery, efortlessly emphasizing the isolation and loneliness Walter and Kitty are facing - both physically and emotionally. Edward Norton truly becomes Walter, somehow managing to make clear Walter's growth through the film without losing the simple, quiet character he is. Norton deserves every one of the awards he won for this movie and many more. Naomi Watts is given the somewhat easier task of presenting Kitty, whose transformation is more active. She too brings her screen persona to life beautifully -- moving from selfish young woman to shattered soul to simple strength without emotional manipulation or losing the essence of the story. The two together bring a chemistry that touches the audience at the core of our being - and does so with a degree of subtlety that is rare today.

If you are a fan of the big budget, overproduced, special effects laden films that are so prevalent today, this will not impress you. The film simply flows -- no forced action or rush. If you are willing to ride along with the current, however, it is unforgettable. This movie is a flashback to a day when films managed to convey in few words much meaning. Curran's cinematography is a blend of a strong, simple script, poignant use of color and camera placement, and powerful actors. With that recipe it is no surprise that for those of us looking for a true experience film, Painted Veil is a hit.

PS-- the title itself refers to a sonnet by Percy Byshe Shelley called "Lift not the Painted Veil," which is well worth googling if you want a glimpse at the movie's depth.

Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

Average customer rating:

A nice popcorn film
sounded like a bad idea
Depp's big payday
Great Movie
Best pirate movie of all time??

Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Starring: Johnny Depp , Geoffrey Rush , Orlando Bloom , Keira Knightley , and Jack Davenport
Director: Gore Verbinski , and Hamilton Luske
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005JM5E
Release Date: 2003-12-02

Product Description

From producer Jerry Bruckheimer (PEARL HARBOR) comes PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL, the thrilling high-seas adventure with a mysterious twist. The roguish yet charming Captain Jack Sparrow's (Academy Award(R) Nominee Johnny Depp) idyllic pirate life capsizes after his nemesis, the wily Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), steals his ship, the Black Pearl, and later attacks the town of Port Royal, kidnapping the governor's beautiful daughter Elizabeth (Keira Knightley). In a gallant attempt to rescue her and recapture the Black Pearl, Elizabeth's childhood friend Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) joins forces with Jack. What Will doesn't know is that a cursed treasure has doomed Barbossa and his crew to live forever as the undead. Rich in suspense-filled adventure, sword-clashing action, mystery, humor, unforgettable characters, and never-before-seen special effects, PIRATES is a must-have epic on the grandest scale ever.

Amazon.com

You won't need a bottle of rum to enjoy Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, especially if you've experienced the Disneyland theme-park ride that inspired it. There's a galleon's worth of fun in watching Johnny Depp's androgynous performance as Captain Jack Sparrow, a roguish pirate who could pass for the illegitimate spawn of rockers Keith Richards and Chrissie Hynde. Depp gets all the good lines and steals the show, recruiting Orlando Bloom (a blacksmith and expert swordsman) and Keira Knightley (a lovely governor's daughter) on an adventurous quest to recapture the notorious Black Pearl, a ghost ship commandeered by Jack's nemesis Capt. Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), a mutineer desperate to reverse the curse that left him and his (literally) skeleton crew in a state of eternal, undead damnation. Director Gore Verbinski (The Ring) repeats the redundant mayhem that marred his debut film Mouse Hunt, but with the writers of Shrek he's made Pirates into a special-effects thrill-ride that plays like a Halloween party on the open seas. Aye, matey, we've come a long way since Jason and the Argonauts! --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

A nice popcorn film.......2007-09-08

The first of the three Pirates movie was a nice summer popcorn film, which recalled not only the Pirates movies of classic Hollywood but also those great George Pal and Ray Harryhausen stop-motion monster epics of a later time. It wasn't until the second movie, when suddenly the filmmakers decided audiences had been taking Pirates seriously, did the story begin to get bogged down in complicated mythologies and convoluted sci-fi goofiness.

sounded like a bad idea.......2007-09-04

This movie was a nice surprise; any movie based on a Disney World ride is automatically suspect, but this one transcends its bizarre inspiration and ends up being a fun action movie, largely due to the strength of the performances of Depp and Rush. Unfortunately, the other actors in the movie are rather bland compared to those two and the movie feels kind of flat when they are not onscreen.

Ivan Rorick

Depp's big payday.......2007-09-04

I really enjoyed Johnny Depp's mid-1990s work, particularly "Ed Wood," "Dead Man" and "Donnie Brasco." Much has been made of his "Keith Richards meets Pepe Le Peu"-inspired riff in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films, but the truth is that Depp is clearly slumming here (perhaps deservedly so after two decades of assiduously avoiding the big payday-style blockbuster).

A lot of other good talent is going to waste at the service of these amusement-park ride driven plots, particularly Oscar-winner Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightley (who, if she loses more weight, runs the risk of being mistaken for one of the skeletons on Rush's ghost ship).

Intermittently entertaining but ultimately unsatisfying.

Great Movie.......2007-09-03

The first installment of Pirates is a great movie full of adventure, romance, and wit. Several scenes recall memorable parts of the Disney ride and you might pick up something new with each subsequent viewing. However, I'd skip the 2nd and 3rd installments in the series which are overly long and overly violent.

Best pirate movie of all time??.......2007-08-28

When it comes to adventure-type movies, Pirates of the Caribbean takes the cake. With its quirky characters, great storyline, and realistic setting, it's no wonder why it spawned a sequel.

So what's this movie about? A pirate, Jack Sparrow, is on an adventure to take back his ship (The Black Pearl) after his nemesis Captain Barbossa stole it from him. Barbossa also kidnaps a woman named Elizabeth. Turns out, Elizabeth has a coin that Barbossa and his crew are after. Meanwhile, a man named Will Turner joins Jack in an attempt to get Elizabeth back home safely.

I truly can't think of anything negative about this film (hence the 5 star rating). The first thing I have to point out in terms of what's to like about Pirates of the Caribbean is the actors/characters. I truly feel that each and every actor that was cast in this film was made for the roles they were cast for. From Elizabeth's innocent yet strong personality, to Will's tough yet loveable side, and to Jack's overall sillyness, everyone will find something they like about the characters.

When it comes to pirate movies, there's only so much you can do with a storyline. So, of course, this movie's storyline has to have something dealing with bad pirates as well as treasure. Although the storyline may seem typical, there's enough twists and turns to keep you watching. Aiding the twists are a generous amount of jokes and humor to keep the whole family entertained. Additionally, the setting and props and costumes are incredibly realistic. So much so that I *wish* I could be there with them.

After you watch Pirates of the Caribbean-The Curse of the Black Pearl, you'll be rearing and ready to watch the sequel. I just can't get enough of this movie.

The Johnny Cash Show: The Best of Johnny Cash 1969-1971

Average customer rating:

Great collection of hippie-era country and pop
Here We Go Again
found this at pitchfork review
OUTSTANDING TELEVISION!
Everyone should own this DVD

The Johnny Cash Show: The Best of Johnny Cash 1969-1971
Starring: Johnny Cash
Director: Michael B Borofsky
Manufacturer: Sony Columbia Legacy / Reverse Angle Productions
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Country | Styles | Music

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

ASIN: B000TLMWMY
Release Date: 2007-09-18

Customer Reviews:

Great collection of hippie-era country and pop.......2007-09-09

This two-disc set collects highlights of Johnny Cash's short-lived musical variety show, which aired on network TV between 1969-71. At the peak of the hippies-vs.-straights culture clash, Cash boldly invited guests from across the American musical spectrum -- longhairs, country traditionalists, Nashville insiders, jazz musician, rock stars, pop tunesmiths and folkies. The guest list is truly astonishing, given the tensions of the times. Bob Dylan -- one of Cash's favorite artists -- was on the first show in '69, tipping viewers off that this wasn't gonna be your typical country TV show. Appearances by Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Wonder and John Fogerty followed, as well as master entertainers such as Louis Armstrong and Ray Charles. And of course, there was the cream of the country crop -- Waylon Jennings, Ray Price, Marty Robbins, George Jones, Loretta Lynn and Johnny's crew from his road show -- June Carter Cash & the Carter Family, the Statler Brothers, Carl Perkins and others. In the wings were some amazing sidemen: keep an eye out for Norman Blake plucking acoustic guitar, as well as the wealth of up-and-coming talent that Cash went out of his way to promote (notably Kris Kristofferson, who reminisces about the old shows in interview segments added in this DVD set...)

This is a great collection, generously programmed (the set list on the Menu goes on for page after page...) and many of the performances are pure gold (George Jones is awesome!) Some fans will complain that they'd rather see the original shows as broadcast at the time, and while I agree that that would be fun, I don't see any reason to give anything but praise to this set. The documentary format, with various Cash crew and compatriots interviewed and introducing different segments, is kinda cool, and for the most part they know when to get out of the way and let the music play. It's a pity they didn't shoot the whole TV show on film -- some of the video stock gets kinda flared out (the Dylan clips, in particular) but, hey -- that's history for you. Personally, I'm glad to see whatever stuff like this there is -- it's a great look back at an interesting cultural moment, when mainstream country was still pretty traditional, although the walls were starting to fall and new influences were coming into play. Cash fans and country fans alike will want to check this one out! (DJ Joe Sixpack)

Here We Go Again.......2007-08-23

I'm so tired of these "Best Of" compilations. I've been waiting almost 40 years to see these shows and, once again, they get chopped up. Why can't somebody (finally) get it right and issue complete variety series in there entirety? Geez, it only lasted two years! You could probably fit every episode in one or two boxed sets with double-sided DVDs, which so many companies do nowadays. Instead, we get all complete seasons of Friends when all one needs to do is turn on the TV at any given time of the day and see the same episodes in syndication - as bad as seeing I Love Lucy continuously until we have the complete dialogs memorized! Shame on you Columbia/Legacy for doing this. It's like a teaser of something we'll never have. This may be the "best" for you but not for me and, therefore, I will not be purchasing it.

found this at pitchfork review.......2007-08-08

On September 18, CMV/Columbia/Legacy will release The Best of the Johnny Cash TV Show, a 2xDVD compiling 64 live performances from the 58 episodes of Johnny Cash's 1969-1971 "The Johnny Cash Show".

Kris Kristofferson hosts the DVD, which features performances from Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Ray Charles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Louis Armstrong, Loretta Lynn, Neil Diamond, Jerry Lee Lewis, George Jones, Derek and the Dominoes, Roy Orbison, the Carter Family (inluding June Carter Cash), and Johnny Cash himself, among many others.

The set also features new interviews with John Carter Cash, Tennessee Three bassist Marshall Grant, Hank Williams, Jr., musical arranger Bill Walker, and hairstylist Penny Lane.

There will also be a single-disc CD version of the compilation available on the same day as the DVD.

The Best of the Johnny Cash TV Show (DVD):

01 Johnny Cash: "Ring of Fire"
02 Bob Dylan: "I Threw It All Away"
03 Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan: "Girl From the North Country"
04 Kris Kristofferson: "Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)"
05 Louis Armstrong and Johnny Cash: "Blue Yodel #9"
06 Stevie Wonder: "Heaven Help Us All"
07 Creedence Clearwater Revival: "Bad Moon Rising"
08 Linda Ronstadt and Johnny Cash: "I Will Never Marry"
09 George Jones and Johnny Cash: "White Lightning"
10 George Jones: "Medley: She Thinks I Still Care / The Love Bug / The Race Is On"
11 Johnny Cash: "Hey Porter"
12 Waylon Jennings: "Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line"
13 Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash: "The Singing Star's Queen"
14 Waylon Jennings: "Brown Eyed Handsome Man"
15 Tammy Wynette: "Stand by Your Man"
16 Marty Robbins: "Medley: Big Iron / Running Gun / El Paso"
17 Johnny Cash: "Ride This Train"
18 Johnny Cash: "As Long as the Grass Shall Grow"
19 Johnny Cash: "Man in Black"
20 James Taylor: "Sweet Baby James"
21 Pete Seeger: "Cripple Creek"
22 Pete Seeger and Johnny Cash: "Worried Man Blues"
23 Johnny Cash: "Sunday Morning Coming Down"
24 Johnny Cash: "Old Time Religion"
25 Johnny Cash: "A Wonderful Time Up There"
26 Johnny Cash, the Carter Family, the Statler Brothers, Carl Perkins, and the Tennessee Three: "Daddy Sang Bass"
27 Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters: "Wildwood Flower"
28 Neil Young: "The Needle and the Damage Done"
29 Johnny Cash: "Tennessee Flat Top Box"
30 Joni Mitchell and Johnny Cash: "Long Black Veil"
31 Johnny Cash: "Big River"
32 Johnny Cash: "I Walk the Line"
33 June Carter Cash: "A Good Man"
34 Derek and the Dominoes: "It's Too Late"
35 Derek and the Dominoes With Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins: "Matchbox"
36 Charley Pride: "Able Bodied Man"
37 Bill Monroe and His Bluegrass Boys: "Blue Moon of Kentucky"
38 Loretta Lynn: "I Know How"
39 Jerry Lee Lewis: "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On"
40 Johnny Cash: "Ride This Train (America the Beautiful, This Land Is Your Land)"
41 The Everly Brothers With Ike Everly and Johnny Cash: "Silver Haired Daddy of Mine"
42 Ray Charles: "Ring of Fire"
43 Johnny Cash: "A Boy Named Sue"
44 Conway Twitty: "Hello Darlin'"
45 Mother Maybelle Carter: "Black Mountain Rag"
46 Neil Diamond: "Cracklin' Rosie"
47 Ray Price: "For the Good Times"
48 Roy Orbison: "Crying"
49 Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash: "Oh, Pretty Woman"
50 Johnny Cash: "Wanted Man"
51 Chet Atkins: "Medley: Country Gentleman / Mister Sandman / Wildwood Flower / Freight Train"
52 June Carter Cash With Homer and Jethro: "Baby It's Cold Outside"
53 Merle Haggard: "No Hard Time Blues"
54 Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash: "Sing Me Back Home"
55 Carl Perkins: "Blue Suede Shoes"
56 Johnny Cash, the Carter Family and Carl Perkins: "The Old Account Was Settled Long Ago"
57 The Statler Brothers: "Flowers on the Wall"
58 Roy Clark: "Medley: In the Summertime / 12th Street Rag"
59 Johnny Cash: "Working Man Blues"
60 Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash: "Jackson"
61 Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash: "Turn Around"
62 Johnny Cash: "I Love You Because"
63 Hank Williams, Jr.: "Medley: You Win Again / Cold Cold Heart / I Can't Help It If I'm Still in Love With You / Half As Much"
64 Johnny Cash: "Folsom Prison Blues"

OUTSTANDING TELEVISION!.......2007-08-08

I would highly recommend this DVD to anyone who just appreciates good music. I caught a sneak preview of this amazing disc on my local PBS station in August of 2007, and it was one of the greatest things I had seen on television in a long time. Johnny Cash's prime time televion show aired from 1969 - 1971, and featured both prominent rock and country artists of the day. Groundbreaking television for sure, considering at the time that most rock artists were associated with the peace, drugs, free love and the anti-war movement by a conservative segment of American society, just when the war was really starting to sour. Filmed live at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee (with a few exceptions), in front of a mostly Southern country music audience, all the artists seemed to be warmly embraced by the crowd, with Johnny Cash's blessing and support. The first hour consisted of rock and popular music performers that Johnny Cash was an admirer or fan of, including Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Neil Young, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Neil Diamond, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis. The highlight was Derek and the Dominoes featuring Eric Clapton, and following their performance none other than Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash himself joined Derek and the Dominoes onstage for a raucous version of Perkins' Matchbox. Simply amazing.
The second half was Johnny himself performing solo, with his wife June Carter Cash, and with the Tennessee Three. Prominent country artists also featured were George Jones, Tammy Wynette, a young, short-haired and beardless Hank Williams Jr., young Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, and Charley Pride (possibly the only black country artist ever). These are only the performances shown on the PBS special preview. There were literally hundreds of great performances on this show over its two year run. There's no lip synching nonsense here. Every artist actually performing and singing live. This is priceless television and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of any of the artists I mentioned. You will not be disappointed. It won't be available until September of 2007, and I will most definitely be purchasing it.

Everyone should own this DVD.......2007-08-08

This DVD is fabulous and everyone should have a copy. These are very rare performances from some amazing legendary artists that you won't see anywhere else. Worth every penny.

Mike Henry
Automatic Hotel
[...]

Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest (Widescreen Edition)

Average customer rating:

A great sequel
Depp cashes it in
Aye Aye Cap'n Jack
Captain Jack Sparrow
DEPP AT HIS BEST!!

Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Johnny Depp , Orlando Bloom , Keira Knightley , Jack Davenport , and Bill Nighy
Director: Gore Verbinski
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Comic Action | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

All Disney Titles | Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment | Stores | DVD | Video

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

( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000I0RQVI
Release Date: 2006-12-05

Product Description

Take the first Pirates of the Caribbean film, add a dash of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and a lot more rum. Shake well and you'll have something resembling Dead Man's Chest, a bombastic sequel that's enjoyable as long as you don't think too hard about it. The film opens with the interrupted wedding of Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), both of whom are arrested for aiding in the escape of Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) in the first film. Their freedom can only be obtained by getting Captain Jack's compass, which is linked to a key that's linked to a chest belonging to Davy Jones, an undead pirate with a tentacle face and in possession of a lot of people's souls. If you're already confused, don't worry--plot is definitely not the strong suit of the franchise, as the film excels during its stunt pieces, which are impressively extravagant (in particular a three-way swordfight atop a mill wheel). It may help to know that Dead Man's Chest was filmed simultaneously with some of Pirates 3, so don't expect a complete resolution (think more The Empire Strikes Back) or the movie will feel a lot longer than it really is.

Amazon.com

Bloom shows a tad bit more brawn this time around, but he's still every bit as pretty as the tomboyish Knightley. (Seriously, sometimes you think they could swap roles.) Bill Nighy (Love, Actually) weighs in as Davy Jones and Stellan Skarsgård appears as Will's undead father. But the film still belongs wholly to Depp, who in a reprise of his Oscar-nominated role gets all the belly laughs with a single widened eyeliner-ed gaze. He still runs like a cartoon hen and slurs like Keith Richards--and he's still one of the most fascinating movie characters in recent history. --Ellen A. Kim

More Pirates at Amazon.com

Johnny Depp DVDs
Buy Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl
Buy the Soundtrack

Customer Reviews:

A great sequel.......2007-09-04

This is one of those rare sequels which surpasses the original in quality. It reminded me of Godfather 2 in this respect. It also features some of the best CGI I have ever seen; Davy Jones is so realistic-looking that I thought he was an animatronic mask rather than computer graphics.

Ivan Rorick

Depp cashes it in.......2007-09-04

I really enjoyed Johnny Depp's mid-1990s work, particularly "Ed Wood," "Dead Man" and "Donnie Brasco." Much has been made of his "Keith Richards meets Pepe Le Peu"-inspired riff in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films, but the truth is that Depp is clearly slumming here (perhaps deservedly so after two decades of assiduously avoiding the big payday-style blockbuster).

A lot of other good talent is going to waste at the service of these amusement-park ride driven plots, particularly Oscar-winner Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightley (who, if she loses more weight, runs the risk of being mistaken for one of the skeletons on Rush's ghost ship). Bill Nighy, one of the cinema's (and theatre's) finest actors, is hidden behind a squid-like mask.

Intermittently entertaining but ultimately unsatisfying.

Aye Aye Cap'n Jack.......2007-09-03

Good movie, but let's face it, even if it sucked, I would love it because Johnny and Orlando make some YUMMY PIRATES!!!!!!!

Captain Jack Sparrow.......2007-09-01

Of the three, my least favorite - action scenes were a bit long for my taste - but still loved it - especially the character of Captain Jack Sparrow!

DEPP AT HIS BEST!!.......2007-08-31

great movie! it has pirates, monsters, wierdos, and a lot of laughs. depp is a great actor this one is just at the top of his list. his role is perfect and kiera is a beaut. lovely actress and does justice for all women. davy jones a great villan, love him too. from start to finish you it's exciting and a great big adventure. a must see!!

The History Channel Presents Last Stand of the 300 - The Legendary Battle at Thermopylae

Average customer rating:

The History Channel Presents Last Stand of the 300 - The Legendary Battle at Thermopylae
The History Channel Presents Last Stand of the 300 - The Legendary Battle at Thermopylae
Too commercially oriented
300 spartans, history, true story
Well Done Documentary

The History Channel Presents Last Stand of the 300 - The Legendary Battle at Thermopylae
Starring: Daniel R. Wolfe , J.B. Gardiner , Anton Burman , Orion Barnes , and Kenny Kilfara
Director: David Padrusch
Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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

ASIN: B000OIOPPE
Release Date: 2007-07-31

Amazon.com

Last Stand of the 300 is an interesting 90-minute documentary from the History Channel explaining the details of the ancient Spartans' showdown with the Persian army at the battle of Thermopylae. It's long been a fascinating subject, but it hit popular culture in a big way with the 2007 feature film 300, based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller. Last Stand of the 300 helps explain the background behind the battle as well as many of the details not covered in the movie, including how the Ionian Revolt and the famed battle of Marathon led to Themopylae, the naval front led by Thermistocles, and what happened afterward. Numerous scholars and authors (including the writers of Gates of Fire and Empires at War) explain the rigorous Spartan training, military strategy, the Oracle at Delphi, the Persian technological advantage, different kinds of weaponry and vessels (the Spartan hoplon, dory, and xiphos, and the trireme), and how one of Miller's famous lines came from Herodotus ("Then we shall have our battle in the shade"). The maps are extremely helpful for showing how the geography affected the battle (one detour would have cost the Persians an extra two years of travel time), but the reenactments look kind of simple compared to the extremely stylized feature film. --David Horiuchi

Description

The legendary battle of Thermopylae is still acknowledged today for its brilliant military maneuvers and the well-trained and fearless soldiers who fought to the death. THE HISTORY CHANNEL® presents a detailed account of this legendary battle, examining the events leading up to the conflict, the tactical expertise that allowed the outnumbered Greeks to stall their mighty foes, and the bloody encounter itself. Find out how an army of a few hundred men overcame impossible odds and witness the conflict that altered the course of Western civilization.

Customer Reviews:

The History Channel Presents Last Stand of the 300 - The Legendary Battle at Thermopylae.......2007-09-09

Excellent resource for teachers and amateur historians - the real facts behind the theatrical release "300."

The acting is stiff and the narration is stilted, but it is a fascinating bit of history and a must-have companion to the film.

The History Channel Presents Last Stand of the 300 - The Legendary Battle at Thermopylae.......2007-09-06

Outstanding reference DVD and a great addition to any library about Ancient Warfare, weapons and tactics.

Too commercially oriented.......2007-08-27

Not completely worthless, it has more information that one would expect from a purely commercial and teenage oriented product. The few commentators give their views in typically bombastic words, but focus too much on the fighting itself. No time is dedicated too explain the historical context, the societies involved in this clash of civilizations. What was at stake? What were the choices? What were their cultures like? A lot is missing, the most important. They convey the importance of these 3 consecutive battles (Thermopylae, Salamis and Platea) but don't explain why they were so.

Still, if this if for your kids, it might still be worth watching as its better than nothing; I believe there's another documentary out there about the same and even worse.

Another lack was the real scenery and, instead, having to imagine or recreate the scenes with video-gaming technology; even the maps had a computer design touch. Awful presentation. One real view of today's landscape where the battle was fought would have been much appreciated. The History Channel should be history. Read a book.

300 spartans, history, true story.......2007-08-24

well done, an excellent look into the past at the greatest battle in the Western world.

Well Done Documentary.......2007-08-15

The History Channel did a great job in retelling the story of the 300. It brought in perspectives that you wont see in the screen version. The special effects are great. Its shows what leads up to and the aftermath of this historic battle and what it meant to us now. I would watch this before seeing the movie "300" because it will give you background and insight that will help you better understand the battle and the legend that surrounds it .

Average customer rating:

So Good I Saw It Twice in One Week
Amazing film experience!
The return of Paul Verhoven! Black Book is artsy and trashy at the same time. Entertaining all the way!
Just beautiful movie
BLACK BOOK

Black Book
Starring: Carice van Houten , Sebastian Koch , Thom Hoffman , Halina Reijn , and Waldemar Kobus
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video

General | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video

ASIN: B000TGCR38
Release Date: 2007-09-25

Amazon.com

As in Basic Instinct, a lovely lady takes the lead in Black Book, but this time Paul Verhoeven has more than cheap thrills in mind. Towards the end of WWII, Rachel Stein (the vibrant Carice von Houten), a Jewish singer, is living with a gentile family in the countryside. When Allied forces bomb the area, she's forced to flee. On her perilous journey to The Hague (Verhoeven's hometown), brunette Rachel joins the Resistance and changes her identity to blonde Ellis de Vries. Her next order of business: infiltrate Gestapo headquarters. Like many Verhoeven heroines, Rachel aces her assignment--and then some. First, she seduces the handsome Captain Müntze (Sebastian Hoch, The Lives of Others), then she falls in love with him. Müntze, who returns her affection, isn't what he appears to be, but their relationship puts both at great risk. At this point, the filmmaker expertly kicks the proceedings into high gear, before concluding on a bittersweet note. Naturally, since this is a Verhoeven picture, there's plenty of wry humor and uninhibited sexuality along the way. Starting with 1985's Flesh + Blood, the Dutch director released an American movie every two to three years. After the poorly received Hollow Man, however, Verhoeven took a six-year break. Black Book, a return to his native Holland, was worth the wait. (He began work on the screenplay in the 1980s.) It works triple-time as a thriller, a tribute to Holland's Jewish population, and a poison pen letter to the Dutch opportunists who would attempt to sell them out. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Amazon.com

In the darkest days of World War II, Jewish fugitives attempt to escape occupied Holland - only to face a Nazi ambush. Rachel Stein (Carice van Houten) alone survives the attack and joins the Dutch Resistance to avenge her family. She soon confronts the ultimate test: she must infiltrate German headquarters by tempting Captain Ludwig Mÿntze (Sebastian Hoch). In the heat of passion, he uncovers her duplicity...but keeps her secret. Then Rachel's espionage reveals that a murderous traitor lurks within Resistance ranks. Unable to fully trust anyone, Rachel navigates a minefield of deception and becomes an enemy to both sides. Epic, passionate, breathtaking, Black Book relates an untold story of World War II where the distinctions between good and evil become blurred by the complexities of human nature.

Customer Reviews:

So Good I Saw It Twice in One Week.......2007-09-05

Sauntering over to the Music Box in Chicago to see a Robert Altman film one Saturday morning, traffic delayed me so much that I got there well into the Altman film, but in time to see "Black Book" which I really hadn't planned to see having been burned out on Holocaust films. But am I glad I did see it. It is unlike any Holocaust film I'd ever seen before. I loved it so much that I dragged my wife to see it the next Friday night -- and she loved it too!

I hadn't planned on ever seeing this amazing film, but it blew me away. I am going to try very hard to avoid revealing any spoilers because one of the great things about this adventurous, fast-moving tale of survival is all the twists and turns it takes. Our heroine can never really be sure who is one which side. Some good guys turn out to be bad guys; some bad guys turn out to be good guys; and some just stay the same. This is the sort of film that doesn't waste a scene. Pay attention ... because things that are said early on may come back later in the film.

Beyond that, I don't want to reveal anything else. While I still think this is the best film I've seen all year (it's now early Sept 2007), I realize it may not be everybody's cup of tea. But if you like a film that totally engages you, goes places you don't expect it to go, never has a dull moment, is incredibly well-acted especially by Carice van Houten, very well directed, and offers great inspiration and insight into the lengths ordinary people will go to survive against all odds (that's not a spoiler because not everybody survives against all odds in this film), then "Black Book" is for you.

Amazing film experience!.......2007-09-03

This is an amazing WWII movie! A Jewish woman joins the Dutch resistance, and the combination of action/thriller with the human drama of complex characters in this war-time situation is, in my opinion, mind-blowing. This is not to be missed!

The return of Paul Verhoven! Black Book is artsy and trashy at the same time. Entertaining all the way!.......2007-09-02

Finally taking on World War II and it's effects on the nation of Holland, Paul Verhoeven is back. He hasn't really dealt with this type of material since "Soldier of Orange" decades ago. His last film was the abysmal Hollywood sci-fi movie "Hollow Man". So now Verhoeven returns to the arthouse cinema, first time in many years. His ballsy style is in full evidence once again, filled with action, violence and sex but not gratuitously used like he sometimes does. The story is filled with twists, turns and many surprises, never disappointing in the area of entertainment. Some may claim that this is a Hollywood film masquerading as an arthouse flick but don't be so quick to judge. Hollywood would quickly sanitize an audacious film like this if they had a chance to produce it, that's why Verhoeven went back to Europe to make this film.

As most reviewers have already summarized the necessary plot points, I won't dwell on them. Just wanted to write this review and say that Verhoeven is back as a director to watch! Hopefully his next film will be more ambitious and contain the same type of great storytelling but brought to different subject matter. So, go out and rent or buy Black Book if you care about this filmmaker or if you just like World War II movies in general. Although this film contains it's many cliches, at least it shows that not all Germans were evil. Sebastian Koch is the male lead alongside the lead character played by Carice van Houten.

The title of this film is a bit random as this so called Black Book has little to do with most of the movie and acts as a sort of problem solving plot point near the end. I wouldn't go so far as to call it a deus ex machina. In conclusion, a very entertaining film indeed and a return to form for this director. For the record, my favorite Paul Verhoeven film is and probably always will be... ROBOCOP.

Just beautiful movie.......2007-08-21

It's a relief to see such well-made movies and such great performances without the stereotype American approach. I was absorbed into the movie from start to finish.

BLACK BOOK .......2007-08-15

IF YOU LIKED "THE LIVES OF OTHERS" THEN YOU WILL "LOVE" THIS FILM. IT MAY NOT RANK AS HIGH AS SCHINDLER'S LIST,BUT IT IS A FILM NOT TO BE MISSED. THE YOUNG WOMAN PLAYING THE LEAD, CARICE VAN HOUTEN, IS A DUTCH VERSION OF KATE BLANCHETTE. THEY ARE BOTH BRILLIANT ACTORS. THE STORY OF HER SURVIVAL IS A STRONG ONE, AND THE PERFORMANCES OF ALL THE ACTORS WERE INCREDIBLY WELL CRAFTED. AN EXCELLENT SCRIPT, AN EXCELLENT CAST AND WITH PAUL VERHOVEN AS THE DIRECTOR THIS FILM IS A MUST SEE. IT IS NOW THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST AND I BELIEVE BLACK BOOK TO BE THE BEST FILM I HAVE SEEN SO FAR THIS YEAR(2007). I WOULD NOMINATE THIS FILM FOR ONE OF THE BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE PICTURES OF THE YEAR, IN FACT, THE BEST!

DVD:

DVD

DVD