Sid & Nancy

Amazon.com

After the cultish success of Repo Man, maverick director Alex Cox made the film that remains his masterpiece--a loud, brash, abrasive, painful, funny, and utterly brilliant screen biography of British punk rocker Sid Vicious and his American girlfriend Nancy Spungen. As played to perfection by Gary Oldman and Chloe Webb, Sid and Nancy are made for each other, serving their mutual strengths and weaknesses and rising with the punk-rock fame of Sid's group, the Sex Pistols, while falling into the ultimately lethal pit of drug abuse. Cox doesn't pull any punches or compromise the unsavory aspects of this passionate love story, so the film presents a harsh mix of emotional and physical anguish tempered by the very poignant and genuine love shared by its tormented central characters. Through it all, the film emerges as an intimate and yet oddly epic chronicle of punk's glory days of anarchic sex, drugs and rock & roll. It's as dynamic and confidently directed as any screen biography before or since, no less fascinating for its unpleasant aspects as for the touching emotions at its very human core. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Gary Oldman (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Lost In Space) and Chloe Webb (The Newton Boys) execute performances that are nothing short of phenomenal (Los AngelesTimes) as Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious and his unforgettable junkie girlfriendtwo socialmisfits who literally love each other to death. In this riveting biography of burnt-out icons (The Washington Post), award-winning* writer/director Alex Cox (Repo Man) creates a great film ('siskel & Ebert ) about the destructive lives of two 1970's punk legends. Their love affair is one of pure devotion. Sid falls hard for groupie Nancy Spungen, who seduces him with her affectionand addiction to heroin. Their inseparable bondto each other and their drugseventually corrodes the band, sending Sid and Nancy down a dark road of despair. Out of money, hope and options,the despondent two hit rock bottom while living in squalor at New York's infamous Chelsea Hotel. But their journey takes yet another tragic turn as they face their final curtainand attempt to fulfill their destiny of going out in a blaze of glory! *1986: Critics Award, Sao Paulo International Film Festival

Customer Reviews:

F'ng Americans! All They Do Is Think About F"ng Sex!.......2007-07-23

Wow, this is one powerful perfect portrayel of the legacy that was Sid Viscious. Of course ive seen "The Filth And The Fury" and most punk documentaries,but this being a film gave me more of a feeling of what Sid was really like. From all ive seen and read about Sid and his relationship with Nancy,this film hit the mark straight on. The chemistry between Sid And Nancy is so bizarre but you cant help and start to care about the two. The performances are beyond belief. Gary Oldman to this day I honestly believe is an acting GOD. Hes simply amazing. After all of the tradgedy is all done my favorite scene of the entire movie has got to be Sid dancing with the little kids right before Nancy arrives in a taxi. This is such a great,powerful,funny film that will make you feel like you knew Sid And Nancy as personal friends. I admit that in the end I actually felt really sad even though I knew what was coming. Bottom line,this is yet another masterpiece added to my dvd reviews,and this one for sure should not be missed. This is a must!

first rate portrayal of addiction and decline, in the Punk scene.......2007-07-12

This has got to be the best film that I've seen about drug addiction and the emptiness of people who fall into it. The decline and death of the protagonists are frightening and depressing, so well acted that it is horribly, completely believable. Oldam and Webb are simply brilliant. Webb is totally believable as a border line personality, at times sensitive, but suddenly abusive and paranoid - it is subtle and perfectly acted.

But the film is much more than that. There is also a twisted love between two people who can only be described as complete losers: Sid, who is nothing but a youth disaster become celebrity by chance and Nancy, a suburban cast-off who has wandered into the drug world, S&M for pay, and a pathetic search for groupie association with stardom. While almost nothing on their own, together they enter a downward spiral that can result only in death. Together they are far worse than zero. You helplessly witness their descent into a hell of addiction and chaos.

Finally, there is a wonderful evocation of their milieu: the late-70s punk scene. I recall, as a middle-aged man, how this was the first youth movement in which I had no desire to participate: I had been a late-comer hippy and was aspiring to academia when this started. It was the first "movement" that repulsed me personally, that I had no desire whatsoever to mimic. In this film, you see how talentless and nihilistic punk really was, but also how it had the raw energy of urban youth in societies that could offer them nothing of value. Gone are the ideals and dreams of the 60s. Their chaos and drugs and indirection in the end were all that they had, so they lived it unto self-destruction. Their scene, as portrayed in this film, was a revelation to me and is brilliantly evoked.

Reccommended with enthusiasm. This is like a modern Balzacian tale of meaningless annihilation, a rememberance of a time, and a perfect work of art.

Pure Fantasy.......2007-05-06

Hey kids, let's glorify the use of heroin!

This film was a big mistake and terribly misleading to the younger generations who were not around for the origination of the Punk scene and the real news that surrounded the deaths of the Sid and Nancy.

Super for the "emo's" who love a tragic tale, but absolute drivel when it comes to reality. One gets the sense that these two ended up in a happy rock and roll heaven and all is well. What glory? Nonsense! Take it as fiction because the facts were much more harsh, pathetic, and disappointing.

I have been a fan of the Sex Pistols since the 70's and can only shake my head when I think of Sid- a very naive young man who couldn't handle stardom and fell into the hell and sorrow of drug addiction. Nancy did not help as she was a dealer and major manipulator.

The only thing that saves the film and makes it worth two stars is the integrity in which John Lydon is portrayed. There is some truth in that and they did do justice to his character.

If I had time to sit and watch any film even related to the Pistols, it would be the documentary "The Filth and The Fury." There you will find the truth. You will hear from Nancy herself about being a prostitute and from Sid about his feelings regarding his drug addiction.

Absolute Disaster.......2007-05-02

As a fan of Punk, this is one of the most disappointing films I've seen. Gary Oldham gives a laughably bad portrayal of Sid Vicious nothing like the real thing at all. Worst Punk film ever.

A Profile of a Train Wreck. .......2007-03-11

What I enjoyed most about Sid and Nancy was the profile of the Sex Pistols who (unfortunately) are only a vicarious part of the plot. I know that Johnny Lydon did not approve of this film, but I absolutely loved Schofield's portrayal of him here. In fact, he almost steals the spotlight from the train wreck that is the relationship between the main protagonists. I also thought that technically this film was outstanding. My favorite scene involved the press/party boat. After it was forcibly docked, the shot of Sid and Nancy gliding through the melee was exceptional. This movie has something in common with all period pieces we remember--it is incredibly well-done. My own appreciation for the film, however, was sabotaged by the fact that I was not even remotely interested in the love affair between Sid and Nancy. I found the gradual disintegration of their lives to rather depressing.

Average customer rating:

Spellbound
Perfect title for this wonderful documentary
An Entertaining Gem
Great Film!
Congradulations, spelling chapms!

Spellbound
Starring: Angela Arenivar , Nupur Lala , Meena Lala , Ted Brigham , and Dan Brigham
Director: Jeffrey Blitz
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
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ASIN: B0000WN13Q
Release Date: 2004-01-20

Amazon.com

Who would have thought that a documentary about spelling-bee contestants could be as suspenseful as a Hitchcock thriller? Spellbound, which follows eight kids from their early victories in regional spelling bees to the national competition in Washington, D.C., is an out-and-out nail-biter. Each of the kids--who range from a quietly driven African American girl from a run-down D.C. neighborhood, to a genial Connecticut girl who talks about bringing her au pair to a previous competition, to an almost zombie-like boy whose immigrant father has paid 1,000 people back in India to pray for the boy's success--gets captured so vividly that you can't help but get emotionally immersed in their brave, nerve-wracking struggle to spell slippery, treacherous words. Along the way, Spellbound contrasts the crazily different populations that make up the U.S. and shows how this facet of intelligence truly makes everyone equal on the podium. A riveting, wrenching, must-see movie. --Bret Fetzer

Description

Spellbound is the extraordinary documentary that follows eight teenagers on their quest to win the National Spelling Bee competition.

Customer Reviews:

Spellbound.......2007-07-25

The crowd-pleasing quality of "Spellbound" comes from the likeability of the eight kids featured, and the laudable values of self-discipline and self-improvement reflected in the parents' encouragement and coaching of their gifted progeny. Part of the fun, too, is trying to guess which of these word wizards--a boy from rural Missouri, an African-American girl from Washington D.C., a precocious child of privilege from suburban Connecticut--will triumph, but visibly agonized, socially awkward Harry Altman, from New Jersey, is the film's de facto icon. "Spellbound" will jangle your nerves and charm your socks off.

Perfect title for this wonderful documentary.......2007-06-09

"Spellbound" is exactly how this film leaves you. I've rarely been so focused on a group of people we get to know early on as they prepare for the National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. in 1999. Coming from all walks of life and from different economic classes, they have at least one thing in common...intensity.

The first half of "Spellbound" is dedicated to being introduced to the eight kids on which the film is based...their families, friends and teachers all provide a loving (and often nail biting) bond with these present and future competitors. But it is the second half where everything comes together. There's more drama here than in most action movies and it is a winner of a film on many different levels.

I highly recommend "Spellbound". It's a timeless wonder... warm, sometimes funny, occasionally heartbreaking but always satisfying. These kids and their families teach us a good deal about love, learning, and competition. You'll be spellbound.

An Entertaining Gem.......2007-06-02

A documentary about spelling bees by no means sounds like something the average person would call entertaining. However, ignoring any initial hesitation one might have, this film is definitely worth seeing and is an unique, funny, and overall entertaining experience.

The subject matter is basic enough; the film chronicles eight hopefuls vying for a chance to win the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Each of these eight are truly unique characters, hailing from all over the country and with completely different traits; they represent a true cross-section of our nation. We are given an initial overview into of all of the children's lives, before we are led on to the national competition itself. From this instant we realize that we have some true characters on our hands and that the dedication and intelligence found in some of these children is remarkable. From here I was hooked; anyone who is a sucker for human interest stories will find this flick quite endearing.

Once we reach the national level of the competition, the film takes an entirely different turn. The filmmakers manage to capture the intensity of the competition- the pressure the spellers themselves face, standing in front of the crowd and television cameras, the anxiety that the parents feel, hanging on every letter, and the pure joy of getting a word correct. Never in my life had I imagined a spelling bee could be so exciting, yet here I was in front of my television screen, rooting on my favorites like I would my favorite sports star. For the most part, all the spellers and their parents are likeable, however a few of them can be irking at times.

Each person will have a speller that they can identify with, and this is what makes the film truly special. Speaking of this, one of the most interesting bonus features is the "Where Are They Now" portion. The rest of the bonus material is nothing to speak of, but this is not why one would by the DVD in the first place.

Spellbound won the 2002 Academy Award for best documentary, a well-deserved recognition. This film is truly something special, a treat for the entire family. No amazing visuals, nothing to straight out blow you away- just pure, innocent family entertainment; something that is needed terribly these days. Although it is not something one would typically grab for right away, the sheer entertainment value warrants it a viewing. Highly recommended.

Great Film!.......2007-05-26

This is a great film that follows the young spelling champions to their ultimate goal of winning the national spelling bee competition. I loved every minute of this movie and I was surprised how much I was drawn into each of the story lines of these students. Watching the parents was interesting too as they talked about what winning this competition meant to their child as well as to them. How they helped - or didn't help - their children was interesting too.

Nothing objectionable in this film. Lots of fun. Enjoy!

Congradulations, spelling chapms!.......2007-05-23

I participated in the Scripps-Howard Bee in 1977, although I was ousted at the city level (my word was "justification"; I left out one of the middle "I"s).

These eight participants (11 if you count the DVD extras) are a cross-section of America, and their "Where are they now" pieces reflect this, and yes, this does include Ashley White, the inner-city black girl who became a homeless single teenage mother. Only the Indian stage father, who coached his son 8 hours a day and promised to buy meals for 5,000 hungry Indians if his son won, was really an unappealing person, as was the apparently well-to-do divorced mother in the extra who clearly lived her life through her kids' accomplishments. The other parents appeared to be supportive of their children but not pushy. The teacher who said Indian kids "always" have a spectacular work ethic made me cringe a bit as well. My personal favorite was Allyson, the 10-year-old who papered the walls at home with neon Post-Its with various big words written on them. This child was dedicated!

After watching the live telecast of the finals last year, I imagined those kids going home and doing things like sitting upside down on the couch with their Ipods, or my co-worker whose 11-year-old son had awakened him and his wife a few days earlier at 4am to tell them he was going to throw up ("And why are you in here telling us this? Would you just go to the bathroom?), and stuff like that. Same thing with these kids.

If a 4 1/2 star review was possible, that's what I would give it because I would have liked to have seen a little more from past winners. I especially enjoyed the interview with the very first winner from 1925, who was about 90 years old and you could tell his mind was as sharp as it was on that day 70-plus years ago.

They will be showing the finals once again this year, and I plan to watch it again.

p.s. A group of benefactors, upon learning of Ms. White's plight, have made arrangements for her to attend Howard University, and she is an honor student while living in transitional housing and raising her daughter. I wonder what happened in her family that she couldn't live with her mom any more.

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Young Frankenstien
One of Mel Brook's masterpieces..
"Elevate Me!", "What Knockers!"...Classic!!!
Brooks best
Young Frankenstein

Young Frankenstein (Special Edition)
Starring: Anne Beesley , Oscar Beregi Jr. , Rusty Blitz , Peter Boyle , and Johnny Dennis
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
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ASIN: 6305168857
Release Date: 1998-11-03

Amazon.com essential video

If you were to argue that Mel Brooks's Young Frankenstein ranks among the top-ten funniest movies of all time, nobody could reasonably dispute the claim. Spoofing classic horror in the way that Brooks's previous film Blazing Saddles sent up classic Westerns, the movie is both a loving tribute and a raucous, irreverent parody of Universal's classic horror films Frankenstein (1931) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935). Filming in glorious black and white, Brooks re-created the Frankenstein laboratory using the same equipment from the original Frankenstein (courtesy of designer Kenneth Strickfaden), and this loving attention to physical and stylistic detail creates a solid foundation for nonstop comedy. The story, of course, involves Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) and his effort to resume experiments in re-animation pioneered by his late father. (He's got some help, since dad left behind a book titled How I Did It.) Assisting him is the hapless hunchback Igor (Marty Feldman) and the buxom but none-too-bright maiden Inga (Teri Garr), and when Frankenstein succeeds in creating his monster (Peter Boyle), the stage is set for an outrageous revision of the Frankenstein legend. With comedy highlights too numerous to mention, Brooks guides his brilliant cast (also including Cloris Leachman, Madeline Kahn, Kenneth Mars, and Gene Hackman in a classic cameo role) through scene after scene of inspired hilarity. Indeed, Young Frankenstein is a charmed film, nothing less than a comedy classic, representing the finest work from everyone involved. Not one joke has lost its payoff, and none of the countless gags have lost their zany appeal. From a career that includes some of the best comedies ever made, this is the film for which Mel Brooks will be most fondly remembered. Befitting a classic, the Special Edition DVD includes audio commentary by Mel Brooks, a "making of" documentary, interviews with the cast, hilarious bloopers and outtakes, and the original theatrical trailers. No video library should be without a copy of Young Frankenstein. And just remember--that's Fronkensteen. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Young Frankenstien.......2007-09-05

I recived the movie the next day. The movie and service was great, I was so impressed with the service that I ordered 2 more movies for friends.
Delores

One of Mel Brook's masterpieces.........2007-08-13

In my oppinion, this is one of Mel Brooks best movies and one of the best comedies EVER! Great DVD!

"Elevate Me!", "What Knockers!"...Classic!!!.......2007-08-02

Truley one of the funniest movies ever made! This is Mel Brooks at his very best along with a superb cast. This movie has made millions of people laugh, (hysterically!), for years. One of the funniest scenes is when the Creature rapes Elizabeth, but she's so overcome by his "size" she bursts out singing "Oh sweet mystery of life at last I've found you!" That scene is one of the funniest ever filmed, and highly worth metioning! Other scenes, and quotes include: "Putin' on the Ritz!", "Put the candle back!", "What Knockers", Elevate Me!" "Frau Blucher", (horses whining hysterically!) "Abby Normal", and on, and on, and on... Also, I believe the term "blucher" is German for glue. Hell, if I were a horse I'd whine too!

You simply can't go wrong this classic comedy. It is sure to put a smile on your face and have you quoting the characters lines for years to come. Way to go Mel Brooks, Gene Wilder, Cloris Leachman, & Teri Garr!

As for Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle and Madeline Kahn: You all are true comdey legends. God bless you all, and may you all rest in peace.

Fredrick: "Igor. Will you give me a hand with the bags?"
Igor: "Certainly. You take the blonde and I'll take the one in the turban!"

Deserves more than five stars. WAY MORE!!!

Brooks best.......2007-07-29

Although 'Blazing Saddles' is better remembered and 'The Producers' more critically acclaimed (Mel Brooks won an Oscar for the screenplay), Young Frankenstein is the best and the funniest film he has ever made. Its a wonderful comedic homage to the original James Whale films made back in the 1930's. So this is much more than just a parody. The original sets were recreated, in the same location, and the film is shot in black and white which brings back happy memories of Bride of Frankenstein (itself a black comedy).

Mel Brooks was very lucky to have Gene Wilder as leading actor for his best films. In the 1960's and 1970's Wilder was a comedy actor without peer. Effortlessly funny, and here right from his opening scene, at a teaching Hospital he's brilliant. The classic moment in this scene is his growing anger whilst holding a scalpel. Well you can guess what happens... Wilder does it with brilliant comic timing. Seeing the film again recently it struck me that Wilder would have made a great silent comedy star. Evidence of just how good Wilder was in this era, is that he even out performs the late Marty Feldman. The rest of the cast are nearly as good with Cloris Leachman and Peter Boyle both giving marvellous performances.

Gene Wilder also gets writing credits with Brooks as well and between them they produced a great script with a stream a great one-liners:

Frankenstein: Igor, would you give me a hand with the bags?
Igor: [doing a Groucho Marx] Certainly, you take the blonde and I'll take the one in the turban.

The DVD has some great extras, with the commentry by Mel Brooks being a particular highlight. Its both informative and funny. I haven't watched the documentary on the DVD yet. Overall this is a superb disc and a film that should be in everybodies collection.

Young Frankenstein.......2007-07-16

I LOVE this movie!! That's why I had to own it--it's a classic. Funny stuff.

Average customer rating:

A Solid Crime Movie, Thanks To Three Leads
A Terrible Hero
Fascinating story, brilliantly acted
(3.5 STARS) Darkly Funny Thriller with Great Acting from John Malkovich
A perfect test of Highsmith's theory

Ripley's Game
Starring: Ray Winstone , John Malkovich , Uwe Mansshardt , Hanns Zischler , and Paolo Paoloni
Director: Liliana Cavani
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00018D40O
Release Date: 2004-03-30

Amazon.com

The slippery protagonist of The Talented Mr. Ripley returns in another deadly guise in Ripley's Game, a well-appointed star vehicle. The star this time is John Malkovich, whose older Tom Ripley has settled into an Italian villa and a life of aesthetic contemplation (a little like Hannibal Lecter in Hannibal). A former partner (Ray Winstone) drags an innocent frame-maker (Dougray Scott), dying of leukemia, into the role of unexpected hit man. Ripley, for his own enigmatic reasons, helps. Liliana Cavani, of The Night Porter notoriety, directed this handsome if nebulous film (which has no connection to the Matt Damon picture, other than a Patricia Highsmith source novel). Malkovich exudes his usual oily disenchantment with the world; Lena Headey, like the location footage, is gorgeous. The same novel was adapted in very different style by Wim Wenders for his brilliant 1977 film, The American Friend, with Dennis Hopper and Bruno Ganz. --Robert Horton

Description

Mr. Ripley emerges from retirement to preside over one last deadly game, but can he persuade an innocent man to commit murder?

Customer Reviews:

A Solid Crime Movie, Thanks To Three Leads.......2007-09-07

This was good; a solid crime story. It's the "Tom Ripley" of "The Talented Mr. Ripley," but now older and being played by John Malkovich instead of Matt Damon. He's also, at least to me, a totally different character so this story stands on its own. There's no tie-in to that previous film

Malkovich plays his normal role, playing the kind of character he's good at playing: the smart, sarcastic and sadistic villain with the interesting vocabulary.

The plot in this movie revolves around Ripley having someone else do some of the latest killings for him, an "average Joe" that no one would suspect. That role is played by Dougray Scott, a young Englishman with a wife and young son, but a man who is dying of leukemia and could use a little extra money for his family when he's gone. Ripley's partner "Reeves" also is an intriguing guy, played by Ray Winstone who also often portrays this time of character: a vicious, profane thug. If you saw "Sexy Beast," you'll know the type of guy Winstone plays here.

Suffice to say this wound up a pleasant surprise: great dialog, good photography and acting, some dark humor along with good suspense and just the right amount of action and lulls. It is heavy on the profanity, so beware of that.

A Terrible Hero.......2007-09-03

John Malkovich plays villianous Tom Ripley to perfection in a quirky, action filled, improbable suspense thriller filmed on beautiful location in the Italian countryside and in darkly modern Berlin. As Ripley says, when he realized he didn't have a conscience, it bothered him for a time, then it didn't. And so Ripley goes through life, spreading mayhem for his own benefit. But in the end of this one, he realizes that his fellow man, at least, are ultimately good. An entertaining ride.

Fascinating story, brilliantly acted.......2007-07-28

I went to see The Talented Mr. Ripley, on the strength of its cast, knowing nothing of Ms. Highsmith's novels. I was captivated by the story in all of its surprising twists and turns. I found, somewhat to my alarm, that I was rooting for the criminal, and greatly relieved when he got away with murder. Hmmm.

So, several years later, when I saw a DVD with the name Ripley on it, and John Malkevich's face, I assumed that it was about the same character. I thought to myself, that Malkovich, who plays "strange" so well, would be a perfect Ripley. I picked it up along with five others and, again, when it came time to choose, found myself almost going against my better impulses by chosing this film. I told myself it was sick and evil and I shouldn't indulge in such rot. And, I watched it, captivated as before by this amazing man!

It was interested to see how Tom Ripley had developed in the years since we saw him (as Matt Damon). He had outgrown his youthful insecurities and was deeply entrenched in his life as amoral lover of the good things in life. Any qualms about his life style seemed to have long since been quenched. The opening scene, in Berlin, (which is scarey enough) shows Ripley in great form, the discriminating art dealer, who doesn't hesitate to murder a fellow who has dared to handle his drawings. The switch from soft spoken aesthete to brutal killer is stunning. Then, he resumes his hyper cool persona, again outside, commenting to his business associate that the meeting was "interesting."

So, for anyone who missed the books or first film, the enigmatic character of Tom Ripley is well displayed. The story is fascinating, involving not only the complexity of Ripley's character, but that of his polar opposite, a poor picture framer with a loving wife and child. Jonathan, the framer, invites Ripley over for a birthday party, at his modest but warm home with a group of friends. He makes the mistake of commenting to his friends, that Ripley, with all his money, has ostentatious bad taste and has completely ruined the heart and soul of the old villa he bought. dum de dum dum...Ripley, standing in the doorway has heard this. Poor Jonathan doesn't know that one thing you should never do to Tom Ripley is criticize his bad taste! He will live to regret this innocent statement..and die.

What I found so interesting about this story, is not just the obvious fascination with this cool character who has a habit of getting away with murder, but the relationship between these two men. Johnathan is the hard working, low paid artisan, who has a hard time making ends meet but he is rich in the sense of having a beautiful adoring wife and a precious son. He seems to be the kind of guy who always plays by the rules, does what he believes is good and right and gets the short end of the stick.
His wife has to work and submit herself to being lecherously ogled by her boss, and to make things as bad as possible, he has terminal leukemia.

It's almost as if these two opposites are drawn together, like the little black and white magnet dogs we used to play with as kids. Ripley, the bloodless winner, who gets everything he wants in life, by ignoring conventional morality. His home is huge, his fortune is assured, and he even has a beautiful woman of his own, a famous harpsichordist. At Jonathan's party, his wife tells Ripley that she wished she could do something creative, like R's lover. Ripley seems to like her and assures her that the sweater she has knitted is beautiful and that she is indeed creative.

As it has been shown in other Ripley novels, he has a way of absorbing the qualities of other people. First it was rich Dickie Greenleaf, who introduced the whole opulent lifestyle to him. Now, that he has thorougly mastered "rich" perhaps it's time for him to move up the evolutionary scale to something more humane. At least that's what I saw here.

In the first part of the film, Ripley is running true to form, by cleverly manipulating poor Jonathan into becoming a killer-for-hire. We see Jonathan, who at first is completely appalled by this offer, gradually weaken and give in. True, his motives are sterling -- to provide for his family after his death. But still...murder! It's so out of his character that he goes through lots of angst before and during the "job." Amazingly, he pulled it off very well. His conscience racks him, though, and he lies about the money to his wife, who occupies the same moral high ground as he does. He knows she would not go for this!

He thinks his trouble is over, with the money hidden under the kitchen sink, until the fellow who set up the deal, with Ripley's help, returns, to want another murder done. Jonathan refuses until he realizes that his wife and child will be killed if he doesn't go along with it.

At this point in the story, there is a shift and this is what I find most fascinating. Ripley, for some reason that he cannot explain, decides to put a stop to this and forbids the intermediary from involving Jonathan further. It's too late, though, and we see the poor guy, sweating as usual, with his angst ridden face, bording a train to Dusseldorf to strangle a member of the Russian mafia. Things get very exciting and dangerous and then....out of the men's room, appears our man Ripley to help out the suffering Jonathan. It's quite amazing and horrible and even funny.

From then on the two are buddies. We see them playing chess, which is quite symbolic, if you think about it. Ripley has taken a protective role towards Jonathan, and, knowing that the Russians will be coming to get him, prohibts Jonathan from coming to his home. Jonathan, though, for his part, perhaps to pay Ripley back for saving his life on the train, shows up anyway to help Ripley. It's the ultimate twist in this convoluted plot.

At one point, after the train murder, after Jonathan has spent 20 minutes vomiting, Ripley, cool as ever, politely reminds him that they have a plane to catch. J. asks R. why he has bothered to save his life and R. says he doesn't really know, but mumbles something about the fact that we are always being born.

In the final sequence, where J. and R. are sequestered in the villa, awaiting the Russians, J. complains that he can't stand waiting. R. lets drop one very telling statement--that as a child, once he waited and waited for his parents to return from a boat trip. Then, in his impassive bloodless way, he says, "They drowned." Oh boy! No wonder this poor guy has built a shell of defensiveness over his heart. And no wonder the sight of a man who goes to such lengths, sweating all the way, to provide for his wife and son, is what begins to open his own heart again.

You have to sort of hunt for this, though. The director, in true Ripleyesque style does not dwell on it....but, wow! Think about it.
I do like happy endings and I was glad that I watched this film. I recommend it for anyone, especially those willing to look a little under the surface.

Did I mention that Malkevich was perfect? He was astounding....both in the bloodless scenes and in the final few where he becomes a little more human. Watch the facial expressions, listen to the voice. It's an amazing performance. Cheers to the director, too, who handles the whole thing perfectly, establishing just the right tone between horrific and human and even humorous.

(3.5 STARS) Darkly Funny Thriller with Great Acting from John Malkovich.......2007-07-21

The story of Patricia Highsmith's unique character Tom Ripley (which was once filmed as "The American Friend" by Wim Wenders) is taken up again this time by Liliana Cavani. John Malkovich plays the rich, nihilistic hero living in Italy who, with a help from a sleazy guy named Reeves (Ray Winstone) his former partner in crime, makes Jonathan, an ailing picture framer (Dougray Scott), a contract killer hired for them.

The film's situation is unusual, even impossible, especially when you know why Ripley is attracted to this far-fetched crime. And you surely need suspense of disbelief if you really want to enjoy this curiously intriguing thriller. Wait until one suspenseful, darkly funny sequence set in the night train in Germany. Things take unexpected turns more than once, leading up to the conclusion that is as enigmatic as the protagonist himself.

The film is tour-de-force of the star John Malkovich as Ripley with a calm voice, chilling and calculating, whose complex personality always baffles us. You may dislike him (why not), or you may be attracted to him, but either way he never bores us. Some may find undercurrent theme (like homosexuality) in the apparently implausible storyline. Some may think the film is a very dark comedy. This beautifully-shot film remains ambiguous; ambiguity is part of the film's essence, and its charm.

This is a film you will either love or hate. Considering the rather neglected status of the film when it was originally released, opinions seem tilted toward "hate." I understand that because this is a thriller where the idea of good and evil means nothing. Tom Ripley is not the person you really want to know in real life, but here he is just fascinating, well, at least to some of us.

A perfect test of Highsmith's theory.......2007-07-19

Patricia Highsmith, who wrote Ripley's Game, thought that any human was capable of murder given the right set of circumstances. Thus her book, Ripley's Game, puts her theory to the test. This excellent film version is very well done, primiarily by maintaining focus on the central theme that Highsmith wished to explore and not getting caught in Hollywood special effects and gory details.

In this film, we have the wonderful Highsmith creation, Tom Ripley, the young man who finds that he is a complete sociopath and then finds complete enjoyment in acting upon his homicidal impulses. Ripley is an interesting character. He is a highly refined and intelligent sociopath. Thus he is able to maintain an ice cool philosophical view of the murders he commits. He asks whether the world is worse off or change by the murders he commits and decides that human life is worth very little in the larger cosmic picture. He has no guilt, no remorse, only morbid curiosity and a desire to live a life of composure among art treasures, Tuscan palaces, antiquities, exquisite gardens, and a beautiful and talented lover.

In this film, Ripley is contrasted with an Italian picture framer who is a young husband and father slowly dying from leukemia. This young man makes the mistake of insulting Ripley at a neighborhood cocktail party and sets the stage to become a play-thing in Ripley's games of murder. This is the test of Highsmith's theory that anyone can be a murderer given the right set of circumstances. Ripley finds that the young man is dying and that he is concerned for the financial support of his young wife and child after he is gone. Ripley then involves they fellow in series of well paid assassintations.

John Malkvich is excellent at playing Tom Ripley, very cool and sophisticated in his homicidal mode. Dougray Scott is excellent as the young father, pushed into extreme circumstances. Yet there is a price and consequences for anyone who leads a normal life and then commits a terrible crime. Dougray Scott's character pays far more that his journey than he every expects. He may be good at murder but he is not good at hiding himself from his wife.

The film is entertaining and beautifully filmed in the Italian countryside.

Average customer rating:

A great historical love story.
Sugartime
Really A Thrill
Sugartime is a Goodtime

Sugartime
Starring: John Turturro , Mary-Louise Parker , Elias Koteas , Maury Chaykin , and Louis Del Grande
Director: John N. Smith
Manufacturer: Hbo Home Video
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ASIN: B000C1VAF6
Release Date: 2006-01-31

Description

Based on the true story of the life and times and love affair of mobster Sam Giancana and America's songbird, Phyllis McGuire. Their too public relationship and tense atmosphere of the times could put an end to her career - and his life!

Customer Reviews:

A great historical love story........2007-05-13

I love this movie! It's fun, piquant, thoughtful, provocative. This movie was my introduction to John Turturro, a delightful actor with a thoughtful presence. In spite of the character of the mobster Sam Giancana, I could see the soft, lovable side of him that Phyllis Maguire simply could not walk away from. I could even see his integrity: in spite of being offered complete immunity, he refused to talk once he was arrested.

Maguire's denial about Giancana's "work" was palpable - as was his own. I could not believe I could find them an adorable couple - and yet I did. I've been a Mary-Louise Parker fan since Fried Green Tomatoes, Boys on the Side, Angels in America and Weeds. This is a side of her I had not ever seen. She's delicious. A great, historical love story.

Fried Green Tomatoes (Widescreen Collector's Edition)

Sugartime.......2007-01-18

A great movie about the McGuire Sisters and the Mobsters. Fabulous music and singing for those who like the 40's and 50's ear.

Really A Thrill.......2000-08-22

What a great movie. I loved everything about it. Mary Louise Parker has never been more radiant. In this movie, she has it all: talent, attitude, romance, and a little humor on the side. And speaking of wornderful performances, John Turturro gives, in my opinion, one of his best. We love to hate him and he makes being a gangster seem glamorous and suprisingly ethical. The added "gansta" crimes only add to the plot of this movie, as does the story of the stunning McGuire sisters. By the end you with laugh and cry and flat out have a good time. It is a nice change from all of the other garbage around. Excellent!

Sugartime is a Goodtime.......2000-06-16

Sugartime is an interesting and entertaining movie. It is most interesting when Mary-Louise Parker is on screen. She is prim and beautiful and is a perfect offset to Turturro's portrayal of Sam Giancana. The movie tries its best to place historical references to Kennedy, Hoover, et al. Sugartime is an excellent choice for a fun, enjoyable evening.

Average customer rating:

Young Frankenstien
One of Mel Brook's masterpieces..
"Elevate Me!", "What Knockers!"...Classic!!!
Brooks best
Young Frankenstein

Young Frankenstein (Special Edition)
Starring: Anne Beesley , Oscar Beregi Jr. , Rusty Blitz , Peter Boyle , and Mel Brooks
Director: Mel Brooks
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000065FWU
Release Date: 1998-11-03

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Young Frankenstien.......2007-09-05

I recived the movie the next day. The movie and service was great, I was so impressed with the service that I ordered 2 more movies for friends.
Delores

One of Mel Brook's masterpieces.........2007-08-13

In my oppinion, this is one of Mel Brooks best movies and one of the best comedies EVER! Great DVD!

"Elevate Me!", "What Knockers!"...Classic!!!.......2007-08-02

Brooks best.......2007-07-29

Young Frankenstein.......2007-07-16

I LOVE this movie!! That's why I had to own it--it's a classic. Funny stuff.

Najica Blitz Tatics: Complete Collection

Average customer rating:

Spy anime
A Shame...
Fan Fare
Steer clear of this unless you like panty shots every second
Nishijima loves panty very much

Najica Blitz Tatics: Complete Collection
Starring: Najica Blitz Tactics
Manufacturer: Adv Films
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000A2UBY8
Release Date: 2005-08-02

Customer Reviews:

Spy anime.......2007-08-04

Najica Blitz Tatics is a spy anime with a lot of action and girls with very short skirts, Action + Short skirts= a lot of panty shots. Well aside from that it has a good story and is worth checking out.

A Shame..........2007-04-20

I gave this set 3 stars instead of 2 because the story had potential.

Unfortunately, the creators or producers, whoever, decided that the show would be about panties instead...

Its actually funny just how akward the pans and shots are in the show just to include more panty shots, a full minute without 15 seconds of upskirt angle is rare. 95% of the people in the show are women, all wearing skirts so short that a stripper would blush walking around in public. Being an action/shooter/spy genre, many of these women are knocked out or killed, falling to the ground either spread eagle or a55 high and face in the dirt.

Simply put, this show is geared toward the stereotypical horny nerd anime fan, i'm embarrassed to own it.

Fan Fare.......2007-04-15

The anime in this series is really good. It is like watching a feminine James Bond series. No bloodshed here because she uses plastic bullets and knocks out her opponents. The ending leaves you guessing a little is it real or a dream?

Steer clear of this unless you like panty shots every second.......2007-03-23

I almost gave this anime 3 stars but after thinking about it I'm a little hesitant to give it this. Najica Blitz Tactics contains just about every cliche involving secret agent movies and the innocent but deadly teenage looking, anime girl. The stories suffer from bad writing and needless panty shots. The stories are surrounded by a female agent named Najica. She is the best they have. And all of her missions end with her targets laying down with a red rose on their chest. And just like all secret agent movies. Najica is objective by the very mention of a new partner. She must work alone. This introduces the second main character who looks very innocent and very cute Lila. Shes not even human. She's called a humaritt, a creature that was created by sometype of advanced technology and is extremely loyal to whomever is their master. I'm sure you know whats next... yep, you guessed it, she's a professional in firearms, hand to hand combat, and is almost indestructible. In fact the general plot is for Najica to recover these creatures before they fall into the wrong hands. All of the episodes are actionpacked with lots of gunplay and hand to hand fighting.

The character development shows some promise involving Lila. Lila basically behaves like an infant and the world is new to her. Najica spends some time trying to teach her how to be human. The things Lila pulls off are pretty funny at times. Later, Najica begins to ask questions like, can these creatures live like humans? Can they ever think for themselves? Can they develop feelings? Later on these questions are answered.

Now I love women in all sizes, I like gunplay, I like fighting, I like to see womens underwear, I like anime. Then why I dont like Najica Blitz Tactics? Hmmmmmm. The major reason to me is the excessive amount of panty shots in every single episode. I kid you not, there are at least(rough estimate) between 25 to 50 panty, crouch and a** shots in every imaginable position possible. Standing, walking, running, shooting, driving, sitting, dodging, rolling, fighting, eating, and dying. It got to the point by the middle of the first episode I was sick to death of this. Almost every single female to include both main characters are wearing miniskirts(with panties showing), bathing suits( with crouch showing), or spandex. I truly didn't see the point of this at all. The director obviously has an uncontrollable obsession with animated panties.

Now the stories suffer mostly due to its repetitous episodes, bad ideas, and writing. Here's a situation from one of the episodes that had me scratching my head a little. Najica and Lila covertly board a ship from underwater using sometype of pod. They fire suction cup grappling hooks underwater in bathing suits with no goggles. Upon boarding the ship Lila's top piece to her suit comes off. Najica points this out. Lila replys, "It got caught on something while I was coming up". Najica responds, "I have a rule, ladies wear clothes". Now mind you, Najica hasn't been fully clothed the entire time up to this point, and never is fully clothed later. She never dresses ladylike even once for that matter. The director could have thought of something better or maybe his definition of a lady differs from mine.

*Spoiler* Skip this if you want.
The plot in this anime is basically for Najica to capture all the loose humaritts. In one episode she had a choice to let a humaritt live in peace with the man she fell in love with and he fell in love with her. As if no one saw this coming. She replys that her orders say for her to retrieve the humaritt. Najica encounters this again. Then she has a change of heart and lets two humaritts go. When she clearly knows one barely has enough sense to function on her own. The blind leading the blind. Najica must also realize if the orders came down she would have to hunt these humaritts down later. This action contradicted the entire story. *Spoiler over*

The animation in Najica Blitz is pretty good, but I don't like the soundtrack at all. The collection I have, came as 2 disk with all 12 episodes and extras. After watching far superior anime involving chicks with guns like, Gunslinger Girl, Noir, The Dirty Pair, Kino's Journey and Gunsmith Cats. Najica Blitz just really doesn't have anything good to offer. With its weak stories and even weaker charcters. To include the numerous panty shots. If your the type who loves hentai, animated nudity and panties. Then this is for you. The director gives you panty shots in very, very, very, large doses. If your looking for something with a deeper story, great characters, good action, then you have to see Noir or Gunslinger Girl. Pretty much all the ones I just mentioned. But those two are the best.

Nishijima loves panty very much.......2007-01-09

I'm not sure why he loves white panty so much, but he loves indeed, he may have a certain reason =P

This anime is 'hommage' of AIKa, and this was JPN TV series. In Japan, erotic anime cannot be broadcasted, therefore I was surprised to watch this. (AIKa was sold-anime.) I heard, creators in Studio Fantasia thought so too, its very interesting (@_@)

If also you love white panty, please watch this and wait new 3 episodes of 'AIKa R-16FVIRGIN MISSION' =D

Average customer rating:

Who did Hitler think he was dealing with?
An Emotionally, Powerful Documentary About "London's Longest Night"

The Blitz: London's Longest Night
Starring: Blitz-London's Longest Night
Manufacturer: Pbs Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000BYRCC4
Release Date: 2006-02-14

Description

The story of the war's most concentrated aerial attack on London in 1941 and how the city nearly perished under the German barrage. Featuring harrowing first-hand accounts from survivors of the attack and dramatic recreations of events based on newly declassified information, this film brings to life the story of one night that nearly changed the course of history. Had Hitler trusted the intelligence on the amount of damage to the city and continued his attack, London would have crumbled under the sustained barrage.

Customer Reviews:

Who did Hitler think he was dealing with?.......2007-09-11

London on the abyss in December 1940. We all know about the The Battle of Britain. This story of the the Blitz was more informative, personal & enlightening than anything I have seen or read. My one brief visit to London did not do this city justice & I never realized how much damage was done to the center of the city in the square mile surrounding St. Paul's Cathedral, indeed the symbol of London. I had never heard the details of the heroic efforts employed to save it that night. First, fire bombs to light the way for the heavy bombers, then the fire storms & the target of all that was still standing. Then the Germans blinked. They recalled another wave of bombers that surely would have destroyed London. The moment passed & they were never quite able to maintain the advantage they had December 29, 1940. The blending of actual documentary footage & recreations made for 90 minutes of compelling viewing. Survivors & participants of that night were interviewed. Many of them are very old but their memories are fresh. It is obvious from the emotions on their faces recalling that night that this was a life altering experience. One you never forget. Scenes of London today at the closing was a fitting end.

An Emotionally, Powerful Documentary About "London's Longest Night".......2006-04-28

The PBS documetary, "The Blitz London's Longest Night" is a fascinating look at both the facts and feelings, that surrounded the night of December 29, 1940, when Hitler's bombers lead an unprecedented ariel attack apon the city of London. The ferocious fires, that the attack started, nearly burned a whole square mile of London to the ground. The main target of the attack seems to have been, St. Paul's Cathedral, which was both an iconic part of the London skyline and also an important symbol of English history. The intent was to have been to try and scare the British people into overnight submission and break their will. Luckily, history did not play out that way. Instead of being bombed into submission 'the Blitz' united the British people into a common cause. The documentary is aptly named, because it really does seem to be "London's Longest Night". The film takes us on an hour by hour progression of what happened. It shows us every step of the bombing and the response of both the British firemen and ordinary London citizens alike to extordinary events. The documentary shows us this, through a mixture of narration, actual archival footage, interviews with elderly witnesses and dramatizations of their stories. These elements are seemlessly weaved together to tell an interesting and emotionally arresting tale. The dramatizations are very well done and most effective. Among these stories we meet a family in a bomb shelter, a man accompanied by his wife trying to return to his rescue unit, two foreign reporters getting the story, a number of firemen working to contain the fires and a priest and his cohorts trying to protect St.Paul's from burning down. The story of St. Paul's Cathedral is most important, because it really is the emotional backbone (or spine) of the film. It's a symbol of England's survival, in that dark night of history. By the end of the film, we are shown a juxaposition between a fire bombed London, just after the attack and the new modern city, that has risen out of the fiery rubble & ashes like a Pheonix. This is an excellent documentary, that is not only factual, but is quite moving and will leave you on the edge of your seat. Highly recommended!

Average customer rating:

Ten Stars
Mixed Feelings after viewing David's Mother
Excellent TV movie.
Alley's Performance Makes "David's Mother" Worthwhile!

David's Mother
Starring: Kirstie Alley , Sam Waterston , Stockard Channing , Michael A. Goorjian , and Chris Sarandon
Director: Robert Allan Ackerman
Manufacturer: Trinity Home Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0001WTVCK
Release Date: 2004-05-04

Customer Reviews:

Ten Stars.......2006-01-27

My friend has a severely disabled son. Upon seeing David's Mother, she remarked, "This is my life!" She urged me to see the film. Now I am highly recommending it to anyone who has experience with or interest in autism or disabled children. Any parent or educator would benefit richly from this film as well.

David's Mother is about a single mother named Sally (Kirstie Alley) who takes care of her teenage autistic son, David (Michael Goorjan). Her husband has left her and her daughter is estranged because they felt Sally has cheated them by leaving them to fend for themselves emotionally and physically because she lives for her son. Sally's sister (Stockard Channing) has pulled Sally's teeth to go on a date with John (Sam Waterson). Despite Sally's best efforts to be as unpleasant as possible, John likes her. A determined social worker (Philicia Rashad) is warning David's mother that she can not try to fool the system any longer. Her son must be enrolled in a program for developmentally disabled children.

Kirstie Alley gives an amazing and heartfelt performance of a mother who believe she is the only one who can take care of David and understand him. Alley won an Emmy for her portrayal.

The acting is tremendous all around. I could not stop watching this film - I was completely mesmerized.

Mixed Feelings after viewing David's Mother.......2004-10-20

David's Mother is portrayed by Kirstie Alley as Sally Goodson. The best actor in this movie is Michael Goorjian in the role of David Goodson. Stockard Channing is known as Bea, sister to Sally. It was never mentioned who was the eldest of the girls, but Bea took on a concerned role for her sister.

The movie started in the grocery store as Sally and David were shopping. A little girl was following them around gawking at David and his hand movements in the store. At one point Sally made a remark to the girl. Sally talked to David while in the store, although he seemed to be coming out of his skin and in deep distress during the trip.

My first reaction was why did he not have something in his hands to occupy himself and make the trip less intense. He appeared to be a teenager, and it was not known until the end that his age was sixteen. Through flashbacks we see David as young as five. I thought after so many years dealing with the disability some preparation was in order for community activities. A fidget toy or item could have helped David self regulate his behaviors, instead he was seen twisting his hands and moving about awkwardly.

David's Mother would have been better had they explored the family relationship from an earlier time instead of back and forth with then and now shots. Phylicia Rashad has a small role portraying a Social Services worker who is trying to raise two children after her husband left her. This is about the only thing these two women have in common. One brief funny moment was on the streets of New York.

They did not delve into this situation that brought Gladys to their house. It was briefly mentioned that Sally had to have David in either a special school or an institution, or the State would take him away. The way this was handled was insulting to special education children and those with special needs.

Over the years of caring for David Sally had hardened. First her husband left due to his feelings of neglect and jealousy over David, next her daughter Susan at sixteen headed for California to live with her father and his new wife. One of the flashbacks showed Phil and Susan coming home from a school play that Sally did not attend. A baby sitter had cancelled at the last minute and she had no one to care for David.

The writers of David's Mother really missed key chances to spotlight autism in a more conducive manner with the lacking of therapy and communication items. Sally was agitated with John teaching David how to insert a video and adamant that he cannot do anything. While they are arguing at various times she again flashbacks to similar arguments with Phil. It gets to the point where the viewer gets confused again with which scene we are watching.

There is definitely a pattern with all those who become involved with Sally. While she does appear to spend almost every waking moment with David, it does not seem to be in a very loving manner. The only time you see her hold his hand when they are walking is when someone else is around.

There are some real tear jerker moments in the movie. That could be more relevant for me as the parent to two kids on the autism spectrum. While it is never mentioned, David does have a form of autism.

One confusing aspect of David's Mother was how Bea would tell Sally about her daughter Susan, how she was getting married and also pregnant. The only contact the viewer sees of Susan and Sally is through flashbacks, yet Sally mentions to John she has phone conversations with Susan and was not invited to the wedding. There was no chemistry between John and Sally, they did not appear to be a suitable match. had issues with the role Phylicia Rashad was playing, this did not seem accurate and it was hard to tell what time period this was suppossed to be, even though it aired in 1994.

David's Mother really missed key issues like therapy, communication and involvement with teachers in the portrayal of David's autistic character. By not even mentioning the exact diagnosis made it seem like a bad word to even utter. I find these movies a learning experience as a parent to see what the media is using to portray those on the autism spectrum, as well as what the general public views and may interpret as the norm for families raising kids with autism.

The ending was surprising and difficult to watch.

Excellent TV movie........2004-06-07

"David's Mother" is a superior TV movie in which Kirstie Alley stars as a dpressed single mother of a mentally challenged teenage son in Manhattan. Stockard Channing has a very good supporting role as Kirstie's sister, who tries to play matchmaker for Kirstie.
It's good to see a good-quality female-driven TV movie get released on DVD. I wish they'd release Kirstie's other terrific TV movies on DVD- like "Suddenly" in which she plays a waitress who gets hit by a bus, and "Family Sins", in which she teaches her foster kids how to shoplift. They also need to release Stockard Channing's extraordinary TV movie "The Matthew Sheppard Story" on DVD.

Alley's Performance Makes "David's Mother" Worthwhile!.......2003-08-22

This film aired on CBS the same year as Bette Midler's "Gypsy" Miss M and Ms. Alley were both nominated for an EMMY in the Best Actress catagory. Kirstie Alley took home the award! In my heart I wanted Bette to win but, I can see why Kirstie won! Not just because this is the type of role that usually wins an actress an EMMY but, because Ms. Alley brings something fresh to to an already overused made for TV formula! A much put upon mother rises above her station in life and realizes what is best for herself and her family. In the hands of another actress the role of Sally Goodman (Kirstie Alley) would be 92 minutes of long faces and heavy sighs! Instead we see a full human being beyond even what the writer could have thought! The script (written by Bob Randall based on his play "David's Mother") is filled with emotion that is all carried by the mother and well, David (Michael Goorjian in his EMMY winning performance) who doesn't speak one word yet speaks volumes with his silence. However, many of David's scenes are destroyed by lingering close-ups which make us (the viewer) pitty and in most cases laugh at David. I think this could have been avoided if the director had chosen the cut from David's reactions sooner. The director David Allan Ackerman who so brilliantly directed "Me & My Shadows: Life With Judy Garland" seems out of his eliment here. The film is very heavy-handed! The supporting cast Sam Waterston as the to good to be true boyfriend, Stockard Channing as the concerned older sister, Chris Sarandon as the cowardly ex-husband and Phylcia Rashad as the do-gooder social worker serve no other purpose than to react to the main characters. These are excellent actors and they are given no moments of their own to shine. That's another problem with the script as well as the direction.
The DVD contains no special features other than Full screen, scene selection & digitally mastered.
Excellent picture quality for a low cost DVD
Overall, not a bad film, just flawed! No fault though of the very talented cast. The fault lies firmly in the hands of the film makers! The performance of Kirstie Alley make it worth the price of the DVD! It's worth a look!

Average customer rating:

Creepy, Weird, "A different type of Horror"
ALICE IN FUNGILAND
Be Careful of Growing Things Indoors
Intelligent Sci-Fi
For Sci Fi Lovers Only

Habitat
Starring: Balthazar Getty , Tchéky Karyo , Alice Krige , Kenneth Welsh , and Laura Harris (II)
Director: Rene Daalder
Manufacturer: Allumination
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00008HCCB
Release Date: 2003-08-05

Description

Planet Earth's worst nightmares have come true. When a brilliant but obsessed scientist, Hank Symes moves to a new town, his radical biology experiments transform a suburban house into a terrifying living creature. His plans for accelerated evolution spiral out of control and Symes and his family mutate as their house begins breathing, oozing and threatening anyone who enters. Mother Nature has never been so lethal as she takes revenge on the people who abuse her. Welcome to their living hell.

Customer Reviews:

Creepy, Weird, "A different type of Horror".......2007-02-06

Very interesting, well written, sensual, and very well directed.
Gives a take on the environment and how nature can take control of humans.

Very enjoyable in very weird sort of way!

Enjoy!

John

ALICE IN FUNGILAND.......2004-09-04

It amazes me that so many reviewers rate a movie on