A Dance to the Music of Time

Amazon.com

There'll always be an England--and Anglophiles shall be forever grateful. A Dance to the Music of Time is a sumptuous, leisurely portrait of a time in Britain's history (from the 1920s to the '60s) that epitomizes the pinnacle of romance. At the center of this Dance is Nicholas Jenkins, the narrator of the tales of intrigue, infidelity, queer friendships, and ruthless ambition that intersect throughout the series. Jenkins is played by the appealing James Purefoy, who, with starring turns in the likes of the film Vanity Fair and the HBO series Rome, clearly has not met a period drama he could not master. Flawed but clear-eyed, Jenkins observes the machinations of the upper crust from a bit of a remove, as if watching a play unfold.

And unfold it does. The plot is far too intricate to encapsulate, and in the end, plot isn't the appeal of British drawing-room dramas, anyway. Instead, it's the evocation of a time bound by intricate, unspoken rules--which participants seem to spend as much time and furtive energy trying to break as they do abiding by them. Notable characters include the greasy Widmerpool (played by the BAFTA-winning Simon Russell Beale), who, despite being utterly unremarkable, manages to build quite a career in the British government and military. John Gielgud is riveting as the novelist St. John Clarke, whose books are wildly popular but sniffed at by serious critics, and Miranda Richardson is the devilish Pamela Flitton.

The miniseries bears more than a passing resemblance to the much-beloved Brideshead Revisited, and in fact the cast of characters is so complex that the boxed set includes a "cheat sheet" guide to the most prominent 15 of them. But keeping tabs is less important than simply being swept into the lush period of time and allowing its gorgeous details wash over the viewer. For Anglophiles, the experience of watching A Dance to the Music of Time is truly transcendent. --A.T. Hurley

Description

"Performances and cameos by virtually every classy act in British theatre" -- Vanity Fair

A brilliant adaptation of a literary masterpiece -- often compared to the landmark miniseries Brideshead Revisited in scope and impact -- A Dance to the Music of Time chronicles a half century of British upper-class life through the eyes of protagonist Nicholas Jenkins (James Purefoy, Rome). From the 1920s through the 1960s, friendship, adultery, ambition, and failure play out against the backdrop of London's social, political, and artistic life.

Based on the 12-novel cycle by Anthony Powell called "the absolute quintessence of Englishness," and adapted by Emmy®- and BAFTA-winner Hugh Whitemore (My House in Umbria, The Gathering Storm, Breaking the Code), the lavish eight-hour drama debuted in the U.K in 1997 to critical and popular acclaim. Also starring Miranda Richardson, Edward Fox, John Gielgud, Alan Bennett, John Standing, Zoë Wanamaker, Eileen Atkins, and Simon Russell Beale, who won a BAFTA for his portrayal of the owlish and viciously ambitious Widmerpool.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE character guide, photo gallery, Anthony Powell bio, and cast filmographies.

Customer Reviews:

OUTSTANDING once you get through Disc One!.......2007-09-13

This is perhaps my favorite set of novels. Given that, I was very skeptical as to the dramatization of Powell's 12 book "cycle." It is brilliant! HOWEVER: since there are at least 20 personae to keep up with, Disc One is almost entirely squib outlines. Think of these as random memories from Nick Jenkin's youth that are robustly completed in the series' remaining five and a half hours. For an additional bonus, read the books afterward - they are perhaps the best use of the written English vocabulary. Pullulate and palimpsest - what great words!

Brilliant adaptation.......2007-08-05

A Dance to the Music of Time is a series of twelve novels by the English author Anthony Powell, a fictionalized version of his own life that invites comparisons to Proust's In Search of Lost Time. The running time of seven hours for the adaptation, therefore, is not surprising given the enormous scope of the project, which charts the life of its semi-autobiographical protagonist, Nick Jenkins, from his schoolboy days through to his old age in the burgeoning cultural revolution of the 1960s. This series was first shown on TV in 1997 when I was living in Australia, and so I have had the opportunity to watch it three times already. I can therefore say with some authority that this is perhaps the best literary adaptation that I have ever seen. The first episode can be a little off-putting, as characters seem to keep bumping into each other at random, but you soon realize that this is not a silly device on the part of the novelist, but an accurate reflection of the incestuous nature of the upper class in England at this time (or really, any time). The production is sumptuous, and the acting is universally good. Stand out performances include Simon Russell Beale, the victim/villain of the piece (he will be fixed in my mind forever as the definite image of Widmerpoole) and, coming later in the series, Miranda Richardson in brilliant form as Pamela Flitton, a twisted maneater. Richardson, who too often gets cast in shrill, nasty roles, is in top form here, chewing up the scenery with seductive viciousness. You don't really need to read the novels to follow what is going on (although I recommend them highly), and the first episode, simply because it has to set everything up, demands a certain level of attention. But overall I love this adaptation, and I'm glad that I can finally own it on DVD.

Though (of necessity) considerably abbreviated..........2007-07-30

Still a wonderful adaptation of the novels. In my view, far more successful than the BBC's attempt at "Brideshead" almost a decade earlier.

Average customer rating:

Greatest love story of all time!
Very teen-friendly
A gotta have
Authentic!
Romeo and Juliet

Romeo & Juliet
Starring: Leonard Whiting , Olivia Hussey , John McEnery , Milo O'Shea , and Pat Heywood (II)
Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 0792165055
Release Date: 2000-05-23

Amazon.com

Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet was unique in its day for casting kids in the play's pivotal roles of, well, kids. Seventeen-year-old Leonard Whiting and 15-year-old Olivia Hussey play the titular pair, the Bard's star-crossed lovers who defy a running feud between their families in order to be together in love. Typically played on stage and in previous film productions by adult actors, the innocent look and rawness of Whiting and Hussey resonated at the time with a burgeoning youth movement from San Francisco to Prague. The tragic romance at the center of the story also clicked with anti-authority sentiments, but even without that, Zeffirelli scores points by validating the ideals and passions of strong-willed adolescents. Less successful are scenes requiring the actors to have a fuller grasp of the text, though the best thing going remains the unambiguous duel between Romeo and Tybalt (Michael York). Lavishly photographed by Pasquale de Santis on location in Italy, this Romeo and Juliet brought a different tone and dimension to a story that had become tiresome in reverential presentations. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Greatest love story of all time!.......2007-08-21

I've seen this movie so many times and never get tired of watching it, again and again and again ... Believe it or not, one's life is controled by Destiny. No matter how hard we try to fight against it, Destiny (or Fate) still conquers and decides our life! Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey are like born to portray, respectively, Romeo and Juliet, the greatest couple blinded by the doomed word "Love". Their love story is even enhanced by great music and marvelous costumes. This movie is true piece of arts!

Very teen-friendly.......2007-07-25

My class loved the movie and asked for a second viewing. Superb! sparked a lot of discussion.

A gotta have.......2007-07-25

The only reason I gave this 5 stars is there is no provision for 6.

Authentic!.......2007-07-13

My sister was a teenager when this movie was made, I was pre-elementary, but I remember the impact it had on her generation. As my own daughter approaches high school and the reading of this work, I found this to be the most closely authentic portrayal, in both language and setting. The mood of this film transports the viewer back hundreds of years, allowing you to bask in the poetic discourse of how we imagine Shakespeare's days. Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting are still as attractive and suited for the roles of the passionate pair; my daughter thought Whiting was as hunky as her generation's beau, Zac Efron.

Romeo and Juliet.......2007-06-28

My favorite version of this oft-filmed classic is Zeffirelli's Oscar-nominated version. Starring two unknowns in the title roles (17-year-old Whiting and 15-year-old Hussey), the movie remains true to Shakespeare, while making the language more accessible to modern audiences. Both Michael York (as Romeo's nemesis, Tybalt) and Milo O'Shea (as Mercutio) lend strong support, while Zeffirelli's unabashed romanticism is enhanced by magnificent period detail and a sweeping score from Nino Rota. The story of youthful rebellion also spoke to basic issues arising in the restive sixties. A top-notch rendering of an eternal classic.

Average customer rating:

Sweet and wonderful story
Sweet, Funny, Feel Good
Sweet
Country mouse moves to city and becomes city mouse
Not one for a chick flick...but

Sweet Home Alabama
Starring: Reese Witherspoon , Josh Lucas , Patrick Dempsey , Candice Bergen , and Mary Kay Place
Director: Andy Tennant
Manufacturer: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
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ASIN: B00007E2F5
Release Date: 2003-02-04

Amazon.com

As formulaic, utterly inoffensive romantic comedies go, Sweet Home Alabama could be better, and could be worse. It's a variant of Julia Roberts's Something to Talk About, with all the same strengths and weaknesses, and Reese Witherspoon is definitely its saving grace. As an Alabama country girl turned hot New York fashion designer, Witherspoon finds the genuine emotions hidden under a blandly familiar plot, making her character's romantic indecisiveness seem not only credible but disarmingly appealing. She's just agreed to marry the Camelot-bred son (Patrick Dempsey) of New York's no-nonsense mayor (Candice Bergen), but first she has to officially divorce the husband (Josh Lucas) she left behind years earlier... only to discover that their love is stronger than ever. The rest, of course, is a foregone conclusion, but with a sharp supporting cast and a few charming moments, Sweet Home Alabama will satisfy anyone who prefers safe, reassuring entertainment. --Jeff Shannon

Description

This delightfully entertaining romantic comedy stars Reese Witherspoon (LEGALLY BLONDE) as sophisticated Melanie Carmichael, a rising New York clothing designer who suddenly finds herself engaged to the city's most eligible bachelor. But this is no fairy tale romance for Melanie. She has skeletons in her fashion-filled closet that include Jake -- the backwoods husband she married in high school who refuses to divorce her. Determined to end their marriage and sever all ties with her past once and for all, Melanie returns to Alabama. But home starts to tug at her heartstrings, and what she thought she wanted may not be what she wants at all.

Customer Reviews:

Sweet and wonderful story.......2007-07-30

This is a great movie that tells a wonderful story. Reese Witherspoon is a wonderful actress and Josh Lucas is also great in this movie. If you fellas out there want a movie that is not necessarily a "chick flick" but just a funny, All-American tale set in the modern day then you should check out Sweet Home Alabama, I personally feel this film has something for everyone. It is nice because it is void of foul language so it is really great for the whole family.

Sweet, Funny, Feel Good.......2007-07-01

Looking for a feel good movie? Here's one. Sweet Home Alabama is just that, sweet.

Sweet.......2007-06-08

Josh is to cute for words - I would pick him every time. I think it would have been better if they kept in the other parts of the film that you can see in the outtakes - it makes it flow better.

Country mouse moves to city and becomes city mouse.......2007-05-23

This movie is your typical country mouse moves to city and becomes city mouse. City mouse goes back to the country and is very "ashamed" of the country where it orginally came from. What makes this story different is the "romantic" side of the city mouse and the realization that the city mouse really isn't a city mouse at all, she is still a country mouse inside her heart. What I really liked about this movie in a whole is the slow realization that one must be honest in one's life to really achieve happiness with one's self and others around them. I don't mean to stand on a "soap box", but this is a story that is very hard hitting in that fact. The story is well acted and presented in a way that you don't quiet know what is coming next. See this movie if you want some laughs and have some good fun. I highly recommend this movie to all comedy fans of all ages.

Not one for a chick flick...but.......2007-05-20

I watched this primarily because of Reese Witherspoons portrayal of June Carter Cash in Walk the Line. Here in Sweet Home Alabama, she is a country girl turned city girl, who is forced to return to her roots in order to get a divorce from her husband that she hasn't seen in 7 years so she could marry another.

But in so doing, she finds that the past life she had been embarrased about wasn't so bad. Forced to slow down, she rediscovers herself, and finds out what true love is all about.

After it was over, it made me want to move from the city to some small town like what I grew up in.

Another show like this one is Doc Hollywood with Michael J. Fox. If you liked one you'll like the other.

Average customer rating:

Friendship redefined
Intense and disturbing....
You can't make a good movie with a bad book
JUDI AND CATE MAKE A GREAT TEAM
What's hotter than an old dike...

Notes on a Scandal
Starring: Judi Dench , Cate Blanchett , Tom Georgeson , Michael Maloney , and Joanna Scanlan
Director: Richard Eyre
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
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ASIN: B000NIVJFY
Release Date: 2007-04-17

Amazon.com

Gold stars to all for this taut psychological thriller based on Zoe Heller's novel that that gets more insidiously twisted as it unfolds. Oscar-nominated for her chilling performance, Dame Judi Dench gives a master class as schoolteacher Barbara Covett, a frumpy, friendless, and flinty spinster who lives with her cat. A formidable presence, Barbara is standoffish with colleagues and not one for students to trifle with (not that they'd dare). Cate Blanchett, also an Oscar nominee and winner of several critics society awards for her impassioned performance, costars as Sheba Hart, the new, overwhelmed art teacher who first becomes enthrall to Barbara after she steps in to help Sheba discipline unruly students. Barbara cultivates a friendship, and insinuates herself into Sheba's chaotic life, which includes her older husband (Bill Nighy), teenage daughter, and a son with Down's syndrome. Then, Barbara catches the reckless Sheba in a compromising position with a 15-year-old student (Andrew Simpson). Seizing her opportunity, the calculating Barbara does not turn her in. Rather, she wants to "help" her. "She's the one I've been waiting for," she writes in the journals she meticulously keeps, and which provide, in voiceover, her corrosive commentary. This all sounds very Fatal Attraction, but no boiling rabbits, please; we're British. Philip Glass's Oscar-nominated score accentuates the growing menace. Though there is little in these characters to admire, (one would think GLAAD would have something to say about the predatory turn Barbara's character takes), Notes on a Scandal is a compelling tour-de-force for its Grade-A cast. --Donald Liebenson

Notes on a Scandal Extras

Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench on their characters in the film

Beyond Notes on a Scandal

Book to Movie Adaptations
More Cate Blanchett Films
What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandal: A Novel

Stills from Notes on a Scandal

Description

Academy Award(r) winners Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett give wickedly entertaining, Oscar-nominated performances * ? one as a woman consumed by her colleague's guilty secret, the other, a victim to her own dark obsessions ? in this sexy, stylish thriller. Dench mesmerizes as Barbara Covett, a teacher who rules over her classroom with an iron fist, yet leads a desperate, solitary life outside it. That is, until she meets radiant new art teacher Sheba Hart (Blanchett). Although at first overjoyed with her newfound kindred spirit, when Barbara discovers that Sheba is having an affair with a teenage student, her jealously and rage spiral out of control.

Customer Reviews:

Friendship redefined.......2007-09-12

I was looking forward to this film for the sheer treat of having Judy Dench and Cate Blanchett act together. This film is interesting exploration on human relationships, desires and hurt humans are capable on inflicting to each other. We encouter Sheeba, new high school teacher who seems to have it all: she is married, beautiful and artistic with a possibility of starting a new teaching career after staying at home to raise her son. But then, we learn that her life is not a perfect one: she is married to an older man and the intensity of their relationship is wearing off with her. Her teenage daughter has typical teenage problems (boyfriend anyone?), while her son requires constant attention due to his Down Syndrome. In all that pressure, Sheeba succumbs to the seemingly worry free relationship with the high school student - young, handsome and amazingly manipulative. And as these events are unrevelling, Judy Dench's character seems to see an end to her loneliness. Under pretense to be a friend, comforting colleague on her slippery slope of self-destruction, she is naively plotting to lure Sheeba into relationshiop, only to find out that feelings are one sided. And that is here is all falls to pieces. I would say that while seemingly unremarkable, this is a true story of everyday people's lives. It is a true description of all of our transgressions and how easy it is for all of us to find justificaitons for our own actions. Also the moral of the story - if you are looking to confide to anyone, find a good psychotherapist, your friends and colleagues will find a way to "jump" you for all the petty reasons they can come up with should you be foolish enough to confide to them.

Intense and disturbing...........2007-08-22

My husband brought the DVD home with the warning that "Notes on a Scandal" was supposed to be an intense and disturbing film. Disturbing it was indeed, but not in the way I thought it would be. I assumed that a plot involving a teacher's "affair" with a teenage pupil would be overwhelmed by the unsavory aspect of that dangerous liaison. While events do turn upon the sordid, ill-fated dalliance, it is shown to be the unappealing result of mental aberration on the part of Cate Blanchett's character "Sheba." Sheba is drawn into the affair because she is basically undisciplined and used to living a free life, although she has tried to be a devoted mother to the best of her ability. But when boredom and unhappiness overwhelm her, she is bereft of resources.

The other dangerous relationship in the film is the emotional obsession that an older teacher, Babara Covett, magnificently played by Judi Dench, develops over Sheba. It reminded me of a saying of St Francis de Sales: "There are many virgins in hell, but there are no humble people in hell." With all the overemphasis on the physical, we forget that there are other sins besides those of the flesh, and that pride and covetousness can also lead a soul down the primrose path. Barbara's determination to monopolize Sheba's affections is in many ways as insidious and dangerous as any carnal misbehavior.

Barbara (Dench) is a dedicated teacher who with one word can restore order in a classroom. Her amazing competence and intellectual superiority lead her to despise the world. She is a misanthrope worthy of Scrooge, yet the witty and brilliant reflections as recorded in her secret diary are chillingly amusing. Unfortunately, she has a habit of forming inordinate attachments to other, younger women, attachments which she erroneously idealizes as being spiritual friendships. True friendship has little to do with it, however. Barbara resents Sheba's family and when Sheba puts her children first, only then does Barbara report Sheba's criminal actions.

"Notes on a Scandal" is a revealing glimpse into the souls of two women, each narcissistic and possessed by different brands of lust. Rarely has real love been so starkly contrasted with inordinate affections as in director Richard Eyre's modern yet timeless melodrama.

You can't make a good movie with a bad book.......2007-08-21

Well, I haven't read the book, but it's probably airport trash. Barbara "Covett"? Bathsheba "Hart"? Steven "CONnelly"? We're talking Joan Collins level, or a bodice ripper that Fabio is on the cover of. I'm amazed that two great actors would find anything to give of themselves to this exploitative, prurient stupidity. Only in terms of taboo breaking does this film have any impact. Cate Blanchett makes out with a 16 year old, and Judi Dench is a vampiric,creepy,aging lesbian. Both are teachers at an English high school and Dench lures the confused Blanchett into a bizarre relationship using her knowldge of Cate's teen tryst as leverage. I don't know if these actors are stretching their boundaries or naive, or both, but if you like a good train wreck, oh, baby, is this the right flick for you.

JUDI AND CATE MAKE A GREAT TEAM.......2007-08-20

This movie showcases the superb acting talents of Dame Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett. Ms. Dench is very creepy, very convincing as a chronically lonely, manipulative lesbian. I've seen better acting from Cate Blanchett but even her worst acting is better than what you can expect from most actresses. Bill Nighy also turns in a convincing performance as the cuckholded husband.

I did not find this movie shocking in its content or disturbing, although I cannot understand how a grown woman can find a spindly, scrawny boy sexually appealing. Ms. Dench's acting is what disturbed me. She reminds me of a spider in a web, patiently waiting to ensnare her prey. As a lonely, bitter spinster she successfully runs off every person she befriends with her "intensity". She is obsessive, possessive, grabbing, clawing, but her prey doesn't see it coming. If you appreciate great performances by great actresses, I highly recommend this movie. Dame Dench's performance is one you will not soon forget.

The only reason I gave this movie two stars is because I reserve five stars for movies that move me on an emotional and intellectual level, which this movie did not. I don't believe it was supposed to. Some movies are for entertainment purpose alone, and this is one. Nothing wrong with that. It will definitely entertain you.

What's hotter than an old dike..........2007-08-20

This film is one of those that deals with many so called taboos in our very puckered up butt cheek culture. Sex with minors and homosexuality. The movie was utterly believable and entertaining with stealer acting by dame Judi Dench who plays an old, doughtering lesbian that longs for companionship and possibly a bit more. She has her sights set on friend and colleague Cate Blanchett. There is a twisted love triangle...well kinda a trapezoid actually, anyway you get the idea, I love you, she lusts me, this person only likes this person as a friend sort of thing. The story is superbly written for the screen and the two main characters are fleshed out so well they are reminiscent of people you once knew or still know. The film don't go too far over the top and has lots of little plot twists that keep you glued to your little lazy boy wondering if this old lesbo is ever gonna score. I recommend this film for any fan of Dame Dench or adult themed movies. The only criticism I have for this film is the score was rather annoying at times when I rather thought the acting didn't need a music bed to come off dramatic.

Average customer rating:

An entertaining albeit gruesome movie
Good Movie
Delicious Gothic Feast
Good goth flick
A Classic Tale Reimagined...

Sleepy Hollow
Starring: Johnny Depp , Christina Ricci , Miranda Richardson , Michael Gambon , and Casper Van Dien
Director: Tim Burton
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 0792164903
Release Date: 2000-05-23

Amazon.com

The films of Tim Burton shine through the muck like a jack-o-lantern on a foggy October night. After such successes as The Nightmare Before Christmas and Edward Scissorhands, it should come as no surprise that Sleepy Hollow is a dazzling film, a delicious reworking of Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Dark and moody, the film is a thrilling ride back to the turn of the 19th century. Johnny Depp stars as Ichabod Crane, a seemingly hapless constable from New York City who is sent to the small town of Sleepy Hollow to solve the mystery of the decapitations that are plaguing the town. Crane is a bumbling sort, with a tremendous faith in science over mysticism, and he comes up against town secrets, bewitching women, and a number of bodies missing heads. Christina Ricci, as beautiful as ever, is Katrina Van Tassel, the offbeat love interest who alternately charms and frightens Crane.

The film, while occasionally gory (as one should expect from a movie about a headless horseman), is not terribly frightening, although it is suspenseful. Both Depp and Ricci are convincing, and the art direction and production values give the village its harsh feel. Toward the end, once the secrets are revealed, the film does slow down; however, this stylistic horror film provides many tricks and even more treats. --Jenny Brown

Customer Reviews:

An entertaining albeit gruesome movie.......2007-09-10

This was the first Tim Burton movie that I have ever watched before. I saw it a couple of months ago. I still remember it, so it made quite an impression on me.

The casting was impressive. Not just the leading roles, but the supporting ones as well. Johnny Depp's character was really eccentric in this movie. It was such a huge change from his pirates movies. I did not know if he could pull it off and be convincing or not. He was, I'll admit. Christina Ricci did an excellent job in this movie. She has grown into a talented and underrated actress over the years. The setting, the sets, and the period costumes were perfect. The location chosen looked authentic and creepy.

However, the star of this movie was the score by Danny Elfman. It is an essential part of the movie. It is a creepy heart pounding adventure that stands alone. I liked the movie, but I absolutely loved the score. I purchased it from Amazon the very next day.

I highly recommend that you purchase both this movie and the score from Amazon, before the Halloween rush. :)

Good Movie.......2007-08-24

If you can wade through Icabod's dreams about his mom, it is really a very good movie. A good mix of Police Files meets Night Gallery (sorry you young ones can't relate). Not overly graphic in terms of todays slasher flicks. A good spooky movie.

Delicious Gothic Feast.......2007-08-04

This movie has some of Johnny Depp's most loveable moments as an idiosyncratic lead actor. It also provides an 18th century New England fantasy world you will love to get lost in. I adore it. I don't think anything else Tim Burton has done can top it (though others are equally satisfying like The Corpse Bride or Edward Scissorhands).

Good goth flick.......2007-06-13

I like this movie. The atmospherics are awesome, the director is awesome, Jonny Depp is in it...

A Classic Tale Reimagined..........2007-05-26

1999's "Sleepy Hollow" is Director Tim Burton's excellent reimagining of the classic Washington Irving fairy tale. Johnny Depp steals the movie as Ichabod Crane, in this version a New York City police constable with new-fangled and unwelcome investigative techniques who is exiled to Sleepy Hollow by an unhappy magistrate (Christopher Lee in a spot-on cameo). Crane arrives in Sleepy Hollow (authentically portrayed as a post-American Revolution farming community) to find a string of unsolved murders attributed to the headless but ambulatory corpse of a Hessian soldier.

Crane finds also a town full of intrigues and mysterious goings-on, which he will patiently unravel with the help of Katrina Van Tassel (nicely played by Christina Ricci) who turns out to have secrets of her own. A solid supporting cast helps carry the movie.

Burton lays on an escalating series of horrible murders, each with supernatural overtones, that challenge both the investigative techniques and the rational beliefs of Ichabod Crane. Each such scene is nicely creepy without overindulging the gore. As it turns out, a genuine horror has been unleashed in Sleepy Hollow. The betrayal of the long-deal Hessian is at the heart of his current incarnation as a killer. Ichabod will have to dealt with his own bitter experience with witchcraft in order to identify the guilty and save the innocent.

This movie is highly recommended to those looking for an entertaining and well-executed update of a classic fairly tale, featuring fine direction and excellent if sometimes campy acting.

Average customer rating:

Wonderful movie, so-so Blu-ray
Dont Buy Sleepy Hollow Blu-Ray--Poor Resolution
Beautiful movie with beautiful picture and sound...
A Fun Tim Burton Film, Great In High Def, Blu-Ray!!!

Sleepy Hollow [Blu-ray]
Starring: Alun Armstrong , Johnny Depp , Michael Gambon , Michael Gough , and Richard Griffiths
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

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ASIN: B000I0QM0E
Release Date: 2006-09-26

Product Description

Master storyteller Tim Burton (Batman, Edward Scissorhands) weaves an eerie, enchanting version of this classic tale of horror. Johnny Depp is Ichabod Crane, an eccentric investigator determined to stop the murderous Headless Horseman. Christina Ricci is Katrina Van Tassel, the beautiful and mysterious girl with secret ties to the supernatural terror.

DVD Features:

Commentary with Director Tim Burton

Exclusive "Behind the Legend" Featurette

Exclusive Cast & Crew Interviews

Selected Cast Biographies

Photo Gallery

Sleepy Hollow Theatrical Trailer #1

Sleepy Hollow Theatrical Trailer #2

System Requirements:
Running Time: 105 mins

Format: BLU-RAY DISC

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful movie, so-so Blu-ray.......2007-08-21

Blu-ray holds such promise, and this disc fails to deliver on it. Granted it was one of the earliest titles, but as mentioned it is grainy, and the colors don't exactly pop and sometimes it seems darker than it is probably supposed to be. I did not do a direct comparison with the DVD which I used to own, and while overall it is probably better looking due to increased details, i.e. you really see people's lines in their faces, etc., I'd suggest waiting until the re-do this and do it right unless you just must have it. Sounds good, but doesn't have the latest in audio either, such as an uncompressed track. It's also a 25GB, which is pointless when all Blu-rays with content of this length should be 50GB.

Dont Buy Sleepy Hollow Blu-Ray--Poor Resolution.......2007-06-10

Simply put, my Sleepy Hollow DVD looks better than the Blu-Ray version I purchased. Very grainy and poor res. Playing on PS# with Samsung 52" LCD 1080p.

Beautiful movie with beautiful picture and sound..........2007-02-11

As a child I was familiar with the headless horseman. Although I never remember the ghost being so homicidal. This movie is rated R although much of the content is not so terribly inappropriate. Of course it can be violent at times with the death scenes overall this is an excellent tale. The story is not overloaded and is easy to understand so I would think children would enjoy it. Tim Burton helped recreate this tale but not in a horrific way. The sound is excellent and the visuals are all that more beautiful on BluRay.

The story takes place during the turn of the century in New York. Johnny Depp who plays Crane does so very well. The acting is excellent in this tale Burton seems to recreate this time very well. Clothing, architechture, and even language seems to be in sync with the year 1799. I have watched many of Burtons films and was happy to see his use of imagery. Although like most of Burtons films they are dark. The movie has some wonderful scenes but doesn't seem to keep me on the edge of my seat.

If you haven't seen this wonderful film or are curious to watch it on BluRay I would say it's excellent. The quality is not as great as newer movies but in general it still looks great. Good enough to see every detail on Depps face.

A Fun Tim Burton Film, Great In High Def, Blu-Ray!!!.......2006-10-02

While this isn't Tim Burton's best, but it is still a Very, very good, Very FUN movie!
And this Blu-Ray high def version looks absolutely great. A HUGE improvement over the standard release DVD version!
I would call this a must have for your Blu-Ray DVD collection whether you are a Tim Burton fan, or just enjoy a good tongue in cheek gothic scare-fest. Perfect film for Halloween!

Average customer rating:

Great Movie
A Must-See
The Wizard
Very good 80's comedy-drama!
the wizrad

The Wizard
Starring: Luke Edwards , Vince Trankina , Wendy Phillips , Dea McAllister , and Sam McMurray
Director: Todd Holland
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000FVQLM0
Release Date: 2006-08-22

Amazon.com

Less raunchy than Tommy and more conventional than Tron, The Wizard also revolves around gaming. There's even a Bridges on board. In Tron it was Jeff, in The Wizard it's Beau. As opposed to the rock opera's pinball-playing "deaf, dumb, and blind kid," however, quasi-catatonic Jimmy (Luke Edwards) is a video game wiz. While the nine-year-old lives with his mother, half-brothers Corey (Fred Savage, circa The Wonder Years) and Nick (Christian Slater, fresh from Heathers) live with their father, Sam (Bridges). When Jimmy, who recently lost his sister, is placed in a home, Corey busts him out for a trip to California. (Today, Jimmy's condition would be labeled post-traumatic stress disorder.) As they're leaving Utah, they join forces with gaming enthusiast Haley (Rilo Kiley's Jenny Lewis), who suggests LA's National Video Game Championships. So, off they go by foot, skateboard, and the kindness of strangers. Sam, Nick, and obnoxious bounty hunter Putnam (Will Seltzer) are close behind. The outcome may be a foregone conclusion--the fractured family makes their peace--but The Wizard still offers a nostalgic, Nintendo-laden look at 1980s gamer culture (Power Glove, Super Mario Bros. 3, etc.). Plus, sharp-eyed viewers will spot Toby Maguire milling around before the showdown at Universal Studios Theme Park. If not for the hitchhiking, gambling, and reckless automotive destruction--after Putnam takes a knife to Sam's tires, Sam smashes his headlights with a shovel--the movie would be appropriate for all ages. In other words, it earns its PG rating. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Description

Fred Savage stars in this warm-hearted family adventure that features the excitement and thrills of video game competition. Corey (Savage) refuses to let his emotionally disturbed younger brother Jimmy (Luke Edwards) be institutionalized, and the two run away together. They soon join forces with a resourceful girl (Jenny Lewis), who notices that Jimmy has a special talent: he is a "wizard" at video games and gets the high score on absolutely everything he plays. Evading their parents and a sinister bounty hunter, the trio head for a climactic showdown at the video game championships in California. Co-starring Beau Bridges and Christian Slater, it's an inside look at the world of video gamers that will have you cheering the whole way.

Customer Reviews:

Great Movie.......2007-07-25

I love this movie. I use to watch it when I was younger, and have been looking for it for ever. I am glad that I found it and was able to purchase it from Amazon....Thanks......Great Movie

A Must-See.......2007-07-17

An absolute classic. I remember when this movie first debuted and was completely shocked and excited to see that it exisited on DVD... finally! Who doesn't like a movie that includes teenage romance, drama, and Nintendo (the ONLY game system) :) Definitely a must-see and "must-buy."

The Wizard.......2007-07-13

It's was just as great watching it today as it was when I watched it
15 years ago when I was 9! What a great movie!

Very good 80's comedy-drama!.......2007-06-04

13 year old Corey (Fred Savage) has a young troubled brother named Jimmy (Luke Edwards) who is about to be sent to an insitute and both run away together. Jimmy's special talent is mastering video games and together they join up with a girl (Jenny Lewis) as they must go to California to enter the video game championship.

Highly entertaining and funny comedy drama that has been considered as a 100 minute commercial for Nintendo, Universal Studios and Hostess is quite a blast to watch. The acting is good especially from Beau Bridges and Christian Slater with a cameo appearence by Tobey Mcguire, the film is notable for giving gamers a sneak preview to "Super Mario Bros. 3".

The DVD is pratically bareboned with no trailer or extras at all but that's ok cause the picture is quite good and so is the sound.

the wizrad.......2007-06-02

i was so excited to see that the wizard was on dvd. my favorite childhood film. i love it.

Average customer rating:

Charming and thoughtful
Just a great family movie!
Friendly Persuasion
Dated, Superficial, and Musically Challenged
Watch it with your children!

Friendly Persuasion
Starring: Gary Cooper , Dorothy McGuire , Anthony Perkins , Richard Eyer , and Robert Middleton
Director: William Wyler
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00004XMV9
Release Date: 2000-12-05

Description

For two years the Civil War has been elsewhere. Now Confederate forces are nearby, looting and burning. It is time to fight back, Jess Birdwell's neighbors insist. Yet Birdwell, a Quaker, knows there must be a better way to settle things.

Year: 1956

Director: William Wyler

Starring: Gary Cooper, Dorothy McGuire

Customer Reviews:

Charming and thoughtful.......2007-08-15

I remember seeing this movie on TV as a child. I just had to have a copy for my own family! FP presents a humorous, thoughtful and utterly charming look at 19th-century American Quakers. I'm presuming quite a bit of authenticity, since Jessamyn West (the author of the book by the same title) was an on-set consultant. The story presents everyday Quaker life in a delightfully humorous and respectful way. The difficult issue of non-violence based in faith (when the Civil War comes to call) is portrayed with gut-wrenching realism by the eldest son (the pre-Psycho Anthony Perkins). Gary Cooper and Dorothy McGuire are outstanding, the little boy (and a goose!) is a scene-stealer and Marjorie Main (aka Ma Kettle) is a hoot as a widow with 3 lonely love-starved daughters! A great buy for any family.

Just a great family movie!.......2007-08-04

This film has it's funny moments and its serious side. It is a portrayal of how the Quakers were different than their neighboring Methodists, and also how each man wrestles with the decision of going off to war. It is also a testimony in living what you believe in. The real "Friendly Persuasion" takes place when Josh Birdwell turns the tables on a Reb, who had the drop on him. He makes the choice of his faith.

Friendly Persuasion.......2007-08-03

Gary Coopere is one of my favorite actors. This movie shows that even a woman that is a minister cannot get the last word when it comes to organs and other things. It's a wonderful movie for the whole family.

Dated, Superficial, and Musically Challenged.......2007-07-06

Perhaps because of the period in which it was created, this film just doesn't work anymore. The Quaker theme is a serious one, yet it is portrayed in a frivolous manner. Except for Gary Cooper, the characters are not believable. But the MOST inappropriate element of the film is the Pat Boone music played ad nauseum throughout. A descendant of Indiana Quakers, I was prepared to love this movie. Alas, it was not to be.

Watch it with your children!.......2007-06-30

I saw this absolutely brilliant movie when I was 12 years old, and it left a lasting impression on me. When my children were young, we recorded the movie from a tv broadcast, and watched it numerous times as a family. So many subtle lessons and joys permeate the movie, from start to finish! Watch it with your children, and talk about it! It is a wonderful thing to share.

One thing becomes increasingly evident, the more often you watch this film: Gary Cooper is one of the greatest screen actors of all time. His comic repertoire of grimaces, twitches, and various other expressions is amazing, yet non-intrusive. He brings a simple integrity to his performance that often makes you forget you are watching an actor. Anthony Perkins is brilliant as the conflicted son. Perkins deserved Academy Awards for this performance and Psycho, and nothing will ever convince me otherwise.

Watch Cooper carefully in this role, and then watch a dramatic performance by Kevin Costner. You'll see elements of Cooper in Costner, and you'll emerge with a greater appreciation of what Cooper was able to do on screen. Cooper is clearly the master, Costner the student.

Average customer rating:

New Miss Marple Superb! Boo for stories that wander off from Ms Christie's original text!
Really awful
This series is full of suspense, spirit and hilarity. I love it.
New Marple is too young and fails to disguise herself as an amateur
Not even close to the original stories

Agatha Christie's Marple: Series 1
Starring: Geraldine McEwan , Christian Coulson , Cherie Lunghi , Robert Pugh , and Keeley Hawes
Director: John Strickland , Charles Palmer (VI) , and Andy Wilson (IV)
Manufacturer: Acorn Media
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0007Y3XRG
Release Date: 2005-05-24

Amazon.com

Miss Marple is back, and what an invigorating, happy experience this quartet of British television productions is for both mystery fans and casual viewers. The luminous Geraldine McEwan (Vanity Fair), following in the footsteps of Helen Hayes, Angela Lansbury, Margaret Rutherford, and others, essays Agatha Christie's aging, amateur sleuth as a discreet observer, knowing friend, and judicious dispenser of wisdom during murder investigations. But what really makes these crisp adaptations a delight is the endless parade of familiar actors playing those numerous suspects, baffled police, and innocent observers who routinely populate Christie's glossy, whodunit landscapes. It's hard not to be dazzled by supporting casts that include Tara Fitzgerald, Robert Powell, Simon Callow, Joanna Lumley, Ian Richardson, Jane Asher, Miriam Margolyes, Tim McInnerny, Herbert Lom, and Jenny Agutter, all nestled into gorgeous, post-World War II backdrops, usually in the English countryside.

This boxed set includes "The Murder at the Vicarage," based on Christie's 1930 book about the killing of one hugely unlikable Colonel Protheroe (Derek Jacobi) in Jane Marple's pretty home village of St. Mary Mead. Typically, there is no end of likely suspects, but what makes the investigation unusual is a pair of competing confessions from two illicit lovers (Jason Flemyng, Janet McTeer). Stephen Tompkinson (Ballykissangel) is very good as a police inspector who slowly develops admiration for Miss Marple's keen mind. "The Body in the Library" finds Marple aiding the brassy Dolly Bantry (Lumley) after the latter finds the body of an unknown woman in her library. Callow is wonderful as another cop who initially underestimates the heroine's gifts. "A Murder Is Announced," in which a killing is advertised before it happens, and "4:50 from Paddington," about a murder without a body, round out the set with imaginative plots and memorable performances. Don't miss the special featurette in which McEwan and others talk about the endless appeal of Miss Marple. --Tom Keogh

Description

She's back! Proper, demure, and sharp as a tack, Agatha Christie's beloved Miss Marple returns to the limelight in sparkling new adaptations of four classic Christie novels. Geraldine McEwan (The Magdalene Sisters, Mapp & Lucia) is the ladylike sleuth, a wispy senior citizen who blows the police professionals out of the water with her keen insight and shrewdly analytical nature. Fearless and uncommonly wise to the worst in human nature, Marple has lived a long time-and she's paid attention.

As seen on the PBS Mystery! series, these lavish 21st-century productions are rich in post-WWII period atmosphere and delicious Christie wit, with star-studded casts that include Joanna Lumley, Derek Jacobi, Tara Fitzgerald, Ian Richardson, Janet McTeer, Zok Wanamaker, Simon Callow, James Fox, John Hannah, and Celia Imrie.

The Mysteries:
Murder at the Vicarage
The Body in the Library
A Murder Is Announced
4:50 From Paddington

DVD special features include an hour-long behind-the-scenes featurette with cast and crew interviews, a history of Miss Marple adaptations, a photo gallery and more.

Customer Reviews:

New Miss Marple Superb! Boo for stories that wander off from Ms Christie's original text!.......2007-08-22

The Actress, Geraldine McEwan portraying the new episodes does a wonderful job of making the role of Miss Marple her "own"! It is with the warmest fondness we remember Joan Hickson's versions, and they are still enjoyable viewing today! Ms Hickson will forever be linked with her characterization of the spinster sleuth.
Of course there are obvious differences with both actresses portraying this famous Chrisitie detective. Geraldine McEwan gives her own talented interpretation of this character. It is an injustice to compare the two actresses in this particular case.
The most disparaging point with the latest versions is the lack of consideration for the original authors work. The writers, and producers of these new episodes have taken huge liberties. Deviating drastically from the authors original plots, storylines and characterizations.
For die-hard Agatha Chrisitie fans this is extremely disappointing and irritating. If the future episodes were produced and written in the manner Agatha Christie wrote them - They'd be "GOLDEN"

Really awful.......2007-08-21

The new Miss Marple series is truly awful. Not only is Geraldine McEwen completely miscast as the elderly spinster sleuth, but the stories themselves have been distorted to make them "politically correct" in the modern sense. The result is a confusing mess. Ms. McEwen is a fine actress and I have enjoyed her in other roles, but as Miss Marple she's a disaster. Her Miss Marple, with the little smirks and little girl voice, could hardly be described as Nemesis. Nor would she ever have gained the respect of any law enforcement professional. She's really Ms. Marple light.

If you want the real Miss Marple, read the books, or see the Joan Hickson versions. After all, Miss Hickson was Agatha Christie's own choice for the role.

This series is full of suspense, spirit and hilarity. I love it........2007-08-13

I'm an avid mystery reader who's picky about books and even pickier about films. I'm an Agatha Christie fan, but not a devotee. I have enjoyed this series immensely and would recommend it to all. I understand this production may not have stuck to the books, but viewers shouldn't be put off by this in the least.

If you're comparing this series to the older Miss Marple series, you should question what makes a good film. This series is filled with lovable characters, great acting and fun suspenseful stories. I think the majority of viewers will wish Geraldine McEwan was their Aunt Jane, and they will want to watch the rest of the series! I enjoyed the Joan Hickson (1980s Marple series) videos as well. However, they're much dryer, slower, with lesser production values and some mediocre supporting actors. Not true here.

I'd say this is a family friendly series for this point in time. Even though they are murder mysteries I would share them with kids over, say 12 years old, as good family fun. Good enough also for lovers of other PBS Mystery series (though not as hard-boiled as some).

Maybe the older Marple series were good for the 80s. Maybe they're truer to the books. But to Christie devotees who disparage these videos for that reason, I would say lighten up and remember that when stories - considered classics - are around for this long they're going to be re-interpreted. Film is a different media and, like it or not, rarely mimics precisely the text of its inspiration. Though, it's obvious I'm not someone so moved by Christie books as to worry over interpretation.

I think it ridiculous to take this new series as an affront to Christie. Quite the opposite - they should be taken as the sincerest form of flattery... and enjoyed with your family!

New Marple is too young and fails to disguise herself as an amateur.......2007-08-05

Hasn't anyone noticed that the new Miss Marple (Geraldine McEwan) is far too young for the role? They try everything in the costume and makeup department to make her look older - give her a pale, ghostly complexion, fuzzy white hair, a dowdy, pale dress to wash out her complexion even more, little round spectacles and a frumpy old hat. What is worse is her voice. She tries to sound old and crotchety, and she can't pull it off. But worst of all, she lacks the dry wit of the Marple character. She does not have the personality of Marple. The trademark quality of the Marple character is this: underneath the guise and pretense of being a bumbling, feebleminded, old woman is really a brilliant, calculated, super sleuth. The new Marple doesn't put up the facade of the bumbling, feebleminded old woman at all. Instead, she acts sassy and clever. This takes the wind out of the sail of the Marple character, because there is no building of a deception or act that she is not who she portrays herself to be. The end is when she should reveal her true capabilities of unraveling a baffling mystery, but in this series, she gives that away scene by scene during the entire movie. It is evident that she fails to portray her dotty old woman character because none of the other characters treat her like she is a nosy, old busybody who should keep to herself. Instead, they all willingly answer her questions and then act as if they care about her opinion. To add insult to injury, the other characters are all unlikable and overplay their parts. The only qualities which give the illusion that these films are good are the sets, the modern film equipment, and modern filming techniques used. Ultimately, the films lack the building the suspense in order to climax when the mystery is revealed. Instead, the mystery is finally revealed after the suspense of the film is deflated, has dragged on and you are already tired of the characters and the story.

Not even close to the original stories.......2007-07-23

I have nothing against the "new" Miss Marple, Geraldine McEwan is a great actress and a great Miss Marple but the stories are not even close to the originals ! Stories, characters, places, motives, weapons are changed ! It's enjoyable if you don't know the original! Don't use these for a book review!

Average customer rating:

Huge disappointment
A TOTAL MINDF**K
American Masterpiece
Watch with a friend in the full light of day.
Intense, but thought provoking...

Jacob's Ladder
Starring: Tim Robbins , Elizabeth Peña , Danny Aiello , Matt Craven , and Pruitt Taylor Vince
Director: Adrian Lyne
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 0784011168
Release Date: 1998-07-14

Amazon.com

Vietnam veteran Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins) thinks he is going insane. Or worse. When his nightmares begin spilling into his waking hours, Jacob believes he is experiencing the aftereffects of a powerful drug tested on him during Vietnam. Or perhaps his posttraumatic stress disorder is worse than most. Whatever is happening to him, it is not good. Director Adrian Lyne sparks our interest and maintains high production values, but this confusing film chokes on its "surprise" ending. It owes much to Ambrose Bierce's haunting and more straightforward story, "An Occurrence at Owl Creek." Written by Bruce Joel Rubin, who also explored the "other side" in Ghost and My Life, it ultimately feels like an exercise in self-indulgence. A spirited performance by Elizabeth Peña outshines Robbins, who is surprisingly lethargic. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Customer Reviews:

Huge disappointment.......2007-07-08

I had high hopes for this supposed "horror" flick. Boy, was I wrong. I love a good psychological thriller as much as the next person, but this movie didn't even qualify as that. And horror? Where? When? Heads rotating at high speed and strobe lights? Goofy-faced "demons" in cars and subway trains? Where is John Carpenter when you need him (remember Alice Cooper as a demon street bum in "Prince of Darkness" - now that's scary)?

Also, the pacing of this movie was the slowest I've seen in a long time. I kept waiting for some real chills or a little action, but nothing. It's an overlong, trite exercise in psuedo-intellectualism (remember the main character reading Camus' "The Stranger" on the subway - jeesh)? And there's also a bit of new age mysticism from Danny Aiello's character!

I don't mind giving away the ending, because I hope you won't buy this movie. The movie begins and ends in Vietnam - everything else is the flashbacks and thoughts of a dying man. But I thought he lived in a nice house, with three kids and a pretty wife. And THEN he was sent to Vietnam, where he was killed. So how can he have flashbacks about being a postal worker living with a girlfriend in a rundown apartment building? Or was he divorced, moved in with his girlfriend and THEN sent to Vietnam? It's a confusing mess.

The ending is disgraceful. If this movie had really dwelt with the horrors that some veterans face in returing home, facing demons both real and imaginary, then it would have been worth something and probably been very frightening as well.

I should have rented, I should have rented.

A TOTAL MINDF**K.......2007-06-20

One quality of a great film is it's ability to make you forget your watching a film. I still remember the first time I saw this movie, and initially I thought it was just another movie about VIETNAM. Could I have ever been more wrong!!! I was completely consumed by the story, and was totally empathetic to the character Jacob. by the end of the movie, I am not shy to say, I was weeping like a little girl. That's saying a lot because I'm not the type to become emotional while watching films.
The story starts off in 1971 during the Vietnam War; We find our main character, Jacob, hanging out with his buddies during some down time. All of the sudden they are attacked by what they think are the Viet-Kong, and needless to say, all hell breaks loose. the camera is very jerky and it's hard to see what's going on. In the ensuing chaos, Jacob is wounded. At at the moment he is wounded, he wakes up on the subway, telling us that it was just a bad dream. When he wakes, Jacob, and the viewer, get the impression that everything is not O.K.. We learn that Jacob is a very well educated man (having a P.H.D.), but after the war, is working at the local post office and living with a women he works with. We also learn that Jacob was married and had three boys; However, one died in a tragic car accident, causing him to seperate from his wife(and perhaps enlisting into the army). As the movie progresses, Jacob is slowly losing his grip on reality, having flash-backs, having paraniod feelings, and finally, having phycotic delutions to the point that he does not know what real time is. And as the viewer you don't know what real-time is either.
Some people don't like this movie, for example, I had my brother watch it and he loved it, but my sister-in-law was absolutly pissed of by the end of the movie. IT IS VERY HARD TO WATCH JACOB LOSE HIS GRIP ON REALITY. Like I said earlier, This movie pulls you in and makes you forget your watching a movie. The only words I can use to describe the end of this movie are "HAUNTINGLY BEAUTIFUL".
One problem with this movie is; when it was realesed it didn't do well in the theater and soon fell into c