The NeverEnding Story

Amazon.com essential video

Wolfgang Petersen (In the Line of Fire) made his first English-language film with this 1984 fantasy about a boy (Barret Oliver) visualizing the stories of a book he's reading. The imagined tale involves another boy, a warrior (Noah Hathaway), and his efforts to save the empire of Fantasia from a nemesis called the Nothing. Whether or not the scenario sticks in the memory, what does linger are the unique effects, which are not quite like anything else. Plenty of good fairy-tale characters and memorable scenes, and the film even encourages kids to read. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Imaginative story that keeps our child's interest.......2007-08-25

This movie is great for kids who have no problem with imagination and who like to READ. Our four-year old can get bored with some movies since they are not as good as a book (his words!) but this movie keeps his attention just fine. It does have some rather scary parts in it but nothing graphic or poor language and as long as you are watching TOGETHER and explain what is happening, there should be no problem with fright or nightmares. We bought the three-part movie series to our delight.

Neverending Enjoyment.......2007-08-24

The Neverending Story has been a perfect childhood movie since it's induction into the greatest kids' movies of all time. I've watched this movie growing up and continue to share it with the younger friends and family.

Love this movie, but where's the special treatment.......2007-08-17

This was a seminal movie for me in my childhood (along with The Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, Goonies and others) and I love it to this day. The only thing I'm disgrunteled about is it's poor treatment on DVD. I want a special edition: with a making of documentary highlighting the whole process from the actual book to the script, character sketches and concepts, set design, creature design and building, and all the goodies real film enthusiasts love to watch. And interviews! I mean, even if there is no older footage of the process of making the film can't the people responsible put something together to honor this film. Atleast a director's commentary or something. I love this film and I will continue to watch it from time to time...I just wish that the DVD editions had just a lil' bit extra for all the fans and enthusiasts of this wonderful fantasy.

Great movie.......2007-07-28

Great movie, one that you can watch over and over for many years. But if you want the full experience, you should read the book by Micheal Ende.

They don't make movies like this anymore...........2007-07-06

Remember that moment at the end of Wizard of Oz when the Good Witch tells Dorothy she's had the power to go home all along? Remember the collective "What the (BLEEP)..." from everyone watching, regardless of their age?

I had a very similar reaction when I reached the end of this movie.

That's not to say I was disappointed. Quite the contrary. It was like a slap in the face of "why didn't I think of that?" Often times the best endings are so obvious you overlook them and this movie is a testament to that fact.

That having been said it's also one of the best fantasy rides you'll ever take in 2 hours. A turtle whose shell is an island. A talking wolf. A luck dragon. Two sets of sphinx like characters, both offering riddles. A horse whose own sadness nearly is is undoing... oh and a rock biter.

These are just a few of the fanciful elements that make this very under-celebrated movie worth high praise!

If you saw it as a child and you now have children, show it to your children. Make it something you share for generations. You'll be glad you did.

They don't make movies like this any more. The more we can teach our children to have imaginations, the more likely they are to dream big dreams... and the more likely they are to turn those dreams into reality.

Full Metal Jacket: Deluxe Edition [Blu-ray]

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Full Metal Jacket: Deluxe Edition [Blu-ray]
Starring: Adam Baldwin , Bruce Boa , Tim Colceri , Vincent D'Onofrio , and Harry Davies
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

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ASIN: B000UJ48UO
Release Date: 2007-10-23

Average customer rating:

Kubrick's meditation on the Vietnam War
Research the Aspect Ratio
Vietnam
Why 4:3?

Full Metal Jacket
Starring: Adam Baldwin , Bruce Boa , Tim Colceri , Vincent D'Onofrio , and Harry Davies
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000P0J09C
Release Date: 2007-05-15

Description

The story of an 18-year-old marine recruit named Private Joker - from his carnage-and-machismo boot camp to his climactic involvement in the heavy fighting in Hue during the 1968 Tet Offensive.

Customer Reviews:

Kubrick's meditation on the Vietnam War.......2007-09-13

"Full Metal Jacket" is Director/Producer/Co-Writer Stanley Kubrick's meditation on the Vietnam War.

Typical for Kubrick it has an air of detachment, surrealism, tinged with a nauseous sense of weirdness.

In the first half of the film we have basic training at Parris island, which is portrayed in its strip-lit, hospital-like setting as a kind of mental institution where Marine recruits are mentally brutalized. In the second half set in Vietnam, war is literally hell complete with fire and brimstone.

The film is stunningly photographed, well-acted, and if not totally successful, is certainly memorable.

There are no "extras" on the DVD.

Research the Aspect Ratio.......2007-09-08

In response to the complaints made by some reviewers that Full Metal Jacket is not available in a widescreen ratio, the full screen ratio shown here was Kubrick's intended ratio for home viewing. Unlike many films that are shot and exhibited in a widescreen ratio, then cropped to a standard ratio for home theater release, Full Metal Jacket was originally shot in standard. For the theatrical release, the top and bottom of the film were cut off to create a widescreen aspect ratio. Then, for the home release, these excised portions of the film were returned. So the full screen dvd version of Full Metal Jacket actually has a larger picture than the widescreen release. If you really desire the widescreen aspect ratio, try out the blu-ray or hd dvd releases of the film. However, if Kubrick originally wanted the film to be released onto video with the standard ratio, have the blu-ray and hd dvd companies completely disregarded his wishes in favor of increasing sales by releasing the widescreen versions, or has the Kubrick family approved the change? One can only wonder

Vietnam.......2007-09-02

Add this one to your DVD collection. Best scene in the movie takes place late at night on the island.

Corey Cotta, Author of All of Yesterdays Tomorrows.

Why 4:3?.......2007-08-20

It's disappointing that Warner Brothers *still* has not released this movie in regular DVD format at a widescreen ratio. 5 star movie, minus 3 stars for the format.

Average customer rating:

Full Metal Jacket (Blu-Ray)
BLU RAY VERSION
Not a perfect transfer, but hardly grainy.
Grainy transfer

Full Metal Jacket [Blu-ray]
Starring: Adam Baldwin , Bruce Boa , Tim Colceri , Vincent D'Onofrio , and Harry Davies
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

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ASIN: B000HOMU98
Release Date: 2006-09-05

Description

The story of an 18-year-old marine recruit named Private Joker - from his carnage-and-machismo boot camp to his climactic involvement in the heavy fighting in Hue during the 1968 Tet Offensive.

Customer Reviews:

Full Metal Jacket (Blu-Ray).......2007-09-06

Great move but the transfer to blu-ray DVD wasn't vary good. Most parts of the movie are grainy. I expected a better quality transfer for a landmark movie such as this one. They could have at least remastered the movie but instead it looks like they made a DVD copy with slightly higher resolution. If you have the DVD version of this movie stick with it. It's probably looks the same.

BLU RAY VERSION.......2007-03-30

if you liked full metal jacket before, the blu-ray version is almost unbelievable. overall the cinematography is fabulous. in a few spots the picture is a little grainy but its like watching these poor guys get shot in 3d. a must for any collector or action lover.

Not a perfect transfer, but hardly grainy........2007-01-15

Kubrick was a visual wizard. Masterfully controlling the cinematography of Full Metal Jacket, he rendered every image is a work of art, searing them into the conscious and subconscious mind. And seeing it in high definition is a wonder. To be sure, there are better transfers, but mostly on subpar films (trash like Stargate). This version of Full Metal Jacket is crisp and clear; the soundtrack is amazing.

As far as the story goes, it's impressionistic -- a series of vignettes held together by characters we first meet in bootcamp. It leaves a powerful, lasting impression of the horror, irrationality, and, ultimately, the pure humanity of war. We are killing machines and lovers, passionate friends and brutal thugs. And, in killing and fighting, we sometimes find ourselves most alive.

There are amazingly poignant lines in this film that resonate powerfully in terms our current war in Iraq. They don't support one side or another, but merely reflect on the universality of war and on America's invervention in places where the locals might not entirely appreciate our efforts and sacrifices. Reasonable human beings can differ on what is going on in Iraq, just as they could about Vietnam. Full Metal Jacket really isn't about that kind of debate. Rather, it turns the spotlight on how much war is a part of us -- and we a part of it.

Grainy transfer.......2006-10-14

This film is my least favorite of the Stanley Kubrick films - which still makes it a thousand times better than much of what is released these days. Kubrick was a master, and this movie is a character study about what it takes to make someone a trained combat killer. There are two separate and distinct setting here - boot camp and the battle fields of Vietnam. It was clear Kubrick had an ax to grind, and for a man obsessed with detail, these guys were running around with 80s hair the latter part of the movie. But he successfully makes his point. It is violent and disturbing, but seems a bit dated after seeing Saving Private Ryan. Speilberg raised the bar on war films in regard to capturing the details of the horror of war. Kubrick got the coldness of it down to a tee.

My complaint isn't with the content - it is with the transfer and lack of special features. This movie is so grainy, it looks like a bad VHS copy. Why didn't WB properly upscale this film, add some special features, and give us what we paid for?

The Manchurian Candidate (Special Edition)

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Still really good!
Commies in Congress
Chilling !!!
A Classic Cold war Thriller
Great suspense thriller

The Manchurian Candidate (Special Edition)
Starring: Frank Sinatra , Laurence Harvey , Janet Leigh , Angela Lansbury , and Henry Silva
Director: John Frankenheimer
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00020X88Y
Release Date: 2004-07-13

Amazon.com essential video

You will never find a more chillingly suspenseful, perversely funny, or viciously satirical political thriller than The Manchurian Candidate, based on the novel by Richard Condon (author of Winter Kills). The film, withheld from distribution by star Frank Sinatra for almost a quarter century after President Kennedy's assassination, has lost none of its potency over time. Former infantryman Bennet Marco (Sinatra) is haunted by nightmares about his platoon having been captured and brainwashed in Korea. The indecipherable dreams seem to center on Sergeant Raymond Shaw (Laurence Harvey), a decorated war hero but a cold fish of a man whose own mother (Angela Lansbury, in one of the all-time great dragon-lady roles) describes him as looking like his head is "always about to come to a point." Mrs. Bates has nothing on Lansbury's character, the manipulative queen behind her second husband, Senator John Iselin (James Gregory), a notoriously McCarthyesque demagogue. --Jim Emerson

Description

Eerie, shocking, daring, thrilling and mesmerizing, The Manchurian Candidate will leave youbreathless (People)! Featuring an all-star cast, including Angela Lansbury in an OscarÂ(r)-nominated performance, this chilling and controversial (Leonard Maltin) film may be the most sophisticated political satire ever made (Pauline Kael). When a platoon of Korean War G.I.s iscaptured, they somehow end up at a ladies garden club party. Or do they? Major Bennett Marco (Frank Sinatra) can't remember. As he searches for the answer, he discovers threads of a diabolical plot orchestrated by the utterly ruthless Mrs. Iselin (Lansbury) and involving her war hero son (LaurenceHarvey), her senator husband (James Gregory) and a secret cabal of enemy leaders.

Customer Reviews:

Still really good!.......2007-07-21

I saw the remake with Meryl Streep, Denzel Washington and Liev Shrieber about a year ago and liked it but this is much better. The story captures the obsessions of the era (based on a novel written in the 50's) of the fears of Communism and mind control. It wouldn't be written today but it's still amazing to watch it.

The cast is first rate. Lawrence Harvey's accent wavers a bit but his stony intensity is perfect for the role of the psychologically damaged young man. Frank Sinatra is so enjoyable to watch. (I wish he had made more films) Actually I thought Streep did a better job of bringing the creepy psychological stuff to the role; Landsbury is good at being bossy but comes across mostly as a 50's ladies' club woman. (One can only wonder what Lucille Ball would have done with the role?)

The fact that the film was pulled out of circulation by Sinatra after the assination of his friend, JFK, adds another note of pathos to the story.

We have a new set of villains these days but this film is so raw and right-on that it's still chilling to watch.

Commies in Congress.......2007-05-23

THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (1962) still has the power to stun us, to fascinate us, and to raise our ire when we recall the 50's as the pervue of Senator Joseph McCarthy. John Frankenheimer was one of the first directors to take on McCarthy. James Gregory as Sen. John Iselin was a standout both as a dupe and a would-be demagogue. Gregory, a good luck charm for Frankenheimer, who used him often, was able to adlib more than half his lines giving a bravura performance.

The director and his friend George Axelrod bought the rights to the Richard Condon novel, but were having difficulty finding backing for the film. Enter Frank Sinatra who was very interested in playing Capt. Marko, and the project immediately found funding. Sinatra wanted Lucille Ball to play Mrs. Iselin, but Frankenheimer had just worked with Angela Lansbury in ALL FALL DOWN, and he had great faith in her. She certainly did an excellent portrayal, one of the very best in her career. Even Meryl Streep playing the part in the recent remake paled in Lansbury's shadow. As the mole, the real Communist operative, she was part black widow, part seductress, and part assassin -giving us a glimpse of what a real zealot is capable of; something we are immersed in today in the Middle East. Frankenheimer said that in that last scene where the mother is giving Raymond Shaw (Laurence Harvey) his final assignment, and she begins kissing him passionately, he could only take the scene part ways; because in the novel the mother slept with her son to seal the bargain.

Sinatra seemed to do best on the first take, a situation Frankenheimer was very aware of. His acting in this film was excellent, finding just the right notes for the frustration of reacting to his "brainwashing", and finding the courage to confront Raymond Shaw, the bogus Medal of Honor winner. Janet Leigh was effective in her underwritten part -a part expanded to be an FBI agent in the interesting remake. Laurence Harvey was picked specifically for Shaw precisely because he could project being "unlikable". I did not like his attempt at an American accent, but then I have never been much of a Harvey fan. His transitions after his hasty marriage seemed forced and inept for me. John McGiver in a rare dramatic role was very good, leaving us with a strong impression of a principled, brave, and steadfast senator. Leslie Parrish as his daughter, Jocelyn, look great in her black strapless bra, but brought very little else to the part. Khigh Dheigh found in his character, Dr. Yen Lo, a signature part for his career. He is not actually oriental, and he found himself playing them for the remainder of his career. Henry Silva, a penetrating and intense actor (who can forget him in the last scene of VIVA ZAPATA (1952)?), also created a character in his Chunjin that we will not soon forget. His karate fight with Marko was one of the first of that type on film, and he and Sinatra rehearsed it for weeks before they shot it.

Frankenheimer shot the film in 41 days, with the minimum of location shooting. Some of the backdrop and stock footage looks a bit pedestrian today, but it worked well in 1962. He used his stable of actor friends to good use, folks like James Gregory, John McGiver, Albert Paulson, Whit Bissell, Douglas Henderson, Barry Kelley, and Lloyd Corrigan. It is a film that runnith over with excellent performances, and taunt and sparse and delivered like punches to the gut.

Chilling !!!.......2007-04-05

By far one of the best Cold War psychological dramas ever made. The fact that this was made before the era of CG graphics,shaky cam effects and ear-splitting soundtracks for effect only show how unnecessary they are when you have an excellent script,backed by an outstanding cast and great director who lets the story tell itself. The choice for Black & White enhances the suspense. Frank Sinatra gives a moving and powerful performance as he frantically tries to beat the clock in what is to be,unknown until the very end,the assassination of the presidential candidate, and the insertion of a puppet senator controlled(unknowingly) by Communists in his place.The idea of McCarthy era Communist hunts and brainwashing tactics,common to the era,gets the viewer involved right up to its conclusion. This is but a few of my favorite movies which I can enjoy time & time again as freshly as the first time. See it once and I think you'll agree!

A Classic Cold war Thriller.......2007-04-03

This is the original "The Manchurian Candidate", released in 1962 and very much derivative of the tensions of the Cold War. The Cold War context provides its suspenseful and haunting story with a logic denied the recent and convoluted remake starring Denzel Washington and Liev Schieber.

Frank Sinatra leads an outstanding cast as Major Marco Bennett, an Army officer recently returned from combat in Korea, who is troubled by strange dreams associated with a patrol for which Sergeant Raymond Shaw (played by Laurence Harvey) was awarded the Medal of Honor. Bennett, in search of his own peace of mind, makes contact with other survivors of the patrol and ultimately with Raymond Shaw himself. An encounter with Shaw's Korean houseboy triggers a memory of the patrol different from the account parroted by all the survivors. Bennett's relentless investigation of this anomaly slowly unravels a murderous plot involving Raymond's manipulative mother (played in an Oscar-nominated turn by Angela Lansbury), and insipid politician stepfather (played by veteran character actor James Gregory), and a group of shadowy Chinese military officers. Bennett will end up racing against time to defeat the plot, which has as its goal nothing less than a monstrous crime against the American Government.

Frank Sinatra has lots of help in this film. Janet Leigh plays a very understanding love interest. Laurence Harvey is superb as the lonely and tortured Raymond, manipulated by his enemies in ways he cannot fight and forced into horrific acts. Angela Lansbury gives a compelling performance completely at varience with her "Murder, She Wrote" personna. A kiss between Raymond and his mother may be one of the most chilling moments ever captured in an American movie.

The DVD provides a crisp black and white rendition of the movie, along with several interesting special features on the making of the movie.

This movie is highly recommended to those seeking a superb Cold War thriller featuring a collection of first-rate actors in an excellent story.

Great suspense thriller.......2007-03-30

If you like thrillers this movie is great. It seems a little dated now but the acting and characters are rich and the plot is interesting.

Average customer rating:

One of the greatest movies of all time...
War, it is certainly no picnic...
"What's your major malfunction"
Full Metal Movie
Worth every minute

Full Metal Jacket [HD DVD]
Starring: Adam Baldwin , Bruce Boa , Tim Colceri , Vincent D'Onofrio , and Harry Davies
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: HD DVD

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ASIN: B000E5KJGQ
Release Date: 2006-05-16

Product Description

The story of an 18-year-old marine recruit named Private Joker - from his carnage-and-machismo boot camp to his climactic involvement in the heavy fighting in Hue during the 1968 Tet Offensive.
Running Time: 116 min.

Format: HD DVD

Amazon.com essential video

Stanley Kubrick's 1987, penultimate film seemed to a lot of people to be contrived and out of touch with the '80s vogue for such intensely realistic portrayals of the Vietnam War as Platoon and The Deer Hunter. Certainly, Kubrick gave audiences plenty of reason to wonder why he made the film at all: essentially a two-part drama that begins on a Parris Island boot camp for rookie Marines and abruptly switches to Vietnam (actually shot on sound stages and locations near London), Full Metal Jacket comes across as a series of self-contained chapters in a story whose logical and thematic development is oblique at best. Then again, much the same was said about Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, a masterwork both enthralled with and satiric about the future's role in the unfinished business of human evolution. In a way, Full Metal Jacket is the wholly grim counterpart of 2001. While the latter is a truly 1960s film, both wide-eyed and wary, about the intertwining of progress and isolation (ending in our redemption, finally, by death), Full Metal Jacket is a cynical, Reagan-era view of the 1960s' hunger for experience and consciousness that fulfilled itself in violence. Lee Ermey made film history as the Marine drill instructor whose ritualized debasement of men in the name of tribal uniformity creates its darkest angel in a murderous half-wit (Vincent D'Onofrio). Matthew Modine gives a smart and savvy performance as Private Joker, the clowning, military journalist who yearns to get away from the propaganda machine and know firsthand the horrific revelation of the front line. In Full Metal Jacket, depravity and fulfillment go hand in hand, and it's no wonder Kubrick kept his steely distance from the material to make the point. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

One of the greatest movies of all time..........2007-09-13

One of the greatest movies of all time matched with one of the greatest playback formats available. Full Metal Jacket is a rite of passage alongside 'The Godfather' and 'Scarface' that needs to have the best sound and video to go with it so you hear the crispness of every curse and vehement disgust the drill sergeant spews at the fresh meat at Paris Island. It helps that HD DVD allows you to see every bit of spittle that goes with the screaming. Watch this movie, and if possible watch it in with and HD DVD player with a decent surround system with Dolby Digital capability and you will be stunned with it's greatness.

War, it is certainly no picnic... .......2007-08-17

Stanley Kubrick is without a doubt one of the greatest directors in the history of American cinema. While it's debatable whether or not this film can truly be considered a masterpiece (although most males between the ages of 18 - 45 will tell you it is) it is however an unforgettable one. I remember the first time I saw this, I had trouble sleeping that night. It's one big adrenaline rush from the moment this film begins with the boys at bootcamp to it's shocking, disturbing ending. It's absolutely riveting! I can't recall 116 minutes (the film's length) going by so fast. And this, is mainly because of Kubrick's amazing directing.

The film can also boast of some excellent acting performances, particularly by Matthew Modine (Pvt. Joker), R. Lee Ermey (Gunny Sgt. Hartman), Arliss Howard (Pvt. Cowboy) and my personal favorite the very underated Vincent D'Onofrio as poor old Private Pyle, Gunny's personal whipping boy. Fans of D'Onofrio's work on the T.V. drama "Law and Order: Criminal Intent" may have one hec of a time recognizing him at least fifty pounds heavier and playing the role of a dim-witted simpleton. It's a role in stark contrast to that of the mastermind police detective Robert Goren which he has become famous for. However, that's the beauty of Vincent as an actor, these two characters are 180 degrees apart from each other, yet D'Onofrio nails both roles, almost as if he was born to play both.

It's also interesting to note, that before Lee Ermey became an actor he was an actual staff sergeant in the Marine Corps for over ten years. I saw an interview with him once where he was asked if his role in this film wasn't a bit exaggerated. Before he replied, he let go a big, sardonic smile, and said "Are you kidding?" In other words, he was a hell of a lot worse in real life than the role he played in this film. SCARY! Who in God's name would ever wish to endure such abuse (of course they had no choice back then)? I guess you have to be a special type of human being to volunteer for the Marines. A much tougher, thicker-skinned cat than I am that's for sure. Thankfully so, because whether some of us wish to admit it or not, we need people like that in today's crazy world.

The film's music is excellent as well, with many songs composed by Abigail Mead, who is actually Vivian Kubrick, Stanley's daughter. In closing, this movie is gritty, and real, and apolitical (which is kind of nice for a change), and with Kubrick behind the wheel, well you know that it's got to be pretty great.

I am already starting to miss the great director...

"What's your major malfunction".......2007-08-17

This is one of the most quotable movies of all time. I'm sure you've used some of the quotes yourself, even if you don't know where they came from. The first half of the movie is the best part. You know that for this much money you get "everything you want."

Full Metal Movie.......2007-08-15

What can you say about this film? It's a sobering look into basic training for the Marines, with a gunnery Sergeant Hartman (Lee Ermy) whose drill instructor are not too far behind him. The insults and barking orders rolls off his tongue like second nature. This film is really quite a classic among 20-45 males. It's funny at times when it probably shouldn't be. You kind of start laughing until you realize just exactly what is going on. The Marine Drill Sargeant Hartman tears these young privates into pieces and builds them up the Marine Way... except for one private, private Pyle (Vincent Deoferno) who is transformed in a way no drill sergeant wants to see. The movie has a lot of unnecessary shock factor seems in it. Much of it seems like a lot of scenes with no direction, but for some reason you want to see it over and over. Not a movie for the squeamish. Must see for most heterosexual men... ladies don't tend to like full metal jacket. Can't figure out why..lol

Worth every minute.......2007-07-13

One hell of a war movie. Examines the weakness of men being put in an unwarranted situation and the pride of some. Would watch it again.

Average customer rating:

Full Metal Jacket (Deluxe Edition)
Starring: Adam Baldwin , Bruce Boa , Tim Colceri , Vincent D'Onofrio , and Harry Davies
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000UJ48V8
Release Date: 2007-10-23

Average customer rating:

Content great, format too high-tech.
An all-star presentation of life and survival!

Pavarotti & Friends - For War Child

Manufacturer: Digital Sound
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: DVD Audio

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ASIN: B000007SIW
Release Date: 1997-11-25

Tracks:

Holy Mother
Saint Teresa
I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
New York, New York
My Love
Run, Baby, Run
Certe Notti
Angel
Ave Maria
Spirito
Third Degree
La Ci Darem la mano
La Ragazze Fanno Grandi Sogni
Granada
Mediterranean SUndance
Gseu Bambino
Live Like Horses

Product Description

1. Holy Mother - (with Eric Clapton/East London Choir)
2. St. Teresa - (featuring Joan Osbourne)
3. I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues - (featuring Elton John)
4. New York, New York - (with Liza Minelli)
5. My Love
6. Run, Baby, Run - (featuring Sheryl Crow/Eric Clapton)
7. Certe Notti - (with Ligabue)
8. Angel - (featuring Jon Secada)
9. Ave Maria - (with The Kelly Family)
10. Spirito - (featuring Litfiba)
11. Third Degree - (featuring Eric Clapton)
12. La Ci Darem La Mano - (with Sheryl Crow)
13. Le Ragazze Fanno Grandi Sogni - (featuring Edoardo Bennato/Solis String Quartet)
14. Granada - (with Jon Secada)
15. Mediterranean Sundance - (featuring Guitar Trio: Paco De Lucia/Al DiMeola/John McLaughlin)
16. Gesu Bambino - (with Joan Osbourne/East London Gospel Choir)
17. Live Like Horses - (with Elton John/Ensemble)

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

Content great, format too high-tech........2006-03-21

Although I thoroughly enjoy the music on Pavarotti & Friends For War Child, I could not play the CD as purchased on either of my CD players because it was in a 5.1 format. A friend copied it onto a disc I can play.
I feel that CD's purchased through your company should be in formats able to be used be the masses, instead of a select few that are able to have state-of-the-art machinery.
Other than that, I am extremely happy with your service (I was a first-time buyer), and with the CD as a whole. Thanks.

An all-star presentation of life and survival!.......1999-07-12

Pavarotti and Friends for War Child is the second but not the last, of Pavarotti's efforts to make visible that which we would prefer to ignore. From his opening prayer of Holy Mother, he pleads for compassion. Eric Clapton's blues-trained voice melds effortlessly and makes us also want redemption and grace. Interestingly placed on the same theme is Joan Osborne's St Teresa. Joan sings of looking from the depths of desolation to a possible savior. Euro-pop tunes featured are poignant studies in our humanity and most are worth our listening. Pavorotti's collection ends with Live Like Horses-- Elton John's tribute to the life of Versace. He asks that we kick down our fences and move on! to live free and noble as does our equine friend. Thank you Pavarotti. Your wisdom and far-reaching voice beacons and then gently educates us. Our lives-- as the War Child's, WILL continue and evolve.

Average customer rating:

Very British and well worth a watch
"It" is on DVD
Delightful fantasy
Poor reviews are too harsh... this is a GREAT family film!
Wholesomely, magically spellbinding

5 Children & It
Starring: Tara Fitzgerald , Freddie Highmore , Alex Jennings , Jonathan Bailey , and Jessica Claridge
Director: John Stephenson (II)
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0009S4ILA
Release Date: 2005-07-05

Description

What would you wish for if you were granted a new wish every day? That's the delightful situation five children face when they're sent to live with their eccentric uncle in his moldering mansion while their father fights in World War I. There they discover It, a fairy who makes their wishes come true! This exuberant adaptation of E. Nesbit's beloved classic features young Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Finding Neverland), Kenneth Branagh and Zoe Wanamaker (both veterans of the Harry Potter film series), comedy star Eddie Izzard as the voice of It, and the film wizardry of the Jim Henson Creature Shop.

Customer Reviews:

Very British and well worth a watch.......2006-12-23

This is a fairly faithful (in concept) retelling of E Nesbit's moralistic children's classic, although the story is reset in the first world war period. This film is very gentle and occasionally moving to watch, although it is more amusing than laugh out loud funny (at least when Eddie Izzard isn't about). It's more 'The railway children' or 'The secret garden' than 'Spy Kids' (hardly surprising as Nesbit also wrote The Railway Children).

The stalwart British adult actor's Zoe Wannamaker and Kenneth Branagh are in good form and all the children are excellent and likable leads, particularly the young Freddie Highmore - now the new Charlie (in Charlie & the Chocolate factory) and his 'nasty cousin' Horace (Alexander Pownall). The wise & witty old sand fairy naturally steals all his scenes (and Eddy Izzard is really great as his voice). The only downside is the rather naff static dinosaur sequence, more than made up for though by the breathtaking Zeppelin scene (best viewed on the big screen). There are some other famous UK faces as well, including Norman Wisdom in a micro cameo. The film hasn't got the depth or historical accuracy of the three hour BBC's TV adaptation of the book from 1991, and is far less faithful to the book's plotline set in the earlier late Victorian/Edwardian period. However the film is quite acceptable fun and has the advantage that it can easily be viewed as a sequel to the superb BBC adaptation (if you can find it). The actual sequel to the book though is BBCs later 'all star' serialisation 'The Phoenix and the carpet', at present only available highly edited as a region 1 'Disney film' from Amazon (and this DVD is also highly recommended - until a proper BBC DVD set appears).

On release, my 10 y old daughter and I chose this 'Five Children and it' film over Sharks Tale and didn't regret it. My daughter was absorbed throughout it (and cried a bit). My 8 y old son and mum really enjoyed this DVD later. So well worth couple of viewings on quiet winter Sundays.

"It" is on DVD.......2006-07-30

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory's Charlie, Freddie Highmore, Shakespearean actor Kenneth Branagh and er... Eddie Izzard's voice star in this remake of "Five Children and It", orignally based on E. Nesbit's novel of the same name. I haven't read the book (though I'd like to), but I grew up with the old TV serial, which I thought was great. Though it's great to see the story with a bigger budget and some fine actors, and its fine family entertainment, I wish it was more like that old serial.

In the midst of World War I, a father goes to war and five children are sent into the country until things cool down a bit in England's south. The kids are sent to their Uncle Albert's (Kenneth Branagh), an eccentric writer of maths textbooks who likes his rules and dislikes distrubances. One of the rules of the house is that they are not allowed into the greenhouse. Robert (Freddie Highmore) who is a bit of a rulebreaker, goes in anyway and discovers a beach beyond an old doorway. On that beach, he finds a sand fairy, the Psammead (voiced by Eddie Izzard). Sand fairies can grant wishes, which is a pretty good thing to have access to, even if the wishes often go wrong and only last until the sun sets. Still, the kids get up to all sorts of adventures thanks to the Psammead's power.

The film is very well cast for the most part. The boys are as they should be, the girls are loving and sweet, and Kenneth Branagh makes a brilliant Uncle Albert. I can't say I really like the idea of Eddie Izzard as the Psammead. It's the voice he chooses that bugs me. It's kind of British, kind of French, which kind of makes him a bit zanier and cartoonish than the sagely plump puppet from the TV serial. Doesn't make him seem as wise and ancient, which is something I used to love about his character. It might be just the script, but this film's sand-fairy is a bit more wise cracking too, which usually annoys me, but its pretty restrained here, so it isn't too bad. Like I said, I haven't read the book, but I'm sure the TV series wasn't as "Narnia" as this. A beach in a greenhouse cupboard? Was it really like that? I don't know...

Special features include an hour long making of documentary, featuring interviews from all the actors (Freddie Highmore, Kenneth Branagh, etc), and a couple of interviews from the crew on the more technical side of things. The kids seemed really nice from their interviews. There's also an outtakes montage, some unused audio improvs from Eddie Izzard's It, a featurette on merchandise from the film (pretty much a commercial), a storyboard gallery, a design gallery, a photo gallery and a series of trailers from both TV and the theatres.

A reasonable kids film, but I do prefer the old TV serial. Three and a half stars.

Delightful fantasy.......2006-07-18

A delightful fantasy/adventure/comedy based on the children's classic by E Nesbit. 5 children are sent to spend the summer holidays during the First World war with their loopily obsessive uncle (very well played by Kenneth Branagh). Some excellent set pieces, such as when for example "IT", the odd creature they discover on the magic beach, succeeds in cloning the 5 children to perform the tedious household chores devised by their barmy Uncle, and some splendid clashes between the occasionally irritatingly sensible children and their nerdish overweight cousin.
I'm sure if this film had been made in America more would have been made of the absent father fighting in the trenches, who is only slantingly referred to in a rather stiff-upper-lip sort of way, but this is after all a British film and very faithful to the period.

Poor reviews are too harsh... this is a GREAT family film!.......2006-05-27

Okay, I will say that I've never read the book, although my 9 year old wants to after this movie! We have watched movies every Friday night for over 2 years (4 kids, current ages 9, 7,4 and 9 months), and this is one of the best ones by far. No questionable language at all, and the sand fairy has some hilarious dry humor and off-the-wall comments (but entirely appropriate for a kid's movie). It's not rated, which worried me at first. I'm still not sure why it didn't get a rating, however, I'd say it's a definate "G". There's some scenes that younger kids might think is scary, but is mostly suspense. I really enjoyed the learning process the characters go through (even if the characters were a little underdeveloped); I thought for children they were decent actors.

Yes, there are a lot of similarities to Narnia, especially the opening of the film. However, if you enjoy each movie for what it is, and not compare the two, it's very enjoyable. As for the review that slams the graphics and audio, we watched it on our 32 inch tv with no problems... maybe he had an HDTV or something. My daughter commented at one point how life like the sand fairy looked. I do think a commentary or trailer would have been a nice touch, but as for the movie itself, it was one of the best we've seen. I don't say this often, but this time, enjoy the movie first and THEN read the book!

Wholesomely, magically spellbinding.......2006-03-25

I must say that I was so pleasantly surprised by this movie. My young daughter asked to rent it, and not having read the book, we didn't know what we were in for. It captivated the imagination, had great effects, thanks to Jim Henson studios, all the while showing how youthful siblings manage to handle each other while living without their parents. And...how innocently children can live in the midst of fear of losing their father in war. It was not too serious. If your children like fantasy without overdone drama and scary effects, see this!

Average customer rating:

worth watching
Challenges, changes and discoveries occuring before, during and after marriage
Jaw dropping performance by Nastassja Kinski
simply great
Kinski's best performace

Maria's Lovers
Starring: Nastassja Kinski , John Savage , Robert Mitchum , Keith Carradine , and Anita Morris
Director: Andrei Konchalovsky
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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World War II | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00005R5GI
Release Date: 2001-12-26

Amazon.com

Splicing scenes featuring his protagonist, Ivan (John Savage, The Deer Hunter), among excerpted interviews with real soldiers from John Huston's landmark World War II documentary Let There Be Light, director Andrei Konchalovsky brilliantly sets the stage for a morally ambiguous tale of a war hero's return home to a small town. Disappointingly, the opening of Maria's Lovers promises much more than it ultimately delivers. Ivan has survived the tortures of a Japanese POW camp by continually dreaming of his childhood sweetheart Maria (Nastassja Kinski). When he returns to find her with a boyfriend and a grown-up libido, Ivan can't reconcile his guardian vision with the real Maria. Even as she declares her love for him and they hastily marry, Ivan's nightmares intervene. In short, Ivan can't perform. Minor roles for Robert Mitchum and Keith Carradine (as a ridiculous wandering minstrel who seduces Maria after Ivan flees in shame) seem wasted on a melodramatic script that often sounds as if it was poorly translated into English. The nostalgic scenery of Brownsville, Pennsylvania, (rolling fog, river ferries, careening factories) is compelling, as is Kinski (who is at her most seductive and downright breathtaking), but Konchalovsky's affection for his characters and their landscape cannot surpass his stilted vision of America. --Fionn Meade

Description

Nastassja Kinski is radiant (The New York Times) in this war-torn love story that breaks the eroticism barrier [with] an astonishing directness (L.A. Weekly). Co-starring John Savage, John Goodman, Robert Mitchum and Oscar(r) winner* Keith Carradine, Maria's Loversis a unique, compelling [and] intimate drama (L.A. Weekly). When her teenage sweetheart Ivan (Savage) returns home from WWII, Maria (Kinski) eagerly accepts his marriage proposal, looking forward to a lifetime of happiness. But her joy is short-lived when Ivan's dark past shrouds their wedding night in misery, driving a wedge between them that neither knows how to remove. Confused and depressed, Maria attempts to mend her true love's heart despite the advances of other suitors. But when a traveling musician (Carradine) hits the right note, Maria struggles to justify her unfulfillinglife. Is her passion too powerful to be contained within the sanctity of marriage? *1975: Original Song ( I m Easy ), Nashville

Customer Reviews:

worth watching.......2007-08-13

I think Maria's lovers is a nice enjoyable film, A little slow paced at times, a little soap opera-ish but enjoyable. While not having a lot of characters( the streets seem almost empty) it develops personalities well. I thought it focused on internal conflicts after coming home from war/military service and re-intergrading back into a small town. It challenges you to rethink what love is, real love between a young couple and how our own demons affect this relationship. While it did attempt to show some cultural background in the characters they were a little generic. Nastassja is stunning and the scenery of this small Pennsylvania town is breath taking. Overall a very nice and underrated movie

Challenges, changes and discoveries occuring before, during and after marriage.......2007-06-22

MARIA'S LOVERS (1984), was a hit, and frequently shown in the
theatres, back in the day of its release. Comprising famous stars
from that time, Nastassja Kinski, Robert Mitchum and John Savage,
the reputations of all 3 was extremely merited, considering the
outstanding job the actors did in bringing this work to life. Anita
Morris also packs a tremendous presence, as well, to the screen,
with dancing action and intense looks, interacting very well, too,
with the others, alternating between a hysterical, artificial call
girl of sorts, with a more serious, affectionate conduct.

Clearly, not all people in an audience finds a sentimental,
romantic movie appealing, that underlines the ephemeral nature of
various stages in one's life, (death, birth, the crossing from a
youthful maturity into married adulthood, and the need to make the
right choice for the relationship to work.)

The author shows an extreme skill in crafting a story about a
relationship between a man and a woman, before and after the
marriage, the challenges, changes and discoveries occuring
thereafter among the partners. It also tells how old habits
sometimes die hard, such as the urge for spontaneous romantic
relationships between other men and/or women even after the formal
union is made. As before, this show the character oscillating one
and another partner depending on which brings the most excitement
at the time, etc.

We see Kinski plaging a girl who easily infatuates, and captures
the sentimental imaginations of men, who are on the same wave
length as her own, that she projects unknowingly or not. At the
same time, Savage is the husband, who is unable to move beyond or
even cope with, those 2 feelings, both before, during and after
their marriage.

Unable to progress to a deeper, more meaningful emotional and
mental rapport with Kinski, Savage, reaching for immediate answers
and relief (like for an Aspirin), finds the solution in simple
girls of his own socio-economic background with which he was raised
and is comfortable in all aspects.

While all this is happening, isolated between her aging mother, her
career as a maternity ward nurse and as a neglected married woman,
Kinsky turns to casual romantic encounters with a handful of men
who can read her situation instinctively, and can satisfy her
artistic and other impulses.

The cinematography is impeccable, with a sharp, clear transfer to
DVD, even after 20 years, the movie doesn't seem to have aged at
all, on screen, especially from the timeless, idyllic tiny rural US
town depicted. The automobiles, homes, clothes worn, layout of the
town all convincingly shows that these are the 1950's or early
60s.

With Savage playing a veteran of the Second World War, released
from a Japanese POW camp, the movie wisely refrains from touching
upon the military life for more than only a few brief moments, to
avoid opening up a Pandora's box of pre-judgements, experiences,
struggles, hazings, isolation, stress, or memories of overcrowded
conditions of such a canp experience, that otherwise would distract
from the story.

Keith Carradine plays a ambulant musician, bringing some accoustic
guitar numbers, and a bit of humor and outside perspective to the
story, that otherwise would have obviously been more introverted,
intensely personal, occuring between Kinsky and Savage.

Jaw dropping performance by Nastassja Kinski.......2006-08-12

She's a goddess I can't imagine another actress playing the role of Maria, and its nice to see the late Robert Mitchum in a very good film like this. Perhaps a very intimate film, a very good one to keep your relationship strong with your love one.

simply great.......2005-12-18

Perhaps a very underated movie, but the story is unpredictable, Keith Carradine is very Hilarious here, And I just love the song Maria's eyes

Kinski's best performace .......2005-12-18

Ive always admire Nastassja as an actress, but of all of her movies that I've saw, this is difinitely her best performace to date. Great movie esp. if you like European films in general, John Savage also plays the perfect role of Ivan Bibic, Maria's husband who struggles to fight his demons. The story is very realistic, it can happen to anyone.........

DVD:

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