Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (Full Screen Edition) [Animated]

Amazon.com

Horse lovers young and old will celebrate this utterly enjoyable and marvelous-looking animated film. The titular stallion runs free in the Cimarron (New Mexico) wilderness until a series of men try to master the proud horse, leading to adventures through a U.S. Cavalry fort, Native American settlements, and a railroad camp. Despite a heavy dose of political correctness and realism (the animals don't talk; we only hear Spirit's internal monologue, voiced by Matt Damon), directors Kelly Asbury and Lorna Cook give their hero many only-in-a-movie moments, including an action sequence rivaling any of Rambo's escapes. The stirring mix of 2-D and 3-D animation is absolutely stunning and aptly fueled by composer Hans Zimmer's synthesized score. The film earns one demerit for '80s rocker Bryan Adams's abundant songs--a different singer could have brought more to the film. Rated G but there is some rough treatment of horses shown, so nix the sensitive preschoolers. --Doug Thomas

Customer Reviews:

My kids love this movie.......2007-09-11

We rent 95% of our kid's movies. This is one of the very few movies I just had to come to Amazon to buy. Both my 3 year old son and 5 year old daughter just can't get enough of it. I got it at first because so many movies out there are "girl" oriented and I wanted something for my son to watch that was a little "rough and tumble" but didn't include violence. This one does have a female horse that Spirit comes to care for, but no gushy love stuff. I also really appreciate that the animals don't talk, though you hear Spirit's thoughts as narrative.

The gist of the movie is that Spirit is a wild stallion captured by Union forces while they are building the first railroad track across the country. Through sheer will he escapes (with some help from a captured Native American man). He then is captured by his Native American tribe who treat him kindly, but Spirit will not let himself be broken. Out of respect for his spirit (pun intended), the Native American man lets him go free. Unfortunately, the Union soldiers attack and, after some (kind of sad) adventure, Spirit is once again captured by the soldiers. The Native American man sets out to free his "friend"...but arrives a little late. Spirit has escaped again, but does need the man's help to survive his escape. In the end, the Native American man brings him home where Spirit finds the mare he thought had died after the attack. Spirit is overjoyed to not only find her safe but that her "two legged" is willing to let her go with him back to the Cimarron herd. (Actually, she could have gone earlier but wouldn't go because her "two legged" needed her.) In the end, Spirit never gives in to letting the "two legged" ride him, but they part with friendship, dignity and respect on both sides.

I have to say, I think I love this movie more than the kids! I fully expected Spirit to let himself be rode as a show of friendship at the end, but he still doesn't. This is my favorite part I suppose, the moral that even if you care deeply for someone it is important never to compromise your principles no matter what they may wish you to do.

Just so you know, there is some shooting when the soldiers attack, but all you see are the Native Americans running, no blood or anything really scary. There are two scenes where the Captain point blank attempts to shoot first Spirit (the gun is knocked away as it shoots by the Native American man) and then the Native American Man (Spirit knocks the gun away as it shoots), but no one is shown hurt by gunfire. These scenes started some interesting conversations with my 5 year old about how Native Americans were treated when "we" took over this land.

Spirit is a Favorite.......2007-08-11

My two granddaughters, aged 3 and 4 love this movie, watching it over and over again. However, they were joined whenever possible by their mom, dad, uncle, and grandparents very often - we all loved it. It has got the girls interested in all things Indian, a topic they had not been familiar with before. An A++ for this well-produced movie!!

GOOD MOVIE FOR KIDS.......2007-06-06

LOVE THE MOVE, MUSIC GREAT, AND NEVER GET BORED WITH IT

Spirit: a terrific movie for kids.......2007-05-10

This DVD is a favorite of one our our grandchildren, age 4. He has played it over-and-over in the 3 weeks he has had it.

"My sister likes it".......2007-04-28

Well this movie has
Excellent music

A good plot

And strong characters

Average customer rating:

Broadway: The American Musical
Starring: Julie Andrews , John Cullum , Jonathan Freeman , Chris Gantt , and Michael C. Hall
Director: Michael Kantor
Manufacturer: Pbs Paramount
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ASIN: B000BITUNE
Release Date: 2004-10-12

Amazon.com

Like its fellow PBS series Ken Burns' Jazz, Broadway: The American Musical is an ambitious and absorbing exploration of a unique American art form that has always been best experienced in live performance. Hosted and narrated by Julie Andrews, the six-part, six-hour documentary traces the history of musical theater from its roots in vaudeville, operetta, and minstrel shows, to the dawn of what would become the modern American musical, Show Boat, and on through many changes that seemed to reflect those in American culture itself. Significant creators discussed include Florenz Ziegfeld, George Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Bob Fosse, and David Merrick, and notable shows (Oklahoma!, My Fair Lady, West Side Story, Company, Cats, and recent hit Wicked, among others) are analyzed through performance clips and interviews with songwriters, stars, directors, producers, critics, and historians.

The series' most obvious weakness is its use of only brief excerpts of the performances--no song is heard in full. The sheer scope of the series no doubt played a part in that, as well as complicated rights issues, but the core problem is that musical theater has always been a live medium, rarely documented and even more rarely released to the general public. The documentary's producers make do with audio recordings, still photographs, and bits of footage, often in grainy black and white. Thankfully, they resist over-relying on feature-film musicals--which look much better and are sometimes excellent (but more often mediocre) translations--and when used such footage is clearly identified. That makes it all the more frustrating, however, that almost all of the other footage is not identified, because that is what fans are less familiar with and would be most interested in. The 1950s footage looks to be mostly from TV programs such as The Ed Sullivan Show; by the 1960s we have live footage from the Tony Awards (easily identifiable by the backdrops); and the newest shows might have been shot on stage. But early Ethel Merman and other random clips are mysteries, perhaps even to the producers themselves.

Product Description

From the studio that brough you SHREK, winner of the first Academy Award for Best Animated Film, comes Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimarron. Critics are applauding this must-see motion picture adventure as "an instant classic" (Clay Smith, ACCESS HOLLYWOOD) and "one of the most beautiful and exciting animated features ever made" (Leonard Maltin, HOT TICKET). Join Spirit, a wild young mustang, as he sets out on an action-packed quest against impossible odds to regain his freedom and save his homeland. In his courageous and thrilling journey across the majestic wilderness of the American frontier, Spirit forms a remarkable friendship with a young Lakota brave, outwits a relentless squadron of soldiers, and falls for a beautiul paint mare named Rain. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron is a spectacular tale about discovering the true hero inside of yourself.

System Requirements:
Running Time: Approx. 84 Min., Color.
This film is presented in "Widescreen" format.
Copyright 2002 Universal.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

My kids love this movie.......2007-09-11

Spirit is a Favorite.......2007-08-11

GOOD MOVIE FOR KIDS.......2007-06-06

LOVE THE MOVE, MUSIC GREAT, AND NEVER GET BORED WITH IT

Spirit: a terrific movie for kids.......2007-05-10

This DVD is a favorite of one our our grandchildren, age 4. He has played it over-and-over in the 3 weeks he has had it.

"My sister likes it".......2007-04-28

Well this movie has
Excellent music

A good plot

And strong characters

Average customer rating:

Drama masquerading as film noir
No Way Out
Not Film Noir but not bad.
Strong Dialogue & Characterizations Are Still Compelling Today.
No Way Out

No Way Out (Fox Film Noir)
Starring: Richard Widmark , Linda Darnell , Stephen McNally , Sidney Poitier , and Mildred Joanne Smith
Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
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ASIN: B000CNE08S
Release Date: 2006-03-07

Description

Nominated for the 1950 Oscar® for Best Writing, Story and Screenplay, this intense drama about racial hatred pulls no punches. When a white patient in a hospital dies under the care of a black intern (Sidney Poitier), the victim?s racist brother (Richard Widmark) seeks to destroy the doctor?s career. Although the hospital?s idealistic Chief Resident (Stephen McNally) tries to diffuse the escalating tension, the victim?s ex-wife (Linda Darnell) seems to go along with the vengeance-seeker?until she realizes she?s on the wrong side.

Customer Reviews:

Drama masquerading as film noir.......2007-09-13

One of the more interesting of the 1950 film noirs is this drama starring Richard Widmark, Linda Darnell and, in his screen debut, Sidney Poitier whose West Indian accent shows up here and there to let the closely-listening viewer know he's black, but definitely not American.

Be that as it may, this is a solid, well thought out piece of filmmaking co-scripted and directed by Joseph Mankiewicz. The powerful social theme of racism is a major one in this film--so much so that the "N" word is used quite a few times--and there's a full scale race riot depicted as well, which is, needless to say, really daring for a 1950 film.

The only real reason this is labelled film noir is that the Richard Widmark character, Ray Biddle, is a criminal who, along with his brother John, was both shot (in the leg) and caught by the cops, then put up in the local hospital where Luther Brooks (Poitier) is the most promising intern in the place--according to the chief surgeon, Wharton (Stephen McNally).

Widmark, as usual, turns in a fine performance, but the real stars of the show are, it seems to me, Linda Darnell and Sidney Poitier. Darnell is interesting here because unlike her typical femme fatale role, she plays down (to whatever extent she can, which is tough) her obvious feminine features by wearing dowdy clothes and de-emphasizing her makeup, and is really convincing as a tough broad living in a neighborhood about one level above Skid Row--maybe two. Poitier has a strong screen presence and even with some awkwardness here and there is more than convincing as a man torn between his ethnic heritage and his obvious intelligence in his demanding profession.

Widmark's character Ray Biddle is a vicious racist and blames Dr. Brooks (Poitier) for his brother John's death, which was clearly caused by a brain tumor--totally unrelated to his getting shot in the leg by the same cop who shot Ray in the leg. Ray incites the male residents of Beaver Canal--the one-level-above-Skid Row neighborhood--to go after the blacks in their neighborhood; hence, the riot.

The four stars are primarily for the startling degree of foresight and boldness of subject matter, as well as the strong performances by Poitier and Darnell, as well as Widmark. This is a surprisingly good movie--not what I would personally call film noir, but which has lasted the test of time with that monicker stuck to it.

Whatever category you put it in, it's definitely worth seeing.

No Way Out.......2007-06-26

A tense, hard-hitting social drama that earned an Oscar for Best Screenplay in 1950, Mankiewicz's pioneering film looks squarely at the ramifications of racial hostility while keeping audiences on the edge of their seat. Poitier is magnificent in his debut role, the epitome of coolheadedness and quiet self-regard, while Widmark seethes in a typically explosive role. Mankiewicz builds suspense inside and outside the hospital, and the effect is riveting. Keep an eye out for actors/civil-rights activists Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, playing Luther's brother and sister-in-law in a tandem debut. A potent powder keg of a film that hasn't lost its bite--or its relevance.

Not Film Noir but not bad........2007-05-18

Far too often DVDs of 1940s & 1950s films are labeled as being Film Noir only to help sell the product. Such is the case here. There is no way that "No Way Out" qualifies as "dark cinema," however, it still rates as a very good movie. Controversial when released, some of the drama seems forced at times but the story still entertains. The acting is first rate, especially by Sidney Poitier in his first role (and a starring one at that). Also making their debuts were Ozzie Davis and Ruby Dee.

Strong Dialogue & Characterizations Are Still Compelling Today........2007-03-07

"No Way Out" raised the bar in the social conscience film trend a few years after "Crossfire" and "Gentlemen's Agreement" received multiple Oscar nominations for condemning anti-Jewish prejudice in America. This is an assuredly heavy-handed polemic on racism that nevertheless stands the test of time. Luther Brooks (Sidney Poitier) is a young black doctor who has resisted his family's pressure to go into private practice in order to get more experience at the county hospital. One fateful evening, he replaces a sick intern in the prison ward. The intensely racist Biddle Brothers, Ray (Richard Widmark) and Johnny, are brought in for treatment of gun shot wounds to the legs. But Johnny is confused, unresponsive, and clearly suffering from some neurological malady. When he dies during Dr. Brooks' attempt to diagnose him, Ray accuses Brooks of murdering his brother and determines to muster all the racial hatred in his neighborhood to avenge Johnny.

"No Way Out" is sometimes called "film noir", but I take issue with that classification, because this is not even a crime film. And Dr. Brooks, though trapped by unfortunate coincidences and events beyond his control, is too squeaky clean to be a noir protagonist. But I do think that the "noir" elements help "No Way Out" overcome its dated proselytizing and idealized conceptions of Dr. Brooks to remain truly compelling even 60 years after it was made. This was Sidney Poitier's first film, so he was not given billing above the titles in spite of his starring role. Richard Widmark and Linda Darnell are no less the stars of "No Way Out", though. They have the best lines and pivotal scenes. Richard Widmark took the role of racist Ray Biddle reluctantly, as he was leaning toward leading man roles at this point in his career. But Widmark played some of the most memorable villains in cinematic history. Vile, vicious, and supremely manipulative Ray Biddle is no exception. Widmark's ability to convey uncertainty and insecurity with just his eyes is extraordinary.

Linda Darnell plays Johnny Biddle's ex-wife Edie whom Dr. Brooks and the Chief Medical Resident (Stephen McNally) implore to convince Ray to allow an autopsy on his brother. In some sense, this is her film, as Edie is the character who has an arc. She's white trash from the rough Beaver Canal neighborhood who has moved only one step up and out, always in danger of succumbing to her roots. Darnell looks great and spouts some terrific hard-boiled dialogue. The dialogue in "No Way Out", co-written by Lesser Samuels and director Joseph Mankiewicz, vacillates between the hardened, cynical repartee of film noir and loaded speech that the actors struggle to deliver with credibility. There is more than one social ideology represented: The ideas that Edie can overcome her roots and that Ray is a product of his environment join the calls for racial equality. But the dialogue and characterizations of "No Way Out" are so compelling that we don't mind the lack of subtlety in the social message.

The DVD (20th Century Fox 2006): Bonus features include a "Publicity Gallery" of 15 b&w ads for the movie, a "Photo Gallery" of 44 production and publicity stills, 2 short "Fox Movietone News" segments, a theatrical trailer (2 1/2 min), and an audio commentary by film noir historian Eddie Muller. The "Fox Movietone News" segments are coverage of Linda Darnell selling tickets to the New York premiere of the move (30 sec) and of Richard Widmark imprinting his hands in cement outside Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood (20 sec). Eddie Muller leaves more "air" in his commentary than usual so that we don't miss the dialogue that was so controversial in 1950. It's a good commentary that discusses actors, performances, and themes scene-by-scene but is not as packed with information as Muller's commentaries sometimes are. Subtitles are available for the film in English and Spanish.

No Way Out.......2007-01-13

That movie was horrible!!! Nowhere in the reviews did it inform the consumer that it was a film about such hatred!!!!! It should've said something like:

WARNING: The following movie contains ONE of the most offensive words spoken!!! And it was used 26 times!!!

This movie offered no redeeming value whatsoever. I hated it!!!!

Average customer rating:

5 stars
"Bon Jour, Bon Jour, Bon Jour, Oh My G*D!" ~ "Tres Magnifique Journey"
Good in a bad way, or bad in a good way? by Elissa, 13
Great movie
I liked 'em better when they were kids.

Passport To Paris
Starring: Mary-Kate Olsen , Ashley Olsen , Peter White , Matt Winston , and Yvonne Sciò
Director: Alan Metter
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00005U2KG
Release Date: 2002-02-12

Amazon.com

Resistance is futile! The Olsen Twins are everywhere, and you better get used to it, especially if you have a daughter between the ages of 4 and 10. Now they're not only taking over the U.S.; they've moved on to the city of light, Paris. Unlike their series (in which Mary-Kate and Ashley play themselves), in this latest venture they play fictional alter-egos in the form of superficial, boy-crazy, 13-year-olds. Their movie mom worries their world is too small and the girls are shipped off to Paris to visit their grandfather, the U.S. ambassador to France (yes, you read that right). He doesn't have much time for them, so he prepares a daily itinerary and forces an associate, an aspiring junior version of himself, to accompany the girls. But leave it to those wacky gals: within a few days, he's partying along with them and their newfound French beaus (played by young cutie patooties who have the worst French accents this side of Hee Haw). The movie is harmless enough, and despite a pervasive materialism in Olsen fare, loyalty and friendship are at the forefront. The French locations are gorgeous and enticing. (Ages 4 and up) --N.F. Mendoza

Description

When Mary-Kate and Ashley visit France, they pack their bags for fun and plot a rendezvous with adventure! Sent to Paris to visit their grandfather, the girls fall in love with France and fall head-over-heels for two French boys! Sightseeing on mopeds, they race around Paris on a mission to see the city, make new friends, and stay one step ahead of their uptight chaperone. From shopping at French boutiques, to exploring Notre Dame and dinner dates at the Eiffel Tower, it's one hilarious exploit after another. Mademoiselles Mary-Kate and Ashley offer a passport to adventure in a tres magnifique journey!

Customer Reviews:

5 stars.......2006-07-16

This movie is a very fun movie to watch. I'm 16 and still love this movie. To the comments of them being rude and snotty, I never saw that. With the not wanting to eat the food, that's the whole point!! Their parents sent them there to experience things! They saw French cuisine, and remember: they're 12 almost 13! They won't be expected to be open-minded when it comes to new food. They portrayed 2 teen girls who wanted to have fun and a great experience in France! This movie is an excellent buy and I'd recommend this movie to anyone, young or old.

"Bon Jour, Bon Jour, Bon Jour, Oh My G*D!" ~ "Tres Magnifique Journey" .......2006-03-19

I know, you don't have to say it. My G*d it's the Olsen twins, what are you thinking? You're right, Mary-Kate and Ashley are, as always all-knowing, overly cutsie, predictable, trite and juvenile. Every one of their movies is basically the same story set in a different location. Again, all true. However in this one particular film for some reason the formula works.

Join the Olsen twins as they take Paris by storm when they visit their Ambasador Grandfather in the "City of Lights". Aided by a superior supporting cast for a film of this genre you'll be surprised how enjoyable this movie is. My daughter fell in love with this movie years ago and now eighteen, she still watches it. Putting all rational, intellectual criticism aside, this is plain and simple a fun, carefree movie that can be enjoyed by young and old alike!

Wonderful supporting performances by Matt Winston and the lovely Yvonne Scia.

Good in a bad way, or bad in a good way? by Elissa, 13.......2006-01-02

This movie kind of gave me mixed feelings. There were many good things and many bad things about the movie, and I will list a few of them:
THE BAD!
-Their parents decide that their daughters get a foreign vacation many people dream of because the daughters have no lives. (WTF?)
-Melanie and Allyson(MK & A) acted like snots in this movie by always being obsessed with popularity, their looks, and boys, and also getting away with spit-takes and sneaking out.
THE GOOD!
-The music was very illustrative to the scenes it was in and added lots of emotion to certain parts.
-In most of the movie, MK and A were very cute and fun. I loved the ending at the dance when the MK & A kiss the French boys at the dance, especially with the song they played, because I think that added a lot of feeling to the scene.
Okay, so those are my reasons. 3 stars. Ain't too bad, since some of their other movies were better.

Great movie.......2005-12-20

This is a great movie! Both Olsen and non-Olsen fans will like this movie.I Recomend for ages 9-14.

I liked 'em better when they were kids........2005-10-26

Mary-Kate and Ashley are snots in this movie! I liked them better as kids, because they were cute and too young for "making out with boys."
These dumb bimbos MK & A played were stupid snots who were obsessed with cute boys and kissing. (Where have I seen that before???) If the twins are planning on making a new movie soon, I really hope they don't have to have any dumb love scenes, because that's all marykate and Ashley ever do in their preteen movies!

Average customer rating:

American tourists in France...need I say more?
Among the Best Comedies!
Not bad crime comedy
Once Upon A Crime there was a hilarious, laugh-a-minute mystery...
Enjoyable,

Once Upon a Crime
Starring: Joss Ackland , Alessandro Amen , Geoffrey Andrews , Francesco Angrisano , and James Belushi
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
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ASIN: B0000CNY53
Release Date: 2003-12-02

Description

What do you get when you combine four bumbling American tourists, a $5,000 pup and a dead body? Inspired lunacy! answers Village View! Starring John Candy, James Belushi, Cybill Shepherd, Sean Young and Richard Lewis, Once Upon a Crime is 'the perfect film to see after a brain-taxing day (The Hollywood Reporter)! Lewis and Young are two down-and-out Americans attempting to return a lost dog to its Monte Carlo socialite owner for a $5,000 reward. But when the owner is murdered, they become the prime suspects! But who's the real killer? The roulette loser (Candy)? The gigolo (George Hamilton)? Or could it possibly be...the dog?

Customer Reviews:

American tourists in France...need I say more?.......2007-05-19

Once Upon a Crime is one of the great comedic crime capers of the 1980's and early 1990's. The cast is comprised of many of the comedy heavyweights of the era, the plot is both plausible and silly, and twists abound.

The crime is the murder of rich, elderly Monte Carlo resident Madame Van Dugen. A cast of Americans get mixed up in the plot and all become suspects under the intense scrutiny of the police inspector, played by Giancarlo Giannini. Sean Young plays a jilted lover trying to make it on her own in Rome. Richard Lewis is an unemployed actor who is reluctantly paired with Young when they find Madame Van Dugen's missing dachshund, Napoleon. John Candy is a gambling addict willing to pay thousands for the dog as a present to his wife. Jim Belushi and Cybill Shepard play an unhappily married couple visiting Europe for business and pleasure.

George Hamilton is priceless as the local gigolo. Throughout the movie, the American tourists stumble over themselves, telling lies for no reason and digging themselves deeper in a hole with the French police inspector. In a stunning climax, the inspector gathers them all in one room and gets them to expose the truth about the night Madame Van Dugen was murdered.

Once Upon a Crime is a delicious comedy full of laughs. The movie should be celebrated for the cast performances and its homage to classic European crime capers.

Among the Best Comedies!.......2007-02-10

This is one of the best comedies I've ever seen, and a personal favorite of mine.

The movie revolves around a series of events in France among a few American tourists. The French police are investigating a murder, and one American (James Belushi), finds his suitcase stuffed with the dead body. Each of the tourists becomes a suspect in the eyes of the incompetent French police, leading to hilarious situations. The mystery-cum-comedy works brilliantly!

Excellent comedy, highly recommended.

Not bad crime comedy.......2006-10-16

This is light bouncy fare, but that doesn't mean it's no good. In fact, it's funny and even has some romance in it. Only reason there's three stars here is because it's so light and frothy. But the actors all do a fine job and this being Eugene Levy's directorial debut (1992), give the man some credit. (He also shows up in the film as a sneering casino cashier).

On hand for the highjinks (or is that hijinks? I never did know) are John Candy, Jim Belushi, Cybill Sheperd, Sean Young, Richard Lewis (with his trademark shrugging brand of hilarious comedy), Giancarlo Giannini, and George Hamilton as, of course, the "tan guy". Some bits are definitely funnier than others, but overall this is a nifty romp with some real giggles and a couple of guffaws. In Rome, a dead body is discovered in a garage by an unemployed actor (Lewis) and a not-too-well-off tourist (Young) and soon the local polizia link the murder as well to Belushi and Sheperd, as well as Candy.

Pivotal in these shenanigans is Napoleon the dachshund. But hey, don't take my word for it. See it for yourself. The script is thankfully not stupid at all and everybody has fun with it.

Nicely done.

Once Upon A Crime there was a hilarious, laugh-a-minute mystery..........2005-08-28

The film Once Upon a Crime is a classic comedy/crime film with its brilliant cast, fantastic script and plot. The performances are just so hilarious and the intertwining storylines of characters is so cleverly done, you'll laugh all the way to the twisted ending. It is a great "Who Done it?" that manages to hit all the right places and keep you guessing until the end. The features are a behind-the-scenes featurette and the film Trailer, and it is all very cool. If you haven't seen this film yet then don't waste any time and see for yourself just how good this is.

Enjoyable,.......2003-11-10

I've been eagerly awaiting word that this was to be released on DVD...what a cast! John Candy, Jimmy Belushi, Cybill Shepherd, Sean Young, Richard Lewis, George Hamilton (his best comedy role), the great Giancarlo Giannini, even a humorous turn by the director, Eugene Levy (Candy's buddy from SCTV) as a casino cage manager! This one harkens back to the screwball comedies of the forties, and is a real joy. It's a comedic crime caper that unfolds in romantic Rome and exciting Monte Carlo, with loveable characters scrambling to avoid suspicion and arrest by the suitably weighted (yet hilarious) Giannini as "Inspector Bonnard"...and who'd have thought Richard Lewis would hold his own as Sean Young's love interest? As a feuding American couple, Shepherd & Belushi are priceless, as they rediscover their love, by discovering they have larceny in their hearts; and in the end, we finally learn who the real culprits are in one of those "gather all the suspects together in one room and reveal the murderer" scenes (always fun!)...can't tell from the info, but the DVD's "extras" will be probably be few, the picture and sound will be good to very good (MGM puts out good transfers, normally), but unfortunately, it looks like this small gem is not going to get the widescreen treatment it deserves...why a studio EVER releases anything in Pan & Scan is beyond me. But hey, at least it's available, and that's great news for those of us who love this film...and those of you who will now have the joy of discovering it!

Average customer rating:

Wonderful glimpse into the life of a wife, mother, and midwife
Perfectly wonderful
For Those Who Worship the Past

American Experience - A Midwife's Tale
Starring: Ron Tough , Charlie Rhindress , Gil Rogers , Alyson Green , and Ruth Anderson
Director: Richard P. Rogers
Manufacturer: PBS (Direct)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000FGG66G
Release Date: 2006-06-13

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful glimpse into the life of a wife, mother, and midwife.......2007-09-06

This is a PBS documentary about the diary of an 18th century midwife named Martha Ballard. It is interesting to view how her life was chronicled in her own words and portrayed so beautifully through this film. I also got a better understanding of life in those difficult times and how life was constant work and toil, especially for a woman. There are a lot of parallels between Martha Ballard's life and the lives of wives, mothers, and women across various cultures and time periods. It is encouraging to know that there is a common thread among women who take on so much of the work involved in family life, childrearing, etc. I am inspired that she raised her children with so much tireless strength and dignity, and even went beyond her own family to help other women bring their children into the world.

Perfectly wonderful.......2006-12-20

Enthralling slice of life from a rare perspective. Beautifully filmed & acted. Research is academically strong.

For Those Who Worship the Past.......2006-06-26

This was REALLY only meant for people that like recreating the past. Remember when Oprah attempted life as a woman in the 1700s? Civil War recreationists would like this too. Still, this is completely a niche market. Remember how the Simpsons tried a show like this and the show got cancelled? I was sitting here bored watching a show that implies "Wasn't eighteenth century life so interesting and admirable?" This is 90 minutes on one historian speaking on one historical document. I appreciate this as a contribution to women's studies. But otherwise, yawn!

This does mention spicy topics such as premarital sex and rape allegations. The historian can document health epidemics and property boundaries. Still, I would have like to seen this midwife's life contextualized. For example, how and when did she learn to read and write? I imagine most women in the 1700s did not have those skills. The work suggests that the midwife was not stigmatized for her job and made good money from it, so why didn't she pass this trade on to her own daughters? The work does show her tracking in snow. Still, Maine, to this day, is icy cold. Did she smoke meat? How did her family and other family survive during long, oppressive winters? Each woman and girl here always has her hair covered. I imagine this was in order not to catch or spread lice, but the work never says. When the midwife dies, her children and grandchildren are at her bedside. I heard this was a common practice back then, but the documentary never says. The historian notes that the midwife recorded her tasks and not her feelings. Is this an example of the Protestant work ethic? Again, things should have been fleshed out.

Again, do not view this if you aren't in the targeted niche.

Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)

Average customer rating:

Timeline of Broadway Theatre
Broadway for Dummies.
Reasonably good for an incredibly ambitious project
Broadway -The American Musical (PBS Series)
The American Musical: Close To Perfection!

Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)
Starring: Julie Andrews , John Cullum , Jonathan Freeman , Chris Gantt , and Michael C. Hall
Director: Michael Kantor
Manufacturer: Pbs Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0002V7THY
Release Date: 2004-10-12

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Timeline of Broadway Theatre.......2007-01-08

'Broadway - The Amercian Musical' is a PBS series which tries to tell the story of Broadway in several chapters. More than being a focus on any one show or even time period, this documentary tries to tell the narrative of Broadway.

Julie Andrews hosts and narrates the special, and then we are presented with footage and photos of historical Broadway images, songs, and shows accompanied by interviews with people associated with Broadway. Stephen Sondheim is a notable interviewee who contributes first-hand to the PBS special to tell the story of Broadway. Either way, it works.

The story starts with the 'Ziegfeld Follies' and in Ziegfeld, presents the important role of producer in making Broadway musicals come to life. The 'Ziegfeld Follies' was a series of theatrical reviews which featured songs, dance, and the "Ziegfield girl," an often attractive female employed to be an actor or dancer in the show, establishing this stereotype.

It goes on to chronicle the contributions of the major composers of the Broadway stage; namely, Gershwin, Berlin, Kern, Rodgers, Porter, Bernstein, and Sondheim, among others. It also celebrates the giants of the Broadway stage, like singer Ethel Merman who could hold a note 'forever'. The documentary will often turn its focus to a particular musical or song within in order to illustrate a larger point about the Broadway narrative.

Equally included in the story of Broadway are contemporary musicals, like 'Rent' and 'The Lion King.' It is this continuous, ubiquitous nature of the Broadway tradition that draws me in to this documentary. Watching 'Broadway - The American Musical' is both a fun and educational experience. So, take your pick. You can watch it to learn or you can watch it just to enjoy.

Broadway for Dummies........2006-02-26

...and being a self-professed "dummy" on the American Musical Theater I found this sort of "Broadway History 101" to be at best an entertaining starting point, . I believe director Michael Kantor was handicapped from the start since the whole history of the "Great White Way" encompasses such a huge array of giants and geniuses (Ziegfeld, Jolson, Gershwin...) that at a mere six hours, the documentary feels like being on a bus tour speeding by at 90 miles an hour. That odd feeling is magnified no better than Episode Four: "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'(1943-1960), the single most important gem in the chest. As been noted elsewhere, that golden era of the fabulous "Book Musicals" which produced an unmatchable run of landmark classics like "Oklahoma" and "My Fair Lady" could have alone been given a six hour treatment instead of the rushed, caffeinated hour presented here. Clearly, the episode in Brodway parlance "lays an egg," compromising this projects overall quality.

Still, there is fun to be had here and the filmakers manage to skirt PBS' tendency to turn a giddy subject into a multi-cultural funeral march. Julie Andrews is an exquisite host and I disagree with criticism about the high amount of movie clips used in episodes One through Three. Movies of the 1930's in particular the early "talkies" appropriated so much of Broadway's luster and lore it seems only natural to use them. I also loved the novel use of a song's lyrics by showing the words playfully dancing in an about a sheet of music or a photograph. And best of all, the "talking heads" used here all have something interesting to say with humour and clarity- a key element missing in, say, Ken Burn's "Jazz."

Reasonably good for an incredibly ambitious project.......2005-12-30

Any effort to survey the whole history of the Broadway musical theatre inevitably involves difficult choices of what to include and what to omit, plus the scarcity of earliest material. On the whole, the six-episode documentary works....I don't know how many factual errors were made or how many errors were picked up by other reviewers, but as a major fan of Jimmy Durante and the author of what is the most comprehensive coverage of his career (JIMMY DURANTE: HIS SHOW BUSINESS CAREER, McFarland & Company, 1995, still in print), I was startled to see in the "musical comedies" section of episode two, just before the Jolson segment, that a brief clip from an unidentified movie claimed it showed, left to right, (Lou) Clayton, (Jimmy) Durante, and (Eddie) Jackson. In fact the people were Rudy Vallee, Jimmy Durante, and Cliff ("Ukelele Ike") Edwards, from the Fox film GEORGE WHITE'S SCANDALS (1934), not the famous vaudeville team of Clayton, Jackson and Durante. That team appeared in only one film, ROADHOUSE NIGHTS (Paramount, 1930), together with Helen Morgan. Neither Durante nor his early partners ever appeared in any of George White's theatre productions.

Broadway -The American Musical (PBS Series).......2005-10-14

Several hours of reliving some wonderful "Show" memories, an era
when musicals were tops. Not to be missed by anybody who loves
first rate musicals.

The American Musical: Close To Perfection!.......2005-10-03

I think 'The American Musical' is a sophisticated and -far as I know- the most complete collection of highlights of American Musical Theatre.
Very fine (short) documentaries of 'standardsetting' shows as: 'Show Boat', 'The Lion King' and 'Wicked'.

Within three dvd's it is clearly shown that the American musical is an artform with final results that are close to perfection (European opera is warned!).

As a teacher at the Rotterdam Conservatory (NL) of the Musical Theatre Department I believe this collection should at least be in every library and if possible: in every (theatre)student's dvd-colection!

L.H. Rotterdam (Holland)

American Heroes Collection (The Bridges at Toko-Ri / Hell Is For Heroes / In Harm's Way)

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The Sacrifices Made In War
The Sacrifices Made In War

American Heroes Collection (The Bridges at Toko-Ri / Hell Is For Heroes / In Harm's Way)
Starring: John Wayne , Kirk Douglas , Patricia Neal , Tom Tryon , and Paula Prentiss
Director: Otto Preminger , Don Siegel , and Mark Robson
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000EQ5SRA
Release Date: 2006-05-09

Product Description

Hell is for Heroes
Steve McQueen delivers a powerful, gripping performance as a defiant loner whose skills as a soldier make him invaluable to his struggling platoon. In the heat of battle during World War II, McQueen and his fellow soldiers find themselves severely outnumbered as they hold off a Nazi advance along the Siegfried Line in France. Using only their ingenuity and bravery, they must bluff the Germans in order to buy some time…and save their lives. Don Siegel directs the explosive action led by an all-star cast, including Bobby Darin, Fess Parker, Harry Guardino, James Coburn, Nick Adams and Bob Newhart. If they can fool the enemy long enough for reinforcements to arrive, victory is theirs.

The Bridges at Toko-Ri

In Harm's Way

Customer Reviews:

The Sacrifices Made In War.......2006-06-20

IN HARM'S WAY is a very interesting WWII film directed and produced by Otto Preminger and is worth repeated viewing for its shear entertainment. John Wayne's subtle yet forceful performance just demonstrates the wide range of his acting abilities. We see John Wayne the actor and consummate professional at work here. He gave an exceptional performance in this film that others can learn from. The whole cast seems in awe of him. Even the usual flamboyant Kirk Douglas seems to have turned it down a notch giving an impressive performance as well. The construction of the characters and their dialogue was well thought out. It seems more powerful today than when it was first released. Its excellent cast includes: Patricia Neal, Tom Tryon, Burgess Meredith, Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews, Hugh O'Brian, Paula Prentiss, Brandon de Wilde, Patrick O'Neal, Franchot Tone, Carroll O'Connor, George Kennedy, Slim Pickens, Bruce Cabot, Larry Hagman, Barbara Bouchet, Stanley Holloway, Jill Haworth and James Mitchum. Jerry Goldsmith composed one of his most introverted scores, which goes against convention for a war film yet it works. This score is an early sign of the great innovative abilities of Jerry Goldsmith. Preminger being the craftsman that he was even helped construct the models of the destroyers and cruisers. Cinematographer, Loyal Griggs received an academy award nomination for his stark black & white images. This is a well-constructed film on all levels.

HELL IS FOR HEROES so we are told. Was there ever a man more misunderstood? Steve McQueen plays a soldier who lives only for the thrill of combat. His character is cold and frightening and borders on the psychotic. He's a sociopath who carves up German soldiers with a butcher knife. After the war there is no going back for him. I saw this when I was a kid. I saw a lot of war movies in the theatre back then but this was the first one that really scared me. It gave me a sick feeling inside of how real war must be like. The scene with the bayonets and landmines left an impact on me for a long time after. Everyone in this film gave realistic performances but I remember how Steve McQueen's character seemed really demented. Yet despite the obvious psychological makeup of McQueen is there still a human being hidden deep within him. What is a hero? Don Siegel directed this tough and mean film and asks this profound question. Cinematographer Harold Lipstein's photography brings stark realism to this film. Composer Leonard Rosenman's score is very reminiscent of his brilliant work for the very popular W.W.II television series "Combat!" which ran for 5 years. This film also boasted a brilliant cast. Bobby Darin, James Coburn, Fess Parker, L.Q. Jones, Nick Adams, Harry Guardino, Mike Kellin and Bob Newhart are all featured. This is an underrated classic.

Perhaps the best of these films is THE BRIDGES AT TOKO-RI. The principal characters are William Holden as Lt. Harry Brubaker USNR, Grace Kelly as his wife Nancy, Fredric March as Rear Admiral George Tarrant, Mickey Rooney as Mike Forney a helicopter rescue pilot and Charles McGraw as Commander Wayne Lee leader of the jet fighter group. THE BRIDGES AT TOKO-RI is a very moving film. The sacrifices that some are called upon to make are often gone untold. This film reminds us of those sacrifices in brilliant almost unsettling color images. When you see William Holden's final scene and then think back to a prior scene of Holden with his family, the message hits home. We see Fredric March on the bridge of the aircraft carrier reflect on the news of Holden. March unknown to Holden kept a watchful eye on him as if he were his own son. When the ultimate sacrifice is made, men in command must stand strong, yet inwardly mourn the loss only to themselves. The sacrifice has not gone unrecognized. It is a simple but powerful message.

The Sacrifices Made In War.......2006-06-20

Average customer rating:

BETTY GRABLE;s first starring film...and it is delightful...
May I introduce Carmen Miranda......
Everything about this little demon was larger than life...
Not Too Sophisticated, But A Lot Of Fun
very happy pensioner

Down Argentine Way
Starring: Don Ameche , Betty Grable , Carmen Miranda , Charlotte Greenwood , and J. Carrol Naish
Director: Irving Cummings
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000EXDSA2
Release Date: 2006-06-13

Description

Betty Grable and Don Ameche fall in love but their fathers intervene. Includes classic performances by Carmen Miranda.

Customer Reviews:

BETTY GRABLE;s first starring film...and it is delightful..........2007-06-26

A very bright, colorful, entertaining film...with many wonderful
specialties: Carmen Miranda )Her first film)...The Nicholas Brothers...
unforgetable dance sequence...and Charlot Greenwood...all make this
a sparkling entertainment. AND...it still sparkles after 67 years.
O.K...you don't need to win at JEOPARDY to enjoy this...but it is what
it is...a circa 1940 TECHNICOLOR Fox musical...Betty is beautiful and
elegantly dressed...the music is pleasant...