Baa Baa Black Sheep, Vol. 2

Customer Reviews:

great ww2 show.......2007-09-02

this show is one of the greatest ww2 series ever made. amust have for any war movie andwar tv show buff.

Session One now is complete.......2007-08-29

Finally I got the end of session one of this great series.
Viewing it, reminds me to and old past, more than 25 years ago.
The quality of the product is very good.
I hope they would release the rest of the series soon.

Baa Baa Black Sheep, Vol 2.......2007-08-25

Based on the real WW II Black Sheep Squadron. It's an excellent example of real WW II drama with a touch of comedy. This series is highly entertaining. If you love history or are a WW II buff, this is a must see. I recommend you purchase Vol 1 first.

Baa Baa Black Sheep Volume 2.......2007-08-24

A Series of Great Entertainment.
Much improved on the Fist Volume with better flight scenes,etc
Any Corsair buff will enjoy.

Baa Baa Black Sheep Season 2.......2007-08-23

Great three disk set. Can't wait for the next series.
I think I was reincarnated from WWII pacific theatre.

Average customer rating:

Cute--Good for Parties, Apparently
Great Family Fun!
It's the Great Pumpkin - Great Classic DVD
It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Classic!

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Starring: Ann Altieri , Gail DeFaria , Lisa DeFaria , Sally Dryer , and Bill Melendez
Director: Bill Melendez
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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3-6 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

7-9 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00004W5UK
Release Date: 2000-09-12

Amazon.com

Charlie Brown gets rocks in his trick-or-treat bag, Linus awaits a visitation from the Great Pumpkin in his terribly sincere pumpkin patch (while the adoring little Sally sits tight with him), Snoopy falls asleep, Lucy harasses Schroeder, and Pig-Pen kicks up a dust storm even beneath his costume in this classic television broadcast. Funny stuff, but also graced with Charles Schultz's more poignant and gently satiric themes from the 1960s on the influence of faith, failure, and hope in our lives. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Cute--Good for Parties, Apparently.......2007-06-14

My family and I are huge Snoopy fans. Peanuts dominated my childhood. Every Halloween was marked with the traditional viewing of The Great Pumpkin. This isn't just for kids' enjoyment, however. My junior year of high school, I was invited to my friend's Halloween party, consisting of an eclectic group of high school and college students, who all willingly sat down some time in the evening to It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. It's the kind of movie you actually want to buy, because you know you'll end up watching it every year.

Great Family Fun!.......2007-06-09

This was a great DVD, and a great tradition to start with any family! We watch this every Halloween, and love it to pieces.

It's the Great Pumpkin - Great Classic DVD.......2007-01-24

This is probably the best Charlie Brown special made. It's a great dvd with really nice cover art. I received it quickly in perfect condition. Thanks.

It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.......2007-01-11

Children and adults can enjoy this DVD together. It's a wonderful Halloween story with just the right level of fun, comedy, and spookiness for chidren. Adults can also enjoy the gorgeous art work. The pictures of the night skies alone are reason enough to watch it. The colors are beautiful and as a preschool teacher, I can say very similar to children's art work. My children and I still watch this every year - it just isn't Halloween without it.

Classic!.......2007-01-06

You've got to love this one. Its a classic and my son whom is 3 loves it as well.

Average customer rating:

Incentive for technologically challenged
REVIEW, Baa Baa Blacksheep Vol.1
Just like I remember!!!
We are poor little lambs...... Who have lost our way....
Baa Baa Black Sheep

Baa Baa Black Sheep - Volume 1
Starring: Dirk Blocker , Robert Conrad , Robert Ginty , John Larroquette , and Jeff MacKay
Director: Robert Conrad , Alex Beaton , Jackie Cooper , Philip DeGuere , and Edward Dein
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B0007YMWGY
Release Date: 2005-05-24

Amazon.com

A likable mix of WWII action and light comedy, the first 10 episodes of the NBC series Baa Baa Black Sheep (1976-78) wing their way onto DVD in this double-sided two-disc set. Based on the adventures of Marine Corps pilot Major Gregory "Pappy" Boyington (played in the series by the always dependable Robert Conrad) and his squadron of roguish ace fliers in the South Pacific Theater, Baa Baa Black Sheep benefited from an excellent cast (which included such TV and film vets as Simon Oakland and Dana Elcar, as well as up-and-comers like John Larroquette and Larry Manetti of Magnum, P.I.) and scripts from series creator Stephen J. Cannell (as well as long-time TV scribes like Philip De Guere and Milt Rosen) that offered a enjoyable balance of humor and combat. The blend gets an excellent showcase in the 1976 two-hour pilot, Flying Misfits, which kicks off volume 1; the remaining 10 adventures pit Pappy and the Black Sheep boys against the Axis Japanese in a secret squadron of captured planes ("The Meatball Circus," episode 8), a brainwashed American captain ("Presumed Dead," episode 7), and a tough major (Charles Napier) with designs on commanding the squadron ("Best Three out of Five," episode 3). Fans of the series may question the decision to include only half of the first season's episodes in this set (the 1976-77 season ran for an additional 12 episodes before being dropped by NBC; the series was revived in late 1977, rechristened Black Sheep Squadron, and ran for an additional 13 episodes before being canceled in 1978), but the inclusion of the two-part pilot and interviews with the real Pappy Boyington (who served as the show's consultant and even cameos in the pilot) should appease any concerns. --Paul Gaita

Customer Reviews:

Incentive for technologically challenged.......2007-09-12

I bought this for my dad for his birthday. He has a DVD player I gave him, but won't use it unless one of the kids is home to run it for him. Every time I've been home in the last month (since he got it) Baa Baa has been on tv--he likes it enough he's figured out how to run the DVD player himself! If that's not a 5-star recommendation I don't know what is!

REVIEW, Baa Baa Blacksheep Vol.1.......2007-09-02

These epasodes of a once popular TV.series are as remembered the plots are soso but the pictures of the warbirds are just what the flyer could ask for if a little repatisious.

Just like I remember!!!.......2007-08-08

I was just a kid but still remember this series! Highly recommend the first season ...

We are poor little lambs...... Who have lost our way...........2007-07-07

As the Title Song says this is the story of the lost little lambs of VF 214 The Black sheep squadron led by Greg"Pappy" Boyington, Ok if you had seen this on the History Channel(US) you would also had the commentries of the real black sheep which cast a differant light on the stories as shown in the serise. To see the pilot episode along with the rest of the first season was great. The Quality of the DVD was excellent along with actual combat footage makes it a must for anyone who wants to see good high adventure along with the reality and heartbreak of war.I would rank this highly along with Capt W.E. John's Biggles, 633 Squadron and the Battle of Britian

Baa Baa Black Sheep.......2007-06-18

I was very young when Baa Baa Black Sheep first aired, but I loved watching it and have many treasured memories of watching it with my father; who was a Navy fighter pilot during WWII. My father would sometimes be exasperated by the historical inaccuracies that sometimes cropped up, but he loved watching the flying sequences. I remember him laughing at one point and saying, "Those stunt pilots are having a ball!" Now that my dad has passed away, it is deeply rewarding to be able to watch this show again. Sure, it isn't very true to the historical reality, but to me that never really mattered. Robert Conrad will always be Pappy Boyington to me, and the Black Sheep a bunch of misfits and screwballs who became the terrors of the South Pacific!

Average customer rating:

4 Stars for the movie, 0 for this lame DVD!
Donnelly screws tracy.
Not quite "Tommy Boy" but still funny.
Chris Farley...we miss you!!
Re-making TOMMY BOY Without Actually Re-making It.

Black Sheep
Starring: Chris Farley , David Spade , Christine Ebersole , Gary Busy , and Toby Scott Ganger
Director: Penelope Spheeris
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00005JL1T
Release Date: 2002-07-16

Amazon.com

Chris Farley plays the disaster-prone brother of a gubernatorial candidate in Washington State. Though he is well meaning, the havoc he creates on the campaign trail is drawing press attention, so a snotty aide (David Spade) to the politician is dispatched to keep the big lug under control. Spade's character initially insults his charge as often as possible, but over time, the two bond and end up becoming a part of the final election push. Farley and Spade have some very funny moments, but overall the film feels rushed and poorly planned. Constant changes in character and script happen recklessly and randomly so that nothing ever really makes sense; the film keeps changing the rules by which it plays. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

4 Stars for the movie, 0 for this lame DVD!.......2007-08-20

There's plenty of reviews on the movie itself , so I'd really just like to address the DVD. What is up with this thing? Okay, so the movie is not as good as Tommy Boy, but it deserves better treatment than this! This movie is far beyond just another ex-SNL cast one-off movie. There are NO features at all! Except english subtitles and scene selection, there's nothing.

I'm really not one for tons of features, but at least throw in the trailer for Christ's sake...I'm also not picky about the picture transfer, but this thing is literally the same picture as my VHS copy of the movie! The only real difference is that one is on a tape and one is on a disc, no more.

Take my word for it, if you already have it on VHS, don't even bother. It's hardly worth the price at $9.99, as cheap as that is. If not, grab a used one for a couple bucks here.

Donnelly screws tracy........2007-06-25

A hilariously funny movie black sheep that you can't deny. Chris farley who plays mike donnelly a clumsy ill tempered not too smart guy who goes insane with junkies in the back of a convenient store gets doped up on MTV station in seattle after spending time in the green room with his boys going crazy with the crowd who has teamed up with the A hole character steve dodds (david spade) both out to save mikes brother al donnelly (tim matheson) from losing his election of becoming the govenor of washington by al's evil competitor govenor tracy (christine ebersole) who hires crooks to frame mike in a arson fire to mikes rec center to make al and mike look really bad and win the election. This movie never gets old for me it was always funny for me and I give a 5/5 stars.

R.I.P chris farley

Not quite "Tommy Boy" but still funny........2007-03-16

Al Donnelly (Tim Matheson) is trying to get elected governor of the state of Washington, he hires campaign aid Steve Dodds (David Spade) to keep an eye on his brother Mike (Chris Farley) and keep him out of trouble until the election is over. But it isn't going to be easy, until soon they discover something shocking going on about the election from governor canidate Governor Tracy (Christine Ebersole) for they need the help of former soldier Drake Sabitch (Gary Busey) to prove that she's a crook.

Although no where as great as Farley's "Tommy Boy", this is an enjoyable and funny political comedy. You get to see Spade and Farley get into all sorts of funny situations especially Farley getting hurt like the part where he gets his necktie stuck to the back of a driver's car, if you like a good laugh this could be it but don't expect it to be "Tommy Boy 2".

The DVD is pratically bareboned but the transfer and sound are good.

Chris Farley...we miss you!!.......2007-01-31

This is a great movie for many reasons. First, it's hilarious. Second, we all goof up at some time in our life and feel like the black sheep of the family, of our company, of our group, of our (you fill in the blank). If you liked Tommy Boy, you'll like Black Sheep as well.

Re-making TOMMY BOY Without Actually Re-making It........2006-10-25

After their extremely funny and very successful comedy smash TOMMY BOY, Chris Farley and David Spade joined forces again and came up with BLACK SHEEP, a movie that can almost best be described as a TOMMY BOY wanna-be. In BLACK SHEEP Chris Farley plays Mike Donnelly, a simple-minded, klutzy, and sometimes off-the-handle troubled youth worker who is an embarrassment to his older brother Al (Tim Matheson) who is running for the governor of Washington. Mike really wants his brother to win and does everything he can to campaign for him, but his best intentions always seem to bring about disastrous results. In an attempt to keep Mike in check, Al's campaign managers assign aide Steve Dodds (David Spade) to take Mike to a cabin in the mountains and keep him from causing any trouble. This proves impossible to do, and Mike continues to get into trouble. However, along the way Steve and Mike uncover evidence of a fixed election and set out to bring justice.

BLACK SHEEP is a water-downed version of TOMMY BOY. Chris Farley plays the dufus relative of a person of power. David Spade plays the person assigned to watch over him. The family's power is lost and Chris and Dave go on a road trip to re-establish the family's position. There are some funny moments in BLACK SHEEP, but some of them are direct copies of jokes from TOMMY BOY, while most of the others just aren't all that funny. The similarities between the two movies don't stop there. Farley plays the same football play with his youth center kids as he does while cow-tipping in TOMMY BOY and the car that Farley and Spade's characters drove in TOMMY BOY can be seen parked in front of the youth center that Mike Donnelly works at. There are even a couple of times in the movie where Farley almost refers to Spade's character as "Richard" (the character Spade played in TOMMY BOY).

I'm a fan of Chris Farley. I think he was a comic genius that never achieved his full potential. He lost his life because of an addiction to drugs and that addiction affected much of his later work, including BLACK SHEEP.

I'm not as big a fan of David Spade's, but I do enjoy many of his characters. He is at his best when he's going off on a witty, biting sarcastic rant or when he is playing over-the-top characters (e.g. MEET JOE DIRT). Unfortunately in BLACK SHEEP he really doesn't get to do either and it affects the quality of the movie.

Overall, BLACK SHEEP is just an average comedy that borders on below average. The presence of Farley and Spade keep it from falling below the brink, but just barely. It's a far lesser movie than TOMMY BOY, but it is a film that illustrates the decline and fall of Farley as both a comedian and a person struggling with addiction.

Average customer rating:

not a standout in its genre and equally not hilarious
A Zombie Masterpiece!!!
HIDE THE SHEEP

Black Sheep (Unrated)
Starring: Nathan Meister , Danielle Mason , Peter Feeney , Tammy Davis , and Glenis Levestam
Director: Jonathan King
Manufacturer: Weinstein Company
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000TJ6PB0
Release Date: 2007-10-09

Description

An experiment in genetic engineering turns harmless sheep into blood-thirsty killers that terrorize a sprawling New Zealand farm.

Customer Reviews:

not a standout in its genre and equally not hilarious.......2007-09-13

I saw this with a few people who, like myself, love various types of genres. We had garnered tickets at it's premier at a film festival and wasn't of course expecting Oscar material or even anything close to a Danny Boyles film. Around the 45 minute mark, we leaned over to each other several times wondering what we were doing here, and if we wanted to leave. Any comparison at all, like other reviewers, comparing this mess to a George A. Romero film or the 28 series is simply ludicrous and a disgrace to their work. (although if you are a fan of the Asia Argento mess, you will probably consider this one of the finest films of its kind, oh my.) This film is phony, it's characters are wooden and undeniably lackluster. I understand that the film is supposed to be a farce, but truly it must be for a certain type of film lover.

Other reviews talk about how funny it was, well no one laughed hardly at all in the packed theatre and I am assuming most of them were fanatics of this type of genre, unless they were given tickets and expected something like Out of Africa, but I hardly doubt that. Did Leslie Neilson accidentally direct this?

I have compiled a list of ideas for you other than waste your time on this stupid, adolescent cornucopia of absurdity:

1. rent 'Gummy', gouge your eyes out with lead pencils and gnaw on the rubber ends.

2. find a good book, perhaps Rosie's new toiletbowl trash and draw small figments of your imagination in the margins, realizing you would be actually creating something tangible, whereas your viewing of this movie will make you a prize idiot.

3. Go rent some equipment, get a student cinematographer, a few extras, take an add out in the paper, go get a permit to film in the sewers of manhattan, and a decent torch. Write a quick scenario in your head, throw it at the ensemble, get some fake blood, and a generator to play Silent Hill on on xbox for inspiration, do a few takes, have some talking zombie whores from the Port Authority bus terminal eating raw flesh from an Anne Coulter type, and you may just find yourself at a film festival.

A Zombie Masterpiece!!!.......2007-09-07

Zombie sheep that is. This movie is a masterpiece from somewhat of a sick point of view I guess. The creature effects are, without a question, top notch and the story is as ingenius as it is unique. Not often is a B movie concept like this one fleshed out so beautifully. Am I saying this movie is perfect? Of course not. But remember...for every great zombie film..there are probably at least fifty horrible ones. This one definitely belongs on the great shelf with the DAWN OF THE DEAD remake and 28 WEEKS LATER.

HIDE THE SHEEP .......2007-09-06

IF YOU ARE A FAN OF AUSSIE HORROR ( WHICH TENDS TO BE SPOTTY AT TIMES FROM GOOD "DEAD ALIVE " TO TERRIBLE "UNDEAD " )HERES A REALLY CLEVER TALE .
TYPICAL OF NATURE GONE MAD FILMS LIKE "FROGS" OR "FOOD OF THE GODS" THIS ONE REVOLVES AROUND A FAMILY / CORPORATION WHICH GENETICALLY TRIES TO IMPROVE THEIR SHEEP FARMING WITH DISASTEROUS RESULTS .
THE TRULY INSPIRED IDEA THAT SWEET LITTLE SHEEP CAN BE A THREAT DOESNT WEAR THIN IN EITHER THE LAUGHS OR THE GORE . THIS FILM SIMPLY IS FUN . THE LAUGHS ARE SELF SERVING AND SILLY SURE BUT IN AN EVIL DEAD 2 KINDA WAY .
BELIEVE ME IM NOT A BIG FAN OF HORROR PLAYED FOR LAUGHS (ITS WAY OVERDONE AND OFFENSIVE TO REAL HORROR FANS ) BUT THIS FILM REALLY IS SO OVER THE TOP ITS JUST WORKS .
BY THE TIME THE HERO QUAKES WITH TERROR AT THE SIGHT OF HUNDREDS OF SHEEP COMING OVER A HILL THE ABSURDITY AND HILARITY WILL SURELY OVERCOME YOU AS IT DID ME .
WELL WORTH A LOOK AND FOR THE COLLECTOR HORROR FAN A FINE ADDITION TO YOUR COLLECTION .A WINNER .

Average customer rating:

Pieces of April
If only more movies were like this.
spectacular low budget movie---a must see
A rare Thanksgiving treat
Katie Holmes does something right.

Pieces of April
Starring: Katie Holmes , Derek Luke , Oliver Platt , Alison Pill , and John Gallagher Jr.
Director: Peter Hedges (II)
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Black Comedy | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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ASIN: B0000VV4OK
Release Date: 2004-02-24

Amazon.com

The plot of Pieces of April, a sweet independent film, couldn't be simpler: As a raffish young woman named April (chipmunk-cute Katie Holmes, Wonder Boys, Dawson's Creek) struggles to cook Thanksgiving dinner in her dingy, cramped New York apartment, her estranged family slowly drives toward the city, stopping now and then to question why they're going to a meal they expect to be not only bad to eat, but awkward and unhappy. The writing, acting, and directing of Pieces of April ranges from straightforward to clumsy--and yet the movie builds to a surprisingly potent emotional conclusion. Much of the credit goes to wily Patricia Clarkson (High Art, The Station Agent), who plays April's cancer-ridden mother with a compelling mixture of sadness, rebellion, and wistful hope. Also featuring Oliver Platt (Funny Bones), Sean Hayes (Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss), and Derek Luke (Antwone Fisher). --Bret Fetzer

Description

Katie Holmes is "terrific" (People) as the quirky black sheep of her family in this delightful comedy-drama that "sparkles with acerbic wit, original characters and genuine heart" (Variety). Academy AwardÂ(r) nominee* Patricia Clarkson gives "a career-making performance" (Boxoffice), and "the entire cast is inspired" (Film Threat) in this "moving, hilarious comedy" (People). Rebellious daughter April Burns (Holmes) has offered to host an elaborate Thanksgiving dinner for her suburban clan in her grubby Lower East Side apartment. But her attempts to create an unforgettable feast go awry when she discovers that her oven doesn't work. Now, asher weary family makes its way to the city, April must rely on the kindness of strangers to pull off the perfect meal and the perfect memory. *2003: Supporting Actress, Pieces of April

Customer Reviews:

Pieces of April.......2007-07-23

"Pieces of April" is a little picture with a big heart, both funny and sad--one of those movies that sneaks up on you. The frenzied comic shenanigans involved in pulling off this meal belie a deep yearning, as we realize April wants to use the occasion to mend fences with her family, and in particular, her ailing mother. Both Holmes and veteran Clarkson shine in their roles, with Oliver Platt also excellent as a loving father quietly coping with the prospect of losing his wife. "Pieces of April" is a quirky, bittersweet valentine to family.

If only more movies were like this. .......2007-06-27

A wonderful story, wonderfully acted. If more films were like this then I might be bothered to go to the cinema again.

spectacular low budget movie---a must see.......2007-06-06

Although plenty of directors morph family dysfunction into humour, this movie is hardly a comedy, but more of a voyeristic and amusing drop-in on someone's Thanksgiving meal. Pretty Katie Holmes is believable as the angry, rebel daughter who, on the most stressed out of all holidays, decides to reach out across the cavernous divide of familial relations gone astray for that big one: approval from the family.

The claustrophobic, gritty and low-budget filming during a gray November is the key for the viewer to make the leap of faith past the comedic possibilities and upscale cast and submit to a sense of bleakness tinged with only a shred of hope. In fact, had the movie been expensive and slick, it might have had an oil and water combo of comedy and drama that equals another ho hum Hollywood soon to be forgetten flick. Not so here.

The characters are interesting and faulted in their own right, but for all their downfalls it's possible to have a sense of forgiveness for them. Patricia Clarkson does a beautiful job as the ascerbic, dying mother battling chemotherapy nausea and resignation in between glazed donuts. Although the movie does not succumb to sentimentality, better get out the tissues for the ending.

A rare Thanksgiving treat.......2007-05-27

The transition from teen TV actress to movie star is fraught with difficulties. Katie Holmes, longtime lead actress for the WB's "Dawson's Creek," is the latest to attempt the move. Her early efforts showed a knack for picking quality material ("Wonder Boys," "Go"), although most of these films featured her in supporting roles.

With the ultra-low-budget "Pieces of April," that changed. Holmes plays April, a problem child who rarely sees her parents (played by Patricia Clarkson and Oliver Platt) or younger siblings. Now, she's trying to clean up her act, dumping her drug-dealing boyfriend for the more upstanding Bobby (Derek Luke) and inviting her family to her NYC apartment for Thanksgiving dinner.

Despite April's recent efforts to clean her act up, her family remains skeptical and less than eager to make the trek to April's abode. But, perhaps buoyed by the terminal illness of one family member, they reluctantly make the trip. The film primarily alternates back and forth between the family's rather eventful road trip and April's equally eventful attempt to cook Thanksgiving dinner. April's trials and travails include a frantic search for a working oven to cook the turkey in, a search that eventually leading her to an eccentric neighbor's home (played by "Will & Grace" star Sean Hayes).

"Pieces of April" veers wildly between offbeat humor and poignant drama. It's an uneasy mix, largely because some of the bizarre scenarios seem forced. Worse yet, some of the comedic scenes are downright unfunny. Still, writer Peter Hedges ("What's Eating Gilbert Grape," "About A Boy"), making his directorial debut, compensates with some genuinely funny and touching moments. The film's gritty low-budget look also works to its advantage, adding a feeling of realism to the proceedings.

The cast, working for virtually no pay, is solid all around. It's a kick to see Holmes in a gritty low-budget indie shot on video. She accepts the challenge and thrives, giving her best film performance to date. Clarkson, who won a special jury prize at Sundance for her role, shines as April's mother, alternating between bitter rage and love for her family. Luke, who burst onto the scene in Denzel Washington's "Antwone Fisher," continues to show that he's an acting natural. Finally, how can you not like a film that finds an amusing part for Sisqo (of "Thong Song" fame)?

"Pieces of April" was truly a lavor of love for Hedges. Shot for only $150,000 and partly inspired by his mother's battle with cancer, it was a hit at Sundance. An often funny, poignant story about family dysfunction, it's packed with a sense of intimacy missing from most of the hollow big-budget behemoths crowding the theaters. And we should all give thanks for that.

Katie Holmes does something right........2007-04-10

I think I may have just seen a perfect movie. Very, VERY rarely does this happen for me, and when it does, I feel great. Pieces of April is a movie that I was putting off on watching for the longest time. Be it to watch some newer movie that I was interested in for a while, or some "classic" that only ended up disappointing me, PoA kept getting pushed to the side. After seeing it tonight, I'm ashamed to have done that for so long, as like I said in the first sentence, I really feel like this is a perfect movie. Not THE perfect movie, and not the best movie of all time by any means, but one that doesn't do anything wrong, or have a single useless scene. Off the top of my head, I can only say that about maybe two other movies, so this is obviously a very rare thing. I really didn't think I'd ever say that about a movie where Katie Holmes is the star. Now, I'm not the kind to dismiss a movie just on who's in it, even if the person is someone like Chris Tucker, but with Katie Holmes' choice of roles in the past few years, I wasn't expecting much here. It's about time I get blown away by something. Do yourself a favor and skip all reviews for the movie, and just give it a shot if you're interested at all in a fantastic feel-good movie, especially one of the few out there to revolve around Thanksgiving (without making it the main focus), you can't go wrong with Pieces of April.

April is a young woman leading what most would consider an "alternative" lifestyle. She's making Thanksgiving dinner for her family, who's coming down to visit her for the first time in a while. With the way she dresses, decorates her home, etc. compared to the rest of her family, it's easy to see why they don't think very highly of her. Her mom, Joy, has just returned from the hospital after surgery on her breast cancer, and with the way everyone else acts around her, it's clear that she doesn't have much longer to live. Joy may seem uppity, but it's mostly because she's sick of how jumpy everyone is around her. Her and her husband have two other kids- a son and another daughter. The son's into photography, and is sort of chronicling what could be their last family Thanksgiving, while the other daughter requires a pat on the back any time she does something good, and feels the need to correct memories that others think involved April when they were really regarding her. To make this even better, they're taking their very senile grandmother along with them, someone who doesn't know the names of anyone in the same car as her. While the family journeys to April's home, they bump into some trouble several times, mostly emotional. At the same time, April and her boyfriend Bobby are just running along a string of mishaps. For starters, her oven's shot, so she needs to find another to cook the turkey. When she finally does find one, she can only use it to halfway cook the turkey, and then needs to find another. Similar things happen, and only get worse for her. Bobby on the other hand, wanting to make a good first impression, is out looking for a nice outfit, but just as the others, he doesn't have an easy time. What's to become of this would-be car wreck?

While the plot doesn't sound too original at first, it's everything that happens after it's set up that proves to be gold. While April may look different, she acts "normal", and I couldn't see any reason not to like her/side with her parents. The series of problems she gets into with the turkey is hilarious in how bad they get. The first people to let her use their oven greet her with something that would normally be a dead joke. April knocks on their door, only to be answered by a woman who laughs when she hears that April has problems. Her husband asks who's at the door, and the woman proceeds to say that it's a young white girl with her whole life ahead of her, then mentions how she's going to love hearing about her so-called problems. We immediately cut to the same woman reaching for tissue and crying. Her husband proves to be an equally great character- he acts offended when April tells him that she's using store-bought cranberries and boxed stuffing. Just the way he questions her choices had me laughing out loud, which is something I don't do often when watching a comedy that's intended to be a comedy, if that makes any sense. The interaction between all the characters is what pulls this movie together so much to the point where I almost wish I had this sort of thing with my family when we were all together. I thanked god on the director/writer's choice to not make the senile grandma be the butt of a lot of jokes. Normally in movies, they'd beat the subject to death. Here, she's used only a few times, and when she is, it's not the typical stuff you'd expect. Only once does she repeat "who are you?" to Joy, her daughter. Joy tells her who she is, but then gets a response that was a bit painful to hear- that she knows who her daughter is, and that she's kind and wouldn't act like the way she is to everyone. And again, not a single scene in the movie is a waste. While I wanted to say that my only problem with Pieces of April was the short running time of 80 minutes, I have to take that back. No scene begs to be touched upon any more than it already is. I just wish it hadn't ended. I loved these characters.

With such a small budget, there's no way the movie's going to get some crystal clear transfer, but it looks pretty good still. There's some grain, giving a few scenes a gritty look, but I guess it helps the movie at the same time somehow. That's the only problem with the print I could see, but it's also worth mentioning that a few scenes were VERY jumpy, almost to the point where it was ridiculous. Just look at the scene where Joy goes back for the snacks for her family and you'll see what I mean. The audio is center focused since the movie's consisted of talking for the most part, and barely has a soundtrack. Everything is balanced and clear here.

There's not much in the way of special features here. First up is a commentary with the writer/director Peter Hedges. He does a fairly good job talking about everything from April's clothes to the number of times the movie fell apart before it got going. It sounds like he's reading off a piece of paper or something, saying some pretty precise things without much emotion, but I can look past it since he talks enough. I didn't appreciate him calling Alison Pill "The Canadian Meryl Streep" though. Comparing Meryl to her is silly. All the Pieces Together is your average making-of featurette, going over the inspiration for the movie, interviews with the main actors and more. After seeing the cast in the movie, then watching this immediately after, it was cool to see how different some of them look, namely Patricia Clarkson and Katie (even if we constantly see her in the news these days). While it's nice to hear the back story, this featurette is filled with too many clips for my taste, and is probably only about 6 minutes long with the rest being clips. Other than those, all we get are the trailer and some previews for other MGM releases. It would've been nice to see what scenes were deleted, even if I feel everything was perfect, or even longer interviews with the cast, but what we get's good enough. More extras would've pushed the overall rating to 4.5 stars easily.

The fact that the movie was shot in just 16 days and turned out as great as it did is really something. Add in a perfect cast of actors obviously comfortable in their roles, with a script that should've net this thing a few awards, and you have one of the better family-oriented comedies to come out in a very long time. It's hard to believe that this is Hedges' first film too. I look forward to seeing his other work, because this sure left me with an outstanding first impression. And hearing him say that he hoped people talk about life rather than the movie after seeing it, I gotta say, that's exactly what my girlfriend and I did after watching it. The man's got a gift.

Average customer rating:

Killer of Sheep
Starring: Henry Gayle Sanders , and Kaycee Moore
Director: Charles Burnett
Manufacturer: New Yorker Video/Milestone Cinematheque
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

ASIN: B000VEA3MU
Release Date: 2007-11-13

Average customer rating:

Filmed in my hometown...Houston, TX!
Jason's Lyric Purchase
HONEYCOMB
Great movie for dates!
Simple Story, but in excellence of mannerism

Jason's Lyric
Starring: Allen Payne , Jada Pinkett Smith , Bokeem Woodbine , Anthony 'Treach' Criss , and Eddie Griffin
Director: Doug McHenry
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Crime & Criminals | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000035P5I
Release Date: 2000-01-18

Amazon.com

At the heart of this dynamic film is the love of a man for a woman, a mother for a son, and a brother for a brother. Rarely is one man's struggle for inner peace so poignantly displayed as in this engrossingly sexy and unflinchingly violent love story. Lyric is the young woman who rekindles the dreams of a man tormented by a father's alcoholic violence now perpetuated by an unstable brother. Allen Payne and Jada Pinkett make for one of the screen's most memorable duos in the title roles. Each brings emotional intensity paired with powerful sexuality to their roles. Director Doug McHenry speaks to the 1990s by deftly balancing the story's heightened drama with just enough hope to give it impact. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Description

From one of the producers of New Jack City comes a "sizzling hot" (Glamour Magazine) Romeo and Juliet drama that blends an explosive soundtrack with an all-star cast, including Allen Payne (The Walking Dead), Jada Pinkett (The Nutty Professor), Bokeem Woodbine (The Rock), Forest Whitaker (The Crying Game) and Naughty By Nature's Anthony "Treach" Criss (Who's The Man?). Jason and Joshua are two brothers left fatherless by a family fight that spun out of control. Trying to make good and get off the slick ghetto streets of Houston, Jason (Payne) finds a source of inspiration in a beautiful and sexy girl named Lyric (Pinkett), whose dreams of fleeing the city together give him hope for a better life. But when Joshua (Woodbine) turns to a life of crime and drugs, Jason finds he's torn between his love for Lyric and his obligation to family. And as the time comes for Jason to leave, he finds that Joshua will stop at nothing to see that he stays even if the fight to keep him rivals the one that killed their father!

Customer Reviews:

Filmed in my hometown...Houston, TX!.......2007-03-11

I remember being in high school (Da Ridge...Eagles baby!) when this movie came out in 1994. I remember thinking how cool that a movie like this would be filmed in my own city versus LA or NY. Many of the scenes in the movie were filmed in the most popular areas, especially those known as hot tourist locations. The movie depicts life in the roughest parts of town and how it can harden a person including families. But the two lovers in this movie dream about and desperately want a better life for themselves, therefore they take their destiny into their own hands in this courageous movie. Ya gotta' get this DVD and the soundtrack too...I love them both!

Jason's Lyric, just one of many movies to put H-town on the map! The restaurant that Jada Smith works at is called "This Is It". Definitely one of the best soul food restaurants in Houston...check it out next time you're in town.

Jason's Lyric Purchase.......2006-11-06

The purchase was received in a well manner. I would buy from this marketplace again.

HONEYCOMB.......2006-07-20

As I watched the DVD, I did seeking for an answer to something that this movie had stirred in me. To my amazement it surfaced in me that this movie centered around pure, innocent, mind probing, and heart phased LOVE. In other words, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. Yet even though it appread in an ordinary way it was demonstrated in an extraordinary style. Jason, having to face the lost of his father by his own hands, had to come to terms with the fact that he killed his father but not for evil but to protect his mother. In all respect, JASON wanted to be the GOOD SON. Not hurting but helping. As a result, he had to choose between the woman he loved and the brother he wanted to protect. This woman, whom he had only known for a very short time but yet they had shared something so intimate and so soul connecting, that he found himself locked in something so deep that he could not give up; even at the cost of his brother. Even after all of the disappointments, he still came to the conclusion that this woman was the key for him. She was not perfect but she held his attention, which later led to her holding his heart. Even in the intimate scenes, I did not get offended but yet, I saw a man, who needed to know he was approved being certified in the arms a woman. He needed to know that even though he had committed a bad act (killing his father), that he was still a good person. This woman helped him to embrace that and strengthen him to a level where he could move foward and reach for GOD'S BEST. I titled my review HONEYCOMB because as bitter as the events in Jason's life was God sent him a sweet taste of victory (Lyric).

ShShalom

Great movie for dates!.......2006-02-15

This movie is great.
You won't be disappointed.
Perfect for dates and the soundtrack is great!

Simple Story, but in excellence of mannerism.......2005-08-23

Jason's Lyric, a story about an astute poet who exaggurates about leaving the 'Ghetto Hood' of Los Angeles, CA finds it worth while when meeting a troubled individual with a shocking past. The two fall in love but first must overcome obstacles in their own lives. Jada Pinkett and Allen Payne provide decent preformance and make the movie worthy of watching and understanding the story. Unlike the stupidity of the storytellers basing a movie in the deprived areas of America, this movie shows the obvious human side to the characters and gets you attached to them even more.

Although the ending of the movie was an enigma in itself, the story was adequate in most areas and tied the lives of the characters together to bring one of the passable plots of the 90s.

Average customer rating:

awesome book and video!
Kids Love it! A right of passage for parents!!
Entertaining show with a good message
Spookly The Great!!
Great movie

Spookley the Square Pumpkin
Director: Bernie Denk
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000A6T23U
Release Date: 2005-09-06

Description

In a world where `The only good pumpkins are round pumpkins'! Spookley The Square Pumpkin is shunned by the other pumpkins until a mighty storm threatens to destroy the entire patch. As the storm rages - Spookley realizes `it's find to be round while the weather is fair, but there are times it's better to be a square!'

Customer Reviews:

awesome book and video!.......2007-07-08

my daughters simply ADORE this video and the book, too ... they fell in love with the video when they were both less than 2 years old - it held their attention for the entire length of the movie ... it's cute, funny, and has a great moral !!!!!

Kids Love it! A right of passage for parents!!.......2007-05-03

Pixar it's not. It lacks the texture, lighting and subtle nuance of a Pixar film. However, the computer animation is pretty good for a children's video and you won't be disappointed. There are several children's videos that I like to watch with my kids. This particular video leaves me lukewarm. There are very few, if any, bits of humor for adults to bolster our flagging sanity. That said, it passes the most important test; the kids love it. Parents won't find it annoying (at least for the first 50 times they see it).

My kids particularly like the musical bits. My five-year-old also likes the read along version of the original "Spookley" book on the bonus section. It's interesting that the book diverges SIGNIFICANTLY from the video.

My son has specifically asked to see the bonus feature several times. It's read by the same guy who sings "Monster Mash", so gives the story a very nice "Transylvania Twist". Overall, I'm not disappointed I bought it for my kids.

Entertaining show with a good message.......2007-02-02

My kids love this DVD. Spookley is a pumpkin who is teased because he is different but this show teaches not to judge a book by it's cover. 5 Cute songs and it teaches a valuable lesson. Special features include:
-Direct Play DVD-full screen version
-Read Along with Bobby(Monster Mash) Pickett
My 2 year & 8 year old love this show and ask for it all through the year.

Spookly The Great!!.......2007-01-17

My 4 year old loves this Halloween classic. This movie does for Halloween what Rudolph and Frosty do for Christmas. I would definitely recommend it.

Great movie.......2007-01-10

My children, ages 4 and 5 absolutely loooove this movie! The songs are very singable, and original! Great for Halloween, or any time you want to give the kids a 'treat'! You won't be disappointed, it also sends a strong message about being 'different'.

Average customer rating:

Very Funny!!
Very disappointing
Corky Romano!
Product Guide
put a cork in it Corky

Corky Romano
Starring: Peter Berg , Peter Falk , Chris Penn , Richard Roundtree , and Fred Ward
Director: Rob Pritts
Manufacturer: Touchstone / Disney
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Slapstick | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Comic Criminals | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00005JKJJ
Release Date: 2002-05-14

Amazon.com

The setup is promising: The Romano mob family know that they're being betrayed by a hidden FBI informant in their ranks, so they decide to send a family member under cover to destroy the evidence against them--but the only family member the FBI won't recognize is the family black sheep, Corky (Chris Kattan), a touchy-feely aspiring veterinarian. But once Corky goes undercover, his klutzy ways accidentally make him the star of the FBI, sparking envy from his fellow agents and arousing suspicion in the mob. Though the script of Corky Romano declines as the movie goes on, Kattan actually keeps the picture going; his spastic, sniveling, childish energy is engaging, and at its best the production bubbles over with silliness. It only falls flat when Kattan has to behave in a remotely adult manner, which fortunately doesn't happen very often. Cheerful dopiness. Featuring Peter Falk, Peter Berg, and Chris Penn as mobsters. --Bret Fetzer

Description

Chris Kattan (A NIGHT AT THE ROXBURY, TV's SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE), Peter Falk (TV's COLUMBO), Peter Berg (COP LAND, TV's CHICAGO HOPE), and Chris Penn (RUSH HOUR) star in this hilarious, fish-out-of-water comedy caper from two of the producers of THE WATERBOY. Naive, bumbling Corky Romano (Kattan), the outcast son of a Mafia boss (Falk), is recruited by his family to infiltrate the FBI and steal any and all evidence that will put his cranky father in jail. But he's in way over his head when he's made out to be a super agent! It's a reputation he must live up to as he tries to fake his way through one tough assignment after another while hunting for the elusive incriminating proof of his father's illegal activities.

Customer Reviews:

Very Funny!!.......2005-09-19

I caught this movie today on HBO, didn't rem what it was about, but I like Kattan, so I watched it. I have not laughed this hard in years, I was in tears, especially when he gets high from the Coke,(you would swear he was really high) that scene is an instant classic in my mind forever!! Whenever I think about it, I laugh outloud. I missed the last 15min, had to leave for work, but will def. be buying this for my collection.

Very disappointing.......2004-04-26

I almost turned this one off after the tired shtick Kattan played out in the vet's office. But I must say the part with the accidental cocaine buzz right before speaking in front of a bunch of kids was pretty damn funny. Aside from this, I could barely stand it. Some might call this mindless entertainment. Mindless? Very. Entertainment? Not really.

Corky Romano!.......2004-03-23

Corky Romano has got to be one of the best movies EVER!!! It is doesn't drrraaaagggg on like other movies do, so it's easy to watch over and over again without getting bored. Plus, it's hilarious without being crude like you may find in other comedies. I've seen this movie 4 complete times being said on 3/22/2004, but by the time you're reading this, it may be twice as many! I've memorized entire scenes, even a chapter! Corky is relativly family friendly, though some things some people might find inappropriate for younger people, primarily the swear words. Pops Romano, a mafia father is having charges pressed against him, so he sends his son, Corky, to go undercover as an FBI Agent and destroy all evidence against him. His new fake name is Corky Pissant, which he claims is pronounced "pea-sont," and his fake resumé says he knows five different languages, has an olympic gold medal for sharpshooting, and is a black belt in some fighting style. Now Corky has to try and get the evidence while trying to live up to his fake resumé. The movie takes place over only 3 days or so, so it is fast-paced. Overall, "Corky Romano" is a fun movie to watch and I would recommend it to anyone.

Product Guide.......2004-01-03

Note: This review is intended as a product guide to help you decide whether you should make a purchase, and if applicable, whether a particular version of a product is worth purchasing. My star rating is an assessment of the product overall, which may not reflect my personal enjoyment of the main content.

Version of Corky Romano Reviewed: Touchstone Entertainment Widescreen DVD, 2003

ABOUT THE FILM

The Premise: Corky Romano (Chris Kattan) is the black sheep son in a dysfunctional, quirky mafia family. He's not a fan of the family business--he's much more concerned with animals (he's an assistant veterinarian), helping people, and spreading good cheer and hugs (think of a less "flamboyant" version of Richard Simmons). Because of this, after his mother passed away, his father (Peter Falk) and brothers (Peter Berg and Chris Penn) disowned him. However, when the family business is threatened by an informant working with the FBI, they need someone whom they can trust, but who isn't a known link to the family, to pose as an FBI agent and find out what they know and how they know it. Corky is unwillingly recruited for the job.

Facts And Assessments To Help You Decide Whether You Might Like This Film:
This is a fish-out-of-water comedy, and more specifically, would fit into a "Saturday Night Live comedy" genre. The Saturday Night Live comedy genre, with Kattan being the formal link to Saturday Night Live here, usually plays something like a film-length skit from the show, with more expensive production values, and a more formally structured plot. Although a lot of the humor can be sophomoric (which isn't meant as a value judgment--a lot of people, including me, enjoy sophomoric humor), Saturday Night Live comedies often have more sophisticated comedic subtexts, too. Corky Romano is heavier on the sophomoric and slapstick side.

Fans of the genre, and especially Chris Kattan fans, are most likely to enjoy the film. If some of Kattan's work on Saturday Night Live could get on your nerves, you may quickly grow tired of him in the film. If you're primarily interested in Corky Romano because you like other actors in the film, such as Peter Falk, be aware that besides Kattan, most of the other roles are more like "bit parts".

ABOUT THE DISC

Compared to a lot of recent releases, Corky Romano is a bit slim on special features. There are two "extended scenes", each only a few minutes long. One was definitely an alternate take. The other may have just been edited. In my view, both of these were even funnier than the versions that ended up in the final cut--this can be either positive (in that it's quality material as an extra) or a negative (in that it makes you realize that the film could have been even funnier), depending on how you look at it.

If you are interested in the process of filmmaking, the best extra feature for you would be the "All Access" extra, which is about 10 minutes long. Although there is no narration to explain what is going on, you see video footage of the director, cast and crew at work doing multiple takes of one particular scene. This will help you understand the idea of shooting "coverage", and implicitly demonstrate the importance of post-production sound processing, editing, and the strong effect that the addition of a score has on a film. On a positive/negative note again, much of the material that was cut out of this scene in the final version of the film was funnier to me.

Unfortunately, there is no commentary track provided, and this is one of the many discs where the box art lists items such as "Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound", "Widescreen (1.85:1)", and "Spanish and French Subtitles" as "Special Features", in order to make the disc look more substantial. Also, when navigating the menus, one of which is amusingly animated (and again this has the unintended negative effect of making you notice that the other menus aren't animated), they included a special section for a sole trailer for another film, Bubble Boy, as if that were some outstanding special feature.

put a cork in it Corky.......2003-10-24

man, Kattan is so annoying in this movie, I, I just wish it was never made for some reason but I cant deny that this was ok funny, yes I say it it was ok funny. the highlight is when Corky is wacked out of his skull on cocaine and he starts acting crazy in front of the kids, so hilarious. otherwise its a movie full of unfunny and dry jokes and nonstop nagging and whining from Peter Berg and Chris Penn(whos gay in this one and is wrong). Peter Falk(Columbo) is wasted as Pops Romano. one bad, wrong joke of a movie

DVD:

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