The Paper Chase

Description

Expecting only the basic pressures of attending Harvard Law School, a serious, hard-working student (Timothy Bottoms) finds himself the fearful adversary of the school's most imperious, sarcastic professor (John Houseman). Their relationship grows even more complex when the boy discovers that the girl he's in love with is the professor's daughter (Lindsay Wagner). Edward Herrmann and James Naughton co-star in this moving, intelligent drama.

Customer Reviews:

Great Chase!.......2007-09-14

I'm proud to own this copy of the excellent film Paper Chase (I'd like to read the book now that I've seen the film several times), one with now fuss no bother, just a clean shot, excellent commentary and intro. A master piece. Would there were more like it.

the facts in the case: a dissenting view.......2007-09-03

This film recounts the experiences of a first-year law student in chronological order. There is nothing particularly interesting in these experiences, nor any insights into education, law school, relationships or any of the other things that movies try to enlighten us about.

This film will appeal to lawyers who like to reminisce about their good ole days, and maybe law students, but only to them.

Everyone else will be sitting, waiting for something to happen. But nothing ever does happen. Nor do we care about the people it doesn't happen to.

You have been warned.

The Paper Chase.......2007-07-05

At a time of heightened competitiveness in academia, James Bridges's "The Paper Chase" makes for relevant as well as highly pleasurable viewing. Set in one of the most demanding environments--Harvard Law School--the film portrays learning at its most intense, where the depth and breadth of the curriculum represents a marathon, testing the brain and body's endurance. Timothy Bottoms is wonderful as the student who may be in over his head, but John Houseman, as the remote, brilliant law professor who strikes terror in his charges, is the reason this film scores a solid A.

Watch this before you go to law school.......2007-06-07

There are plenty of movies with a little romance, a little drama, and a little comedy. This movie is special because it portrays law school is such an entertaining, and somewhat accurate manner. It also explores the themes that we all constantly wrestle with, our natural intelligence, hard work, or ultimate capabililties, and what we are willing to sacrifice to get ahead.

The feckless and overly orthodox law professors that pollute the halls and classrooms of our nation's institutes of higher legal learning won't teach you as much about law school as this film will. The professor who appears in this film acutally explains his teaching methodology, the antiquated Socratic Method, which inspires students to learn and read through fear, which amounts to pointless question and answer sessions, which baffles students who once believed themselves to be intelligent before they were humiliated in front of their class!

Professor Kingsfield's lectures and question and answer sessions in this film are frightening and are timeless displays of eloquence, much like Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket. This movie, like no other, explores the fear and stress that law school students feel as they try to chase the paper, as they try to chase the grade.

Our protaganist goes through the same struggles as real law students, as he must decide between personal and school. Will he chase the girl that he is falling in love with? Or will he spend the weekend studying? Will he become the silent law school student that hopes that he does not get called on, or will he burn the midnight oil and become part of the upper echelon of law school students that savor the spotlight and volunteer to be participants in the feared Socratic nightmare? Will he fall prey to the paper chase and sell his sould to get the grade? You'll see law students crack, you'll see friendships fail, you'll see betrayal and competition, and you'll see disappointment in the face of the student that just can't hack it.

You'll get a sense of the conflict that is played out in the minds of those students who have the natural ability, but are conflicted whether or not they want to put in the work and take the pain that is necessary to succeed in law school and be at the top of their class.

The movie is entertaining, humorous, and the best part of all are the interactions between students and the sharp, aggressive law professor.

decent movie, but not real life.......2007-05-08

This is a decent movie, but hardly depicts the way that law school is, either in the late 1970s or espically in 2007. Professors today actually try to get AWAY from the Kingsfield sterotype that this movie created. Of course there are exceptions, and professors still use socratic at times, but it is very "soft." People can pass all the time in class, say i dont know, and NOTHING happens to them, indeed nobody even cares or looks up from playing games on their laptops.

So watch the movie, but don't use it as some kind of window into law school life.

Felicity - Freshman Year Collection (The Complete First Season)

Average customer rating:

My FAVORITE Show!
A show about dumb teens, bad music and horrible writing....
A must have for Felicity fans
I can't imagine not having my "Felicity" DVD set!
The beginning

Felicity - Freshman Year Collection (The Complete First Season)
Director: Ken Olin , Danny Leiner , Michael Schultz , Elodie Keene , and Joan Tewkesbury
Manufacturer: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005JLJS
Release Date: 2002-11-05

Amazon.com

"Sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can change your life forever," states Felicity in the pilot episode of this fervently loved series. Not that impulsively defying your parents, ditching plans to go to Stanford Medical School, and moving 3,000 miles to New York to follow an unrequited high school crush who doesn't even remember your name is a small decision. But it does indeed change our winsome heroine's life forever. Golden Globe winner Keri Russell lights up the screen in her star-is-born role as the luxuriantly maned Felicity. For its audience demographic, the "previously on Felicity" soap opera elements make this series' freshman year as compellingly watchable as the early years of Beverly Hills 90210 and Dawson's Creek.

Propelling the first season is the triangle of Felicity, the charismatic Ben (Scott Speedman), and charming doofus Noel (Scott Foley). But at the heart of the series is its real-world portrayal of college life, and Felicity's struggle to forge a life independent of her disapproving but ultimately supportive parents. Her sardonic, spell-casting now-you-see-her-now-you-don't roommate Meaghan doesn't think Felicity will last the year. "This might all be a colossal mistake," Felicity admits early on. (No, that would be your ill-advised haircut in Season 2.) Felicity's ensemble also includes former pink Power Ranger Amy Jo Johnson as Julie, Felicity's best friend and later rival for Ben's affections, whose own personal travails include searching for her birth mother (Malcolm in the Middle's Jane Kaczmarek). Look for a pre-Alias Jennifer Garner as Noel's old girlfriend Hannah in the episode "Thanksgiving," and listen for Janeane Garofalo as the voice of the unseen Sally, with whom Felicity shares audiocassettes relating her coming-of-age experiences and hard-earned life lessons. --Donald Liebenson

Description

It's high school graduation day and from the moment shy, beautiful Felicity Porter asks handsome Ben Covington to sign her yearbook, the course of her life is changed forever.

Customer Reviews:

My FAVORITE Show!.......2007-08-23

This show was so awesome; it never got the following it deserved. This first season is truly excellent! Felicity is just the story of a very regular girl following her crush to college, and it all plays out amazingly. I related to this character a lot b/c I was the same age at the time it came out. I definitely recommend this series to anyone who likes a realistic drama, women especially.

A show about dumb teens, bad music and horrible writing...........2007-07-18

I would expect a show like this to come from Disney (who also gave us that Hanna Moron show).

This series had incredibly bad writing, shallow performances, and an even worse cast of no talent hacks all playing the self-centered fools. I'm glad this show met with cancellation early.

A must have for Felicity fans.......2007-06-27

Season 1 is my favorite season of the show. The feelings and memories you get from watching this episodes are the best. It's a classic show, best drama ever. The story telling has no comparison to any other show.
If you like Felicity, this box set is a must have. If you're not a big fan, you will be by the time you've seen the 22 episodes of this season.

Felicity will always be my favorite tv show, and so I had to buy this one.

I can't imagine not having my "Felicity" DVD set!.......2007-03-29

Rarely do I love a series so much as I love "Felicity" (and "Gilmore Girls"). Those are the only 2 TV series that have my undying devotion, admiration and adoration! I'm not good with words so all I can say is you MUST watch "Felicity" from beginning to end. Do not miss a single moment let alone a single episode. Many people love seeing Felicity with Ben, but I am 100% a Felicity & Noel fan! They're so cute and so good together! Noel loves her without reservation! Ben on the other hand has a hard time figuring out who he is. Felicity's haircut is not so bad. It mirrors real life decisions. We all at one point or another have decided to chop off our hair dramatically for one silly reason or another. I know I did! Let me not forget mentioning my other 2 most favorite characters: Javier and Megan! They're unforgettable and steal the show almost every time they're in a scene! Sean is quite charming a character also! He's now in "Heroes" ... imagine that!

Rent this series if you don't want to buy it, you skeptical person you! Rent it! Watch it! And then you will end up buying the entire series! I promise! It's as good as it gets! And ever since, I have yet to see another TV series that tugs at my heart strings nearly the same way! Except for "Gilmore Girls" ... of course! I am after all ... Lorelai Gilmore! :)

The beginning.......2007-02-21

I had recently graduated from college when this show first aired but that didn't stopped me from indentifying with it. It's great to go back and watch this season and live again the emotions of being Felicity Porter. I think the beauty of this character created by J.J. Abrams is that there's a little bit of Felicity in all of us, no matter if you're male or female. The premise of the show was that the main character decides to follow Ben, her high school crush, to New York but deep down we all know that Ben was just the decoy to start a very interesting journey of self-discovery. Watching all the episodes again lets you re-discover all the characters, and if you're one of those people who have the 4 seasons, you'll start getting the idea of how they're going to develop. At first you can't understand why Felicity would follow Ben (Scott Speedman) to NY (aside from the way he looks). But getting to hear what he wrote in her yearbook and the way he talks to her at the end of the pilot episode (roof scene) he totally redeems himself and you start to understand. Yes, maybe real life doesn't turn that way but it's great to see if it did. The season has many many good moments. The eternal love triangle and comic relief of the show gets established when we meet Noel (Scott Foley), Meghan (the great Amanda Foreman), Sean (Greg Grunberg) and Javier (Ian Gomez). We also get to meet Elena and Julie. There are so many touching moments throught the season. I really felt for Felicity when her tape gets played at the dorm's party, when she finallys gives herself a chance to like somebody else and Noel's girlfriend appears, when she finds out that Ben likes Julie. It's an emotional rollercoaster for the main character and one can totally relate. That's why I didn't mind at all the last episode when we have Felicity caugth between Ben and Noel. I think the story needed to explore that role reversal (Ben pursuing Felicity) so we could start seeing her grow. Besides who doesn't just LOVE that first kiss between Felicity and Ben!

Basically the show had great writing, great music, good stories, great acting and gave way to a solid narration of the emotional evolution of a very human bunch of characters that I think a lot people (especially those WHO GOT the show) miss. And experiencing this show shile you live in New York you relate even more.

P. S. I can't picture any other actress than the very talented Keri Russell playing Felicity. In the DVD extras you can see her audition tape and you can tell why Matt Reeves and J.J. Abrams fell in love with her. The extras are not that abundant but getting to watch the original pilot was a treat.

Average customer rating:

Five star reviewers, I hate to say....got this one wrong.
I WISH!
ALYSSA AND MARTIN ARE EXCELLENT!
My oh my Milano
embracing alyssa

Embrace of the Vampire
Starring: Martin Kemp , Rebecca Ferratti , Glori Gold , Seana Ryan , and Sabrina Allen
Director: Anne Goursaud
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: 0780627806
Release Date: 1999-11-02

Description

A sensuous but innocent college freshman is seduced by a most obsessive lover.

Customer Reviews:

Five star reviewers, I hate to say....got this one wrong........2007-07-30

It was very unfortunate that this movie did not work out as I love vampire love stories.

Unlike other reviewers, I, a female, still think Alyssa Milano is more than just eye candy...in some of her movies; however, she must have been cutting her teeth with this film (pardon the pun). Her acting is mechanical and, yes, those fake [...] and very toned body does not suggest purity or innocence. I'm sorry, I know it is just a movie, but we like movies when they are convincing; that way the audience can connect with the characters to make the experience more real.

This film is just a cut above cheesy. It has the caliber of a Lifetime movie: Worth watching if you like late night made-for-tv movies....or if you like to watch good-looking people getting naked.

I WISH!.......2007-05-10

I LOVE THIS MOVIE!I WISH I HAD HIM!VAMPIRE MEN REALLY KNOW HOW TO TREAT THE WOMEN THEY LOVE.THAT'S HOW TRUE LOVE'S SUPPOSE TO BE-NOT LIKE IT IS IN THIS EXISTENCE!MARTIN KEMP PLAYED AN EXCELLENT VAMPIRE!THIS IS AN EXCELLENT MOVIE!

ALYSSA AND MARTIN ARE EXCELLENT!.......2007-04-02

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL VAMPIRE LOVE STORY.TOO BAD THERE'S NOT THAT KIND OF LOVE IN REAL LIFE.THERE'D BE NO DIVORCES, AND ALOT OF TRULY HAPPY COUPLES!I'D TAKE HIM IN A HEARTBEAT!THIS IS AN EXCELLENT MOVIE!VAMPIRE,VAMPIRE-WHERE ART THOU VAMPIRE?!

My oh my Milano.......2007-03-02

So that there be no confusion, I would like to submit two reviews for this movie - one for the Alyssa Milano fans, the other for all others.

To the true fans of Alyssa Milano - WOW, yibiba yibida yabada, houley-douley, spin my nipples and call me Susan. Alyssa is HOT HOT HOT in this one. You'll see more of her in this film than in any other (so far as I know). You'll also see her do a suggestive lesbian scenario and also a highly sensual scene with three others, inclunding one female, alomst totally nude! As for the film plot, acting, script, musical score... who cares. 5 stars all for Alyssa.

To all others - this film has nothing realy going for it unless you want to see lots of nudity (particulary of Alyssa). The acting - there are single-celled organisms floating over the abyssal plains of the deep Atlantic with better acting capabilties; An orang-utan could written a better script; and the film is as scary as watching a fluffy bunny rabbit frolic about in pleasant green fields. 1 star for this movie (that includes me ignoring my complete obsession with Alyssa).

Hope this helps.

embracing alyssa.......2007-01-04

bought it to check her out, and she did show most of the goodies but other than that the show bombed not worth watching other than the occasional moment that martin kemp could have made her scream i'am a bad girl...

Average customer rating:

Freshman Fall!
mark paul gosselaar the world loves you

Freshman Fall
Starring: Candace Cameron Bure , and Mark-Paul Gosselaar
Manufacturer: Direct Source Label
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000EPFCXQ
Release Date: 2006-04-11

Customer Reviews:

Freshman Fall! .......2007-01-13

Ok I saw this movie like 10 times on Lifetime tv and that is not the name of this film. The name of this movie is "SHE CRIED NO". I dont know where Freshman fall came from but that is sooo not the name of this film.

mark paul gosselaar the world loves you.......2006-12-03

wow another great film by the only actor who can play the role of an upmarket frat who gets what he wants but one day at a wild party he tries it on. but the girl cries rape!. follow mark paul has the amazing actor who twists and turns your viewing pleasure

what a great film! what an even better actor

dont rent this film. buy it its a masterpiece!

lee frayling hereford england hr7 4js

Average customer rating:

Great video for teens
Dying to Belong

Dying to Belong
Starring: Sarah Chalke , Mark-Paul Gosselaar , Isabella Hoffman , Jenna von Oy , and Jennifer Warren
Director: William A. Graham
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000A59PZG
Release Date: 2005-08-02

Customer Reviews:

Great video for teens.......2007-06-27

I teach "The Battle of Jericho" and this video does a pretty good job depicting the hazing issue. My female students enjoyed it more than the males.

Dying to Belong.......2007-04-14

I never purchased this movie so I can't very well review it. However, I did see it on television and wasn't that impressed.

Average customer rating:

Technically awful
Be aware of your version quality
Adventure and clever
The Scarlet Pimpernel
Avoid the Madacy

The Scarlet Pimpernel
Starring: Leslie Howard , Merle Oberon , Raymond Massey , Nigel Bruce , and Bramwell Fletcher
Director: Harold Young
Manufacturer: Madacy Records
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ASIN: 6305066825
Release Date: 1998-07-07

Amazon.com

"That damned elusive Pimpernel" finds a dashing embodiment in Leslie Howard, who has the steel to be an action hero and the wit to hide behind his alter ego: a British fop. Based on Baroness Orczy's novel, the story focuses on the efforts of this British dandy to aid members of the French aristocracy in escaping the guillotines of the French revolution. He also romances Merle Oberon, a beauty forgotten by recent generations, and engages in a wonderfully wicked duel of wits with the humorless enforcer for the French Republicans (Raymond Massey). If somewhat short on swashbuckling, it's long on the kind of costume drama that Hollywood seems to have forgotten how to do. Remade in 1982 for television, in an equally engaging version starring Anthony Andrews. --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews:

Technically awful.......2007-03-28

Technically bloody awfull, otherwise great. Was it really worthwhile to DVDize this particular copy?
What has happened to the color version, also with Leslie Howard, that I saw in Zürich in 1946 - 1953?

Be aware of your version quality.......2007-01-19

Our classic movie "Scarlett Pimpernel" came wiht unacceptable sound and scenes missing. Seller should have warned about being a second rate copy.

Adventure and clever.......2006-12-22

The hero of the story pretends to be a fop, a sissy, so his enemies will not suspect him of being the clever hero he really is. Young English noblemen risk their lives to cleverly save innocent French men and women from death by the guillotine, during the French Revolution of 1792.

I don't think anyone could play the charming hero better than Leslie Howard, co-star in "Gone with the Wind"; and a secret agent in real-life in World War II. It is an excellent story, so other versions are likely good too. The beautiful actress Merle Oberon co-stars. Humor, wit, cleverness, romance, heroes, villains, and adventure.

This copy could have been copied better; but is acceptable. This film is available from Turner Classic Movies, TCM dot com, for $9. I do not know whether it is a different & better print; same cover picture.

Scarlet Pimpernel also a small wild-flower which grows beside the country lanes of England, whose flower opens and closes with the weather, staying open only in sunny weather. The plant was used for medicines in ancient times.

Other good period, adventure movies are "Tom Brown's School Days 1935", "David Copperfield 1940 & 2000", "Oliver Twist", "At Swords Point 1952", "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer 1939", "The Three Musketeers 1939" with Don Ameche, and "The Prince and the Pauper 1937 & 2001".

The Scarlet Pimpernel.......2006-11-10

the movie is superior to any others ever done. Leslie Howard does a superb job as the pimpernel. My family enjoys old movies as they are much better than the newer ones on the market, even though there are some good ones. The actors seems to have an English type theater training and are much more serious in their acting.

Avoid the Madacy.......2006-11-06

The 1-star rating is for the Madacy print - the movie rates 4 stars. As a general rule avoid anything by Madacy, they market some of the worst prints imaginable of movies in the public domain. This one is no different. It is dull, dirty and virtually unwatchable. If you want to see the Scarlet Pimpernal then wait for the TCM movie channel to broadcast their beautiful print from time-to-time.

Average customer rating:

awesome movie
Buy It and Weep
MY NEW FAVORITE MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!
Not Bad
A Limited Potential Audience

Read It and Weep (Zapped Edition)
Starring: Kay Panabaker , Danielle Panabaker , Alexandra Krosney , Marquise Brown , and Allison Scagliotti
Director: Paul Hoen
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
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ASIN: B000JMK6OO
Release Date: 2007-01-16

Amazon.com

A journal is a safe place to record one's innermost thoughts, so imagine Jamie's (Kay Panabaker) horror when her private electronic journal is inadvertently entered in a writing contest and becomes a best-selling book in the Disney Channel Original Movie Read it and Weep. Initial worries about her schoolmates recognizing characters created in their images seem unfounded, but as success and instant fame begin to go to Jamie's head and stress becomes a part of her daily schedule, Jamie's alter-ego "Is" (Danielle Panabaker) becomes increasingly influential, encouraging her to act in disturbing ways that test the bonds of her closest friendships. A slip on a television talk show alerts her classmates to the parallels between themselves and the characters in Jamie's book and suddenly Jamie's newfound fame turns into a cold rebuke that leaves her feeling alone and despised. Can a heartfelt apology and a simple confession of what really transpired salvage Jamie's relationship with her friends and classmates and help her realize the importance of true friendship? Bonus features include a making-of featurette, interviews with sisters Kay and Danielle Panabaker, and the never-before-seen music video "Outside Looking In" by Jordan Pruitt. (Ages 7 to 13) --Tami Horiuchi

Description

Join Jamie (Kay Panabaker) on her wild adventure as she goes from regular girl to media darling after her journal is accidentally turned in for a writing contest and becomes a best-selling book. Even though she gave fictional names to the nasty popular crowd at school and characterized herself as the very cool "IS" (Danielle Panabaker), Jamie's world spins totally out of control when the truth comes out. With the help of her true friends, she learns some major lessons about the importance of being yourself. Own all the drama and fun in this new Zapped Edition DVD including Jordan Pruitt's never-before-seen music video, a special making-of bonus featurette, exclusive interviews with the cast and more!

Customer Reviews:

awesome movie.......2007-08-31

I just loved this movie the songs are just awesome the actors and actress did an awesome job on this movie .

Buy It and Weep.......2007-07-16

Because you wasted 20 dollars on a piece of _________ in plastic form.

You retard.

MY NEW FAVORITE MOVIE!!!!!!!!!! .......2007-06-23

THIS IS TRULY MY NEW FAVORITE FAVORITE MOVIE EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE IT AND NOW I FINALLY HAVE IT ON DVD!!!!! ALL THE STARS AND CHARCATERS ARE ALL GREAT!!!! BY FAR 5 STARS!!!!!!

Not Bad.......2007-04-11

Well the story had a good plot, nice ending but if they could have done it again they should have picked someone cuter for the part of Marco. And you should give a music video for "I Will be Around" because it is a great song. I personally think that they should have switched "Is" and Jamie around for a little bit of excitement and next time maybe you should put in a little more stars so people would actually want to see it for the stars and not only the movie. Beacause alot of the time I rent movies beacause Corbin Blue, and Vanessa Huchens are in it, and then the movie turns out to be no good.

A Limited Potential Audience.......2007-03-31

Read It and Weep (2006) tries to package elements of 1996's "Harriet the Spy" into an episode of "Naturally Sadie" and then throws in the standard "teenage girl's upward social mobility causes her to neglect her best friends". This is one of those movies that give film producer's anxiety attacks about their job security. It not only looks good on paper (the book from which it was adapted is excellent) but it is very well executed. Good songs, Kay Panabaker has an effortless charm and does a slick voice-over narration, the acting for the camera direction is excellent (even getting a nice performance from Jason Dolley-which will strike anyone who has seen him on "Corey in the House" as quite an achievement), and the budget was large enough for professional production design.

So why is the whole less than the sum of its parts? And why did this movie fail to generate any real reaction despite an aggressive promotional campaign on the Disney Channel? My guess is that when all is said and done the thing just doesn't have any bite, having had the book's more realistic and controversial elements stripped out for the adaptation. Couple that with the fact that the movie's structure sends the wrong message; heroine Jamie Bartlett is perfectly fine with her celebrity status and unconcerned about blowing off her friends until she overreaches and her new world begins to fall apart. It is not the shallowness of her new world that she finds objectionable but the fact that she has soon alienated everyone she has been trying to impress.

Then there is fact that none (absolutely zero) of the movie's comedy elements are humorous. It's not meant to be a comedy but the producers have clearly inserted stuff (the pizza selections for example) only for their comic qualities. Unfortunately none of this stuff is even remotely funny.

Finally there is the whole imaginary alter ego thing (Kay's older sister Danielle), a character who pops in and out of countless scenes as a kind of counterpoint to the voice-over commentary. Ultimately this adds nothing to the story and the repositioning of the character with each sentence is genuinely irritating. If they had to go with this kind of thing it would have been better to have the competing angel and devil whispering in her ear. The reason being that the alter ego thing is too close to actual schizophrenia; not the mentally stable heroine role model Disney should be showcasing to an unsuspecting preteen market.

High school sophomore Jamie Bartlett (Kay Panabaker, "Phil of the Future") has three semi geek friends (who would only be geeks in a teen movie), and documents her life in a journal-the names are changed to protect the innocent. The journal is accidentally turned in as a school assignment and then published and quickly becomes a bestseller. Jamie is plunged into the life of a big-time celebrity and elevated to the top of the school's social hierarchy.

Although it should be obvious that he characters in her journal have real-life in-school counterparts, no one seems to notice or to particularly care. Then during a talk show interview Jamie slips up and reveals that the journal's villainess is based on new friend and school queen bee Sawyer Sullivan (Allison Scagliotti-Smith). Since this should have already been clear to everyone, the viewer must work to suspend disbelief as Jamie's adoring classmates turn against her for the nasty characterizations in her journal.

The DVD (and the Disney Channel broadcasts) are in 4:3. The DVD has two featurettes. "Making of Read It and Weep" (4:30) talks about making the movie. The second featurette focuses on which cast members keep journals and on the Panabaker sisters discussing their careers from the perspective of sisters.

There is also a Jordan Pruitt two-minute video of her singing "Outside Looking In". The music video interweaves various types of students taking class photos with the song about fitting in.

The "Read It and Weep" premise should have gotten a better treatment but the movie should be enjoyable for many in the middle school crowd; especially if they are crushing on one or more of the actors. There is little that is worth the interest and attention of younger or older viewers.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

Average customer rating:

A comedic offer you can't refuse
Very funny parody of mafia movies.............
A really good movie.
histerical
Truly a great sleeper film. It was a huge deal when it came out!

The Freshman
Starring: Marlon Brando , Matthew Broderick , Bruno Kirby , Penelope Ann Miller , and Frank Whaley
Director: Andrew Bergman
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
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ASIN: 0767810848
Release Date: 1998-07-14

Amazon.com essential video

Young Clark Kellog (Matthew Broderick) had no idea film school would drop him into the hands of a real-life Godfather, but after a street punk robs him his first day in New York City, that's just where the road leads. Marlon Brando let everyone know he was in on the joke with his hammy, good-humored performance as the bulldog-jowled Mafioso Carmine Sabatini, the man Clark's prissy, self-important professor swears was the real life inspiration of Don Corleone. Carmine has a modest proposal for the naive kid from Vermont involving Carmine's gorgeous daughter Tina (Penelope Ann Miller) and the illegal importing of an endangered lizard. Andrew Bergman's tongue-in-cheek comedy keeps the spoofing in a low key, underplaying the outrageous situations even as he piles them higher: if the sight of a six-foot-long lizard scattering shoppers as it runs wild through a New York City mall doesn't do it for you, there's always Bert Parks's rousing rendition of Bob Dylan's "Maggie's Farm." --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

A comedic offer you can't refuse.......2007-05-26

Everyone has their share of hard times as a college freshman. Getting screwed into taking Bio at 8 a.m. on Fridays. Not having a fake I.D. -- and not knowing enough people who do. RA's busting you for partying in your room. The list goes on and on.

Few of us, however, can claim to having as abysmal a start to their collegiate career as Clark Kellogg (Matthew Broderick) in "The Freshman." The naive Clark, who hails from Vermont, is set to attend New York University as the film begins. Shortly after arriving in NYC, he meets alleged cab driver Victor Ray (played by the talented Bruno Kirby, best known for his lead role in "City Slickers"), who promptly steals his luggage. As Clark so aptly puts it in his amusing voice-over narration, "I had been in New York for 19 minutes and 11 seconds, and I was already ruined."

Fortunately (or not) for Clark, his path crosses again with Victor Ray, which leads him to Carmine Sabatini (Marlon Brando), an elderly Italian gentleman who bears a striking resemblance to none other than the Godfather, Don Corleone. Before Clark knows what's happening, he's running errands (possibly illegal) for Carmine, is engaged to his beautiful daughter, and is being followed by federal agents.

The chemistry between Broderick and Brando is one of the movie's strongest points. Broderick is a talented comic actor who's perfect here as the innocent straight man, and Brando is also wonderful in a role that smartly nods to his legendary work in "The Godfather." Check out the scenes where Carmine and Clark drink cappucino, discuss Mussolini and exchange the "kiss of kisses." Priceless stuff.

Aside from Broderick and Brando, "The Freshman" boasts a solid supporting cast with many faces you'll recognize, from the aforementioned Kirby to Penelope Ann Miller ("Carlito's Way") to Frank Whaley, who you may recall from his unfortunate experience of snacking on a Royale With Cheese when Travolta and Samuel L. pay him a visit in "Pulp Fiction." All are solid.

Fans of the "Godfather" trilogy will love this movie and the numerous Godfather references, including several highly amusing scenes in which Clark's film teacher screens and comments on sections of "The Godfather Part II." However, you need not be familiar with the "Godfather" films to enjoy this movie. Writer/Director Andrew Bergman (who also wrote "Fletch" and co-wrote 'Blazing Saddles") has penned a comedy that effectively ranges from slapstick (Clark transporting a komodo dragon) to smart (Mona Lisa and "Godfather" references) to bizarre (supporting character Larry London's observation that "Carmine said one boy. And here are two.")

Considering the film's strong cast and sharp screenplay, fans of Broderick, "The Godfather," and just good comedies in general will want to give this underrated, unpredictable film a look.

Very funny parody of mafia movies....................2006-11-19

The Freshman is a very funny movie. The central joke is that Marlon Brando plays a godfather type figure in lower Manhattan who for obvious reasons looks exactly like the titular character Brando so famously portrayed. Matthew Broderick is the freshman, an innocent NYU film student, who through some comedic misadventures gets involved with Brando and his "family". The funniest scenes involve a Komodo dragon loose in a New Jersey shopping mall though the whole film is a delightful comedy. The movie has no real violence and though there are a few mild "bad" words the movie is fairly appropriate for viewing by older kids and families.

A really good movie........2006-11-03

This is a great movie. I love movies that have strong character actor parts. Everyone is alittle over the top and very entertaining.

histerical.......2006-10-07

The main charactic basicly has a look of panic about everything that's happening to him.

Truly a great sleeper film. It was a huge deal when it came out!.......2006-09-01

This film had an enormous amount of publicity surrounding it because of Brando reprising his Vito Corleone role. No one knew whether it would be an enormous flop, or if it would be a huge hit... but when the chips fell it turned out to be a very funny movie that kind of happened and then faded away.

I am also an NYU grad and this film does a great send-up of the film school and the type of kids it attracts. It is priceless if you arrived in NYC from another environment, as I did. Brando perfectly mocks his legendary performance and many of the jokes are subtle, something rare in these Will Ferell / Wayans Brothers times we are living in. And every scene with the film professor is a riot, frighteningly close to many real NYU "elitists", sequestered in their insecure one-upsmanship.

The Freshman is a film that works on the strength of its perfectly-cast actors and their situations, and in the end succumbs to a pretty ridiculously far-fetched contrivance. But, I suppose it is in keeping with the screwball nature of its comedic origins not to take itself too seriously. It is a brilliant gem of a movie and one that deserves to be regarded with much higher acclaim.

Average customer rating:

You have to be into this sort of thing.
Simply Amazing
An Intellectual College Sex Comedy? Not... necessarily

Bickford Shmeckler's Cool Ideas
Starring: Matthew Lillard , John Cho , Patrick Fugit , Fran Kranz , and Olivia Wilde
Director: Scott Lew
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000PFUAQ4
Release Date: 2007-08-21

Customer Reviews:

You have to be into this sort of thing........2007-09-01

its a really good movie if you like comedys with i guess some meaning to them. i thought it was pretty interseting and funny. the kid pretty much has this mental break down and starts writing these really advanced philosifies about life untile a girl steels it and it gets through to a book store selling coppies of it because its so amazing. the story follows him trying to find it.

Simply Amazing.......2007-08-31

Bickford Shmeckler's Cool Ideas was the best movie I have ever seen. Everything about it was awesome, fundamentally, of course. The cast was put together extremely well. The storyline is so original, yet still relative. More films should be made in this style. Not only was it a superb piece of cinematic excellence, but I wouldn't be too hard-pressed to say it was quite life-altering. I look forward to viewing the documentary about the director, Scott Lew, whose story is remarkable, and gives the film even more meaning. My gratitude and praise to Scott for making such a wonderful movie with such an inspiring message. If only there could be hundreds more.

An Intellectual College Sex Comedy? Not... necessarily.......2007-08-20

Bickford Shmeckler is one smart nerd, with a philosophical insight into the universe which is not only mind-blowing but hugely sexy, too. What's more, he's written down all his cool ideas in a book he keeps in his room.

But is he happy? Of course not... He's a tormented loner genius barely able to keep it together at college.

And he's not going to be happy soon.

During a party at his house, a woman stumbles into his room, reads a bit of the book, gets turned on, and then steals it.

The rest of the film follows Bickford trying to get the book back. The book turns out to be irresistable as it's handed around, copied, and even spawns a small cult. There are a lot of familiar B movie situations and eccentric characters -- and of course there's a love interest for Bickford.

The film tries to straddle the worlds of 1980's teen sex comedies and an off-kilter indie sensibility. It's more of the former than the latter, but it's reasonably entertaining and smarter than the sex comedy comparison might make it sound.

After all, when was the last time you saw a teen sex comedy where smart is the ultimate sexy and the teen hero's main problem is regaining control over his intellectual property?

Average customer rating:

Simon Rex at his best
It is actually funny...
My favorite Actors
Going Greek
good movie.

Going Greek
Starring: Dylan Bruno , Laura Harris (II) , Simon Rex , Dublin James , and Chris Owen
Director: Justin Zackham
Manufacturer: Arts Alliance Amer
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00009QGE6
Release Date: 2003-08-26

Product Description

Reserved freshman Jake Taylor (Dylan Bruno-Saving Private Ryan, Where the Heart Is) is forced to join the wildest fraternity on campus when the frat brothers refuse to accept his geeky cousin/roommate, Gil (Dublin James-How High) unless Jake aggress to pledge with him. As the semester progresses, Jake struggles to maintain his grades as well as his affair with Paige (Laura Harris-TV's 24, The Faculty), a beautiful sophomore who hates all fraternities. Through naked scavenger hunts, sorority swapping with the Tri-Pi's, led by Wendy (Susan Ward-Shallow Hal, The In Crowd) and all night beer fests; Jake discovers that he's actually beginning to enjoy himself. But when both his scholarship and relationship with Paige are threatened, Jake must swallow his pride and turn to his fellow pledges for help or risk losing everything.

System Requirements:

Running Time 90 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

Simon Rex at his best.......2005-09-14

And that is saying an awful lot. Simon Rex was one of the best VJs in Mtv history, right up there with Jessie Camp and Alan Hunter. I don't think anyone was ready for the impact he would have on hollywood. His is a true entertainer that can go from hosting a show like total request live to giving an oscar level performance in a taxing role as a mean fraternity guy. I was in a fraternity in college and this movie is exactly what it was like. There is nothing stereotypical about this film at all. I'm sure all of us frat guys had to pleasure ourselves on a cookie and sing naked in the library. It's just part of being in a super cool fraternity. When I was a pledge, we did things like go to mcdonalds and order a whopper. McDonalds doesn't serve whoppers!

Back to Simon Rex, he makes you hate his character to the point that you are yelling things at the TV and crying at how mean he is to the pledges. This is a movie you need to buy because you are seeing something similiar to Cruise in Risky Business or Macchio in the Outsiders. This is hollywood's next great actor in the role that will launch him to superstardom. As cool as Simon Rex is, he really doesn't even get within the galaxy that is my coolness. If Rex doesn't get within the galaxy, you people aren't even worth a mention.

It is actually funny..........2005-06-27

This is one of the funniest movies I've seen in a while. It is definitely one of those movies you can watch not just once. It is basically about some college guys rushing a fraternity and all of the events that happen while doing so. The main character's cousin really wants to get accepted into the fraternity and so the cousin ends up rushing with him. If you can appreciate movies like American Pie, Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle and things of that category, you should see this movie. I wouldn't recommend if you don't like movies of the sort...it would be a waste of time for you. Yeah there are no high profile actors...except maybe Simon Rex but that shouldn't matter. All of the characters had a lot to offer and they all made the film as hilarious as this one. I would imagine this film would be a good choice of viewing for college students. I got it new for six dollars after watching it two times (first time coincidentally in a frat house).

My favorite Actors.......2005-05-21

My favorite actors in the movie were Harvey Silver & Simon Rex.
They should have more Brotha's in such movies. Harvey Silver who played T.J. reminded me of a Will Smith. Ironically their both from Philadelphia. I used to watch Harvey (T.J.)in that sit-com called One World! GREAT ACTOR! Usually Plays likable characters! I,ve been watching Harvey Silver's career ever since the tv movie for FOX called "The Price of Love", he starred in with actor Peter Facinelli. We'll definately see more of this actor on the BIG SCREEN!

Simon Rex is the most funniest actor in his time and age group. His comedic timing is funny! Usually playing the witty pretty boy type, Simon Rex is still yet to break into the dramatic side of himself. I first seen Simon Rex on MTV. I'd actually like to see Simon Rex in more shows hosting as a VJ like the stint he had on MTV!

Going Greek.......2005-04-21

One of the best college fraterity movies I have ever seen. Really a 5 star movie. I watched it again and again and it never got old.

good movie........2005-01-30

Going Greek was good. It's probably the closest to real fraternity movie that there is. I thought it was pretty funny. I would recommend watching this movie.

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