Twelfth Night
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 12th Night Review
  • Too bad................
  • Shakespeare, Twelfth Night.
  • Best Version of 12th Night
  • Awesome
Twelfth Night
Starring: Helena Bonham Carter , Nigel Hawthorne , Imogen Stubbs , Sydney Livingstone , and Ben Kingsley
Director: Trevor Nunn
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0009VNBKG
Release Date: 2005-08-30

Description

A once-in-a-lifetime cast shines in this hilarious version of the beloved Shakespeare comedy! When a shipwreck separates siblings Viola and Sebastian in a foreign land, each thinks the other is dead, and both embark on a series of romantic misadventures involving deception, cross-dressing, dashing counts, obese alcoholics and a perceptive fool who presides over the entire madcap affair. A delight from start to finish, this dazzling treat is British comedy at its best!

When a shipwreck separates siblings Viola and Sebastian in a foreign land, both think the other is dead and embarks on a series of romantic misadventures.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars 12th Night Review.......2007-08-23

Excellent performances by all concerned. Although the original Shakespeare scrlpt is somewhat abbreviated, the film version is very well done and the setting in the 18th (?) century is credible. Altogether one of our favorite films.

2 out of 5 stars Too bad.......................2007-07-19

I love Shakespear's comedies and would very much like to have this one, but previous reviewers have prevented me from making a mistake in purchasing it, as there are no subtitles!! I cannot understand dialogs any longer (used to, years ago), so the film would be of no use to me. Too bad.

Why don't DVD producers get wise? They are "cutting off their noses to spite their faces" by not providing English sub-titles.

4 out of 5 stars Shakespeare, Twelfth Night. .......2007-07-13

For Shakesperean comedy, It gives me access to the visual product for my own library. I much prefer the production that was produced at the Vivina Beaumont Theatre sometime in the late '90s. I recorded it on VHS from TV, but set the wrong speed. The last quarter of the production is missing. I notice that Charlie Rose's interview with the cast is on DVD, but where does the actual production lay? (I'd buy the Vivian Beaumont Production in a minute if your could find me a copy.?

5 out of 5 stars Best Version of 12th Night.......2007-07-11

This is my favorite shakespeare. THis is really good for teaching to youth. Recommend very highly.

5 out of 5 stars Awesome.......2007-05-16

I received the item as promised in great condition. My students have enjoyed watching this in class.
Pitch Black (Unrated) [HD DVD]
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • ANOTHER REASON TO BE SCARED OF THE DARK!!!
  • amazing movie
  • Excellent Movie
  • Director's log
  • Great movie even better on HD-DVD
Pitch Black (Unrated) [HD DVD]
Starring: Vin Diesel , Radha Mitchell , Cole Hauser , Keith David , and Lewis Fitz-Gerald
Director: David Twohy
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000FGG60W
Release Date: 2006-07-11

Amazon.com

Owing a major debt to Alien and its cinematic spawn, Pitch Black is a guilty pleasure that surpasses expectations. As he did with The Arrival, director David Twohy revitalizes a derivative story, allowing you to forgive its flaws and submit to its visceral thrills. Under casual scrutiny, the plot's logic crumbles like a stale cookie, but it's definitely fun while it lasts.

A spaceship crashes on a desert planet scorched under three suns. The mostly doomed survivors include a resourceful captain (Radha Mitchell), a drug-addled cop (Cole Hauser), and a deadly prisoner (Vin Diesel) who quickly escapes. These clashing personalities discover that the planet is plunging into the darkness of an extended eclipse, and it's populated by hordes of ravenous, razor-fanged beasties that only come out at night. The body count rises, and Pitch Black settles into familiar sci-fi territory.

What sets the movie apart is Twohy's developing visual style, suggesting that this veteran of B-movie schlock may advance to the big leagues. Like the makers of The Blair Witch Project, Twohy understands the frightening power of suggestion; his hungry monsters are better heard than seen (although once seen, they're chillingly effective), and Pitch Black gets full value from moments of genuine panic. Best of all, Twohy's got a well-matched cast, with Mitchell (so memorable with Ally Sheedy in High Art) and Diesel (Pvt. Caparzo from Saving Private Ryan) being the standouts. The latter makes the most of his muscle-man role, and his character's development is one more reason this movie works better than it should. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars ANOTHER REASON TO BE SCARED OF THE DARK!!!.......2007-09-04

man this movie was hard core, since the first time i watched it, and even now after many many times of seeing it. it's still a good one for me. man especially since vin diesel was up in there. my hero. movie does him justice. he's great, his acting, and his skills. let the world know who he was. he's been unstoppable since. another one of my favorites is cole hauser. i give him props. this was a thrill ride. you never know what's in the dark. there's always a scare of the unknown. don't venture in the dark alone. "i'm not the one you gotta worry about", nicely spoken. riddicks not the bad guy here, he's going to turn out to be the hero, the leader, their hope. good movie, if you haven't seen it you definitly should.

5 out of 5 stars amazing movie.......2007-07-25

pitch black makes you love the bad guy and want the "good guys" to die. not many movies can do that. pure badassery...

4 out of 5 stars Excellent Movie.......2007-07-07

However, not widely viewed prior to the release of Chronicles of Riddick. This is a sci-fi thriller! People marooned on a desert planet with a surprise when the sun goes down ("Pitch-Black). Riddick as always is a tough guy whose character you will like and want to see him in more movies. The choice of characters was very good. You develop distinct feelings towards each one and the writers did not let those emotions go to waste. Excellent cinematography. You will be on the edge of your seat waiting for the boogey men!

5 out of 5 stars Director's log.......2007-05-02

(Pitch Black) is an unrated movie about transporting forty passengers and one Furian murderer. The ship gets caught in a meteor shower, kills the captain. The ship crashes on a baren desert planet. Soon the as lights go off, the only one they can trust is the murderer,because he's the only one who can see in the dark so I hope you're not afraid of the dark.

4 out of 5 stars Great movie even better on HD-DVD.......2007-03-24

The extras are sparse, but the transfer really shows how much better HD-DVD looks over DVD. I have both and side to side you can see the lifelike coloring of the flashlights in the dark, details are clear. The movie is one of my wife's favorites and one of Diesels best.
Chosen Survivors / The Earth Dies Screaming
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • FOX / MGM Do Great Job With New Midnite Movies!!!
  • Chosen Survivors - Saw it !
  • CHEESY 70S FRIGHTFEST BY ZOCCHI 666
  • Let's not discourage Fox from keeping the Midnight Movies going
Chosen Survivors / The Earth Dies Screaming
Starring: Chosen Survivors , and Earth Dies Screaming
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000RXVNCE
Release Date: 2007-09-11

Description

Disc 1:CHOSEN SURVIVORS (1974) Disc 2:EARTH DIES SCREAMING (B&W) (1965)

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars FOX / MGM Do Great Job With New Midnite Movies!!! .......2007-09-13

Fox and MGM has done great with these new Midnite Movies Collections released Set 11th 2007 for the Double Features! They are two seperate discs! Each film has its own DVD! Instead of the old flipper discs! These are great collections! Maybe we can see more Midnite Movies coming soon from Fox including the Incredible Melting Man /// Chosen Survivors is really not that bad... I laughed a lot but held my attention but reall good fun I love the 70's!

3 out of 5 stars Chosen Survivors - Saw it !.......2007-08-21

I saw this movie back in '74 when I was a kid. I remember all the bats and the plot pretty well. They were sent to this bomb shelter to survive a nuclear war, and the shelter was cheap, and the bats got in. The death scenes were cheesy, but effective for the time. I know the ending of the film, but wont disclose it for those who haven't seen it yet. It's complete with babes, and heros, and wild characters. It's definitely a good B-movie night flick!

4 out of 5 stars CHEESY 70S FRIGHTFEST BY ZOCCHI 666 .......2007-08-10

CHOSEN SURVIORS IS AS MUCH FUN AS SATURDAY NIGHT CHILLER THEATRE FUN GETS . REMEMBER COLD RAINY NIGHTS WATCHING CHEESY FUN HORROR FLIMS ? WELL , HERES ANOTHER . THIS FILM IN THE SAME VEIN AS THE OMEGA MAN OR DAMNATION ALLEY IS NUCLEAR HOLOCAUST AT ITS MOST FUN. I HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THIS FILM AS A GREAT OFFSET TO THE RATHER DUMB EARTH DIES SCREAMING . ITS WORTH EVERY PENNY .TRUST ME .

5 out of 5 stars Let's not discourage Fox from keeping the Midnight Movies going.......2007-08-07

Don't forget these reviews are supposed to be of the product, not necessarily of the movie (though that can factor in, sure). My 5 star review is mainly to offset the 1-star review. The Earth Dies Screaming and Chosen Survivors may not be anywhere near the greatest sci fi movies ever made, but thanks to Fox for making these movies available to rabid horror/sci fi movie fans like me who want to see and own just about everything from the classic drive-in era of the 50s through the 70s. I haven't seen the DVD yet either, but the Midnight Movies line is always well done, with movies picked to fit together as double features, very nice prints of the films (if usually lacking extras like trailers, commentary, etc.), and attractive, suitably retro cover art complete with movie factoids. Neither film was ever officially released on any home video format, so it's nice to see these available at long last. As to Earth Dies Screaming, actually I think it's an enjoyable little British sci fi, sometimes silly, often creepy, and definitely a step up from most of the American sci fi of the time (the British just seemed to have more of a sense of class about b-movies, even when the films themselves were low budget and with silly premises like crawling eyes and man eating plants). This film would have paired better with another UK sci fi film from its era, such as the rarely seen Invasion and/or the underrated Unearthly Stranger, but I don't know if Fox owns the rights to either of those films. As for Chosen Survivors, I've never seen it, but I have wanted to for a long time. Even if it's a disappointment (likely) it'll be fun to finally see. By the way, Survivors probably would have been better paired with Bat People, another American early 70s sci-fi rarity about bats also coming out as a Fox Midnight Movie this September, but why be too picky? Note to Fox, keep these Midnight Movies coming. With so many of the smaller b-movie oriented DVD labels now struggling, we easy to please obscure movie nuts will be happy to see the majors release everything they've got in the vaults.
Deliverance (Deluxe Edition)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • A classic thriller has been remastered and loaded with extras
Deliverance (Deluxe Edition)
Starring: Jon Voight , Ned Beatty , and Burt Reynolds
Director: John Boorman
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000RTB0R6
Release Date: 2007-09-18

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A classic thriller has been remastered and loaded with extras.......2007-06-14

This DVD is the 35th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of the film. One of the great things about Deliverance is that, even though it is an adventure filmed in the 1970's, it has managed to not age like a 70's film. It is both depressing and edge-of-your-seat suspenseful at the same time. The four leads do a tremendous job of playing the parts of urban dwellers who want a weekend of adventure in the wilds of Georgia and wind up getting far more than they bargained for. It has much to say about what it takes to make a man uncivilized and whether or not there is a bit of savagery in all of us, despite how domesticated we may be in predictable situations. Past these observation I won't rehash the plot elements since just about everybody on earth knows the details, and if you don't I won't spoil it for you. The film is newly remastered and will have many special features which include:

Commentary by John Boorman - Director Boorman discusses the adventures, the team, the controversy and everything it took to make Deliverance a classic film.

Deliverance: The Beginning - Take a historical look at the novel and its adaptation to the screen.

Deliverance: The Journey - Along from the early stages of filming to the creation of classic moments, such as the Dueling Banjos scene.

Deliverance: Betraying the River - The making of one of the most controversial and ground-breaking sequences in film history.

Deliverance: Delivered - A reflective look back on the completion of the film, its impact and how the idea for the shocking ending came to be.

The Dangerous World of Deliverance - The original behind-the-scenes documentary on the difficult conditions and challenges of making this film. This is on the 2004 release also.

Theatrical Trailer

This information comes from a press release by Warner Home Video. I have the 2004 release of this DVD, and quite frankly it looks fine now. I guess the primary reason to upgrade would be for all the extra features and the commentary, which are all new with the exception of "The Dangerous World of Deliverance", which was on the 2004 version of the DVD.
Battlestar Galactica (2003 Miniseries)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • An amazing Sci-Fi Film!
  • Amazing!
  • I didn't see BSG anywhere in this miniseries.
  • Did you wonder how it all began?
  • The sci-fi classic returns in style
Battlestar Galactica (2003 Miniseries)
Starring: Edward James Olmos , Mary McDonnell , Katee Sackhoff , Jamie Bamber , and James Callis
Director: Michael Rymer
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00064AFBE
Release Date: 2004-12-28

Amazon.com

Despite voluminous protest and nitpicking criticism from loyal fans of the original 1978-80 TV series, the 2003 version of Battlestar Galactica turned out surprisingly well for viewers with a tolerance for change. Originally broadcast on the Sci-Fi Channel in December 2003 and conceived by Star Trek: The Next Generation alumnus Ronald D. Moore as the pilot episode for a "reimagined" TV series, this four-hour "miniseries" reprises the basic premise of the original show while giving a major overhaul (including some changes in gender) to several characters and plot elements. Gone are the flowing robes, disco-era hairstyles, and mock-Egyptian fighter helmets, and thankfully there's not a fluffy "daggit" in sight... at least, not yet. Also missing are the "chrome toaster" Cylons, replaced by new, more formidable varieties of the invading Cylon enemy, including "Number Six" in hot red skirts and ample cleavage, who tricks the human genius Baltar into a scenario that nearly annihilates the human inhabitants of 12 colonial worlds.

Thus begins the epic battle and eventual retreat of a "ragtag fleet" of humans, searching for the mythical planet Earth under the military command of Adama (Edward James Olmos) and the political leadership of Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell), a former secretary of education, 43rd in line of succession and rising to the occasion of her unexpected Presidency. As directed by Michael Rymer (Queen of the Damned), Moore's ambitious teleplay also includes newfangled CGI space battles (featuring "handheld" camera moves and subdued sound effects for "enhanced realism"), a dysfunctional Col. Tigh (Michael Hogan) who's provoked into action by the insubordinate Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff), and a father-son reunion steeped in familial tragedy. To fans of the original BG series, many of these changes are blasphemous, but for the most part they work--including an ominous cliffhanger ending. The remade Galactica is brimming with smart, well-drawn characters ripe with dramatic potential, and it readily qualifies as serious-minded science fiction, even as it gives BG loyalists ample fuel for lively debate. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars An amazing Sci-Fi Film!.......2007-08-14

It was about re-inventing an ages old series, but they just rewrote the book on dos and donts for science fiction. Battlestar Galactica's Mini-Series introduces an amazing new world filled with all the things science fiction seemed to avoid: the biggest personal and societal issues that nobody likes looking at and admitting to. In the midst of disaster, we're capable of wondrous things, but not invulnerable to committing heinous acts... who's the victim on this new show?

5 out of 5 stars Amazing!.......2007-08-13

Do not watch the miniseries unless you are prepared to buy season 1, after the first 5 minutes of the miniseries I was completely hooked. Everything about BSG is simply ingenious, the characters are perfect, the story line is great, and it's NOT just another sci-fi series. BSG is one of the best sci-fi shows ever created. That because of one simple reason, even if you don't like sci-fi you will still LOVE this show.

2 out of 5 stars I didn't see BSG anywhere in this miniseries........2007-07-30

I was going to pretend this abomination never existed, but recently my wife wanted to rent this and since I had to watch it I feel that I must vent - in the same way that survivors of any tragic violation need to vent. I should also say that in other reviews I've said that I don't like to write bad reviews and that I try to find the good in a work of art. This is true, but I looked and in this particular case I'm going to enjoy writing this bad review.

First things first: For those who don't understand this, The traditional reason you would EVER change a character's gender to female is to add more of a female presence in a mostly male dominated story. The Sci-fi channel seems to just like to do it. No rhyme or reason whatsoever.

I get a VERY strong feeling that the creators of BSG were split on whether they were going to do a politically correct show, and as such the changes are erratic, if not completely random and beyond stupid. Apollo has been turned into a whiney little teenager with daddy issues. Zack is not even granted the grace of an on-screen death but we get to here "Lee" whine about how his dad was responsible. Colonel Tigh is white (which doesn't really matter THAT much I guess but it ties into the aforementioned political correctness thing I mentioned) and we've switched to a new cinema verite style. That might have been cool if done right (Firefly was much more effective with it) but after the first few scenes where the camera veers away right when there should have been a cool FX shot, just feels like it's there so they don't have to computer animate anything difficult.

So we come to it at last. What is UP with the gender changes? We have a new female president which, yay strong women - woman in charge I get it. So we're adding strong women, So Starbuck loses her penis (and about 40 points off her IQ.. not saying there's a connection there.. I'm really not) and so does Boomer who changes race AND sex. Ok, so we've added strong women.. yay for PC, but where are Athena and Cassiopia? I didn't see them anywhere. So we've retcon'd out two female characters and added three more - four if you count Apollo.

Now, people are going to vote down my review for saying these things and that's fine for the very simple reason that younger fans of this series don't CARE about the changes made to the show and that's great. I was ready to forgive ALL the above stuff if only the miniseries could actually put an awesome show together. So I gave the show a chance.

And then...

I watch the beginning bits and I'm noticing that I'm not seeing a lot of space shots which are my personal favorite things in SF. That was ok though because a. There were SOME and b. I knew there were preliminaries. Then there's this cool bit of skirmishing involving one of the newly neutered characters which was kind of cool. THEN they cut back to Galactica and it's mentioned in dialogue that 30 Battlestars have been destroyed. Let me say that again.. it's MENTIONED in DIALOGUE that 30 BATTLESTARS WERE DESTROYED. Part of the attractions in seeing an update of BSG was seeing the Battlestar fleet get BLASTED! Even the cheesy ORIGINAL series showed that! But instead we got to watch some little border skirmish while the real battles were going on elsewhere.

After that bit of crappy film making and watching the camera veer away from anything that would have been a good effect AND looking at that vapid slackmouthed look on Ms. Starbuck's face for 3 hours I can only say that this series has been raped. Ron Moore decided to essentially use BSG as the subject of a Scheizer film(sp). He will go to the special Hell - Firefly fans, YOU know the one I mean.

I already know the crap I'm going to get about this review too.. "BSG is made for an adult audience and isn't all about the special effects." Let me make this clear: I like movies and shows where things get blown up this is true, but not exclusively. I like 2001, Silent Running and Babylon 5 was my favorite show of all time and I don't think anyone would deny that Babylon 5 is made for an adult audience.

In short, this is a bad show, it's badly conceived, badly written and it rapes it's source material for no discernable goal. I give it two stars because the real documentery feel is kind of cool. If anything else were, it might have worked.

5 out of 5 stars Did you wonder how it all began?.......2007-07-30

This is a great introduction to the latest re-incarnation (no pun intended!) of the Battlestar Galactica franchise. A must for fans of serious science fiction, it presents the story of man vs. machine in a gritty, realistic manner that is reminiscent of the best in science fiction films. Recommended for all fans of the series!

4 out of 5 stars The sci-fi classic returns in style.......2007-07-13

Ten years after Star Trek was cancelled, BG was launched and immediately became its own cult phenomenon. The series benefitted from more advanced special effects technology (John Dykstra of Star Wars fame headed that up), and a solid cast of actors including Lorne Greene, John Colicos (who starred as evil Klingon commander Koor in one Star Trek episode), Richard Hatch, and Dirk Benedict.

The gigantic Battlestars and the Egyptian themed fighters were cool, and the Cylons were the implaccable robotic bad guys out to exterminate the rag-tag remnants of humanity. This being prime time and the bland, disco-dancing 70s, the TV censors forbade the Cylons actually killing any human pilots, and so the closest our intrepid Starbuck and the other pilots ever came to perdition was getting his vertical stabilizer singed, but that's okay. The dogfights were still well done and the dramatic launching tubes were a nice touch, too. They tended to reuse some of the special effects to cut costs, but what the hell, that makes BG no different from Star Trek in which the same phasor shot from the Enterprise in space was reused a number of times.

Although the show never achieved the large fandom of Star Trek, the fan base of the show is as loyal as any series ever aired, many of whom prefer it to Star Trek. That's quite a testamonial to a series that only ran for a year before being cancelled.

Now with this miniseries, the show returns with all the drama and originality of the first episodes. Experienced viewers will note some changes (Starbuck is now a woman), but overall, the new serial is true to the original. The special effects are even better, the casting is great, and the stories even more intense and taught. There seems hardly a moment in each episode where you can catch your breath and relax before the next disaster strikes. Overall I think this is a fine series and a credit to the original, much loved show.
The Ice Pirates
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Classic 80's cheese.....
  • A MUST!
  • Great 80s nostalgia
  • Funny and twisted
  • A gaggle of sci-fi cliches masquerading as parody
The Ice Pirates
Starring: Robert Urich , Mary Crosby , Michael D. Roberts , Anjelica Huston , and John Matuszak
Director: Stewart Raffill
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0006J28MS
Release Date: 2005-02-15

Amazon.com

The amiable sci-fi spoof The Ice Pirates has earned a small but vocal cadre of admirers thanks to its go-for-broke gags and a healthy disrespect for outer space epics like the Star Wars and Star Trek franchises. An atypically goofy Robert Urich stars as the leader of a band of space pirates who kidnap a princess (Mary Crosby of Dallas fame), and then join her quest to find a mythical planet that can solve the universe's water shortage. A completely game (shameless?) cast (which includes Anjelica Huston in fetching leather gear, Ron Perlman, John Matuszak, and fantastic film icon John Carradine) and Stewart (The Philadelphia Experiment) and Raffill's breezy direction help sell the funniest bits (most notably, the notorious "space herpy" scene, and the frantic time-warp finale) and make the more leaden jokes palatable. --Paul Gaita

Description

Spoofy-goofy comedy, otherworldly special effects, spectacular space creatures, bedraggled 'bots, and biceps-ripplnig swashbuckling highlight this cult fave. In the future, as the galaxy's water supply starts to run out, a band of pirates searches for a new water source.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Classic 80's cheese............2007-08-23

This movie made me laugh my a$$ off the whole claw thing is more than enough to want to buy it.

5 out of 5 stars A MUST!.......2007-08-04

I loved this movie as a kid, and am now getting ready to show it to my child. It is so bad that it is ridiculously good. I can't wait to see it again.

I recommend that every one sees it at least once. You will either love it or hate it. It is just silly fun. It gave me new respect for Robert Ulrich. Now i'm getting all giddy thinking about seeing it again.

4 out of 5 stars Great 80s nostalgia.......2007-07-30

I was a teen when I saw this in the theaters. I loved it then and I love it now. Some of the comedy is silly and low-brow, but there are times when the film evokes a hearty belly-laugh (like when Roscoe's afro gets out of hand during the time warp - hilarious!).

The special effects were quite good for their time and the story was very original. The DVD itself, however, is somewhat lackluster. The picture quality is a bit grainy and the only special feature is an overlong and uninteresting trailer, but I guess I'll take what I can get.

Hey, it's fun! What other excuse do you need to see a movie?



5 out of 5 stars Funny and twisted.......2007-07-28

I loved this movie when it came out in VHS and just had to have it when I found it here.
It is so funny, I laugh each time I see it.

1 out of 5 stars A gaggle of sci-fi cliches masquerading as parody.......2007-07-24

I couldn't believe when I saw the average rating for this movie was 4 stars. The movie is godawful! I saw this a few times on cable back in the late 1980s, and I thought it was funny at the time. What a difference 20 years makes. I recently bought it for old time's sake, paid 8 bucks for it, and feel dreadfully ripped off. Singularly lame humor, poor acting, mildly interesting idea wasted in a dopey script. I chuckled a little at the robo-pimp and the space herpes, but that was it. My 16 year old son thought it was supremely stupid & continues to berate me for ever buying it.

What is it about so-called "parodies" that they seem to be held to a lower standard than the films they supposedly lampoon? They still need to be original, funny, or at least generally unboring. This isn't. Don't waste 90 minutes of your life, you'll never get it back. (Too bad this dreck is available on DVD, while the more entertaining homage "Battle Beyond the Stars" with Richard Thomas is not.)
Never Cry Wolf
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Crockett Critique
  • Bring the world of the wolves to your home.
  • Never Cry Wolf
  • Oldie but goodie
  • buy it for you or your kids
Never Cry Wolf
Starring: Charles Martin Smith , Brian Dennehy , Zachary Ittimangnaq , Samson Jorah , and Hugh Webster
Director: Carroll Ballard
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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  1. Never Cry Wolf : Amazing True Story of Life Among Arctic Wolves Never Cry Wolf : Amazing True Story of Life Among Arctic Wolves
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  5. The Black Stallion The Black Stallion

ASIN: B0001I55Y2
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Amazon.com

Carroll Ballard's 1983 adaptation of Farley Mowat's autobiographical novel turns his life-changing experience studying the wolves in Canada's inhospitable North into a moving drama of one man's courage and discovery of nature's majesty. Charles Martin Smith plays green biologist Tyler, sent by the Canadian government to "prove" that the wolves are depleting the caribou herds, but what he finds is a natural world in perfect harmony where he becomes a tolerated outsider. Dumped unprepared in the wilds by a hard drinking bush pilot (Brian Dennehy), Tyler learns survival skills from the aged Eskimo who saves his life and the rules of coexistence from a neighboring wolf (which results in a literal pissing contest as man and beast mark their respective territories). Tyler's journey culminates in the majestic run with the wolf pack, an exhilarating sequence where for an instant he becomes one with natural environment of the wilds. For all its beauty, however, Tyler's experience becomes a bittersweet lesson as the encroachment of hunters, tourism, and the social landscape threaten the natural order. As in his previous film, the delicate and lovely The Black Stallion, Ballard's astounding visual treatment captures the awesome natural beauty of the Canadian wilderness with power and poignancy. Kevin Costner's Oscar-winning Dances with Wolves explores many of the themes presented in this film, but without the resonance or beauty of Ballard's unsung masterpiece. --Sean Axmaker

Description

Filmed amid spectacular wilderness vistas, NEVER CRY WOLF reveals a world of hypnotic beauty and breathtaking cinematic imagery. An unforgettable adventure begins as Tyler, a young inexperienced biologist, is deposited alone onto the desolate Arctic terrain. Once settled, he struggles to endure the forces of nature as he documents the mysterious habits of the wolves he has been sent to study. An odyssey of self-discovery told through captivating drama, NEVER CRY WOLF is a haunting, lyrical film from the director of THE BLACK STALLION.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Crockett Critique.......2007-09-05

Though a rough adaptation of Farley Mowat's superb 1963 story, this Disney classic puts into proper perspective the wolf-caribou-human relationship which unfolds to this day. It serves as a reminder - sometimes humourously - of how far our species has placed itself apart from the animal kingdom, and the resulting environmental degradation which often occurs. If only for the awe-inspiring scenery and the acting of the main characters - Rosie the Bushpilot (Brian Dennehy) especially - this movie is both entertaining & educational.

4 out of 5 stars Bring the world of the wolves to your home........2007-08-24

This movie shows the magic of nature with a small cast and amazing country. My family has worn out the VCR copy of this movie and have now got the DVD version. It is a great family entertainment that can be watched time and again. The production is also of high standard and helps make this first rate viewing.

5 out of 5 stars Never Cry Wolf.......2007-07-09

Under-rated family adventure film (best for older kids) is not only stunning to look at, with Ballard's superb on-location photography, but delivers a cautionary tale about the importance of protecting delicate ecosystems and fading species against encroaching civilization, vividly represented by Dennehy's group hunting trip later in the film. The talented and appealing Smith carries this special movie along, supported by some truly majestic-looking wolves. In short, "Never" will always be worth the trip.

5 out of 5 stars Oldie but goodie.......2007-06-12

I'm a big fan of Charlie Martin Smith, and somehow I had overlooked this movie. Could only find it on Amazon, of course. I enjoyed the movie very much, and enjoyed the ease of finding it and buying it on Amazon.

4 out of 5 stars buy it for you or your kids.......2007-04-30

A friend introduced me to this movie on videodisc (yes, you read that right). I loved it and recently bought it for my (grown) daughter. Definitely in the 'must see' list for anyone who cares about the environment, is jaded about the 'help' we're getting from the government, consipiracy theorists, nature lovers, or anyone looking for a few hours of good entertainment and great scenery.
Unbreakable (Two-Disc Vista Series)
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Good Movie
  • In a class of its own!
  • Unbeatable!
  • For Real Comic Book Fans
  • review
Unbreakable (Two-Disc Vista Series)
Starring: Firdous Bamji , Michaelia Carroll , Bostin Christopher , Spencer Treat Clark , and Johanna Day
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00003CXQA
Release Date: 2001-06-26

Amazon.com essential video

When Unbreakable was released, Bruce Willis confirmed that the film was the first in a proposed trilogy. Viewed in that context, this is a tantalizing and audaciously low-key thriller, with a plot that twists in several intriguing and unexpected directions. Standing alone, however, this somber, deliberately paced film requires patient leaps of faith--not altogether surprising, since this is writer-director M. Night Shyamalan's daring follow-up to The Sixth Sense. While just as assured as that earlier, phenomenal hit, Unbreakable is the work of a filmmaker whose skill exceeds his maturity, its confident style serving a story that borders on juvenile. However, Shyamalan's basic premise--that comic books are the primary conduit of modern mythology--is handled with substantial relevance.

Willis plays a Philadelphia security guard whose marriage is on the verge of failing when he becomes the sole, unscathed survivor of a devastating train wreck. When prompted by a mysterious, brittle-boned connoisseur of comic books (Samuel L. Jackson), he realizes that he's been free of illness and injury his entire life, lending credence to Jackson's theory that superheroes--and villains--exist in reality, and that Willis himself possesses extraordinary powers. Shyamalan presents these revelations with matter-of-fact gravity, and he draws performances (including those of Robin Wright Penn and Spencer Treat Clark, as Willis's wife and son) that are uniformly superb. The film's climactic revelation may strike some as ultimately silly and trivial, but if you're on Shyamalan's wavelength, the entire film will assume a greater degree of success and achievement. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson star in a mind-shattering, suspense-filled thriller that stays with you long after the end of this riveting supernatural film. After David Dunn (Willis) emerges from a horrific train crash as the sole survivor -- and without a single scratch on him -- he meets a mysterious sranger (Jackson). An unsettling stranger who believes comic book heroes walk the earth. A haunting stranger, whose obsession with David will change David's life forever.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Good Movie.......2007-09-12

I just love M Night Shyamalan's movies. They keep you spellbound and that is exactly what "Unbreakable" does. I would recommend this movie to everyone who likes to sit on the edge of their seat.

5 out of 5 stars In a class of its own!.......2007-07-15

How does one classify this movie? Some might call it a drama, as the slow pacing, muted emotions, lack of comedy, and modern, urban setting all fit the descriptions of many modern dramas. Some might call it a fantasy; a reluctant superhero discovered by his arch-enemy who knows no bounds. The former has strength beyond his knowledge, while the latter uses cunning to overcome his physical limitations. Others might call it a suspense movie, as it has all the hallmarks of a classic suspense; good guys and bad guys are only sorted out at the end, and the audience discovers things as the protagonist does. Maybe it is a combination of all three genres, another achievement from the M. Knight Shamalayan.

However one might classify this movie, it is an incredible piece of story-telling. Its as if Shamalayan wrote a traditional fairy tale, set it in a modern American city, and then reversed all the normal rules of fairy tales. First of, the premise of superhero ignorant of his own destiny is a common starting point; think of Harry Potter, X-Men, and Frodo Baggins in Lord of the Rings. But the heroes in these stories are all young, at the beginning of their lives. Bruce Willis's character here, David, is old, past middle age most likely, and looking back on his glory years. Second, heroes needs to be revealed unintentionally, through accident or fate. David is discovered by both accident and fate. Accident put him on a train, but fate assured him to survive. Third, each hero needs a weakness. Superman had kryptonite, Batman had his past and Spiderman has his loved ones. But water, who would ever imagine water to be the one weakness of David? Last, all heroes need an antagonist, that villian they must stop. But here, it is the villian who seeks out the hero, helps him find his power, and finally, guarantees the hero's victory by sealing his own doom.

Overall, this was a great movie. For the budget it was made one, with the cast it starred, it delivers a great story with heart and soul. Its setting is modern, yet the storyline is more mythical than anything else. The conceptual background of comicbooks contrasts nicely with the plot itself. I highly recommend this movie.

5 out of 5 stars Unbeatable!.......2007-06-12

Although Shyamalan's "Sixth Sense" perhaps had more chills and more of a classic twist-ending - I personally think "Unbreakable" is his best film. I'm not sure if you would call it's ending a "twist," but it made me gasp when it suddenly brought a whole landscape of emotion into focus with an amazing depth of field.

Furthermore, this movie has one of the most interesting characters I've ever seen on screen. Samuel L. Jackson plays a precise and learned art dealer with a special affinity for original classic comic book drawings. His genetic affliction limits the physical activity he can engage in, but his imagination has always been free to entertain strange possibilities. This truly is an original portrayal that could never typecast Jackson. His role is not as romantic lead, not as supporting character actor, not as doctor, lawyer, merchant... It's what he is that in the end creates the shock of brilliant resolution.

This is a movie whose intricacies will haunt you long after the fact. And even if you never had any interest in comic books, you will probably walk away from `Unbreakable" with a new respect for what Joseph Campbell might call their "power of myth."


One word about the availability of this film - I see a lot of the single-disc versions of it are available only in "Region 2" DVD format. You would need a "Multi-Region" or "Universal" DVD player to play these versions. As I understand it, all DVD players are manufactured with the capability of playing all DVDs. However, the players are then set by distributors to play in only one region, most often the US/Canada Region 1 - in order to block overseas bootlegging versions and other illicit overseas offerings.
There are on-line sites presumably listing decoding sequences that will allow you to "unlock" your specific DVD player so it will play all regions. However most people I've talked with have found these decoding sequences don't work. This can be frustrating because it seems an increasing number of English or foreign movies and comedy series are being offered only in non-Region 1 formats lately.
So if you want to buy one of the single-disc Region 2 versions of "Unbreakable" listed on this website, you might need to consider buying a "Multi-Region" DVD player on-line, or else you might want to go to an ethnic neighborhood (such as an East Indian community) in a large city to find a Multi-Region player.

4 out of 5 stars For Real Comic Book Fans.......2007-06-05

Unbreakable is about the mythology behind comic book superheroes and the purposes that each of us have in life. The film opens with the birth of a baby boy with all four of his limbs broken. He is Elijah Price, who is played by Samuel L. Jackson, and he has type I OI or brittle bone disease. As his life goes on, he gets the nickname of "Mr. Glass" as up the point of present time in Unbreakable, Elijah had broken bones in his body 57 times. Elijah is motivated early on to socialize in some capacity by his mother and his primary interest becomes comic books. As he gets older he soon begins to question what the reason is for his own existence and comes to the conclusion that if people like him exist with his weakness, then surely there must be someone on the other end of the spectrum with massive strengths. Elijah believes there is nothing scarier than to live life without knowing your purpose and he makes the assertion that there are in fact real-life superheroes.

Bruce Willis plays David Dunn, a security officer, who, unlike Elijah, is trying to find his own purpose in life. He gave up his football career for his wife but now his marriage is falling apart. David survives a train wreck that kills 131 people, and he is the only survivor. He was completely unharmed. Elijah believes David to be a real superhero and gradually confronts David with his theory. David's son Joseph believes Elijah and assists David in finding out more about his potential powers. Just to add, I'm of the opinion that it is an absolute pleasure to watch Willis and Jackson act in pretty much anything.

As with any M. Night Shyamalan film, giving too much away is hugely detrimental to the experience and please know that this film is entirely worth going into with no more information then I have already provided. What Shyamalan has done here in retrospect, while considering the recent onslaught of big-budget comic book movies, is create a completely unconventional yet convincing adaptation of comic book heroes' origins. At the same time Unbreakable celebrates the mythology behind these fictional characters. It takes a profound imagination to come up with a screenplay that gives this concept the treatment that Shyamalan has. It is the kind of concept that might have taken almost a lifetime of brainstorming.

A friend of mine once said that the Sixth Sense was a gigantic and nearly perfect movie for absolutely everyone, while as a comic book fan Unbreakable was tailored made perfectly for him. Though I'm half the comic book fan he is, I concur with that assessment enough to confidently invoke it hear. If you truly love comic books, Unbreakable is your film. If you are not a lover of comic books, then try to walk into this film expecting little action and you shouldn't be disappointed.

It can be argued that Shyamalan has lost his way in recent years, although he does retain his technical prowess even now. Nevertheless, Unbreakable is still a joy to watch and is a shining example of Shyamalan during his most inspired and generative phase.

4 out of 5 stars review.......2007-06-01

I'll admit: I've only seen a couple of Shyamalan's other movies, but I didn't like them. I'll admit: I like comic books.

I'll try to keep objective to this movie [as opposed to ranting about Shyamalan's other movies].

The first time I saw Unbreakable, the overall movie generally seemed slow and anticlimactic. However, after a few years I had the urge to see it again, and the second time through was much more enjoyable. The movie starts right off into the main plotpoint: the protagonist is on a train, it crashes, and somehow he walks out of a hospital bed unharmed. The use of color-themes throughout the movie are very alike to comic books. And as the story progresses, this becomes very obvious. As the movie starts, most of the colors are undersaturated and almost dull. But when the story picks up, different colors just jump out. This is a great style of bringing the viewer's attention to something (something comic books uses often).

The overall tone of the characters is set to show: these aren't supposed to be in your face action-packed characters from movies like X-Men or Batman or the like. These characters are supposed to feel like everyday characters. They're not supposed to shine above anyone else. They're supposed to be experiencing everyday life stuff: marital problems, a father trying to bond with his son. The only difference is that something extraordinary has been suddenly discovered by someone who is ordinary: the main character is an everyday man who finds out he can't be harmed. I'll be honest: the movie isn't highly-dramatic. But it's probably a realistic way of showing how an everyday guy is trying to come to terms with something not-so-everyday.

I found the individual characters very well-developed in the respect that they are meant to represent everyday people with an unusual situation thrust upon them. It's not as if real-life-dad and real-life-mom are going to react to this situation by saying, "Hey, maybe you should make a costume out of bright spandex or colorful leather and fight crime with a lot of publicity!" The hero is a husband and father trying to deal with a troubled marriage and a son affected by that troubled marriage. His wife is a wife and mother, trying to keep moving through her life despite the hard marriage. The son is a kid; what do kids do? Over-react. He tries all he can to make sure his parents are happy while at the same time trying to prove his dad is a superhero. It might come off as annoying, but I'm sure anyone can agree kids who over-react are annoying.

If you have the attention span of a five-year-old, where everything has to be fast-paced, in-your-face, bad-guys-flying-in-from-everywhere action, you probably won't enjoy this movie. It's not glitz or explosions or fancy-costumes.

But rating on an objective level: the cinematography is interesting. It tries to keep from being generic Here's the guy talking, Switch to other guy talking, Switch back to other guy talking. The way the contrast and colors are depicted is thoughtful and not overly generic like so many movies. Someones you have to admit it's a nice to not be stuck with generic camera angles and generic color/contrast presentation. The acting is highly skilled. The only actor I would have a problem with would be the kid, but that can slide considering he's still young and not as experienced as his older counterparts. The plot, while it is definitely quiet and has a not-lightning-speed pace, is still something the viewer can get into (again, assuming they don't have the attention span of a five year old). A little bit of high-paced action might have been okay to bring it a wider audience, but to do so would downplay the "normality" of the characters' lives.
Touching the Void
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • The most gripping 'talking heads' documentary ever
  • Touching the Void
  • Harrowing Survival Story
  • Great Show
  • Awesome
Touching the Void
Starring: Brendan Mackey , Nicholas Aaron , Joe Simpson (II) , Simon Yates , and Ollie Ryall
Director: Kevin Macdonald
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00020X94W
Release Date: 2004-06-15

Amazon.com

To describe Touching the Void as a mountaineering documentary would be to do this breathtaking drama an injustice. By intercutting narration from the climbers themselves with a nail-biting reconstruction of their remarkable adventure in the Peruvian Andes, the film has the best of both genres: the authentic stamp of factual storytelling and the edge-of-the-seat tension of a dramatic movie.

In 1985, two British mountaineers, Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, embarked on a daring--arguably reckless in the extreme--attempt to climb the previously unconquered mountain Siula Grande. A mixture of overconfidence in their own abilities and underestimation of the climb's difficulties brought them to grief after the successful slog to the summit. What follows is an often harrowing account of their perilous descent.

Based on Joe Simpson's gripping book, the film boasts glorious widescreen photography of Siula Grande and its notorious glacier. Actors take the place of the two climbers for close-ups, though Simpson did return to Peru in order to reenact parts of his dreadful crawl back down the ice. The story of Simpson's almost-superhuman fortitude has become legendary in climbing circles, and even for viewers uninterested in mountaineering, Touching the Void is an astonishing slice of real-life drama, magnificently retold. --Mark Walker

Description

From OscarÂ(r)-winning* director Kevin Macdonald comes a riveting true story a gripping, white-knuckle (The Village Voice) adventure culminating in a cliffhanger a real one (LosAngeles Times)! After scaling the never-before-conquered 21,000-foot Siula Grande, mountain climbers Joe Simpson and Simon Yates face their greatest challenge yet: getting back down. But when Simpson shatters his leg in an awful fall and the friends are separated by a series of devastating mishaps, their individual journeys become a voyage into extreme experience that should not be missed (New York Post)! *1999: Documentary Feature, One Day in September (with Arthur Cohn)

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars The most gripping 'talking heads' documentary ever.......2007-08-05

This is the story of two young Brits who scaled a particularly treacherous mountain, the Siula Grande, in the Peruvian Andes in 1985. Not anticipating the difficulty of the summit climb, the ordeal of inclement weather, and even greater difficulty of the descent, Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, then in their early twenties, undertook to make their ascent in one push, carrying on their backs all the supplies they expected to need. Wholely dependent upon each other for success and survival, Joe Simpson falls during their descent and suffers a particularly nasty, life-threatening broken leg. Yates then undertakes to lower Simpson on a hundred meter line through blizzard conditions until there comes that dreaded moment when he can no longer feel Simpson's tug on the line and, to save his own life, must sever it. Miraculously, Simpson survives the fall. Then each must make his way down the mountain on his own. Though it seems to doubtful that this will be possible with such a severe injury, Simpson musters enormous physical and emotional reserves to manage to survive. It's a haunting tale, and much of it is told by each man facing a camera narrating his story in nearly deadpan style. Joe Simpson wrote a book about his experience, and has gone on to become a writer. Simon Yates meanwhile has become an adventurer. To make the film, each man has to return to Siula Grande, and that turns out to be a difficult emotional journey. Filmmaker Kevin MacDonald's interweaving of the men's narratives with careful reenactments makes for a sumptuous, beautifully filmed, and riveting viewing experience. In addition, there are terrific special features telling more details of the return to civilization and what life has been like for each man since.

5 out of 5 stars Touching the Void.......2007-07-30

Based on Simpson's bestselling book, this harrowing, suspenseful docudrama recreates the events of Yates and Simpson's fateful, arduous climb, sparing nothing in the traumatic details: exposure to the elements, violent snowstorms, and an icy 150-foot crevasse Yates unwittingly pitched his crippled mate into--then abandoned, believing him dead. That Simpson, the narrator, survived is a miracle in itself, but hearing his jarring account of the escape couldn't be more engrossing. For visceral thrills, "Void" is the perfect armchair adventure.

5 out of 5 stars Harrowing Survival Story.......2007-04-22

Two twenty-something friends go to a formidable mountain in the Andes for mountain climbing in 1985. Facing a mountain face to climb like never before, they have the fortune of meeting a stranger who agrees to stay at their base camp. Once they start the climb, they bring the basics: a woefully short gas supply for a mini stove and a little food. They plan to "pack sack," or take the mountain "in a single push". Sort of the bare-bones rendition of backpacking and mountain climbing, they run in peril unforeseen in their young, virile lives. Testing their strength, courage, and spirit, each have crucial decisions to make collectively and individually.

As a documentary and a reinactment, the project is particularly vivid. Being able to recall and honestly share their innermost thoughts is a real draw. Partly based on Joe Simpson's book and containing the interviews of both participants; the actors for Simpson, [Brendan Mackey] and Simon Yatey (Nicholas Aaron) reconstruct their ordeal well. 'Touching the Void' is a thoroughly absorbing journey recalling a harrowing struggle to survive.

5 out of 5 stars Great Show.......2007-04-15

I would recommed this show to anyone. The only part I didnt like is where he says the F word about 20 times in a row.

4 out of 5 stars Awesome.......2007-03-11

This DVD was awesome in that it put the book in great perspective. It's amazing they were able to film some of the things they did. It made me greatly appreciate the book and the story more.
Paper Clips
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Prepare to have your heart broken
  • Paper Clips
  • Always the ones you least suspect
  • An extraordinary documentary about loss, hope, and a desire to LEARN
  • Great Documentary
Paper Clips
Starring: Tom Bosley , David Smith (XLI) , Peter Schroeder , Dagmar Schroeder-Hildebrand , and Linda Hooper
Director: Joe Fab , and Elliot Berlin
Manufacturer: Arts Alliance Amer
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video
HolocaustHolocaust | By Theme | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video
Bosley, TomBosley, Tom | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
DVDs Under $14.99DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
( P )( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
HolocaustHolocaust | Jewish Heritage | Specialty Stores | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000CMNJF4
Release Date: 2006-03-07

Product Description

In 1998, a group of Tennessee schoolchildren embarked on a class project that would change their lives and impact those of countless others around the world. Responding to a history lesson about the Holocaust, the students began collecting 11 million paper clips (a Norwegian symbol of Nazi resistance) to commemorate each of the lives lost in the concentration camps. As news of the Paper Clip Project spread through the Internet, the children found themselves aided by total strangers in their effort to build a permanent memorial to tolerance and diversity in their schoolyard. Filmmakers Elliot Berlin and Joe Fab document the project in their documentary, PAPER CLIPS, for a moving testament to Margaret Mead's assertion that "a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world."

System Requirements:
  • Running Time 84 Mins.

    Format: DVD MOVIE

    Amazon.com

    Paper Clips is an inspiring 2004 documentary about a consciousness-raising project that blossomed into something beautiful at a rural Tennessee school. When the principal of Whitwell Middle School sought a program that would teach diversity to a predominantly white, Protestant student body, the notion of focusing on the Holocaust--specifically Hitler's extermination of six million Jews--seemed like an obvious way to go. But understanding what "six million" looks like became a challenge. Thus was born the idea of collecting that number of paper clips at Whitwell as a visual reference.

    But then it turned out paper clips actually have, in historical terms, symbolic value where the Holocaust is concerned. In this moving film, one sees Whitwell students dig into research on Germany's genocidal campaign, solicit clips from a variety of leaders and celebrities, and make a name for themselves on the national news. In time, the world comes to Whitwell's doorstep, via unsolicited donations of clips from people around the world, and in a tearful meeting of students and Holocaust survivors. The dimensions of the project, the lessons about prejudice and intolerance, are stunning to watch grow beyond anyone's wildest expectations. This is a great film for families and classrooms to watch together. --Tom Keogh

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Prepare to have your heart broken.......2007-08-20

    I had no idea, when I borrowed this DVD from a friend, that it would have such an overwhelming effect on my heart, on my teaching. There is more here than the documentary of a school project. I have purchased a copy for myself, and for my daughter, who is also a teacher. There are many, many lessons to be learned here, including the one I believe is the most subtle, yet the most powerful: Even nice, loving, kind people, when they are honest, will admit to prejudice; but when they become aware of it, they can change. This is a great little film.

    5 out of 5 stars Paper Clips.......2007-07-23

    Thanks to sure-handed direction from film-makers Elliot Berlin and Joe Fab, this incredibly moving and inspiring true story unfolds without unnecessary embellishment, allowing us to witness a worthy project from its nascent stages to what eventually becomes an extraordinary human phenomenon. "Paper Clips" is an important, life-affirming film, must-viewing for parents and older children. Don't miss this one!

    5 out of 5 stars Always the ones you least suspect.......2007-07-11

    This powerful documentary explores the amazing project undertaken by Whitwell Middle School in Tennessee in 1998, first just to learn about the Shoah and then to collect 6 million paper clips, to have some kind of visual idea of just how many 6 million really is. They chose the paper clip to represent the murdered because it was invented in Norway in 1899, and during WWII, under the Nazi occupation and the dictatorial rule of the puppet ruler Vidkun Quisling, it was worn on people's collars as a secret symbol of resistance. But as more and more people nationwide and worldwide heard about their project, they soon far exceeded their original goal of 6 million and ended up getting over 30 million. The film itself, which also began as a story of how this seemingly unlikely school collected all of these paper clips and began having this class on the Shoah, to teach about tolerance and the dangers of prejudice and discrimination to a group of kids in an extremely homogenous small community, eventually evolved into something more. It became a story about how 5 Shoah survivors from New York came down to Whitwell and spoke at a local church and the school, with each respective group learning something new about the other, confronting and dissolving their former preconceptions. And then it turned into an entirely different story again, about the school's efforts to get an authentic railcar from Germany and to convert it into a mini-museum of sorts and a monument to tolerance and love, complete with housing 11 million (now more) of the paper clips, to represent each person who died, and the other victims whose names will never be known because they weren't all documented or accounted for, finally giving a resting place and respect to them in the least likely of all places.

    Like many other Northerners, I've often bought into stereotypes about the South and Southerners, just like a lot of the people in the film fell victim to stereotypes about the North and Northerners. But as this story teaches us, it's very dangerous to stereotype entire groups of people, and to judge entire peoples instead of just singling out individuals who act in unfortunate ways. The people in this small town, in particular the children at the middle school, embody the ideals of love, tolerance, kindness, and respect, shattering the stereotype that all Southerners are ignorant racist hillbillies who fear or hate anyone or anything that's different. It also shows that most people will do the right thing simply because it is the right thing, and that children are children wherever one goes, full of curiosity and love, with the power to change the world one step at a time. It also shatters the stereotype that the younger generation doesn't care about anything or anyone but themselves. And after watching this powerful film, the viewer may never look at a paper clip the same way ever again.

    Features on the bonus disc are interviews with two of the Shoah survivors who came to Whitwell, Rachel Gleitman and Bernard Igielski, interviews with the teachers, students, and some of the townspeople, extended scenes (the most notable of which being the dedication of the railcar museum on 9 November 2001, the 63rd anniversary of Krystallnacht), and a bonus scene, "A Sabbath Lesson at Ground Zero." There's also an interesting audio commentary on the main disc. Overall, it's full of important, powerful, and thought-provoking lessons for people of all ages and from all geographic regions.

    5 out of 5 stars An extraordinary documentary about loss, hope, and a desire to LEARN.......2007-06-21

    I purchased this movie last December.

    I usually purchase movies only after viewing them. However, I was fascinated by this story, and purchased the movie without prior viewing.

    The documentary is an interesting look not only at the Holocaust, but at relationships between people, and the desire to understand events of history.

    In an effort to further diversity education at their school - teachers and administrators at a Tennessee school, along with students, developedh a project to collect 6 million paperclips to represent individuals destroyed by the Holocaust.

    The individuals in the film - students, teachers, the journalists who assisted the project - are all absolutely genuine. They are not afraid to show their own judgements and prejudices, and also express why they have felt this way. The innocent perspectives of the students is endearing, and genuinely inspiring.

    Yes, this is a deeply emotional film. It is heartbreaking, and amazing. The holocaust surivors who came and shared their stories, shared their tattoo'd numbers...broke your heart and warmed your spirit. But in the same respect the desire of these students and educators to learn and UNDERSTAND - their desire to really GRASP JUST HOW MANY 6 MILLION PEOPLE would look like...is phenomenal. This is a brilliant documentary.

    I was also fascinated by the symbolic choice of a paperclip...

    I am very glad I purchased this film, it is an amazing story, enlightening. And it gives you a sense of what people can accomplish. Gathering paperclips seemed overwhelming in the beginning, but what the students do, with the help of journalists, family, etc. is phenomenal. I truly get tingles and goosebumps thinking about this film. And was breathless when the journey of the Train car from germany intersected modern history on September 11.

    There is much to learned from history.

    When one sets out on just such a journey, I believe often, the resources come to us. And I think this story displays how seeking out to accomplish the goal of education brought many people together, and created an example of just what the world lost during the Holocaust.

    Each paperclip represented one life, a life with lost potential. Each paperclip was treated with such an endearing respect; handled by someone who thought about the person who might have been...

    I believe we should all see this film.

    5 out of 5 stars Great Documentary.......2007-05-16

    I used this video as an introduction to teach the Holocaust for my Junior Hight students and it was well received by them.

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