Michael Shayne Mysteries Vol. 1 (Michael Shayne: Private Detective / The Man Who Wouldn't Die / Sleepers West / Blue, White, and Perfect)

Amazon.com

This very welcome box set turns up the heat on one of detective films' cold cases. Created by Brett Halliday, Michael Shayne appeared in 31 books between the 1940s and '70s. He is not as popularly known as other screen shamuses, but he's good company. As portrayed by Lloyd Nolan (best known as curmudgeonly Dr. Chegley on the groundbreaking sitcom Julia), Shayne is not as hard-boiled as Sam Spade or as sage as Charlie Chan. But, as one shady character observes to someone whom Shayne has just pasted, "You know better than to mix with Shayne." He's a working-class mug ("His office is in his hat, his home is in his car," he remarks), usually "down on his luck" and short on cash. As Michael Shayne, Private Detective (1940) opens, the furniture from his office is being repossessed. Still, Shayne has ethics enough to turn down $5,000 for a suspicious-sounding case. ("$5,000 will buy a lot of ethics," he's told). He's got some odd habits, from twirling his keychain to singing the odd Irish ditty. In each film, Shayne manages to get himself into some "screwy scrapes." In Private Detective, a "gag" backfires when an attempt to scare a gambling heiress straight results in a murder with Shayne's gun at the scene of the crime. In The Man Who Wouldn't Die (1942), Shayne pretends to be a wealthy woman's husband to get the lowdown on a body that won't stay buried. In Sleepers West (1941), he's on the right track when he accompanies a murder witness by train to San Francisco. Blue, White and Perfect (1942) is a real gem that finds Shayne embroiled in wartime espionage, smuggled diamonds and dodging his jealous, matrimonial-minded girlfriend.

These lively B-films each clock in at less than 80 minutes. What they lack in budget they more than make up for in shadow-drenched, dark, and stormy atmosphere, Shayne's moxie and inestimable support from some great character actors, such as Clarence Kolb (the crooked mayor in His Girl Friday) and Douglass Dumbrille (the nasty racetrack owner in A Day at the Races), who appear in Private Detective. For a collection of obscure films, this box set has all the trimmings, with three original featurettes that provide efficient primers on Halliday, Shayne, and Robert McGinnis, the artist who created luscious and lurid covers for the Shayne paperbacks. There is also an interactive trivia guide that makes the six-degrees connections between cast members and the film-noir world. This is volume 1, to which we can only say, "Come back, Shayne." --Donald Liebenson

Description

Disc 1 Side A: MICHAEL SHAYNE, PRIVATE DETECTIVE (1942) Disc 1 Side B: THE MAN WHO WOULDN'T DIE (1942) Disc 2 Side A: SLEEPERS WEST (1941) Disc 2 Side B: BLUE, WHITE, & PERFECT (1942)

**Plus Featurettes **Packaging designed by Michael Shayne and artist Robert McGinnis

Customer Reviews:

LLoyd Nolan as Michael Shayne.......2007-07-07

The perfect fit of role and star, action a-plenty, twists, turns, and surprises, snappy dialogue, excellent cast support, upper level grade B production values, realistic settings, and transfer print quality as good as or better than you may have expected. What's not to like??

I haven't seen any of the Hugh Beaumont/Michael Shayne movies but I can't wait to watch the remaining three in the Lloyd Nolan series.

If you are fan of this era, a fan of mystery/detective movies with a side serving of good humor and a fan of this star who is perfect for this role, then you really don't want to miss this set.

Review of Michael Shayne Vol 1.......2007-06-28

I think these movies made in the 1940's were fun to watch. I particularly enjoyed LLoyd Nolan playing the lead role. I also enjoyed seeing old glamorous movie stars like Lynn Bari and Mary Beth Hughes in action again.

Classic B-Movies.......2007-06-12

I am a fan of Lloyd Nolan. He has always shined in B-movies. And his signature role as Michael Shayne is no different. His wit and timing are nothing short of outstanding. I hope that another boxed set of these films are released soon.

I would even like to see the one's with Hugh Beaumont. It would be nice to see Beaumont play a character besides Ward Cleaver on Leave It To Beaver. But, Lloyd Nolan is still the best to play this character.

Michael Shayne.......2007-06-08

The Michael Shayne mysteries are not only clever, but very funny. Lloyd
Nolan is great and the best Michael Shayne there ever was. Can't wait
till Volume 2 comes out.

action thriller.......2007-05-16

this dvd box set of michael shayne is very good and well worth buying for any film buff who likes lloyd Nolan. he plays the part very good and is comical also. the rest of the cast also are well worth watching, I do hope 20th centry Fox turn out more of Mike Shayne in the near future, I have been waiting for this series to come on dvd and now they are out Im more than pleased I purchased them. I realy do say this that Mike shayne is excellent and well worth the price of this set. and Lloyd Nolan takes the part well and I highly recommend it. well worth buying if you Like Nolan

The Woody Allen Collection, Set 1 (Annie Hall/Manhattan/Sleeper/Bananas/Interiors/Stardust Memories/Love and Death/Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex But Were Afraid to Ask)

Average customer rating:

The best Woody Allen collection
The Woody Allen Collection - 8 pack
not able to run them in European dvd-s
It doesn't get much better than this...
Excellent Collection with a reservation. See Below!

The Woody Allen Collection, Set 1 (Annie Hall/Manhattan/Sleeper/Bananas/Interiors/Stardust Memories/Love and Death/Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex But Were Afraid to Ask)
Starring: Woody Allen , and Mia Farrow
Director: Woody Allen
Manufacturer: Tcfhe/MGM
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0792846052
Release Date: 2000-07-05

Amazon.com

Starting with 1971's Bananas, Woody Allen's second film as director, this set of eight movies includes all of Allen's work as a director up to 1980, when he wrestled with his own popularity in the Fellini-esque Stardust Memories, showcasing the distinctive arc of a filmmaker who moved from lighthearted movies to more serious fare that still remains breathtaking after 20 years. In between those two movies, there are wonderful trips of comedy, tragedy and romance to be had. Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex but Were Afraid to Ask is a hilarious set of vignettes based on the popular instructional manual, the most notable a segment featuring Gene Wilder's infatuation with a female sheep. The futuristic Sleeper and the underrated Love and Death showcase Allen at his funniest, especially the latter, which tackles the weighty subjects of Russian novels and Bergman films with adroit parody.

Allen's Oscar-winning Annie Hall is one of the most joyous (and melancholy) romances ever made, with a star-making turn by Diane Keaton and a witty screenplay (cowritten with Marshall Brickman) that remains one of Allen's best. Allen did a 180 with the Bergman-esque Interiors, a sometimes stilted drama that nonetheless presaged the dysfunctional-family drama of films like Ordinary People and featured outstanding performances by Geraldine Page and Mary Beth Hurt, as well as unparalleled cinematography by Gordon Willis. The last two films in the set--the romantic Manhattan and the acidic Stardust Memories--are both gorgeously shot in black and white and represent Allen at the peak of his creative powers, as he wrestles with the meaning of life in terms of both love and art, albeit from different perspectives. Indispensable to any film fan, this boxed set represents nothing less than a landmark of American cinema. --Mark Englehart

Description

Disc 1: ANNIE HALL Disc 2: EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SEX BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK Disc 3: INTERIORS Disc 4: LOVE AND DEATH Disc 5: MANHATTAN Disc 6: SLEEPER Disc 7: STARDUST MEMORIES Disc 8: BANANAS

Customer Reviews:

The best Woody Allen collection.......2007-03-19

Enjoyed Annie Hall again last night - Best Picture, 1977? My husband loved Bananas and all of the earlier movies.

The Woody Allen Collection - 8 pack.......2007-02-08

Great collection of early Woody Allen titles. Nicely presented in slip cover box. Great value for money. Can't wait to get started on them!

not able to run them in European dvd-s.......2007-01-23

Totally disappointed!!!
I love Woody Allen, love his films
BUT - dvd-s are coded for US market and are not possible to be viewed on our European dvd -s
total waste of money
you should have warned me on that

Barbara Kalas, architect from Croatia

It doesn't get much better than this..........2005-06-18

No one will doubt that Woody Allen is the only director who has consistently mastered the art of writing and directing intelligent, funny, unforgettable stories. These films are great examples of that. Fromk Annie Hall to Sleeper [I haven't viewed Stardust Memories yet], you will be completely satisfied with your purchase. Here's an overview of the films:

Annie Hall: Allem's best film, hands down. The story of a couple who meets in a New York tennis club. Allen plays Alvy Singer, a carbon copy of Allen's stereotypical self [neurotic, clumsy, "suave"], while Keaton, who gives a stunning performance, plays Annie Hall, a country girl from Wisconsin trying to find a life in New York. A great story about relationships. The last paragraph that Allen narrates is fabulous. Don't watch this film first, or you may not appreciate Allen's other work as much!

Bananas: On the sillier side, this film is about Fielding Mellish, another character based on himself. Mellish works for a large corporation. Testing products. If you are at all familiar with Allen, you already know that there is a witty scene coming up. Mellish travels to the small Latin American country of San Marcos to find something to do. He ends up becoming the communist dictator there, and that is all I will say.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* *But were afraid to ask: A great satire on the popular book. This is a series of seven small sex stories, varying from Gene Wilder's affair with a sheep to a giant, deadly mammary. Watch for Allen's coolest role as Fabrizio, the Italian.

Interiors: A stunning film [very serious] about a wealthy Long Island family that steers away from the mother. This film is beautifully shot, and it really pays a lot of attention to showing every aspect of every character. Tension builds quickly, and it stays until the end.

Love and Death: One of my personal top five Allen films. This one is about Napoleon trying to take over Russia. Allen plays Boris Grushenko, a Russian Catholic, who falls in love with his distant cousin, Sonja [Keaton]. This one is nonstop laughs, but only if you are familiar with the war and the works of Russian writers. It is still very funny otherwise, but not as deeply funny.

Manhattan: Similar to Annie Hall, but a little different. Allen plays Isaac Davis, who falls in love with a seventeen year old [Mariel Hemingway], and also with Mary [Keaton], an overly pretentious New Yorker at the same time. This story is again about relationship, but this one is extreme. Shot in black and white, and accompanied by a George Gershwin soundtrack, many Allen fans consider this film his love letter to New York City. It is also considered his best by many people. I think he has made better, but this is a stunning film.

Sleeper: Sleeper is 'Love and Death' set in the future. A great film about Allen, who is frozen in 1973, and defrosted 200 years later. Great jokes, chase scenes, and more. In one scene, Diane Keaton and a leader of a revolutionist underground organization re-create scenes from his childhood. Another joke about the NRA. Sleeper is probably the best film to see if one wants a good introduction to Allen's style.

All in all, this collection is a must-own. Also, at less than ten dollars per DVD, no fan should pass this up. Separately, they cost more. Buy this today and you will be granted a good taste in motion pictures!

Excellent Collection with a reservation. See Below!.......2005-04-30

This collection of Woody Allen written and directed movies is well chosen in that it begins with his second writer / director effort and includes all eight in a row from that point on. The included films are:

Bananas
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex but Were Afraid to Ask
Sleeper
Love and Death
Annie Hall
Interiors
Manhattan
Stardust Memories

This selection is great for a complete Woody Allen fan, but it has some drawbacks to people who are entertained by his comedies, but find nothing of interest in his other movies. And, there is no more `other movies' film than `Interiors', which has not a single joke, gag, laugh, or snicker. That is not to mean it is not pure Woody, as all of his most popular themes such as sex, death, creative freeze-up, parents, and relationships between partners.

`Stardust Memories' is also an `other movie', however, it is on more familiar ground as a parody with jokes. If fact, one can say that the object of parody in `Stardust Memories' is the earlier seven movies and Allen himself.

The one other movie worth noting in this context is `Love and Death'. Amazon's published review of the collection describes this movie as underrated. I think it is more accurate to say that it is much less well known, almost totally overshadowed by the earlier comedies and the great success of `Annie Hall'. In fact, I am almost inclined to guess that some of the changes toward more serious characters and plot may have come as a result of critical ennui with `Love and Death', even though these are by far two of Allen's most pregnant topics. I believe it is not `Love and Death' but `Stardust Memories' which is underrated.

For Allen fans and wannabe Allen fans, this is a great collection. For people who just happen to like his funny movies, do the math to see if the discounted price for the collection means you are getting `Interiors' and maybe `Love and Death' for free. Personally, I feel there are no losers in this collection, but that's me. I just don't know why they didn't bother to start with the first movie, `Take the Money and Run', since it is distributed by MGM, just like all the others.

Sleeper Cell - American Terror - The Complete Second Season

Average customer rating:

Unrelentingly good
OK Show but could have been a great show
Sleeper Cell - American Terror - The Complete Second Season
A bad ending to an excellent series
This is a good fix for 24 fans

Sleeper Cell - American Terror - The Complete Second Season
Director: Leon Ichaso , Clark Johnson , Ziad Doueiri , Guy Ferland , and Leslie Libman
Manufacturer: Showtime Ent.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Television | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000L43PGQ
Release Date: 2007-03-20

Amazon.com

Sleeper Cell: American Terror is so consistently excellent that the series' cancellation seems woefully premature. Citing budgetary costs and the popularity of newer shows (like Weeds), executives at Showtime ended the series after this superb second season, which benefits from its limited 8-episode run by maintaining a riveting combination of brisk pacing, intelligent plotting, and an admirably meaningful effort to explore the true nature of Muslim faith. For posterity, both seasons of Sleeper Cell will gain lasting value for their astute and illuminating depiction of Islamic devotion on both sides of the battle against radical Islamic terrorism. In this regard, American Terror is even better than the first season, as it deepens our understanding of the religious and philosophical differences between undercover FBI agent Darwyn Al-Sayeed (Michael Ealy) and Farik (Oded Fehr), the radical Islamic terrorist (with connections to Al-Qaeda) who continues to mastermind attacks on American soil. As American Terror begins, Farik is enduring brutal torture at the hands of his American captors while Darwyn, still undercover, is pretending to lead a new sleeper cell consisting of a former Latino gang member (Kevin Alejandro) who became an extremist in prison; a closeted gay Iraqi ex-patriot (Omid Abtahi) raised in London; and a Dutch nanny (Thekla Rueten) with personal reasons for hating America.

While Farik's former right-hand-man Ilija (Henri Lubatti) struggles in vain to return to a quiet, normal life, American Terror takes all of its characters into darker, more dangerous territory, and heightened realism gives the series even greater emotional impact as unexpected tragedies befall several supporting characters. While Ealy and Fehr continue to anchor the series with their finely nuanced performances, these episodes ultimately lead to a powerful finale that, in many respects, returns Darwyn to where he began--with potentially greater threats looming in his future. While Fox TV's 24 favors nonstop action and increasingly implausible plotting, Sleeper Cell: American Terror presents a frighteningly authentic scenario that honors Islam while demonstrating how it's been perverted by radicals with evil intentions. Because the second season has a cliffhanger ending that may never be resolved, it's a pity the series wasn't allowed to continue, and the DVD extras offer minimal compensation: They consist of "Infiltrating the Final Cell," an interesting interview between Ealy and two of Sleeper Cell's FBI consultants; "The Enemy Within" (a first-season recap); and "Farik's Story," a pointless 90-minute assembly of nearly all of Oded Fehr's scenes from American Terror. Why bother, when it's all better viewed in the context of the episodes? --Jeff Shannon

Description

In SLEEPER CELL: AMERICAN TERROR, the Muslim undercover FBI agent, Darwyn (Michael Ealy), discovers that another terrorist cell in Southern California is planning a catastrophic attack that will be more successful than the last attempt. Meanwhile, Farik escapes out of the country and directs another terrorist operation, beginning a parallel storyline between Southern California and the Middle East.

Customer Reviews:

Unrelentingly good.......2007-08-19

I watched season one of Sleeper Cell, and while I liked it I never really clicked with the show. The pace never grabbed me, the character's situations were interesting but not enough to be exciting.

Then came season two. While it is shorter, only eight episodes this time, it makes up for it with thrilling events and an amazing pace.

I'm not sure how early in the season the producers knew they weren't coming back for a third year, but I do think it helped in making season two brilliant. In combination with the fact that they had season one to set up the characters, season two acts as if it has nothing to lose, and just delivers blow after blow after blow. From the first episode to the last minute of the final episode, it keeps on surprising and shocking viewers in ways that it didn't even attempt in season one.

It reminded me of 24 in its first season, when that show had the ability to surprise. But it has more substance, integrity and finesse than 24 has ever had. If you like thrilling TV with 3D characters, then you have to buy this box set.

OK Show but could have been a great show .......2007-06-18

I just finished watching Sleeper Cell - American terror and it was OK it had the potential to be a great show, but the story with one of the characters changed everything. I will admit the ending was great, it left you to wonder whats going to happen next. I would have gave this show 5 stars and suggest to everyone to buy the dvd, but I would suggest not buying this dvd because they decided to have a gay character on the show and having that character on the show was pointless, and for everyone who saw the first season and enjoyed every moment when you watch the second season, beware your gonna see some scenes that your not gonna like.

Sleeper Cell - American Terror - The Complete Second Season.......2007-05-12

At first i wasnt sure about this show in the first season of the show. My brother had recommended it because he said it was really good. As the episodes went on i realized that to. This show in many ways is even better then 24 just because of the reality of the issues... It shows the struggle inside islam between the true islam of peace and love (the fbi agent muslim trying to stop them), and the extremists who claim they are muslims ( the terrorists), and the struggle with the image of islam in the west, as well as what our country is going through at the moment. In the end the plot, actors, and everything else are great and keep you interested until the very end. I cant wait for the next season.

A bad ending to an excellent series.......2007-05-12

Honestly, the first season kept me up everynight after work untill I finished a disk but this season was very, very disapointing. Homosexuality is not something I'm real uncomfortable with but the needlessness of the multiple encounters was very disturbing. Also, the finale was a big let down. Should have left something open for fans instead of.....Well, you'll see if you actually want to see it. I wish I hadn't bought it. Good Luck.

This is a good fix for 24 fans.......2007-05-07

Don't get me wrong, sleeper cell is no 24. However, if you like 24, Alias and Prison Break type shows, this is a good one to buy. My husband and I really prefer to purchase the DVD, as opposesd to watching the show each week. It makes for a fun rainy weekend marathon. Plus, who wants to wait an entire week, when there is a cliff hanger. Speaking of cliff hangers, you might also like The Shield. Sleeper Cell is good terrorist fun.

Average customer rating:

Ultimate Avengers - The Movie review
great Marvel team-up movie
Big 5 Stars!
Ultimate Avengers - The Movie
Entertaining [3.5 stars]

Ultimate Avengers - The Movie
Starring: Justin Gross , Grey DeLisle , Michael Massee , Olivia d'Abo , and Marc Worden
Director: Steven E. Gordon , Bob Richardson , and Curt Geda
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

Feature Films | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( U ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000CEVC9M
Release Date: 2006-02-21

Customer Reviews:

Ultimate Avengers - The Movie review.......2007-08-09

Thought is would be much better. I was very dissappointed. Only interesting part of the entire movie was Capt. America's past story line. The current and past JLA have much better writting and animation.

great Marvel team-up movie.......2007-08-08

This story introduces Captain America & highlights the other characters equally, in a story about saving the world from alien invaders.

Big 5 Stars!.......2007-06-28

Loved it! Love the whole "Ultimate" line. I would love to see more Marvel Ultimate movies come out.

Ultimate Avengers - The Movie.......2007-05-14

If you loved, still love, comics; this is for you. It takes the static images of the Marvel world and brings them to dynamic life. All of the Avengers are well represented here. The only thing that might compete would be the much anticipated live action film planned for the not to distant future.

Entertaining [3.5 stars].......2007-04-26

The animation is good and the story line interesting. What makes the movie worthwhile is the climactic battle between the Hulk and the rest of the Avengers. Not surprisingly, there is a fair amount of "action" violence without any gore. Depending on your sensitivity to violence and language, kids can watch the movie.

Average customer rating:

Sleepers
One of the BEST Movies of the 90s
WHAT A CRAZY TWIST!
So many missteps
Sleeper

Sleepers
Starring: Kevin Bacon , Billy Crudup , Robert De Niro , Vittorio Gassman , and Minnie Driver
Director: Barry Levinson
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Crime & Criminals | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Murder & Mayhem | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0790729393
Release Date: 1997-04-01

Amazon.com

The first thing you need to know about Sleepers is that it's based on a novel by Lorenzo Carcaterra that was allegedly based on a true story. The movie repeats this bogus claim, which was attacked and determined by a wide majority to be misleading. Knowing this, Sleepers can be a problematic movie because it's too neat, too clean, too manipulative in terms of legal justice and dramatic impact to be truly convincing. And yet, with its stellar cast directed by Barry Levinson, the movie succeeds as gripping entertainment, and its tale of complex morality--despite a dubious emphasis on homophobic revenge--is sufficiently provocative. It's about four boys in New York's Hell's Kitchen district who are sent to reform school, where they must endure routine sexual assaults by the sadistic guards. Years after their release, the opportunity for revenge proves irresistible for two of the young men, who must then rely on the other pair of friends (Brad Pitt, Jason Patric), a loyal priest (Robert De Niro), and a shabby lawyer (Dustin Hoffman) to defend them in court. Despite the compelling ambiguities of the story, there's never any doubt about how we're supposed to feel, and the screenplay glosses over the story's most difficult moral dilemmas. And yet, Sleepers grabs your attention and pulls you into its intense story of friendship and the price of loyalty under extreme conditions. The movie's New York settings are vividly authentic, and Minnie Driver makes a strong impression as a long-time friend of the loyal group of guys. --Jeff Shannon

Product Description

The judicial system is supposed to protect them. But when a youthful prank in New Yorks Hells Kitchen spins out of control, the punishment does not fit the crime. Sentenced to the Wilkinson School for Boys, four pals are mistreated at will by a cadre of sadistic guards. Now, 15 years later, they have an unexpected opportunity to use that system-for revenge. Friendship. Loyalty. Retribution. From its telltale opening lines to its stunning courtroom climax, Sleepers is spellbinding entertainment. With a vengeance.

System Requirements:
Starring: Kevin Bacon, Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman, Brad Pitt, and Jason Patric Director: Barry Levinson Interactive Menus Production Notes Scene Access Theatrical Trailer Languages: English and French Subtitles: English, French and Spanish Widescreen version presented in a "letterbox" widescreen format preserving the "scope" aspect ratio of its original theatrical exhibition, enhanced for 16:9 widescreen TVs English: Dolby Digital 5.1 French: Dolby Surround 5.1 Two Sided Disc Special Features: Cast/Crew Bios, Film Highlights, Interactive Menus, Production Notes, and Theatrical Trailer Video Format: Widescreen (no A.R. specified) Enhanced for 16x9 TVs Subtitles: English, Spanish, and French Track Info: English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround French: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Closed Captioning: Yes # Discs: 1 # Sides: Single Produced by Barry Levinson, Steve Golin; written by Barry Levinson, Lorenzo Carcat; running time of 148 minutes; Closed Captioned. Copyright: 1996, Warner Bros.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

Sleepers.......2007-08-23

All the actors were great in this movie. It had a lot of drama and was a very sad story for the boys, but I love the ending when they got the bad guys back. Justice!!!

One of the BEST Movies of the 90s.......2007-07-10

Do not see this movie if on a deep FEELING level you cannot walk and chew gum at the same time!-----Start with the score, it will tell you immediately how good this film is. John Williams( you know him probably from Star Wars), wrote no other score like this that mixes both hope and pain simultaneously. (very moving, original and striking)--------------------add one of the FINEST casts of the time putting in wonderful performances that are so ON TARGET----so on key-------so REAL!!------- Forget the argument of whether the story line is true or perfectly plausible. The real point of this movie is the real pain that comes through in a way that is never over the top and becomes universal for the viewer, because the performances GET TO YOU!!---------------If you have a heart, this movie will make you cry, because its pain is the real deep pain we all have somewhere and somehow in our lives, and often as scarring as these boys pain -------------Forget whether the revenge in this film was real justice. The film makes no bones about the fact that the touch stone for these characters is the 'Count of Monte Christo' literally. The book is brought up many times. So if the real human tragedy of this film does not get to you, check and see if you have a pulse!-------------- and if you are not afraid to personally go 'deep' with your emotions buy ths film and buy the score.-----Both are available here at a very cheap price, because let's face it, the art of 'walking and chewing gum' at the same time emotionally, is all but gone in this society.--------Let's be honest, NO ONE would do a movie like this today, no one!!

WHAT A CRAZY TWIST!.......2007-03-26

I WASNT TOO SURE IF I WAS GOING TO LIKE THIS MOVIE BUT ITS A WONDERFUL MOVIE. THE STORY HAD A CRAZY TWIST AND I NEVER THOUGHT THAT THIS MOVIE WOULD BE THIS INTENSE. ITS GREAT I WOULD RECOMEND EVERYONE TO SEE IT, BUT THIS IS NOT A FAMILY MOVIE UNLESS THE CHILDREN ARE OLDER!

So many missteps.......2007-03-14

Man, with this cast you really could have blown the roof off the house. I mean, all the national treasures of acting are here -- except for Kevin Spacey, Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, John Travolta, Tim Allen and Carlos Mencia.

The kids were really annoying, right? How many astonished close-ups of them were we gonna get? Get over it. Big deal, a prison guard did some bad things to you. They acted like it didn't happen to everyone.

Dustin Hoffman is a national gem. He get so into character that sometimes he forgets to get back into Dustin. At least, that's all I can think -- because I saw him in Manhattan and I kept yelling, "Hey Dustin, want to go get a hot cocoa and some Buggles (crunchy corn snacks)?" But he acted as if he didn't hear me -- must of been deep into his character, yes?

Sleeper.......2007-01-12

IT WAS A GOOD STORY, TOLD WITH A LOT OF CLASS, AND THE SAD THING ABOUT IT,...IT REALLY HAPPENS TO CHILDREN..
BRAD PITT ANT THE CAST WERE GREAT....B. KIPKER

Average customer rating:

Thrilling, Intense, Thought-provoking
Wow! Hope there's more!
Sleeper Cell dvd
More down to earth than "24"
if reality is your oxygen...you'll suffocate watching this

Sleeper Cell
Director: Leon Ichaso , Clark Johnson , Ziad Doueiri , Guy Ferland , and Leslie Libman
Manufacturer: Showtime Ent.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

Miniseries | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Television | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Mystery & Suspense | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000CR7RCK
Release Date: 2006-03-14

Amazon.com

As a praiseworthy effort to enlighten viewers about peaceful practice of the Muslim faith and lesser-known aspects of domestic terrorism, Sleeper Cell succeeds as a conventional thriller with its heart in the right place. Originally broadcast in late 2005, Showtimes's 10-hour limited series owes more to familiar Hollywood plotlines than to the precise realities of radical extremism, and authenticity frequently takes a backseat to well-crafted suspense. So, while it may not earn a high score in terms of absolute realism, the series works far better on an emotional level, beginning with the revelation that newly released prisoner Darwyn Al-Sayeed (Michael Ealy, from Barbershop and Their Eyes Were Watching God) is actually an undercover FBI agent and practicing Muslim, recruited to infiltrate a sleeper cell of Islamic radical extremists led by Farik (played by Israeli-born actor Oded Fehr, from The Mummy and The Mummy Returns), the mastermind of a Jihadist plot to detonate a chemical bomb in a crowded Los Angeles sports arena. Representing a broad spectrum of anti-American sentiments, Farik's band of holy warriors includes a hot-tempered Frenchman (Alex Nesic), a Bosnian chemist (Henri Lubatti), and a young, Berkeley-born American (Blake Shields) with a post-military beef against the U.S. government. While clandestinely reporting to his FBI handler (James LeGros), Darwyn is forced into deadly circumstances that continuously threaten to blow his cover and get him killed. His ill-advised romance with a single mother (Melissa Sagemiller) poses further threat to the integrity of his investigation, which ultimately involves everyone from local LAPD detectives to the senior staff of the White House.

As the terrorist plot unfolds, Sleeper Cell is by turns intense, dramatically involving, and philosophically illuminating as Darwyn struggles to reconcile his undercover activities (which connect him to murder, obstruction of justice, conspiracy, etc.) and his passionate devotion to Islam as a peaceful religion. With a number of Islamic consultants, writers, and directors, series creators Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris (the team responsible for Bulletproof Monk) have admirably attempted to balance national fear of terrorism with a very sympathetic and positive depiction of the law-abiding Muslim majority. In a subtle but somewhat one-dimensional performance, Ealy conveys the spiritual anguish of Darwyn's stressful situation, while Fehr provides stark contrast, portraying Farik as a smart, charismatic source of constant threat, ruling over his fellow terrorists with passionate conviction. As the series nears its powerful two-hour finale, their clash of ideologies plays out like an above-average episode of 24, sharing elements of Reservoir Dogs as each isolated member of the sleeper cell nears his individual fate. With plenty of surprises along the way, Sleeper Cell grabs your attention and never lets go, even when you're aware that a real-life scenario would play by a different set of rules. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Sleeper Cell takes viewers behind the veil of an U.S. home-grown terrorist group, tracking the harrowing challenges faced by a FBI agent determined to learn its secrets. Having posed as a prisoner inside a federal penitentiary, a young agent (Michael Ealy) develops contacts that enable him to infiltrate an Islamic terrorist cell in Los Angeles. The cell is led by an intimidating, charismatic extremist (Oded Fehr), who considers all acts of violence moral when serving the greater good of his cause. But early in the investigation something goes wrong, placing lives - and the integrity of a three-year mission - in serious jeopardy.

Customer Reviews:

Thrilling, Intense, Thought-provoking.......2007-08-23

Sleeper Cell is a gripping series that features a quiet, interesting hero and a deliciously evil, charismatic villan (Fariq, played masterfully by Oded Fehr.) While not apologizing for the terrorist's evil deeds, the series does explore the psychological motivations of the terrorists, each of which is brought to the jihad for different reasons. Among the clan are: A blonde-haired, fair-skinned white guy who fancies himself a Koran expert and seems to be drawn to the terrorist group out of a sense of rebellion against the army and his mother; a schoolteacher by day who became a jihadist based on his experiences living in Yugoslavia, where Muslims were persecuted; a thuggish Frenchman who seems enraptured with violence but who is unintellectual and not seeped in religious tradition. The main character, a black Muslim FBI agent, struggles to fit in with the group despite despising what he sees as the distortion of his faith. By exploring the psychology and human motivations of the terrorists, the series manages to go beyond the stereotypical evil-Middle-Eastern villain to paint a more complex portrait of the jihadists. This is what sets it apart from a popcorn series like 24. Highly recommended.

Wow! Hope there's more!.......2007-08-23

Excellent! Hat's off to Amazon for making it available and at a reasonable price!

Sleeper Cell dvd.......2007-08-14

We began watching the show 24 and got hooked. Sleeper Cell was much better in that it was more realistic and didn't have so much "personal drama" with the characters.Can't wait for the return of the show.

More down to earth than "24".......2007-08-03

Set in our modern day post-9/11 world, "Sleeper Cell" doesn't leave out any details of terrorism today. It shows you how the terrorists operate and what our government is doing to handle it. It shows you how terrorists recruit, who they recruit, how they generate finances, how they acquire weaponry, how they plan and strategize, how they train, how they evade the authorities, and much more. More importantly, the viewer is always reminded that Islam is not the faith of terror, particularly in episodes four and six.
What really makes this show unique is that the hero is a practicing Muslim (all the better for him to go undercover) serving his country. You don't see that everyday on TV. Not to mention, the writers of the show are Muslim too.
"24" is very one-dimensional with all the gun fighting and bravado. It's always "The terrorists are in town, let's send in Jack Bauer." Those who think this is another version of "24" will be disappointed. "Sleeper Cell" is not all action; it has quite a bit of drama in it. It manages to show each of the characters (terrorist and non-terrorist) in a human light. The acting and the cast is nothing short of excellent and it is generated through brilliant writing. Once you watch this show in its entirety, you may never want to watch "24" again.

if reality is your oxygen...you'll suffocate watching this.......2007-07-16

it's not just that reality has got to take a back seat to action, but it's been bound and gagged and left bleeding in the trunk. and then the producers have the gall to crow over their educational product. i got suckered into buying this by good reviews in the new york times and the new yorker- obviously they have one standard for films and another for tv shows. if you want real terrorists, read the transcript in the october 2006 issue of harpers magazine- the supposed terrorists in this dvd collection are straight from "the apprentice".

Average customer rating:

Bells Rung Sweetly
Movie was good...but......
Bells of St. Mary's
Bells of St. Mary's Review
The Miracle at St. Mary's

The Bells of St. Mary's
Starring: Bing Crosby , Ingrid Bergman , Henry Travers , William Gargan , and Ruth Donnelly
Director: Leo McCarey
Manufacturer: Republic Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Religion | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B0000EMYML
Release Date: 2003-09-23

Amazon.com essential video

The Bells of St. Mary's works much better for its battle of wills between a parish priest and a head nun than the dopey musical interludes that pepper it, but Bells is still a winning, emotionally satisfying film. This sequel to Going My Way has Father O'Malley (Bing Crosby) taking over the St. Mary's parochial school and finding himself at loggerheads with Sister Benedict (Ingrid Bergman, looking gorgeous even in a habit). There's a wonderful balance to all of this: O'Malley takes a more worldly approach to administration and is wrong just as many times as the nun is when she insists on a more biblical approach. About four subplots suffuse the film, including the story of a young charge from the wrong side of the tracks, and the deteriorating state of St. Mary's in the shadow of a brand-new building (the owner is played by the avuncular Henry Travers). A dear film. --Keith Simanton

Customer Reviews:

Bells Rung Sweetly.......2007-06-08

This version of the Bells of St. Mary is a clear, restored cut of the original version. Crosby and Bergman shine brightly in the staring roles of Fr. O'Malley and St. Bernadette. Leo McCarrey's script is a winner as is the supporting role played by Henry Travers.

A feel good movie for the whole family. So let those bells "Proudly ring out As we sing out Hail, Hail, Hail!"

Movie was good...but.............2007-05-20

I always have enjoyed this movie while growing up...was a holiday tardition along with Going My Way....

Unfortunetly..the seller sold me a black and white movie and not a colorized one..that was my only complaint..:(

Bells of St. Mary's.......2007-01-19

I loved watching this movie when I was a kid. I wanted to share it with my children too. My kids loved it. I thought it my not hold their interest, but they watched the whole thing. A true classic.

Bells of St. Mary's Review.......2007-01-15

This is a classic Bing Crosby "Father O'Malley" Movie. It is the original
black and white uncut movie. This classic movie has been shown on tv numerous times in several versions. It's a joy to see it in its original
form. It is the heart warming story of a new priest and a fiesty nun trying to save an old parish school in the 1940's.

The Miracle at St. Mary's.......2007-01-11

Father O'Malley arrives at the parish and learns the previous pastor had been taken away to "Shady Rest". [The lighting tells you this is a stage set.] He meets Sister Superior Benedict and the other nuns of the parish school. Earthly honors and rewards are not for them; they do God's work. The children recite the Pledge in the new fashion, hand over heart. The school has no playground; they had to sell it to raise money for repairs to the school. [The Great Depression.] Mr. Bogardus tells Father O'Malley that he wants their school; if they don't sell the Town Council will condemn it (eminent domain or zoning). A woman arranges for her daughter to be boarded at school; she needs special help. A new boy gets into trouble. What is the proper way to handle interpersonal conflicts? The Sisters visit a sporting goods store (remember them?) To gain knowledge on a non-scholastic subject. Father O'Malley helps a young girl with her homework.

Young Patricia's essay hints at help from an adult. Young Eddie has profited from his extra-curricular education. The Christmas play put on by first-graders shows elegant simplicity. Mr. Bogardus explains his need for their school property - his workers need parking for their cars (a comment on the return of prosperity). The Sisters tell Mr. Bogardus that they want him to donate his new building to their school! [The war time shortages of materials like glass are referenced.] The stress is harming Mr. Bogardus. A long-lost husband is reunited with his wife, and we hear another song. There is a question of school policy as to passing students who are not academic high performers. What is the purpose of schooling? Isn't it a means to an end, not an end in itself?

Mr. Bogardus suddenly turns over a new leaf, and donates his building to St. Mary's! It's a miracle. The doctor has bad news: Sister Benedict has TB in an early stage. [This diagnosis was often a death sentence before the 1950s.] She must be sent away for a rest cure, but she cannot be told to keep her spirits up and effect a cure. Patsy meets he reunited parents, and things will be different. Patsy graduates to move on to High School. [In earlier times those who finished Grammar School went to work at age 14; their education continued in the workplace.] Was life really so simple in those times? Ingrid Bergman shows her acting ability as Sister Benedict.

I remember another version of this film that may explain Mr. Bogardus' generosity. His plant was land-locked, even if he got a new parking lot. But if he was able to buy a large property outside of town he would have more than all the space he needed, and lower taxes too. No traffic problems either. So Father O'Malley arranged a deal that was a win for all concerned. The availability of plentiful food has put an end to TB in America. From about 1860 to 1950 it was the major cause of death in America. Did we end up with an epidemic of obesity? Its better to die of a heart attack at 60 than of TB at 30. Your results may vary.

Average customer rating:

Sleeper
My Best
Fabulous Soundtrack
If you like Woody Allen, you should love this.
HIGH LARIOUS

Sleeper
Starring: Brian Avery , John Beck (II) , Howard Cosell , Chris Forbes , and Mary Gregory
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Satire | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Slapstick | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0792846117
Release Date: 2000-07-05

Amazon.com essential video

If Interiors was Woody Allen's Bergman movie, and Stardust Memories was his Fellini movie, then you could say that Sleeper is his Buster Keaton movie. Relying more on visual/conceptual/slapstick gags than his trademark verbal wit, Sleeper is probably the funniest of what would become known as Allen's "early, funny films" and a milestone in his development as a director. Allen plays Miles Monroe, cryogenically frozen in 1973 (he went into the hospital for an ulcer operation) and unthawed 200 years later. Society has become a sterile, Big Brother-controlled dystopia, and Miles joins the underground resistance--joined by a pampered rich woman (Diane Keaton at her bubbliest). Among the most famous gags are Miles's attempt to impersonate a domestic-servant robot; the Orgasmatron, a futuristic home appliance that provides instant pleasure; a McDonald's sign boasting how-many-trillions served; and an inflatable suit that provides the means for a quick getaway. The kooky unthawing scenes were later blatantly (and admittedly) ripped off by Mike Myers in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. --Jim Emerson

Description

Miles Monroe has been cryogenically frozen for 100 years. When he's illegally awakened, he discovers he's a wanted criminal in world that has drastically changed from the one he left behind.

Customer Reviews:

Sleeper.......2007-07-04

An absurdist parody of sci-fi movies, Allen's "Sleeper" deftly mixes witty one-liners and nutty sight gags to lampoon the absurdities of contemporary society. Allen reaches Buster Keaton-esque comedic greatness here--battling a giant pudding, surviving an Orgasmatron, morphing into Blanche Dubois--and has a naturally funny, gentle rapport with Keaton, the perfect foil. With Allen's own Dixieland score providing a manic tempo for all the pratfalls and arch social commentary, "Sleeper" is one of the writer-director's looniest and most hilarious efforts.

My Best.......2007-02-15

I'm not a huge Woody Allen fan. I don't know why I don't enjoy his films as much as most people do. This one however is a gem for me. The satire and social commentary is so dead on. Allen himself is so gifted in physical comedy. I wish he made more movies in which he could have showcased his "Chaplin" like qualities. This one is a winner.

Fabulous Soundtrack.......2007-01-30

It's hysterical to see this movie in 2007! Diane Keaton and Woody Allen play off each other so well, and I think the background music by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band makes the humor work even better. I searched for a soundtrack but didn't find one. I'm not sure it exists, so I am buying this movie mainly for that purpose. I normally don't listen to Dixieland music much, but paired with the visuals in this movie, it's just hysterical. Very, very entertaining and clever dialogue. I recommend this movie to anyone wanting light entertainment - and turn it up, you'll love the music! I'd never heard of that band before, but went on a quest and bought one of their CDs.

If you like Woody Allen, you should love this........2006-12-27

This is one of Allen's most entertaining and funny movies. He plays Miles Monroe, a man who goes into the hospital for a minor operation and wakes up 200 years in the future. Since the police don't have any identification of him, the doctors that brought him back want him to try to overthrow the underground political movement. He reluctantly goes out to do that and finds things to be quite different than 1973.
The movie has many funny sight gags, slapstick, futuristic props, and one-liners. This is one of those movies that I can watch over and over again and never get tired of it. I recomend this movie to anyone that likes Woody Allen and movies with many laughs that never stop coming. I also recommend Take the Money and Run, Bananas, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex but were Afraid to Ask, and Love and Death.

HIGH LARIOUS.......2006-11-16

One of the funniest of Woody's movies, I always like his work in the 1970's and early eighties. Diane and he play off each other very well. Enjoy!

The Dead Zone (Special Collector's Edition)

Average customer rating:

Very good Shocker from Stephen King and David Cronenberg.
One of the Better Stephen King Screen Adaptations
This Movie Is a Thought Experiment
ONE OF THE BEST "KING" ADAPTIONS TO DATE!
"You're Going To Get An Ice Cream Headache...."

The Dead Zone (Special Collector's Edition)
Starring: Christopher Walken , Brooke Adams , Tom Skerritt , Herbert Lom , and Anthony Zerbe
Director: David Cronenberg
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Special Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000GBEWH0
Release Date: 2006-09-26

Amazon.com

The Dead Zone is based on a novel by Stephen King, directed by David Cronenberg (Scanners, The Fly) and produced by Debra Hill (Halloween, The Fog). Such a trio of horror vets would be expected to come up with an evening of shocks and gore, but The Dead Zone is a surprise. While it has great atmospheric eeriness and undeniably scary moments, The Dead Zone is at heart a sensitive and thoughtful portrayal of main character Johnny Smith's dilemma. Christopher Walken, king of the vaguely creepy, plays Smith, a man who awakens from a five-year coma with the very mixed blessing of second sight. At the mere touch of a hand, Smith is unwillingly launched into scenes of past and future terror. (Director Cronenberg is said to have fired blanks from a .357 Magnum just out of camera range to keep Walken's flinching spontaneous.) The Dead Zone wisely takes its time telling the story, and thus allows for some great performances. Walken gives a rich portrayal of the conflicted Smith, and Colleen Dewhurst and Tom Skerritt both do welcome turns in smaller roles. The most fun of all, though, is clearly being had by Martin Sheen, who gives a spirited performance as a complete sleazebag. --Ali Davis

Description

Christopher Walken wakes from a coma due to a car accident, only to find he has lost five years of his life, and yet gained psychic powers. Foreseeing the future appears to be a 'gift' at first, but ends up causing problems…

Customer Reviews:

Very good Shocker from Stephen King and David Cronenberg........2007-07-27

Teacher Johnny Smith (Christopher Walken) had a good life until he gets into a car accident, luckily he survives and wakes up from a coma after 5 years. He discovers that he now has a special power to see people's futures.

A fascinating and well acted sci-fi horror thriller based on a novel by Stephen King and directed by David Cronenberg ("Scanners", "Videodrome", "The Fly", "A History of Violence")with producer Debra Hill ("Halloween", "Escape from New York"). This cerebral and stylish thriller also co-stars Martin Sheen as a future senator and Tom Skerritt, the film is one of the better Stephen King adaptations if not one of the best.

This Collector's Edition DVD has good picture and sound with extras like four featurettes and a theatrical trailer, it's one of Cronenberg's finest movies and worth owning if your into sci-fi and horror.

Also recommended: "The Butterfly Effect", "Dead Ringers", "Scanners", "Carrie", "Final Destination Trilogy", "Misery", "Firestarter", "Akira", "Unbreakable", "Nomads", "Making Contact (a.k.a. Joey)", "The Manchaurian Canidate (1962 and 2004)" and "The Fly (1986)".

One of the Better Stephen King Screen Adaptations.......2007-05-18

David Cronenberg directs the Stephen King novel about a man who awakes from a coma with a life draining ability to see future tragedies when making contact with people. He also finds he can change these morbid outcomes. The screenplay (not written by Cronenberg or King) remains the films only real flaw besides some questionable supporting cast members. The novel is not a book that would make a perfect story to tell on film so the screenplay sort of stays in the shallow end and spits forth each episode that our hero Johnny Smith expereinces one at a time and without the level of understanding and depth King's book has. That is not to say The Dead Zone isn't a good movie. It's actually a very good movie.

The film remains a semi-classic in the suspense genre. Cronenberg has a way of handling scenes that is very European despite lacking the technical skills of his peers. He can give the actors very specific emotional direction and tell so much with using little or no dialogue. This helps the screenplay because it only offers some flashes of great dialogue. Cronenberg loves taking on films that lack certain aspects and giving them depth in places you never thought could have it. He is a unique force in independant films and earns his stars among the mainstream fans with this film. Martin Sheen surprisingly gives a solid performance here as well. He plays a crooked politician bent on gaining the presidency and earns our hatred quickly. He is actually quite remarkable here.

O.K., now it's time to play favorites. Johnny Smith is played by one of the most identifiable actors of all time. The greatest character and supporting acting of all time in my eyes and here we see him in a rare feature role. He is Christopher Walken and with all the imitations of his wild talk and bizarre off-screen shenanigans aside, he is quite simply an amazing actor. He takes his role very seriously here and turns the film from mediocrity into a very good movie. He takes the character for what readers may have loved about him and that is that he is your every day guy who happened upon some very usual and at times deeply sad circumstances...it just wasn't in the cards or it wasn't meant to be like Smith's Doctor felt. For those who read the novel you'll see subtle references to some of the more robust thinking in the story but never quite enough. There is an underlying message in the film that I really wish wasn't somewhat lost among the communication of the screenplay and the direction. King's novel touches on these things tremendously well and makes us question fate and wonder if time and death is really just so one-dimensional. The film makes you think if you want it to, but not like the novel which is truly one of King's greatest. I honestly believe Walken may have been the only guy on the set who understood this about the story.

If you are looking for a film full of suspense and several exciting climaxes and you like Christopher Walken, then I highly recommend The Dead Zone...but keep in mind that so few King novels have been done real justice with a film and where this is probably not one of them it remains a very good movie. It isn't quite Carrie or The Shining but it is still very good.

This Movie Is a Thought Experiment.......2007-05-18

I am used to Stephen King's work being horror stories. It was surprising for me to discover that this was not a horror story, but a thriller. I will not describe the story for the fear of revealing the plot. One thing I will say is that the description on the reverse of the package concentrates too much on the particulars of what happens to an individual and totally neglects the bigger implication - that this is Stephen King's thought experiment of what would happen if a person possessed a power that most other people do not possess - of the particular power of seeing the future, the past or the present - but elsewhere. What kinds of possibilities are opened for such a person? How would the society and individuals interpret his actions? This is, indeed, a thought experiment in sociology of ESP. I enjoyed this movie and was surprised.

ONE OF THE BEST "KING" ADAPTIONS TO DATE!.......2007-04-08

This is an impressive king adaption. Walkin is mezmerising as the man who can not only see the future,but he can change it. The rest of the cast is excellent in this first rate production of one of my favorite thrillers! This film deserves a completely remastered DVD treatment.

"You're Going To Get An Ice Cream Headache....".......2007-03-12

Stephen King has always been an enigma to me. Once in a while there's some pretty good adaptations of his novels("Carrie, "The Shining", "Misery") though it's his short works that seem to have produced the better films("Stand by Me", "The Shawshank Redemption", "The Green Mile"). "The Dead Zone" falls in the category of slightly above average thanks to the stellar direction of horror-meister David Cronenberg and a top-notch cast led by Christopher Walken. There were moments of deja vu here where I felt the film was derivative of a "Twilight Zone" or "Outer Limits" episode but there's also some genuine inspired moments as well. King has some interesting things to say about telepathy and the responsiblities of those imbued with it. Walken has a sympathetic turn here as the telepath whose psychic abilities are foisted on him. Good supporting work by vets Herbert Lom as Walken's physical therapist, Tom Skeritt as a local sheriff, cult fave Anthony Zerbe("The Omega Man", TV's "Harry-O") as a father who hires Walken to tutor his son. Martin Sheen's work here kind of anticipates "The West Wing". Think of Josiah Bartlett's evil twin. Not bad but could have used more cowbell.

Average customer rating:

To be or Not to be...a Secret Agent Man.
Excellent!
Superb

Sleepers
Starring: Nigel Havers , Warren Clarke , Michael Gough , David Calder , and Joanna Kanska
Director: Geoffrey Sax
Manufacturer: Acorn Media
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000L2127W
Release Date: 2007-03-27

Amazon.com

Brewery worker Albert Robinson and financier Jeremy Coward seem like average British guys, until the Russian government claims they're Russian KGB agents defected to England, in Sleepers. This four-episode miniseries stars Vladimir Zelenski as Albert and Sergei Rublev as Jeremy, agents suddenly in danger of losing their anonymity when KGB agent Nina dedicates her work to solving the mystery of their whereabouts. Dry comedy in Sleepers transforms a potentially serious subject into satire about post-Cold War bumbling and bureaucracy, as various secret groups in the UK and the US get a whiff of what the sneaky Russians are up to and begin interfering. Scenes alternating between the KGB, the CIA, and the MI5 make it clear that no one really knows why they're hunting these two retired men, or what threat they pose. Sleepers' humor capitalizes on outmoded Cold War obsessions with keeping tabs regardless of purpose. Many comic moments center on military tracking of an unknown friend of Albert's, named Morris, who turns out to be his daughter's stuffed monkey. --Trinie Dalton

Description

The Cold War is over but all the players are still ready for a rumble
As seen on Masterpiece Theatre

Soviet agents Sergei Rublev and Vladimir Zelenski so successfully infiltrated the culture they were sent to spy on in 1965 that they have become more English than the English. Now living as financier Jeremy Coward and brewery worker Albert Robinson, the "sleeping" spies are horrified to learn that, after 25 years, the KGB is looking for them. The hunt also awakens the bumbling bureaucrats of MI5 and their ultra-paranoid CIA counterparts, who work themselves into a lather trying to figure out what the KGB is up to.

The poignancy of the sleepers' predicament plays out amid a hilarious cross-cultural send-up of the secret agent game. Nigel Havers (Manchild, A Perfect Hero) and Warren Clarke (Dalziel and Pascoe, The Onedin Line) star in this touching human comedy, remembered as one of the best British exports of the 1990s.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE cast filmographies and scene selection.

Note: due to music rights, this program has been modified for home video presentation.

Customer Reviews:

To be or Not to be...a Secret Agent Man........2007-05-30

Like the earlier reviewer, I have waited a long time for this terrific BBC miniseries to come to DVD. It's a very interesting story of two men who were placed by the KGB in Britain as (possible) spies. Their instructions: Melt into the English population as if they were natives. And this they do. They are forgotten. And when they have become entirely British...indeed one of the men is now married with children...they get
an urgent call on their antique Russian radio to "reactivate" as spies.
Panic, panic, panic...as the two men who are friends, try to run from the
Soviet spy machine. They are everything but willing to have anything to do with the Soviets. And one of the persons after them is a beautiful Russian agent. A lot of fun and satire. Don't miss it.

Excellent! .......2007-05-29

Warren Clarke and Nigel Havers are living well in England's 1980s-1990s, respectively as a respected trade union man with wife and family, and as a rich, dashing investment banker. Little did we know that they are not what they appear to be. Wonderfully acted. All the actors are perfectly cast. If you're tired of blood and gore and unmentionable bad language, you must view this instead. (Warren Clarke is a talented actor, with ordinary looks, but dependable. He also appeared in Reilley, Ace of Spies.)

Superb.......2007-04-06

I've waited for years to see this thriller again. It's an example of what BBC was once able to do: create the nearly perfect drama. Everything about this classic is right. The casting is perfect; in a just world, Clarke would have been given many awards. There is much humor. And the spy story keeps your interest from beginning to end. How delightful to see this available. Don't miss it.

DVD: