Good Bye, Lenin!

Amazon.com

Contemporary comedies rarely stretch themselves beyond a bickering romantic couple or a bickering couple and a bucket of bodily fluids, which makes the ambition and intelligence of Good bye, Lenin! not simply entertaining but downright refreshing. The movie starts in East Germany before the fall of communism; our hero, Alex (Daniel Bruhl), describes how his mother (Katrin Sass), a true believer in the communist cause, has a heart attack when she sees him being clubbed by police at a protest. She falls into a coma for eight months--during which the Berlin Wall comes down. When she awakens, her fragile health must avoid any shocks, so Alex creates an illusive reality around his bedridden mother to convince her that communism is still alive. Good bye, Lenin! delicately balances wry satire with its rich investment in the lives of Alex, his mother, and other characters around them. Funny, moving, and highly recommended. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

Terrific concept, wonderful movie.......2007-08-08

"Good Bye, Lenin!", a German film from 2003, is marvelously creative and lots of fun. The premise itself makes the film so intriguing...a woman long committed to the Socialist state of East Germany, falls into a coma just before the Berlin Wall comes down and upon regaining consciousness eight months later is protected by her family (largely her son) with regard to the changes that have occurred. The high jinks that surround her re-emergence are worth every minute of the movie.

Daniel Bruhl, who plays Alex, the son, is the chief "overseer" of his mother, played by Katrin Sass. Bruhl steals just about every scene in the film as he remains on edge should Mutter discover that democracy has come to Berlin. Slowly she begins to question the changes and in one scene, Mutter wanders outside of her apartment, undetected by Alex, to see for herself those unbelievable capitalist changes that have occurred. Recaptured by Alex and his sister, Alex then plots, with the help of his video-making friend, to revamp the story to one that the East German government has let in thousands of West Germans who want to be rid of western goods and ideas. If there were ever shades of the 1960's TV series, "Mission: Impossible", this film has them.

"Good Bye, Lenin!" is a brilliant piece of work...one that is amusing as much as it is implausible. I highly recommend it for its story line and an endearing performance delivered by young Daniel Bruhl.

The beginning of the end.......2007-06-19

Before the Berlin Wall fell, East Germany is ruled by Communist Russia and its citizens were forced to live a lie- a society that is supposed to be based on equality and social justice. Alex Kernel (played by the amazing Daniel Brühl) is a young disillusioned young man who, together with his fellow East Germans, are on the verge of a revolution and social change.

While walking together with fellow rallyist, Alex was arrested and his mother, who witnessed the scene, suffered a heart attack. While his mother survived, it left her in a coma and for 8 months, Alex and his older sister Ariane took care of her. As East Germany became no more and the reunification of his homeland was completed, his mother woke up. What follows is a hilarious, amusing and at times serious and thought-provoking attempt to shield his mother from the sweeping changes and their altered life as citizens of the newly unified Germany.

Director Wolfgang Becker spared no expense to capture a time and place that now exist only in old, yellowed newspapers and history books. The finished product, a film that is not only a realistic social commentary but also a love story between a son and a mother, and the journey a young restless soul need to travel to discover himself.

Good Bye, Lenin!.......2007-05-29

Funny and heart-warming story about a family during the time of the collapse of the Berlin wall. For the whole family.

High Grade Art. .......2007-05-21

I first heard about this movie a week ago after reading an article in which a commentator described it as being a bit of "communist chic." This intrigued me so I had to check it out. Well, I'm happy to report that the fellow's opinion was nonsense. It's no more accurate a perception than one that misconstrued The Beatles "Back in the USSR" as an ode to the Soviet Union. This is not a propagandistic story in the least. It's a beautiful film about love, family, and truth. Basically, the central question concerns whether or not we should lie to loved ones if we think the lie will ultimately benefit them. The answer is not easy for the main characters or the audience. Goodbye, Lenin! provides us with ambiguity after ambiguity and is rife with the same nuance that fills our own lives. I saw nothing offensive about this film; indeed, it is a valuable work of art.

A world of change.......2007-05-17

This movie represents in a very interesting way the changes that drive our world and our families. The molding of reality to fit certain likings is a very appropiate evocation of history. A very funny and tragic movie!

Average customer rating:

Jackie Chan is this generations Buster Keaton. One of the best action films ever made
excellent purchase
The Legend of the Drunken Master
Just watch it
The ultimate "Wow" movie

The Legend of Drunken Master
Starring: Jackie Chan , Kwok Kuen Chan , Wai Yee Chan , Chi-Kwong Cheung , and Kar Lok Chin
Director: Jackie Chan
Manufacturer: Dimension
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000056VOK
Release Date: 2001-03-13

Description

Jackie Chan return becomes and is able to fend off numerous attacks and perform incredible stunts. Aided by his hilarious stepmother and friends, Hong faces the challenge of protecting valuable Chinese history and saving his family honor.s to the role that made him a star in 1979's "Drunken Master." Chinese folklore hero Wong Fei Hong discovers a smuggling ring, orchestrated by the British Government, to transport valuable Chinese artifacts out of the country. Hong must use his unique style of martial arts, "Drunken Boxing," to fight the conspirators and salvage the Chinese treasures before it

Customer Reviews:

Jackie Chan is this generations Buster Keaton. One of the best action films ever made.......2007-08-02

I say one of the best action films ever made because like Buster Keaton, Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, Jackie Chan is actually doing this stuff himself. The Legend Of Drunken Master or Drunken Master 2 is a non stop action movie and a comedy along the same lines as Buster Keaton's classic The General.
The part where Jackie Chan falls into a pit of hot coals, that is all real, Jackie actually had that sequence filmed three times, on the third time burning his arms and still having those scars today. All that and he played this part at 40 yrs old, pulling off a role of a 20 yr old convincingly.
Another film i enjoyed that was influenced a great deal by Drunken Master 2 was Kung Fu Hustle (Widescreen Edition)even naming the gang in it the "axe gang".
The Legend of Drunken Master is a must for any fan of action movies. It made Entertainment Weekly's top 25 action movies list and also is on Time Magazine's top 100 movies of all time.

excellent purchase.......2007-07-03

arrived in a month, which is normal for me. And the dvd was in excellent conditions.

The Legend of the Drunken Master.......2007-06-15

This is Jackie Chan's best movie. It is full of nonstop action and drama. Jackie Chan explodes with action in this movie. Some great action scenes, sewn in with a beautiful story and great music make this a Jackie Chan hit. I can't stop watching the ending fight. It is a great scene, and the movie was very well done. This is a vital part of any Jackie Chan collection.

Just watch it.......2007-03-10

This movie has heart. Jackie Chan does his usual un usual stuff, and hits the target.
The story is touching and and action packed. A great buy for any one who likes Jackie Chan, and wants to see some of his earlier stuff. Which I think is better any way.

The ultimate "Wow" movie.......2007-02-05

This movie is a non-stop adventure in "how did he do that" and "can he top this". While movies like Crouching Tiger and Heroe were as notable for their special effects as the stunts, Legend of Drunken Master shows that physical grace, athletic prowess, and, yes, guts can create an eye-popping experience for modern movie goers. This movie builds on one great set piece after another but when Chan's character really starts drinking....WATCH OUT! The last fight scene in the factory will have you rewinding and laughing in delight....it's that good. Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Cute Movie for the Whole Family
Very cute and funny Christmas movie
single santa seeks mrs. claus
charming wonderful what more can iIsay
Not a good overall movie

Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus
Starring: Crystal Bernard , Thomas Calabro , Steve Guttenberg , Diane Robin , and Armin Shimerman
Director: Harvey Frost
Manufacturer: Good Times Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000AJJMXW
Release Date: 2005-11-08

Description

DVD: 05-51362 Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus Steve Guttenberg (Three Men and a Baby), Crystal Bernard (Wings), and Thomas Calabro (Melrose Place) star in a Christmas charmer about Santa's son and his search for a wife. Nick (Guttenberg) is due to replace his retiring father, and needs a Mrs. Claus, so Santa's adviser sends him down to Southern California. There he meets Beth Sawtelle (Bernard), a workaholic widow whose advertising job with Andrew West (Calabro) leaves precious little time for her son, Jake (Dominic Scott Kay). Concealing his identity, Nick stars in a series of Christmas commercials for the agency as he tries to make sure Jake and Beth both believe in Santa Claus—no easy task in her case! Running Time: Approx. 85 Minutes/Color/NTSC/Stereo

Customer Reviews:

Cute Movie for the Whole Family.......2007-07-25

There is nothing objectionable in this movie, just good entertainment. I think the actors did a good job - especially the little boy who played Jake - and I love Crystal Bernard's hair! The only thing the director could have asked for is a little more emotion from her - I saw more when she played Helen on Wings! But it is a good movie, the kind you want to watch curled up on the couch with hot chocolate on a snowy afternoon!

Very cute and funny Christmas movie.......2007-03-09

I enjoyed this movie and will include it in my yearly Christmas movie watching at Christmas time.

single santa seeks mrs. claus.......2007-02-21

This is a very good way to order movies. It was very easy and fast.

charming wonderful what more can iIsay.......2007-02-19

A wonderful holiday fantasy from the Hallmark channel. With Crystal Bernard and Steve Guttenburg. A single workaholic mom bring up a great kid, Santas son read to take over the family business but must find a wife ( Mrs Claus) first. One of the most charming holiday movies made in recent years. It is a must to own. I love this movie!!!!!

Not a good overall movie.......2007-02-11

I watched this movie with the TV muted and the closed captioning off. So my review is only based on the visual aspect of the movie.

The main thing that "stuck out" to me on the movie was the growth on Guteberg's lip. I found it very distracting, and I could not take my eyes off of it.

I recommend watching the movie with sound on. This way you will not notice the Gute's lip sore.

Note: In the sequal it appears that the lip sore was surgically removed. Check it out.

Average customer rating:

Review for Fundy
Badly acted, shallow and not worth watching, unfortunately
only partly successful
awful
"God is like a drug. But instead of too much heroin, you're taking too much God."

The Rapture
Starring: Mimi Rogers , Darwyn Carson , Patrick Bauchau , Marvin Elkins , and David Duchovny
Director: Michael Tolkin
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002XNT1C
Release Date: 2004-11-02

Amazon.com

Once upon a time, in the 1980s and early 1990s, American independent movies did not seek to merely ape Hollywood formulas. They were more than just feature-length resumes for shrewd, enterprising filmmakers who had nothing to say, but dreamed of saying it with a big-studio budget. Back then, independent films provided a different kind of movie experience; they challenged and provoked audiences--and none more so than 1991's The Rapture, written and directed by Michael Tolkin, the man who wrote the screenplay for The Player, Robert Altman's scathing anti-Hollywood comedy. Mimi Rogers plays Sharon, a lost soul who gives up her hedonistic life of sex and drugs when she finds God and becomes a fundamentalist Christian fanatic. Her pilgrim's progress, presented in a deadpan, nonjudgmental style, culminates quite literally in the title event--the Second Coming, the Apocalypse, the end of the world, or whatever you want to call it. Rogers's fearless performance becomes all the more provocative when you recall that the actress is a lifelong member of the Church of Scientology. The Rapture is a mind-boggling, wildly ambitious movie that's open to myriad interpretations. But no matter what you make of it, it's sure to leave you engaged and shaken. --Jim Emerson

Customer Reviews:

Review for Fundy.......2007-08-12

This is unquestionabley a good film. It is relatively independent and represents that aesthetic and its time (early 90's). I will not go into depth here, as I think better reviews already exist. I write here just for the fundamentalist Christians looking at this film.

This is a film about contemporary Christianity. There are few films available that even begin to attempt to take on this notion. The subject matter is adult. The characters are complex, fairly real (in an urban sense at least) and represent longing in many forms. The fact that there are crude scenes, parts of the acting/script may be lacking or hard to fathom and the production as a whole has a very "non-mainstream presented in a mainstream medium" feeling, it is essential viewing relative to what is out there. Christians bemoan Hollywood's depiction of faith, but what have those so angry and insulted brought to the screen. You have to take a gamble and a leap of faith to make a film, almost any film. Particularly one such as this. It's quite hypocritical for Christians to complain about art and artistic mediums without actually presenting a serious alternative to what is available.

Badly acted, shallow and not worth watching, unfortunately.......2007-07-22

A series of cliches...well reviewed on Netflix, which should have been a sign [no pun intended] that it was a dog; some of their reviews are totally off the wall, and this was one. The main character's life as a libertine was more interesting than her overnight and all-encompassing embrace of religion, and I never had a sense of her faith as anything other than blind obsession.

only partly successful.......2007-07-18

Controversial and somewhat disjointed, this is a look at one woman's journey through emptiness and promiscuity to being born again to becoming religiously delusional and finally to rejecting her faith. It would have worked better had the writer/director pulled it together more cohesively; as it is, there are a lot of blanks that are never filled in.

awful.......2007-05-28

One of the worst movies I've ever seen. First one that's ever gone straight to the trash.

"God is like a drug. But instead of too much heroin, you're taking too much God.".......2007-05-12

"The Rapture" (1991) is directed by Michael Tolkin with Mimi Rogers as a LA telephone operator who spends her after work hours cruising with her boyfriend in the search of the other couples to swing the partners. She realizes that her life has no purpose and leads her nowhere and she turns to a religious sect for spiritual guidance...

It's been several weeks since I saw the film and I am still not sure what it was, a riveting dark drama about searching for faith, accepting spiritual awakening, preparing yourself for the second coming of Christ and for Apocalypses now or the ridiculous piece of trash. I think it could be both and it depends on how you feel toward the Christianity, the possibility of undergoing a religious conversion, and the readiness to sacrifice the most precious that you have to prove your faith and love for God. It also depends on how you feel about the dialogs in the movie - the quote that I've chosen for the title of this review may give you an idea of what to expect.

What I am sure of is that Mimi Rogers gave a fine performance, and she is a reason enough to see "The Rapture". Rogers is a very capable and attractive actress and should be recognized more.

2.5/5

Average customer rating:

Strangers in Good Company is an Excellent Movie
Brilliant and Endearing
Finally on DVD! A must see movie
It's okay to be yourself.
"Survivor" for Seniors, but OH, so good!

Strangers in Good Company
Starring: Mary Meigs , Beth Webber , Michelle Sweeney , Constance Garneau , and Cissy Meddings
Director: Cynthia Scott
Manufacturer: First Run Features
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000296R6
Release Date: 1999-12-07

Amazon.com

This touching, 1991 Canadian film directed by Cynthia Scott takes the unusual step of casting nonprofessional actors, and the gamble pays off very well indeed. The story concerns eight elderly women whose tour bus breaks down driving through the wilderness. While waiting to be rescued, they find an abandoned house and look for food. The days and nights they end up spending away from civilization prove restorative to their spirits as each character gets an opportunity to tell her life story. The ensemble cast, as it turns out, essentially plays themselves in the film: the tales they tell are truly their own. A very talky, slowly paced production, it's best to get into the gentle rhythm of Scott's design and let the experience flow in the same way it does for the performers. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Strangers in Good Company is an Excellent Movie.......2006-03-29

I thoroughly enjoyed Strangers in Good Company. It is my new favourite movie.

Brilliant and Endearing.......2006-02-24

This movie is one of the best. A heart warming, slow paced reflection on life, the indomitable human spirit, and the meaning of true friendship when it occurs between strangers. Join this group of elderly ladies whose day outing on a bus turns into a journey of interdependence, self disclosure and survival. The spirit of these characters is wonderful to see unfold and it is made all the better when it becomes clear that they are in fact 'acting' their own lives. The movie is accompanied by a Director's commentary that should not be missed and an outline of the characters. Anyone with a heart - and maybe an elderly mother/aunt/grandmother - will not fail to be moved by this brilliant movie. A must see and an exceptional addition to your library - mine is nearly always 'out on loan'!

Russell Mills. Sydney, Australia

Finally on DVD! A must see movie.......2005-10-22

It is heartwarming and you'll want to meet the women in this movie. I was so happy when I saw it came out on DVD. If you have never heard of this movie, take a chance and see it!

It's okay to be yourself........2005-06-09

The music was beautiful, next the scenery, then the honesty of the characters in their human condition and the peaceful pace. It is okay to be yourself...whatever.

"Survivor" for Seniors, but OH, so good!.......2004-12-20

This is a seriously good movie, for those on the search for a serious good movie, but don't go expecting much by way of a plot. With much of it improv, it feels more like a documentary. Like "survivor for seniors." What happens if you drop a busload of very old women off in the woods and tell them to fend for themselves?

It's all very civilized, and there's not a lot of urgency about it. No pulling straws to see who gets eaten. Just a bunch of old women (and one mildly injured young one) trying to figure out how to divide an apple into 7ths while sharing the details of their lives. The most intriguing, for me, aspect of this film is that the actresses played themselves. Nonagenerian Constance Garneau was really Nonagenerian Constance Garneau, and when she weeps with fear at the thought of her impending death it doesn't feel like acting. Octagenerian Cissy Medding's bewildered grief as she faces her own fear of a life unloved and alone is not feigned.

But don't let me mislead you--this movie is not depressing. It's affirming. These old girls get along very nicely with each other and their world, and while there are no answers to the deeper dilemmas they face (we do get the sense that Constance may find hers), they manage their present challenge with an enviable bon vivant. In places, in fact, it's very funny. The interaction between Mary Meigs and Cissy Meddings when Mary reveals her awkward secret is priceless.

Good friends, good movie. I highly recommend.

Average customer rating:

Tom Thumb
remembering
Enchanting movie!!! Kids love it,and adults too!!!
Fun Family Film
Tom Thumb

Tom Thumb
Starring: Russ Tamblyn , Alan Young , June Thorburn , Terry-Thomas , and Peter Sellers
Director: George Pal
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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