Face Value (True Stories Collection TV Movie)

Description

Becoming his friend was a mistake she'll live to regret.

Face Value is the tragic story of real-life cover girl Marla Hanson, whose fledgling career is ended abruptly after a vicious knife attack leaves her face scarred for life.

Up-and-coming model Marla Hanson (Cheryl Pollack, Pump Up the Volume) moves to New York City to fulfill her dream of becoming a top fashion model. A chance meeting with photographer Eric Warner (Dale Midkiff, Pet Sematary), opens doors to opportunities that Marla's only dreamed of…until now. With her star on the rise, Marla decides to move out on her own. Eric introduces her to makeup artist, Steve Roth (Kirk Baltz, Resevoir Dogs), a man with a room to rent and a dark, growing obsession for her.

As Marla's relationship with Eric blossoms, Steve becomes increasingly jealous. He tells Marla he wants more from their relationship, but she refuses his overtures. Steve's continued harassment leads Marla to break her lease and meet with him one final time to retrieve her security deposit. It is this last fateful meeting that will change the course of her life forever.

Customer Reviews:

Supermodel cut down in her prime.......2007-08-21

Cheryl Pollak portrays up and coming model Marla Hanson, a far too trusting novice who comes to New York in 1986 with dreams of stardom. After pounding the pavement and working at a local watering hole, her star begins to rise. Capturing the eye of photographer Eric Warner (Dale Midkiff), he invites her to his studio to create a better portfolio for her. She meets his lighting assistant, Steve Roth (a perfectly cast and very creepy Kirk Baltz), who immediately develops a fixation for the midwestern beauty with deadly consequences. She accepts a sublet room in an apartment he owns and rents out to several models not realizing what she's getting into. Soon he's stalking her and after being nice too long, she tells him to take a hike. Furious at her rejection, he arranges to have his friends attack her and slash her face with a razor. But she is attacked a second time during the trial when the defense tries to blame her for the attack.

One of the better true life crime stories brought to television (it was even really filmed in New York City), it was first aired in 1991 as "The Marla Hanson Story." Unable to reignite her modeling career, Hanson turned to championing victim's rights.

Only for Dale Midkiff.......2007-05-25

I love anything with Dale Midkiff in it. I have heard the story so it was very interesting. It was a little drawn out but knowing she was a survivor kept me watching. If Dale wasn't in it, I would not have ordered it.

The Krzysztof Kieslowski Collection (A Short Film About Love/Blind Chance/Camera Buff/No End/The Scar/A Short Film About Killing)

Average customer rating:

Essential cinema: The Krzysztof Kieslowski Collection.
Kieslowski collection . . .
Some of the best movies I have ever watched
Bravississimo!

The Krzysztof Kieslowski Collection (A Short Film About Love/Blind Chance/Camera Buff/No End/The Scar/A Short Film About Killing)
Starring: Boguslaw Linda , Tadeusz Lomnicki , Zbigniew Zapasiewicz , Boguslawa Pawelec , and Marzena Trybala
Director: Krzysztof Kieslowski
Manufacturer: Kino Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0009UZGQY
Release Date: 2005-08-16

Customer Reviews:

Essential cinema: The Krzysztof Kieslowski Collection. .......2007-07-23

Roger Ebert calls Polish director Krzysztof Kieslowski (1941-1996) "one of the greatest of all filmmakers." Best known for his film cycles Three Colors Trilogy (Blue / White / Red) and The The Decalogue (Special Edition Complete Set), Kieslowski explores similar themes (the hardships of Polish society, love and loss, faith and fear) in this first-rate Collection of his lesser-known feature-length films.

A Short Film About Love ("Krótki film o milosci") (1988) is an expanded film version of the sixth episode of The Decalogue, "Thou shalt not commit adultery," with a different ending than the original. A young man (Olaf Lubaszenko), obssessed with a stranger (Grazyna Szapolowska), spies on her through her window and eventually falls in love with her.

Blind Chance (1981), which later influenced the films, Sliding Doors and Run Lola Run, follows three separate story lines involving Witek (Boguslaw Linda) sitting on an airplane and overcoming obstacles while attempting to catch a train to Warsaw.

Winner of the grand prize at the Moscow International Film Festival, Camera Buff (1979) tells the story of a factory worker, Filip Mosz (Jerzy Stuhr), who becomes obsessed with his amateur film hobby. The film explores government repression of an individual's artistic expression.

Told from the point of view of a lawyer's ghost and his widow, No End (1984) is a political feature about the political trials in Poland during martial law. The film was Kieslowski's first collaboration with screenwriter Krzysztof Piesiewicz and composer Zbigniew Preisner (The Decalogue; The Double Life of Véronique; Three Colors).

In its documentary-style portrayal of everyday life under a flawed system, The Scar follows the upheaval of a small town by a poorly-planned industrial project.

A Short Film About Killing ("Krótki film o zabijaniu") (1988) is an expanded version of the fifth episode of The Decalogue, "Thou shalt not kill." A brutal murder unites a drifter (Miroslaw Baka), a taxi driver (Jan Tesarz), and an idealistic lawyer (Krzysztof Globisz), reflecting Kieslowski's opposition to the death penalty.

For those wanting to explore Kieslowski's genius beyond The Decalog, Three Colors, and The Double Life of Veronique, this six-disc Collection (totaling 596 minutes) should not be missed.

G. Merritt

Kieslowski collection . . ........2005-12-31

A dirty Warsaw frames A Short Film About Killing, symbolizing a society in decay. Murder . . . both state sanctioned and random are shown in counterpoint. The film is a powerful indictment about the death penalty, and the barrister reflects the outrage of the heart. The second theme is random chance . . . if only the killer's sister hadn't been killed, if only he had a good friend to talk to, if only someone had intervened. The film is so hard to watch because it reflects the mirror back at our souls.

Voyeurism, love and loneliness mingle in A Short Film About Love. Love, the special world, cannot be approached directly, but only tangentially . . . in the film's case, through the lens. Where Tomek begins as an impassioned voyeur, his love interest takes over as the film progresses. Do we only need a fleeting glimpse to arrive at love? How do we escape from being alone in the world? Such universal question are asked(and answered) in this expanded film version of The Dialogue classic.

Blind Chance is fantastic. Absolutely great. The themes of free choice and predetermination are explored not as opposites but as two qualities somehow blended together. When we think, "ah, I can choose," are we correct, or does each cosmic choice imply similar outcomes, similar problems? If we have three choices, are they really so different? Is the bad choice so bad? On the extra selections, check out the fascinating interview with his film censor, whom he respected so much she became a sort of creative sounding board for his works in progress, while at the same time examining his work in her `official capacity.'

No End is obviously a precursor to Blue . . . where the dead(sometimes literally, sometimes metaphorically)live on, influencing events. There is no Black and White in Kieslowski's films, only gradations. Like Blind Chance, each position/argument on how to handle the case of the prisoner has their pro and con side. Truth or the true side of the prisoner is expressed by the deceased lawyer, revealed through his writings. Check out the short documentary The Office on the extras portion of the disc. It has comedy, wit, grace and tragedy(all in five minutes). It takes place in the black hole of an official state office where some hack drones on in a staccato tone to desperate pleas from several claimants. In this short(shot in film school), one can see the shape and scope of Kieslowski's future films.

On the extras of Camera Buff, Kieslowski's short documentary Talking Heads shows the humanity and hopes of ordinary people, and also of the filmmaker Kieslowski himself. Camera Buff works on several levels. First, it's laugh-out-loud funny(in parts). Second, it raises questions of putting somebody in the spotlight . . . and its implications. Like the dwarf worker or the communist functionary who loses his job. I see implications in news stories everyday . . . the power of turning the camera on ourself. This is Kieslowski's first "breakthrough film," and, perhaps it is here that Kieslowski first all incorporates all of the parts in the sum in combination making Kieslowski a singular genius. No other filmmaker or artist of any kind examines life in this manner, turning the camera inward.

Some of the best movies I have ever watched.......2005-12-10

Each movie of the collection is a masterpiece, a refreshing experience, leaving a deep, intense after-taste. Do not miss them !

Bravississimo! .......2005-08-31

SO FAR THE DVD EVENT OF THE DECADE!

No need to heap more praise upon Kieslowski, one of the greatest masters behind the camera. Just wanted to uncork a flood of this for this nothing short of phenomenal DVD set harvested by the "Kino video" film thoroughbreds! Each of these DVD titles has features aplenty to consider the entire edition a cultural event of the first water ---Kieslowski' rare shorter footage films are added on each of the titles; each title includes interviews with closest associates, friends, critics etc. It seems like that even the critics got inspired -being awara that they are paying tribute to a master that stand on equal footing to a Tarkovski, Fellini or Kurosawa to name but the cream of the crop.
All DVD's from the set are rented relentlessly, around the clock, at least in the video store I frequent. It makesone joyous to see that there's so many film fans hungry for the REAL THING (as opposed to the abominable, unmentionable, ever worse and more offensive Hollywood drek ;-)

Average customer rating:

DVD vs VHS
Back to the Castle
A strong entry in a strong series.
this Dracula serie lacks of Van Helsing
Christopher Lee could replace his predecessor Bela Lugosi as Count

Scars of Dracula
Starring: Christopher Lee , Dennis Waterman , Jenny Hanley , Patrick Troughton , and Michael Ripper
Director: Roy Ward Baker
Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005KHJP
Release Date: 2001-08-07

Customer Reviews:

DVD vs VHS.......2007-08-09

I just recently obtained the Scars of Dracula dvd after having the vhs version for over 10 years. There is a difference in screen formats which made me think "Why don't they just release the dvd in full screen?" I compared the picture of the dvd to the vhs because I noticed something missing. 1:85 matted formats cut out the top and bottom of the picture to make it "resemble" widescreen. Sure enough, black bars at the top and bottom replaced the full vhs picture on the dvd. I recently read an article that stated 1:85 matted is what the director originally wanted. In 2 different movies a boom mike was shown at the top of the Princess Bride scene while shorts were shown on a character in A Fish Called Wanda who was supposed to be naked. These examples explained to me some films are matted in this fashion.

The Scars of Dracula dvd's color and clarity were far superior to that of the vhs. The bright reds were a sight to behold, and I found that the night scenes, which were too dark in the vhs version, to be clear and crisp in the dvd. Dracula's resurrection in the castle where he walks to the window was mottled and dark on my original vhs tape. The dvd also wins with the extra features and commentary by Lee. I would have rated this as 5 stars if I knew more about the matted format, which I deducted a star from.

Back to the Castle.......2007-03-17

If you like the Chris Lee Dracula films as much as I do, I would recommend getting this one along with Horror of Dracula, Dracula-Prince of Darkness, and Dracula has Risen from the Grave. This one follows the same style setting---England in the 1800's. This particular film has a good bit of supense, and Lee is really evil in this one. Much better than Taste the Blood and AD 1972, this movie follows a formula that really works best for Lee's portrayal of this character---it was a return to form with Lee playing the darker,deadlier Dracula that he was in the first 3 films. The storyline is similiar, of course, with Dracula wreaking havoc on a local community who cower at the mention of his name until a young hero arrives to save the day. The ending is typical, but there is a twist. I won't give it away totally, but the hero thinks he has Dracula when he spears him with a long metal spike only to see Dracula smile and pull the spike out without leaving a mark or any drop of blood.

A strong entry in a strong series........2007-02-01

This is a surprisingly good edition to Hammer's classic Dracula series, though it's certainly not the strongest of the films in the franchise. It is, however, the most risqué, surprisingly so. In addition, this Anchor Bay release of the film has a bonus second feature entitled; The Many Faces of Christopher Lee, which is a lot of fun for fans of the legendary actor, especially the ludicrous music videos included, which are absolutely hilarious. Really, Hammer never made a bad Dracula or Frankenstein film, and it's a shame that most modern horror enthusiasts lack an appreciation for these old gems, because they're really missing out. This one is especially worth picking up, because of the second feature, and perhaps might be a good entry level film for modern film goers, since there is a bit more blood and skin in this one.

Also, in response to an earlier reviewer's statements, Bela Lugosi only played Dracula twice on film, once in Dracula, and once in Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein. Christopher Lee, however, played him ten times, and for my money, is the superior count.

this Dracula serie lacks of Van Helsing.......2006-10-28

here are some reasons, why this series becomes one of the weakest Hammer's British Dracula: 1. The very weak priest can't fight against the evil spirit, the actor has not a big talent and the role is not strong enough as Peter Cushing was. 2. The female stars are acting really awful 3. Dennis Waterman has no immense charisma to fight the almighty Dracula, neither does Chris Matthews (Paul). 4. The most worst of all is: Christopher Lee felt very boring to play the same role as Count Dracula. One can notice clearly that his acting was embarrassing and tedious during the movie set. Lee failed to balance the role in this film, which the excellent performance of Bela Lugosi had already appeared 40 years earlier

Christopher Lee could replace his predecessor Bela Lugosi as Count.......2006-09-26

Christopher Lee could balance and continue his charismatic predecessor Bela Lugosi(1882 - 1956) in the 60's Hammer british Dracula series.

This film is a great example for Lee as Count.

The differences are:
- Lugosi was more a theatrical Dracula from Broadway. Lugosi acted very elegant, exclusive & gentleman as a Dracula star. His charming style becomes a legend.
- Lee is more a mainstream Dracula star. He is not a theatre star like Lugosi did in 1931. He'd prefer a type of cold elegant beast. His style is less charming because he has to accustom himself into various directions in eight Dracula series.

Lugosi played as Dracula three times:
1. Dracula 1931
2. Return of the Vampire 1944
3. Mark of the Vampire 1935

Lee played as Dracula 8 times (see Filmography Imdb)

Frankly Bela Lugosi was a bit more charismatic than Christopher Lee, but Christopher Lee could balance the great charisma of his great predecessor.

Average customer rating:

Stirring Epic Adventure!
DVD Samuri Banners
samurai banners
A Very Good Epic Samurai Film!
Subtitle Trouble

Samurai Banners
Starring: Toshirô Mifune , Yoshiko Sakuma , Kinnosuke Nakamura , Yûjirô Ishihara , and Katsuo Nakamura
Director: Hiroshi Inagaki
Manufacturer: ANIMEIGO
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00095VKCS
Release Date: 2005-07-12

Description

The landmark film that ushered in Japan's "golden age" of filmmaking!

Mifune Toshiro stars in this epic adventure story, based on a best selling historical novel. Yamamoto Kansuke (Mifune) is a fearsome warrior who has risen to the position of Clan Chamberlain through trickery and deceit, only to learn the true meaning of honor when he and his Lord, Takeda, fall in love with the same woman.

Set against the background of great conflict, Samurai Banners is one of Mifune's greatest films!

DVD Features:
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen
Japanese with English Subtitles

Bonus Material Includes:
Original Theatrical Trailers
Image Gallery
Character Biographies
Interactive Program Notes

Customer Reviews:

Stirring Epic Adventure!.......2007-07-13

First, let me say this is a long movie complete with an actual intermission. If you pay close attention, you will be able to follow the plot, at least in the first half. I did really well, until Mifune and the lord (who both love the same woman) become monks complete with vows of chastity. Either this significant event was not explained adequately or my mind wandered at a crucil time. But, no matter. I liked the movie enough that I just accepted them as monks and went on with the story. Although I am not a student of Japanese history, I have learned some of the basics just by watching the films of Kurosawa, Mizoguchi, Ozu and particularly those films starring Toshiro Mifune, my favorite actor. In this film, the color is brilliant, the music is outstanding, the costumes are magnificent and the acting, I think, is superb. However, since the film occurs over an approximate 20 year span, there are a lot of battles and much intrigue that happens during that time frame, and it can get confusing at times. Mifune's character is somewhat on the scheming underhanded side, but what does one expect in time of war? I do not see him as ruthless or cruel, just simply focused on his goal -- perhaps so much so that it eventually betrays him.

The AniMe version I own is great. The subtitles appear in different colors so that one can distinguish which character is speaking. Also, there are character summaries which I really recommend that you read before viewing the film. It will help immensely in understanding the plot, the time period, the political climate, etc. There is also a very interesting history about the time period that can be viewed, but I wasn't able to pause it as it was being presented. I found this disappointing since I like to think about and digest what I am reading as I go along, especially if one important event after another is being presentted. Even so, I am most happy with the DVD version I have.

Viewed strictly as an adventure epic and not even considering the fact that this film is based on actual events (I believe), the movie is highly entertaining. It is long, but the time flies by. The photography is really grand in scope, seeming to use hundreds or thousands of extras, long panoramic shots and beautiful horsemanship by the troops opposing each other.

If you are a Toshiro Mifune fan, you will undoubtedly enjoy seeing him in all his swaggering bravado -- although he does have a limp (which I'm not sure was explained or not). I have only watched the film once and find that repeated viewings of (almost) any film really enhance your enjoyment of it, since there is no way one can absorb everything the first time around.

DVD Samuri Banners.......2007-06-22

I really like most everything Toshiro Mifune appears in. I had the opportunity to meet him when both of us were a lot younger. You felt the integrity of the man when you were in his presence.

samurai banners.......2007-04-11

This is the first time I have purchased a japanese Samurai movie other than those by Kurosawa, and I was disappointed. I made the decision to buy based on one of these reviews which said it was on a par with the Kurosawa's.

To me the only redeeming factor is Mifune who I find fascinating - but the film was a poor immitation of any of those by Kurosawa. I felt it was slow, contrived and not at all grippng.

Had I not seen the others then maybe it would have been more watchable, but it was almost as if the director was copying Kurosawa style but frankly he was not good at it.

A Very Good Epic Samurai Film!.......2007-01-02

"Samurai Banners," is an epic samurai drama film clocking in at almost 3 hours long. The film, directed by Hiroshi Inagaki, is set in Japan between 1543 to 1562. It is a time of constant strife. Some of the viewers noted that their DVD does not have subtitles. There must have been a problem with their versions, as the one I own has perfect subtitles, which are in different colors to allow the viewer to see who is talking. And although the film is long, it is definitely well worth the purchase. The legendary Toshiro Mifune gives a fine performance as Kansuke Yamamoto: One of Japan's great Generals during the wars of medieval Japan.

Kansuke Yamamoto (Toshiro Mifune) was a military strategist for the Takeda clan. And although the film is based on the life of Takeda Shinken, whose reputation is even greater today in Japan, than that of either Tokugawa or Toyotomi, the film gives a great look at his greatest warrior General: General Kansuke Yamamoto. The films climax is very good, where the battle of Kawanakajima [a historic battle in Japanese history] nearly cost the Takeda clan its power, due to a disastrous mistake by Kansuke Yamamoto. The costumes in the film are great, and compliment the great look of medieval Japan.

The film will give you the viewer a very good look at what the cause of the wars during medieval Japan were like, and why they were fought. Among the DVD specials inside the disc, include a biography of the films characters and another dealing with the wars of medieval Japan. And why they fought. It is advisable to view this prior to viewing the film, as it will give you the viewer a better understanding of the nature of these wars: an overview which will really help you understand the historic events of these times. Many viewers compare this film to Kurosawa's classics, and this is not fair. The film stands on its own merits. This is a very good film in its own right. I have all of Kurosawa's films, but there are other good films out there too. I recommend it for your DVD collection, it is a worthwhile film to own.

Subtitle Trouble.......2006-11-04

Fine flick for its genre. I found that the subtitles do not play on my TV and seem to not be compatible with my DVD player; I couldn't yell you why, it's a fairly mainstream machine, and not being a Japanese speaker makes it a little tough to fully enjoy. The subtitles DO appear if I play the moive on my portable player or computer. Go figure.

Average customer rating:

Yu-Gi-Oh DVD VOL 6 The Scars Of Defeat
Awesome

Yu-Gi-Oh, Vol. 6 - The Scars of Defeat
Starring: Konrad Bösherz , Till C. Hagen , Joachim Kerzel , Gerrit Schmidt-Foß , and Constantin von Jascheroff
Manufacturer: Funimation Prod
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000083C54
Release Date: 2003-01-14

Customer Reviews:

Yu-Gi-Oh DVD VOL 6 The Scars Of Defeat.......2004-06-16

I do not have this dvd but I do know what contains in this dvd
the 3 episodes are: Kaiba duels Jounouchi / Joey , Jounouchi is the Japanese name that they call Joey in the Japanese series any way the other 2 episodes are Joey vs Bonz in the graveyard field. The Yu-Gi-Oh dvds that you really shoul get are the ones in the Japanese series, because thoes dvds will contain new episodes , English subtitles which is used to read the words and know what the characters are saying and it will have 04-11 episodes and if you do not believe me then go ahead don't buy the Japanese series where you can see new episodes so far I did heard somewhere on the internet site that YU-GI-OH in Japan already ended.And in the Japanese YU-GI-OH their are secense that are too violent in the US episodes and that stinks that there will be to alot of secnes that won't be in the US version for example:

~DUELIST KINGDOM~After Joey defeated Rex at Duelist Kingdom and where Tea is taking a shower the the thing that Tea heard was just Joey and Tristan are about to merge into the shower and see Tea in their with no closthes on and Mai clobered them both.

~BATTLE CITY/BATTLE SHIP~When dark Bakura was walking with the bandaids on this arm the blood was removed from his arm and replaced just plain white , and when the Battle Ship took off dark Bakura was grabbing meat like a wild animal and eating it like crazy.

~KAIBA CORP ISLAND /// ALACTRAZ DUEL TOWER~When Joey vs Marik in the first part where Joey activated his ScapGoat magic card the yellow Scape Goat was glowing white and in the Japanese series their was no white light on the Scape Goat I mean where could the White glowing thing could have come from?

~MYSTERY DUELIST~ When Banid Keith was controled by Marik Ishtar and when he summoned Zera the Mant and destroyed the Summoned Skull the green glowing thing was not included in the Japanese version.

~DUELIST KINGDOM~Where Joey vs Banid Keith in the 2nd part Keith was spitting and was not included in the US version.

~DUELIST KINGDOM~ When Joey met Zigor , Zigor punched Joey in the stomach and was cut out of the US version.

KEY

The Japanese to the English Name of Characters or Monster cards

Jonouchi - Joey
Honda - Tristan
Anzu - Te'a
Makuba - Mokuba
Kansaburo - Gosaubro
Duelers Kingdom - Duelist Kingdom
Alactrauz Duel Tower - Kaiba Corp Island

CHARACTERS

Black Hole - Dark Hole
Black Magician - Dark Magician
Green Eyes White Dragon - Blue Eyes White Dragon
Raise Dead - Monster Reborn
Hurricane - Giant Trunade
Cyclone - Mystical Space Typhoon
Big (Bang) Girl - Fire Princess
Angle's Dice - Graceful Dice
Devil's Dice - Skull Dice
Obelisk Huge Solider , God Of Obelisk , - Obelisk The Tormentor
The Saint Dragon God Of The ORISIS - SLIFER THE SKY DRAGON
APOLLOS WINGED DRAGON - THE WINGED DRAGON OF RA

In the Japanese YU-GI-OH DVDS it will just take
3 JAPANESE DVDS inorder to make the 1st & 2nd Season

The name of the dvds

The US is called VOLUME
The JAPANESE is called TURN

Awesome.......2004-03-26

This dvd contains the most exciting features but they all suck and so do you hahhahahahahah!!!!!

Average customer rating:

Scars (Bullying Prevention Series)
Director: Thomas Brown
Manufacturer: PizzaOwl Productions
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00078VZ3G
Release Date: 2003-05-15

Description

From the creator of "Broken Toy," "Empty Shadows," and "Epilogue" comes a powerful and uplifting story about a bully who had to become a victim in order to understand the pain of bullied and tormented children.

"SCARS" tells the story of a popular middle school student named Billy, whom along with his best friends, picks on a smaller boy named Christopher. Christopher, who lost his mother to cancer six months earlier, remains the target of cruel remarks; even those about his mom.

Description

Two Film Noirs for the price of one! In the first feature, The Limping Man (1953), ex-G.I. Bridges soon realizes his wartime girlfriend has become involved with racketeers but before he can untangle her mess, he gets in the middle of a police investigation to solve the murder of a victim killed by a mysterious "limping man," who is also a deadly sniper. In the second part of our double-bill, The Scar (1948), when a crooked gambler (Henreid) seeks to hide from a rival mobster, he hatches a plot to take the place of a psychiatrist that he's a dead-ringer for. But it's not long before the good doctor's secretary (Joan Bennett) is on to his scheme. With a bonus TV episode titled Dark Stranger starring Edmond O'Brien and Joanne Woodward. Bonus Features: Bonus Film Noir TV Episode "Dark Stranger" starring Edmond O'Brien, Joanne Woodward| Bonus Film Noir Trailers| Bonus Film Noir Poster Gallery| Scene Selection. Specs: DVD9; Dolby Digital Mono; 185 minutes; B&W; 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio; MPAA - NR; Year - 1948-1953; SRP - $9.99.

Customer Reviews:

The ending is . . . well, lame........2006-02-09

This review focuses on the second of the two oddities paired here: THE LIMPING MAN (1953).

Is it a noir? Let's call it a near-noir.

Lloyd Bridges, having survived his encounter with Nabura in the 1945 serial SECRET AGENT X-9, flies into Heathrow and into this British mystery looking a bit older but no worse for wear. As Frank Pryor, he's The American, a fact which unsettles most of the other characters, including one fascinated barmaid who seems to believe that America is located somewhere out beyond Venus. Scotland Yard has a reason to be interested, though, because the minute Frank steps off the plane the guy walking beside him, who proffers a light, is ventilated by a rifle bullet. Frank hasn't even had a chance to inhale, and suddenly he's looking down at a corpse.

How do we know the bullet came from a rifle? Easy--we see the shooter. Actually, it's not a rifle, it's a crutch; well, not a crutch, but more like a walking stick--a walking stick that you can shoot when you take the little rubber cap off the bottom. Remember when canes all had swords in them? Well, by 1953 they could shoot rifle bullets, which is handy in this instance since the shooter, crouching behind his car, is about a mile too far from his victim to throw a sword.

No one else glimpsed this guy, or his car, sitting by itself out in the field adjacent to the runway, so Scotland Yard naturally interrogates all the passengers on the plane (thankfully we are spared these interviews). They show particular interest in Frank, whom they grill in a cordial, mildly curious way. He's en route to see his wartime girlfriend, Pauline French, so the Yard boys note her address and send him on his way. Then, in an abrupt reversal of cordiality, they put a tail on him.

Pauline, played by Moira Lister (a sultrier name than Pauline French!), is strangely underjoyed to see Frank, though she does her best to put some oomph into her kisses. He learns that Pauline and the dead man, who was a sleaze, were . . . well, you know, Frank was way off in America, and the years were long, and the London nights are so foggy and cold. . . . Frank is perplexed--what was she mixed up in? Scotland Yard is suspicious--what other shady connections does she have? And Pauline is secretive--why should she lie to Frank, an American?

There are several good reasons to watch this movie. One is the sheer lunacy of the musical interludes, both of which take place during an onstage magic act. While the magician thrusts knives and other sharp objects through boxes containing a woman, the woman herself breaks into song ("Hey Presto!" is the engaging title of one number) and keeps it up throughout the act, which we are forced to watch even though we know that the important stuff is happening elsewhere. (When we tire of the singing we can at least distract ourselves with the magician's props, one of which resembles a larger version of the finger chopper that was once every kid's first purchase from the Johnson Smith catalog).

Another good reason is the brief appearance, but only the appearance, of Jean Marsh (she is onscreen for a couple of minutes but has no lines). This was her first movie role (as the landlady's daughter), and she didn't appear in another movie for several years. It is nice to see this veteran of theater, movies, and TV ("Upstairs, Downstairs," "Doctor Who," FRENZY--it's a long list) as a winsome but saucy 19-year-old in the pointiest bra this side of HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL.

The ending of THE LIMPING MAN: I can't talk about it, and not because I don't want to spoil it for you. No, I want you to watch this thing all the way through so you will suffer as I did. And suffer you will, in the 75th minute of this 76-minute movie. Trust me.

If you can't bring yourself to shell out the asking price for the VCI release, the movie is also available on Alpha and on one of Platinum's Disc's "Mystery" collections.

"The Leader in Film Noir, B-Westerns & Serials...VCI Entertainment ~ The Scar & The Limping Man".......2005-12-11

VCI Entertainment presents a double feature of classic film noir to die for... "The Scar" (1948) and "The Limping Man" (1953) (Dolby digitally remastered)...featuring top performances by actors of the '40s and '50s with outstanding drama and screenplays...from so little known films that will leave you intrigued...so pop some popcorn, sit back and enjoy the movie.

First up we have "The Scar" (1948) (83 min. B/W)...under director Steve Sekely, producer Paul Henreid, associate producer Bryan Foy, with original story by Murray Forbes and Daniel Fuchs, music composed by Sol Kaplan...the cast includes Paul Henreid (John Muller/Dr. Victor Emil Bartok), Joan Bennett (Evelyn Hahn), Eduard Franz (Frederick Muller), Leslie Brooks (Virginia Taylor), John Qualen (Swangron), Mabel Paige (Charwoman), Herbert Rudley (Marcy).....storyline has our favorite leading man changing his career in mid stream playing a brilliant crook who is planning a holdup, but a few things go wrong and it becomes complicated...is there someone after him with a sorted past...could there be a psychiatrist who is a dead ringer for him...which side does The Scar appear on his face... there are many questions to be answered in this suspenseful drama that will keep you guessing until the very end........special footnote, actor Paul Henreid had second thoughts about appearing in the classic film "Casablanca" (1942), Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), who comes to Casablanca on the arm of Czech Resistance leader Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), a few steps ahead of the Nazi police, we now have three people and two letters of transit. Who will reach America, and who will stay in Casablanca?...Henreid felt it would ruin his image and cause him to fade from the public eye...just the opposite it's that very film which immortalized him.

BIOS:
1. Paul Henreid (aka Paul Georg Julius Hernreid Ritter Von Wassel-Waldingau)
Birth Date: 1/10/1908 - Trieste, Austria-Hungry (Now in Italy)
Died: 3/29/1992 - Santa Monica, California, USA. (pneumonia)

BONUS FEATURES:
Film Noir TV Episode: (The Star and The Story)
"The Dark Stranger" (1954), Directed by Arthur Ripley, cast includes Edmond O'Brien (Ray), Joanne Woodward (Jill), Evelyn Ankers (Ruth McCabe) and Dan Tobin (Don Shaw)...a writer has a book and things are becoming complicated when his story and one of the characters become real in his life...quite an effective performances by both O'Brien and newcomer Joanne Woodward.

Second on the double bill is "The Limping Man" (1953) (76 min. B/W)....under director Charles De Latour, producer Donald Ginsburg, with original story by Anthony Verney (aka "Death on the Tideway"), Ian Stuart Black and Reginald Long....the cast includes Lloyd Bridges (Frank Prior), Moira Lister (Pauline French), Leslie Phillips (Detective Cameron), Helene Cordet (Helene Castle), Alan Wheatley (Inspector Braddock)...our story opens with Lloyd Bridges returning to Britain to visit a long lost love Moira Lister from the war...a murder takes place right in front of him at the airport...Scotland Yard enters the picture and Bridges becomes involved and is a suspect...who is "The Limping Man", what part in this mysterious murder and intrigue does he play...watch the story unfold as this film has more twist and turns than a roller coaster and you're loving every minute of it.........special footnote, actor Lloyd Bridges made the transition from movies to TV by starring in "Sea Hunt" (1958), one of the more successful syndicated shows during that era, on the big screen "High Noon" (1952 - as Deputy Marshal Harvey Pell), "Airplane" (1980 - as Steven McCrosky) and "Hot Shots!" (1991 - as Adm. Thomas 'Tug' Benson), Lloyd Bridges sons Beau and Jeff Bridges went on to leave their mark in the world of films........there's a great deal of entertainment here for all the film noir fans out there...all courtesy of VCI Entertainment, who in my humble opinion is the best there is in restoring early serials and features like this one.

BIOS:
1. Lloyd Bridges - (aka Lloyd Vernet Bridges Jr.)
Birth Date: 1/15/1913 - San Leandro, CA
Died: 3/10/1998 - Los Angeles, California, USA. (natural causes)

Great job by VCI Entertainment for releasing the "The Scar" (1948) and "The Limping Man" (1953), digital transfere with a clean, clear and crisp print...looking forward to more of the same from the '40s and '50s vintage...order your copy now from Amazon or VCI Entertainment, stay tuned once again with a top notch "Classic Film Noir" that only VCI Entertainment (King of the Serials) can deliver...just the way we like 'em!

Total Time: 159 mins on DVD ~ VCI Entertainment 8302 ~ (9/30/2003)

A nice sampling of low-budget film noir, plus great bonus features.......2005-11-30

Another fine film noir double feature from VCI Entertainment, this disc contains two entertaining B movies, "The Scar (A.K.A. "Hollow Triumph)" and "The Limping Man." Although "The Limping Man" is much more obscure, "The Scar" is by far the better movie on this disc. Having seen two previous versions of "The Scar" on dvd, I was glad to discover that VCI had made at least some attempt to restore the badly damaged public domain print. However, there are still plenty of picture/audio flaws with each movie, but I can almost guarantee that you won't see any better-quality version of either film released on dvd.

1948's "The Scar" stars Paul Henreid as Johnny Muller, a conman and thief who's released from prison after serving a sentence for robbing a payroll. Refusing to learn from his past mistakes, he gets his old mob together and convinces them to rob a gambling club owned by the notorious racketeer Rocky Stansyck. However, the robbery doesn't go as planned, and only Johnny and his friend Marcy escape, the rest being captured and gunned down by Rocky's men. After splitting the stolen $60,000, Marcy heads for Mexico while Johnny goes back to his old job and lays low.

When he discovers that he's an exact look-alike of Dr. Victor Bartok (also played by Henreid), he romances Bartok's sexy secretary Evelyn Nash (Joan Bennett) while learning all he can about the doctor. Johnny eventually kills the doctor and assumes his identity. Dr. Bartok had a big scar on his face, and so Johnny makes an incision on his own face to have the exact same scar. Only after Bartok's death does he realize that his scar is on the opposite cheek of the doctor's. Evelyn discovers Johnny's deception and, angry and heartbroken, plans to leave town.

Refusing to lose Evelyn, whom he truly loves, Johnny makes plans to go to Honolulu with her on a ship. But fate intervenes, and in an ironic twist Johnny's clever scheme backfires. 1948's "The Scar" was produced by Paul Henreid for the "Poverty Row" studio Eagle-Lion, and the legendary John Alton was responsible for cinematography. The plot of "The Scar" is contrived and the ending is gloomy, but the exceptional performances by Henreid and Bennett and Alton's impressive cinematography make this a must in any film noir buff's collection. By the way, Jack Webb has a cameo appearance in this movie!

Next, we have the 1953 British noir "The Limping Man." Frank Prior (Lloyd Bridges) is an American WWII veteran who goes back to England after the war to see his old girlfriend Pauline French (Moira Lister). As he's walking away from the plane at the London airport though, the man right by his side is shot and killed by a sniper. Prior is questioned along with the other passengers, and then released. He does rekindle his romance with Pauline, but the more time they spend together the more he suspects that she's involved somehow in the shooting at the airport.

To make matters worse, Scotland Yard informs Frank that his girlfriend has been seen with known criminals that are connected with the shooting, and Frank finally convinces Pauline to tell him the truth about her past. But Pauline's past catches up with her in the form of a blackmailer, and Pauline must decide the right thing to do, while both Frank and the police desperately try to find those responsible for the shooting. Just when things start to get really exciting, however, there's a twist that changes everything and will definitely leave you disappointed.

Several noir films have a dreamlike quality that drastically affects the story ("Woman in the Window," "The Chase," "Stage Fright," etc.), but in this case it almost ruins the whole movie. Oh well, Lloyd Bridges does a good job in this B movie and it is entertaining enough, until the twist ending. Bonus features on this disc are: An entertaining noir tv episode of "The Star and the Story," called "Dark Stranger" and starring one of the great stars of film noir, Edmond O'Brien. Plus there's a film noir poster gallery and several trailers and dvd previews. Bottom line, this dvd is highly recommended because of "The Scar" and the bonus features.

Just Ok............2004-07-06

This dvd contains 2 film noir movies: THE SCAR (1948--80 min.) starring Paul Henreid and THE LIMPING MAN (1953--76 min.) starring Lloyd Bridges.
THE SCAR i would say is the more interesting of these 2 pretty good noir movies. The audio and video quality would rank about a 7 on a scale of 1 to 10. They both look pretty good, but they both have several splices and scratches. The audio is fairly clear on both except THE LIMPING MAN has a couple of bad spots. This disc contains an episode of THE STAR AND THE STORY titled "Dark Stranger" starring Edmond O'Brien and a young Joanne Woodward as a bonus. The quality of the bonus episode is very good. It also contains a film noir poster gallery which is cool. All in all this dvd is OK, but it's nothing to cheer about. Let's hope someday an excellent quality disc of both films comes out.

Average customer rating:

"Now why would anyone build a thing like that in this godforsaken spot?"

House of the Damned
Starring: Ron Foster , Merry Anders , Richard Crane , Erika Peters , and Dal McKennon
Director: Maury Dexter
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000GIXEVI
Release Date: 2006-09-05

Description

A perfect romantic getaway turns into a hellish nightmare in this suspense-filled thriller! Architect Scott Campbell (Ron Foster) and his wife Nancy (Merry Anders) join another couple, Joseph and Loy Schiller (Richard Crane and Erika Peters), for what promises to be a pleasant stay at an empty castle set on a secluded California hillside. Soon, however, tension mounts as terrifying things begin happening: A group of ghoulish circus performers who once inhabited the castle become increasingly hostile towards their "guests," turning their mini-vacation into a life-and-death challenge of wits!

Customer Reviews:

"Now why would anyone build a thing like that in this godforsaken spot?".......2006-09-08

While I've never lived in a House of the Damned (1963), I did once almost stay in a motel of the objectionable (that is until I found out it had roaches). Written by Harry Spalding (One Little Indian, The Watcher in the Woods) and produced and directed by Maury Dexter (The Day Mars Invaded Earth, The Mini-Skirt Mob), the film stars Ron Foster (Cage of Evil, Operation Bottleneck) and Merry Anders (The Hypnotic Eye, The Time Travelers, Women of the Prehistoric Planet). Also appearing is Richard `Whooping' Crane (The Devil's Partner, Surf Party), Erika Peters (Mr. Sardonicus, Monstrosity), Dal McKennon (The Misadventures of Merlin Jones), who provided the voice of Gumby on the late 1950s Art Clokey television show, and Richard Kiel (Eegah, The Longest Yard), probably best known as the hulking, metal mouthed henchman Jaws from the Bond films The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and Moonraker (1979).

Ron Foster plays Scott Campbell, an architect who gets a job offer to survey a rather large and remote Californian mansion called Rochester Castle from his friend Joe Schiller (Crane) who happens to be a lawyer whose firm is handling the estate. As Scott and his wife Nancy (Anders) arrive, they discover the joint, which was built by some nutty heirless long since put away, isn't really a castle, but is more in the motif of early Spanish/American Dracula. Anyway, after retrieving the keys (thirteen of them, to be exact) from a local real estate man, along with getting a bit of exposition with regards to the last tenant, a man named Arbuckle who just up and disappeared mysteriously, the couple set up shop, and we soon learn perhaps the house isn't as uninhabited as most everyone seems to believe. During the night the keys are stolen, but then mysteriously returned the next day with two missing (there's other strangeness afoot as lights work sporadically and doors seem to be locking and unlocking themselves). Before Scott and Nancy can uncover the mystery of the missing keys (and which doors they go to), a woman named Loy (Peters) makes the scene (she's Joe's wife...seems Joe was planning on making a weekend out of it by he and his wife meeting up with Scott and Nancy). Shortly after Joe appears, has a spat with his wife, and Loy decides to hit the bricks but gets a surprise on her way out in the form of a shirtless Richard Kiel. Realizing Loy is still on the premises (her car is still out front), Scott, Nancy, and Joe begin looking for her (Joe wants to avoid any unnecessary publicity by getting the police involved), and Nancy sees something she wishes she hadn't (I could tell you what it was, but I won't). Seems the house has plenty of secrets, most of them behind the locked doors for which the keys have gone missing, but never fear as all shall be revealed, one way or another...

If you're interested in this film and have yet to see it, do not watch the included trailer or read the blurb on the back of the DVD case as both give away some fairly key details. I've provided a good bit of set up, but I tried to carefully avoid spilling any of the juiciest beans. Also, if you look at the DVD cover art, you may get the impression this is a recently released feature, but know it's a black and white film released back in the early sixties. Also, the bit on the cover that states '13 keys to unleash the living dead' is partially fitting as there are thirteen keys within the story, but it really has nothing to do with any `living dead', at least not in a literal sense. Obviously this was just a skeevy marketing attempt to lure potential, unsuspecting DVD buyers into hucking out their hard earned dough for the disc. I don't mind studios playing up the sensational aspects of a film in order to sell it, but they really should keep it within the context of the feature. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed this movie, but if you're coming into it expecting zombies and their ilk rending the flesh of the living, you're going to be sorely disappointed. The film was more akin to William Castle's House on Haunted Hill (1959), sans the theatrical elements and, of course, Vincent Price. The film is short, with a runtime of about 62 minutes (I think it ended a little too soon), spending a good deal of time developing an ookie eeriness that comes across well. It will seem tame by today's standards, but for those who can appreciate spooky fun, it's definitely worth checking out. The actors did well enough, as none of them really stood out as being really good or really bad, but just solid. The strongest aspect, to me at least, was Maury Dexter's direction. He obviously knew what he was doing in terms of developing and delivering tension. I did find the abruptness of the ending kind of odd, but on the flipside I enjoyed it due to the fact of its anti-climatic nature (not every story needs to end with a bang).

The picture, presented in both widescreen (2.35:1) anamorphic and fullscreen (1.33:1), looks beautiful on this 20th Century Fox DVD release, coming across very sharp and cleanly (the DVD is double sided, so the `A' side contains the fullscreen format while the `B' side has the widescreen version). As far as the audio, it's available in both Dolby Digital mono and stereo, and is on par with the picture quality. In terms of extras provided, there's an original theatrical trailer, a poster gallery (containing three images), and subtitles available in English, Spanish, and French.

Cookieman108

By the way, I'm sure some will make suppositional ties of this film and another, more controversial feature released back in 1932 by a director with the initials `TB', but any presumed linkage between the two would be purely superficial, in my opinion.

Darkest Hour Party Scars and Prison Bars

Average customer rating:

hardly any live footage
Hilarious.
I'm a huge Darkest Hour fan....but not of this DVD

Darkest Hour Party Scars and Prison Bars
Starring: Darkest Hour
Manufacturer: Victory Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0007LLPP6
Release Date: 2005-02-22

Customer Reviews:

hardly any live footage.......2006-03-25

Let me preface this review by saying I've been a fan of Darkest Hour for a few years and seen a couple of their live shows, so I was really hoping for a lot more live footage of the band and this DVD kinda let me down. It's an interesting DVD to get to know the guys in the band and finding out about their history, but as far as music goes it doesn't have all that much to offer and the video of the shows that is in the DVD is edited like a music video.

If you're a diehard fan you'd be into this as there are some funny bits, but if you're looking to relive their intense live shows you'll be disappointed.

Hilarious........2005-04-30

This DVD was pretty hilarious. It's just the band being pretty laid back. An overall lack of good live footage, but the interviews alone are worth the price. Good buy. These guys don't act like rockstars, definitely down to earth dudes.

I'm a huge Darkest Hour fan....but not of this DVD.......2005-04-12

The first time I saw (or heard of) Darkest Hour was at a American Legion hall in Buena Vista, VA (town of 6000), with no stage and only about 30-40 kids in attendance. DH blew me away. Needless to say, I've been a huge fan ever since, have seen them numerous times, and have been fortunate enough to talk with some of them individually before shows. Very down-to-earth, very approachable. That's why I was excited when I heard about this DVD: live footage mixed with interviews. The best of both worlds- the energy of the shows, the personalities of the band members. Or that's what I thought. The best thing about this DVD is the interviews. The footage really captures each member's personality accurately, and the stories told are interesting, especially for DH fans. The worst thing: the live footage. Every 'live' song is simply the studio track with montages of live footage. I was hoping to actually see, AND HEAR, some live songs, you know, to bring me back to the memory of being at the shows. Unfortunately, such footage is not on the DVD. Save your money, go to the shows, and meet the band members in person. Recommended only for people who just can't get enough of this band (like me), and would rather own the video and not like it than not to own it at all.

Average customer rating:

excellent!

RWANDA: DO SCARS EVER FADE?

Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000E372L8
Release Date: 2004-12-19

Description

This incisive look at the genocide and its aftermath raises new questions about how we can keep such tragedies from recurring.

Customer Reviews:

excellent!.......2007-01-10

This product is a well documented view of the peoples involved in the most fervocious genocide known in history.

DVD:

DVD

DVD