Steven Seagal Collection (1994) Review

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(More customer reviews)Everyone has seen a Steven Seagal movie, and yeah you could say he is not the best actor... But what he lacks in acting skills, he makes up for in the action department... And Steven Seagal being one of the most known action superstars, needs to be able to break someone's neck, and not recite a love poem...The Steven Seagal Collection offers the best of the best, starting with.. Above The Law, you have Steven Seagal's first action adventure, directed by arguably the best action movie director, ranked up there with John Mctiernan (Die Hard 1 & 3) or maybe surpassing him... Andrew Davis would later go on to direct Under Siege, Seagal's best and most known movie... But getting back to Above The Law... Seagal plays Nico Toscani, a tough cop that was trained for vietnam, holds a sixth dan black belt in aikido, along with several marksmanship awards, and he has a strong italian bloodline and a supportive family in the Mob... Co-stars Pam Grier as Delores Jackson (coffy), Ron Dean as Lukich (the fugitive), and even a young Sharon Stone as Sara Toscani(Basic instinct, Gloria)... When a convicted drug dealer is let out on the streets, Nico suspects something is up, he's right... Mr. Zagon, a CIA agent is using drug money to finance personal obligations... He has come to chicago to kill those who know about him... He will come, kill, and leave unharmed and as free as a bird... He thinks he is Above The Law, but he ain't above Nico's and he'll find this out the hardway... In Hard To Kill Seagal plays the rough tough Mason Storm, father and husband...This time around a corrupt politician pays off thugs to permamnently erase all of his competion in the run for mayor... There's only one problem, Mason is hot on his trail... Mason cover is blown and he is shot numerous times with a shotgun, trying to save his wife he gives the attackers one more beating before he is left for dead... He's dead, but not for long..Mason Falls into a deep coma and with the help of his close buddy LT. Ommaly, he sleeps undiscovered and safe in a seven year coma, upon waking up Mason has one thing on his mind and thats veangence, he hooks up with a sexy woman(kelly labrock, then his real life wife), his thought to be deceased son, and he is out for revenge, and he gets it. In Under Siege Seagal plays Casey Ryback ex-navy seal, counter terrorist expert, expert in martial arts, tatics...And to top that all he is also a damn good cook. On the USS Missouri's final journey, Commander Krill (Gary Busey{Predator 2}) arranges for a killer party... A killer party is the best word for it, for when the party host William Strannix (Tommy Lee Jones{The fugitive}) and the super georgeous Jordan Tate(erica eleniak).. The party starts and the lives end... The mercenary group take over the grand battle ship, and its up to one man to save the ship, save the hostages, save Hawaii and save nuclear weapons from falling into the wrong hands... Who? Well the cook of course...In Under Siege 2, the one and only Casey Ryback(Seagal) is back, when he misses his brothers funeral, his neice and him take a ride in the grand and sleek grand continental train to pay tribute to there deceased family member who was slain in a plane crash... Upon arrival on the train, a mercenary army group takes over the train, they are undetectable, they are smart, they are strong, but this train is very different then most trains, because the man who saved the day in Under Siege is back and it looks like he has a double dose of bad luck... But fear not, this time Ryback has someone to help him, the unlikely duo of a Cook and a Train Porter... The renegade electronic wiz (Eric bogosian) has seized control of a top secret military satellite that can destroy and area of land, at any time... Its up to Casey Ryback the cook and Bobby Zachs the Train Porter to save the day...The satellite is locked onto its target, the grand continental is barreling toward a freight train hauling tons upon tons of gasoline, Ryback's neice Sara is being held hostage with hundreds of innocent commuters... Can he save the day? All aboard...

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Deadliest Catch: Season Six (2010) Review

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(More customer reviews)Another riveting season of America's favorite crab fisherman. This season has it all-fights, dealing with loss, facing the best season yet for some, and worst for others. New boat the Kodiak comes back to the fold for crab season, captained by Bill Wichrowski, who we saw in Season 5 when the guys went on a fishing vacation. Captains Keith Colburn (Wizard) and Jonathan Hillstrand (Time Bandit) start the season with a physical fight, as Jonathan grows tired of Keith's bad-mouthing him, and trying to poach his crew. The two Jakes (Harris, Phil's son and Anderson, Sig's greenhorn from a year ago, switch boats for 3 weeks to experience life on another boat. In the fantastic episode, Bering Sea Swim Club, you get the perfect mix of all things crabbing... the dangerous thrill ride of the two Jakes switching back boats by going into the water, emotion as Sig's deck hand describes the day he lost his friend overboard just a few months ago, the antics of the Time Bandit crew, and of course, the ups and down of pulling in the haul. Captain Phil, in his last season, continues to highlight what made him famous- a good father, great fisherman, and a caring man. Big surprise ending regarding Jake, Phil's son in Episode 10 The Darkened Seas¿ when he reveals a dark secret. Episode 11 is the Episode where Captain Phil has his stroke, and filming continues while he is in the hospital. A season not to be missed. (If the DVD release does not have the 5 "After the Catch" specials, look around for them... all were taped after Phil's death and are a great tribute to him.)Warning: Highly emotional watching everyone's reaction to the news of Phil, watching these strong men cry at the news.

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In the far northern reaches of the planet a rare breed of extreme Fishermen still ply the Bering Sea. Adventure is their call, crab is their prey, and a one hundred million dollar plunder is their reward.. Five skippers and their crews will endure boat killing storms and mind numbing working conditions -risking it all on the hunt for crab. In the end, they will all come to the realization that the most violent storms come from within. This year, there's a fracture in the Bering Sea brotherhood. Old allies become mortal enemies when fishing turns personal. While some skippers rage against each other - another skipper fights a lone battle to stay alive. The Bering Sea has a way of turning young boys into hardened men. Before this season is through, terrible tragedy will alter two young lives forever. Last season, eight men lost their lives to the Bering Sea. This year, catastrophe strikes at the heart of one of our featured boats

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Northern Exposure - The Complete Sixth Season (1990) Review

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(More customer reviews)With some of the original air dates in debate:
1.) Dinner at Seven-Thirty
Original Air Date: September 19, 1994
Joel drinks orange juice from Ed's refrigerator, but it is actually a healing potion for body aches.
2.) Eye of the Beholder
Original Air Date: September 26, 1994
Ed busts an insurance scam; Maggie donates a family heirloom for a charity auction; Maurice donates a case of "turned" red wine.
3.) Shofar, So Good
Original Air Date: October 3, 1994
Rabbi Schulman plays the ghostlike character in "A Christmas Carol"; Maurice holds the annual fox hunt.
4.) The Letter
Original Air Date: October 10, 1994
Maggie discovers a letter she wrote to herself when she was a teen; Shelly learns the fallacy of chain letters; and Chris meets the new town barber.
5.) The Robe
Original Air Date: October 17, 1994
Shelly meets the devil; Ed works with Joel to prove himself to Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; and Chris becomes a ventriloquist.
6.) Zarya
Original Air Date: October 31, 1994
Marilyn tells a story about Russian treaty negotiations.
7.) Full Upright Position
Original Air Date: November 1, 1994
Joel and Maggie board a plane bound to Russia; Maurice brings his young cousin into his business; Chris gets inside electricity.
8.) Up River
Original Air Date: November 14, 1994
Joel goes to Manonash; Chris remodels his trailer; Ruth-Anne surrenders to love.
9.) Sons of the Tundra
Original Air Date: November 28, 1994
New doctor, Phillip Capra and his wife, Michelle, come to Cicely. Holling wants to join Sons of the Tundra; Ed sees the future.
10.) Realpolitik
Original Air Date: December 12, 1994
Maggie is elected Mayor; Dr. Capra plays a round of golf with Joel; Marilyn buys a dog.
11. The Great Mushroom
Original Air Date: January 4, 1995
Maggie goes to Manonash; the Capras entertain house guests; and Ed discovers a cure for shingles.
12.) Mi Casa, Su Casa
Original Air Date: January 11, 1995
While house-sitting, Ed throws an outlandish bash on Maurice's dime; Marilyn goes to Manonash. Shelly and Holling look for their first house.
13.) Horns
Original Air Date: January 18, 1995
Joel is free from his "imprisonment"; Maurice produces Cicely Water, which affects the town's people in strange ways.
14. The Mommy's Curse
Original Air Date: February 1, 1995
Maggie's mother brings her boyfriend to town; Walt works for Ruth-Anne at the store; Holling and Dr. Capra hang out together.
15.) The Quest
Original Air Date: February 8, 1995
Joel and Maggie search for the Jeweled City of the North; Chris sues Dr. Capra; and Michelle Capra writes a review of the Brick.
16.) Lucky People
Original Air Date: February 15, 1995
Dr. Capra has a shocking realization; Cicely celebrates Founders Day; and Maurice buys gifts for Holling's daughter.
17.) The Graduate
Original Air Date: March 8, 1995
Chris earns his Master's degree; Maggie purchases the local movie house; a young man claims to be Holling's son.
18.) Little Italy
Original Air Date: March 15, 1995
Dr. Capra discovers "Little Italy"; Ruth-Anne is on NPR's "All Things Considered."
19.) Balls
Original Air Date: March 22 1995
Cicely has a bowling team; Ed quits working for Maurice. Lester Haines makes Ed an offer.
20.) Buss Stop
Original Air Date: April 12, 1995
Michelle Capra directs the play "Bus Stop."
21.) Ursa Minor
Original Air Date: May 3, 1995
Ed adopts a bear cub; Maggie walks in on Chris using lucid dreaming; Maurice is upset about Cicely's population decline.
22.) Let's Dance
Original Air Date: May 10, 1995
Officer Semanski has feelings for Cal Ingraham; Dr. Capra insults Mrs. Whirlwind.
23.) Tranquility Base
Original Air Date: May 17, 1995
Finale: The cast of characters go to Maurice's Tranquility Base. Michelle gets lost in the woods; Maurice asks Barbara to marry him; Iris Dement's song, "Our Town" is the vocal backdrop for a wonderful montage.

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Recipient of 39 Emmy nominations and winner of the Emmy and Golden Globe Awards for Outstanding Drama Series, Northern Exposure comes to an offbeat and inspirational conclusion. For this final season, newcomer Dr. Phil Capra (Paul Provenza) joins Dr. Joel Fleischman (Emmy nominee Rob Morrow), Maggie (Emmy nominee Janine Turner), Chris (Emmy nominee John Corbett) and the rest of the quirky citizens of Cicely, Alaska. Digitally restored for optimum picture quality, this must-own five-disc set includes all 23 beloved episodes and over 30 minutes of never-before-seen deleted scenes. See the finale of this groundbreaking, heartwarming adventure that's as stunning as the Northern Lights themselves!

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Deadliest Catch - Season 3 (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)Fans of the show will definitely want to add this season to their collection. Don't worry if you haven't watched the show before; Mike Rowe's narration adds enough information about the crews, crab fishing, and their past experiences to keep a new viewer from getting lost.
It's all here; Blake's rookie season, Phil's frustrations with his ships AND his offspring-turned-crew, the breathtaking Man Overboard rescue by the Time Bandit....
"Deadliest Catch" is reality tv at its best. We're given working-class heroes as a "cast" instead of what a network thinks is hip and photogenic, and VERY REAL danger. The tragedies of the ships Big Valley and Ocean Challenger make the title more than "watch this kids" melodrama; good, ordinary people have lost their lives. (And, lest anyone think this is exploitive - far from it. The tragedies are shown by the filmmakers for what they are - heartbreaking grief and loss).
I never thought about the danger and backbreaking work it took to get that seafood dinner onto my plate. As you watch the show, be sure to say a prayer for the men and women who have made the sea their life and career.

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Venture into the dark waters of the Bering Sea with eight crab fishing boats and their crews through the world's two most difficult and dangerous fishing seasons. Captain Sig Hansen of the Northwestern returns to match his skills against his old rival, Phil Harris of the Cornelia Marie, and a new challenger, rookie captain Blake Painter of the Maverick. With rough waters and fierce weather, the captains and their crews will be pushed to their limits of mental and physical endurance in their search for the elusive red king crab and opilio crab. Experience the extraordinary daring, skill and endurance required for this time-honored trade in these 11 episodes, and enjoy bonus behind-the-scenes footage capturing the difficulty of day-to-day filming on the rugged seas.

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Runaway Train (1986) Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm a railfan -- i try to go to virtually every "train" movie that i hear about. I've seen some mediocre films ("Breakheart Pass"), some Awful Films ("The Cassandra Crossing") and some Pretty Good films ("Silver Streak") that way.
And i saw "Runaway Train" -- an Incredible Film.
With Jon Voight nominated for Both Oscar and Golden Globe (which he won) as Best Actor, and Eric Roberts nominated for both Oscar and Golden Globe as Best Supporting Actor, and featuring Rebecca deMornay in a decidedly UN-glamourous role, this is obviously not your standard action film.
And when one adds that the original screenplay was by Akira Kurosawa, one realises that this is NOT the usual Golan-Globus production at all, at all.
In brief, the story is simple -- two cons, one old and experienced and dangerous and one young, cocky and ignorant, break out of a max security prison in Alaska, hop a train headed for the Lower 48, and find themselves (along with a female railroad worker) on a hair-raising ride to nowhere on a runaway train with no brakes and no engineer.
But the performances and the nuances make this film Something Special Indeed.
Voight's portrayal of Manny, the man so dangerous that for three years his cell door was *welded* shut, is scary, compelling and sympathetic by turns. "Anything that doesn't kill me makes me stronger" is his motto.
Eric Roberts's performance as the cocky young loser, destined to spend major parts of his life inside, who can't even recognise good advice when Manny practically rubs his nose in it, is at almost the same level, and honestly deserving of the "Best Supporting" nominations he earned for it.
John P. Ryan, as Assistant Warden Rankin, Manny's antagonist and would-be nemesis, is adequate, but not up to the level of performance of Voight and Roberts.
In the end, after all of the incredible stunt work and amazing train work, after all of the violence and emotion, it comes down to two big men (Manny and Rankin) finally confronting each other, in one final test to prove which is the stronger.
Along the way, Voight, playing the existential monster to the hilt, gives us a view of a man who knows all too vividly that he long ago chose the wrong road, but also knows that there is no turning back for him.
When the girl screams at him that he is an animal, he replies "No -- Worse! Human!"
He tries to set the kid straight -- tells him that if he's smart he'll find a job flipping burgers or scrubbing toilets, and do it well and earn his pay -- "...and, if you could do that, you could be President of the United States." But the kid knows better -- he wonders why this big tough guy is talking such nonsense; and he doesn't hear the longing in Manny's voice.
And the final confrontation and the end -- after one last, horrifying and exhilirating stunt sequence -- is exactly what the film needs for its perfect conclusion; as exhilirating and appropriate in its way as the end of "Thelma & Louise" or of "Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid".
Be warned -- this is a brutally, horrifyingly violent film (i spent a lot of time wincing and cringing, reacting in a way that most film violence doesn't bother me), and the language used, while probably somewhat less graphic than actual cons would use, is not for Little Old Ladies.
Add in the Almost Perfect portrayal of railroading (there is one major departure from the way a real railroad would Do Things, but it's necessary for the film to work, and it *could* happen, i suppose), some incredible cinematography, and generally perfect design and execution of sets and costume, and you have got one incredible film experience; a thrill ride you will NOT soon forget.
((Knowing that Kurosawa wrote the original screenplay and had intended to make this film himself, i kept trying to guess whether Manny or Rankin would have been played by Toshira Mifune...))

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Tearing up the track at 100 miles-per-hour, Runaway Train featureshair-raising footage(Leonard Maltin) and spectacular, OscarÂ(r)-nominated* performances by Jon Voight and Eric Roberts. Packed with action, suspense and apowerful climax that will sweep you away(The New YorkDaily News), Runaway Train is anintense...stunning...astonishing(Roger Ebert) super-thriller!Manny (Voight) is the toughest convict in a remote Alaskan prison who, along with fellow inmate Buck (Roberts), makes a daring breakout. Hopping a freight train, they head full-steam for freedom, but when the engineer dies of a heart attack, they find themselves trapped, alone and speeding toward certain disaster. Until, that is, they discover a third passenger, a beautiful railroad worker (Rebecca DeMornay) who's just as desperateand just as determined to surviveas they are!*1985: Actor (Voight), Supporting Actor (Roberts)

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Northern Exposure - The Complete First and Second Seasons (1990) Review

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(More customer reviews)I had previously purchased seasons one and two separately and wish they had this option then. You get both seasons one and two for less than the price of season one's issue price alone. I recommend you buy this set if you are a Northern Exposure fan or are just discovering the series. Seasons one and two contain some of my favorite episodes and begin to establish the characters and provide the basic information about the dynamics of Cicely Alaska that will help you enjoy the later seasons. My favorite episodes in these first seasons include: The Series Pilot; Brains, Know how and Native Intelligence; The Aurora Borealis; The Big Kiss and Spring Break. Here is a brief description of all episodes, enjoy!
Season One
1.1 One-Hour Pilot
Dr. Joel Flesichman, an inveterate New Yorker, arrives in Alaska with plans to fulfill his medical school financing obligation by practicing in metropolitan Anchorage. However, he is quickly informed that his services are not needed in Anchorage, but in a small, remote village by the name of Cicely.
1.2 Brains, Know-How and Native Intelligence
While Joel is struggling with evergrowing frustration over faulty plumbing in his cabin, he sensitively deals with Ed's uncle Anku, a proud but ill medicine man who is reluctant to embrace modern medicine.
1.3 Soapy Sanderson
After the passing of one of Cicely's most-loved eccentrics, Soapy Sanderson, Joel and Maggie battle over the proper handling of his one hundred acres of land, left to them in his will.
1.4 Dreams, Schemes and Putting Greens
Holling gets cold feet and leaves a pregnant Shelly at the altar, while Joel and Maurice try to make a deal with visiting Japanese businessmen to build a resort in Cicely.
1.5 The Russian Flu
A flu epidemic sweeps through Cicely and threatens to ruin Joel's romantic weekend with his visiting fiancee, Elaine.
1.6 Sex, Lies and Ed's Tapes
Holling and Shelly are caught off guard when Shelly's husband Wayne, a nineteen-year-old hockey player, arrives in town asking for a divorce. Meanwhile, Ed struggles to write a Hollywood blockbuster movie.
1.7 A Kodiak Moment
While Maurice ponders life and death after his only brother passes away, Joel and Maggie administer childbirth classes to a group of native Alaskans in a neighboring remote village. Meanwhile, Holling finds out that "Jesse the Bear" has been sighted and vows to take care of him, once and for all.
1.8 The Aurora Borealis (A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups)
Joel learns of the legend of "Adam," a Bigfoot-like creature who walks the woods outside of Cicely. Meanwhile, Chris bonds with a black traveler passing through town, who turns out to be the brother he never knew he had, literally.
Season Two
2.1 Goodbye to All That
Joel receives a "Dear John" letter from his fiancee Elaine, while Holling's gift to Shelly -- a satellite dish -- turns her into a TV addict.
2.2 The Big Kiss
A wise Indian spirit helps Ed in his search to find his parents, while Chris loses his voice to a mysterious beautiful woman.
2.3 All is Vanity
Maggie tries to win her father's approval by pretending that Joel, a successful doctor, is her boyfriend. Meanwhile, Holling contemplates circumcision to please Shelly.
2.4 What I Did for Love
Joel thinks twice about a scheduled visit to New York when Maggie dreams of a plane crash and the townspeople take exceptionally well to his substitute, a Jewish doctor from New York. However, the similarities between the two end there. Dr. Gingsberg (guest star Leo Geter), a strapping blond man with an engaging smile, charms the residents of Cicely immediately, leaving Joel feeling jealous.
2.5 Spring Break
Temporary madness sweeps through Cicely as the townfolk await the ice meltdown and the arrival of spring. [MC: Running of the Bulls.]
2.6 War and Peace
Passages from War and Peace are woven into the lives of Cicely's residents and visitors, who experience Tolstoyesque nightmares and Dostoyevskian passions, when old friend Nikolai arrives in town. Maurice is the only one who is not happy with his arrival. [This is the epsiode where they "break the fourth wall" out of character, they discuss the script and move on.]
2.7 Slow Dance
The curse of Maggie has struck again and poor Rick is the victim of "death by falling satellite." Ron and Erick arrive and buy the Inn. Holling meets up with an old friend and Shelly feels like a third wheel.
And P.S. don't listen to the naysayers about the original music issue you will read in the reviews for the other seasons that have been released. There is nothing that can be done about that now and the series still beats anything released in the past ten years. The writing and acting is superb! You will love it! I promise.

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NORTHERN EXPOSURE:SSNS 1 & 2 - DVD Movie

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Never Cry Wolf (1983) Review

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(More customer reviews)The first time I saw Never Cry Wolf on the big screen in 1983 is a day I'll never forget. When the credits started rolling and I came back down to earth, I could not remember where I was or what I had done that day up to that point. The film had so overwhelmed me that everything else seemed unimportant, and the film seemed like the only reality. That had never happened before and it's never happened since.
It took me many years and many more viewings to figure out why this film is so extraordinary. For the first 45 minutes or so, Never Cry Wolf is content to be a conventional "Man and Nature" film, with the "natives" being set up in the "noble savage" archetype--they are the ideal, the "good guys," the righteous ones, while White man is evil (except for our hero Tyler). It's a structure that's been used many times, and it's fine. Of course all this is beautifully-filmed and hauntingly beautiful, but the film was still fairly conventional, albeit extremely well-done.
But then it unleashes a surprise, which turns the story on its head. Tyler is talking to Mike, his Inuit friend, one of the "noble" ones, one of the "good guys." Mike reveals that he would like to kill wolves, and explains why. The reasons sound so much like the reasons of "White" man.
This casual revelation stuns Tyler--and us too. The film shatters the "noble savage" archetype in a brief, economic scene. (The penultimate scene, also between Tyler and Mike, which could be considered as an extension of this scene, is equally brief and economical. The script is a masterpiece of understated writing, almost like cinematic haiku.) We are not hit on the head with this "message" and in fact it, along with the equally eloquent closing monologue (normally I hate VOs in a film--*show* me, don't *tell* me, but here it's essential and extremely well-done) are so subtle that many critics who praised this film actually did so while missing the point.
Never Cry Wolf takes the old archetype of civilized man being dropped into nature and finding it a "purer," "richer" existence, and stands it on its head. No doubt Tyler still finds it this way, but he also learns Darwin's oldest rule: survival of the fittest. At the end of the film Tyler tells us he has learned there are no heroes and no villains. Indeed we never find out who is responsible for the film's final slaughter, and that is one of its greatest strengths. This, and Bambi, are the only two Disney films ever made that embrace ambiguity as a dramatic element. For that reason I've always regarded these, and not "Fantasia," as Disney's riskiest--and greatest--motion pictures. So many movies make a lot of noise about how they are going to shake up our world. This one really does, and very quietly. Yet even many viewers never seem to latch onto this, seeing it as a wide-eyed call for conservation. It actually isn't.
As others have stated, the music/cinematography/acting/directing are all marvelous. The wolves are well-trained performers--I once had the pleasure of visiting the wildlife preserve where they were living out their "retired days." And the last shot--an ad lib between Charles Martin Smith and Zachary Ittimangnaq, is endearingly sweet, without being sappy in the least. This is film with sentiment, but it is not *sentimental.* It would never get made today. (Seems like I say that about most of my favorite films.)
And that's the reason I *suspect* Disney treats this film very shabbily. It was made the year before Michael Eisner took over the studio. Eisner likes Big Event films. Never Cry Wolf is a small film. Eisner likes fantasy. NCW, despite some fanciful moments done mostly for humorous effect, is grounded in reality. Eisner likes stars. NCW has none. Studio chiefs rarely tout the work of their predecessors--if anything, they have an investment in making such work look as poor as possible, so that they look better by contrast. Yet it's hard to deny that while Disney has made more popular films since then, it has never made something as, well, deep, or unique, or special. The studio today seems to have forgotten about the movie, or wants the world to. On the latest DVD release, except for a small legal notice on the disc itself, you'd be hard-pressed to find proof this is Disney's product at all. The transfer to DVD was farmed out. Even the Disney studio logo at the film's start has been completely lobbed off! (The logo of the company that transferred it to DVD replaces it.)
It's clear Disney wants nothing to do with this film today. Nothing in any of the studio's theme parks, collections of literature, or merchandizing even acknowledge its existence. The DVD has NO extras--not even a theatrical trailer. The Internet Movie Database lists a TV documentary, "The Making of Never Cry Wolf," that surely could have been included. Most upsetting of all, the DVD is *not* enhanced or anamorphic. Comparing it to my old VHS copy, it appears the DVD was take from the same print of the film, meaning they may have just dubbed the VHS version to DVD!
A travesty. Maybe someone could do a proper restoration of this great, neglected film. (You listening, Criterion?) It's great to have Never Cry Wolf on DVD, but it deserves better treatment from its studio than it's gotten so far. (You listening, Eisner?) Why Disney has virtually disowned this masterpiece baffles me.
(Note added later: as you may have noticed, NCW is now available in a number of different releases. At least one is "enhanced" for 16:9 TVs, so if you have an HDTV (and especially an HDMI DVD player), this is the way to go. The enhanced version features artwork on the cover from the original film, of Charles Martin Smith standing with a pair of binoculars. The image has a "hand tinted" fake color look to it--it's not the plain black and white image, nor is it the "cool" black cover of the howling wolf. The ASIN number is B0001I55Y2. --Or, just look on the video box and you'll see it says "Enhanced for 16:9 TVs." This is the way you want to go.
Now the bad news: although Disney finally released this in the enhanced picture format, with better resolution, and although they now actually put their name on the front of both the box and the film, they STILL used the same crappy print, which looks like a run-of-the-mill theater print with many a nick and scratch, and which was used all the way back for the original VHS release in the 80s! Unreal! Again there are no extras, not even a trailer. If there's any need to prove the Mouse rots, this is it.)

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

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Snow Dogs (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)Snow Dogs is a laugh a minute adventure into the world of sled dog racing. Cuba Gooding Jr. is a Miami dentist who inherits a team of champion sled dogs and finds out he was adopted.Over the course of the movie he discovers his true place in life. The dogs are cute and steal the action sequences. Finally, a family film that everyone can enjoy. No hocus-pocus or scary stuff!! The only magic here is the power of love between family and friends and the occational winking of the sled dogs. Don't miss this latest Disney classic!

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Make no bones about it -- Disney's SNOW DOGS is a hilarious action-packed comedy your whole family will love. Eight adorable but mischievous dogs get the best of dog hater Ted Brooks (Cuba Gooding Jr.) when he leaves his successful Miami Beach dental practice for the wilds of Alaska to claim his inheritance -- seven Siberian huskies and a border collie -- and discover his roots. As Ted's life goes to the dogs, he rises to the occasion and vows to learn to mush with his inheritance. Totally out of his element, he faces challenges he's never dreamed of. There's a blizzard, thin ice, an intimidating crusty old mountain man named Thunder Jack (James Coburn), the Arctic Challenge Sled Dog Race that's only two weeks away, and a life-and-death rescue. This fish-out-of water, tail-wagging comedy is nothing but doggone good fun and a celebration of family -- both human and canine!

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The Edge (1997) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a wonderful film that will keep the viewer totally absorbed. Written by the tremendously talented David Mamet (The House of Games, Oleanna), it is beautifully directed by the noted director Lee Tamahori (Once Were Warriors, Along Came a Spider). The film is a complex, fully fleshed story covering many themes, fully realized by a stellar cast. It also provides the viewer with breathtaking cinematography, as well as a compelling score written by Academy Award winner Jerry Goldsmith (The Omen).
The film focuses an a mild mannered, self-effacing, slightly paranoid billionaire, Charles Morse (Anthony Hopkins). A brilliant and well-read man with a penchant for esoteric knowledge, Morse is married to Mickey (Elle MacPherson), a young and beautiful, successful model. On location with her in a remote area of Alaska, she is surrounded by her young, fun loving camera crew, while he is seemingly the odd man out. He is astute enough, however, to sense that there are romantic undercurrents between his wife and her photographer, Robert Green (Alec Baldwin).
When Morse accompanies Robert on what was to be a short excursion into the Alaskan wilderness, looking for a local hunter to pose in the photo shoot, disaster looms ahead, and the test for the survival of the fittest begins. It is here that the superior mind and knowledge of Morse is put to the test, as they find themselves pitted against nature. Morse rises to the occasion, emerging as a natural leader, while his younger, fitter rival, Robert, is often at a loss as to how to cope in their peculiar situation. It is also through the emerging and changing conditions that they face, that their respective characters emerge. It is in the wilderness that they are both unmasked and emerge as their true selves.
This is a film that will keep the viewer enthralled. Anthony Hopkins has never been better as the quietly heroic Morse, and Alec Baldwin is excellent as the craven and duplicitous photographer who has cuckolded him. Elle MacPherson is luminous as the beautiful, young, trophy wife. The rest of the supporting cast, including the giant Kodiac bear, are also terrific. This is a superlative survival story that has something for everyone. Bravo!

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A plane crash in the freezing Alaskan wilderness pits intellectual billionaire Charles Morse (Anthony Hopkins) against self-satisfied fashion photographer Robert Green (Alec Baldwin) in a brutal struggle for survival.Each soon discovers that the greatest danger resides not in nature, but from human fear, treachery, and quite possibly murder.

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30 Days of Night (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)It's nearly Halloween, so I went to see a horror film today, so here I am ready to share my thoughts on the vampire horror-thriller "30 DAYS of NIGHT". The film is based on the graphic novel/mini-series by Steven Niles and Ben Templesmith. I like vampire movies in general, although I have to say that NOT all "vampire flicks" are created equal. Thankfully, I am happy to say that this film lives up to its promise, and has become one of my favorites.
An isolated small Alaskan town called "Barrow" with a population of 560+ experiences 30 days of total darkness. No sunlight will be seen for a period of a month, so most of the town's inhabitants leave for this period to brighter pastures except for the 152 townsfolk; of whom some one stated that " we live here because we can". On the last day of sunlight, unusual things start to occur; satellite phones are found destroyed, the aforementioned one emergency helicopter is damaged beyond repair, even snow dogs are killed. The town sheriff; Evan Oleson (Jason Hartnett) finds a filthy, bad-toothed drifter (Ben Foster) who seems to be a harbinger of the danger to come. No long, after, the town is under siege by band of inhuman creatures bent on killing everyone in sight...
30 DAYS OF NIGHT is a straight-forward vampire film. It doesn't waste much time setting things up with minor character development with Evan and Stella's (Melissa George) background; with their rocky marriage, characters are introduced quickly and how they are related to the town. Director David Slade goes to the throat with the intensity and apprehension of the screenplay as soon as the band of vampires (led by Danny Huston) makes their appearance. Instead of just going for all-out mayhem, he calculates each scenario and accompanies it with a heart-pounding atmosphere and emotion that builds up the suspense. He also uses silence as an effective strategy to set the film's eerie feel.
The usual rules to vampirism is applied; vulnerability to sunlight, super-human strength and can turn other humans into vampires. However, the band of vampires seems to have only one goal; to feed on human blood, nothing subtle, but FEED. Before their siege, the pack leader instructs his band to "rip everyone's head off and do not turn them..".The language of the vampires has that ancient-like tone but somewhat sound Germanic is a very nice touch. The vampires are grisly, inhuman-looking predators, not the "seductive" blood-suckers that have been the stereotype for many years. However beastly and savage the band may be, but they are far from being dumb; the vampire pack is intelligent and organized (much like wolves are organized). No mental control or shape-changing abilities are displayed, the vampires in this film are portrayed as hungry, vicious, shrieking, deformed beings who assault the sleepy town in a hellish attack.
The film is not perfect, it does have its shortcomings. It didn't explain why a very minor number of townsfolk have been turned by the vampires (even with the pack leader's instructions) or what rules do apply on how and when a human has been turned. There is something very downright creepy and unsettling in the proceedings; I think this may be the first time I've seen an eight-year-old child turned into a vampire. Also, there are minor weaknesses in the plot where the usual clichés are present; a panicky old man with his son, a fear-fraught man who makes a wrong decision with his family, and a scared teenager. All these factors cause problems for the lead characters. There were quite a lot of instances that I feel that an "extended director's cut" is coming for the DVD release. (I hope and wish for one).
Unfortunately, I haven't read any of the graphic novels (yet) so I cannot determine how faithful the film is to its roots. To the film's credit, the film does succeed on most vampire films have not. It did deliver an intense, grisly and a clever visceral thriller that hits the marks right and never stoops to wallowing in blood and gore alone. It showed a side of the human spirit about courage, the determination to protect its own, and the capability for sacrifice. A band of vampires attacking a small Alaskan town during a 30-day stretch should have been thought of sooner as Danny Huston said in the movie; "We should have come here years ago.".
The film's premise is MUCH more interesting than other films' overused plot with blood-suckers living among us and just preying on beautiful women. It is also a much needed break from the "torture" shows with unyielding psychopathic killers.
"30 DAYS OF NIGHT" is a vampire film with a rarity that achieves its potential. It is more a classic monster film than a contemporary horror movie.
RECOMMENDED! For horror fans..[4 stars]

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Josh Harnett (Black Dahlia, Pearl Harbor) crosses over to the dark side in this bone-chilling adaptation of the cult-hit graphic novel, brought to the screen in all its demonic glory. In a small Alaskan town, thirty days of night is a natural phenomenon. Very few outsiders visit, until a band of bloodthirsty, deathly pale vampires mark their arrival by savagely attacking sled dogs. But soon they find there are much more satisfying thirst-quenchers about: human beings. One by one, the townspeople succumb to a living nightmare, but a small group survives - at least for now. The vampires use the dark to their advantage, and surviving this cold hell is a game of cat and mouse - and screams.

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