The Darjeeling Limited (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)Wes Anderson is at his best when he explores a small group of people -- sometimes family, sometimes not -- and explores what makes them tick.
And after the cluttered "The Life Aquatic of Steve Zissou," Anderson returns to those roots with "The Darjeeling Limited." Technically it's an Indian road trip movie, and it's full of his quirky charm... but at heart it's just about three unhapppy brothers with a lot of baggage. Both literally and psychologically.
The forlorn Peter (Adrien Brody) and his luggage barely make it to an Indian train in time to join his brothers, woman-chasing writer Jack (Jason Schwartzman) and bandaged control freak Francis (Owen Wilson). They haven't spoken for a year, and now they're planning to awkwardly bond as they travel to their estranged mother's convent.
But after disasters involving a snake, painkillers and pepper spray, the three brothers find themselves (and their monogrammed suitcases) thrown off the train. As they trek back to civilization, the three men set out on a quest to explore the spiritual, deal with life, death, feathers, man-eating tigers, funerals and their own painful memories... and possibly find their mom.
Nobody in their right mind would expect Wes Anderson to spin up an ordinary good-ol'-boys road trip movie. At least, not the way most directors would. Instead, Anderson crafts this as the baby brother to "The Royal Tenenbaums," exploring a fractured, mildly dysfunctional family with an absent parent.
And the cinematic flavour of "Darjeeling Limited" is much the same as in "Royal Tenenbaums" -- bittersweetly funny and arch, with a tinge of poetic melancholy underlying the plot. It would be an endearing movie in any setting, but somehow putting it in the mellow glow of India's dusty roads, bright fields and cluttered shrines makes it even better. The bright, visual richness gives it a sense of whimsy.
For the record, Roman Coppola and Schwartzman helped Anderson out with the script, but there isn't much change. As always, lots of wry, amusingly contemplative dialogue ("I wonder if the three of us would've been friends in real life. Not as brothers, but as people"), though there is some hilarious comedic scenes of sibling infighting. It even gets slapsticky.
Fortunately, Anderson never puts artificial twists into the story, for any extra drama, comedy or thrills; the closest thing would be a brief detour into a child's funeral. The story simply flows by, because it's all about the brothers -- and focusing on anything but their self-imposed journey would just be extra baggage.
And the three men playing Jack, Francis and Peter are nothing short of brilliant. Brody is vaguely lost and forlorn, while Schwartzman is a quirky rake who is still haunted by his last girlfriend (played by Natalie Portman in the short intro, "Hotel Chevalier"). But there's something almost painfully wounded about Wilson's reckless control freak, which has nothing to do with his bandages.
"The Darjeeling Limited" is a visually astounding, contemplative little comedy, all about three men who have to deal with the past before they can move on. Put it on the shelf next to "Royal Tenenbaums."

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Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman star as three brothers who have drifted apart over the years and try to re-forge their sibling bonds on a hilarious adventure across India. The Royal Tennenbaums meets Lost in Translation.

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Saturday Night Live: The Complete Second Season, 1976-1977 (1975) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been looking forward to this release as it includes the guest hosting performance of my favorite Jack Burns! It is terrific that they are finally getting full seasons out of SNL instead of compilation best of sets so that those, like myself, who want an episode featuring a legend (or perhaps a forgotten personality) from the past can get it in awesome DVD quality instead of settling for grainy unofficial recordings. There are lots of legends from the '70s guest hosting in this season including Vikings QB Fran Tarkenton. Revisit or perhaps see for the first time the SNL days with Jane Curtin, Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Laraine Newton, Dan Aykroyd etc. For a sneak peek at the best SNL episode ever (that just so happens to be on this season set), check out my webpage "Jack Burns Hosts Saturday Night Live."
Here's what's on this season:
1. Lily Tomlin/James Taylor (First aired: 9/18/1976)
Sketches include "Lily Won't Rehearse," "Debate '76," "The Muppet Morgue," "The Phone Company," "Women In Literature," "Tess DiSenzo," "Judith Beasley," "Television Viewer" (film), and "The Antler Dance." James Taylor performed "Shower the People," "Roadrunner," and "Sweet Baby James."
2. Norman Lear/Boz Scaggs First aired: 9/25/1976
Sketches include "Gilda's Fall," "Norman Fell's Actors" (film), "Jimmy Carter's Libido," "The Snakehandling O'Sheas," "Chevy's Girls," "Joseph Franklin's Metric Week," "Yankee Doodle Slapstick" (film) "Abusive Divorce Lawyer," "Rhodesian Peace Talks," "Norman's Joke," and "Spanish Peanuts" (film). Boz Skaggs performed "Lowdown" and "What Can I Say."
3. Eric Idle/Joe Cocker and Stuff (First aired: 10/2/1976)
Sketches include "Hospitalized Chevy Confronts An Impostor," "Designer Babies," "KLOG Deejay," "The Killer Bees," "Cufflinks of the Gods," "Drag is Not Funny," "Dragnet," "Drag Racing Today," "Jacques Cousteau," and "Ken Norton is Better Than Muhammad Ali." Joe Cocker and John Belushi perform "Feelin' Alright."
4. Karen Black/John Prine (First aired: 10/16/1976)
Sketches include "Chevy Returns," "Baba Wawa at Large," "Debate '76," "Triple-Trac," "A*M*I*S*H," "Cancer-Free Cupcakes," "Love, Russian Style," "Nightclub Owner" (film), "The Lunch Counter Reunion," "Mr. Bill's Stunt" (film), and "Ode to American Coinage." John Prine performed "Hello In There," "The Bottomless Lake," and "Ten Cents a Dance."
5. Steve Martin/Kinky Friedman (First aired: 10/23/1976)
Sketches include "Yankees Lose," "Speak Out For Milk," "Jeopardy 1999!," "Fido-Flex," "Beatnik Bar," "Looks At Books," "Autumn in New York" (film), "Ted Baxter Kills Mary Richards," "Mysteries In Medicine," and two monologues by Steve Martin. Kinky Friedman performed "Dear Abby."
6. Buck Henry/The Band (First aired: 10/30/1976)
Sketches include "Trick or Treating Land Shark," "Not For First Ladies Only," "Samurai Stockbroker," "Garrett Morris' Roots," "Debate '76," "Super Bat-O-Matic 77," "The OintMENt," "Mr. Mike's Least Loved Bedtime Tales," "Buck's Halloween Costume" (film), and "Houdini's Ghost." The Band performed "Life is a Carnival," "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," "Stage Fright," and "Georgia on My Mind."
7. Dick Cavett/Ry Cooder (First aired: 11/13/1976)
Sketches include "Chroma-Trak Girl," "Puppy Uppers and Doggie Downers," "Nixon's Watergate Frame-up," "The Marines," "Crossroads," "Grandparent Bees," "Mr. Mike's Least Loved Bedtime Tales: 'The Blind Chicken'," "Mobile Shrink," "How Things Work," "Paramount Novelty Store" (film) and "Franken & Davis' Funny Word Survey." Ry Cooder performed "Tattler" and "He'll Have To Go."
8. Paul Simon/George Harrison (First aired: 11/20/1976)
Sketches include "Paul's Monologue Worries," "Quarry," "Baba Wawa At Large," "The Twilite Zone," "Crackerbox Palace" (film), "The Story of Billy Paul," "Tomorrow with Tom Snyder," and "This Song" (film). Paul Simon performed "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," "Here Comes The Sun" and "Homeward Bound" (with George Harrison), "Something So Right" and "Bridge Over Troubled Waters."
9. Jodie Foster/Brian Wilson (First aired: 11/27/1976)
Sketches include "Phasing Out Gilda," "Pilson's Feedbag Dinners," "Bee Peter Pan," "Puberty Helper," "Metal Detector," "What Kinda Guy Watches Saturday Night?," "Laraine's Little Known Talent," "Don Pardo: The First 50 Years," "Jodie's Teacher," "Kids' Dreams" (film), "The King Kong Dirge," "I'm Not Black," and "Mr. Mike's Least-Loved Bedtime Tales: The Little Train That Died." Brian Wilson performed "Back Home," "Love is a Woman," and "Good Vibrations."
10. Candice Bergen/Frank Zappa (First aired: 12/11/1976)
Sketches include "Patty Hearst At Home," "Jimmy Carter Can't Keep His Promises," "Santi-Wrap," "Consumer Probe," "The Right to Extreme Stupidity League," "FX-70 Cheese Slicer," "The Killer Trees," "Adopt John Belushi For Christmas," and "Let's Kill Gary Gilmore For Christmas." Frank Zappa performed "I'm The Slime" (featuring Don Pardo), "Lagoon" (featuring Samurai Futaba), and "Peaches & Regalia."
11. Ralph Nader/George Benson (First aired: 1/15/1977)
Sketches include "Ralph Cuts Loose," "Badmouthing Grandfather," "Dress Rehearsal for Execution," "Carter's Confederate Takeover," a performance by Andy Kaufman, "Baba Wawa Talks to Herself," "The Coneheads at Home," "Youth Asks The Questions," "Garbage" (film), "Testing Inflatable Dolls," and "Ambassador Training Institute." George Benson performed "Masquerade" and "Gonna Love You More."
12. Ruth Gordon/Chuck Berry (First aired: 1/22/1977)
Sketches include "Belushi's Too Sick," "Barbra Streisand," "Emily Litella's Sister," "Tomorrow with Tom Snyder," "Little Old Ladies of The Night," "Babysitter Sex Expert," "E. Buzz Miller," "Crazy Frank Commercial," and "Mr. Mike's Least-Loved Bedtime Tales." Chuck Berry performed "Johnny B. Goode" and "Marie & Carol."
Special. Live from the Mardi Gras (First aired: 2/20/1977)
Live from the Mardi Gras, it's Saturday Night on Sunday! The cast of SNL participate in the annual festivities in New Orleans. Jane Curtin and Buck Henry (try to) provide commentary on the Bacchus parade, while Randy Newman performs four times. Penny Marshall appears with the Mystic Krewe of Apollo drag ball, and Eric Idle gets a cushy cameo reporting where nothing is happening.
Guest stars: Garrett Morris (Himself), John Belushi (Himself), Don Pardo (Announcer), Dave Wilson, Penny Marshall (Herself), Buck Henry (Himself), Eric Idle (Himself), Randy Newman (Himself) , Henry Winkler (Himself)
13. Fran Tarkenton/Leo Sayer (First aired: 1/29/1977)
Sketches include-- Locker Room Pep Talk, Swiss Army Gun, Amputated Football Player, Black Perspective, "Grand Stand", Rhonda Weiss, Community Appeal, Anabolic Steroids Cereal, Amy Carter and the Secret Service, The Hotel Room.
14. Steve Martin/The Kinks (First aired: 2/26/1977)
Sketches include-- Steve Martin's Ego Trip, Happy Feet, The Coneheads, Celebrity Weightlifting, Dr. Breadloaf Quickloss Diet Book, Pulling the Plug, Hollywood Bingo, Plenty in Common, Roots II
The Kinks performed "You Really Got Me Going," "All Day And All of the Night," "Well-Respected Man," "Lola" and "Sleepwalker."
15. Sissy Spacek/Richard Baskin (First aired: 3/12/1977)
Sketches include "Dave Wilson's Dead," "Burger Master," "Ask President Carter," "How Your Children Grow", "Belushi's Olympic Dream," "Baton Twirling" (film), Gidget's Disease," "Bad Playhouse," "White Trash Couple," and "Sissy's Performances" (film). Richard Baskin performed "Only I Love You" and "City of One-Night Stands."
16. Broderick Crawford/Dr. John, The Meters (First aired: 3/19/1977)
Sketches include-- "Goodbye Saccharine", Samurai Hit-Man, "Mel's Hide Heaven", Bill Murray--The New Guy, Lucy Ricardo's Nuke Job, "Highway Patrol", "Baba Wawa At Large", Nixon and J. Edgar Hoover.
17. Jack Burns/Santana (First aired: 3/26/1977)
Sketches include "Belushi Refuses to Say 'Live From New York'," "The Coneheads," "Marine Wedding," "The Untouchables," "The Story of The Squatters," "Ask Big Daddy," "Washed-Up Comedy Writer," "Suicidal Businessman," and "Old-Fashioned Pharmacist." Santana performed "Black Magic Woman" and "Europa."
18. Julian Bond/Brick (First aired: 4/9/1977)
Sketches include-- Emily Litella's New Love, Lowell Brock, Black Perspective, "Dr.X, Family Counselor", Right On Afro Lustre, Great Moments In Motown, Creeley's Soup, Bad Cinema, George Wallace, Julian and Andrew Young Talk With President Carter.
19. Elliott Gould/McGarrigle Sisters, Roslyn Kind (First aired: 4/16/1977)
Sketches include "Brezhnev Wants to Appear on Carson," "The Coneheads At Home," "You've Come A Long Way, Buddy," "Nick at Breezy Point Lodge," "United Face Bank," "Sports Fights" (film), "ATM Security Tests," "Natural Causes Restaurant," "Puppet Affair," and "Pilson's Feedbag Dinners." Kate & Anna McGarrigle perform "Kiss & Say Goodbye" and "Heart Like a Wheel"; Roslyn Kind performed "I'm Not Anyone."
20. Eric Idle/Neil Innes, Alan Price (First aired: 4/23/1977)
Sketches include "Potato Torture," "Save Great Britain Telethon," "The American Dope Growers Union," "The Nixon Interviews," "Body Language" (film), "Oxxon," "Sherry the Flight Attendant," "Plain Talk," "Heavy Wit Championship," "Bill Murray's Bad Childhood Memories," and "The Battle of Britain". Alan Price performed "Poor People" and "In Times Like These." Neil Innes performed "Cheese & Onions" (as Ron Nasty) and "Shangri-La."
21. Shelley Duvall/Joan Armatrading (First aired: 5/14/1977)
Sketches include "Bee Sketch is Pre-Empted," "Video Vixens," "Badly Disguised Bank Robber," "Viva Las Vegas II," "Baba Wawa At Large," "Feuding Couple," "Bad Ballet," "Night of...Read more›

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For over three decades, Saturday Night Live has been the source of young comedic talent and helped to launch the careers of countless performers, making them household names.Still considered iconic for their live performances from Studio 8H in New York, the original cast of SNL (including Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner and John Belushi) set the tone for years to follow with their irreverent, edgy humor. They combined anti-establishment political satire with rock-and-roll attitude for a show that spoke to the youth of the 1970's, turning it into an instant sensation.Although only the second year on the air, the 1976-1977 season turned out to be the last for Chevy Chase, but the first for a young comedian named Bill Murray.The complete second season of SNL contains legendary musical performances by artists Joe Cocker, The Band, Brian Wilson, Paul Simon, George Harrison, Frank Zappa, Chuck Berry, The Kinks, Santana and Tom Waits and classic appearances by hosts Lily Tomlin, Norman Lear, Steve Martin, Dick Cavett, Jodie Foster, Candice Bergen, Ralph Nader, Fran Tarkenton, Sissy Spacek, Elliott Gould and Shelly Duvall.
Beyond Saturday Night Live – The Complete Second Season on DVD Stills from Saturday Night Live – The Complete Second Season (Click for larger image)

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Ghostbusters Double Feature Gift Set (Ghostbusters/ Ghostbusters 2 and Commemorative Book) (1989) Review

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(More customer reviews)I received the DVD a few days earlier than expected, and in an unexpected way.
There was a knock on the door, it was maybe 2 in the morning. I don't really remember. I slowly got out of bed and peeked through the doorhole to see who it could possibly be.
It was Bill effing Murray. Dressed up as a ghostbuster. When I opened the door, he clicked a remote to turn on a stereo boombox he had with him. Ghostbusters theme blaring, he starts dancing. 70's disco style.
After "WHO YOU GONNA CALL," he held the DVD case up to my face and paused the song. I was silent, he lowered the case and put it in my face again.
"Ghostbusters?" I asked.
He started the music again, put the dvd down on my doormat, took the boombox and danced away.
I opened up the DVD case when I got back inside, and on the INSIDE of the SHRINK WRAPPED DVD CASE, I kid you not there was a note that read
"No one will ever believe you. No one buys DVDs anymore."
I got noise complaints from other people in the apartment the next day. I told them I was sorry and wouldn't play my music so loud. Let's face it. No one would believe otherwise.Excellent DVD. High quality video and audio, and the extras are AWESOME.

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Prepare to spend some quality "slime-time" with Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters 2, together for the first time in this exclusive DVD gift set. These spooktacularly successful fillms captured the imagination of audiences around the world and redefined the action-comedy genre in the process. This gift set includes the two films, each with an assortment of otherworldly extras, and a deluxe Collector's Scrapbook, loaded with production notes, character sketches, insider info and more. Because when it comes to supernaturally classic comedy, Who you gonna call?

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Little Shop of Horrors (Snap Case) (1986) Review

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(More customer reviews)Recently checked this out over the weekend, prepared to merely re-watch an old favorite-but boy, is there a lot of cool "add ons" in this version made for DVD! First of all, the film comes letterboxed-only (some people like having the choice, but if you've seen this in a movie theater, you notice a LOT of stuff cut off at the edges by "blowing it up" to full screen), a walk through commentary by legendary puppeteer (voice of ms. piggy/grover) turned director-Frank Oz that lends a humourous and insightful (if sometimes technical)overview from the one guy most qualified to talk about its behind the scenes trials and tribualations. You'll be surprised at just how much work and planning really went into it. And, best of all-the legendary original ending! Yes, it's true, the off-broadway musical (and even the Corman B-movie original) had a VERY different ending. This is where Oz's comments come in particularly handy as first hand guide to the very tough decisions a filmaker has to make regarding his work if the people paying for it ultimately call the shots. So why is it not available? Well, turns out the lost ending footage is owned by producer David Geffen, who did not clear or approve its inclusion on the disc. Could be because presented with another choice, fans of this movie may agree with Oz (and screenwriter Howard Ashman, who died in 1991) on the original ending having a much greater impact. So if you can find this disc, by all means check it out!

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An alien plant which lives on blood changes the lives of the people at Mushnik's flower shop, in this musical remake of the 1960 horror classic.Genre: MusicalsRating: PG13Release Date: 7-SEP-2004Media Type: DVD

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Charlie's Angels (Special Edition) (2000) Review

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(More customer reviews)As much a tribute to pop culture as a big-screen version of the '70s
series, 'Charlie's Angels' has so much energy and tongue-in-cheek
charm that it DARES you NOT to root for its three young stars! And
while the film won't erase the images of Farrah Fawcett in a thin
tanktop on a very cold day, there is a wholesome sexiness and
accessiblity in Barrymore, Diaz, and Liu that none of the various
teamings of TV 'Angels' ever achieved!
The pre-title sequence is
outrageous, and fabulous! ...
Each Angel has a unique
backstory...Natalie (Diaz) is an ditzy, upbeat 'Soul Train'-dancing
wannabe who 'shakes her booty' at home in Spider-Man undies, looks for
'Mr. Right', and is a crack driver; Alex (Liu) is a 'leg waxer'/extra
on an action movie set, who is a lousy cook, sleeps with the film's
star (Matt LeBlanc, in a funny cameo), and is an expert in technology
and martial arts; Dylan (Barrymore) is an ex-high school 'bad
girl'/free spirit involved with a seedy, insecure hippie living in a
tugboat (humorously portrayed by Tom Green, Barrymore's real-life
boyfriend), is a master of disguise, and leads the trio.
As in the
TV series, the Angels work out of the Townsend Detective Agency (still
located in the famous colonial brick building), and communicate with
the never-seen Charlie (voiced, as always, by John Forsythe) via the
telephone. As the trio's liason, Bosley, Bill Murray is simply
perfect, hilarious in his patented 'smarmy but lovable' persona!

The plot revolves around the kidnapping of a Bill Gates-type
computer genius (Sam Rockwell, 'The Green Mile'), and a technology
that can pinpoint any person's location, anywhere in the world. The
prime suspects are competitor Roger Corwin (Tim Curry, in a
delightfully wicked turn!), and his hitman, portrayed with kinky
relish by Crispin Glover. Hired by Kelly Lynch (who has a ball in the
role of Rockwell's partner!), the Angels embark on a case with all the
twists, betrayals, action, humor, and mayhem that a fan could ask for!

Loud, good-natured, and pulsating with a soundtrack of '70s-'80s
Top Ten songs, the film combines 'Matrix'-style freeze-frames and
slow-motion FX with a ton of Pop Culture references and a
swashbuckling sense of derring-do! The film literally rocks, and never
lets up!
Is this 'Great Cinema'? Certainly not! But in its sheer
audacity, and sense of fun, no recent film can match it! And while the
original series teased with a visual sex appeal that was was largely
ignored in the storylines, the big-screen version has a 'if you got
it, flaunt it' attitude that is both refreshing and empowering! This
is a 'Girl Power' movie, in the BEST sense of the word!
I HIGHLY
recommend it!

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Adventure has never been more beautiful than Charlie's Angels! Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu star as the captivating crime-fighting trio who are masters of disguise, espionage and martial arts. When a devious mastermind embroils them in a plot to destroy individual privacy, the Angels are on the spot with their brains, brawn and high-tech toys. Aided by their loyal sidekick Bosley (Bill Murray), the girls are about to bring down the bad guys when a terrible secret is revealed that makes the Angels a target of assassination. Now, it's a matter of life or death as the stunningly smart detectives use their state-of-the-art skills to kick evil's butt in this sexy, high-octane comedy!

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Groundhog Day (Special Edition) (1993) Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm going to forego a review of the movie. Let others do that. Here's my input on the bonus stuff:
What's good:
"The weight of time" documentary - What makes this documentary somewhat unique, is that it allows the screenwriter some screen time to convey what his vision of the movie would have been. It's a gutsy move that Ramis allowed this on his film, since the original concept of Groundhog Day was far darker than the final product. It's an interesting watch, although it would have been nicer if Bill Murray made an appearance in the documentary.
Director's commentary: Ramis' approach is to tell small anecdotes about minor characters, how people were cast, how the scenes were filmed, etc. It's interesting and entertaining in its own right. He doesn't just drone on and on like many directors do. I think his acting and comedy background helps make him be more interesting, personable, and accessable for viewers to listen to.
What's lousy:
I'm probably alone on this, but the animated menus are annoying, silly, and slow. You have to wait for the animation to get going before you're allowed to make your choice. It'd be forgivable if there were any easter eggs hidden, but I know of none. So, it's just annoying.

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Do you ever have deja vu? Didn't you just ask me that? Bill Murray is at his wry, wisecracking bestin this riotous romantic comedy about a weatherman caught in a personal time warp on the worst day of his life. Teamed with a relentlessly cheerful producer (Andie MacDowell) and a smart-aleck cameraman (Chris Elliott), TV weatherman Phil Connors (Bill Murray) is sent to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania,to cover the annual Groundhog Day festivities. But on his way out of town, Phil is caught in a giant blizzard, which he failed to predict, and finds himself stuck in small-town hell. Just when thingscouldn't get worse, they get worse; Phil wakes the next morning to find it's Groundhog Day all overagain... and again... and again.

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Scrooged (1988) Review

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(More customer reviews)Bill Murray is the new Scrooge in the classic tale done yet again. I remember a reviewer giving it a low rating because he said it seemed as though Murray's character really didn't like people. Helllooo, isn't that what actors are supposed to do? This version of the old Chrsitmas tale is a good retelling of the story. Murray is mean to everyone including his only brother (played by his real younger brother). The 3 spirits that visit Frank Cross (Murray's role) are wacky to say the least. Carol Kane plays the ghost of Christmas present and is probably the funniest of the spirits. Murray has this act down pat. He's a big t.v. exec and fires Elliot Laudermilk (Bobcat Goldthwait) just for disagreeing with him. By the way, his fires Laudermilk on Christmas eve.
Alfre Woodard plays his longsuffering assistant and tries to be Cross' conscience since he doesn't have one of his own. In the visit to Christmas past we learn that television played the biggest role in raising him since his parents weren't the greatest in the world. Christmas doesn't mean much because his parents didn't put up Christmas lights, buy a tree or get him presents. His father does come home one night and drop a package of veal in front of him as a Christmas gift but the young Frank Cross tells his dad that he wanted a choo-choo train. His dad, a butcher, (played by Brain Doyle Murray, Bill Murray's real life brother) is totally unsympathetic and suggests that his son get a job even though he's only four.
There are lots of laughs here as the cast pokes fun at the t.v. industry from behind this comedy. The end of the film might be a little mushy bit it's fine here since Cross is so mean during the rest of the film. He even steals a cab from a little old lady carrying a load of packages. This movie would fit nicely in your holiday collection.
Parents Advisory: There is no nudity or sex. However, there is a small bit of foul language. It may frighten very young children. I suggest a viewing age of at least thirteen.

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High-spirited high jinks on Christmas Eve put Frank Cross (Bill Murray) in a ghostly time warp in this hilarious take-off of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol." Cross, who has made the meteoric rise from the depths of the mailroom to TV network president, is mean, nasty, uncaring, unforgiving and has a sadistic sense of humor - perfect qualities for a modern-day Scrooge. Before the night is over, he’ll be visited by a maniacal New York cab driver from the past, a present-day fairy who’s into pratfalls and, finally, a ghoulish, seven-foot headless messenger from the future.

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City of Ember (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)I was looking forward to this film after having seen the trailer, but it came and went quickly. While the story is a bit slight, and the last portion of the film plays out like an adventure game, I would recommend at least renting this one. I liked the fact that none of the kids were smart-alecky stereotypes and there was none of the usual pandering to popular culture that destroys so many other young adult films and renders them to the dustbin of history ten minutes after their release. Furthermore, it was refreshing to see a film that doesn't require main characters (especially children) to fight a war or kill something in order to succeed. Instead, the kids rely on their ingenuity to overcome obstacles. I don't necessarily assume "wholesome" means "worthwhile," but City of Ember retains a kind of innocence in its adventure while still remaining watchable and interesting.

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CITY OF EMBER - DVD Movie

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Kingpin (1996) Review

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(More customer reviews)And not for the squeamish.
I may have been the only one laughing out loud when I saw this in the theater. I remember at least two people walking out sometime during the show. No matter because for me, this ranks as one of the the most brilliant and unique comedies in a long, long time.
The Farelly Brothers, who would return to us in such top form with "There's Something About Mary" give us an insane twist on the comeback-kid story.
Woody Harrelson is Munson, a washed-up former bowling protege who finds a way out in Ishmael, a simple Amish farmer with exceptional skill on the bowling lane. Munson sees the kid as a tool for revenge, for money, for fame -- all the things that were denied him (largely by the hand of his ruthless rival, deliciously played by Bill Murray in one of his funniest supporting roles).
What follows is a practically non-stop series of gags, satire and slapstick that are brilliant in their timing and effect. The Farrelly Brothers give us no mercy as we follow Munson and Ishmael on their journey. But the jokes, many of which border on the surreal, never seem gratuitous. It's just the filmmakers having a total blast, and I for one appreciated it.

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The guys who brought you There's Something About Mary and Dumb and Dumber strike again with a gut-busting farce that's "just too funny" (Los Angeles Times)! Woody Harrelson, Randy Quaid and Vanessa Angel come up winners in this riotous, joke-a-second comedy with plenty of balls.Harrelson is Roy Munson, a pro bowler who seems destined for greatness, or as close to greatness as a bowler can get. But after a run-in with angry competitors, Roy finds himself sadder, wiser and minus his bowling hand! Years later, he meets the naive Ishmael (Quaid), an Amish bowling whiz. Together they set out for a million-dollar tournament in Reno, and along the way pick up Claudia (Angel), a sexy vixen with brains, attitude and really big...ideas. With her help, they make it to the tournament. But will Roy and Ishmael win the big match and score fame and fortune...or will all their hopes and dreams go barreling down the gutter?

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Ghostbusters Review

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(More customer reviews)And the answer is absolutely YES!
I won't get caught in the main synopsis of the movie, I'm guessing you know the story and the actors. If not you should be asking your self where have you been the last twenty years or so...now lets get into it!
Video Quality on this release is in full 1080p using the MPEG-4 codec on a BD-50 (50 gigabyte dual-layered Blu-ray Disc). This is a great catalog release. It is so refreshing to see a studio not attempt tweaking the original image with digital noise reduction and edge enhancement. This is a faithful to the source transfer. Clarity and resolution is where this transfer shines, all the little signs, switches, knobs and so forth are all clearly defined displaying an excellent depth of field. Colors are nicely saturated and accurate displaying good natural hues.
As for the Bonus Materials: these are presented in Standard Definition 480i and High Definition 1080i with Dolby Digital 2.0 sound.
*BD-Live - Keep in mind that BD-Live requires the user to be on a "Profile 2.0" capable Blu-ray Disc Player and connected to the Internet to access online content via the studio (in this case Sony). Once online you can access content such as downloadable trailers for other Sony Blu-ray Disc release upcoming and already available. Title specific content in this case is actually included. 2 different Ring tones are available which are just dialogue from the film. Standard rates apply to get these I'm sure, nothing is 100% free these days.
*"Cinechat" - This BD-live application allows viewers to chat with friends and family while watching the film. A easy to understand tutorial is included.
*"Slimer Mode" is a Blu-ray exclusive feature that is using Bonus View which requires the user to be on a "Profile 1.1" or higher capable Blu-ray Disc Player. If you are capable of it, this is worth the time to watch all the way through. A neat "Ghostbusters" border frames the film while it's playing; at the same time a Picture-In-Picture track plays interview clips featuring the cast and crew looking back at the production. It is complemented with additional still photographs and behind-the-scenes video. A pop-up trivia track is also inserted into the mix, showcasing interesting facts about the film and its shooting locations.
*"Blu-Wizard" - A BD-Java feature that will allow viewers to create their own play list of special features by selecting only those of interest. Once activated, a pop-up marker indicates when that particular feature is available to view. *Audio Commentary - Director Ivan Reitman is joined by co-writer/actor Harold Ramis and associate producer Joe Medjuck. It is unfortunate that they weren't able to update the commentary (originally recorded in 1999 for the DVD release) with thoughts from Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, or Sigourney Weaver. This is very informative track but unfortunately it comes across as dry. Opcional subtitles are included.

*"Scene Cemetery" (9 minutes - SD) - This is a collection of 10 deleted scenes that while fun to see in their own right aren't missed in the film.

*"1984 Featurette" (9:45 - SD) - This is a fun vintage featurette shot for the original 1984 release. Featuring behind-the-scenes footage and short interviews with cast and crew talking about the various aspects of making this beloved movie.
*"Cast and Crew Featurette" (10:53 - SD) -This is a short 11 minute featurette originally recorded for the 1999 DVD release.It is a collection of interviews with Ivan Reitman, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis talking about the film and its impact in general. *"SFX Team Featurette" (15:22 - SD) - This is a panel discussion with the original F/X team.They discuss their experience of working on the film.

*"Multi-Angle Featurettes" (SD) - This is broken into three sections: "Spook Central Exploding" (2:49), "She's A Dog" (2:00), and "Crossing the Streams" (1:23). Here you can watch the rough video and animation work in before-and-after stages from three particular scenes. *"Storyboard Comparisons" (SD) - Also broken into three sections: "Slimer" (2:13), "Dogs Drag Dana" (2:09), and "Atop Spook Central" (2:04). you can watch the hand-drawn storyboards and compare them to the film's finished cut.
*"Ecto-1: Resurrecting the Classic Car" (15:37 - HD) - Sony and the filmmakers had the hero car restored to its original glory for the promotion of "Ghostbusters: The Video Game". Interview clips include Dan Aykroyd and the talented crew of people who worked on the refurbishment of the 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Ambulance. The real treat is seeing the process of breaking down the car and building it back up to look better than it ever has. Once it is restored Dan Aykroyd was invited to see the Ecto-1 in all it's glory and it is a pleasure seeing the genuine joy he displays at being reunited with the old girl. *"Making of Ghostbusters: The Video Game" (11:18 - HD) - A promotional fluff piece for the video game has the cast and creators sharing their thoughts about the game and its storyline. Brief clips of the video game are interspersed throughout. The game looks like a fun trip down memory lane. The graphics look authentic to the "Ghostbusters" films.
*"Ghostbusters Garage: Ecto-1 Gallery" (HD) - This is a beautiful slide show highlighting the restoration process, whilst Elmer Bernstein's music plays in the background. *"Ghostbusters: The Video Game Preview" (1:43 - HD) - Simply this is the trailer for the now available video game.
*Theatrical Trailers (HD) - A collection of previews in HD `The Da Vinci Code: Extended Cut,' `Close Encounters of the Third Kind,' `Men in Black,' `Fired Up!,' `Paul Blart: Mall Cop,' `So I Married an Axe Murderer,' and `You Don't Mess With the Zohan'.
Hope this was useful.
At the end if you ask me this si a must have!

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GHOSTBUSTERS - Blu-Ray Movie

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Get Low (2010) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Aaron Schneider's "Get Low" is a slight, unpretentious film that would blow away in the wind if it weren't anchored by some truly wonderful performances. Based on a true story, "Get Low" is set during the Great Depression, in the Appalachian hills of Georgia. Felix Bush (Robert Duvall) an old hermit feared and despised by his neighbors, hires the local funeral director (Bill Murray) to organize a "funeral party" so he can hear what the locals have to say about him before he's actually dead. That climactic event proves the occasion for Felix to make a full confession to his neighbors about the horrific event, forty years before, that cost him his reputation and has haunted him ever since.
Frankly, not much happens in "Get Low" before that climax, but it's mostly a pleasure to watch, thanks to Schneider's deft, low-key direction and the extremely fine acting, especially by Duvall and Murray. Duvall has made a career specialty of backwoods eccentrics, and his Felix Bush is one of the more memorable of them. The pain in Duvall's eyes blasts away any suggestion of mawkish sentimentality that might be inherent in the film. Murray is equally fine as a man who has more than a little con man in him, but who also has seen enough sorrow in life to spark his essential decency. The earnest Duvall and the roguish Murray play beautifully off each other, as fellow travelers on the Train of Sadness.
Sissy Spacek, as an old flame of Felix's, doesn't have much to do, but it's nice to see her anyway. Bill Cobbs is tartly amusing an a preacher who knows Felix's secret, and Lucas Black is extremely likable as Murray's assistant. "Get Low" is a gentle, poignant film, memorable for the acting.

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