Two Lovers Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Leonard Kraditor (Joaquin Phoenix) struggles with depression after his fiance leaves him. The movie opens with Leonard attempting suicide. That night he meets Sandra (Vanessa Shaw)-a sweet, affable, loving girl. A short time later he runs into Michelle (Gwyneth Paltrow)-a drug addled, promiscuous, party girl who loves a married man. Sandra wants to take care of Leonard and Leonard wants to take care of Michelle.
In his relationship with Michelle, Leonard is the strong one, the good one. In his relationship with Sandra, he continues to be the weak man from his past-the guy that needs gentle understanding. It's no wonder he pines for Michelle even though she's going to lead him down the path of self destruction. But every lover wants the chase.
I loved this movie and am frankly surprised by the bad reviews. Two Lovers may be subtle and a bit slow for some, but I found it nuanced and charming. At times in my life I've been the sunny party girl in love with the wrong man, the depressed lover pining for a an ex, and the sweet affable girl who could utter such lines as "if you don't want me, it's ok. I mean a lot of guys don't want me." Everyone should find at least one character in this film they can relate to. Highly recommended.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Two Lovers

Set in the insular world of Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, TWO LOVERS is a classic romantic drama, with Joaquin Phoenix giving a raw and vulnerable performance as Leonard, a charismatic but troubled young man who moves back into his childhood home following a recent heartbreak. While recovering under the watchful eye of his parents (Isabella Rossellini and Moni Monoshov), Leonard meets two women in quick succession: Michelle (Gwyneth Paltrow), a mysterious and beautiful neighbor who is exotic and out-of-place in Leonard's staid world, and Sandra, the lovely and caring daughter of a businessman who is buying out his family's dry-cleaning business. Leonard becomes deeply infatuated by Michelle, who seems poised to fall for him, but is having a self-destructive affair with a married man. At the same time, mounting pressure from his family pushes him towards committing to Sandra. Leonard is forced to make an impossible decision between the impetuousness of desire and the comfort of love or risk falling back into the darkness that nearly killed him.

Click here for more information about Two Lovers

Brothers & Sisters: The Complete Fourth Season Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)"Brothers and Sisters" is a show created back in 2006 by Jon Robin Baitz (a writer who worked on "Alias" and "West Wing"). The series revolves around the Walker family, an upperclass family that owns a major company known as Ojai Foods.
But the family goes through major trials and tribulations in the first three seasons but with the fourth, the family faces a much greater challenge as a family member has cancer, the family business is quickly losing money and the Walker may never be the same after the season finale of season 4.
VIDEO:
"Brothers and Sisters - The Complete Fourth Season" is featured in Widescreen (1:78:1), enhanced for 16×9 televisions. There are a lot of outdoor and indoor shots and "Brothers and Sisters" does have quite a bit of grain but nothing too distracting. But for the most part, picture quality is satisfactory.
AUDIO:
"Brothers and Sisters - The Complete Fourth Season" is featured in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, the show is mostly dialogue-based but there are quite a bit of music featured in the episodes, but the audio is pretty much front and center channel driven and audio is clear. There are no really need for major sound effects for "Brothers and Sisters" but for the most part, dialogue and background music are heard quite clearly.
My receiver setup preference was set to "Stereo on all Channels" for a much more immersive soundtrack.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
"Brothers and Sisters - The Complete Fourth Season" comes with the following special features:
DISC 1:
* Deleted Scenes - A total of four deleted scenes: Ryan steps up, taking a second, kitty's caught in the middle, a meeting of mothers.
DISC 2:
* Deleted Scenes - A total of six deleted scenes: what to do, advice from Tommy, phone connections, happy birthday mr. governor, official entry and going for it.
DISC 3:
* Deleted Scenes - Featuring a total of three deleted scenes: Justin's promise, being there, make a deal
DISC 4:
* Deleted Scenes - Featuring two deleted scenes: lost keys, next republic senator
DISC 5:
* Deleted Scenes - A total of three deleted scenes: tell me what happened?, second thoughts and mug shots.
DISC 6:
* The Red Carpet - (08:11) Featuring the red carpet premiere of the first episode of season 4 at the "Brothers & Sisters" premiere party.
* Off the Clock - (11:09) Behind-the-Scenes of what happens "Off-the-Clock" of "Brothers and Sisters". Featuring the crew of "Brothers and Sisters" and fun things that the cast take part in.
* Bloopers - (2:14) Featuring outtakes from the fourth season of "Brothers and Sisters".
* Deleted Scenes - A total of four deleted scenes which include what's going on?, hell of a backhand, Ojai Foods and like old times.
EXTRAS:
"Brothers and Sisters - The Complete Fourth Season" comes with a slip over case.
JUDGMENT CALL:
Heartfelt, humorous, dramatic and enjoyable, this is probably my favorite season of the popular ABC drama series yet.
I have to admit that many of my favorite drama series on television have somehow gone astray with the writing this year. And without mentioning any series, I will say that the "thinking outside of the box" has literally brought many quite a few of these once wonderful drama series to unusual lows with unrealistic, make-believe and idiotic storylines.
Unfortunately, this is not the case with "Brothers and Sisters". For this fourth season, writers for this season went for accessible storylines that people can relate to.
With the Walker family, everything that had to do with the characters are stories that people can relate to. With Nora, we see a single mother trying to get on with her life and start dating again, also having to deal with a mother who is suffering from Alzheimer's Disease via Dementia. With Kitty, having to face the reality that she may not be there for her young child because she is suffering from Lymphoma and having to deal with stage 3 cancer. With Kevin and Scotty, two gay men who want to adopt and are having problems. With Sarah, also a single mother testing out the dating scene but also having to deal with a daughter. Tommy who has to deal with divorce and custody issues. And then we have Justin and Rebecca who are stressed out because of their wedding, having to think of parenthood and even for Justin trying to get into medical school and realizing that he may have a learning disability.
And of course, it doesn't stop there. You have Holly, having to deal with losing her money to a Ponzi scheme, the reality that all that she had worked for is now gone and now finding herself in the worst position in her life and facing a future of being broke, starting over and even more which I don't want to spoil anyone one who hasn't seen the episodes yet.
And this is what makes the fourth season of "Brothers and Sisters" so believable and we can laugh during the jokes but when can also shed a tear when things get tough. We can sympathize with the characters and that is one thing that really distinguishes "Brothers and Sisters" from many other drama series as many of them have become so unbelievable that these one popular shows have lost its sparkle. Fortunately, "Brothers and Sisters" fared well and not only did it get people tearing over Kitty's battle with cancer but with a finale so shocking, no one expected the writers to really end it in this fashion. Definitely one of the most impressive and tragic season finales that I have ever seen.
I admit that the writers really pulled things off for the fourth season but it's going to be quite interesting to see how they can improve on the fifth.
Another reason why I enjoyed this season so much is how much time was given to characters such as Holly Harper, Rebecca Harper, David Caplan and Scotty Wandell. It was good for the series to explore the relationships other than Kitty and Robert and give more screen time to these characters and see how the Walker's have affected their relationships with these people. Rebecca has grown to a character I enjoy watching and I also feel that the writers have treated Kevin and Scotty's relationship was tastefully done. And also to see Holly in a new light and to see how her relationship with Nora is evolving.
Also, the introduction to new characters was well-done. At first, I thought they would treat the character of Luc Laurent as more of just utilizing his looks and overplay it but he has become a pretty cool character for the season and it's always good see Sarah not so neurotic or angsty all the time. Luc seems to have brought some stability with that character and I like that. Also, for the younger viewers, to see Roxy Olin of MTV's "The City" reality TV show on "Brothers and Sisters" was a bit surreal but the fact that both of her parents are on the series didn't surprise me.
As for this DVD set, although there are not as many special features compared to last season's DVD boxset, nor are there any commentary tracks, you do get a lot deleted scenes but also "The Red Carpet" featurette and also quite a few featurettes via the "Off the Clock" and bloopers included in this fourth season set. So, if that was my only nitpick of this DVD set, it was the lack of audio commentary.
Overall, "Brothers and Sisters - The Complete Fourth Season" is definitely my favorite season of the drama series yet. Well-written, well-acted and from beginning to end of this fourth season, viewers will be crying, laughing and then shocked by the season finale. It's that good!
Definitely recommended!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Brothers & Sisters: The Complete Fourth Season

Welcome the Walkers back into your home with the emotional fourth season of the warm and witty drama that explores the triumphs and tragedies of the American family. Featuring one of the most celebrated casts on television, including SallyField, Calista Flockhart, Rob Lowe, and Patricia Wettig, ABC’s Brothers And Sisters is “instantaneously seductive," raves the Wall Street Journal. No matter how much life changes, family stays the same. As new challenges arise for the Walkers, they learn to rely on one another more than ever before. Kitty’s personal revelation devastates the entire family, Nora begins a relationship with a younger man and Justin and Rebecca’s Malibu wedding doesn’t quite go as planned. Relive all the drama and every touching moment of Season Four, complete with never-before-seen bonus features available only on DVD!

Get 20% OFF

Click here for more information about Brothers & Sisters: The Complete Fourth Season

Santa Baby Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I wasn't expecting much when this movie came up on one of my cable channels recently. I was flipping by it and got caught up in a moment and found myself watching it to the end. Santa has a daughter, a work-a-holic business woman who left "Polaris" and her family's lifestyle behind. When her father falls ill, it's up to her to step in and take over the Christmas demands. Her way of doing business is very different from her fathers. Lots of fun and all the classic "feel good" scenarios to be found. Definitely worth adding to the holiday viewing line-up!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Santa Baby

Jenny McCarthy and George Wendt star in this heartwarming comedy about Santa Claus' daughter. When Santa Claus (George Wendt) gets too sick to run the toy shop, his workaholic daughter Mary (Jenny McCarthy) leaves behind her high-powered job in the city and heads north. Will Mary's new ideas and her relentless drive for efficiency save Christmas, or will Christmas need to save her first?

Get 20% OFF

Click here for more information about Santa Baby

The House Without a Christmas Tree (1972) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Hi, I am Addie Mills (Lisa Lucas)and I just wanted to thank all of you who wrote such warm and complimentary reviews about "The House Without a Christmas Tree". What touched me most is the lasting impression the show made on so many and I feel very privileged to hold a place in their memory and their holiday tradition. It was a wonderful experience working on such a meaningful project and with such talented people. Actually, we did four specials all together. One for Thanksgiving called "The Holiday Treasure", for Easter called "The Easter Promise" and Valentines day (believe it or not) called "Addie and the King of Hearts." All but the Valentines Day show are available on video and I believe all four books are still out there. It's nice to see that good quality and heartwarming emotional drama can still be appreciated. Thanks again. (No, I'm not acting anymore but I did go onto roles in "An Unmarried Woman" with Jill Clayburgh, "Turning Point" with Shirley Maclaine and some wonderful television films like "The Adams Chronicles","A Perfect Match" and "The Migrants" Special hi to Traci in Canada. Yes,I remember spending many a cold day in your school during filming!

Click Here to see more reviews about: The House Without a Christmas Tree (1972)

After a mother dies, her family appears destined to spend the rest of its days picking up the pieces.In 1940's Nebraska, a sweet and intelligent 10-year-old girl raises the ire of her bitter widower father, who has never forgotten that his wife died while giving birth to their daughter.To illustrate for the girl that life does not come easy, the father bars the family, which also includes his mother, from having a traditional Christmas tree.This yuletide, though, has a happy surprise for this home so desperately in need of holiday cheer.

Get 8% OFF

Click here for more information about The House Without a Christmas Tree (1972)

Dan in Real Life (2007) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)A tired formula gets a shot in the arm by affecting performances in this quaint little film that will touch you.I have grown to really appreciate the acting talent of Steve Carell who really can carry a film. Carell darn near stole the show in Bruce Almighty to the point where the funniest segments were cut from the theatrical release because he upstaged Carrey so much, but those scenes where fortunately made available on the DVD release. Carell was again the saving grace of Evan Almighty and The 40-Year-Old Virgin in which both most likely would have died unnoticed had it not been for his sincere performances. This comedian definitely knows how to act. Carell reminds me of the legendary Dick Van Dyke when he had serious roles or moments and Bob Newhart's dry comedic delivery. It all just seems so effortless on Carell's part.
In another affecting performance we have Carell as a widower raising three daughters alone and giving his tidbits of wisdom on doing so in a local column titled "Dan in Real Life." Even though his wife has died four years ago, he has yet to really move beyond that in the way of a relationship. He has focused all his attention of his children and while that is admirable, a parent is still allowed to look out for himself too. He has not and the annual fall trip to his parents' cabin plays out all too realistically with everyone pushing him to find someone and he does.
He bumps into a lovely woman in town that he's immediately drawn to. She is played by the ever radiant Oscar winning actress Juliette Binoche, the only reason to see The English Patient and one who makes turning 43 seem really cool and desirable. In the hands of any other actress this role would have been blown out of portion, but in the subtle hands of Binoche, it is a delicate and balanced performance. Unfortunately, this terrific woman who seems perfect for him is, in reality, his brother's latest flame that he's brought down to the family cabin to meet everyone for the first time because "this one is different."
Sadly, the effects of this are handled much like a TV-movie or a good episode of that old series "Love Boat", or any other sitcom for that matter. What makes this film ultimately rise above that is admirable work done by the leads. These are seriously understated performances that are quite touching, believable and memorable in spite of a seriously flawed script at times.
Some of the humor in this film is both lame and predictable, but the execution is always dead on. Again, the performances are the key to this tired formula of the awkward romance. I guess this film is a good example of style over substance. Will this save this movie for everyone, no, but I think most might like this film. I doubt many will love it or even remember it much after seeing it, but it's a nice experience in spite of it's obvious weaknesses.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Dan in Real Life (2007)

n/a

Click here for more information about Dan in Real Life (2007)

The Man in the Moon (1991) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Okay, I'm going to say this straight out. This is a family film (although it is rated PG-13). And yes, it will bring tears to your eyes. For those who are already heading for the hills, you'll be making a huge mistake. After all, it's directed by the same man (Robert Mulligan) who gave us "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "The Summer of 42".
"The Man in the Moon" is a small film that came out in 1991 and I, among millions of others, missed its theatrical release. Heck, most missed its video release. This is really a shame because these movie treasures come far too infrequently. They get pigeon-holed and lumped together with all the other Hollywood-style attempts to depict family drama (which runs from the banal to okay, and even to pretty good). So I'm here to "unlump" it.
This marvelous story centers around two teenage sisters, Dani and Maureen (age 14 and 17 respectively) and their attraction and love for the same boy (Court Foster, played nicely by Jason London). Set in the 1950s on a rural Louisiana farm, this film richly depicts the setting and ambience of this era. Much like "Stand by Me", it shows us the unfettered freedom that children had in a small, rural community in those days...a freedom sadly lacking today.
Wonderfully acted throughout, special attention should go to Sam Waterston (the father), Tess Harper (the mother), and Reese Witherspoon (Dani). This is not, let me repeat, not an overblown melodrama. This movie knows exactly where it is going and it pin-points the target at every turn. Today, where "coming of age" films mean boy gets girl, this film takes a fresh and absolutely honest approach, catapulting it far above the others of this genre. Between 1 and 10, "The Man in the Moon" gets the highest mark, a 10. When one looks at the jacket, you'll see over-used words such as "poignant" and "bittersweet". All I can say is, believe it, for it is true. This one is a classic in the truest sense of the word.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Man in the Moon (1991)

Oscar(r) nominees* Sam Waterston and Tess Harper and veteran actress Gail Strickland (Norma Rae) join three talented newcomers in thisdeeply moving film(Los Angeles Times) about coming of age and sexual discovery in rural, 1950s Louisiana. Brilliantly directed by Robert Mulligan (To Kill a Mockingbird, The Summer of42), The Man in the Moon is a poignant and bittersweet tale Roger Ebert callsa wonderful movie...a victory...a meticulously prepared masterpiece.Fourteen-year-old Dani (Reese Witherspoon) and her older sister Maureen (Emily Warfield) have always shared everything. But when Court Foster (Jason London) moves in next door, the sisters become rivals as Dani experiences her first feelings of affection and Maureen finds the true love she's longed for. But with love comes heartache, and the sisters soon learn a tough life lesson when tragedy strikes and the strength of their bond is the only thing that will keep theirhearts from breaking.*1984: Actor, The Killing Fields; 1986: Supporting Actress, Crimes of the Heart

Get 17% OFF

Click here for more information about The Man in the Moon (1991)

The Blue Lagoon (Special Edition) (1980) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)In 1980, when this film was released, there was quite a bit of controversy, most of it ill-founded. There were complaints about incest, but the two children are not brother and sister: Emmeline clearly addresses Arthur Lestrange as Uncle, while Richard calls him Father, so the closest they could be is cousins, and the use of Uncle may have been conventional (indicating guardianship) rather than literal. There were complaints about showing a 14-year-old actress nude, but they used body doubles for all of the nude scenes (Brooke Shields spends some of the commentary pointing which body double was used for which scene).
I'd guess that opinion about this film polarises into about three camps. There are those who are shocked / scandalised (let's hope they don't buy the DVD and be shocked and scandalised all over again). There are those who are titillated by the nudity (such a shock for them to learn that they are looking at a 30-year-old woman, rather than a 14-year-old!). And then there are those who can see past all that to the sweet, innocent love story that the film is really all about.
The plot is fairly straightforward. A man, Arthur Lestrange (William Daniels), is taking two children, Emmeline (Elva Josephson) and Richard (Glenn Kohan), from Boston to San Francisco by sailing ship around the turn of the century (the date is not specified). Because the Panama Canal doesn't exist yet, they must travel right down to the bottom of South America to get around. After rounding the bottom, there's a fire aboard - something that is a serious concern, but in this case it is worse, because it is in a hold containing blasting powder, so the passengers are rowed away from the ship. In the confusion, the children are separated from Arthur Lestrange; they end up in a boat with Paddy, the ship's cook (Leo McKern). To make things worse, a heavy fog rolls in, the ship blows up, and they are adrift by themselves.
Luck (and the scriptwriter) is with them, and they awaken within sight of an island. They are very fortunate to discover that this island has fresh water, ample fruit (bananas, papayas, and coconuts, amongst others), and is generally a tropical paradise. Paddy shows them various useful skills, including the construction of a hut, and collection of food, before dying. Now two fairly young children (I'm guessing they are under ten years) are alone. Years pass, and Richard (now Christopher Atkins) and Emmeline (now Brooke Shields) are coping fairly well with the basics of feeding themselves, but they are going through a variety of traumas as their bodies change. Matters like Emmeline's first period are not glossed over - it's easy to see how terrifying that could be for a young girl with no idea of what is happening to her. Emotionally, the pair are still children, and they squabble and tease one another just as children do. There are a series of events (nope, I'm not saying what) that split them apart, then bring them back together. Yes, they do learn about sex, and that is also handled sensitively - it could have come across as pornographic, but it doesn't, it comes across as tender and caring. The consequences are handled well, too. Bear in mind that these children, back on the ship, were still at the "cabbage patch" stage of sex education...
Providing you have a broad enough mind not to be scandalised by the nudity (which is utterly appropriate to the setting), this is a sweet love story set in a tropical paradise, a study of innocence, with enough drama to add seasoning. Recommended.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Blue Lagoon (Special Edition) (1980)

BLUE LAGOON - DVD Movie

Get 20% OFF

Click here for more information about The Blue Lagoon (Special Edition) (1980)

Three Coins In the Fountain (1954) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I must be honest--I bought "Three Coins in the Fountain" because I thought my wife would enjoy it. How right I was ! At the risk of sounding sexist, this 1954 production is definitely a movie aimed at women--and men wanting to impress women--it was probably a great "date flick" !
The plot is quite conventional, standard soap opera fare. Three young and single American women are employed as secretaries in Rome. They are played by Dorothy McGuire, Jean Peters, and--as "the new kid on the block"--Maggie McNamara. Of course, all three find romance, not to mention ever-changing wardrobes and lavish living accommodations. In 1954, secretaries must have made a bundle in Italy ! For gorgeous and seductive Ms. Peters, romance comes in the form of a ruggedly handsome Italian law student, Rossano Brazzi ( later to have Mitzi Gaynor swooning in "South Pacific" ). Young, naive Ms. McNamara attracts the attention of an Italian prince with a womanizing reputation
( Louis Jourdan, a poster boy for charm and sophistication ). She has to wait for much of the film, but Ms. McGuire is finally "noticed" by her stuffy, self-absorbed boss and best-selling author ( Clifton Webb, very badly cast as a romantic lead ). These relationships go through various predictable complications, with the steamy Peters/Brazzi pairing as the most realistic.
However, at this point, we should mention the real star of this film--Italy. Has that country ever been photographed more beautifully than in "Three Coins" ? This is one of the earliest Cinemascope productions, shot on location in colour--the views of Rome, the Italian countryside, and spectacular Venice are breath-taking. I agree with other positive technical reviews of this DVD--the film has been restored to its original glory, and this is a beautiful disc to own.
Of course, the film is still fifty years old, and dated in a number of ways. I still got caught up in it though because of the fabulous scenery and the three leading ladies are certainly attractive--I'm also sure that female viewers won't mind watching those two continental "hunks", Louis Jourdan and Rossano Brazzi !
The title song won an Oscar, and was a big hit for both Frank Sinatra--his version opens the film--and the Four Aces.
So--bottom line--a light, frothy confection from the fifties in a most beautiful package. There is one serious drawback--for us guys, this disc could become very expensive--my wife wants to spend our next holiday in Italy !

Click Here to see more reviews about: Three Coins In the Fountain (1954)

A charming romantic comedy about three American roommates working in Italy who wish for the men of their dreams after throwing coins into Rome's magnificent Trevi Fountain.

Get 17% OFF

Click here for more information about Three Coins In the Fountain (1954)

Made of Honor (2008) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)And a rainy day. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the film.
Tom (Dempsey) and Hannah (Monaghan) met at a Cornell costume bash 10 years before when a drunken Tom, dressed as President Clinton, stumbled into a dorm room and a girl's bed thinking he'd found "Monica". Turned out he'd gotten the wrong girl. "Monica" was Hannah's inebriated roomie.
They were friends from that moment, sharing Sundays, confidences, and desserts. Tom didn't know how much they shared til Hannah headed for Scotland and stayed gone six weeks. He was ready to propose when she came back, but she returned with a man, Colin (McKidd).
Hannah and Colin were going to be wed in Scotland in two weeks and Hannah couldn't think of anyone she wanted to be her Made of Honor more than her longtime best friend. Tom reluctantly accepted, secretly agreeing to become the best maid of honor and wreck the wedding.
What happens had me laughing until tears streamed down my face. I needed the break and "Made" defintely offered it. Tom hosting the wedding shower was a screamer--particularly when the jealous female friend who wanted to be the "MOH" set him up with a sex toy salesperson and Hannah's sweet Grandma ended up with a necklace of 'thunderbeads.' Then, of course, there was the Highland Games with Tom and Colin tacitly competing for Hannah's hand, Tom dressed in a mini kilt. (Nope, he wasn't dressed regimental--darn!)
Director Sydney Pollack showed up in a rare movie role as Tom's oft-wed Dad. The prenup agreement with Wife 5 (or was it 6, Dad can't remember) had me roaring. The car with the intended bride had to literally go around the block at the church to iron out last-minute details.
Plus, the scenery from Scotland was amazing. I recognized some places I'd been a few years before--and definitely remembered the flock of Hieland Coos stopping traffic on mainstreet.
The music was good, a mix of contemporary plus some old Scottish tunes. I notice there's no soundtrack available. I hope there will be one. It was a pretty decent collection.
The film's what you'd expect and yet, it's still entertaining. And, sometimes you just need something that's a gimme when it's a rainy day and a cheap laugh will lift a few clouds.
Rebecca Kyle, May 2008

Click Here to see more reviews about: Made of Honor (2008)

MADE OF HONOR - DVD Movie

Get 43% OFF

Click here for more information about Made of Honor (2008)

Casablanca (Snap Case) (1943) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It's hard to believe that when Casablanca was filmed at Warner Bros. Studios in 1942 it was "just another" of the 50 or so films that the studio was producing every year, as Lauren Bacall points out in the documentary about the film included in the special features. The movie was an instant success with audiences everywhere, and won three Academy Awards including Best Picture. Called "America's most popular and beloved movie- and rightly so" by The Motion Picture Guide, and "The best Hollywood movie of all time" by Leonard Maltin, Casablanca was voted the #2 film in a list of the top 100 films of this century by the American Film Institute.
Set in refugee strewn French North Africa in 1942, Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), a night club owner, and his friend Captain Louis Renault (Claude Rains), Prefect of Police, enter into a wager as to whether or not Resistance Leader Victor Laslo (Paul Henreid) will be able to escape Casablanca and reach the Free World. When Laslo arrives in Casablanca, Rick is stunned to find him accompanied by his ex-lover, Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman). Filled with mystery, suspense, intrigue and romance, Casablanca will remain a favorite of classic movie lovers for years to come.
The supporting cast include Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Dooley Wilson as Rick's piano playing confidant, Sam. The entire cast are superb, the settings are excellent, and the cinematogrophy is wonderful.
The song "As Time Goes By" was made famous by Casablanca, as it's melody is entwined throughout the film, and it too is now a classic, filled with romance and nostalgia.
This is one film that absolutely MUST be in your DVD library!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Casablanca (Snap Case) (1943)

The story of a struggle among individuals who have sought refuge in Casablanca after fleeing Nazi occupied Europe.Genre: Feature Film-DramaRating: PGRelease Date: 7-JUN-2005Media Type: DVD

Click here for more information about Casablanca (Snap Case) (1943)

Far and Away (1992) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)When I first viewed this film when I was 10 years old on May 23, 1992, when fell in love with it from the very start. It was so rare a feeling at that age to actually feel good in a very human way, not just as a spectator. The movie's theme seems to be a very trite one: Always follow your dreams. Many films have tried to exercise this theme and failed miserably. They will pump a lot of cheesy moments into one finale, without any kind of supporting events to show that it is an earned pay off. FAR AND AWAY succeeds where these other films fail. The journey starts at point A and goes straight to point B without any pishposh in between. You are with Joseph and Shannon through their fortunes and misfortunes and see almost every step they take from getting to rural Ireland to Boston and finally to Oklahoma. What also makes it work is the onscreen chemistry between Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. The two had only done one movie together (DAYS OF THUNDER) before teaming up for this one. At the time, they had only been married for a year, so their new found love for each other was fresh in their minds and ready to be shared. The advantage Cruise has for playing a scrappy Irish boxer is his star status and the amount of time he spends with a personal trainer. His bulging muscles in the boxing scenes show that he's no longer the little bugger in RISKY BUSINESS. It also doesn't hurt that the film is beautifully shot, taking adavantage of the rich Irish coast and the vast farmland of Oklahoma. This beautifully illustrates the long journey of the films location and plot. How exceedingly different the images feel and how far must one travel to get to each!Perhaps another reason this film is so special to me is the complete and utter romantic feel it has. The beautiful scenery, the love between the two lead characters and actors, and the gorgeous music. The score is one of John Williams' best setting all the right moods in all the right places. He starts with traditional Irish folk sounds and moves into Coplandesque America. Watching this film, my heart always goes a flutter, thinking about how I want to achieve my dreams and ambitions. One of my dreams is true love. The way Joseph and Shannon find love is striving for their dream, not knowing it was there all along. I am madly in love with a girl right now. In my fantasies, I always picture myself as Joseph and her as Shannon, kissing on an open wheatfield, our land. Whenever I hear Enya's book of days played at the ending credits, I almost weep with joy thinking about holding her and sharing my love with her. Watching FAR AND AWAY is the closest I get to fulfilling my dreams at this point. Leonard Maltin complains of no story. If there was no story, there'd be no kind of journey and I would be completly detatched. I give FAR AND AWAY 5 stars because it has stirred almost every emotion in me for over 8 years. A movie like this deserves no less.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Far and Away (1992)

A stubborn Irish farmer and a fiesty landowner's daughter emigrate to America in 1892 to make a new life for themselves. Includes notes, bios, highlights, and trailer.

Get 34% OFF

Click here for more information about Far and Away (1992)

Eagle vs. Shark (2007) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Lilly (Loren Horsley) works in a fast food restaurant and garners the respect of no one. But she takes it on the chin and remains curiously sweet. She's got a crush on Jarrod, a narcissist geek with a horrible mullet played by Jemaine Clement of Flight of the Conchords fame. Jarrod and Lilly hook up at a party one night. (Do you want to have sex? OK.) Jarrod has a mission-to crush a samoan lad who tortured him in school. He returns home to fight his nemesis. I won't give it away, but the ending to this movie had me laughing hysterically. This is a completely original script absent banal comedy and full of emotional depth. You won't see films like this coming out of Hollywood these days. Thank you Taika and the NZ Film Commission.
Many people have compared Eagle to Napoleon Dynamite, but I find the comparison lacking. Yes, Lily and Jarrod are geeks, but the similarities with Napoleon end there. This isn't a geek revenge movie though the plot may seem like that on the face of it. The movie is titled Eagle vs. Shark but it could be titled man vs. woman. Neither Lily or Jarrod run to each other as solace from the outside world. Lily has a warm home life with her brother and Jarrod is pretty solidly convinced of his stature and his ability with women until the end of the movie. It's interesting to see how Lily turns Jarod around. This film is about the balance of power between Lily and Jarod, not geeks vs the world.
There are a lot of good minor characters in this film including Jarrod's sister and her husband and Lily's brother. Jarrod's daughter is played brilliantly by an eccentric little girl whose name I can't find on the DVD. She's cute to watch. I liked Lorena's performance. She brings strength to her role as Lily but doesn't come off aggressive. It must have been a difficult role to play right.
Good extras on the film including some nice deleted scenes. The commentary with Taika was a little off putting. He seems a bit over it. His girlfriend, Lorena Horsely who plays Lily calls from NZ and they talk a bit about the film, but neither one of them seem very into it. It seems like the commentary was added a long long time after the film was made and maybe thrown in because of the success of Conchords. The most interesting commentary comes from the guy that plays Jarrod's brother in law. Taika says things like "that scene comes from the Sundance film workshop" but doesn't explain what that is or why he was there. Flight of the Conchords fans don't buy Eagle to hear any interviews or commentary with Jemaine. He is curiously absent from all the extras here as he was with Conchords. Jemaine seems more over it all these days than anyone. I doubt HBO will get a season 3 out of him unless they throw him mad mad money.
There are a lot of great views of NZ in this film. Loved the camera shot on the playground with Lily running in the mouse wheel with the bay out the back. Gorgeous. Good music from the Phoenix Foundation Horsepower, Pegasus that works well with the film. The soundtrack wasn't chosen for marketing purposes, it actually works with what's going on in the film.
When I see a good film like this, completed for under a million dollars, you wonder what is going on in Hollywood these days that more films like this aren't made. Hollywood is good at throwing money into a lot of dumb scripts with hot actors, but it takes someone like Taika to come along and demonstrate how a good movie is really about a good script, not special effects and pretty people.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Eagle vs. Shark (2007)

Miramax Films presents the wickedly offbeat love story, Eagle vs Shark, a funny, fractured romance between two total misfits woven into an all-consuming quest for revenge and shot through with the strange, sweet hilarity of the human condition. When Lily (Horsley), a lonely, oddball fast-food waitress and hopeless romantic, and Jarrod (Clement), another lonely oddball and video game clerk who has spent the last decade plotting revenge against a bully from high school, connect at a dress as your favorite animal party, it s a match seemingly made in outcast Heaven. But when Lily decides to risk everything for love, her hopes are nearly dashed as, after a brief fling, Jarrod dumps her because he s too busy training for his all-important payback mission. But neither of them can anticipate the grit the steadfastly optimistic Lily will show in her heartbreak. As Jarrod's day of reckoning arrives and everything hits the fan, Jarrod and Lily will find something that goes beyond romantic fantasies and revenge faith in who they are.

Get 73% OFF

Click here for more information about Eagle vs. Shark (2007)

Always (1989) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Richard Dreyfuss is a pilot, and kind of a wild card when it comes to his fire fighter flying. This concerns the people around him, girlfriend Holly Hunter and best friend John Goodman, but Dreyfuss shruggs it off because this is what he does. Finally Hunter convinces him he should take a job in Flat Rock, Colorado training pilots to do what he does. Unfortunately he never makes it to Flat Rock, at least not in the flesh. Not trying to give too much away, Dreyfuss comes back as a sort of guardian angel, forced to deal with two things: his love for Hunter and his duty to a young pilot she falls for.
Always is a well made picture. From Spielberg we expect nothing less, though I think his name hinders this film**. The cinematography and the score are excellent as in all his films, as are the action sequences involving the planes. However, the acting is the strongest part of this film. This is the kind of role Dreyfuss shines in. His fusion of wit and sincere emotion is wonderfull and he delivers some difficult monologues which would seem trite is lesser hands. Holly Hunter and John Goodman are excellent as the people dealing with his loss. Also Audrey Hepburn makes her final screen appearance in two scenes as an angel (how fitting).
**I have this theory about Always. It was almost universally panned by critics, but I think the criticism is directed more at Spielberg than at the film. Certainly Spielberg has made better pictures, and perhaps this film was made on a grander scale than it needed to be, but I think if any other director had done this film it would not have received so much scrutiny. But, I also believe in the hands of a lesser director this movie would not be as good. Always combines action, humor, genuine sorrow, and happiness , and it combines them well, which is no small achievement. Spielberg made a good film, let it go.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Always (1989)

ALWAYS - DVD Movie

Get 20% OFF

Click here for more information about Always (1989)

I Am Love (2010) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you were somewhat skeptical of former Gucci fashion designer turned filmmaker Tom Ford's lush stylisations and emotional resonances in A Single Man, then you'll hardly be convinced by the latest film from Luca Guadagnino, an Italian film director who has worked previously on promotional advertisements for Fendi. In contrast to the stark minimalism of slow-cinema that is currently fashionable in art house cinema, the extraordinarily beautiful I Am Love, as the titles suggests, simply wallows in an excess of sensory and emotional states.
There's little about the subject that seems attractive, dealing as it does with the lives of an important rich aristocratic Recchi family from Milan, the film dwelling initially on the opulence of their lives, the exquisite furnishings of their family mansion, the elegance of their expensive clothing and the sumptuous extravagance of the haut-cuisine food they as they celebrate the birthday of the family patriarch, Edoardo. At the dinner-party however, the grandfather hands over the running of the successful international family business to his son Tancredi (Pippo Delbono) and his grandson Edoardo Jr. (Flavio Parenti), and although this rankles somewhat, there is clearly a family unity that holds them together and is wary of admitting outsiders.
Cracks are beginning to show however and it's not just in the realities of the family business trying to keeping up-to-date with the workings of the modern business world, but it's shown also in a number of remarkably subtle ways, all of them stemming from the opening dinner-party. Edo has been unaccountably beaten in a prestigious boating race by Antonio, the talented chef who has prepared the evening's meal, and there is a hesitancy about accepting his new girlfriend into the family; the daughter Elizabetta (Alba Rohrwacher) has broken tradition in the present she gives to her grandfather, suggesting that she is going to go her own direction in her studies and in her love life, going moreover against an alliance that she would be good for the family; but the biggest change that is to have profound consequences for the Recchi family occurs with their mother Emma (Tilda Swinton).
The suggestions made, there is however nothing subtle about how director goes about recounting the fall of the Recchi household, the subsequent delirious and tragic events depicted with all the emotional heft and complex layering of Italian grand opera (the florid minimalism of a John Adams score however giving it a much more modern flavour), with cinematic resonances that point to the Italian masters of Visconti and Antonioni. Guadagnino however has a few tricks and innovations of his own, finding a manner to cinematically depict intense sensory impressions and experiences that is unfashionably and almost embarrassingly uninhibited. I Am Love is an extraordinary film, an extraordinarily beautiful one, and one moreover that succeeds utterly in its creation of an interior emotional world as much as the external material world that it depicts. It's the clash between these two worlds then that is to prove the fatal to the Recchi family, and the viewer has no option but to be similarly swept along.

Click Here to see more reviews about: I Am Love (2010)

I AM LOVE tells the story of the wealthy Recchi family, whose lives are undergoing sweeping changes. Eduardo Sr., the family patriarch, has decided to name a successor to the reins of his massive industrial company, and in so doing, surprises everyone by splitting power between his son Tancredi and grandson Edo. However, Edo dreams of opening a restaurant with his friend Antonio, a talented chef. At the heart of Tancredi's family is his wife, Emma (Tilda Swinton), a Russian immigrant who has adopted the culture of Milan. An adoring and attentive mother, Emma's existence is shocked to the core when she falls deeply in love with Antonio and pursues a passionate love affair that will change his family forever.

Get 56% OFF

Click here for more information about I Am Love (2010)

Imitation of Life (1959) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Although little known today, in her own era author Fannie Hurst was among America's most famous authors, a writer who frequently challenged the status quo in both her life and her literature. Among her most popular works was the novel IMITATION OF LIFE, which first came to the screen starring Claudette Colbert and Louise Beavers in 1934. Today both the novel and film would be considered somewhat racist--but at the time both were considered social shockers, dealing frankly with single mothers, rebellious daughters, and racial issues in a way that few novels and fewer still films of the era dared.
The first film version was as faithful to the novel as it dared be, telling the story of two single mothers--one black, one white--who join forces and hit the big time when the white woman successfully markets the black woman's pancake recipe. But the 1959 film version substituted pancake make-up for pancake batter: the white woman is an actress, and with her black friend behind her she climbs the ladder to Broadway stardom. Director Douglas Sirk was reknowned for his ability with this sort of material, and although he did better films IMITATION OF LIFE is perhaps his most obvious stylistic statement: gallons of gloss, more soap suds than a sink full of dishes, and enough vulgar melodrama to fuel a thousand 1950s schoolgirl dreams.
This time around our stars are Lana Turner and Juanita Moore, supported by Sandra Dee and Susan Kohner as the respective and rebellious daughters who make their mothers lives a living hell, with Lana's daughter Sandra falling in love with her mother's beau and Juanita's daughter Susan determined to defeat the racist society in which she lives by passing for white. All four actresses give it everything they've got, which means they all emote to the nth degree as they suffer through every emotional upheaval the screenwriters can devise.
Turner and Dee are essentially Turner and Dee. The real surprises here are Moore and Kohner. Saddled with a story that still keeps the black woman in the kitchen while the white woman plays, Moore nonetheless gives an outstanding and ultimately heartbreaking performance, and Kohner matches her every bit of the way as the wayward daughter who makes one bad choice after another in her refusal to knuckle under to a repressive society. It is a tremendous pity that neither actress went on to equally high-profile roles and films, but the times were against them--as the very nature of the film's story should make abundantly clear.
The original novel and film were actually advanced for their time, but by the time this version hit the screen the "white lady upstairs and the black lady downstairs" was hardly a rung up the ladder. Even in 1959 many denounced the film as perpetuating racial stereotypes and class-thinking, and by today's standards it is alternately distasteful and absurd. But oddly enough, that fact doesn't undercut the incredible watchablity of the film. We may sneer at some of the values it presents, but it holds our attention all the way, and you'll need at least three hankies for the film's conclusion. If you are torn between purchasing the DVD or a VHS version, you should know that there is actually little difference between the two. The film has not been restored for DVD, and the lack of restoration is quite noticeable; moreover, the only bonus material on the DVD is the theatrical trailer. You might prefer to go with a low cost VHS until a really good DVD is released.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Imitation of Life (1959)

IMITATION OF LIFE - DVD Movie

Get 17% OFF

Click here for more information about Imitation of Life (1959)

Jason's Lyric (1994) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As I watched the DVD, I did seeking for an answer to something that this movie had stirred in me. To my amazement it surfaced in me that this movie centered around pure, innocent, mind probing, and heart phased LOVE. In other words, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. Yet even though it appread in an ordinary way it was demonstrated in an extraordinary style. Jason, having to face the lost of his father by his own hands, had to come to terms with the fact that he killed his father but not for evil but to protect his mother. In all respect, JASON wanted to be the GOOD SON. Not hurting but helping. As a result, he had to choose between the woman he loved and the brother he wanted to protect. This woman, whom he had only known for a very short time but yet they had shared something so intimate and so soul connecting, that he found himself locked in something so deep that he could not give up; even at the cost of his brother. Even after all of the disappointments, he still came to the conclusion that this woman was the key for him. She was not perfect but she held his attention, which later led to her holding his heart. Even in the intimate scenes, I did not get offended but yet, I saw a man, who needed to know he was approved being certified in the arms a woman. He needed to know that even though he had committed a bad act (killing his father), that he was still a good person. This woman helped him to embrace that and strengthen him to a level where he could move foward and reach for GOD'S BEST. I titled my review HONEYCOMB because as bitter as the events in Jason's life was God sent him a sweet taste of victory (Lyric).
ShShalom

Click Here to see more reviews about: Jason's Lyric (1994)

From one of the producers of New Jack City comes a "sizzling hot" (Glamour Magazine) Romeo and Juliet drama that blends an explosive soundtrack with an all-star cast, including Allen Payne (The Walking Dead), Jada Pinkett (The Nutty Professor), Bokeem Woodbine (The Rock), Forest Whitaker (The Crying Game) and Naughty By Nature's Anthony "Treach" Criss (Who's The Man?). Jason and Joshua are two brothers left fatherless by a family fight that spun out of control. Trying to make good and get off the slick ghetto streets of Houston, Jason (Payne) finds a source of inspiration in a beautiful and sexy girl named Lyric (Pinkett), whose dreams of fleeing the city together give him hope for a better life. But when Joshua (Woodbine) turns to a life of crime and drugs, Jason finds he's torn between his love for Lyric and his obligation to family. And as the time comes for Jason to leave, he finds that Joshua will stop at nothing to see that he stays even if the fight to keep him rivals the one that killed their father!

Get 17% OFF

Click here for more information about Jason's Lyric (1994)

Elena Undone Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)"Elena Undone" is a must-see film for lesbian audiences, as well as for those who simply appreciate an extremely well-made, touching love story. This film sets a new standard for what lesbian films can and should be -- well-written and well-acted, with beautiful and talented actresses, believable acting, a gripping storyline, and an unexpected but pleasing ending. Unlike many lesbian/women-loving-women films out there, "Elena Undone" is a genuinely high quality film -- professionally written and produced, and enormously appealing to those of us who crave movies that portray realistic lesbian relationships and struggles. Yet it resists being exclusively a "niche" film by being emotionally accessible and appealing to gay and straight audiences alike. I was enthralled throughout the movie and left the theater dying to have my own copy so I could watch it again! And true confession...I watched the on-line trailer at least once a day for a solid month after I saw the film!
As a loyal devotee of good film making,I cannot recommend this lovely film enough!
Kathy Burton-Flores

Click Here to see more reviews about: Elena Undone

From Nicole Conn, director of the lesbian classic CLAIRE OF THE MOON. Elegant and refined Elena (Necar Zadegan, TV s 24, The Event) is a devoted wife to her pastor husband, mother to her teenage son, and daughter to her traditional Indian family. When she meets lesbian writer Peyton (ravishingly beautiful Traci Dinwiddie, TV s Supernatural ) Elena is confronted with intense, unexpected feelings for a woman and their relationship evolves into a passionate romance. Charming, funny and poignant as well as smoldering and sensual!

Get 14% OFF

Click here for more information about Elena Undone