The Tim Burton Collection With Book (Amazon.com Exclusive) (2012)

I'm already seeing some criticism for this set not containing some of Tim Burton's best films.

To that I say, take a breath and think before you type.

This set is being released by Warner Brothers. All of the films in this collection were productions made with Warner Brothers Studios. The Tim Burton films that are missing from this set were made at other studios.

For example...

Edward Scissorhands? 20th Century Fox

The Nightmare Before Christmas? Disney (Orginally a Touchstone production)

Sleepy Hollow? Paramount

Big Fish? Dreamworks

Ed Wood? Touchstone (aka Disney)

Sweeney Todd? Dreamworks

Alice in Wonderland? Disney

So...before you go spitting venom, do some homework. You're getting seven films at a great price from arguably one of the most visionary directors of our time. I call that a bargain.

I just got my Tim Burton set in the mail today, so pull up a chair, and let me tell you what you get.

First of all, I will freely admit that I am a HUGE Tim Burton fan, and was very excited when I saw this listed on Amazon. I sold my copies of the movies I already owned on Blu-ray to pay for it. Of course, with the price being so low on this set, I actually ended up making a profit.

THE PACKAGING: When you open your copy, you will find a very sturdy box with the artwork shown on the website on the front, and the same border design on the back with a listing of all the movies included in the set. The discs themselves are housed in a foldout digi-pak, with the discs secured in a two-disc stack pattern. Since there are only seven discs, Batman is attached with a single hub. This is the type packaging where you have to remove the top disc in order to get the bottom disc out. I didn't have any problems, and I feel the discs are all very secure and safe. In addition to the discs being in the foldout package, there is also a list of all the supplemental material available for each title. I thought that was a nice touch. Each discs also has new artwork that is in keeping with the design that is present in the border around the front and back of the box. I liked the fact that new artwork was created for the discs, instead of just throwing discs in with the current artwork on them. Nice touch!! The movies all have the same special features as was present on previous Blu-ray releases.

THE BOOKLET: The booklet is a great treat. Each movie gets anywhere from 6 to 12 pages each in the book. The book is a hardcover, and the pages are all thick with a shiny sheen to them.

* Pee Wee 8 pages

* Beetlejuice 6 pages

* Batman 8 pages

* Batman Returns 8 pages

* Mars Attacks 8 pages

* Corpse Bride 12 pages

* Charlie 12 pages

Each film gets an introduction, poster page, behind the scenes shots, some sketch art, movie info, and trivia. This is very nice, and should count as a blu-ray exclusive feature since this set is not available on DVD. I was just expecting to see a few pictures stuck in a book, with little thought put into it. What you get is a very well thought out little book, that adds to the enjoyment of each film.

BOTTOM LINE: If you don't have any of these on Blu-ray, then I would strongly suggest you get this set. It's a great price for what you get. If you do already own them, you may want to consider doing what I did. Sell all your current copies on Amazon, and then turn around and order this set. I ended up making a nice little profit, plus now I have all of these Burton films in a very nice collection which will proudly be displayed on my shelf.

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This collection is awesome sure it doesn't have "The nightmare before Christmas" and

"Edward scissor hands" but non the less its a great collection

9/13/12 $41.99

Please don't let the guy that rated this product 1 star make you think this a bad product because its not. he/she just cant look around...don't expect everything to be in your face people do some looking around

the collectors hard cover book is wonderful! each page has this photo finish to it very good quality has about 60 pages all great pictures and tons of information about 6-8 pages for each movie and some cool stuff like trivia its one of the best quality collectors books I've seen

(according to the special features on the case)

1. Batman tons of extras

2. Batman Returns tons as well

3. Bettlejuice few

4. Mars Attacks none

5. Pee-wees big adventure pretty good amount of extras

6. Charlie and the chocolate factory TON! of extras

7. Tim burtons corpse bride good amount

all the movie discs have a unique-ish cover to them

over all if you like these movies get them its a great collection it has some great movies and its just worth it. hope this helped!

Tim Burton: Collection [Blu-ray]

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Stop reading this and get this now. Trust me, if you love these movies, then this beautifully designed box set is for you. The blu-rays themselves make these movies look better than they ever have and I've owned most of these on VHS and first generation DVDs. Plus, this is a great way to get Batman and Batman Returns, which for some reason are insanely expensive when bought individually on BD at the time of this writing. The book is lovingly designed with nice pictures and tidbits about each of the movies. While I would've loved to have seen some special features added to Mars Attacks! and some movie-specific features to Beetlejuice besides the cartoons, this is just a small qualm that does not take away from the special quality of this package. Also makes an awesome gift for the Tim Burton fan in your life. Enjoy!

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This collection is a fun assortment of Tim Burton films. I was initially attracted to this collection due to its wonderful packaging. The case is sturdy and has a wonderful montage of the characters from the films on the front. Located inside is the Digipak-style case, which holds all seven films. I was thrilled to have a chance to own many of my childhood favorites (especially both Batman films, Beetlejuice, and Pee-Wee's Big Adventure).

The Batman films alone are hard to find, and are a great pair of films. The accompanying book is very nice, and provides some wonderful behind the scenes photos of the director and some of his cast. If you are a Tim Burton fan, buy this collection! You will not be disappointed.

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LEGO Batman: The Movie - DC Super Heroes Unite (2013)

My family has enjoyed the previous Lego movie releases for Star Wars, but considering the superhero obsession in our household I had to pick this film up. The movie itself runs 71 minutes, almost a feature length which is quite a bit more than we've gotten with the previous Star Wars specials. The movie begins with Batman and Superman taking on Lex Luthor and flashes back to the "Man of the Year" award ceremony which quickly gets out of control when the Joker leads a group of villains (including the Penquin, Harley Quinn, Riddler, Two-Face and Catwoman) to crash the party. And what better way to stop a villain team up then by getting together a few "super" friends like Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Cyborg and The Flash. There are plenty of other characters that show up along the way as well.

While this film utilizes the spirit of the cut-scenes from LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, it is not a straight repackage of them. Many scenes have been added and the others reanimated and re-cut and improved upon for the release, all for the better. If you've played the game, you get the gist, but this is a much higher quality of animation and gives you the story in a much more cinematic way.

The film itself is fun for all ages, with enough Lego humor for the kids and plenty of jokes that will probably be over their heads including references to the Batman films going all the way back to the 1960s. Kudos to the design team for their parody of the original 1989 Batman film opening, as well as the use of that iconic Danny Elfman music as well as the John Williams Superman score. The voice work is solid and though I prefer the voice cast of Arkham Asylum, this group of actors does a wonderful job portraying these characters in a more kid friendly way.

The bonus features are great as well and include a short feature called "Building Batman" behinds the scenes in the Lego animation studio with a few kids getting to work with the resident animator, 2 episodes of The Brave and the Bold and one from Teen Titans, a Lego Batman stop-motion short, and 5 winning shorts from the Lego DC Universe Super Heroes Video Contest. There are various languages options but unfortunately no commentary which I would have loved to hear from the director or lead animator about the production. The pack-in of Clark Kent with the "S" exposed is a nice add on for Lego collectors as well.

Ultimately this is a great release. It's a fun film for all ages and a worth a look.

My 6 and 7-yr-old were thoroughly entertained, and it was mildly enjoyable for dad to watch too. Whether this was pieced together with video game cut scenes or not, I didn't notice. The computer animation is high quality and voice acting excellent.

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I like this movie. Its funny, witty, full of action, just a little too short.

To start off my review, let me clear up that this film is NOT the cutscenes from Lego Batman 2: DC Superheroes. This film is based on that game, but the entire film has been re-animated from the cutscenes and great action scenes replace gameplay.

Now that the cutscene controversy is cleared up, let me tell you about the film itself.

Firstly, the animation is brilliant. LEGO did a great job on animating this film, especially in HD. If you have a Blu-ray player, then buy this on Blu-ray for sure.

Secondly, the voice acting is very good.

Lastly, the story. Based on the video game, the story for LEGO Batman is funny, witty, full of action and flows quickly. Just a little too quickly. At 71 minutes, this movie is barely a feature-length film. Just when I was getting to this film, it was almost over. LEGO should have made this film at least 90 minutes. Then, my review would be five out of five for sure.

My other problem with this film is that it is not theatrically released. This film is too good for a direct-to-DVD/Blu-ray release. This film would have been great in 3D.

In conclusion, LEGO Batman: The Movie DC Superheroes Unite is a film well worth seeing.

I recommend this movie.

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4.5 out of 5

It's time for the Man of the Year Awards in Gotham City. The contenders? Bruce Wayne and Lex Luthor. The winner? Well, you guessed it: Bruce Wayne. When the Joker crashes the party, Lex sees a potential ally in his fight against not only Superman, but all superheroes. They forge an uneasy alliance and Lex uses Joker's expertise in chemistry to create not only a gas that would make everyone vote for him in the upcoming Presidential election, but also Kryptonite. In exchange, Lex would provide Joker with a special brick dismantling device that is able to take apart shiny black objects, something Joker's all too familiar with thanks to the Dark Knight.

Meanwhile, Batman and Robin have their hands full with an outbreak from Arkham Asylum. Superman shows up to help and eventually the Dynamic Duo and the Man of Steel discover Lex's and Joker's partnership. However, team ups aren't Batman's strong suit but after a little coaxing from Robin, he learns that sometimes you need outside help to come to victory.

Just when Batman and Superman think they've got Joker and Lex right where they want them, the sinister duo unleash a powerful force that will take the entire Justice League of America to stop.

If you've played LEGO Batman 2, then you're familiar with this story. This movie even uses clips from the game, but then fills in the gaps with fresh animation. So while it's kind of a rehash, it's a well-done rehash and, hey, it's LEGO. LEGO animated movies are few and far between and I hope LEGO Batman: The Movie DC Superheroes Unite is the first in a move to bring more and more brick superheroes to the small screen. Perhaps even to the big one one day.

The animation is crisp, flawless, and well-thought out. The graphics are amazing and convey a plausible world made of LEGO, every detail somehow made from LEGO bricks. No small feat from a design standpoint, creating something to believable yet so . . . LEGO-y.

With a solid story filled with the right amount of action and humor, I'm glad I added LEGO Batman: The Movie to my superhero movie collection. Besides, the exclusive Clark-Kent-changing-into-Superman LEGO figure that comes with it is not too shabby either. Glad to have him as part of my Superman figure collection.

LEGO Batman: The Movie DC Superheroes Unite is recommended for all ages. I loved watching it with my kids and I know you will, too. And if you don't have kids, then it's still worth checking out. Again, LEGO? Batman? Superman? DC superheroes? Yes, please!

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If you have played the Lego Batman 2 game, the plot of this movie will be very familiar to you. In fact, its almost as if Traveler's Tales figured they could throw a game together on the cheap by re-using the cut scenes from the video game. Although its not a complete clone of the game, some scenes are re-edited and re-cut so they aren't exact, but they are close enough.

If you are over the age of 12, then there isn't a ton of stuff in this movie to interest you. There are some references to past Batman movie and TV incarnations and the recreation of the 1989 Tim Burton Batman movie opening from LEGO bricks is a classic. My kids watch the scene and yell out "The bat-symbol!" every time they watch it. There is also a scene where Superman hears the Richard Donner Superman film's theme and says "That music sounds familiar." To which Batman replies "I don't listen to music." I just about fell over when I found out that my kids don't instantly equate that tune with Superman! (a travesty that I will have to straighten out!"

The attention to detail is something else that is impressive in this movie. The recreation of the models out of LEGO bricks would be impressive enough. But you can actually see where the minifigure's joints rub together creating scratches on the body. Also, if the light hits them just right, you can see fingerprints on the minifigs that must be left over from whoever built this LEGO Gotham City and is imagining the story.

Its easy to imagine that this story was thought up by some 10 year old. Its not too deep, full of silly humor, and the majority of the violence is off-screen. This movie really is geared toward the younger audience and there is not anything in it that I would not feel comfortable letting my kids watch. The message of teamwork runs throughout the movie and even Batman learns that its OK to ask for help when he calls in the rest of the Justice League in to help the threat posed by Lex Luthor and the Joker.

The movie is called DC Superheroes unite, but it could have easily been called the Batman/Superman hour. About 90% of the movie focuses on those two heroes while The Flash, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, and Cyborg get a quick guest appearance in the final moments of he movie. So if you are stoked for the TV screen debut of the Flash don't blink because it will be over in a flash!

My kids (a 6 year old son and a 7 year old daughter) have watched this movie at least 5 times in the week that we have owned this movie. They love LEGO and they love Superheroes so this movie is a good fit for them. The fun doesn't stop with the feature though. There are 5 stop motion shorts made out of LEGO that were part of an online contest, 3 episodes of WB superhero cartoons (Teen Titans, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, and Justice League), and a featurette on building LEGO Batman. My kids have to watch all of the special features each time they watch the movie and have discovered Batman: The Brave and the Bold because of this.

Lastly, the movie comes with an exclusive Clark Kent turning into Superman LEGO minifigure. Its a really neat piece that LEGO probably won't release anywhere else (though I wouldn't put money on that) so if you are a minifig completeist, you need to get the movie. I can tell you that this LEGO Clark Kent has watched this movie a few times along with his pal LEGO Superman. At least on the days my son can figure out where he left them.

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Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)

Well, I am sure that we have all heard the story of Cinderella many times over, but in Ever After we finally get to see a stronger female lead than those who dance through our little girls brains at an impressionable age.

Danielle De Barbarac (Drew Barrymore) lives alone with her father and their servants after the death of her mother, until one day her father brings home a new bride, the Baroness Rodmilla De Ghent (Anjelica Huston) and her two daughters, Marguerite and Jacqueline. When Danielle's father dies, the Baroness turns Danielle into a servant to wait on her and her spoiled daughters.

Danielle accidently meets young Prince Henry (Dougray Scott) when the Prince pilfers a horse from their manor in order to escape his parents restrictions. For her silence, he gives her coins, which she uses to pose as a courtier to buy back their old servant the Baroness sold to pay her taxes.

She meets Prince Henry again, but this time posed as a Lady, and Henry finds himself enchanted not simply by her beauty but by her intelligence and spirit. He becomes determined to know more about her, but first must find her for she keeps slipping away from him. In the meantime, Marguerite has set her sights on the handsome prince, with the help of her mother and a michevious courtier.

I won't give away any more of the movie, but absolutely must mention that there is a great deal of humor in this unique telling of the Cinderella story (take special note of the wedding chapel scene with the Spanish Princess). The acting is supurb and the script very tight and well written, the costumes are stunning, the scenery is breathtaking, and the photography brilliant.

Overall, this is a wonderful movie that softened even my cold, hard heart, allowing it to pump warm blood if only for the length of the movie. This is a love story without sappiness, a handsome hero with faults of his own, and a beautiful heroine who knows how to save herself. Enjoy!

This is a wonderful movie. The premise may be cliché, but this is much, much more than just another "Cinderella" movie. Its effects are really quite magical--it will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and it will totally immerse you in its spell. If you are human, it will produce a lump in your throat that will remain there for hours. Some people might call this a "woman's" movie, but I, as a man, will proclaim that it really touches my heart every time I watch it, and I freely admit that it does bring tears to my eyes. I need not go into detail describing the plot--it is a somewhat modernized Cinderella story, replete with the evil stepmother, charming prince, and angelic, mistreated heroine. Instead of a fairy godmother, there is Leonardo da Vinci--an unexpected but brilliant scripting decision, I feel. There are no magic pumpkins turning into horses and carriages, but there is magic; it is the magic of true love.

The entire cast is superb, particularly Anjelica Huston as the evil stepmother, but all of them are overshadowed by Drew Barrymore. Anyone who does not feel that Drew Barrymore is one of the greatest actresses of this and any other generation has obviously not seen this movie. I love all of Drew's movies, but I really believe this movie represents her finest performance. Even down to the most unimportant nuances of acting, she is simply brilliant. She is equally convincing as a peasant in the field as she is a royal courtier among the nobility of France. The emotion she is able to express to the audience is deep and amazingly real. I really can't say enough about her performance here.

All I can do is encourage you to experience this movie. I believe you will want to watch it more than once; it is just as fresh and moving the second and third time as it is the first. Don't dismiss it as a "sappy love story" or think its 16th century setting will make it hard to relate to. This is a story as old as time itself, really, and it is a story that will always be relevant to humankind. It celebrates the power of true love and shows all of us that dreams can indeed come true.

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This is the kind of movie that no self-respecting guy would admit to liking in front of his friends. Seeing as i have no self-respect and even fewer friends, i have no reservations in stating that i loved this one from start to finish. It is a clever and highly original retelling of the classic Cinderella story, set in France. The entire cast does an inspired job. Drew Barrymore hasn't been this endearing since "E.T." (or was it "Doppelganger" ? I keep confusing the two), Anjelica Huston is a fittingly loathsome stepmother and even the featured "prince charming" i found easy to stomach. Need i recount the (allegedly true) tale ? (daughter turned lowly servant turned pretend courtier turned princess) Check elsewhere !

The pre-feminist subtext is hard to overlook, but far from obtrusive. Couldn't help liking the not so evil second stepsister. No fantastic elements are introduced: there is no evidence of sorcery, or a pumpkin anywhere to be found. Replacing the fairy godmother with Leonardo da Vinci of all people is a stroke of genius, adding to the credibility of the storyline. The payoff is thoroughly satisfactory, leaving you with a smile on your face. My fellow countryman Jeroen Krabbé (Barrymore's father) sees his acting career cut short as he is killed off within the first five minutes or so. The whole thing is accompanied by a great music score. Set aside your prejudice & suspend your disbelief. This is 1 hour and 57 minutes well spent !

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Very often "realistic fantasy stories" flop like dying fish. "Ever After" is one of the few exceptions, a sparkling tale about Cinderella in a semi-historic setting, with an outstanding cast, strong script, and a delightful love story. What's a fairy tale without magic? It's "Ever After."

Danielle (Drew Barrymore) is a young girl raised alone by her father, who encourages his daughter's intelligence, curiosity and strong will. But her life takes a tragic turn when her father marries a haughty social-climber Baroness Rodmilla De Ghent (Angelica Houston), and brings her and her two daughters Marguerite and Jacqueline (Megan Dodds and Melanie Lynskey) to live with Danielle. He dies tragically of a heart attack, leaving his daughter alone with his widow. Years later, Danielle is treated like one of the servants, with whom she is a loyal friend. Her only relics of her past life are a pair of shoes and a beautiful dress left by her mother.

When one of the servants is imprisoned falsely for theft, Danielle goes to try to save him. And there, she bumps into the young Prince Henry, who is being pressured by his stuffy parents to marry -and Rodmilla is targeting him as a potential mate for one of her daughters. But Henry falls in love with Danielle -her intelligence, her political knowledge, her love of fun, her bravery, and her strength.As Danielle and the prince grow closer, the scheming of her stepmother threatens to destroy their relationship.

The director knows the right way to mix comedy and drama in a way that seems entirely plausible. When Henry "dumps" the Spanish princess, or when he wakes his parents with all sorts of bright plans, the audience laughs out of affectionate amusement. You like or dislike the characters exactly as the director wants you to. And he apparently knows that magic is less in plot elements than in the atmosphere -though the setting is medieval France, there is the sort of bright, ornate look to the castle and clothes that you see in fairy tales. (The only exception is the painfully-90s gown and sparkling makeup that Danielle wears at the climax. This is medieval France, not the Butterfly prom!) The script is full of funny or tense moments, and the frequent uses of Sir Thomas More's "Utopia" add an extra dimension of realism. And, in perhaps the most brilliant move in this film, one of the stepsisters is not "wicked." Rather the chubby, not-as-pretty but good-natured Jacqueline adds a silent ally to Danielle and prevents Jacqueline and Marguerite from turning, essentially, into one character.

Drew Barrymore is exquisite as Danielle, putting on Danielle's intelligence, wit and strength with ease and believability. Thankfully Danielle is never turned into a feminist in the usual sense of the word; she is unafraid to show that she is every inch a man's equal, but the movie doesn't bash viewers with that theme. Dougray Scott is equally good as Henry, mixing pride and confusion, sweetness and boredom into a very believable young prince. Anjelica Huston is almost hammily enjoyable as Rodmilla; Dodds and Lynskey are even better as her daughters. And even Leonardo da Vinci (Patrick Godfrey) makes an appearance to help smooth out the course of true love.

This is a family movie in the best sense of the word. The plotline and scripting are clever enough for adults to enjoy thoroughly, but there is nothing that the kids can't watch. So get everyone together and watch this enchanting retelling.

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Sure, like any rendition of a classic, Ever After has holes you could rear cattle in -everyone in France inexplicably speaks with a perfect British accent; Leonardo Da Vinci has nothing better to do than to advise a romantic couple in the matters of the heart; a young girl brought up on menial house chores has more grace in hand-to-hand combat than the Prince of France...etc.

Yet, amazingly, very little of this goes unforgiven if not totally unnoticed because the movie bears an infectious charm in its rhythm.

The script is thoughtful enough to maintain a distance from mickey-mouse concepts of pumpkins and fairies. The dialogue has enough grace to keep anglophiles glued, there's even a wanton skein of humour that makes it all more pleasant than your average garden-variety Cinderella narrative. The roundabout love story is beautifully developed, earning full marks for the screenplay. The visuals of nature, palaces, horse chases etc are stunning, and the costumes full-bodied and colorful. The background score, while not remarkable, makes for an excellent prop.

That is in itself a creamy cake, but the film wouldn't be quite the dessert it is, had it not been for some icing in the form of delicious acting all round.

I'm not a raving fan of Barrymore but her Danielle is thoroughly likable, sweet without being cloying, confident without being overly theatrical. Dougray Scott does his job as the Prince, but I could see why his character likes Danielle much more than she likes him. The vixen of a stepmother is played immaculately by Anjelica Huston, as are the two daughters and the crones who serve as the domestics.

A wholesome film that pulls all the right strings and pulls them fluently. Recommended in a blink.

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Shiver of the Vampires (1971)

If you've never seen a Jean Rollin film this is as good a place as any to start. His films are no doubt an aquired taste. Story is not important. Mood, composition and style is what a jean Rollin film is all about. This is one of my favorite Rollin films and if you want to wet your beak I suggest this one or Lips of Blood. Be warned! There are many people who absolutely HATE these films. I find them hypnotic and moody.

For those of you who have seen the film and are wondering if this Blu-ray edition is worth dropping $20.00: YES! For one thing you get the English dub, which I had never heard before. It's quite different from the French version, and almost turns it into a film you've never seen before. When it comes to foreign films I usually like to watch it with the original language soundtrack with English subtitles. But, I always get annoyed because no matter how fast you can read, you have to take your eyes off of the actors/action even if it's just for 2 seconds. Now you can watch in French or in English. Secondly the film has never looked this good. It isn't perfect. The original 35mm negatives had scratches on them and it appears that a great effort was done to remove them, but there are times when they couldn't get them all, especially (I'm guessing) at the beginning of each new real. Colors are much more vivid on this edition than on any other version I've seen. The film looks very good on a 16x9 T.V. I have the last dvd release and it wasn't even enhanced for 16x9, so finally we get to see the film fill the screen without being stretched or cropped.

So, for the Rollin fan this is worth picking up. If you are curious about Jean Rollin, give it a try, but know that this is NOT anything like a modern American vampire film, or even like a 70's American vampire film, or even a 50's/60's Hammer vampire film. Rollin is truly one of a kind, and that's one thing, like him or not, we can all agree on!

"Shiver of the Vampire" (1971) is directed by Jean Rollin. The movie is about a recently married couple that decide to visit relatives in Italy. But upon reaching the town where their cousins live they find out that they have become deceased. As a director Jean Rollin seems at times a bit amateurish in the way he handles timing, framing and editing of his movies as well in the lack of strong plots or characterization. The cast appears to be a mixture of naive and experienced actors. Still I can't help but find things intriguing and interesting about his films. With Jean Luc Godard films it is said that there are at least 20 minutes of interesting ideas in his films when most films have nothing of interest. The same thing might be said with Jean Rollin's films. Like a voyeur I still find myself fascinated with his films and images even when they seem lacking in sophistication at times. This film holds up well along with other Jean Rollin films like "Requiem for a Vampire" and "Fascination".

This film has evidently been remastered but there are still many instances of dust showing. In the special features there is included a two minute introduction as well as a 39 minute interview with Jean Rollin. Also included is a 20 page booklet with an essay by Tim Lucas, editor of Video Watchdog.

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Two newlyweds find themselves in the midst of bloodthirsty (and sex-crazed) vampires when they stop off to visit their last remaining relatives in France. Jean Rollin's third vampire film is no less strange, twisted, and stylish than any of his others, before or after. SHIVER OF THE VAMPIRES seems to benefit greatly from the works of Mario Bava, as the wild use of color paints the screen in similar tones of blue and red. The odd imagery has a sexy female vampire randomly appear in the most interesting of places, including the inside of a grandfather clock and dropping down through the fireplace. It is difficult to tell whether Rollin is attempting to make a pretentious art film or more sleazy Eurotrash, as several of the scenes make odd use of the camera for no apparent reason (particularly when the two vampire brothers deliver their dialog while bobbing their heads through the arms of a scale). The two foppish cousins give way to high camp, along with the progressive rock beats that line the film. Like the works of Jess Franco and Joe D'amato, SHIVER OF THE VAMPIRES and Jean Rollin will only cater to a very selective audience, though this may be a good starting point for anyone that is interested in experiencing the French Horror of the 1970's.

-Carl Manes

I Like Horror Movies

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If you are unfamiliar with the cinema of Jean Rollin, he made erotic, gothic, atmospheric films. If nudity is not your cup of tea, don't watch his films. You won't get it. Jean Rollin was making films in the 1970's, when film makers where pushing the limits of what they could put on screen. Whether it was nudity, sex or violence. And Jean Rollin used all of them to great effect with his french gothic style to make some of the most unforgettable imagery you will ever see. In Jean Rollin's fantastic film from 1970 The Shiver Of The Vampires, this is most true.

(This is the 2nd film in a sort of Trilogy. 1: The Rape Of The Vampires (1968) 2: The Shiver Of The Vampires (1970) and 3: Requiem For A Vampire (1971))

Jean Rollin had a rather sphycadelic and comedic side, and The Shiver Of The Vampires is possibly the most psychedelic and comedic (intentionally so) of all his films. You can find plenty of other reviewers commenting on the story and what not. But I wanted to comment on this Blu-ray release. (Though I did add a detailed plot at the end of this review.)

I'm so insanely happy that Redemption has released these films that otherwise might have been thrown in the dark and never seen again, so that a new generation of film fans can see the works of genius Jean Rollin. Transferd from a beautiful 35mm print of the film, it looks better than one can imagine. It has some scratches thru out the film, which I love! It adds so much and makes you feel like you're setting in the theater in 1970! The audio sounds beautiful, especially the eerie sound effects in the night scenes! The menu is beautiful with the super cool psychedelic music from the film.It has the original french trailers for this film along with The Nude Vampire (1970) The Iron Rose (1973) Lips Of Blood (1975) and Fascination (1979) Plus the original US trailer for The Shiver Of The Vampires ALL IN HD!!! This is my first blu-ray in the "Cinema of Jean Rollin" collection. The case has the number "2" on the bottom of the side that shows when it's on a shelf. So part of the fun will be buying the rest of the collection and finding the rest of the numbers in the it! This is the first Jean Rollin film I ever saw, it was on Epix Drive-In a while ago. I have now seen most of his films and love them all, but this one holds on one of my favorites. A good start if you have never seen a Jean Rollin film before. Fascination and Lips Of Blood are also vary good starters.

A trend I see among many reviews of Jean Rollin's films on here are people saying "not a family movie." I suggest you look a little into a movie before you throw it up on the TV for grandma and the kids to see. The trailer for most of Jean Rollin's films are on YouTube. Though I must say as a word of warning, these movies are basically rated x. No one under 17 admitted.

That in mind, The cinema of Jean Rollin is exquisite, unique and beautiful to look at. And The Shiver Of The Vampires is, in my opinion, one of his best.

I did not write this, but if you are interested here is the plot in detail (some spoilers): "Two newlyweds, Isle and Antoine, are on their honeymoon, on their way to visit Isle's two cousins. When they arrive in the town they discover that her cousins died the day before. Isle and Antoine go to the chateau where they lived anyway. Once there they are greeted by two female Renfields who show them to a room.

Isle goes to the cemetery to visit the graves of her cousins, and a woman named Isabelle tells Isle that she was about to get married to both of her cousins, but in a way she was already their brides. Isle decides to sleep alone on that night because she is upset. While getting ready for bed a woman emerges from the grandfather clock. She introduces herself as Isolde and takes Isle back to the cemetery where she bites Isle in the neck. Antoine, feeling lonely, goes to see Isle, but she isn't in her room. He searches the castle and comes to the chapel where it seems a human sacrifice is taking place. Two of the participants turn out to be Isle's cousins and explain they must kill the woman or she will become like them — vampires. Antoine goes back to find Isle in her room and isn't sure whether it was all a dream.

The next morning at breakfast the Renfields tell Isle and Antoine that her cousins aren't really dead. Antoine goes to the library to meet the cousins but is instead knocked out by books. When he comes to, Antoine goes back to the dining room where he finally meets the cousins. That night Isle decided to sleep alone again, leaving Antoine angry. Isolde returns to Isle and bites her in the neck again. Isabelle tells a friend that Isle's cousins were once vampire slayers and were bitten by vampires. Isabelle later discovers that the cousins are still alive and under Isolde's control and Isolde tells her she is no longer welcome at the castle. She grabs Isabelle and pierces her breasts with her pointed nipple covers. Angry at her for doing this the cousins rape Isolde.

That night the Renfields wake Antoine and take him to the chapel where a ceremony is about to take place that involves Isle, Isolde, the Renfields and the cousins. Antoine breaks open the door to discover they have all disappeared. Not sure whether this was also a dream, he runs to Isle's room to tell her they must escape. She tells him no and that her cousins are the only family she has left, so Antoine decides to sleep on the couch in her room. The next morning Isle cries out that the sunlight hurts her eyes when Antoine opens the curtains. That night is Isle's initiation when she will be given the final kiss and made a vampire. Antoine tries to break it up by taking Isle away. The cousins follow them to a beach. Isolde tries to get into her coffin but finds it on fire. The Renfields put a cross on the tomb door, sealing Isolde inside, so Isolde bites her wrist and dies. Antoine begs Isle to go with him but she stays with her cousins as they await the sunrise."

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Thomas Crown Affair (1968)

For some reason there remains a problem with the video quality of Thomas Crown Affair. What we are suppose to be seeing is a new transfer, ( I guess admitting that the prior version needed improvement) which in fact it did. This new transfer isn't quite what I was expecting, in fact it's uneven or should I say unbalanced which gives a uncomfortable viewing experience. Anyone who purchases this DVD version expecting the ultimate quality version is in for a big let-down. This DVD is offered with the wide screen/ full screen format. MGM appears to be looking in the rear view mirror. With Plasma/LCD quality, why is MGM wasting time with marginal quality standards. This Batch will end up in the bargin bin. Save your money and wait till next time.

Even in 1968, audiences knew The Thomas Crown Affair was a film of style over substance. It had an interesting premise dreamt up by a Boston Lawyer who had never written a screenplay before-and there wasn't a lot of story or character development. It's the films' style and gimmicks which endeared it to audiences. And the coolest of the cool stars,Steve (I move like a panther) McQueen, on the planet teamed up with the fascinating mix of earthy sultriness and ice princess that is Faye Dunaway at her peak.

So does this film hold up? Is it worth watching? The first half hour of the film the robbery is still an exciting, stylish, entertaining sequence that few films will top in terms of hipness. It's here the multiple screen gimmick works best. It's here that Hal Ashby's editing and Walter Hill's second unit work is most impressive. It's the best part of the film and it works beautifully. (Yes that's future directors Hal Ashby and Walter Hill I just mentioned).

Affair is directed by Norman Jewison (a former editor/turned director who had just directed In the Heat of the Night, and The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming). United Artists didn't put much pressure or time constraints on Jewison, and Jewison took this very weak screenplay with an interesting premise and worked with writer Alan R. Trustman to create a sandbox for him and legendary cinematographer Haskell Wexler to play in. They were young, they were anxious to break rules and try new things and they happened to wind up at Montreal Expo 67 and in the audience of a ground-breaking multi-screen extravaganza called Habitat. Habitat was created by film/maker and graphic designer Pablo Ferro. Jewison, Wexler and Ashby had found the gimmick they were looking for. It wasn't really until the film was in post production that they began putting together the multi-screen effects, and none of the film was story-boarded . A lot of improvisation was used for the film.

The premise of the story (for the few who don't know) concerns a very wealthy corporate millionaire, Thomas Crown (Steve McQueen) who is so used to winning at every game he plays, he challenges himself by quietly setting up and master-minding a huge bank robbery. It's one of the things that amuses him, one of the few thrills he has in life, his way to rebel and protest against his own corporate greed.

The police are baffled, Paul Burke as top cop Eddie Malone is willing to work with a very unique insurance investigator to break the case. The investigator turns out to be Vicki Anderson (played by Faye Dunaway). She earns ten percent of the money she recovers and she's willing to do just about anything and break all the rules to earn her moneywhich frustrates the by the book Eddie Malone.

Now there's never much time taken with conventional things like dialogue. Most of the characters speak in short phrases and sentences. The music is loud, intrusive, and obvious. It's used throughout the film to drive the pacing of the scene or over-emphasize minor moments. Today it plays a bit more campy than it used to, but it's a lot of fun.

Vicki Anderson quickly decides that Thomas Crown must be the master-mind behind the bank robbery. She doesn't really have any evidence, or really much of a reason to come to this conclusion, but she does. The film expects you to accept this. So the rest of the film is a cat and mouse game. Vicki and Thomas are attractive jet-setting type people and they are attracted to each other, flirt, make love, drink port, play chess (in an extremely low key erotic fashion), buy fresh produce, go for dune buggy rides, and sit in sauna's together.

They both know however that they are adversaries.

McQueen's acting is also very stylized. He pauses before making facial gestures. He laughs somewhat forced, and his every movement feels calculated. It works.

Although the film becomes less logical as it progresses, its inventive style held my attention throughout. And perhaps because of how dated it's hip chicness is, it's even more fun now,then when it was first released.

The re-make is actually a better film than this one. The screenplay is much better constructed, and the film is structured better as a conventional narrative. But the first 30 minutes of this film is not easily topped, and Steve McQueen was a one of a kind screen presence.

If your in the mood for a style over substance film from the late 60's complete with the title Academy Award Winning song Windmills of your Mind, you won't be disappointed.

Three and Half .... make it Four...

Chris Jarmick...

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I was interested in seeing this film after I saw the remake, especially when I heard so many people say the original was so much better. After having seen both, I'd call it a toss up (both were good!).

Actually, the remake was only loosely based on the original. The original is about a rich guy who knocks off a bank, and the remake about a rich guy who steals art.

This film is well crafted and though the story is far fetched (as in the remake) it's entertaining. Norman Jewison does a terrific job of directing. His visual interpretations, camera angles and dramatic effects are timeless. He overuses the split screen concept a bit, but we need to remember that in 1968 this was fairly new technology and he was probably enamoured with the novelty of it. Think of how much `morphing' was being used when it was first developed.

Probably the best scene involved the chess match between Thomas (Steve McQueen) and Vicki (Faye Dunaway). It was far more erotic than all the scenes where Rene Russo was running around naked in the remake.

The acting was excellent, with Dunaway taking top honors as the stop-at-nothing insurance investigator who literally gets her man. Steve McQueen played the rich macho ego maniac to perfection. His only minus was his phony victory laugh, which was overacted and overused. Paul Burke stayed appropriately but effectively on the sidelines as the police detective.

In comparing the two films, I'd have to say it's about even. The remake had a more inventive and interesting story, replacing the bank robbery with an art heist, but it was also more ridiculous in the final disposition of the stolen painting. The original had better direction and use of the camera, while the remake was much better in use of costumes, props and sets in recreating the opulent lifestyle. Clearly the remake benefited from 30 years of technological improvement in sound and film quality.

The remake was more self indulgent, especially in the sexual area. The McQueen interpretation of Crown was more realistic than Brosnan's conflicted and emotional distraught version. Each reflected their respective times, but McQueen's character was a better representation of the timeless arrogance of the ultra rich. I have to give Rene Russo a slight edge as the investigator. She gave the character more complexity and range. Paul Burke was far superior to Denis Leary as the cop.

The ending of the original was definitely superior, though each ending was really true to the characters' personalities as portrayed.

I gave this film an 8/10. If you like classic films, and you enjoyed the remake, you will probably enjoy this one as well.

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This film very well could have been a case of style over substance. But what style! The cars are cool, the clothes are cool(particularly Faye Dunaway's mini-dresses), the interiors are cool. Even the use of multi-screen images, which were fashionable in some circles in sixties but I find annoying, is used to good effect. Understatement is the rule of thumb here and Norman Jewison directs this caper film effectively in that manner. Steve McQueen never got the respect as an actor he deserved probably because he wasn't the most histrionic of actors. Here he plays his emotions fairly tight to the vest which befits Thomas Crown. McQueen is more than matched by Dunaway who plays an insurance investigator whose success in her field relies on her feminine wiles in tandom with her brains. The sparks that eminate between McQueen and Dunaway are combustible and rare in a film. The literal chess match between the two is more sensual than 100 films featuring couples making love.

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This is an extremely fine film. Besides a ingenious story and terrific acting by McQueen (who plays a "cool" and very wealthy businessman perfectly) and Dunaway (who looks absolutely stunning and plays it "smart" in nearly every scene), this movie has some fascinating and utterly BRILLIANT editing like no other film I know of... and a HAUNTING and GORGEOUS music score created by Michel LeGrand.

What about the NEW version?

I have been a huge fan of the original Thomas Crown Affair since I first saw it while in the military in 1969..... and bought the 1999 "re-make" because I heard so many good things about it. I must say that honestly there are good points in BOTH films. I never quite bought the fact that the original wealthy "Crown" got his "kicks" robbing a bank.... so stealing the "Monet" made much more sense to me. I also thought the story was a bit more interesting in the new version and I was more satisfied by the challenge Bronsnan's character found in Russo's bluntness.

Overall, however this 1969 "Crown" is the version I prefer. It contains an absolutely beautiful music score by Michel LeGrand (which is superior to the loud, lackluster and frangmented score that Bill Conti created for the new version). The title track here is "Windmills of Your Mind" is an awesome song, but also amazing is "Her Eyes, His Eyes" created for the infamous chess playing sequence. I also prefer the sensuous and sexy elegance of the fire between McQueen and Dunaway to the overtly sweaty lust that Brosnan and Russo desparately share together... this film is more subtile and suggests sexuality.. which seems more fascinating than just the plain nakedness in the new version.

Although I do prefer this film to the remake, both versions are well made and interesting in their own right, and should be enjoyed for what they are and what makes them so entertaining.

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The Three Stooges (2012)

Amazon notified me via email that the new Farrelly Brothers' "The Three Stooges" was ready to be pre-ordered, so I linked over to do so--I hadn't had that much fun in a movie theater in a long time, and couldn't wait to re-visit the film at home along with the usual bounty of DVD extras the Farrellys usually provide (I hope). Imagine my shock when I read the supposedly authoritative "Amazon.com Editorial Review" posted at the film's page with the reviewer saying it was the Farrellys' "weakest effort to date" and "terminally unfunny." Look, I'm smart enough to know one review is just one person's opinion, and that comedy is very personal and a heckuva lot harder to pull off than drama (what's funny to one person is often simply irritating or annoying to another), but when the review is posted on a film's page as the authoritative last word, I have to put my two-cents in. Here's my short review: I either smiled, chuckled, or laughed out loud through the ENTIRE running time of this film, and that very rarely happens for me, hence my 5-star rating. Most comedies, even the best, have slow spots you wait out until the next laugh--it's often the natural flow of a film to have peaks and valleys, but this film had none for me--it was all peaks. Every scene had something for me to at least smile at, whether it was the Stooges themselves, Jane Lynch as a Mother Superior (!), Larry David as a cranky nun (!), Lin Shaye showing up out of the blue in a small role (I love her), Sofia Vergara gamely sparring with the guys, or small touches, surprises, and sight gags that flew by so fast you knew you'd be laughing all over again when you saw it a second time (if we'd had the time we would've gladly stayed to watch it a second time the day we saw it--the friend I saw it with had as much fun watching it as I did). The three leads were perfectly cast, and if you know the Stooges, you'll appreciate even more how perfect they are. It's uncanny how close they are to the originals, and the entire production feels like a respectful and loving homage to them. There is no doubt in my mind the film will spark even more appreciation and discovery of the original Stooges and their huge body of work, and that's exactly what you hope for: that the new film not only succeeds on its own but sparks viewers' interest, appreciation, and respect for the originals.

The Three Stooges started out as short subject films before a feature film, and it's good to see The Three Stooges back on a theater screen.

"The Three Stooges" doesn't have an involved plot or great subtle nuanced acting, it doesn't need it. The plot is pretty basic, the stooges are dropped off at an orphanage some time in the late 70's and as they grow up they wreak havoc on the nuns running the place and of course they're unadoptable. After they grow up Moe (Chris Diamantopoulos), Larry (Sean Hayes), and Curly (Will Sasso) still live at the orphanage and wirk as handymen. Yes, I spelled it wirk because they aren't the brightest bulbs in the socket although they may stick their fingers in the socket! When the orphanage runs into financial problems the boys are sent out into the world to raise $830,000 to save it (shades of the Blues Brothers). Out in the world they're instantly picked by Lydia (Sofia Vergara) and Mac (Craig Bierko) planning to murder Lydia's husband. They give the trio a song and dance of wanting the stooges to kill Mac, but the story is a ruse to get the stooges to kill her husband. In all their bumbling good intentions to collect the $830,000 they foul up the murder plot, and provoke the ire of the murdering couple. All standard stooge fare.

There are a lot of good actors and actresses in "The Three Stooges", Jane Lynch, Brian Doyle Murray, Larry David, Stephen Collins, Sofia Vergara, but Diamantopoulos, Hayes, and Sasso are rightly front and center as the stooges and they do just about every classic stooge bit including a few new ones. And the usual foils of cops, doctors, lawyers, and high society matrons are the brunt of the stooges antics. A note, Moe becomes a reality star on Jersey Shore and its worth the price of admission to watch him dole out some well deserved punishment to the Shore cast.

The movie is episodic to recreate the feel of the original stooge shorts and directors Bobby and Peter Farrelly realize less is more and don't try to make this movie anything more than it is, good popcorn munching fun! Yes, it is violent, but some of the routines seem more intricate than dance routines and the violence is very cartoonish. If there are some of you out there that still aren't convinced, there's a postscript demonstrating how all the hammers are rubber, and how the eye poking is faked.

There are chick flicks and "The Three Stooges" may be a dude flick. I'm not a huge Stooges fan but the movie made me laugh and it was a lot of fun.

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The Three Stooges, and their unique brand of slapstick humor, are an American comedy institution. The trouble is, you are either rolling on the floor laughing at them, or you think there material is the dumbest shtick in the world. If you fall into the latter category, stop reading this review now, as you will hate this movie with a flaming passion. If a Stooge appreciator or connoisseur, however, then this big-screen adaptation will have you short of breath once again!

For a basic plot summary, this movie follows the head-slapping, hair-pulling, eye-poking adventures of Larry (Sean Hayes), Moe (Chris Diamantopoulos), & Curly (Will Sasso) as they try to raise money to save an orphanage. In typical Stooge fashion, they bumble around for awhile and engage in the sort of hijinks one would expect from the trio. Along the way, they run into the cast of the Jersey Shore, Moe becomes a famous reality star, and the gang even have to mend a relationship issue stemming from their collective past.

This film is a rousing experience because it works on two (well, three, really) levels...

1. It serves as an ode to the original Stooges. Though nothing will ever quite be the same as old Howard, Fine, & Howard, this movie captures their subtle nuances as best as humanly possibly. The original sound effects are used, the casting is spot-on (especially with Moe...one could close their eyes in the theater and think it was Moe Howard himself), and the physical comedy is at its best. Besides the actors themselves, though, some of the plots, music, and camerawork itself honors the original shorts. The movie is split up into three "shorts", the music is the same cackling Stooges theme heard countless times throughout the ages, and some of the cut-aways feature easily-identified dummies being hurled or pummeled in obvious fashion (as happened frequently in the original slapped-together shorts).

2. It is also a re-imagining of the Stooges for a new generation. Instead of re-treading the same old material, the Farelly brothers put the trio in today's time period, what with its similar Depression-era themes and new technological gadgets that befuddled the bumblers even further. The directors even add a bit of a backstory to the characters that actually works pretty well in the context of the overall plot. You can't say this film is utterly devoid of sense or emotion.

3. Finally, in keeping with the hearty Stooges tradition, this movie is just plain funny! As a huge Stooge fan, I came into it with a healthy mixture of excitement and doubt. It vastly exceeded even my wildest expectations and had me belly-laughing throughout. Does every single scene work for everyone? Of course not. However, enough DO work to keep you yuking (or nyuking, if you will) it up for ninety minutes.

Overall, the bottom line for this flick is this: If you enjoy Stooge-type humor, give this one a shot...I think you'll be glad you did! If you don't care for the slapstick style, than stay away or prepare to be bored. This is also a very child-friendly flick that can be enjoyed by literally all ages.

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When hearing about the making of this movie, I had mixed feelings. You see, my father is a huge Stooge fan and owns about every episode of the three bone heads. While I usually take my mom's side of the entertainment boat, I have always found myself enjoying the Stooges. It's more than just smacks and puns. It's the characters, their history, and their ability to make you laugh.

So when this movie came out, I was worried. Hollywood has a tendency to.....how do I put this.....slaughter TV history's most lovable characters. And when the trailer was realized I was also a little worried because of the dreaded and unneeded "bikini nun" scene.

But during the time of the release my father was very stressed. You see, he is a pastor and a police officer. Both jobs don't really fall under the "fun" category. Some things popped up at the church and county work was starting to get to him. So I thought it might be good for us to wing a visit to the local theater and take in an hour and a half of the Stooges.

Grabbed my popcorn, sat down, and my fingers were crossed....Either this movie would do justice or ruin the Stooges for everyone.....and before I could even finish my first handful of popcorn I started choking on it....from laughter....

Another fact you may want to know is that my father doesn't laugh much. He's got a gift for making people laugh and he's got an amazing sense of humor. But, he doesn't laugh that much. Well, as soon as the movie started that all changed. I have never, repeat, never heard him laugh so much. This movie left you with a huge smile on your face. They did the Stooges, they weren't just doing them, they WERE the stooges. The quirks, the gags, and the "NUKS" were all there.

It took me a full day to get rid of that stupid smile I had on, but that didn't stop me from seeing it again (mom dodged it the first time, but the second my dad MADE her see it). He now calls it his "Favorite movie".

I'm a pushover for movie with good writing....and that's not really what I saw here, there were more slaps than words. But to see the Stooges after all these years come to life again, that was priceless. Would I recommend this movie? That depends. If you loved the Stooges, you need to see this film. If you didn't, then don't torture yourself. But again, for those people who know them, and enjoy them. This movie will make your day and always bring a smile to your face when you think about it.

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How did they do it? How did they manage to revive the Three Stooges in such a flawless fashion? They even divided the movie into 3 episodes (Which all follow the same plot, but still!), making it like as if they had created new episodes of the classic slapstick comedy! Believe it or not, this movie fits right into the days of old!

While the plot may have a bit of seriousness involved (The Stooges are trying to save an orphanage where they had spent time there due to them never being adopted as kids And there's sorta more to it, such as attempted murder), it was easily overshadowed by numerous comedy bits (Which come around just as often as in the original show), tons of clever moments, and even the casting alone (The Stooges look EXACTLY like how they were back then, and I didn't think it'd be possible!)!

There is so much to like about the Three Stooges movie that it's impossible to tell it all under this one little review. I recommend you go watch the trailers online. Or better yet, you may as well just go watch the movie right now! You will NOT be disappointed! My little brother, my dad, and I went to go see it just today. We each had enjoyed it GREATLY. I hope you will enjoy this movie as much as we did (And maybe you'd get the same kind of nostalgia my dad did).

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Pony Soldier (1952)

Pony Soldier rates a notch or two at least above your average western for a number of reasons. One, both the heroes and the Indians are from Canada, which for some reason wasn't done a lot, except for Alan Ladd's Saskatchewan (also a very good Canadian western). Tyrone Power plays a newly minted Canadian Mountie who is charged with rescuing two white hostages who have been captured by Canadian Cree Indians who have moved over the American border looking for food to hunt. The Indians have a reasonable head chief, but an unreasonable younger leader, played by Cameron Mitchell, who resists the head chief's wishes to follow Powers back to Canada, and relinquish the hostages.

Another discriminator making this better than average are subtle, but notable. The head Indian chief gets to be a hero in the final showdown, which is very rare for any Western. The other bad guy besides Mitchell's Indian happens to be the male hostage, played by Robert Horton, famous for starring in the Wagon Train television series. He is obviously not redeemable, and won't be a voice of wisdom to Power's rookie Mountie.

The final reason is that the way that the plot unfold is a little different than you might expect. All in all, Pony Soldier is an enjoyable and entertaining film.

Mountie (Tyrone Power)goes to indian villege to save captured white girl and retrieve bank robber(Robert Horton). Power is aided in his quest by half-breed(Thomas Gomez)and must challenge a proud indian warrior(Cameron Mitchell.

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One of those well crafted star vehicles from the twilight of the studio system era, not that much actually happens in Pony Soldier yet it still manages to be a pleasant and entertaining North Western. By 1952 Tyrone Power was getting on a bit to play a rookie Mountie who's still wet enough behind the ears to have let his man get away before the film starts, though he's more convincing once the story hits his stride and his ability to improvise solutions comes to the fore. It may begin with a spectacular battle (culled from Fox's 1944 Buffalo Bill) and a murderous raid for hostages but it's not an action picture, and nor is it a romance despite one of those hostages naturally being a pretty girl (an underused Penny Edwards). Instead, as Julie Kirgo's booklet notes in Twilight Time's new Blu-ray release observe, it's more a film about diplomacy and keeping the peace, with Power's tenderfoot having to persuade a tribe of Cree to return to their reservation and hand over two American hostages with only Thomas Gomez's portly and reluctant half-breed scout ("The Cree do not love the Blackfeet. Because I am half Blackfeet, half white man, they hate me double") and an orphaned Indian boy to help him. Naturally there's conflict in the Cree ranks to contend with as well, with Stuart Randall's chief leaning towards conciliation and an almost unrecognisable Cameron Mitchell eager for war. And it doesn't help that one of the hostages has a secret of his own, leaving Power with a bear by the tail and a bear's tail is short...

There aren't many surprises and the film never makes a play for greatness, but it's a satisfying outdoor picture all the same. Gomez gets all the best lines ("Sometimes even when smart beaver cut down tree, tree fall on beaver"), the scenery is spectacular even if it was shot in Arizona and California rather than Canada and there's enough action and incident to satisfy most Western fans while its concise 82 minute running time ensures it never outstays its welcome.

Sadly the handsome Three-Strip Technicolor photography has lost some of its original lustre. As the name implies, the film was shot on three separate films that were printed together to form spectacularly vivid colour prints. Unfortunately over the years the three separate negative strips either suffered damage (not always in the same place on all three) or proved increasingly expensive to print, so in the 50s and 60s the studio made single combined negatives that were easier to handle and needed less storage space. As dupe negatives there was a slight loss of definition (not a major issue at the time with TV increasingly becoming the only market for old films) and the constant risk of the colour being slightly out of register if one of the three strips shrank slightly (the cause of the green lines sometimes visible around objects in 40s and 50s Technicolor films). Pony Soldier certainly doesn't suffer nearly as badly as some other films from the same era, and this is certainly the best it's ever likely to look again, but there are some problems with the surviving negative that not even the best transfer can overcome.

Nonetheless, Twilight Time have done a pretty good job with what they had to work with, with a lot more detail apparent than in Fox's Spanish DVD release enough, indeed, to show up the limitations in one of the special effect shots of a conveniently well-timed mirage. Better still, Alex North's beautiful score gets an isolated track of its own, complete with recording session lead-ins from conductor Alfred Newman, and it's one of his best from the 50s. While the occasional motifs that would later be further developed in Spartacus have drawn the most attention, it's the more lyrical passages particularly the seductive American Pastorale with its insidiously developing undercurrent of menace that really stand out.

Read Best Reviews of Pony Soldier (1952) Here

The absence of a strong story line in the screenplay alleviates the overall effect of "Pony Soldier," but as filmed against a breathtaking Technicolor panorama, Joseph M Newman's film guarantees attention for its qualities of vivid action and the interesting authenticity with which life in last century times is depicted among the Cree Indians and the Mounted Police...

These sequences abound in effective atmosphere and are increased substantially by Newman's splendid choice of players (Cameron Mitchell, Thomas Gomez and Penny Edwards) to surround head man Tyrone Power (in a colorful uniform) assigned to stop a tribe of hostile Crees from going on wage war against the U. S. Cavalry...

The film free from weeds stands out as a little gem of Technicolor beauty... It contains: a spectacular attack on a wagon train; hostages held as a pledge; enraged Indians riding into the hills to burn at the stake a beautiful innocent girl; and a battle during which a handsome hero is saved by the arrow of an Indian lad...

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This movie was soooo hard to find. I was so happy to get it from your website, even if it was VHS! It was a GREAT movie and another my uncle of 90yrs. hadn't seen! Thank you so much!! It was in great condition as promised. You are the best!!

Detective Dee & The Mystery of the Phantom Flame

"Men have weak points, just like weapons. They will also break when struck." Wu Zetian wants to become China's first Supreme Empress. While the stage and Buddah is being constructed for the inauguration strange things begin to happen. First Master Jia spontaneously com-busts, followed by more people bursting into flames. The empress wants this mystery solved before she takes over and there is only one person she can think of to solve it, Detective Dee (Lau) a prisoner in jail for treason. Can he put aside his feelings and solve the mystery of the phantom flame in time? This is not usually the type of genre I get into, but I did enjoy this movie. The tag-line says "Crouching Tiger meets Sherlock Holmes", it's hard to disagree with that statement. I will add that I think this is a type of modern Kurosawa film. The feel and the plot are something that he would do, and the ending very much reminds me of his style in the way that you aren't really sure if the ending is good or bad for those involved and makes you think. Overall, again this is not normally my type of movie but I did very much enjoy it. Good story and action. I give it a B+.

Tsui Hark is one of the most prolific directors in HK cinema history, and has churned out films like Seven Swords, Zu Warriors, the Once Upon A Time in China trilogy, Ashes of Time, and Peking Opera Blues. He's in top form in this movie, which is loosely based on a true story of an exiled detective who solves a series of murders that threaten to delay an Empress' inauguration. This movie is quite an achievement in visuals, with a great script and acting. Well worth seeing. This DVD is equally good with a crystal clear picture, and excellent sound and English subtitles.

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Tsui Hark is back, let the word be spread. Remember Robert Hans van Gulik's Judge Dee at Work: Eight Chinese Detective Stories (Judge Dee Mysteries) wonderful books ? DETECTIVE DEE is, if I'm not mistaken, the first full-length movie devoted to this character. If you like action movies, this one is clearly for you. Also note that the film was acclaimed by Positif as well as by Les Cahiers du Cinéma !! Masterpiece.

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I have to admit that I'm really getting tired of the proverbial 1 or 2 star ratings from people who, either have people over and talk during their movies, or work for a competing industry. This film is extremely entertaining and worth seeing for anybody who enjoys the assimilation of Kung-Fu and Sherlock Holmes...and who doesn't!

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Well one reviewer said they got a bootleg, another one didn't. I got a bootleg. There must be multiple versions being sold on this listing. I wouldn't take the chance. As of writing this, there are 6 or 7 sellers selling this. The official DVD is put out by VICOL ENTERTAINMENT and has both dts and Dolby audio tracks. I suggest ASKING the seller to confirm their DVD has the VICOL ENTERTAINMENT logo on it prior to ordering. There are two other versions on Amazon with a different reddish cover. That one is the official VICOL version, but there is a third VICOL release with a blue cover also as pictured on this auction. I would just ask the seller to make sure the product they are selling has the VICOL logo on the art in SHARP lettering. If you get it and the text or logos are blurry, it is probably a bootleg. What a headache to go through this....

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We Are Marshall (2007)

I have lived in Huntington, WV almost my entire life and attended Marshall University. I was a small child when the plane crashed in 1970. I remember, first hand, what our town and community went through after the tragic loss of so many lives. When I first heard that the movie was going to be made, I was both thrilled and trepidatious. Could a big time Hollywood movie capture the real event with integrity, honesty and respect? The answer is a resounding Yes!

McG, McConaughey, Fox and the rest of the cast and crew treated our story with all of that and more. The movie is historically accurate, (thanks to a great script by Jamie Linden) the acting is excellent, the soundtrack is fabulous, and McG thank you for filming a good portion of this movie in Huntington!

This movie was not only "necessary" but a story that applies to so many other "rise from the ashes" events in our world today. I know it would seem easy for me to love this movie because I lived it, but my adoration for this film actually comes from the efforts and dedication that the film makers put into this project. They took a true story and made it into a movie that can touch the heart of anyone who sees it.

For those critics who spend too much time focusing on the "pacing," and "spirituality" or other minutia, you're missing the point. This isn't a film for pretentious, overly analytical critics or Sunday School debate. Enjoy this film for what it is. It was intended to share an uplifting and heart-warming true story and to evoke understanding, empathy, courage and determination. If you have any humanity in you, you will like this movie! GO HERD! WE ARE MARSHALL!!

On November 14, 1970, an airplane carrying the Marshall University football team, coaches, and many prominent supporters crashed with all aboard killed. This movie portrays what happened to those left behind and how they rose from the ashes of this disaster and resurrected the football team.

Since everyone knows what is in store, the first part of the movie is especially poignant as you meet the players and know their lives are destined to end far too early. What a typical moviegoer might not be familiar with is the character of Jack Lengyel, a man who was the only one willing to come forward and try to salvage the football program. Matthew McMcConaughey gives a stirring performance as Coach Lengyel as does Matthew Fox as Red Dawson, the assistant coach who gives up his seat at the last minute to another person. The guilt of being a survivor eats at him and nearly destroys his life.

Emotional, uplifting, and enjoyable....this movie manages to honor those who died and those who picked up the pieces and restored pride to Marshall.

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I remember clearly, as a high school junior, the shock and loss that the crash of the aircraft carrying the Marshall University football team invested on a nation. The town, the college, and those left behind must have suffered so. It has taken 25 years to portray that loss on film, and the December film, "We Are Marshall", while not living up to its promise as one of the years "awardable" movies, was nevertheless a moving film experience.

The film deals briefly with the events leading up to the crash, and then in depth with the different ways that those affiliated with the school grieve and start over again. Star athlete Nate Ruffin (Anthony Mackie) is stunned at the fact that he wasn't on the plane, due to injury, and that his legacy is to pick up where the team left off and start over again. His faith in that new start never waivers. Unlike Ruffin, the school's administration and its president Donald Dedmon (the always excellent David Strathairn)

are more realistic. They can't recruit, can't play freshman, can't rebuild right away. The school is small and although "The Thundering Herd" were important to students, alumni and faculty alike, the task is insurmountable. They will suspend the program for a few years to give everyone a chance to recover.

The student body has a different plan, and their outrage presents Dedmon with the need to try. He can't find a coach and has to settle for a virtual unknown from the College of Wooster. Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey, complete with greasy hair in an unlikely length and clothes of plaid polyester) accepts the challenge He's just savvy and stubborn enough to make it work, to reformat and refashion a team of sorts, and even to talk former recruiting scout, Red Dawson (Matthew Fox) into returning as an assistant coach.

The remainder of the film deals with both the practical matter of building the team, the difficulty in winning, and the way those in the town and at the school deal with the grief of what might have been.

Director McG, not a favorite of mine (he brought us BOTH Charlie's Angel's films) surprises with his light touch with the story and his ability to let the film find its own legs. It is a poignant tale. It bogs down between the decision to move forward with the team and the actual first game. The game sequences have an authentic feel, and the score moves well with the film. The film feels like authentic West Virginia and authentic 70's. It never attempts to be something it isn't; it's a sports film that treats the sport within the greater landscape of what was happening in the times and how emotions sometimes get in the way of moving on with your life. It deeply affected the crowd in the theater on the day I saw it.

McConaughey is goofy, offbeat and believable as Lengyel. Aside from his performance, everyone else in the film works well together as an ensemble, with few false notes but not much to remember about their contributions. There's no cliche here, just a simple story that will make you both sad and hopeful. Forget what the critics say, "We Are Marshall" will touch you.

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I watched this film with tears streaming down my cheeks as I recalled the evening of my 12th birthday, November 14, 1970. I vividly remember watching TV in the basement of our small house in St. Albans, West Virginia, and during the football game which I was watching, the local tv station broke in with a report that the plane had gone down. My first thought was, "Oh no, Roger." One of my family's neighbors in our first house in St. Albans was a young man named Roger Childers, who if I remember correctly was being redshirted during this particular season. As a typical boy who had dreams of growing up and playing football myself, I think back to Roger taking the time to visit with myself and my next door neighbor Joey when we asked him questions about football and college at Marshall. He was a wonderful young man and my family I learned the next day that unfortunately he was among those on the team plane.

This film took me back to my youth and I thought everything was handled "delicately" out of respect for the dead and their families including the crash itself. Seeing terror in the faces of the coaches and players would have been very difficult to handle. I thought they paid very close attention to the details particularly in regards to the crash site and the weather that night...it was cold, nasty and rainy. The rebirth of the program reminds me of a Phoenix rising from the ashes to live another day. If you like to be moved when watching a film, by all means, watch this one.

Peace!

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It is unfathomable to see how many negative reviews this movie received from different critics, as well as some audience members, and I REALLY am left to wondering if they were actually watching the same movie as I was watching, or if they even WATCHED the movie at all. This movie deserves to be looked at as far more than just another "winning the big game" sports film like "Miracle", which was one of my favorites, but needs to viewed as so much more-a magnificent piece that deals with coping with tragedy and rising above the ashes--perfect themes for this post 9/11 world, wouldn't you say? PLEASE do not listen to the negative reviewers on this one. I can guarantee you will not be disapointed, especially with the fact that this has to be the best performances ever given by Matthew McCaughney.

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The Rabbi's Cat (Blu-ray and DVD Combo Pack)) (2011)

I offer a litmus test. If you adored Sylvain Chomet's "Triplets of Belleville" but were bored with "The Illusionist", this film won't work for you. Myself, I thought the colors and drawings were artistically incredible ... something like Arabic or Hindu painted miniatures. Alas, there really is not much of a story. It is instead a tale of a journey by a rabbi, his voluptuous daughter, an Arab sheikh, and a Russian who are searching for a hidden Jerusalem in Ethiopia where Blacks and Jews co-exist in peace. Along for the ride is the rabbi's "talking cat" a creature which loves arguing and commenting on everything when he's not being pampered by the rabbi's daughter. Since the rabbi is a religious man, they discuss differences in customs and spirituality and beliefs...and why that matters.

The half of the film that take place in Algiers, 1920 is simply stunning. Beautiful blue pools, Persian carpets, exotic buildings, and mosaic tiles. For that alone, I give it 4 stars. The discussions between the characters were engaging but they did become didactic after a while. One of the great moments is the decision by the cat to obtain a bar-mitzvah, and the objections of the orthodox community to such an insanity.

The major problem of the movie is lack of a coherent narrative. Perhaps that is life itself lack of a coherent narrative form speaks substance.

This is animation for adults...worth a peek!

Although released under the GKIDS label, I'm going to start out by saying that "The Rabbi's Cat" is not an animated feature for children. It is undeniably geared toward adults or, at least, teens with an awareness of the world around them. The film discusses religion, racism, and violence and is thought-provoking in a surprisingly comedic way. This feature won the César Award in France for Best Animated Film and is based on Joann Sfar's series of graphic novels. Truthfully, without knowing anything about the movie, I really didn't have a strong desire to see it. I imagined the worst when I read about a talking cat offering wit and insight into a myriad of weighty topics. But I'll watch anything, you never know where that next great surprise is going to come from! Well, for me, this was it! I absolutely loved "The Rabbi's Cat!" The movie is smart, silly, sophisticated, and scathing. There is much to admire in this 89 minute movie, and the DVD/Blu-Ray also boasts some impressive extras.

Bonus:

1) 12 page excerpt from the graphic novel. This is a neat addition, you see that the film catches both the spirit and the look of the piece to perfection.

2) Joann Star Draws From Memory: A documentary feature (just shy of an hour) that sits down with the artist and filmmaker. I didn't know anything about Sfar, but found him to be an interesting subject.

3) Making-of Featurette

4) Trailer

Also of note: Sometimes these GKIDS features or other International animated releases will have an English dub option (of which I'm not a particular fan). "The Rabbi's Cat" does not. This is a subtitled release.

"The Rabbi's Cat" is set in Algeria during the thirties. This environment is a varied mix between French, Arab, and Jewish cultures and there is an unease in this cohabitation. When a Rabbi's cat miraculously gains the power to speak to its owners, it offers humor and commentary about this diversity. His is a search for truth, for God, for faith, and for his place in the world. A surprise guest from Russia adds further depth to the discussion and soon leads the major characters on a pilgrimage across Africa to a rumored city inhabited by Jews. Much of "The Rabbi's Cat" plays out as a wacky road trip with very serious undertones. I won't reveal any spoilers, but the group encounters violence (and even bloodshed) along the way. The trip can meander, but it is in these cross cultural adventures that the film really sings with wit and insight.

In terms of the technical presentation, I really liked the fluid hand-drawn animation on display. It's quirky and oftentimes lovely to look at. But trust me, that's one ugly cat! In short, "The Rabbi's Cat," in my opinion, was thoroughly entertaining. Check it out as a seriously funny film for adults, though, do NOT pick it up for the little ones. KGHarris, 5/13.

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The Rabbi's Cat is a truly charming animated film. The story follows an elder Rabbi and his daughter living in the Sephardic Jewish community in pre-World War 2 Algeria. The eponymous cat develops the ability to speak upon devouring the Rabbi's prized Parrot and proceeds to cause no end of mischief for the family and the surrounding community.

For fans of the graphic novel by Sfar, the film stays absolutely loyal to the look, feel, and theme of the original. The film has cut some plot-lines and characters in order to fit within the standard length of a two hour movie, but this hurts the narrative much less than one might think.

The Rabbi's Cat is ultimately about identity, religion, and ethnicity and how the contradictions within those boundaries ultimately define us as people. The fim is targeted at adults with the religious and historical that are too complicated for younger children. Overall, a great film from beginning to end.

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This is a beautifully animated version of Joann Sfar's graphic novel series. The world is incredible rich, full of Jewish and African lore... both mythology and history. I would have liked the film to be longer the pace can be a little frantic, and they try to cram too much plot into a short running time. I wish the Odyssey of Africa towards the end had been done as a stand-alone sequel. Oh well, it looks good and it has got more heart and imagination than most movies. And I guess it reflects how the images and creative ideas just seem to POUR out of the mind of Joann Sfar.

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The French have a well deserved reputation for off-beat works of genius and this is one here. I will not say a word about the extraordinary plot but the typical close-to-the-nerve Jewish humour is hilarious. The animation and music is exceptional. I loved it! Treat yourself. The English subtitles move a bit fast if you do not speak French and they are a bit on the small side but I found that no impediment to a wonderful night at the movies.

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Night Riders (1939)

As a kid, I would sit for hours and watch old westerns on TV on Saturday morning. My favorite was "The Duke". The 3 Mesquiteers films, he made 8 of them, were the best. I loved the music. It was just fun, silly fun, but fun.

Olive Films has been releasing a number of early John Wayne Republic B westerns, ifrom fine quality prints on DVD. This one packs all the action that old cowpokes enjoy. Good quality print. Recommended.

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1. Nothing derogatory about the movie in itself. Just be aware that it is in Italian ONLY. No English language or sub-titles.

2. The advertisement lists 2 movies titles, "The Night Riders" and "Lone Star Bullets". This is untrue. There is ONLY one movie, "The Night Riders".

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I like John Wayne movies and collect all the movies he made. This was one of his early movies, which all are about the same stores as many silent movies done before sound. They changed the people appearing in the movies and sometimes the name of the movie. But if you are a John Wayne fan it does not matter you just like watching his movies.

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I'm most delighted to see John Wayne's old classic movies being preserved onto DVD and even happerier that there are merchants who sell such product.

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