Seven Days in Utopia (2011)

I love all kinds of movies and watch everything from dramas to horror movies. But sometimes the overload of the Hollywood language and gore machine just gets old. That's why it's so pleasant and refreashing to happen upon just a really good, feel good, poinant movie like Utopia. I literally stumbled across this movie as I was searching the theater's local listings. I don't think they advertised a lot, and that's a shame because I think a lot of people are going to miss this hidden gem.

Utopia does have a Christian themed message, but it's not the "beat you over the head" kind. It's really just a good life-lesson that would apply to anyone anywhere, regardless of religion.

Add Utopia to the list of movies (Remember the Titans, Secritariat, The Blind Side) that prove you can have a well done, enjoyable movie without all the typical Hollywood violence and language.

Best family movie to come along in a Long time.

The advice given in the movie is the best.

Saw this movie twice and cannot wait to buy it.

The critics gave it a bad rap because there was no wild violance, cursing, sex content, ect.

Uplifting life lessons.Seven Days in Utopia

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Every person I saw this movie with, and I saw it in the theater more than once with several different people, said the same thing, they loved it and wanted to own it on video. Recently, I talked to a woman whose son worked as a crew member. He said the crew didn't have high hopes for this modest-budgeted film at the time, and they were all surprised at just how good it turned out to be when it was released.

It's a feel-good movie about accomplishing dreams that makes a person want to see it again and again. They even make golf interesting. The faith aspect of it is sweet and comforting and never mushy. The scenery is beautiful; the characters are great; Duvall is the best! He rides his horse on the golf course! Have the Kleenex handy, it will touch your heart.

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"How can a game have such an affect on a man's soul? The way I see it, how can it not?" When Luke Chisolm's (Black) big chance at a golf tournament ends in a disaster he drives away wanting to give up golf. When an accident lands him in the town of Utopia he meets a rancher named Johnny Crawford (Duvall) who can teach him about golf, and much more. I have to admit that many of the "faith-based" movies that I have seen start off good then end up being very cheesy where everything works out perfect without any consequences or obstacles to avoid. This one was heading down that path but veered of sharply and ended up having one of the best endings I have seen in a movie. All that aside, this is a fantastic family movie that everyone will love and is a rare G rated movie that is good. While this is a golf movie, this is also so much more and Duvall plays a type of Mr. Myagi character in the way that only he can. I can go on and on about this movie but I will simply say...this is a must watch. Overall, one of the best sports movies to come out lately as well as one of the top ten of the year so far. I highly recommend. I give it an A.

*Also try Greatest Game Ever Played & The Perfect Game

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What a great movie! My husband and I were glued to the screen the entire movie. This movie doesn't have any big car or fight scenes, because it didn't need any. I am waiting for the blue ray version to come out. This is definitely one for the DVD library!

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The Last Metro (The Criterion Collection) (1980)

One of Truffaut's and Deneuve's best pictures. It has warmth, history, a sense of the absurd, excellent pacing, and a bit of suspense. It's also has more a linear storyline then many French films. All of the performances are excellent.

Two Warnings:

1. Avoid dubbed versions (Deneuve's sense of humor is in her voice, not on her face, resulting in a mirthless character when dubbed).

2. The new Fox version changed the sub-titles and wrecked some of the best lines.

I was first drawn to this film when I read a news article that this film had been considered by many French critics to be the best French film of the 80's. I couldn't have agreed more with that judgment when I saw it. Truffaut goes beyond telling a story of love and tragedy in Nazi-occupied France, it shows how intensely he feels about art and theater and how inseparable they are from human life. Theater is a big part in the lives of the central characters and hence a key ingredient of this film as well. Truffaut uses that fictional theater and interweaves that with real lives so seamlessly that it sometimes blows your mind away. I think in many ways it is an extension of 'Day for Night'. A terrific achievement, to say the least.

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Truffaut follows in the tradition of Jean-Pierre Melville by adapting a popular genre as a serious allegory for the darkest period in French history: the Nazi Occupation. Just as Melville used the gangster film to examine notions of legality, legitimacy, authority and criminality in a period when the Resistance were outlaws and the police were rounding up Jews for the death camps, so Truffaut takes the beloved putting-on-a-show warhorse, and uses it as a metaphor for the conditions of life in Occupied France: the need to act, adapt and continually discard roles. When Depardieu's character leaves to fight for the Resistance, he puns about exchanging his make-up (maquillage) for the maquis. What Truffaut is most interested in, as in all his films, is the effect this need for constant dissembling has on individual identity and relationships.

This wonderful romantic comedy plays like a mature update of 'Casablanca', richly stylised, bravely open-ended, with Truffaut's moving camera wrenching spirit from claustrophobic confines.

Read Best Reviews of The Last Metro (The Criterion Collection) (1980) Here

This is a first-class romantic, suspensful and humane movie. The Germans have occupied Paris and there are informers everywhere. Marion Steiner (Catherine Deneuve), a famous actress, has taken over the management of the theater her husband, Lucas Steiner, an equally famous director, has left. Steiner is a Jew and disappeared shortly after the Germans took over. For the next production Marion Steiner hires a young actor, Bernard Granger (Gerard Depardieu), who loves women and who gradually comes to love Marion.

There are secrets everywhere. Lucas Steiner is hiding and living in the basement of the theater, protected by his wife. He directs the new play through notes to his wife and discussions in the late evening when she visits him. Granger is an member of the resistance who could bring disaster to the theater if he is caught. Marion Steiner is devoted to her husband, but feelings for Granger slowly begin to appear, and are not unnoticed by her husband. All the while life in Paris under the Nazis goes on, the play is prepared and rehearsed, Jewish members of the company are protected or caught or flee. An odious, collaborating journalist and theater reviewer uses his contacts and influence to try to arrange a relationship with Marion. Eventually Bernard leaves the theater for active fighting.

This is something of a romantic movie of choices. At the end of the movie, the Germans are fleeing Paris. Bernard has returned and a new play starring Marion and Bernard is a great success. Lucas is spotted by the audience at the rear of a box and they stand to applaud him. Bernard and Marion bring him to the stage to join them in receiving the ovation for the play. Then Marion moves between the two men, holds their hands, and the three of them stand smiling while the applause roars on. And that's the end. This is, in my view, a very satisfying movie of theater life, of the occupation, and of three people who manage to find their way.

I think the DVD looks great, with many of the scenes having a dark, warm look about them.

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A romantic and beautiful film from one of the founders of the French new wave of films, iconic director Francois Truffaut's award winning film "THE LAST METRO" is given THE CRITERION COLLECTION treatment showcasing the well-thought and well-planned script of Truffaut but also the beautiful cinematography by Nestor Almendros. But the film is much more beautiful thanks to the outstanding performances by Catherine Deneuve and Gerard Depardieu.

"THE LAST METRO" showcases Deneuve and Depardieu's great chemistry and acting. Both talents were just magnificent in the way they portrayed their characters. Deneuve moreso, as the emotions on her face shows us strength, compassion but also elegance and sexiness. This in combination with the variety of the characters but the way the film was written and how the film was shot. Everything came together as Francois Truffaut pays his homage to the theatre but showing how things were at that time in France during the occupation.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

"THE LAST METRO" is a film that has been digitally remastered for "THE CRITERION COLLECTION" release. The film is now 30-years-old is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1:66:1. The high-definition digital transfer was created on a Spirit Datacine from a 35 mm interpositive from the original negative. Thousands of instances of dirt, debris and scratches were removed using the MTI Digital Restoration System.

As Truffaut was an iconic director for his well-planned ideas up to its overall execution, his partnership with cinematographer Nestor Almendros brought beautiful imagery. "THE LAST METRO" featured a monochrome red. In fact, the film does not utilize so many colors. It was Almendros who knew what he wanted on camera, indoors to focus on monochrome reds, lighting to be natural, thus trying to capture the flame of candle reflecting on a person's face. The colors are vibrant for a 1980 film. Some parts with grain but nothing to be alarmed about it. The film looks absolutely gorgeous in the Blu-ray release.

As for the audio, the soundtrack was mastered at 24-bit from a 35 mm magnetic soundtrack. The audio is an uncompressed monaural soundtrack. Audio restoration helped reduce the amount of clicks, pops, hiss and crackle. Audio is primarily dialogue but overall audio is clear.

The film also features a new and improved English subtitle translation.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

For the special features included in the Blu-ray disc version for "THE LAST METRO THE CRITERION COLLECTION" are:

* TWO AUDIO COMMENTARY TRACKS The new 2008 audio commentary by Annette Insdorf (author of "Francois Truffaut") is a very good commentary. Insdorf comments on each scene with no pausing and literally knowing what she is talking about. Informative and definitely giving the viewer a chance to see things through the eyes of Truffaut. A wonderful commentary track. The second commentary track features by actor Gerard Depardieu, historian Jean-Pierre Azema and Truffaut biographer Serge Troubiana. Another wonderful commentary track. Another informative and wonderful commentary track as we are able to get some good insight through Depardieu but also get a Truffaut perspective from Troubiana but also the occupation of France through historian Jean-Pierre Azema.

* Deleted Scene The sole deleted scene included on this Blu-ray features a five minute scene with Valentin. The scene was cut because it made the film too long but it goes into Valentin wanting Marion to be in his final film since he is dying. But because her obligation to the play, the crew and also her husband (trying to hide him), as much as she would like to be part of his film, she can not.

* Les Nouveaux Rendez-vous A near 11-minute interview from a French television show "Les Nouveaux Rendez-vous" with Francois Truffaut, Catherine Deneuve, Gerard Depardieu. A very interesting featurette as Depardieu talked and smoked and just feeling great to be part of a film that would depict theatre of that time. Very informative.

* Passez Donc Me Voir A six minute featurette featuring Francois Truffaut and Jean Poiret excerpted from the television show "Passez Donc Me Voir". Another informative film, more-so for Jean Poiret and him working with Truffaut.

* Performing "THE LAST METRO" A 15-minute featurette that features actors Andrea Ferreol, Sabine Haudepin and Paulette Dubost along with second assistant director Alain Tasma (who played the character of Marc). The talent talk about working with Truffaut and being part of his past films and how wonderful it was to work with him and the freedom they had to be their character for the film. Also, how Ferreol helped cast Heinz Bennent (who played Lucas Steiner) for the film by recommending him to Truffaut. Tasma talked about how he tried out for Jean-Loup's character but he was too short. Sabine gave good insight since she was in several Truffaut films.

* Visualizing "THE LAST METRO" A near 10-minute featurette with interviews with camera assistants Forent Bazin and Tessa Racine in which they discuss working on the film especially working with cinematographer Nestor Almendros. What was interesting is that with all the color and beauty of the film, when Nestor was filming, he lost his contacts several times and was essentially blind. Without using a light meter, his staff was just amazed how he was able to get the lighting right in the final cut. A very informative featurette.

* Working with Truffaut: Nestor Almendros A near half-hour featurette that was filmed for Rainier Gansera's 1986 documentary "Arbeiten mit Francois Truffaut". Truffaut expert Robert Fischer pieced together all elements from the actual interview by Gansera into one featurette for THE CRITERION COLLECTION. This featurette is about how Nestor Almendros became friends with Truffaut, why he moved to France. Almendros talked about Truffaut's style which includes his concern of shooting the film a certain way because he knew his International fans watch his films with subtitles, so Truffaut and Almendros worked together in making sure the background below where the subtitles would be shown can be readable. But what is more special is how Almendros enjoyed working with Truffaut from the beginning and to be there for Truffaut who died in 1984. Informative and just a very special insight to Truffaut and being a cinematographer for several of his films. A wonderful featurette!

* Une Histoire d'Eau "The Story of Water", a 1958 short film (almost 13 minutes) co-directed by Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard. An enjoyable B&W short about a woman who wants to get to France but because the place has been flooded, she has quite an adventure in getting from her home to Paris and get near the Eiffel Tower.

* Theatrical Trailer The trailer for the film

And similar to other releases from "THE CRITERION COLLECTION", a booklet including an essay by critic Armond White is included. White's essay on "THE LAST METRO" is well-written and a great addition to the release.

JUDGEMENT CALL:

"THE LAST METRO" is among the several award-winning films from Francois Truffaut. The film meant to be a trilogy of paying homage to theatre is literally a beautiful film capturing the occupation of France and the secrets held by the various characters involved in the play.

The term "Last Metro" is about the 11:00 p.m. curfew that French had to abide during the German occupation and for those who went to watch a film or watch a play at the theatre, they needed to get to the final boarding of the train (metro) during the curfew or else...

Catherine Deneuve was simply stunning as Marion Steiner. Her performance was just magnificent as body language and facial expressions really made her character seem real. As for Gerard Depardieu, despite being a man who wants to have some fun with the women, he's able to showcase himself in a variety of levels as an actor. Both had magnificent performances that really carried the film quite far.

Truffaut films...early to few of his later works are just wonderful. "THE LAST METRO"is all about the layers of the characters, small complexities and details are included and you have to credit his partnership with cinematographer Nestor Almendros for successfully achieving the transition of Truffaut's perspective into film.

From the use of colors of the monochrome red for the interiors to the bluish hues outdoors, the use of natural lighting and keeping things dark to make sure that the film shared that sense of ambiance as people who were living during the occupation can probably relate to.

Despite the bombshell dropped at the ending of the film (something that I was not really expecting), as I watched the film again, especially listening to both commentaries, it helped give me an understanding of the characters. Lucas and his love for the theatre. Was his love for Marion genuine, could he see beyond her being just a well-known actress who is now running his theatre or was it because she is epitomizes the female actress who lives for the theatre (who is essentially doing it for him). I started to see how both characters have grown lonely.

But the bombshell of the film is just one layer to "THE LAST METRO". The storyline is about secrets but also people living during a time where it was important for them to entertain because "World War II" and occupation by Nazi Germans and having to worry about air raids and being accused of being German or something anti-Nazi at that time. These people lived for the theatre, lived for entertaining and Truffaut wanted to celebrate that in this film and eventually succeeds.

"THE LAST METRO" is a beautiful French film that deserved THE CRITERION COLLECTION treatment. It's beauty as a well-told and well shot film has won plenty of awards but now with the CRITERION treatment, giving cinema fans a chance to discover one of the treasures of Francois Truffaut.

This Blu-ray release of "THE LAST METRO" looks absolutely magnificent and overall, this film is highly recommended!

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Big Momma's House 1 & 2 (2011)

We bought this as a gift for our nephew for Christmas and he was really happy with it . He only wanted the first one the price for the two of them was hard to resist .

this movie is so funny. i laught everytime i watch this movie. and it's a good price 2 for one.

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Several male comedians' have (in the movies) a character best described as their "alter-ego', ie: a character of the opposite sex engaged in an adventure of some sort or another.

Back in the day Flip Wilson had 'Geraldine', then Eddie Murphy with his (I forgot the name) and of course Tyler Perry's 'Medea'.

Well, Martin Laurence has 'Big Momma'. As far as my tastes go Big Momma is the best! She's sweet, funny, really not gross at all (as these characters' are wont to get, well there are a few, er, moments). Something about the way Martin Laurence executes his character is pleasing...and funny! No F-bombs, just a tad innuendo (ie: a wink wink to the camera) to remind the viewer that it is a male character playing a female role.

Big Momma #1 and Big Momma #2 are great as a set. Big Momma is not a one-trick-pony. The character has depth (to a degree) and the movies' are family friendly, crazy, and good for more than a few gut busting laughs!

I do think Big Momma #1 is the better of the two. Big Momma #2 is kinda like a re-do of #1 and drags abit. Big Momma's House #1 is ****, Big Momma's House #2 is **1/2. Average it out to @ ***1/2 for the set.

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I would advise anyone one who wants a funny, family oriented movie and loves them some Martin Lawerence to go buy this!

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It is worth the money I paid for it. I think that any color and any age can watch these movies and laugh. It is a family movie that brings people together and makes them see life as humorous. There may be some gun scenes that may not be appropriate for children but overall, I think they took big mama and really made a movie that was unique and different fromother movies. Would buy again, well worth the money.

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Hitman (+ Digital Copy) (2007)

I didn't expect to be impressed with this movie because in my mind it was simply another flick made from a video game but man, I was blown away! In fact it was so enjoyable that ten minutes after finishing it I wanted to see it again, and that rarely happens. Never mind the few geographical errors, this movie is all action and there is no waste of precious minutes on mindless love scenes the one actually has one cut short by the main hero and it was humorous, how he was all business, him being this monk killer for hire who lives a chaste life. In a way it was like a James Bond character who actually didn't try to bed all the babes, impressive. And Timothy Olyphant was flawless, even thought I prefer men with longer hair he looked cool and totally acted the part, mysterious, brooding but with a heart in there somewhere.

Bald and serious, dressed in an expensive suit, red silk tie and an impeccably crisp white shirt the Hitman is a force to be reckoned with. He's not too emotional but rather straightforward with a little bit of a charm threw in as he works his meticulously planned hits until one day everything changes. In a very short time the predator turns into juicy prey and he must use all of his killer skills to catch the bad guys. Trouble is finding out who the bad guys are, I liked watching this movie without knowing anything about it, but I will just say it involved the Russian secret police and the Interpol chasing the Hitman while someone from the inside of his secret agency was trying to put him in the harm's way. The twists and turns, betrayals laced with action and ferocious weaponry all in one were a feast for the mind and eyes.

This movie was like a day at the beach, the bullets spraying the sky like the morning surf hitting the warm sand. Action galore and clever fights using all sorts of guns and ammo , hand combat and even a sword scene all mashed beautifully, it is all art, a ballet almost , full of grace with deadly intentions, I loved it and can't say enough good things about it.

Kasia S.

I really enjoyed this movie....I mean what is there not to like. You have a hitman (the sexy #47) who has been trained from childhood to be the best at what he does. Trained to hold his breath, shoot anything that moves from any distance, armed with sexy weapons and a barcode (tattooed beautifully in his scalp), along with an air of calm (that would make anyone scared who he faces), he is the perfect killing machine and running for his life. Determined to protect Nika, a prostitute to the President of Russia, from who else (her lover), #47 goes about the task of fighting the bad guys and righting what he thinks are wrongs. With a Interpol Cop on his heels, he attempts to uncover the truth about why someone he thought he killed wants him dead and what the whole thing is about. I enjoyed this movie...with its cool fight scenes and nice special effects. It was definitely worth renting on a Sunday afternoon.

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I had heard a lot of bad things and bad reviews about this movie. I was suprised when I watched it that it was as good as it was. I thought Timothy Olyphant did a good job and that the girl who played his love interest was also good and HOT. The guy that plays T-Bag on the TV show Prison Break was also good. I have never played this game but I thought the story was pretty solid. It kind of reminded me of The Bourne Identity as he is a trained super assassin from a place that churns them out and he has flash backs of good and bad things.

Anyway, the action rocked and it was exciting and entertaining beginning to end. It was pretty good and fun to watch.

Read Best Reviews of Hitman (+ Digital Copy) (2007) Here

Yet another game to movie adaptation, but this one has a major difference. It's actually pretty damn cool.

Timothy Olyphant fits perfectly into the role of Agent 47, an orphan who is taken in and trained by an agency that trains children to be the most stealthy and deadly hitmen in the world. Agent 47 is the best of the best of all the Hitmen raised and trained by "The Organization." He is called in to perform on a hit on the Russian President Mikhail Belicoff, however the hit is a setup and 47 finds himself on the run from Interpol & The Russian Secret Police.

While on the run, 47 endeavours to get revenge and find the truth about who set him up and why. This unravels a tangled web of lies and deceipt as one by one he kills those who have done him wrong, including those who are also members of "The Organisation."

During his streak he comes across an unlikely companion in Nika Boronina who we come to see gives 47 emotions and feelings that he's never encountered before.

This is a really good movie and something that at times keeps so close to the game that you come to think this is a game in itself. Timothy Olyphant plays 47 incredibly and although 47 is conventionally an emotionless character but within the movie we are given emotion that is being held back. That may be a bit of an oxymoron but the way in which Olyphant portrays it is amazing as it's a character that has all this emotion built up inside but is trying to hold it back.

The action, dialogue and cinematography of this film I found to be incredibly intelligent. It has moments in it that you can identify to the game and there's one point in particular which the game itself is given a nod. 47 breaks through the window of a hotel room and it cuts to a vision of kids playing the video game hitman.

Overall this was a very, very good film which I have to admit I didn't really have high hopes for in the beginning. I am glad to say my preconceptions were changed within the first 5 minutes into the movie and I am sure to watch it again.

You should check it out whether you're a fan of the game or not, it's still a pretty special piece.

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Hitman was an enjoyable movie with references throughout towards to the video game series on which it is based on. They picked a good one (Timothy Olyphant-Scream 2, Live Free or Die Hard) to play the title character and he does so with style but also a fierceness as well. He dispatches any and all that come his way or end up and his already dead marks. From hand to hand combat, guns, sword fights with others like him from the Organization that trained, fed, clothed and made them into the powerful yet deadly freelance agents they are.

It is touched on his background with the organization but hope it might be expanded on in a future movie. Entertaining, action packed and loaded with violence add a little bit of storyline and you have a fun and far more entertaining movie than i thought it could be. Usually i'm not too hyped over video games made into movies, but Hitman isn't like that at all.

Very enjoyable.

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District B13/District 13: Ultimatum 2-Pack (2009)

These are two movies where I actually loved part 1 and part 2. Usually the second movie sucks, but not this one.

I can't say that I have seen too many French films before, spare the ever so awesome Brotherhood of the Wolf, but after that and the District 13 films, France has definitely made it's mark in American culture with such bad@$$ films. Yes, the film quality isn't necessarily quite up to pace with American movies, but it makes up for it with some pretty decent acting and some awesome stunts. Cyril Raffaelli (Live Free or Die Hard, Kiss of the Dragon, Hitman), busts out some outstanding martial arts, and David Belle pulls some spectacular stunts using the art of Parkour...awesome athletic ability. The duo does a great job together in these films. If you're an action/martial arts fan, I highly recommend checking these movies out. My only main criticism on these movies is that the dubbing kinda sucks on it, but then again, such is the case with a lot of dubbed movies. I would recommend watching these in the native tongue and reading subtitles, but however way you prefer to do it, just watch these movies! They are worthwhile action films!

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full of action!

full of fights!

full of everything!

the best I've seen in action

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District B13 (Banlieue 13) is your standard low budget action flick, lots of action sequences and fight scene with a weak plot about a ghetto district in Paris where the gangs are so bad, that the French gov't built a wall around it. Now in 2010, with no hope of bringing peace to the district, the French gov't is going to blow up the district with a bomb. Our two heroes fight their way to the bomb only to fight over whether the bomb is going to blow up or deactivate when the time reaches zero. The 2 heroes bring the bomb to the presidents office and use it to persuade him to open up district 13 and tear down the wall.

District 13: Ulimatum (Banlieue 13: Ultimatum) is the sequel, with a slightly higher budget, better camera work and a deeper plot. Surprise, nothing has changed, the wall is still up and gangs still control district 13. Now in 2013, big surprize 2012 didn't happen, the French gov't has become corrupted and is sparking a war between the gangs and police to convince the president to blow up district 13. The Department of Internal State Security is taking care of anyone that will get in the way of their plot including our 2 heroes. Leito breaks Damien out of jail and the two snoop around in police headquarters and find out what's what. Paris is about to erupt in riots, and the president is about to blow up district 13. So our 2 heroes and the 5 gang lords unite to break into the control room where the president is about blow up district 13 and expose DISS' plot to the president. After stopping the president from blowing up the district *spoiler* the 5 gang leaders and leito agree it's best just to rebuild and the president blows up the district anyway. *spoilers*

As you can see from my plot summaries the sequel has more plot, which does mean less action but makes it a more well rounded movie. I perfer the French audio as the English audio is just a word for word translation without much thought toward lip syncing and can get annoying.

Bottom line: If you just want a flick like Mortal Kombat just go with District B13. If you like plot more than action get District 13: Ultimatum. If both sound good, get this.

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The bundle is a great deal, comes with dual audio and subtitles, and as expected of blu-ray, the highest quality available. Great product. Recommended for all viewers who can watch a PG-13 movie.

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Planet Terror (Two-Disc Special Edition) (2007)

First, a word about this childish boycott. "Grindhouse" gave us two brilliant genre films for the price of one in the theaters. It was a once in a lifetime experience for most of us and a chance to see the two most bada$* directors in Hollywood give us 3+ hours of hardcore horror entertainment including the funniest faux-trailers your likely to ever see. And it bombed. Big time. Why? Because lazy America said it'd wait for the DVD because the film was too long and lost the chance to support a truly brilliant idea and show that we are sick and tired of cardboard cutout PG-13 teen horror and bad remakes of beloved cult classics. They went to see "Disturbia" instead. "Grindhouse" was what true horror fans -hell, what all true film fanaticshave been dying for and shame on all of you who missed it. So the studio took a loss for taking a chance on this idea and as a result, they've split the two films up with extra scenes that were cut for time and are giving us these two films as we haven't yet seen them, each in double-dic editions packed with extras. Awesome, right? Weeeeeellllll, now the same whiners who stiffed the films in the theaters are angry they missed out and want both films on one DVD (as if there'd even be room) for a discount price. Sorry, but it don't work that way. The theatrical cut was packaged as just that, an experience for the theaters simulating the double-feature drive-in days of old. Even if that experience would translate to DVD, why would the company re-release it in a form that already failed miserably? The bottom line is this: we now have another chance to show that THIS is what we as horror fans want to see and the only way to do that is to buy these great-looking DVDs. The notion that making the films bomb yet again on DVD is going to lead to some super-duper deluxe theatrical edition must have been conceived in the mind of a five year old on crack. If we don't support these editions, these films will die and the studio will waste no more money on this failed project or any like it in the future. This is basic business sense. Support true horror and boycott crappy remakes and bloated sequels *cough*Spiderman3*cough* instead.

"Planet Terror" as you already know, was Robert Rodriguez's half of "Grindhouse" and while it's artistically inferior to it's sister film (Tarantino's "Death Proof"), Rodriguez brings the campy action, hardcore gore, and zombie awesomeness hard and fast like you know he can. The music, as always, rocks and grooves, the deaths will make you laugh and recoil in disgust, and Rose McGowan may well be the sexiest thing on the planet. The story is nonsense, of course, and the dialogue is hammy and shooting a grenade launcher directly into the ground will NOT launch you into the air (not in one piece, anyway) like a superhero, but this film is of the kind where this sort of unreal madness only makes you love it more and leaves you drunk and giddy with the chaos. It's silly, but you will love it. Much of "Planet Terror" makes me feel like I'm watching the most kicka$# video game ever made; a game I'd really love to play.

The movie is packed with recurring jokes and funny, memorable dialogue (much of which is based on Rose McGownan's real personality) that pays off in spades down the line. Rodriguez did not skimp on the cast, either. Sure, he cast most of his family plus his doctor and even his freakin' real-estate agent, but they are all fantastic. Bruce Willis chews the scenery, Freddy Rodriguez is THE zombie-killing machine, Quentin Tarantino plays "rapist #1", and you know it's a true undead party when Tom Savini hits the scene. Also, Fergie plays a lesbian who gets her brain eaten by the marauding undead. Yes, I know if this was realistic the scene would have played out like the Simpsons episode where the zombies moan "braaaaaainsss" as they feel her head and then, finding none, leave the so-vapid-she's-sexy pop tart to ponder her 15 minutes of fame; but like I was saying, this is not a realistic movie and any dead Black-eyed Peas member is a good one.

If anyone knows how to do extras right, it's Robert Rodriguez. You've got the standard commentary, plus the audience reaction track from the film's premiere (a personal favorite), his patented "10 minute film school", and yes, the "Machette" trailer still precedes the film. Sweet. The rest of the bonus features largely mirror the "Death Proof" DVD with lots of love for the cast and stuntpeople; very informative and very entertaining. I was actually hoping for more restored footage to the actual movie then we get (more crazy babysitter twins, anyone?) and the visual defects and missing reel -which was fun in the theaterare still there and not nearly as cute, but these are my only gripes. I could seriously write for days about all the things I love about this movie, but I'll just say one more thing before wrapping up: I sure could go for some barbeque.

"Planet Terror" brings some seriously awesome action-horror that delivers everything you want in a zombie film and you'd be a fool to pass on it just because you don't get a whole other movie free. Buy it, buy "Death Proof", and then go wave your copies at the moron down the street who's boycotting.

The best part of Grindhouse (besides the fake trailers) was Robert Rodriguez's Planet Terror, which is now on DVD nearly a month after Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof was released. Though the Weinstein Company sadly decided to split the films for home video release (besides Machete, the fake trailers aren't here), the pair's Grindhouse films are an experience to say the least. Planet Terror revolves around Go-Go dancer Cherry (Rose McGowan) and her ex-flame El Wray (Freddy Rodriguez) who are caught in the middle of an undead outbreak. As survivors gather together, the military steps in with their own intentions, and thus let the blood bath begin. What really makes Planet Terror so good is that Robert Rodriguez is clearly having a blast with the proceedings, as he pays delightful homage to the exploitation flicks that inspired Grindhouse as a whole. There's nifty gore effects from industry master Greg Nicotero, and the rest of the cast, including Bruce Willis, Josh Brolin, Marley Shelton, Michael Biehn, Jeff Fahey, Stacy Ferguson, and Lost's Naveen Andrews, make memorable turns as well. Instantly enjoyable for zombie addicts and Rodriguez fans alike, Planet Terror is a deliciously bloody and gooey treat.

Buy Planet Terror (Two-Disc Special Edition) (2007) Now

Robert Rodriguez ("El Mariachi," "Once Upon a Time in Mexico") and Quentin Tarantino (do I need to list references?) have famously teamed up on a number of projects ("Desperado," "Sin City"). While these two cinemaphiles always appear to have a blast making their movies, the "Grindhouse" project may be the paragon of their mad-cap filmmaking self-indulgence.

"Grindhouse" was a double-feature in which RR and QT each provided a flick designed to be a homage to the low-budget horror/exploitation films of the 60s and 70s. "Planet Terror" is RR's entry, although QT makes quite an impression in an extended cameo as a deranged military nutcase. QT's half was "Death Proof," which I won't review here, but it's definitely of a piece with "Planet Terror."

Zombie films are seemingly as popular now as ever, so RR's spoof/tribute is timely. The flick opens with a hilarious mock trailer for "Machete," an X-rated revenge flick. The film quality of the trailer is terrible RR fakes wear-and-tear on the film and includes skips and flaws in the soundtrack as a tribute to the grindhouse experience. This works fine in the trailer, but as it continues into the feature film, it gets more than a little annoying after 60 minutes.

"Planet Terror" opens up with a zombie outbreak in Texas, thanks to military hijinx led by Lt. Muldoon (Bruce Willis) for reasons unknown. Soon zombies are tearing across the countryside, rending the innocent and not-so-innocent limb from limb. Unfortunately, "Planet Terror" is aiming more for humor and gross-outs rather than genuine scares, so be prepared to wince rather than cringe. Some of the jokes really work, such as several close-ups of the "humps" of Black Eyed Peas singer/ornament Fergie, just before the zombies tear her humps apart. There's also a clever "Missing Reel," alert, with apologies from theater management, just when a love scene between stripper Cherry Darling (Rose McGowan) and Wray (Freddie Rodgriguez) gets its most "exploitative."

Ultimately, this is not a good horror movie in that it will not create any genuine terror, a la the original "Halloween," "Nightmare on Elm Street," or even "Dawn of the Dead." But it must be said that there are two types of horror movies, and this is the second type the kind that goes for dark humor, ridiculiously-sensational death scenes, and blood by the barrelful. That kind of horror movie doesn't appeal to me all that much, truth be told, but if that's your game I expect "Planet Terror" will find its way to the top of your DVD stack pretty quickly.

For what it is, I cannot imagine a movie doing a better job of hitting its target than "Planet Terror." It is a tribute to bad taste and bad movies and for what it is, almost as much fun as RR and QT had making it.

Read Best Reviews of Planet Terror (Two-Disc Special Edition) (2007) Here

What makes Planet Terror so good is that it is just simple fun. The plot the characters, the acting, the effects...they are all horrible. The film is simple one-liners, idiotic characters and over the top mayhem. It is an excuse to blow stuff up and spout cheesy lines while taking down zombies in a rain of blood. There are a few clunky "heavy" moments in the film that feel bogged down and are quite painful but if you can make it through them there is a fun ride in store for you. The filming made me laugh when the missing reel message popped up and the warbles and pops are a fun throwback to horrible, horrible "grindhouse" films.

I think there is a lot of the experience that was lost when the movies were split up outside of the theater. I wish that a true theatrical running of double-feature with advertisements and trailers was available because that is what I really want. By themselves, I wouldn't purchase either Planet Terror or Deathproof but I'd rent them for a weekend with the guys while knocking back a few and tearing into some good BBQ.

Want Planet Terror (Two-Disc Special Edition) (2007) Discount?

After seeing Grindhouse in the theaters, it became an instant favorite of mine. I've gone through a few DVDs so far (US DVD and Japanese 8-disc set) before getting the blu-ray I have to say there definitely is an upgrade here (despite the old/torn up/dragged through the dirt look of the film). I'll start off by saying that it looks exactly as it was intended to look (and I hate it whenever people say that, as it usually means "It doesn't look that good, but it's not supposed to, so I give it 5 stars") there is a significant increase in the sharpness of the film, but the blu-ray also includes an exclusive version of the film without the "grindhouse look" a nice clean print if you ever just want to sit down and watch it without all of the damage (a very cool extra, even if just to check out). Overall the video is a significant jump from the DVD Release and looks very nice. Great audio track to go along with the video definitely a fun action/horror movie to sit back and crank up the volume to. All extras from the DVD release are carried over and round out the package nicely (the only new extra being the scratch-free version mentioned above)

For anyone who has seen Grindhouse in theaters, it's important to note that this is only the Planet Terror portion of the film it has been extended (almost half an hour longer) this may be a good or bad thing based on which version you like. I personally like both versions (extended individual versions and the double-feature) for different reasons currently, the double-feature isn't available on DVD or Blu Ray in the US, so there aren't many options.

What could have made it better? Picture in picture track and all of the theatrical trailers on the disc (currently the disc only has Machete on it).

If you don't have it on any format, I highly recommend it. It's a nice zombie/action movie don't expect too many scares, but if you want to sit back and have a fun time, this is the perfect movie. If you own it on DVD, I still recommend the upgrade to the Blu Ray for the extra feature (scratch-free version) and the significant A/V upgrade.

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The Sex of the Angels

A GOOD STORYLINE ALTHOUGH A LITTLE OFF BEAT AT TIMES BUT A VERY WONDERFUL TALE OF LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP.A WHOLE LOT OF FUN........

Life alone isn't easy, with two its complicated. These words of wisdom

pretty much sums up "The Angels of Sex". A very well fleshed out

character study about several complicated relationship between three

people who refuse for conform to society's expectations, yet they

themselves struggle to surpass their own limitations of how love and

sex should be handled without prejudice. The film unspools the lives

and loves of Rai (Álvaro Cervantes), Carla (Astrid Bergès-Frisbey) &

Bruno (Llorenç González) three hipsters who are dealing with the

current realities of modern Spain, both in personal & professional

relations. All three characters suffer distinct challenges and

pleasures of life as their personalities are interwoven in meticulously

yet naturally planned situations which tests their patience for what

they are willing to tolerate from one another. As angels may be, do we

really know what sex they are? In this film, boundaries established by

preconceived notions are of least importance as the heart wants what

the heart needs. Filmmaker Xavier Villaverde flawlessly handles the

character's in several surreal situations giving them enough material

to allow for the realities of some very complex situations that are

compounded by mixed feelings with ever more confusing results. This

movie is a must see for three good reasons, Rai, Bruno & Carla. As they

co-mingle and fuse their sentiments towards one another, One can't help

wondering how long would a relationship of this sort really last, but

as we see sexual desires and true love and pain surface, we realize

that these are only people looking for the same thing... to be loved as

intensely as the heart and flesh may permit for one never knows what,

when or how long the good times may last. A film highly recommended for

its embrace and truthful storytelling depicting an alternative

situation beautifully performed with profound meaning and

dedication. You are in for a treat as your eyes will feast on this

deliciously, tasty & sweet love triangle. With the many temperature

rising scenes presenting sexual fluidity at its best, thankfully this

dish is best served hot courtesy of our main cast and their charismatic

& overwhelming chemistry.

Buy The Sex of the Angels Now

This movie can not be play in blu ray made to USA or Canada, region A. I tried in 3 diferent blu ray player and can not play!!!

Read Best Reviews of The Sex of the Angels Here

I LOVED this movie! Stumbled upon it by a happy accident and was thrilled to find it! It is very seductive and alive with energy and explores love and sexuality and how these characters refuse to be limited in their lives and how they express that love. It's very realistic and the acting and writing is very good and the look of the movie has high production values and great direction! I love indie films because they are brave enough to explore themes you rarely see in main stream films. Alvaro Cervantes who plays Rai is poised for stardom and he could seduce anyone into falling in love with him. Highly recommend this film!!

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I was expecting a spanish language film with spanish subtitles this is one of my must-haves. What I got was a film with about 1/3 of the dialog in catalan. The spanish subtitles were only available for the dialog that was catalan.

Sarah's Key (2011)

The story of a 1942 Jewish family being evicted from their home in Paris and sent to a camp is interwoven with the plot of a modern-day reporter trying to determine what happened to the little girl in the family. Scenes of the fate of Jewish people at the time are always powerful to watch, with this one being no exception. The anguish of families being separated is realistically portrayed, but their eventual fate is not depicted. The story revolves around the little girl, Sarah, trying to determine the fate of her brother. The other story features the always good Kristin-Scott Thomas, doing a story on the eviction of Jews from Paris, and focusing on understanding the fate that befell Sarah. This is a powerful film that will captivate the viewer.

FILM RATING: 4 stars

The best movie I've seen in 2011 so far is Sarah's Key (2010). This French-English import is one of those little "sleeper" movies that totally surprises you and blows you away when you see it. Sarah's Key has a very emotional core to it that really looks into the human condition from multiple perspectives. And it searches for the "truth" within. This is a movie much in the vein of Schindler's List (1993), The Pianist (2002), The Reader (2008), and The English Patient (1996). It's not exactly "light" fare. But it's also not quite as dark as Schindler's List or The Pianist. I found the weaving of the two main story lines, one past and one present, to be perfect. It's not always easy for a filmmaker to pull together past and present set stories, with actors playing the same character at various ages, but director Gilles Paquet-Brenner found a way to do it brilliantly. And the same can be said for the way he weaves together both French and English languages into the movie. I never felt like I was "working" to follow the dialogue through reading subtitles. Granted, the movie is only partially subtitled. Parts of it are in English and parts are in French.

The story centers around the events of the French round-up of its own Jewish citizens in July 1942. That's right...the French, not the Germans. Of course I'm sure the French were feeling pressure from the Germans during the time. And yet it's hard to overlook the fact that the French were just as guilty of genocide as the Germans and Russians. One can truly understand why there was a "World" war at this time. Sarah's Key is simply sharing another piece of the puzzle that we've been reluctant to look at until recently because of how ugly the puzzle is. The impact of this ugly mindset at the time spreading from country to country across the globe must have been like a virus, gradually infecting each host and getting them from within. The opening scenes with the capture of Sarah's family and their move to an internment camp at Auschwitz are gripping to say the least. Sarah, played brilliantly by young actress Mélusine Mayance, makes a choice on how to save her younger brother from the horrors she anticipates will fall upon them. But that choice has consequences, as we soon find out. I don't want to give too much of the story away, since it is much better to let the movie unfold it for you.

Kristin Scott Thomas plays a modern journalist, investigating this historic incident, while at the same time unravelling a very personal and ironic connection to it. The film does require that you let go of what could be too "coincidental" for reality. But remember, this is a fictional movie at the end of the day, inspired by real events. And movies by their very nature, are contrived to some degree. I never found myself getting lost in my mind thinking about how unrealistic some of the story arcs were. Instead, I simply felt emotionally engaged in the suspenseful and thrilling discovery of all of the secrets that Sarah's Key possesses. And I credit all of the talented artists who contributed to making that possible in this film. The writing, editing, cinematography, production design, acting, music and sound are top notch for this small indie film rumored to be made for less than $10 million. Sarah's Key is an amazing accomplishment for so little money, and a reminder to Hollywood that it's not the size of the budget of a movie that really matters for its quality. To me its the assembly and collaboration of many talented people unified to tell a great story.

There are two scenes that really stand out for me in the film. The first being the opening with Sarah and her brother tickling and giggling with each other under the covers in bed. The director is clearly showing us the innocent fun times of childhood. The camera work there and that little slice of "happy" to start the film with are an incredible contrast to the darker more "adult" tone of the rest of the film. The second scene that really caught my eye is when Sarah and a fellow young female companion are floating in a murky, muddy river, cleansing themselves. Both of these scenes are just small, idealized, dreamy cinematic sequences that on their own, offer needed artistic moments of escape from the story. Within any horrific context, there's always still something beautiful to be discovered and seen if one looks for it. And director Paquet-Brenner shares that.

Music composer Max Richter has created an unbelievably perfect music score for Sarah's Key that not only elevates the film, but is an incredible work to listen to all on its own. The score has mostly a classic sound to it, but Richter also incorporates bits of modern music composition and style as well. It's one of the best film scores I've heard in years. Within the film, the score gives many scenes their emotional gravity, as is typically the case. But something about Richter's music here stands out from the typical score. And you'll know it when you hear it.

I could spend a lot more time discussing the themes, ideas and incredible filmmaking prowess present in Sarah's Key, but I firmly believe in letting movies speak for themselves as well. I've given you a little to chew on and hopefully inspire you to see this film, even though on the surface (or by its book cover), Sarah's Key looks like a "heavy" film. I challenge you to watch it and grab on to it in some manner. It's movies like this that really give cinema its name. And I'm glad to see that we are still making these films, especially within the broader worldwide cinematic context we are now within.

At the end of Sarah's Key, my eyes were red from the tears that flowed throughout the film. And my mind was speechless as I just embraced the very strong emotional connection I felt with the story and the film. I'm personally always looking for movies that can give me that kind of experience. Don't get me wrong, I love the epic, action-filled extravaganzas like Inception (2010) and Saving Private Ryan (1998) as well. But it's small films like Sarah's Key that more often fill my cinematic diet now with the nutrition that I need.

Buy Sarah's Key (2011) Now

Part of the dangers inherent in adapting a wildly popular and beloved novel is that if you miss the mark, even in the slightest, you risk antagonizing a core audience that will be brutal in its appraisal. "Sarah's Key" is such a story. This adaptation of Tatiana De Rosnay's memorable bestseller, however, strikes the right balance which should appease both fans of the novel and new viewers alike. This is an impeccably mounted production that straddles contemporary drama with mysteries from the past. As the first half of the picture unfolded, I truly felt as if I were seeing one of the most effective and affecting films of the year. It is that good. Once a pivotal moment is reached in the story, however, the narrative momentum takes a sharp turn and the movie loses some of its dramatic imperative. Don't get me wrong, it's still a solid feature--but the first hour is so good, the second half pales a bit in comparison.

The plot drives you forward with the fascinating and harrowing story of a young girl named Sarah set amidst the round-up of Jews in 1942 France. Sarah's tale is intercut with modern sequences in which Kristin Scott Thomas plays a journalist about to inhabit an apartment once occupied by Sarah's family. Scott Thomas becomes intrigued by the history of the residence as her husband's family acquired the property late in 1942. This leads her to be obsessed in finding out the truth of the those that were forced to give up the apartment. While Scott Thomas is terrific, it is Sarah's tale that really resonates. Sent to the camps, divided from her family, desperate to find her brother--I was captivated, horrified, and excited by her journey. She is a great character leading the viewer on a devastating path. A moment halfway through the story stands as one of the highpoints in film this year. But after that moment, Sarah all but disappears from the film. Instead of being a pivotal lead, she becomes more of an enigma. And the focus shifts firmly to Scott Thomas tracking down the girl. This mystery element is fine, and has its moments, but nothing compares to Sarah's own voice.

The difference between the first half of the film and the second is like night and day. One is a story lived, one is a story told. It is a dichotomy that is also showcased in the novel, but I didn't feel the void left by Sarah's absence so astutely on the page. Melusine Mayance is unforgettable as the young Sarah, and Scott Thomas is at the top of her game. Whether or not you've read the novel, this is an easy recommendation. It is top tier filmmaking for adult audiences. The first hour of "Sarah's Key" is burned into my brain! I would rate the film in two parts: 5 stars for the first half, 4 stars for the second half. So, for me, this ranks at 4 1/2 stars which I will gladly round up for its power and scope. Check it out! KGHarris, 11/11.

Read Best Reviews of Sarah's Key (2011) Here

A 2010 French drama "Sarah's Key" ("Elle s'appelait Sarah") has two stories to tell, one about a 10-year-old Sarah Starzynski (Mélusine Mayance), who hides her younger brother Michel in a secret closet on 16 July, 1942, when Paris police arrested the Jewish population at the orders of the Nazis. Before they are transported by the police, Sarah locks the door, not knowing that she may not be able to come back here again.

The other story, set in 2009, is about an American journalist Julia Jarmond (Kristin Scott Thomas), who, after inheriting the apartment Sarah lived in (the fact Julia does not know), starts investigating the truths about the events that happened about 67 years ago.

Based on Tatiana De Rosnay's book of the same title (which I haven't read), "Sarah's Key" employs a double narrative in which the story goes back and forth in time, and like most double narrative structure, one half of the film is less interesting than the other. I don't think we need the story of Julia, a character we really don't care, despite Kristin Scott Thomas's fine acting for which she was nominated for César.

The real star, or I should say heroine, of the film is Mélusine Mayance playing young Sarah, who has to go through grueling hardships to keep her promise with her little brother. Unfortunately she exits the story a bit too early, and the film slowly loses momentum after that. Why didn't filmmakers focus one story instead of two when they should have known that the film is "Sarah's Key," not "Julia's"?

Those who want to know more about "Vel' d'Hiv Roundup" may be interested in a 2010 French film "The Round Up" (" La Rafle") starring Gad Elmaleh, Mélanie Laurent and Jean Reno.

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.

A serious story of the French persecution of their Jewish citizens during WWII, Sarah's Key is an impelling tale of a young girl's struggle with her captivity and the consequences of her actions. Set in Paris in 1942 and 2009, The film switches back and forth between the 1940s and 2000s as the plot develops.

The story is told by an American journalist Julia Jarmond (Kristin Scott Thomas) who in 2009 discovers that her French husband's family bought a dwelling that had been occupied by a Jewish family before the internment. Julia becomes fascinated with the history and resolves to discover the truth concerning the events of 1942.

The Jewish family Wladyslaw and Rywka Starzynski and their children are rounded up by the French police in 1942. The family lost all their possessions, them they were separated and sent to different work camps before being transported to Auschwitz.

Unlike many films about the Holocaust, Sarah's Key does not focus upon the death camps or the killing of thousands of Jews. Instead, this story is about Sarah who locks her little brother in a closet to protect him when the French police come to arrest her father. Unfortunately the police take her and her mother as well and sarah is unable to return home to release her brother from the closet. Sarah becomes focused upon escaping the police so she can rescue her brother.

The film does show some of the initial suffering of those Jews who are arrested by the French. There are several graphic scenes of police brutality and indifference of the general population to the plight of those captured.

Julia Jarmond Kristin Scott Thomas is excellent as Julia Jarmond, and Niels Arestrup is outstanding as the French farmer who aids Sarah. However ten year old Melisine Mayance carries the movie as the young Sarah Starzynski. Mayance is talented and according to her director (DVD special effects) a gifted natural actress.

Sarah's Key is a gripping movie. The story is based upon a best selling novel.

I recommend this film.

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Almost Famous (2008)

Almost Famous Untitled: The Bootleg Cut Director's Edition.

I've decided to review the Bootleg Cut of "Almost Famous" as most of the other reviews are of the original theatrical release.

This is a wonderful two-disc ( actually 3, more on this later ) DVD collection.

First, the packaging. We are presented with a brown tri-fold package, much like the bootleg recordings of the seventies. Not a whole lot of artwork on the cover. Simply a small photo of Kate Hudson (Penny Lane).

The first tri-fold presents us with a wonderful addition to this DVD set. Included is a STILLWATER Music CD. This music CD is only available in this collection and features songs from the film as performed by Stillwater. Four of the tracks are co written by Nancy Wilson ( of Heart ) and Cameron Crowe ( the director ). This little bonus CD is great and very appropriate to the theme of the set.

I'll jump now to DISC 2 of this set which is the Original Theatrical Version of "Almost Famous". This is the academy award winning version that was released and it's great. The story is well told and very engaging.

DISC 1 is "Untitled: Almost Famous : The Bootleg Cut" which is not rated.

This version is a gift.

Cameron Crowe has taken the time to ( lovingly ) recut his film and include an additional 36 minutes of film. The addition of these precious minutes change the film but do not deminish it's impact or watchability.

The additional 36 minutes add mostly to the character of Penny Lane ( Academy Award Nominee Kate Hudson ) and expand on her history.

Unlike many extended versions which add little to character development, this version of "Almost Famous" brings more insight and depth to nearly all characters.

The acting is outstanding, and it's clear that the scenes not in the original release were cut strictly due to time constraints as the acting is right on.

This is a great cast. Kate Hudson is a stand out, as is newcomer Patrick Fugit. Billy Crudup is wonderful as well, this is the movie which should have made him a movie star. Jason Lee ( of "Chasing Amy" and other Kevin Smith films ) is hysterical and just enough over the top to be believable. The movie, this version, rests soundly with Kate Hudson and Patrick Fugit.

I would think, had this Bootleg version been released theatrically, then perhaps Kate Hudson would have actually won the Academy Award rahter than just being nominated. She's done a wonderful job with this complex character.

The director's commentary is priceless, much like attending a film school seminar as conducted by Cameron Crowe.

This two disc set is a must have for any film fan. Even if you've got the original DVD release ( rather than this special edition set ), this is still more than worth the purchase price.

I would recommend this set. Strongly.

Best Regards,

turtlex

PS if you've enjoyed this review, feel free to add me to your favorite people list as I try to write reviews frequently.

Thanks for reading.

There's a moment early on in "Untitled", Cameron Crowe's 'Bootleg' Director's Cut of "Almost Famous", where rock critic Lester Bangs (Phillip Seymour Hoffman), in mid-rant, claims that the Box Tops' "The Letter" says more in less than two minutes, without even trying, than Jethro Tull can say in hours, while trying their damndest. It got me thinking: why didn't Crowe take his own advice? Why did he take a perfectly serviceable 122-minute movie that appeared to say everything, and turn it into a 162-minute movie? Well, I've seen "Untitled". It blows up "Almost Famous", makes it spectacle and spectacular, while never losing its intimate edge.

This is a case where more of a good thing doesn't turn into too much of a good thing.

What do you get with "Untitled"? Well, more character. Backstories are fleshed out, relationships are better defined, and the humanity becomes more human. We see William's (Patrick Fugit) kleptomania, along with more examples of how his youth made him an outcast. We get Penny Lane's (Kate Hudson) nurturing side, explicitly portrayed. And we get a full-on glimpse of Jeff Bebe's (Jason Lee) envy, why it started and how it manifests itself. A couple of full scenes are added, most notably a radio station appearance that's terribly funny, albeit irrelevant to the plot. But most of the additional footage comes from existing scenes being lengthened. More often than not, the point is clarified without boring the audience with tediousness.

The audio commentary begins with Cameron Crowe outlining the two paths they might go down. The first is the hemming-and-hawing path, where all the truths are covered up, in favour of banal stories and technical information. The second path is the heart-on-your-sleeve path, where all the inspirations and backstories are owned up to, where mistakes are agonized over, and the truth is king. If you've ever seen a Cameron Crowe movie, or heard the man speak more than two sentences, you'll know which path he chooses.

Crowe dominates the track. He's joined by a couple of execs (or PA's or something; they're never really introduced and don't say much). But the real treat of the track is the inclusion of one Mrs. Alice Crowe, Cameron's mom (and Frances McDormand's doppelganger). Besides being a doting mother, and quick to offer praise for her son, she also offers some real insights into the genesis of the film. She appears to know the movie backwards and forwards, and acts as further proof of the film's accuracy. It's amazing to see how much of the movie was really based on actual events. Every scene appears to begin with either Cameron or Alice being taken aback by the memories it invokes.

This is probably one of the best commentary tracks I've heard, for the inclusion, in equal measure, of technical information, on set anecdotes, and passion.

Also included on Disc One is real life video footage of an interview with Lester Bangs. Lester's vitriol is palpable, his menacing nature is enormous, but his warmth shines through. It's an interesting tidbit, in that it offers further proof that Hoffman is one of the greatest actors working today, for he doesn't stoop to imitating Lester. It's more like channeling. Then, Cameron includes a list -complete with fully-represented album covers -of his top albums of 1973 (the year the film is set). An interesting curiosity. Some of the works actually inform specific scenes from the film, which is kind of a neat trick. They've also put together a "video" for the Stillwater song "Love Comes and Goes", which is basically a montage of behind-the-scenes moments from the Rock Camp the actors had to go through. More of this can bee seen on "B-Sides", another video montage. Most interesting is the inclusion of seven of Crowe's Rolling Stone articles from the era, printed in their entirety. It's not hard to see the nascent voice of Crowe the filmmaker shining through these passion-filled pieces.

Disc Two has a lot less going for it. Its main feature is the original theatrical version of the movie. Also included is the full-length (15 minutes or so) Cleveland Concert, parts of which we see in the movie. Despite the fact that Billy Crudup sometimes plays notes not actually in the songs, and that Jason Lee still has to work on his between song banter, this footage shows just how well the actors did in achieving their collective band persona. The music's not that great, but the vibe, captured by on-stage camera work, is authentic. The Production Notes section is basically the same essay you'll find in the box's liner notes, only with additional information. There's an interesting little video moment, with Pete Droge and Elaine Summers singing "Small Time Blues" in a Hyatt House hotel room. It's a moment quickly passed by in the actual movie. But here you get to hear the whole song, from William's voyeuristic point-of-view, and it's just stunningly beautiful. You can also scroll through Crowe's screenplay, peruse the cast and crew bios, and watch the theatrical trailer.

Disc Three is an audio CD. It's got the six Stillwater songs, written variously by Nancy Wilson, Cameron Crowe, and Peter Frampton, among others. They're not very good songs, and I'm not sure they fit the era they're supposed to come from, but for an "Almost Famous" completist, like myself, it's neat to have them in all their (sub-)glory.

A lot of effort was put into making this set look like a real bootleg, the kind of clandestine little document you'd pick up at a seedy record store. I think the look and feel enhance the movie. Which was pretty good to begin with.

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No, the DVD doesn't have all the extras that Amazon promised. They goofed on that one. But, rest assured that the version we all want will be along in a few months when CC is done shooting "Vanilla Sky".

Let me start by marveling at the plethora of negative reviews here. Even the critics that didn't name it to their Top 10 list didn't dislike the movie. You will be hard pressed to find a single negative professional review anywhere on this movie. Please disregard the short, ignorant reviews here that do no more than call the movie names. This movie is all you could ask for and then some.

The story is old news by now. Everybody knows it is based on CC's real life experiences as a teenage scribe covering the rock scene for Rolling Stone magazine. Unlike many movies based on a true story, many of the pivotal scenes in this movie actually took place. Very few artistic liberties were taken with regards to key events.

The acting was virtually flawless. Phillip Seymour Hoffman would have won an Oscar if there was an awards given for cameos. His role was too small to be considered for best supporting actor, but it was the best performance I have seen in a long time. McDormand and Hudson both earned their nominations. Kate Hudson's range was astonishing, especially in the "$50/Case of Beer" scene. Jason Lee was born to play the part of Jeff Bebe, and Jimmy Fallon was surprisingly strong as a sleazy agent. The movies focal points were Billy Crudup as Russel Hammond, a self-centered guitarist with several intricate layers to his makeup. Crudup played the part perfectly and deserved official recognition for his work. Patrick Fugit, playing William Miller/CC was excellent in his debut. Like Hudson, his expressions were worth a million words. Even Zooey Deschanel was fabulous in her short scenes as William's influential older sister. I expect to see a lot more of her in the coming years.

Several scenes stand out, and the soundtrack was wisely chosen. Anyone that remembers albums had to appreciate the way a wide-eyed William gazed at all those covers with amazement for the first time. The late night conversation between Hoffman and Bangs near the end was heartbreaking and warm and brialliant and funny all wrapped up into one. The movie is full of nostalgia, but not so much that it becomes provincial and self-indulgent.

The Academy snubbed this movie for the likes of Gladiator, Erin Brockovich, and Chocolat. Never before has that disconnected gang of oafs committed such a crime. Buy this movie and treasure it, because art like this doesn't come around very often.

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Yes, the extended version (supposedly titled "Untitled", but presented here as "The Bootleg Cut") is a wonderful, immersive experience that is a lot of fun to watch for people who love this very lovable film. But for the uninitiated, as well as anyone who prefers the tighter theatrical cut, or would like to compare the two versions, or to occasionally be able to watch the film with slightly less of a time commitment, or just relive their original experience of seeing the film in the theater... THIS SUCKS. It's been an "exclusive" at Best Buy for months, and I got it there because the deliberately misleading package says this disc "includes" the extended cut. "Includes"? You mean FEATURES! "Includes" means IN ADDITION to something else, presumably the original cut. As there was no specific mention of the original cut on the package, I kind of expected that it was not also "included", but it still irked me to have that confirmed when I got home.

As I said in the review title, in another year or two you can definitely expect an "Ultimate Collector's Edition" or some such, containing both films (as well as, probably, the 6-song Stillwater EP that came with the DVD release of "Untitled" -which, ahem, DID "include" the original film as well). So, if you can wait indefinitely to own this (un)title on Blu, you could just wait for that to eventually materialize. That said, the extended cut does look and sound terrific on this disc. Oh well, what are ya gonna do.

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This review refers to the Dreamworks March 2001 Widescreen release of the "Almost Famous" DVD..........

Watching this film is like being in Rock and Roll Heaven! It is filled with young bright shining stars, under the superb direction of Cameron Crowe(Jerry Maguire). The music is like a trip down memory lane, and is very much a part of this great ensemble.

This semi-autobiographical coming of age story, takes a young journalist on the journey of a lifetime. Based on actual events from Cameron Crowe's life, 15 year old William Miller lands a job with "Rolling Stone" magazine. He must go on the road with rockers "Stillwater"(a group actually put together by the filmakers and stars),and write their story. He hangs out everywhere with them, hotels, backstage, rides with them on their bus(this poor guy, a rotten job.. but somebody had to...)and eventually becomes very close with them and the "Band-Aids"(not groupies!) that are their entourage.All this to the constant worry of his over-protective mother, who besides rock and roll is another huge influence on his life.

Follow William, the band, and the girls on a tour of a lifetime, in this deliciously funny and sometimes poignant story of learning what's important in life.All filmed beautifully, with those great outfits of the 60's and 70's and of course one killer soundtrack. All the great rock legends of this era are heard throughout the film, including Elton John, The Who, and Peter Frampton whose instruction in music makes "Stillwater" great!The film also includes original music written especially for "Stillwater" that is fabulous as well.

The casting is impeccable...William is played by newcomer Patrick Fugit with an intuitiveness that is uncanny. Billy Crudup and Jason Lee are the leads for the band and totaly have that rocker image down pat. Kate Hudson is irresistable as "Penny Lane" and the other "Band-Aids", including Anna Paquin and Fairza Balk also contribute greatly. Two outstanding performances are Frances McDormand as William's mother and Phillip Seymour Hoffman as his mentor.

This outstanding film is put together in an outstanding package. The DVD(although no the more expensive one) is a beautiful transfer in every way. The picture is in Widescreen(anamorphic 1.85:1). It's clear, colors are vivid, and shows off the great film work. Lots of choices on the sound(depending on your set up). There's DTS, Dolby 5.1 or 2.0 Surround. The dialouge and music both coming through brillantly. Tons of special features for you to peruse. There's a music video of "Stillwater" doing their song "Fever Dog' from the film, A "making of" featurette, blurbs on the "Rolling Stone" articles done by Cameron Crowe, and cast and crew bios to mention a few.It also comes with a booklet of some production notes, and it is captioned if needed.There is also another edition, a directors cut with some "never before seen footage" and other extras(see buying info) if your looking for even more. This edition though, is also top quality and costs a little less. Whichever edition you choose, if you've seen this film and love it, the DVD is a must have. If you haven't seen it, it's just a MUST!

A film to be enjoyed by anyone who loves good movies and good music! so enjoy.....Laurie

also available in this two-pack:Almost Famous/American Beauty

Nativity Story (2013)

You know the plot: After young Mary is betrothed to an older man, she is told by an angel that she will bear God's son. She could be stoned for this pregnancy, but Joseph has a dream explaining the situation, and he takes her as his wife. They must then make the difficult journey to Bethlehem for the census, and they arrive just in time for the baby's birth in a stable.

It is a lovely story, told quite simply and tastefully. The costumes and village sets are rough-hewn and authentic-looking in earth-tones. The international cast features Keisha Castle-Hughes as a straightforward and uncomplaining Mary, used to hard work and Roman tyranny. Oscar Isaac is a warm and protective Joseph. Shohreh Aghdashloo is wonderful as Mary's cousin Elizabeth; in fact, the entire cast is excellent.

The movie is suitable for all ages and I hope it becomes a tradition to show it on television every Christmas. It sticks to the Bible story and is happily lacking in Hollywood razzle-dazzle. The photography is beautiful and it is respectfully directed. Highly recommended.

While any Christian would like this movie, what was particularly moving for me was how it depicted the relationship between Mary and Joseph. All the difficulties they overcame, from public scorn to doubting the future, and wondering why they were put in the position they were in. Their relationship is loving, yet reverent for their bigger assignment. They are a team on a journey. So many times I wondered what the two might have said to one another, and the two people who play the roles are uniquely suited for them and they pull the whole thing off with splendor. This is a must-have for any Christian family during the holidays, and a wonderful story to show youngsters as they grow up. Certainly it's the best-ever depiction of the nativity that I have seen and probably ever will see.

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If you're looking for a gradiose production in Cecil B. DeMille style, this film is not the one for you. But, if you want a sense of the mystery and beauty... the true meaning of Christmas, you will find this film everything your heart could desire. Throughout, the writers and director did everything possible to be in conformity with the history and theology of the birth of Christ, so that no mainstream Christian will find anything contrary to the scriptural account. While there are moments (like the slaughter of the infants and the birth of John the Baptist) which may not be suitable to little children, I highly recommend this film for family viewing. With a little sensitive explanation, most kids 12 and up should have no difficulties.

As for the performances, they are excellent (with, perhaps, the single exception of the Archangel Gabriel, whom I found a bit distracting)! Throughout, you get the sense of really getting to know the principle characters of the nativity narratives... what they might have been thinking, how they may have felt. The film provides unique perspectives that most never take the time to think through, and those perspectives bring the story to life. Again, if you have problems with films that are not packed with motion and non-stop action, you probably won't make it through this one. If you enjoy deep thought and prayer, on the other hand, this film will more than satisfy. I love it and I'm buying multiple copies for all of my friends that missed it in the theaters.

Note: After reading a few other comments from others, I wanted to add a brief post-script regarding the scriptural accuracy of the film. There are a few trivial differences from scripture such as the Magi coming to the manger on the night of the birth and not arriving at "the house" some time later. But, let's be reasonable. You DO have to allow for the time constraints of the movie and permit a couple times where the story is "condensed" (such as in this moment) in order to keep the story line moving. However, you will find that, where these liberties are taken, it has no impact on the story and the message of the bible. I know my scriptures well and I had no problems with this movie. I would hope that this movie would become a tradition for every Christian household during the Christmas season so that Christmas would once again become that season of grace... of quiet and humility... of hiddenness and charity... just as it was meant to be (instead of plastic trees, loud noise, pushing and shoving at the malls, runaway commercialism, etc.) Perhaps, if this movie hasn't made the kind of money that sick comedies or blood-and-gore action movies usually draw, it's a good sign. Maybe it will tell us that this movie brings to us precisely the kind of counter-cultural message that the world needs to hear... a message "rejected" that is the very cornerstone of Christian belief.

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The trailer made me cry, but the movie (dare I say it?) was a touch (yawn) BORING ...

Which is not to say that I didn't like it (because I did -hello? 5 stars!), but I think the plodding pace of the movie really drove home the fact that this "story" was NOT a "Bible story" to the people who were actually involved. It was real life. Every day life. And it really happened. To ordinary people. And not within the space of 2 hours, either. They actually had to live this stuff out -day by day by grueling day. And so I really appreciated how the movie gets that idea across withOUT the usual Hollywood pyrotechnics, FX & swelling orchestral music score ...

I also like the way the movie weaves all the many & various threads of all the many & various lives together in a way that really makes sense -which is a picture that's hard for most people to get, no matter how many times they've read the Biblical accounts. So, in that sense, the movie really does succeed in bringing the nativity story to life in a way that I've never seen done before.

And seeing the little "baby Jesus" being lifted up did make me cry, because it made me come to terms with the fact that -at one time -He was just that little, just that vulnerable, just that in need of someone to take care of Him & -WOW -can you imagine the awesome responsibility? And (although the movie didn't come right out & say it) the Magi's expensive gifts did make Mary/Joseph/Jesus' flight to Egypt possible & was a powerful reminder to me of how God STILL provides for us when we're in desperate need ...

And so the movie does work on many different levels & probably needs to be seen a few times in order to fully appreciate the numerous nuances. They need to make more movies like this!

********

NOTE: IF YOU FOUND THIS REVIEW HELPFUL, THEN PLEASE GO & GIVE MY "THE LAST MIMZY" REVIEW A VOTE, BECAUSE IT IS CURRENTLY BEING SLAMMED BY FOLKS WHO THINK IT IS WRONG TO WRITE A MOVIE REVIEW FROM A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE. AND, IF YOU'RE REALLY FEELING GENEROUS, THEN PLEASE ALSO VOTE FOR MY "DADDY'S LITTLE GIRLS," "UNACCOMPANIED MINORS," "APOCALYPTO" & "WE ARE MARSHALL" REVIEWS. (THINK OF IT AS A "RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS" ;) THANK YOU! & LOTS OF HUGS & BLESSINGS TO ALL MY BROTHERS & SISTERS IN CHRIST

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Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011)

This is not the first time that this story has been unfolded on the silver screen. In fact, the producers did not want any of the viewers to assume that it was indeed some ground breaking plot that they had thought of, which is why they actually announced the plot through the very title of the movie.

So if it is NOT a new idea then what is good about it? First, the presence of Katrina and Imran adds such dignity and charm of eras gone by as makes the viewer part of the goings on. Katrina is not only a goddess in the looks department but also her spontaneity with comedy and her ability to emote make her a true deserver of the global success and adulation she enjoys. Imran Khan is evolving a certain style of acting which not many leading actors have had underplaying and underacting. On celluloid, underacting is a very powerful style of acting as was proved for decades by Dilip Kumar. I also like the boy's "sharifness" and wish that he becomes the role model for today's rambunctious and arrogant youth and helps mellow them down. The movie is charming and entertaining and the pace never slackens. The music is not great but a few numbers are surely foot tapping. Had at least one song been a maga chartbuster this movie would have raked in a lot more mullah for its producers. Ali Zafar with a Punjabi lilt to his diction is a natural comedian. He has in some scenes expressions which are typical of a stand-up comedian who has broken into movies (I do not know if he ever was a stand up comedian) but that is not necessarily (at least for me) a bad thing. The three of them, it is clear from the way they look and act on screen, must have had a ball while shooting for the movie, which is what the audiences always sense and admire. It is a charming movie about normal people of our generation who have fun filled and happy lives.

This movie will remind you of "While You Were Sleeping." The brother isn't in a coma but the younger brother falling for his older brother's "girl" is the same. This brother also is too interested in another woman and thinks very highly of himself. The younger brother keeps praising the older as in "While You Were Sleeping." The marriage preparations get farther along in the movie, but all turns out well in the end.

There are a few references to other Bollywood figures (SRK) and movies. However this would be a good intro to Bollywood movies. It's age appropriate for teens and up. Dimple, the female lead, gives sleeping pills, a lot of them, to one character. That might be hard to explain to younger children. Also there's some drinking, including a binge fest. There's also minor smoking.

If you liked "While You Were Sleeping" check this movie out.

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Those of you who love the filmi dialogues and acting that a good Bollywood flick provide will enjoy this film. Imran shines as the chocolate hero Khush to the free-spirited and loveable Katrina Dimple. While the premise of boy meets girl while searching for a bride for his brother and then falls in love with her is formulaic, the film is anything but. Sure there is some of the typical Bollywood twists and turns, but the film continually surprises by throwing a creative solution to a problem. The music numbers are catchy and fun, and the cinematography is fresh. You won't be disappointed!

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One of the first few bollywood movies I've watched. I first saw it on netflix, I thought the story was funny, it really entertained me and I ended up really liking it, even the song and dance numbers. So I brought the movie on Amazon like a month later. Now it's one of my favorite comedy films. Only thing I didn't like was It's a little long for this type of story, other than that, I've already recommended and watched with a few friends, that also liked it.

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I got this movie in about a week. I loved this movie and it was packaged alright. Quality of the movie is legit and no fake copy like some other sellers I know that sold it to me. Overall I love everything!!

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