Pandora and the Flying Dutchman (Deluxe Edition) (1951)

This is one of a handful of films from this period of saturated color and the gorgeous cinematography of Jack Cardiff. Many of these films incorporate within their story and script elements of literature, art, mystery and timeless love that transcends death. This one delivers all.

Ava Gardner's character is beautiful and untouchable in this film, her heart is as cold as the statues she caresses, her attention as bloodthirsty as the bullfights of her ex-lover... one of many we discover. Her requirements of a lover are that she be given all, and of course, no one can deliver. The story begins in one of these trite vacation atmospheres playground of the very rich dilletantes. We are told she was a singer not a very good one by her own admission. We are treated to Gardner's real singing voice, which is not cultured, but unique and husky (too bad they didn't let her sing all her own stuff in SHOWBOAT it's the right voice for that character). She seems to get by on her beauty, which is immense, and her capriciousness. She is not particularly likable, but she doesn't pretend to be better than she is, and that is interesting. Then a mysterious boat appears, with a sad handsome man who is working on a painting of Pandora... which bears a resemblance to her.

At this point the movie moves from the mundane into the magical, with tormented love at its most operetic. This movie was an artistic enterprise, with high emotions, high risk. If F.Scott Fitzgerald's characters interbred with Greek mythology, this is the child they would create. It has some faint awkward moments of voiceover and explanation, but it is magical in it's look, and moreover, it is, like many other Jack Cardiff films, simply one-of-a-kind. The perfect rainy day movie. Very watchable.

than the first time I saw it. The new remastered DVD is awesomely clear, color crisp and Ava G as always beautiful.

And Leonard Maltin, you said: "Sorry to say, a big Technicolor bore, one of writer-director Lewin's misfires, about a woman who destroys the lives of all the men around her; then mystical, otherworldly Mason materializes." ... aside from that did you like it? LOL.

Not boring, yes about a selfish lady who finds a reason to not be selfish. geeeeee what a concept.

Seriously, if you like mystical possibilities, beautiful women, and scenery... buy this, you'll like it.

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Ava Gardner is absolute ravishing as the character of Pandora, the object of men's desires and a woman who is searching for the meaning of her own life, until she meets a man named Hendrik, a man who may be the answer that she has been looking for.

To describe the 1951 film "Pandora and the Flying Dutchman" may be a little difficult. It's definitely a dramatic film, a love story but with a twist of fantasy mixed into it. The film was definitely uncharacteristic for a film released during its time. But by saying that, I don't want to dismiss this film as fantasy kitsch, nor do I want to portray Ava Gardner as the ultimate sex kitten and that is why this film should be watched. "Pandora and the Flying Dutchman" is much more than that. It's a magical film in which characters encounter fate, destiny, tragedy and focuses on a unique love shared by two individuals.

"Pandora and the Flying Dutchman" is written and directed by Albert Lewin ("The Picture of Dorian Gray", "Saadia", "The Living Idol") and stars James Mason ("Heaven Can Wait", "Lolita", "A Star is Born", "Georgy Girl", "The Verdict"), Ava Gardner ("Mogambo", "The Night of the Iguana", "On the Beach"), Nigel Patrick ("The League of Gentleman", "Raintree Country", "Breaking the Sound Barrier") and Harold Warrender ("Ivanhoe", "Conspirator", "Time Bomb").

VIDEO:

"Pandora and the Flying Dutchman" is presented in 1080p (1920 x 1080p). It's important to note that this film is 60-years-old and prior to watching this Blu-ray release, I have had the movie on DVD from KINO courtesy of their "Glamour Girls" DVD box set.

The original picture quality of this film was very dark and even murky, showing its age. The Blu-ray release is a major step forward in the restoration of this film. The 2009 Technicolor restoration not only shows us how the film was meant to be seen, but no longer are the scenes that were too dark an issue. You can actually see the detail indoors. May it be the detail of the wood or the tiles, the skin uplclose to even seeing outdoor details, especially during a scene with Stephen and Pandora riding in the race car. Before, the scene was so dark that you couldn't see much detail but now on Blu-ray, you can see the detail on the road, where the car is driving to and for the indoor scenes, you can see everything quite nicely.

May it be detail of the home, the vehicles or the clothing, the detail can be seen in HD quite nicely.

With that being said, the film is not perfect. You will see color fluctuations at times and slight flicker. You can see normal skin tones star to turn greenish and back (for a very short while). Also, where many niche companies tend to want to remove and limit any dust or scratches that can be seen on the Blu-ray, you can see them clearly in HD.

But by no means do I expect a smaller company like KINO to spend over a million dollars or more for restoration like the major film companies have done with their timeless classics. If anything, what KINO managed to do in bringing this classic to Blu-ray and showing us how much better it looks from its DVD counterpart is quite amazing and if you loved the film, you're going to love it on Blu-ray. This is probably the best this film will ever look in a video release.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

"Pandora and the Flying Dutchman" is presented in an uncompressed Linear PCM 2.0. Dialogue is clear and understandable and through the restoration feature on the special features, you can see how the restoration of the film really brought out the audio for the film. From the dialogue to the music of Alan Rawsthorne, audio-wise, the film sounds good for a 60-year-old film.

There is one caveat and that is there is no subtitles. There is some dialogue spoken in a foreign language and I wish those were subtitled but I guess it was non-essential as the subtitles were not part of the original part of the film but for those who are not able to hear, the lack of subtitles is actually disappointing as English subtitles are typically a standard in any release.

SPECIAL FEATURES

"Pandora and the Flying Dutchman" comes with the following special features:

* Alternate Opening Titles(2:28) Prints for the UK market varied slightly from the American release. Instead of the prologue about the Flying Dutchman, the UK version featured a quote by Omar Khayyam.

* "El Torero de Cordoba" (17:28) A 1947 documentary about the career of Manuel Rodriguez Manolege, the Spanish bullfighter who was the inspiration for the character Montalvo. Presented with burned-in English subtitles.

* Comparison of Restoration (5:49) A featurette that shows how much the 2009 Kino restoration looks versus its original 35mm (unrestored) Technicolor print.

* Theatrical Trailers Featuring the US Release trailer, US Release (abridged and B&W) trailer and the UK 2010 re-release trailer.

EXTRAS:

"Pandora and the Flying Dutchman" comes with a slipcase.

JUDGMENT CALL:

"Pandora and the Flying Dutchman" was a film that I never expected to be released on Blu-ray from KINO. As there are so many other films in the company's catalog that can easily be considered for release on HD. But I'm happy we did get a release because this film is quite magical and definitely unique when compared to many films released at its time.

Ava Gardner is just beautiful and ravishing in her her role as Pandora Reynolds and even in reality, the actress was the object of desire for many of Hollywood's top actors as she was married and had relationships with Mickey Rooney, Howard Hughes, Artie Shaw and Frank Sinatra.

While Gardner brought the beauty and believability to the character of Pandora, James Mason was very convincing as the Flying Dutchman, Hendrick van der Zee. A professional performance that you would expect from a well-revered thespian, even a Shakespearean actor, Mason does a fantastic job in his role.

But the biggest surprise was the story. I was expected some type of vampish movie of men just going crazy over a woman that they can't have which was quite cliche during that time and in cinema decades earlier. But what I didn't expect is the twist of Hendrick as being the actual Flying Dutchman and is an accursed man who wants to finally die in peace but needs a woman willing to die for him. As macabre as it may sound, the way the film was written and how Pandora is always searching a meaning to her life and finds a connection with Hendrick made this love story about fate and destiny and overall, a story that I truly enjoyed.

So, I'm grateful to see such a film being released on Blu-ray as it truly is a film that stands out compared to other early '50s films. And I hope KINO continues with releasing more classics on Blu-ray!

Overall, "Pandora and the Flying Dutchman" is a film worth watching and for those who owned it on DVD previously, this Blu-ray version is a significant improvement in picture quality and audio quality that you will definitely want this release. No more darkness, no more murkiness, not to say that this Blu-ray release is perfect but it is the definitive version to own of the film at this time. Definitely recommended!

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The fantasy / romance premise for this film is an interesting one, but the execution of the plot leaves quite a lot to be desired and much of the dialogue is quite lame and stilted. The plot has been covered well by others, no need to add more about that. James Mason's central character is the best thing about the film. He is extraordinary (as usual). Ava Gardner is very lovely to look upon (although her gowns are far closer to 1951 than to the 1930 time frame), but her acting is rather lackluster (as usual). However, far worse performances are given by Mario Cabre' and Sheila Sim (extreme under-playing and over-playing respectively). The Spanish location photography is great, as to be expected from the legendary cinematographer, Jack Cardiff. The direction is adequate, but no better. The telecine transfer on this DVD is poor in places, with color timing way off at times (sometimes with a purplish cast) and falls seriously short of what a Technicolor print can deliver. The print this was transferred from has considerable damage at the start and end of reels (can't be missed with scratches, dirt, and multiple cue marks). There are several splices, most producing a loud pop in the audio. Some simple re-making of the splices or blooping them would have helped a lot. Some scenes are way too dark to easily watch, and generally the picture is very grainy.

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I highly recommend this movie. It's a great story, really romantic. Beautiful actress Ava Gardner, is just wonderful in it, and so is actor James Mason. They make a great on screen couple. It's a film definitly worth seeing. It definitly deserves all the stars it can get.

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Charlie St. Cloud (2010)

What a great movie, a little predictable, but not too much. It had a happy ending, and in this case predictability was a good thing, I was hoping it would end the way it did. Charlie St cloud is a kid who seemed to have it all going for him. He loved sailing and practised it religiously. He got so good at it that he recieved a scholarship to Stanford University. But when a car accident takes his little brothers life, Charlie's guilt and loss cripples him mentally. He now has the ability to communicate with dead, specifically is little brother who he meets everyday before sundown to play catch. This movie is a tear jerker, the love between the brothers was too much to bear. I guess it helps that Zac Efron is just so damn gorgeous you simple can't not love him. Great movie, Fabulous performance by Zac Efron as Charlie St Cloud, this is the beginning for Zac, I hope he stays away from silly movie roles and moves forward and up with dramatic parts, he is VERY good at it.

Having gone to see this movie last night, I went home and ordered the book, and signed up to be notified when the movie becomes available on Amazon. Going in to see the movie, I had looked up the details on the plot. It looked like a good movie. I was not disappointed. The main characters were great, Charlie, his brother Sam, the woman who comes into his life, all were great. After Sam dies, Charlie stops going forward with his life. He can see Sam in spirit, and spends every afternoon playing ball with him. After 5 years, a woman comes into his life and shakes up his world. He is torn between hanging onto the past,time with Sam, and getting into a relationship with her. There is a boat accident, and much more. Towards the end of the movie, it can tug on the heartstrings. The ending is great. If someone is hanging onto the past that need to be let go, this would be a movie to help it happen.

Well worth going to see, and buy for the home collection.

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Overview: Charlie and his younger brother, Sam, are enjoying the last few weeks of summer before Charlie goes to college on a sailing scholarship. Tragedy strikes and Sam's life is lost while a tormented Charlie's life is saved. Instead of going on with life, he lives alone in the woods and starts working at the cemetery. Why does he stay behind? Because he can see his dead brother and promises to meet him every day to practice baseball. Thus begins the story of Charlie St. Cloud, a young man who "stops living" because he can see dead people and does not want to let go of the memory of his brother.

Good Content: Charlie's dedication to Sam (alive and dead) is a good example of being a good brother. Even when Sam has died, Charlie keeps his promise to Sam. Later in the film Charlie turns out to be a rational young man as he makes a choice between "himself" and another person's life.

Spiritual Content: The fact that Charlie can see dead people is not necessarily creepy. It's more of a psychological thriller than anything. Charlie and Sam have a conversation about what would happen to Sam if Charlie broke his promise and stopped visiting him. Sam is concerned he will "cease to exist". Charlie's life was "saved" by a paramedic who is a strong Catholic. Later in life the two meet and the paramedic asks Charlie why he was "given a second chance to live" and if he will use this second chance for a good purpose. The paramedic believes saving Charlie was a heaven-sent act. He wears a pendant of St. Jude around his neck.

Sexual Content: Charlie and his girlfriend Tess spend a night together in the cemetery. Nothing is seen because the camera cuts out right before anything happens but cuts back in afterwards. Same tells a few crude jokes (I only got one of them because another audience member was laughing as if it was a dirty joke).

Violent Content: We see some aspects of the car crash that Charlie and Sam are in. We see them while they are in the ambulance-Charlie's face is somewhat bloody. Charlie gets in a fist fight with another young man.

Profanity: a total of about seven or eight profane words ranging from h-to s--

Conclusion: Unnecessary elements (such as the cemetery scene, some language) make this a PG-13 film. While the idea of the plot seems "iffy"-a young man spending time with his dead brother-it doesn't really touch on anything spiritual in terms of life and death. Rather, it is more of a psychological, "think about it" film. Borderline tragedy, chic-flick, drama, this film is recommended for mature audiences who are not opposed to somewhat "unrealistic" stories.

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I was surfing channels and caught the beginning of Charlie St. Cloud on HBO. stopped to watch a few minutes and didn't move for the entire movie. Never followed Zac's career before (I'm a little older than he is ;D ) but I found myself absolutely n love with him, the character of his little brother and the entire cast (huge fan of James Franco so u can imagine how shocked I was when I fell for the character Lt. Sully, actor brother of James, Lord have mercy...haha). I found the movie addicting. I can't pass the channel if the movie is on now! no matter if the the movie is starting, in the middle or near the ending...gotta watch. AND YES, I have ordered the movie and it's on the way. I would recommend this movie before all others to all my fellow movie lovers. The story line is mesmerizing. I loss my sister several years ago and although we are much older than the characters in this movie, I still find myself wishing that the ending to her life and life as I knew it with her in it could have had an ending like Charlie and Sam's (meet at sunset cannons, come hell or high water,I promise!!)...if only for a while. RECOMMEND THE MOVIE 100%!!!! LOVED IT...LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT IT...I ACTUALLY THINK IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN OSCAR WORTHLY BACK DURING IT'S TIME OF RELEASE. LOVE IT!!!!!

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Zac Efron has solidified himself as a leading man in Hollywood with his masterful portrayal of Charlie St. Cloud. Without giving too much of the plot away, Efron absolutely shined throughout the film. You felt every single bit of his angst, heartache, emptiness, and sadness.

I never read the book, but I'd imagine this movie more than did it justice. What a beautiful, heart warming film. I can't say enough good things about it.

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Dil to Pagal Hai

This movie was a Bollywood blockbuster several years ago. At first appearance, it seems like a superficial, silly, sentimental musical about a cynic who learns to love. A closer look reveals more of an almost religious discussion of the nature of love. Are we fated to love the people we wind up with? Why doesn't God give us a clearer sign of what is right for us?

In the story, a successful MTV-style producer offers his adoring public a new show with a new dance star, Maya. Unfortunately, Maya does not exist and he must find her, hence beginning his search to find love. The word "Maya" is a Hindu philosophical/religious concept meaning "the illusion of reality." I think this adds a broader interpretation to the story.

The songs and dances are almost all great and terrific Bollywood. "Koi ladki hai" with the pavement children is one of the best musical numbers I have ever seen. It highlights our hero's first realization that he loves Maya in a poignant way.

I have seen this show 3 times and it gets better each time. Highly recommended!

Oh God, why is there only ONE SRK? It's just not right. The rest of us have to suffer without him in real time.

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I love to watch Shahrukh Khan, and do so whenever I get a chance, so of course I liked this one! I would like to see less of Maduri Dixit and more of Shahrukh, but I guess there are those who are more interested in Maduri, right? This was a fun song & dance movie, built around the theme of a dance troupe (something like Riverdance, probably) and the main idea is that the "new girl" is taking the place of the current female dance lead, who is the best friend and secretly in love with the artistic director and lead male dancer played by Shahrukh Khan. Meanwhile, the new dancer is also falling in love with Shahrukh's character, but life seems to have other marriage plans for her. I recommend this one for a rainy afternoon after you have watched Flash Dance again. This softer treatment of dancers and love is typically Indian, and totally enjoyable.

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One of my fav movies and am satisfied with the quality & price of the DVD

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Dil to pagal hai is a 90's Bollywood musical featuring Shah Ruck Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Karishma Kapoor. It's 3 hours of dancing, singing and all things Bollywood. It's a good enough story: girl loves boy who loves another girl, who loves him also, but has committed herself to another man, whom she is friends with and feels she owes a debt of gratitude to his family for raising her when something happened to her parents when she was young.

This movie offers typical Bollywood: hundreds of costume changes and great song and dance routines. There is traditional Hindi dancing along with 90's style high energy hip hop numbers. Of course, the destined-to-be couple "Raja & Poogi" make you wait until the last few minutes of the movie to see if they will live happily ever after, with no ill-will from the others left behind.

As an American fan of Bollywood movies, I usually feel that at least an hour of elongated dialogue could be cut out completely with no compromise to the integrity of the film. This film was no exception. However, we really enjoyed the soundtrack, dancing and overall movie. We are huge fans of SRK and Madhuri Dixit is a stunningly beautiful-fantastic dancer co-star!

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Pit And The Pendulum (1991)

After seen the remaster work done to Puppet Master and Subspecies, I was excited to see this and Castle Freak coming out on blu-ray. What I discovered instead were a couple new releases that had no work done to them. They're basically upconverted DVDs and if you already have the DVD, your blu-ray player will upconvert those and you'll get the same quality. There's nothing new on these releases that warrants a blu-ray purchase if you already have the DVDs.

How could this be "temporarily out of stock?"....this movie has never been released on bluray...Its available on dvd but not bluray...how about giving us a release date for the bluray?

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I really want to buy this movie on blu ray but it`s always out of stock.I love these full moon movies and I hope they get more in soon.

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How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

Kate Hudson plays Andie Anderson a columnist for Composure magazine. Even though she has a degree from Columbia, she is stuck writing a "How To" fluff piece for the magazine. Her latest assignment is to pick a guy, and do all the stupid things girls do to chase a man away. "How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days" is Andie's next challenge to write. Ben is the perfect man for her column!

Matthew McConaughey plays Benjamin Barry an ad executive wanting to break into a market he has never represented before. To market diamonds, his boss believes you have to understand what true love is, so Ben has to make a woman chosen for him, fall in love with him. Of course, Andie is the women Ben has to woo.

Kate and Matthew have so much chemistry on screen that they sizzle. This is such a fun movie. There are many funny moments, and some touching serious ones. You will want to see it over and over again.

A film by Donald Petrie

Here's a highly predictable, yet cute romantic comedy. I have to wonder if these sorts of situations actually occur in real life, but they seem to happen all of the time in the movies. Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson) is a columnist at Composure Magazine. She writes the "How To" column intended for a female audience (Composure is similar to Cosmo or Glamour). The column she agrees to write for the current month is "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days". She has to find a guy and start dating him, but intentionally make all the classic mistakes that women make in relationships. These mistakes will cause the guy to dump Andie in 10 days or less, which is just in time for Andie to finish her column and get it published.

Benjamin Barry (Matthew McConaughey) works in advertising. He is very good at what he does, but he is known for working on "guy" related campaigns. Ben wants to land his company's largest client, a diamond company, but he is seen as not having the right expertise and style for it. Ben is very good at selling himself and convinces his boss that he can get any woman to fall in love with him (being able to do this is similar to being able to sell diamonds, apparently). His boss gives him ten days, until a party that his boss is throwing for the new client. Benjamin has to be able to prove to his boss that the woman he brings to the party has truly fallen in love with him.

Out of all of the people in New York City, Andie and Ben are going to meet at the perfect time to start dating and try to work out their conflicting assignments. How this happens is moderately clever, and is actually believable if convenient. Andie tries to get Ben to break up with her, though in a cute non-threatening way. Ben is trying to get Andie to fall in love with him, so is willing to put up with everything that Andie throws at him.

"How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" is incredibly predictable, but it is still an enjoyable movie. Nothing is a surprise, but it is cute and slick and Andie and Ben are two very likable characters. Sure, the movie is not very plausible and not very realistic, but cuteness and likeability goes a long way.

-Joe Sherry

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"How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" is a truly delightful little movie. It's packed full of laughs and fun and boasts a great cast that gives it the edge over the slew of romantic comedies recently released.

Ben (Matthew McConaughey) makes a bet with his boss that he can get a woman to fall in love with him in ten days to land a valuable advertising campaign (don't ask questions, you'll understand when you see the movie). Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson) is the "How To..." columnist as the hot new women's magazine, Composure. The topic of Andie's next column? How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days, hence the name of the film. If Andie writes the article, her boss, Lana, will give her complete freedom on the topics she writes about Apparently Andie wants to write about "serious" issues. That's great, hon, but why are you working at a glossy fashion mag if you want to write articles on global issues?

Of course, Ben and Andie see each other at a bar and coincidentally choose each other as their "victims". And then you know what happens...

Kate Hudson is an absolute gem! She is sweet, funny, and completely adorable. The audience genuinely likes Kate Hudson, and thus sympathizes with Andie. A big problem with most romantic comedies is that the characters are so dislikable that you don't really care what happens to them. Kate Hudson was able to prevent that.

McConaughey was fine, but I firmly believe that he doesn't really act in films, just plays himself (he plays the same kind of guy in almost all his movies).

Ever noticed how most romantic comedies are really quite funny until they reach that inevitable stage when the two stop hating each other (or whatever was holding them from love) and fall in love? Take McConaughey's "The Wedding Planner" (another film in which McConaughey plays himself), which I thoroughly enjoyed until they fell in love. "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" blessedly does not fall under this category. The film is consistently funny through and through and never gets boring.

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Why review this movie? For the simple reason that I was stuck on an airplane for hours with nothing to do. Against my better judgment I decided to check out this 'romantic comedy', a genre that has become a breeding ground for garbage in the past 20 years or so.

Should have known better. If we want to call romantic comedies genre films, then this has all the pieces. And like many genre films these days, it sucks, made of half-baked ideas or the same old ingredients baked to nauseating results. Here's a movie about two people you would never know: he works at a super cool ad agency and has the type of office no one you know has, she works at a Cosmo-like magazine writing vapid columns for vapid people in a vapid office. They both make bets with their respective bosses: he'll get a girl to fall in love with him in 10 days, and she'll get a guy to dump her in 10. Want an easy solution to lose someone in a weekend? Start here.

The characters are happy, beautiful people living in impossibly large Manhattan apartments in your typical romantic comedy New York (which means full of rich, pretty people and none of the grit of the real city). They make a bet that they can basically ruin someone for the sake of their jobs, both of which are appropriately hollow professions (he is trying to sell diamonds to more women, she is doing columns for your typical New York society ice queen boss). Of course this means we'll see him be the nicest guy on the planet (cooking, court side Knicks tickets )for her while she tries to make his life a living hell (buying a puntable little dog who does his business on the man's pool table, interrupting his poker night, etc.) But of course, he has to try and work it out as his job depends on it. Meanwhile most men would have booted her and the dog in a jiffy.

The movie flat out insulted my intelligence. It has the obligatory scene where he takes her to his humble beginnings, which in this case is Staten Island, a place they want to portray as more down to earth, romantic, homey, etc. Blah. Kate Hudson may be nice to look at but she has none of her mother's famous expressions and in general, she has about half the talent. Matthew Mc-whatever is his same down-home nice guy.

Romantic comedies do not have to be this sappy and cheesy and insulting. Movies like this border on contempt for audiences. Who can relate to these characters? Who cares in the end? I guess it's a safe investment for a studio. Avoid, unless you want to lose more respect for Hollywood in two hours. And if you're stuck on a plane, ask for a gin and tonic and go to sleep.

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... Start with a good script that includes a twist, and add good acting and as much humor as possible. This movie has these elements. Kate Hudson plays a "How To" columnist for a fluffy women's mag, but she really wants to write about serious subjects. She is trying to impress her boss (Bebe Newirth) enough to earn free reign on her writing. In this process and after her coworker whines incessantly about being dumped, Hudson opts to write a reverse How To on what turns guys off. She must find a guy that will fall for her, then do everything that women do wrong in relationships. Concurrently, Matthew McConaghey plays a sharp-shooting, go-getter ad exec who has thus far worked predominantly in the sports arena. He would like to break into the very lucrative world of jewelry. What stands in his way? Two lovely ladies who believe they can do it better, and have the ear of McConaghey's boss. McConaghey makes a bet that he can make any woman fall in love with him in 10 days, in order to prove his adeptness at knowing and being able to speak to the female mind. His opposition, having overheard Hudson's latest assignment, pick her seemingly randomly as McConaghey's target, thinking he's sure to lose. This is how the couple comes together. The rest of the movie is how they come apart ... and it's funny. Actually, it's almost uncomfortably funny. Your sides will split in laughter in parts of the movie. Plus, you'll wonder how Kate Hudson ever managed to get through the embarrassingly funny things she did in her attempt to scare off unsuspecting McConaghey. Kate's performance is perfect. In the end, as you just have to know, the truth unravels with the unwitting help of McConaghey's sidekicks. All in all, this movie has everything ... a good plot, good acting, lots of laughs, and ample chemistry. This one is a must for the avid romantic comedy collector. (and guys should like it too)

As for the DVD itself ... The deleted scenes aren't bad to watch, but the movie wasn't missing anything for having left them on the cutting room floor. I don't know about you, but I never really get into the lengthy commentaries so I haven't gone there to speak about it.

Bunraku (2011)

This appears to be another take on genre-crossing in a genre-style movie. Previous examples include the wildly successful Sin City movies, popular western splices like The Good The Bad and The Weird and The Warrior's Way, and the stillborn Sucker Punch. But all these movies were well-advertised and wide theatrical releases (in Asia, at least, for The Good The Bad and The Weird). Should I approach this lack of advertising as a snake's rattle and keep my expectations low? When I stumbled across this I thought "This movie features Josh Hartnett, Demi Moore, Ron Perlman, Woody Harrelson and Kevin McKidd, and I had never heard of it or saw a trailer. How does that happen? Is this a weird little gem waiting to be discovered, or an utter Sucker Punch tragedy?"

The opening credits are cleverly presented during an animated story background. The style was much like that of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One or Hellboy 2: The Golden Army. When moviemakers really care about a movie, they make an effort to have the opening credits "affect" the viewer somehow. Even if it's only music over a black screen, moods are set and pace is foreshadowed. I've commented on the great opening credits of The Good The Bad and The Weird, and that movie was awesome. This made for a promising start.

In this perhaps futuristic world guns have somehow been banned, making way for a resurgence in swordsmanship and a feudal yakuza-esque gang culture. A young, Doc Holidayish brawler (Hartnett) and a swordless samurai team up to exact their revenge against the ruthless king of the hill, "The Woodsman" (Perlman). To do so, they must kill their way through leagues of henchman and his nine right hand men, one of which is played by a sleek Kevin McKidd.

This film is VERY stylistic. The effects and music smack of Scott Pilgrim versus The World with comic book stylings of villainy and storyline much like Kill Bill. The combat follows suit, with choreography focusing more on a dance-like technical precision than producing a realistic fight. It's more like theater than cinema. In fact, the set designers erected intentionally artificial-looking structures in order to unsubtly accent this feeling. Sets and wardrobe contain elements of the present, the future, the old west, and the early 1900's. Many theatrical devices are employed as well. All of this synergistically produces an other-worldly feel.

The style of this movie is rare and difficult to execute. The fights are fun, the scenes are clever, and (with the exception of Demi Moore's role) the characters were interesting. If you are careful about your expectations, this movie could be a great pick for you.

Just your basic noir, German Expressionist, samurai comicbook-come-to-life kind of movie but absolutely incredible. If there ever was a wall between live action and animated movies, it's gone now. Clever animated interludes separate each big sequence from the next, but the artwork stays on in the skies and backgrounds of the live action. Even the supposedly photographic sequences have been color-shifted and manipulated into brilliant hues and moody darks eye-popping chromatics keep the viewer visually entertained to the end. Then, there are visual references to more classic films than I can hope to name, including an apparent reference to Dr. Strangelove on one motorcycle's license plate. But, if you're looking for action, wonderfully choreographed comedic fight scenes approach Jackie Chan's best.

Plot? Motivation? Characterization? Well, not so much, but let's not dwell on that. The visual spectacle makes this worthwhile.

-wiredweird, reviewing the release to theaters

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"Revenge is an act of style." When a man (Hartnett) bent on revenge come to a city he finds what he is looking for. He begins fighting his way through nine very different and very deadly assassins on his way to the one he want. This is another movie that really surprised me as to how good it was. Having never seen a preview or even really heard about it I had no idea what to expect. While the movie is not that original it takes from many different types of movies and blends them together in a very interesting and exciting way. Some aspects have been taken from "Scott Pilgrim vs The World", "Kill Bill" and "Sin City" just to name a few. This is more like "Sin City" then the others in the style that it uses and the "comic-booky" feel that it has. The fighting is great, and is refreshing to see an action movie that doesn't rely on guns to make it fun. The cast is great and the movie is very fun, very much worth your time. The only thing that bothered me is that it didn't need to be two hours long. They could have cut at least 15-20 min out and had it move at a more exciting pace. Other then that I really enjoyed this. Overall, a very entertaining way to spend your time and money. I give it a B.

Would I watch again? I don't think so *Also try Sin City & Tekken

Read Best Reviews of Bunraku (2011) Here

[Review based on the theatrical release.] This is an fascinatingly stylized film that is as much about filmmaking itself as it is about its mythological, Joseph Campbell-esque plot. I was originally interested in it because of the involvement of Japanese singer/auteur Gackt, whose staged works I greatly admire. However, when I read the mainstream reviews, I went into the theater thinking than the film would be a disaster or even worse, a "so bad it's bad" bore.

Nothing could be further from the truth. I found the film engaging from beginning to end, with more visual information packed into the theatrically lit and staged frames than could possibly be absorbed in a single viewing. During the showing I didn't look at my watch once and I am not easily amused.

This film deserves to advance to "cult classic" status and is a film that deserves to be added to future film school curricula because of its success in using many of the devices of filmmaking and theater to create a visually consistent, entirely artificial world. I usually rent instead of buying, but this film is worth more than one watch, just to absorb more of the kaleidoscopic visuals.

If you love the "production design" aspect of filmmaking, this is a five-star movie. If you mostly care about story and a novel plotline, then call it 2 ½ stars because there is little new in the plot. If you like a mythological story that is told in a way you have never seen before, then Bunraku is a solid four stars.

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Honestly, The main reason I bought Bunraku was to support my favorite Japanese musician, GACKT who stars as Yoshi in Bunraku. I didn't hold out much hope for the rest of the movie based on critic reviews.

But I sat down and watched it, and honestly, I really really liked it. Not to say the movie isn't flawed. the beginning is a bit campy and confusing. I didn't know where they were going with anything until almost 15 minutes in. The way they introduced and built the characters up could have been done much better.

However, once you got passed the corny introductions to the characters, and figured out what the heck was going on... the rest fell into place nicely.

Josh Hartnett filled the role of "The Drifter" very well. he brought a bit of realism to what could best be described as a comic book character. There were moments where he made you laugh, like a scene where he has to use a trapeze. I really enjoyed the fight scenes with "The Drifter". They were exciting... Josh Hartnett was right on in his interpretation of the character.

I think Woody Harrelson did a great job as the bartender. He seemed to fit the role perfectly, and I'm not talking about his bartending stint on 'Cheers'. (I was too little to really appreciate his time on that show lol). what I liked about Harrelson in this movie... He has this sort of wisdom in his eye, and cunningly knowing smile. He really stuck out to me in this movie. I have to say, I have a new found respect for Harrelson as an actor after this role.

Gackt surprised me. I'm a big fan of his music, and I liked him in Furin Kazan (a Japanese Samurai period piece)... however, I didn't know how he would handle the transition to and English speaking Hollywood movie. Surprisingly, his acting is very good. he wasn't over the top nor was he too understated. He made the character realistic and likable. You would never guess by watching this movie that this was his first Hollywood movie, or that he didn't have a large list of acting credits under his belt. There were a few times I had to remind myself that I was watching GACKT, because he brings you into his character. He really did a great job.

There were a few things I didn't like, or at least, that disappointed me a bit. Nicola (the main baddie played brilliantly by Ron Perlman) and Alexandra (played also brilliantly by Demi Moore) were not properly utilized in the movie. There was so much that could have been done with both characters... I feel there were missed opportunities. Especially when we learn WHO Alexandra has a history with, and considering Nicola is the most feared, and most dangerous man that few dare stand up to him... once you see the movie, you'll spot a few places where the opportunities were missed... So I won't go into it further as to not spoil you.

So all in all, this was an excellent movie. Yes there are some flaws, but none that seriously effect the watch-ability of this movie. I would say this is going to be a fan classic fairly quickly. if you like Samurai movies or Westerns, or if you liked Sin City... I think you'll like this movie. Its the kind of movie you can appreciate more the second and third time around. I'd say it's definitely worth the purchase.

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Just Friends

At a high school graduation party, overweight Chris Brander (Ryan Reynolds) attempts to reveal his true feelings for his best friend Jamie Palomino (Amy Smart), but ends up making an utter fool of himself. What's worse, his humiliation takes place in front of his jeering teenage peers. A decade later, Chris has become a success story. He is now thin, prosperous, is a hit with girls, and works as an executive in the music industry. His latest assignment is escorting wacky starlet/pop princess and ex-flame Samantha James (Anna Faris) to Paris, France. But their plane has to make an unscheduled landing in Jersey, Chris's high school home. Rationally, Chris and Samantha decide to stay at his old house. Chris has a reunion with his former buddies, including the winsome Jamie, who immediately rekindles that old spark within Chris. The remainder of the film concerns Chris's efforts to make Jamie see him as more than a friend, while simultaneously fending off the warped Samantha. Competition comes in the form of a former fellow nerd turned sensitive guy Dusty Dinkleman (Chris Klein).

Just Friends is a very funny, feel-good movie. Ryan Reynolds is a hoot as a brash L.A. stud who disastrously channels his inner dweeb whenever he's around unrequited love Jamie. Ryan is really excellent with physical comedy. There are scenes with him that are just uproarious (case in point, the aftermath of his politically incorrect hockey game with the kids). I even enjoyed his frequent Three Stooges encounters with his kid brother (Chris Marquette). And when he has to, Ryan steps outside the slapstick and layers in a deeper nuanced, more introspective performance. I ended up rooting for Chris, even though he was overly cocky and big-timed his home town folks. And then there's Amy Smart, who seemingly can do no wrong. There's just something so lovable and natural about her. She embodies the type of girl every guy would want to be with. Anna Faris's turn as the unstable Samantha adds to the already boisterous feel of the film. Samantha actually scares me. Chris Klein's Dusty, Chris's guitar-playing, song-writing rival, is disgustingly touchy-feely. One would wish that a different sort of arc for Dusty's character had been laid out; the script writer, in my eyes, sold out and made things too convenient for Chris, with regards to Dusty. Julie Hagerty (Airplane!) has a goofy supporting role as Chris's mom.

The special features are tasty:

a filmmakers' film commentary

"Tales from the Friend Zone" featurette (the cast & crew talk about real life "just friends" experiences)

"Developing Just Friends" featurette (wherein we learn of the script's 7 year odyssey and how, originally, Chris didn't get the girl at the end)

"A Director's Guide to Comedy" featurette

"The Transformation" featurette (about Ryan's fat face make-up)

"The Body Shake" featurette (the awkwardness of when you're dropping off a date; do you hug or kiss?)

"It's Friggin' Cold" featurette (the cast & crew basically complaining about how cold the shooting was)

"A Writer's Journey" featurette (focus on script writer Adam "Tex" Davis)

"A Disaster in the Making" featurette (about the making of the Palomino house X-mas decor and its eventual fate)

"The Reshoots" featurette (the making of the eventual ending of the film, which wasn't the original ending)

a so-so blooper reel

deleted scenes

an alternate ending (this was the initially intended ending; you could see why they changed it)

an amusing "Jamie Smiles" video

theatrical trailer

So, try out this movie. It'll make you smile and laugh and even feel nostalgic because, let's face it: just like me, you've been in Chris's position before, too.

This is not hi-def quality. It's lo-def recorded onto a blu-ray disc. All the cost, none of the detail. Doesn't even have the extras that are on the dvd. For the record, I loved this movie and was very anxious to get it in hi-def, but this was a complete rip-off. Don't waste your money. Just get the dvd.

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This movie definitely turned out to be better than expected. I'd just seen "Waiting", which was decent, so I was interested to see what this Ryan Reynolds film would have to offer.

This movie had a much better storyline than did "Waiting..." It was very refreshing to see Ryan Reynolds play a character that wasn't Van Wilder-esque. He gives a very funny performance as the fat-kid turned Hollywood man-about-town who returns home and reconnects with the girl who broke his heart in his youth.

The movie is funny right off the starting line and remains funny throughout.

Recommended.

Read Best Reviews of Just Friends Here

I didn't really like Waiting, another Ryan Reynolds film. So I was leery about this one, but my sister assured me that it was totally different, and boy, was she right. This one's in the romantic comedy category, but with an American Pie attitude, which makes for a very funny movie. And I've never liked Ryan Reynolds more.

Reynolds plays Chris, a guy who was fat and unpopular in high school, but had a really great friend (played by Amy Smart) who hung out with him and had sleepovers w/him. Unfortunately, he saw her as more than just a friend, but she didn't feel the same way at all. After an embarrassing moment at a grad party, he gets on his bike and rides away, saying, "This town if full of losers, and I'm pulling out to win!" Flash forward ten years-Chris is now a total hottie with a body and has a flashy job in L.A. working for a record label. He has to escort the pop princess Samantha James (the hilarious Anna Faris) to Paris. But when their flight is grounded in Jersey because of an onboard fire (thanks to Samantha!), Chris heads back to his home to catch up with his mother and little brother, and maybe regain what he lost when he left-the girl of his dreams. Throw in a wacky little brother (played by Chris Marquette, whom you will LOVE in this role!!!) and another cute guy (Chris Klein) and you've got some serious obstacles!

Such a funny movie, really good physical comedy on Reynolds' part, he really reminded me of Jim Carrey in this movie, especially in that car scene when he's lamenting over his crappy first "date" with Jamie. Reynolds and Marquette are hilarious together; man, brothers sure know how to push each others buttons. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

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I laughed so hard sometimes I couldn't stop. This is absolutely the best comedy of the last couple of years. Chris (Ryan Reynolds) was the quintessential nice guy, great friend all through high school with Jamie (the lovely Amy Smart). He was a bit overweight and the kids were kind of mean to him about it. Years pass and he comes back, lost the weight, in excellent shape, and has a career as a well known music exec. He's intent on winning Jamie this time. Enter Anna Faris (as a Britney Spears type, and really ditzy but in a hilarious way), and Chris Klein as a musician trying to win Jamie also. The sound and picture are great, this DVD has GREAT extras, and please let movie play all the way through so you can hear Anna singing "Forgiveness". I promise you'll be laughing.

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Days of Thunder (1990)

First of all... The movie is quite good, with great performances from Robert Duval, Tom Cruise, and Nicole Kidman. The film has great racing footage (with a few inconsistencies) and is all in all, a good movie... Now let's talk about the DVD... This is one of the best sounding DVD's that I've ever put in to my home theater! The sound in the 5.1 surround sound will absolutely have you looking around for the race car!!!!! As "Cole Trickle" first gets in the car at the vacant raceway, test driving "Rowdy Burns'" car, you will absolutely be beside yourself!! The sound is unreal! You will love this DVD just for the fact of showing off your home theater to friends! The picture has a few flaws, but nothing too noticable! (mainly aspect ratio) That's what gave it the 4 stars instead of 5. Buy this DVD for your theater... You won't be disappointed!!!

Okay, let's talk about plausibility for a minute here. People who don't like this movie seem to talk about the fact that the plot is implausible. How many movies today have plausible plots? Are you telling me that I shouldn't like Aliens because the plot is unreal? Yes, this movie does not have Academny Award winning acting or a thick and deep plot, but it serves the purpose it was made for -to be a thriller. It combines suspense, action, and fun, and although it's not the best in any of these, it combines them seamlessly into an extremely fun ride. Personally, I just don't want to watch an epic everyday, and if you're looking for a REAL fun ride -this is THE movie.

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I loved this movie at the cinema and rushed to get it on DVD. So why is it grainy, with bad sound, no extras to speak of and just feels very poorly done. Really really disappointed with it and have taken it back to the shop for a refund. The studio have cheated the fans on this one!

Read Best Reviews of Days of Thunder (1990) Here

Fist of all , this movie is perfect for a racing fan. it has action, comedy, romance and so on. Now all of you people who think that NASCar is the WORST sport ever, think about this. Get in a car and drive 200+ MPH and tell me its the worst sport. so i dont even want to hear it.

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lets face it people tom always plays the cocky gun in every movie he has played in. this movie is good (i liked it) but its like top gun with race cars, which doesn't make the movie bad just another "same part" played by tom (=

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Magpul Dynamics™ The Art of the Dynamic Handgun, Blu-Ray Disc Set (HD)

Lots of material but a little less than expected (I had high expectations). Tons of information. Taught in a simple way for all skill levels and nearly all hand guns types were covered. This is a great product for anyone who wants to learn how to shoot all the way up to those whom merely need a little honing. This product covers defensive and tactical shooting they don't cover any competition style shooting which they never aimed to do.

The Killing (The Criterion Collection) (1956)

An ex-con engineers a race track heist in "The Killing," a taut and suspenseful film noir from director Stanley Kubrick. Johnny Clay (Sterling Hayden) is fresh out of Alcatraz after five years, and immediately goes to work on a job he figures to be worth upwards of two million dollars. He puts together a gang who are not real criminals, just "Some guys with problems and a little larceny in them." Marvin (Jay C. Flippen) is good for some front money Johnny needs; George (Elisha Cook Jr.) is a cashier at the track, and Mike (Joe Sawyer) is a bartender there; Randy (Ted de Corsia) is a cop with loan shark payment problems. Clay's got it all figured out, a precision plan that can't go wrong as long as everyone does his part and keeps quiet about it, before and after. But George has a wife, Sherry (Marie Windsor), who wants nice things, and he can't resist the temptation to let her know it's all going to get better real soon. Trouble is, Sherry has a boyfriend, Val (Vince Edwards), who has more than a little larceny in him, as well. As it is with all "perfect" plans, there are, after all, imperfections. The presentation of this film is not one of them, however; Kubrick keeps the tension high throughout, working with a tight narrative and an out of sequence chronology through which he dispenses bits of information, building the suspense, until it all fits together in the end like pieces of a giant puzzle (Much the same as Tarantino would do with "Pulp Fiction" many years later). The stoic delivery, coupled with the stark black and white photography of the film, creates an almost surreal, fatalistic ambience that works so well with this material; especially at the end, for it underscores the climax and heightens the drama of the final moment, all of which makes for a truly unforgettable scene. The supporting cast includes Coleen Gray (Fay), Kola Awariani (Maurice), Joe Turkel (Tiny), and Timothy Carey, who makes his detached and indifferent hit man, Nikki Arane, one of the most memorable characters in the film. It must be noted, however, that Elisha Cook Jr. gives what may have been his best performance ever, here. His scene, after it all goes bad for him and he stumbles into his apartment, bullet holes in his face and wide-eyed with acceptance, to confront Sherry, is so cool and underplayed that it becomes one of the lasting impressions of the movie. Kubrick wrote the screenplay (with some help from Jim Thompson with the dialogue), adapted from the novel "Clean Break" by Lionel White. "The Killing" is one of Kubrick's earliest and best films; and it's not just for Kubrick fans or for those who love the "noir" genre. This is an excellent piece of work that will definitely be appreciated by anyone who likes good movies.

The movie: THE KILLING (1956) by Stanley Kubrick, was the film which brought the twenty-eight year old director to Hollywood's attention. Based on the 1955 crime novel CLEAN BREAK by Lionel White (and re-named THE KILLING for its 1988 redistribution), director Kubrick incorporated the author's use of the staggered time interval (which began in chapter eight) within this well balanced and tightly paced story of seven disparate characters brought together to orchestrate a logically planned two million dollar robbery of a race track in broad daylight.

A brilliant effort of film making by Stanley Kubrick as he demonstrated an impeccable choice in cast selection, choosing established 'B' movie actors such as: Elisha Cook, Jr. as George Peatty and Jay C. Flippen as Marvin Unger (both actors had appeared in "The Three Stooges" skits more than once); then Sterling Hayden as the main character, Johnny Clay: though one of the beauties of this film is that all of the actors had such memorable performances. The limited acting abilities of these stars only added to the subtle gritty reality of their lumpenprolitariat roles which carried this film as much as any special effect.

While Stanley Kubrick wrote the screenplay and maintained a number of elements from the book, he eliminated Lionel White's character of Maurice Cohen and had Johnny Clay assume those duties; and also replaced the boxer, Tex, with the burly (and hairy) wrestler Maurice Oboukhof for the spectacular bar room fight diversion. In the book, Marvin Unger deeply despised Johnny Clay; but in the movie, Unger demonstrated a fatherly pride and deep paternal admiration for Johnny Clay the movie is noted for its admirable male commeraderie!

But how much more was Stanley Kubrick influenced for this movie outside of the Lionel White novel was suggested during the actual stick-up scene performed by Sterling Hayden's character, Johnny Clay. In the book, Johnny tied a loose handkerchief around his face as a disguise, but this was changed in the movie to a full rubber clown mask almost an exact duplicate of the masks published in police photographs used by the bandits in the 1950s Brinks robbery in Boston; a robbery that was then nationally advertised as "The Crime of the Century"! The similarities continued as the Brinks building was robbed of two million dollars by seven armed men in rubber masks and got clean away. This is too strong a resemblance to be ignored, and the well-read Stanley Kubrick may have also been influenced by this event, coupled with the novel CLEAN BREAK, to produce his advanced and visionary robbery debut film.

Still, the movie: THE KILLING by Stanley Kubrick, is a brilliant and typically Kubrickian ahead-of-its-time work of art which is a *must* watching experience in black & white for all its lasting and provocative scenes.

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While not his first film, I do believe The Killing (1956) was the first film by writer/director/producer Stanley Kubrick to really showcase his talents and earn him the public, critical, and professional accolades that would eventually lead to bigger, more lavish productions like Spartacus (1960) and 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). Based on a novel called "Clean Break", by Lionel White, the film was co-written and directed by Kubrick (Jim Thompson, who wrote the novel "The Grifters", wrote the dialog). Starring in the film is Sterling Hayden, whom I'll always remember best as the character of Brigadier General Jack D. Ripper from one of Kubrick's later films, Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964), and his stance on fluoridation (he was against it). Also appearing is Jay C. Flippen (Oklahoma!), Elisha Cook Jr. (House on Haunted Hill, Rosemary's Baby), Marie Windsor (Support Your Local Gunfighter), Vince Edwards ("Ben Casey"), Coleen Gray (The Leech Woman), Ted de Corsia (20000 Leagues Under the Sea), Joe Sawyer (The Challenge of Rin Tin Tin), Timothy Carey (One-Eyed Jacks), and Kola Kwariani, former professional wrestler `Nick the Wrestler' and chess expert, in his only silver screen appearance.

The story here details that of a `daring and methodical' heist of a horseracing track, which begins as we meet the principal participants...there's Johnny Clay (Hayden), the brains of the operation, Marvin Unger (Flippen) the money man, George Peatty (Cook) and Mike O'Reilly (Sawyer), both inside men (meaning they actually work at the track), and Randy Kennan (de Corsia), a crooked cop, who rounds out the core group. Each man is your fairly average Joe type (except maybe for Clay, who just spent a nickel in the joint), drawn into the plan by their own, particular circumstances, for example, George, a somewhat spineless weasel of a man, is married to a real manipulative piece of work named Sherry (Windsor), who becomes a pivotal part of the story later on...anyway, the setup is solid, but things become complicated as George, perhaps in an effort to prove his manhood to his generally disinterested wife, lets loose with some of the details, to which she relates to her even more manipulative gigolo boyfriend Val (Edwards), with the intent being on taking George's cut after the score and running away together, but Val's got the greedy eyes for the bigger prize...the job does end up going down as relatively planned, just like clockwork, but the major complications develop afterwards, proving yet again the hyperbole "The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft agley"...that last bit basically means `often go wrong'.

All in all The Killing is a most excellent film, featuring some really innovative direction in terms of non linear storytelling, a style which people may often associate with director Quentin Tarantino's films, particularly Reservoir Dogs (1992) and/or Pulp Fiction (1994), but it's a technique that's been around for awhile, one that he basically copied, and quite well...come to think of it, much of his stuff is copied from other films, but I digress...the main difference between one of Tarantino's films and this one, to me, is the near seamless quality in switching between timeframes. Here it feels completely natural, and doesn't disrupt the flow of the story. In the other examples I mentioned, it's a bit more hectic and random, which isn't a criticism but an observation (I dig Tarantino's stuff immensely, but I do get annoyed when people seem to believe he actually developed they very stylized techniques displayed within his films). Within the notes, it's actually stated, after Kubrick finished this film, he was pressured to edit the film in a more linear fashion, which he did, and, after viewing the newly edited version, it confirmed to him his original version was much stronger, and that's what ended up getting released. This non-linear aspect isn't present throughout the entire film, but rather primarily used during the actual heist sequences. One aspect that is present through much of the film is narration, providing details and a bit more depth to a particular action or character. I'm curious how this film would have played out if there'd been no narration. The movie plays out extremely well, feeling a little like a documentary given the narrative and blending in of stock racing track footage with the shot footage. The performances were strong all around, especially Sterling Hayden as the no nonsense brains of the operation. It did feel a little strange near the end that he should have thought of everything so very carefully only to miss out on a key detail with regards to that cheap suitcase (if you've seen the film, you know what I mean)...I know it sets up for the wonderfully ironic ending, but it still, it felt a little out of character. Check out the scene where Johnny Clay nails Sherry to the wall with his astute and completely accurate observations with regards to the type of person she truly is...another performance I really liked was Marie Windsor's character of Sherry, acid tongued, wife to George. She knew exactly how to work him, but then the suffered the exact, same treatment from her boyfriend Val...as the worm, turns, I suppose...she also had some of the best lines in the film, none of which I'll post here as there's no way I can duplicate the delivery, which is just as vital as the lines themselves. One most excellent scene to watch for is when George's wife is caught snooping as the gang is reviewing their plans, and, in a effort to find out how much he shared with her, one of the members gives George a much deserved, massive slap upside his fool head (it looked pretty realistic to me), all in a beautiful close up shot. Check out the startled, moonfaced expression on George's face...and then pause it on that frame...I may get a print of that and put it on a t-shirt. If you like strong, stylish, no nonsense crime dramas, this is one definitely worth seeking out. I've watched it twice so far, and it was just as good the first time as it was the second.

The film is present in full screen, which I do believe is keeping with the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio, and the picture is very sharp and clear with no noticeable flaws. The Dolby Digital mono audio is strong and comes through extremely well. As far as special features, there is an original theatrical trailer, along with a four-page booklet insert highlighting the making of the film, along with providing details with regards to Kubrick's style, technique, and creative vision. Pretty skimpy, but know this film was released to DVD sometime ago (I think in 2001), and the inclusion of special features weren't as prevalent than as it is now, or, at least that's my opinion. The film alone is worth getting this DVD, and if you're really interested in learning more, your local library, or the Internet, are both viable sources of information.

Cookieman108

By the way, I'm most definitely not an advocate of animal cruelty, but, if I were the character of Johnny Clay in this film, the urge to throttle that ugly, little dog (and its owner), featured near the end, would have been undenialable.

Read Best Reviews of The Killing (The Criterion Collection) (1956) Here

If you haven't seen this yet, do yourself a favor and watch John Huston's Asphalt Jungle (1950) first. The Killing is an informal sequel/tribute which in my humble opinion is even better. I must admit I am not a big fan of Stanley Kubrick but I thought this film was great. It lacks star power but the performances are all excellent nonetheless and the story is innovative, tightly wound, and thoroughly entertaining. I should also mention that I thought Tarantino & Avary were primarily influenced by the likes of Melville, Truffaut, & Godard, but I now see that this film was at least as influential upon his neo gangsteresque mojo movement as anything from the French new wave. In fact it looks as if Tarantino borrowed excessively from here for the non-linear plot structure of his Pulp Fiction. In my opinion Stanley Kubrick's The Killing deserves a spot somewhere behind The Maltese Falcon, Double Indemnity, and Touch of Evil as one of the better film noir efforts ever produced.

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Stanley Kubrick's oldie but goodie suspense flick about a daring racetrack heist is brilliant! Though the film is black and white, he is able to use his lighting skills well. The film's characters are developed very well from start to finish. Sterling Hayden's unmistakable voice and acting talents add the cherry to this sundae of a film. It also has one of the best endings I've ever seen in a movie........but I'm not giving it away!

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6 Souls (2010)

I bought this film based purely on the premise. Julianne Moore plays psychologist Cara Harding who finds herself investigating the case of Adam, a young man who seems to suffer from multiple personality disorder. But as Cara delves deeper into his strange case she soon finds that the answers to Adam's condition are far more sinister than she had ever imagined. **contains some spoilers**

I hoped this would be a smart psychological thriller perhaps with a neat twist thrown in somewhere. I got a twist all right but it certainly wasn't what I had been hoping for. The most disappointing thing about this film is that somewhere in amongst the mess there is a hint of something better, something that never was.

The first half the film is carried by Jonathan Rhys Meyers who plays Adam and all of his personalities. His perfomance in this film really was excellent. He slips from personality to personality with remarkable fluidity while managing to remain extremely convincing. His character switches were what convinced me to keep watching the film since I had been very unimpressed with the rest of it. It wasnt that Julianne Moore was bad per se but she was boring. The character had no depth or interest and this was highlighted all the more when she was up against Meyer's bold performances.

Unfortunately the film, which could have ben smart, then completely derails itself as it descends into a steaming pile of nonsense. The psychological element becomes the supernatural as Harding discovers that Adam's 'personalities' are in fact the spirits of murder victims. Even this might have been workable with a decent script but the directors seemed hellbent on destryoing their own film. The moment Harding goes running off to find a bunch of gypsies living in the mountians, and the wizened old crone that appears to lead them, I knew the film had dug itself into a hole from which it could not crawl out. No explanation is offered as to why the Harding character goes running off to visit these cliche gypsies and their even more cliche crone. How Julianne Moore sat through these scenes without laughing I honestly do not know.

Ultimately the film succumbs to the most irritating of horror tropes let's run screaming through the spooky forest at night. This is a trope that I can barely stand to see in a horror film let alone a 'psychological thriller'. The supernatural explanation offered for the events in the film is poorly executed and downright silly, with characters constantly preaching about God and religion and what will happen to a non-believer.

The first half of the film is worth watching simply for Meyer's impressive performance but if you do switch off halfway through, you really wouldnt miss anything. The film promised so much and gave so little, ending with nothing but plot holes and the dropped jaws of the audiences who like me couldnt believe they sat through the whole hour and forty minutes for that pitiful conclusion

This movie was left at my house by a friend who had purchased it from a man at his job last week. I watched it and thoroughly enjoyed it. I liked it because I just came out of a relationship with a man who acted exactly like the character of Johnathan Myers. Myers played the part of a man who was possessed however carried traits of a serious personality disorder. How the playright came up with this idea was wonderful in my opinion. The movie balanced itself off by adding a twist of religion thoroughout--withcraft, Christianity, and a strong faith lesson towards the ending of the movie. The message here is very very strong. Julianna Moore played the part of the pyschiatrist as well, the daughter of one who was persistent in helping this one particular client--Myers. Another twist in the movie is seeing the demonic forces take over not only her client, but her daughter as well. In conclusion, the movie is a winner and definitely tells a meesage about losing your faith in God. The journey in which this movie takes you is inspiring enough to make you actually sit back when it is over and address your own faith and beliefs. Can't wait to own my own copy.

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"Where am I and why would you think that I was Adam?" Cara Harding (Moore) is a female forensic psychiatrist that discovers that all of one of her patient's multiple personalities are murder victims. The more she digs the more personal the case becomes. When her subject begins to take on the personalities of those closest to her she switches from trying to help him to trying to stop him. But is it too late? This is a movie I had no expectations for going in at all. That said I really enjoyed this and I recommend this to all horror fans. While most recent horror movies have become like Saw, just hacking people up, this one has more of a Silence Of The Lambs feel. More psychological thriller then straight horror but the movie is still pretty disturbing in most parts. The movie reminded me a lot of Fallen, so if you liked that then you will also like this one. I sure did. One of the better horror movies to have come out in a long time. I recommend this. Overall, part Identity part Fallen but all entertaining and a little creepy in parts. I give it a B+.

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Spooky movies are all ridiculous because they are all frightening trips outside of reality. So I judge them strictly upon their ability to hold my interest. This one did a pretty good job. Like a lot of them, this one starts out with a logical scientific explanation of the character's strange behavior along psychological pathologies, but becomes "spooky" when it's found that something other worldly is at the root of the problem. The ability of the writers and producers to come up with something unique, that hasn't been done before is a challenge which, to me, often determines the success of the story line.

This one uses what world religions have used for centuries to control the masses . . . "Believe without question, or you'll wish you had." By the time the protagonist realizes the error of her ways, it's either too late, or at least almost too late to avert disaster. The only diversion from that old formula is the connection to old mountain ways and an old crone rather than a well recognized and accepted religion. The very ending has been done and over done too many times, but all in all a pretty entertaining movie. I enjoyed it and my popcorn.

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The start of this movie is promising. Julienne Moore plays Dr. Cara Harding, a psychiatrist who does not believe in multiple personalities disorder. Her father, played by Jeffrey DeMunn, introduces her to a patient who he believes is an interesting case since he is a young man who appears to have split personalities (played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers). Rhys Meyers is incredible as he flawlessly and believably acts out various personalities with different accents and mannerisms. DeMunn was excellent too but I did not really care for Julienne Moore in this as I found her somewhat boring and not credible.

The movie is great for the first half or so but then it gets boring and stupid as it morphs from a fast-paced psychological thriller into a confusing far-fetched supernatural horror movie. If the second half could have continued like the first, I would have thought it was a great thriller. But the second part spoils it. Not worth the time to watch.

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We Bought a Zoo (Blu-ray/ DVD + Digital Copy) (2011)

Really, when are folks the most maudlin if not during the holiday season? When they're most likely to forgive one's abundance of sentimentality? WE BOUGHT A ZOO utilizes savvy product placement by coinciding its box office release with the month of December. Not that it mattered to me one bit when this film would've come out. Me, I'm a sucker for the sentimental stuff. The movie's title doesn't lie; you get the gist of the premise. Here's Cameron Crowe again, manipulating your emotions, coaxing a laugh, making you tear up. He's such a user.

It's based on a true story. Matt Damon, one of my favorite actors, plays journalist Benjamin Mee who nurses an adventurous streak. He has interviewed dangerous underworld figures in third world nations. He has flown into Category 4 storms. Benjamin profoundly believes that 20 seconds of insane courage can only alter your life for the better. But how much insane courage can one muster when the love of your life leaves you?

Benjamin Mee can't stand pity, even pity assignments at work. Six months after his wife's passing, Benjamin quits his career and when a neighbor's party causes his seven-year-old girl Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones) to remark: "Their happy's too loud." he uproots the fam. Seeking a new residence, he and Rosie stumble upon what looks to be the ideal home in the country, even if it's nine miles from a Target store or pretty much from any other store. Except that a broken-down zoo is attached to the house. Buy one, buy the other. Benjamin Mee has always strived to give his kids an "authentic American experience," but his bump of common sense is interfering here. Ultimately, it's little Rosie's unbounded joy at the thought of having a zoo that decides things. Benjamin's cautious accountant brother (Thomas Haden Church) is pretty much aghast.

WE BOUGHT A ZOO isn't as incisive or emotionally searing as THE DESCENDANTS, a similar picture dealing with a family's grief. WE BOUGHT A ZOO, to be frank, won't be nominated for as many awards as THE DESCENDANTS will. Except that I like this movie better. Sue me for prefering clear-cut happy endings. While Clooney's dramedy tends to cut too close to home and no one in WE BOUGHT A ZOO comes close to Shailene Woodley's fierce performance, Matt Damon and the rest of the cast guide you to more familiar territory. Their story has a warmth and an undeniable sweetness to it, brought about in huge part by the actors but also by Crowe's knack for heartstring tugging. And, of course, the zoo animals.

Benjamin Mee has his work cut out for him. The Rosemoor Wildlife Park has been dead in the water for the past two years, and just how strongly does he want to commit to operating a zoo, let alone resurrecting it to specs? The dreaded inspection is fast approaching. His idiosyncratic new employees including the gorgeous zookeeper Kelly (Scarlett Johansson) are casting dubious eyes at him. Benjamin's troubled teen son, Dylan, hates the place, hates everything, really. He keeps on drawing those disturbing images. Benjamin and Dylan just can't seem to connect.

I admit that I choked up in places (damn you, Cameron Crowe!). Yes, this is a sappy film, and some bits feel contrived, but the cast, I feel, ultimately rises above it all. Matt Damon is a sturdy lead and he grounds the story, and I do like that spark between him and Scarlett Johannson. Elle Fanning, who is growing up fast, has a glow about her, sweetly playing the zookeeper's younger sister, Lily, who approaches the tormented artist Dylan with open acceptance. And while there's a chance that Crowe may have overplayed his hand by making Rosie's input so invaluable in a key sequence it's pretty hard to believe that a seven-year-old could be so canny there's no arguing that Maggie Elizabeth Jones is just about the cutest thing on earth (sorry, tap-dancing penguins). So, I dunno, sir. WE BOUGHT A ZOO may not come across as emotionally blunt or "truthful" as THE DESCENDANTS. But this is Christmastime wherein edges are softened. There's no place here for blunt truths.

Heart-warming, moving, funny, and beautifully acted We Bought A Zoo is a very enjoyable family movie that will both lift your spirits with its graceful humor, and make you reflect on life and family related issues thanks to the profound message it carries. It's a fantastic adaptation of Benjamin Mee's memoir, and one of the most delightful movies I've seen in recent months.

Colin Ford, who plays the troubled son, was absolutely fantastic in his role. Sympathetic and real, he really brought his character to life with his convincing acting. And so did Matt Damon. Now, I'm not a huge fan of Matt Damon, but I must admit that he really fit into this role perfectly. You could tell that he enjoyed himself and that definitely elevated his performance. Scarlett Johansson surprised me. To be honest, I did not think of Johansson when picturing Kelly Foster while reading the book. I imagined someone taller, tougher and more obviously kick-ars. And yet when I saw Johansson on the screen I knew she was the one! She wasn't her usual girly self, she appeared stronger and fiercer than ever, and I really loved that about her. She turned out to be the perfect girl for the role.

It's not very often that I prefer the movie adaptation over the book its based on, but that's exactly what happened with We Bought a Zoo. I enjoyed the book a lot, but I loved the movie even more. Maybe it's thanks to the fabulous cast and their expressiveness, maybe I loved the animals, or the soundtrack and the uplifting atmosphere it created. Or maybe it's a little bit of everything and how it all came together, exploring the complexity of life, family relationships, grief and love. I don't know. All I know is that I really loved this movie. It moved me. I feel that I learned something important while watching it. It was a magical and enriching experience and I'll definitely recommend watching We Bought A Zoo to all my friends.

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This may have been last years only real movie. You'd never know that from the title because its far from a campy kids movie. Matt Damon has never been better, and Scarlet until now has never been a favorite. It's not often that the entire family can enjoy a movie together. My 11 year old son said that he loved it so much that it's tied for #1 with The Goonies, and that's saying something coming from an 11 year old boy. The entire family agreed that laughing, and occasionally shedding a tear in the same movie is a good thing. I wish there were more movies like We Bought a Zoo. Actually, I just wish there were more Cameron Crowe movies.

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The sound of the plot sounds like a complete kids movie (and the audience of the showing I attended would prove that claim), but there is more to this film than meets the eye. Director Cameron Crowe (one of my favorites) co-writes a wonderful screenplay full of engaging, fun characters, based on the true life story of Benjamin Mee, a man who decided to purchase a run-down zoo, fix it up, and re-open it. Matt Damon, Colin Ford (who they did a wonderful job as casting as Damon's son as he looks just like a younger version of Damon), and Elle Fanning are the stars of this film, and while the animals and kids may seem like the focus, it is the relationships and life issues that take center stage. The film has that particular heartwarming magic that is infused in nearly all of Crowe's films, which is so appealing to me; it also features one of the best music scores of the year by Jonsi (of Sigur Ros). I don't know if this is exactly for kids 'cause there are lots of grown-up, dramatic moments (and they might get bored), but it's a film I'd see over and over.

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Stories that have plots in some way derived of "inspired by true events" can go one of two ways. The first is either more of docu-drama that is far too technical and biographical to be really entertaining, and the second option is an uplifting drama that could inspire its viewer to betterment. This movie is the latter.

He has been on a plane that went straight into the heart of a hurricane, interviewed world leaders in war-torn countries but nothing could prepare Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) for the loss of his beloved wife and the responsibility of raising his two children without Katherine at his side. A year ago the family of four was a happy, typical American family; six months ago they said good-bye to a wife and mother. Now, Benjamin is tired of sympathy. He cannot stomach the attentions he or his children are getting from people who are merely feeling pity for them. His brother, Duncan (Thomas Hayden Church) encourages Benjamin to get out more and "interact" with people but when his fourteen-year-old son (Colin Ford) gets expelled from school after his fourth offense, Benjamin sees that something needs to change. With a fresh start in mind, he and his precocious seven-year-old daughter, Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones) begin looking at new properties until he finds one that is exactly what his family needs only problem is, the backyard is literally a zoo!

Dylan is angry about the move and thinks his adventurer dad is crazy to buy a zoo while young Rosie finds happiness and a place where she can feel at home and best of all, his daughter is laughing again. The Mee's find the zoo staff knowledgeable and ready to help them along as they learn everything about zoo-keeping. Head zookeeper Kelly (Scarlett Johansson) befriends the family and is encouraged to see Benjamin has a genuine heart to make the zoo a success while her shy cousin Lily (Elle Fanning) attempts to be friends with Dylan. Even with minor progress behind them, hardships still find Benjamin. Unless the family can band together, their livelihood will be sorely tested.

Seeing this movie when I did almost didn't happen because the copy I had reserved wasn't coming in but I nabbed one elsewhere and can only say how glad I am to have seen it! There is a lot to be admired in this film regardless of a premise that seems mediocre and not all that "interesting" when compared to some of the blockbusters that are clamoring for "first place" and our attention. One of the first things I was most impressed with was the script it is not only funny (more on that later) but also tugs on our heartstrings in a way that still leaves us with a smile at the end result. All of the dialogue or the majority of it, is written with a family grieving in mind, and that is one of its strengths. The directing is equally dynamic. There are multiple scenes that I loved the set-up of; the simplicity in them is not too sappy but yet has a beautiful familiarity to them scenes that are reminiscent of realistic life. It is this quality that so endears the film, and connects with its audience.

What helps this along to an extreme that is beautifully portrayed is the acting. Damon is a first-rate versatile actor, and he does not disappoint in this role. Seeing him play a father is one of the best roles he's had to date the way he relates to his on-screen children is precious. Then there are the child actors; Colin does an admirable job but it is young Maggie who steals every single frame she is in. I cannot tell you what a doll she was in this role, how sweet, sassy and spot-on perfect she is. You just have to experience it for yourself. She is like a miniature adult who is still an innocent in the best sense of the word. (Many of you may also remember her from the re-make of "Footloose.") Although I don't clamor to see everything Johansson is in, she is cute in the role and her chemistry with Damon is memorable albeit one made of more tender emotions than "sparks" of romance. (It was also a pleasant surprise to see one of the rotating "squints" from "Bones" in a supporting role.)

"We Bought a Zoo" is the surprise movie of the year at my house (yes, I am aware it is only April). My whole family found it precious, and something we all got a chuckle out of. Its true story working idea makes it more endearing than usual but the cast is what pulls it all together. How everything comes together at the end may be a bit of a cliché but for the most part, the movie does not fall into those sorts of traps. Instead it is a pleasant family drama with an ending that doesn't stop where you think it will. Some may find fault with how it does end because it is more of a what-will-be, than has-been but I took it in stride and accepted it as a promise of a brighter future for a family, healing from grief in a healthy way and its ending is one you can write yourself. Unless, you have an adverse reaction to zoo animals, see this one. It's not at all what you might think, definitely a five-star keeper.

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