This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

Superb (m/r)ockumentary of the semi-fictitious band "Spinal Tap", made up of Michael McKean ("Lenny", soul mate of Squigy, on the TV series "Laverne & Shirley"), Christopher Guest (actor/director of "Waiting for Guffman"), Harry Shearer (performs voices of 22 different characters on "The Simpsons"), and a random selection of ever-changing drummers. The movie is a tongue-in-cheek parody of washed-up hard rock bands that still think they are God's gift to the universe. The inspired idiocy borders on genius at times, lending weight to Michael's observation that there is a "fine line between stupid and clever".

The DVD is simply amazing. For starters, everything is in character. From the style of the main menu title screen, to the menu voice-overs by the band, and extending through all of the extra material included on the DVD, the personas of the band (and the fictitious director as well) are maintained with perfect consistency.

What makes this all the more amazing is the shear quantity of extras on the disk. For starters, there is about an hour of "deleted" scenes provided. In addition, there are numerous music videos, TV commercials (fake I presume???), and trailers. And as if that weren't enough, there is also a commentary track throughout the entire film with the band members, completely in character, being as hilariously idiotic as they are in the film. The Spinal Tap commentary track is easily the most entertaining commentary in my extensive DVD library.

The DVD medium is put to splendid use as well. Menu transitions are computer animations inspired by some of the film's funniest moments. Each menu plays a different "Tap" song, giving you access to a decent percentage of the sound track. And, just as importantly, the animations are not overdone; the menus are still easy to use, and the transitions only take a few seconds.

Overall, this DVD is a great value, and provides a vast amount of material not available in the VHS version. If you are a Tap fan, or would like to be, you NEED this DVD!

Movie

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Originality: A

Creativity: A

Complexity/Depth: B-

Relevance/Message: B

Artistic Merit: A

Overall Entertainment Value: A



DVD

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Transfer Quality: A

Extras: A+

Use of Medium: A

It amazes me that to this day, nearly 20 years later, there are still some people who thought this was real. That Spinal Tap actually existed. It's hilarious. This film is truly one of a kind. It perfectly lampoons the life, success, and downfall of a rock group. The film is shot as a documentary, or as this kind of film is, a 'mockumentary'. It's being done by director Marty DiBergi(Rob Reiner, who also directed and co-wrote the film), who is best known for commercials. He chronicles the life of legendary british band, Spinal Tap. The members of this band include David St. Hubbins(the always great Michael McKean), who is the vocalist of the group. Nigel Tufnel(the brilliant Christopher Guest), is the lead guitarist. Big mustached Derek Smalls(the great Harry Shearer), is the bass player. They started out in the mid 1960's as a mellower hippy/pop type band with songs like "Listen(To What The Flower People Say)". The documentary chronicles that to where they are today. They turned into a long haired, heavy metal group with songs like "Big Bottom", "Sex Farm", and others. The entire film shows their struggles to maintain their career as it appears to be falling down the tubes. Producers won't release their album, concerts are cancelled, no one comes to autograph signings. The inner turmoil within the band is showcased as well. They suffered from we could call, 'the Yoko syndrome', where St. Hubbins' girlfriend, Janine Pettibone(June Chadwick), comes into the picture and causes friction within the group. Throughout the film and interviews, there are concert clips showing the band in glorious action. The film was written by our three stars, and they must have spent time in this world because many musicians have stated the authenticity of it all. Not only did they write it and get it down pat, but these three guys also wrote every song and really performed them. They might not of been a real group, but they could of been. Keep your eyes peeled open for appearances by Billy Crystal, Dana Carvey, and Fran Drescher at a party. Fred Willard and Ed Begley Jr., who have become Chris Guest regulars in his future films, appear here as well. Willard, as he will in the future films, steals every single frame he is in. Ed Begley, Jr. plays the band's original guitarist who died in an awful gardening accident. This continues as a running gag(that always works)thru the rest of the film concerning their drummers. The movie is funny. It's not the kind of comedy that a lot of people will get. Read the one star reviews below for that. It's a type of comedy that is very dry, but also very funny. If you are not in on it, you will not get it or respect it for what it is and is trying to do. Same goes for Guest's future films(Waiting For Guffman and Best In Show). The DVD comes with a great load of cool extras. The three guys, in character, give audio commentary. It's priceless. There is a new interview with Rob Reiner. There is a slew of other special features here. Over an hour of never before seen footage; Theatrical trailers; 6 TV commercials; an appearance on "The Joe Franklin Show"; 4 music videos for "Listen(To What The Flower People Say)", "Hell Hole", "Big Bottom", and one I can't remember the name of. It's a hysterical film that hits on every mark. Definitley the funniest movie about music ever made, and the all time best 'mockumentary'. And once again, just to make sure, this was not a real band. Go ahead and see this. It's one of a kind.

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The gods of comedy rock, Spinal Tap, will be re-releasing theirhilariously brilliant mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap by releasing itin theaters again and presenting anew video and DVD version of the infamous film. MGM Home Entertainment notes that the 1984 rock comedy, about a fictitious over the hill heavy metal band on their comeback tour, will re-released on VHS and DVD after being out of print for several years. The new special edition home video versions of the film will boast new audio commentary from the cast, an hour's worth of deleted scenes, beefed up sound and video, and more. Some of the goodies turned up on a This Is Spinal Tap CD-ROM that surfaced in the early '90s and later on the first DVD version, but this new release will be different in many ways. Most notably, the new version will feature entirely new audio commentary. The previous DVD featured the cast members commenting out of character, this time actors Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, and Christopher Guest will offer commentary in character (as David St. Hubbins, Derek Smalls, and Nigel Tufnel, respectively).

Read Best Reviews of This Is Spinal Tap (1984) Here

Well, Spinal Tap just won't give up. They're approaching 60 and still rocking. This new edition of the comedy masterpiece This is Spinal Tap is loaded with goodies, especially for die hard fans. The intro alone is worth the price of the DVD, with all three members (in character) commenting on the title sequence of the DVD. Then some commentary as you navigate the menu (especially funny is the subtitles bit). Then there are the extras! Man...some of the extras aren't the funniest, so it's obvious as to why they were removed from the final cut, but some are hilarious! My favorite out-take was a bit featuring Nigel (Christopher Guest) explaining to Marty Dibergi (Rob Reiner) the similarities between tradtional Indonesian music and true American Western music. This scene is as funny as anything in the movie. A nice touch is the audio commentary featuring all three in character as they analyze the truthfulness of DiBergi's representation and recall old times. Funny as hell. All in all, if you're a Tap fan, this will make you forget about the "Hellhole" you live in! A great continuation of the Tap legacy.

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This is the movie that turned me on to Christopher Guest's unique style of subtle comedy (though This is Spinal Tap is hardly subtle). After watching Best of Show and Waiting for Guffman, it's clear that this is disproportionately Guest's movie, despite the (obvious and extremely beneficial) shared writing credits between him, McKean, Shearer, and Reiner.

I recommend this movie to pretty much everyone who has an interest in music (especially the music of the 60's, 70's, and 80's) and a healthy sense of humor. No one is immune to this satire, with pretty clear (and not so clear) jabs at the Beatles, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and countless other groups. Add to that a "fake" music group that has about as much musical talent as some of the "real" groups from the era that they're satirizing, and you've got a masterpiece of a movie.

This DVD takes it another step and adds in over an hour of cut footage that adds a lot to the story, and adds a lot more laughs. It would have been nice to have the option to plug the outtakes back into the movie in their original places (like in the X-Men DVD), but merely having them there is a big plus in itself. Other extras, like commentary from the characters, music videos for some of their songs, multiple trailers and TV advertisement spots, and other more minor extras make this a must have DVD for anyone who enjoys this type of movie.

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Kon-Tiki (2012)

A Norwegian-filmed dramatization of Thor Heyerdahl's legendary expedition across the Pacific Ocean on a flimsy wooden raft. Lovingly constructed and beautifully filmed with a sharp eye for the grandiose, it's eye candy on the same level as Planet Earth, if to a slightly more reasonable scale. The plot is a gentle balance between nature-watching and temper-managing, as the crew of six men and a parrot get to know a bit too much about one another over the course of their hundred-day adventure. Several of the journey's more dramatic moments feel manufactured (and, upon review, actually are) but I'd hardly call that unexpected and it may have been necessary to give the story a bit of punch. After all, where's the excitement in watching two hours of smooth sailing against a tropical horizon? It's an uplifting tale, if not an especially challenging one, and excellent fuel for escapist daydreams. Definitely worth catching on Blu-Ray if you're as big on our planet's sights and sounds as I am.

I just saw the latest Kon Tiki film that debuted in 2012

at the Nashville Film Festival. It was an inspiring film

that brought out raw emotion for the six men that made the

101 day journey together. Thor was a calm leader that kept

his wits about him even under the toughest of conditions.

And it was incredible that he could not swim! I am not sure

if all of the facts are true in this film, but it was

extremely well done. The actors are fantastic and engaging.

Truly one of our modern day adventurers, Thor Heyedahl had

a vision that he shared with the world. This is a must see

movie. Even if you doubt his theory that South Americans

crossed the Pacific to land in Polynesia, the story is one

that you will enjoy and keep you on the edge of your seat!

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Neither the book, nor the amateur first film mentions it much, and this new film only briefly touches on it, but several of the Kon-Tiki crew were heroes of the first order, not even counting this marvelous expedition. Knut Haugland (the "radio operator") was one of Norway's greatest WWII heroes, leading the fight against the Nazi's and also sabotaging their early work with Atomic energy. Knut was given a number of Knighthoods and orders. They don;t make men liek this anymore. Torstein Raaby (the other radio guy) helped sink the Tirpitz and was a noted arctic explorer.

Now, the original film is a fantastic feat and won the Academy Award for best Documentary in 1951. Well deserved. But it's all in hand-held B&W, rather grainy.

However, this new film is in glorious color, and the blue of the sea has to be seen and appreciated. This new film has fantastic cinematography , and the actors are (more or less) dead ringers for the real crew members. Using all local actors the Norwegians left a great deal of verisimilitude to this breathtakingly beautiful film. It was also nominated for a Oscar.

Even tho the dangers here are mostly staged, rather than real, the film was shot on the open ocean, and it shows.

Just beautiful.

Read Best Reviews of Kon-Tiki (2012) Here

Just got back from seeing this movie at the movie house. It's showing hardly anywhere; only two theaters in the New York area, presumably because although I saw the English version of the movie, it still counts as a 'foreign film'. So I'm glad it's also available on DVD for those of you who are interested and unable to find a showing. I went with my dad, and we both LOVED (loved, loved, LOVED) it. Although we all know the outcome, it nevertheless kept us on the edge of our seats. The performances were terrific (esp. from the guy with the weird name who plays Thor Heyerdahl), the cinematography was sumptuous, and it is hard not to feel terribly emotional at the end when Thor falls to his knees in the sand of a Polynesian island and realized that he has proven his theory (and that's not a 'spoiler', surely??? I mean, EVERYONE knows what Thor Heyerdahl did!)

I highly recommend this movie to anyone who is a secret adventurer at heart.

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The Andean story of how the world was created by a tall white, blue eyed man with long blond-reddish hair and beard who arose from Lake Titicaca in Bolivia has been passed down by word of mouth through generations of South American Indians. Known to the Aymaras as Viracocha (he was also called Kon-Tiki), Quetzalcoatl (by Aztecs), and Kukulkan (by Mayans), the story is similar to Biblical accounts of the creation of a race of giants who ruled the Earth but who displeased God and were destroyed by a flood. Unlike the God of Israel, however, Viracocha is said to have disappeared across the Pacific Ocean by walking on the water.

Norwegian Zoologist and explorer Thor Heyerdahl believed that Viracocha, rather than walking on the water, left Peru on a raft and floated with the current to Polynesia, a feat he wished to duplicate. (He did not consider the possibility of Viracocha's connection with the very ancient, advanced technological cultures of Tiahuanaco, Puma Punka, and Chavin de Huantar). Heyerdahl's accounts of how he and five other men built a balsa-wood raft which he named "Kon-Tiki" and sailed to the Tuamotu Archipelago in the South Seas is dramatized in Norwegian directors, Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg's Kon-Tiki, one of five nominated films in the Best Foreign Language Film category at this years' Oscars.

The film was shot in two versions, one in Norwegian and the other in English (the one I saw), presumably to appeal to a broader audience. Engagingly portrayed by Pal Sverre Hagen, Heyerdahl is first seen living with his wife Liv (Agnes Kittelsen) on the Polynesian island of Fatu Huku, where he resided for a year. After listening to native accounts, Heyerdahl began to develop the idea that Polynesians originally arrived from the Americas, not from Asia. Opting for adventure rather than character development, the film shows the courage (some call it being foolhardy, or even a death-wish) of the crew that consisted of three fellow Norwegians, as well as Swedish cameraman (Gustaf Skarsgard) and refrigerator salesman Herman Watzinger (Anders Baasmo Christiansen) as his engineer as they traveled 4,300 nautical miles across the Paciifc, isolated and alone for 101 days.

The film pays little attention to the day-to-day routine aboard the raft but concentrates on the thrill of the struggle against sharks, the fierce storms, conflict among the crew (contrary to Heyerdahl's own account), and the immediate danger of their raft collapsing. The photography, done without CGI effects such as in Life of Pi, is striking and beautiful, yet Kon-Tiki is mostly a formulaic adventure story that mimics the superficial triumphalism of Hollywood without capturing the deeper spirit of the journey. Heyerdahl's character is hardly explored and, while his subsequent travel to Easter Island is noted, there is no mention of his later advocacy of environmental issues and world peace.

While most scientists still oppose Heyerdahl's ideas and can show strong DNA evidence linking Polynesians to Asians, there are also anomalies that point in a different direction. For example, researcher David Pratt tells us that there are various genetic and cultural similarities between the Polynesians and the Tlingit, Kwakuitl and Haida Indians of Alaska and Canada something not readily explained by any mainstream theories. In addition, there is the famous Kon-Tiki statue in the sunken Gardens in Tiahuanaco showing a man with a thick beard and mustache (South American Indians are beardless and do not shave).

One of the features of this and other statues in the area is the positioning of the hands, one over the heart and the other over the stomach, the same feature seen on Polynesian statues and gold medallions. Whatever the truth, there is no doubt that Thor Heyerdahl, through his willingness to take risks, brought the topic of seafaring, communication, and migration in the ancient world to people's attention, and deserves the appreciation he receives in the film. If Kon-Tiki can renew interest in man's pre-history, it will have served a very valuable purpose.

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Dumb and Dumber (Unrated Edition) (2008)

The 1 star is purely for the Bluray, unrated version. I am a huge fan of the theatrical cut and it was one of the first movies I upgraded from VHS to DVD. Dumb and Dumber has near flawless pacing in it's theatrical form. The unrated version throws in bits that are completely unnecessary, extremely crude, and not very funny. It is easy to see why they were cut and a little hard to understand why the Bluray version is only offered in this version. I sent the Bluray version back and I hope the next format upgrade of this film goes back to the classic theatrical cut.

*Spoiler Alert*

For those of you who would like to know, here are the differences (info copied from wikipedia):

* In the PG-13 version, when Mental tears Petey's (Harry's parakeet) head off, it cuts after he says "I Tawt I Taw a Putty Tat!". In the unrated version, it shows him violently squeezing Petey's head with his fists.

* In the PG-13 version, Seabass is about to spit on Harry's burger, but the camera cuts to Lloyd, while the spitting sound is still heard. In the unrated version, it shows the spit coming out of his mouth onto the burger.

* In the unrated version, when Joe Mental and Shay (the female accomplice) are waiting by the side of the road for Harry and Lloyd to drive by, Shay says to Joe: "turn around, I gotta squeeze a lemon" and crouches down.

* In the unrated version, when Seabass finds Lloyd in the bathroom, Lloyd keeps repeating 'find a happy place' to which Seabass replies, 'I'll show you a happy place!' before dropping his own pants and grabbing his crotch.

* After the gas station scene a new scene occurs while driving where Harry makes fun of Lloyd about being in a bathroom with a 6 foot four man with his pants down.

* In the original PG-13 version, "The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead" by Crash Test Dummies plays during the scene where Harry, Lloyd, and Mental are in the restaurant. This song is absent in the unrated version, possibly due to copyright issues.

* The unrated version of the film features an extended dialogue scene between Lloyd and Harry in the honeymoon motel.

* The unrated version of the film features an extra scene prior to Harry's departure to the slopes with Mary, in which Lloyd comments on Harry's "revealing" ski suit.

* In the PG-13 version, when Harry is attempting to fix Mary's toilet, he shouts out that he's shaving, and we see Mary standing at the door. The unrated version shows Harry lifting the toilet to the window and dumping its contents out.

This is one of the funniest movies made in my lifetime. I had seen the movie hundreds of times and equally enjoyed each viewing, so when I heard there was going to be an unrated version, I pre-ordered it right away.

This is a great DVD edition. The deleted scenes are hilarious and some probably should have been left in the movie (like the "other peoples' money seize the day" scene). The alternate endings are also pretty cool, but they definitely chose the best ending for the actual theatrical release. The retrospective documentary is also quite interesting, as you get some insight into the production, casting, etc... of the movie, as well as the impact it has had on comedy fans over the years. If you search through the interactive menus enough, you will even find a couple of hidden features.

Dumb and Dumber lives on as a standout comedy film. It just never seems to get old... I'm just excited to finally get some bonus footage from this comedy classic!

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This Unrated Version finally gives the DVD fans what they want -6 minutes of additional footage, two alternate endings, and some making-of bonus features. At least... we thought we wanted an "unrated" version. The problem is, the original was consider a classic in its day, that adding six more minutes of footage (sprinkeled around a number of scenes) really breaks up the almost-brilliant pacing that fans loved from the original film. The footage added also makes this basically an R-rated film now, with what we would call "strong sexuality" (without given away the jokes. It was nice to see the extra footage, even if it is a little more risque, but the original PG-13 rating really suits the movie better (and younger teens can watch it without hearing jokes that parents think are too strong). Missing is any kind of audio commentary, and the complete absence of Jim Carrey in the bonus material is rather strange. Swartzenegger was available for the bonus' in the first Conan movie when it got re-released on DVD, so why didn't the studio at least try to wait for Carrey to have some free time.

If you're a fan like me, and can almost recite EVERY line from memory, seeing this Uncut Version will be a nice treat, especially when it come to the extras (though everything fits on only 1 disc, so we don't get a whole lot of content). I liked seeing the extra footage, but as soon as I finished this new version, I went online and bought the original PG-13 DVD -becuase that's the film that I loved and memorized years ago. Extra footage is nice, and a few sections of the Deleated Scenes are really funny, but they really did leave the funniest stuff in the original version. Still, buy this version for the extras, but buy the original on DVD as well. That's the version that will always be a classic, no matter how much time passes.

Read Best Reviews of Dumb and Dumber (Unrated Edition) (2008) Here

If there is a film out there that has created such an rift among viewers as Dumb and Dumber, I'd like to see it. It seems that everyone I know either loves the movie or abhorrs it. It is easy to see why people love the movie. The movie is outrageously funny, and I believe most of the film's critics will concede this. However, without fail, the number one critique of the film by opponents is, "but it's so stupid." This is like saying you don't like Schindler's List because "it's too serious." Of course it's stupid! That's the point! Unfortunately, pounding the keys on the keyboard harder isn't helping to portray my sentiments here. First of all, this is not a movie you can only see once. Sure, one viewing will account for all the "big laughs", Lloyd's airport fiasco, Harry's bathroom adventure and the ski lift accident. If you base your judgement on the big laughs alone, I can see how the movie could seem innane and childish. I suggest every critic of Dumb and Dumber should watch the movie a few more times for the little laughs. There are so many jokes and they are so clever that I find myself appreciating the movie more each time I watch it. For example, in the scene with the state trooper (Harland Williams) the center of comedic attention is clearly the point at which the officer drinks the beer bottle full of urine. This "big laugh" often steals the limelight away from the smaller laughs in the same scene. While handing the bottle over to the trooper, Lloyd accidentally spills some of the urine on Harry, to Harry's obvious displeasure. When the officer realizes what it is he has swallowed, one can faintly hear Lloyd suggest, "Tic Tac sir?" It is subtle moments like these that pervade the movie and make it great every time you watch it. I think part of the problem with the movie is that there are simply too many jokes in the movie. Many of the more subtle, clever jokes get overshadowed by bigger ones, leaving some feeling like the movie is simple toilet humor. This is a grave injustice. Perhaps the most complexing issue concerning the critical reception of Dumb and Dumber is the overwhelming acclaim of the Farelly brother's follow-up film, There's Something About Mary. The two movies are eerily similar. Both involve a road trip starting in Providence. These trips are in search of a woman who is way to good for her respective suitor. In both, the protagonists encounter difficulty and comedic moments along the way. Yet everyone I know loves Mary, while Dumb and Dumber recieves mixed reviews. The only significant difference between the two films is that in Dumb and Dumber, our hero doesn't get the girl. Perhaps this is why reception of the movie is so clearly delineated along gender lines. Women, I can only assume, want Dumb and Dumber to be a romantic comedy, which it is clearly not. Mary can be seen perhaps as fitting this genre because it has the textbook 'boy gets girl' ending (although my mother wanted Brett Favre to get the girl). The fact that Dumber doesn't fall into the obligatory cliche ending is, in my opinion, a large part of it's appeal. Whether you like it or not, you should buy a copy of Dumb and Dumber and watch it fifty times like I have. Then I think you will understand that being stupid is "genius, sheer genius."

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While the transfer is fine. The fact that this is a redone unrated version and does not include the original totally kills it for me. Ruining great scenes like the diner. Hopefully there will be a rerelease with the original cut.

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Vamp

Yes, I'm reviewing an extras-loaded blu ray edition of a film barely anyone has ever seen, especially if you were born after the 80's horror heydays! I am so pleased to have found this gem at AmazonUK.com on blu ray, with brand new special features, cheap, and on a region free disc courtesy of Arrow Video.

Firstly, the film itself is pure fun horror-comedy. It never takes itself too seriously, but doesn't skimp on the villains ability to kill, bite, and tear the hero's limb from limb. This is basically the same premise of Martin Scorsese's great black comedy After Hours mixed with EC style vampirism, and John Hughes-like teen comedy. And it totally works. Hell even a star of John Hughes' Sixteen Candles(Gedde Wantanabbe) plays one of the main characters. The big draw of this film at the time, at least for the low budget studio behind the film, was getting Grace Jones to play the main vampire Goddess Katrina. She was showcased in all the tv adds and most of the poster artwork. Was it worth it? HELL YEAH! While she has little-to-no dialogue in the film she is quite striking while she is on screen. Even without her Nosferatu-inspired vampire make up on she's still strange and menacing. Plus, she has one of the most interesting and weird strip-teases ever committed on film. This film has a similar tone to the equally great Fright Night. If you dug that one, you may just be seduced by Vamp.

Now onto the new Blu ray. It is really good with only minor complaints. The transfer is probably as great as it's ever going to be. Even better than the already very good Anchor Bay release. There's some grain scattered about, the film takes place mostly at night. But the very EC/early Dario Argento-inspired light schemes that dominate the second and third acts of the film are even more striking in Hi-Definition. It's worth the upgrade for sure.

The brand new special features are great as well. We get a new audio commentary featuring co-star Robert Rusler(Weird Science, A Nightmare on Elm. Street 2) and film critic Calum Waddell(he's written pieces for Fangoria magazine). They seem like old pals and laugh it up as they talk about what's on screen. We also get some scandalous details regarding Rusler's night life while working on the film accompanied by Grace Jones, and a great story about how Dolph Lundgren wanted to kick his butt. "Vamp it up-Dedee Pfeiffer Remembers the After Dark Club" is a talking heads interview with the actress with footage, behind the scenes and other, cut into her conversation(which is the case for all the special features). It's fun and she comes off very personable and cute. Makes one wish that she showed up in more stuff. The last time I saw her in anything outside of her Playboy pics(which if you haven't already, check them out immediately) is that horrible sitcom Cybil. Next we get "Vamp Stripped Bare-an interview with Richard Wenk" a great piece talking to the director about his inspirations and the wranglings it took to make the film and keep Grace Jones on set. This feature does repeat some of the next features material, "Back to the 80'S-Producing a Campy Cult Classic that interviews producer Peter Borscher. This is the best of the interview section of special features in my opinion. It goes over all the details of how the film got off the ground, the actual production, and the release and eventual cult status of the film. Most interestinly is Borscher's story about how he was approached in the 90's by Robert Kurtzman(the K in KNB Effects) and then unknown Quentin Tarantino about a script they wanted him to produce called From Dusk 'Til Dawn. They wanted him to produce the film just so they could avoid legal problems with the fact that both films had very similar premises, but really are nothing alike in the long run. He did produce Dusk. Never knew that. Borscher isn't dry and talks straight to the point. "Scrapbook of Scares" is a fun featurette with director Wenk showing off some of the memorabilia he kept from the Vamp shoot. It's neat and worth a look. We also get rehearsal footage, bloopers, original theatrical trailer, and Richard Wenk's student film Dracula Bites the Big Apple-all of which were ported over from the original Anchor Bay DVD release.

You also get a double sided poster featuring brand artwork for the film. The Blu Ray sleeve itself is really fun. You can flip it to appear as any poster design you prefer. There's the two new artworks, which is what the double-sided poster consists of, or two original posters. Very neat. Finally, you get a 7 page booklet featuring an essay by critic Jay Slater that is fun and nostalgia fueled recollection of a film he obviously loves.

Now the only downside of this package that I can muster is the abscence of the Anchor Bay DVD's audio commentary featuring stars Mark Makepeace, Dedee Pfeiffer and director Richard Wenk. I'm assuming it was a rights issue and the commentary strictly belongs to Anchor Bay, otherwise I can't think of a good reason not to include it. If you can pick up a copy of the American DVD release, it's worth a listen. But that's it. I'm a very happy customer with a film that I've loved since gradeschool.

The mid to late 80's birthed a lot of suped up and alternative vampire flicks. Vamp, The Lost Boys, Near Dark and my personal favorite Fright Night(which now that it's being remade the chances of that classic getting a special edition blu ray are very good-YAY) all had one thing in common beyond the time period that they were made, they involved teenagers as their main characters. How else in the 80's would dusty old and totally been-done-to-death horror characters such as vampires be relevant and more importantly profitable. This films I mentioned were all good films to boot. So enjoy....this movie doesn't SUCK.

Not really sure what this movie is trying to be. Most people read the review before purchasing. However most reviews are misleading or waste time describing the technology used in the presentation.

Fraternity pledges looking to find a cushy environment decide it is easier to provide a hooker than to hand themselves. The recruit a local geek (Gedde Watanabe) with money to travel to the seamy side of town to procurer their quarry; however when they meet Katrina (Grace Jones) who is the quarry?

I only saw the Blu-ray so I cannot compare media. However this is not one of those movies that need any special media unless you are looking for something on Grace that I missed. Naturally voice over comments add another dimension.

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Struck by Lightning (2012)

A coming-of-age movie for all ages, Struck by Lightning is filled with dry humor and a message for anyone who watches it. Carson Phillips makes for a dynamic, morally ambiguous main character whose story strikes as realistic, emotional, and ultimately uplifting for a boy caught in a small town with little hope of escape. The supporting characters are just as fascinating, from Rebel Wilson's portrayal of Malerie, the high school student who records everything on tape, to Allison Janney's heartbreaking rendition of a struggling single mother trying to cope with depression and anxiety while raising her son. Heartfelt and filled with intertwining storylines that combine to a greater picture that is far larger than the sum of its parts, Struck by Lightning is the perfect film for anyone who has ever felt a little ostracized, a little hopeless, a little too small for their dreams.

I've been waiting... I don't even know how long anymore to see this movie, and I'm so glad I finally have been able to see it. Chris Colfer did a flawless job, and I highly suggest you watch this movie. Right now. Click rent. You won't regret it, I promise.

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This movie was written by and stars Chris Colfer, best known as Kurt from "Glee." It is an absorbing study of an overachiever and how whether or not you want it to the way we live our life, our choices, our decisions and our drive effect the others around us in both positive and negative ways. The acting in this movie is stellar, filled with both present and future stars (Rebel Wilson for one, filmed a year before she exploded) and the writing keeps you engaged from the first (literally shocking) first minutes until the end of the movie. I highly recommend this movie, for the smiles and for the moments that make you wince and for the way it makes you feel when it is over. Overachievers they rock.

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Chris Colfer from TV's "Glee" is certainly making the most of his fame by expanding his resume as an author and a screenwriter, and I have to admire this tenacity and ambition. As "Glee" winds down, the entire cast should be thinking about future career moves! Colfer has become something of role model in recent years. As an openly homosexual character on a popular television program, he has a platform that reaches millions of kids struggling with identity and/or bullying. With this work, he has twice been nominated for an EMMY and even won a Golden Globe award. "Struck by Lightning" is an adaptation of Colfer's popular teen novel, and its screenplay was penned by Colfer as well. Director Brian Dannelly has assembled an extremely immense and TV friendly cast for this production and it's fun to see just who might pop up next. Some of the notable actors in the ensemble include Allison Janney, Dermot Mulroney, Rebel Wilson, Polly Bergin, Sarah Hyland (Modern Family), Ashley Rickards (Awkward), Angela Kinsey (The Office), Christina Hendricks (Mad Men), Allie Grant (Suburgatory and Weeds), Graham Rogers (Revolution), Brad William Henke, and Ken Marino.

The film tells the story of Carson Phillips (Colfer), who in the opening sequence is quite literally struck by lightning. Through a series of flashbacks and a reflective voice over narration, Phillips recounts the days leading up to this event. While he deals with an unstable mother (Janney) and a father (Mulroney) who seems to be moving on, he throws himself into making a better life for himself through education. As the editor of the school paper, he is plagued by an unsupportive staff and an apathetic administration. His college dreams may be off track unless he can come up with a noticeable project to pad his application. Creating a literary magazine, he and his trusted sidekick (a remarkably restrained and quite good Rebel Wilson) use any means necessary to ensure the cooperation of all of the school's most influential students. Meant to be a comic romp, the movie degenerates into a rather mean spirited adventure that actually seems to support reverse bullying. As long as it isn't done by popular kids, does that make it defensible?

There are plenty of things to like about "Struck by Lightning." First of all, the cast is first rate. And the film has its amusing moments. Ultimately, though, Colfer's character is not someone that you can really root for and admire. He's not a lovable underdog, he's a judgmental bully. He's smarter than everyone else in the movie, quick to condescend and make fun. As such, he never elicited even one moment of sympathy from me. I know that's the point and that there are life lessons to be learned by all. You can make a terrific black comedy that is merciless (Heathers comes to mind), but "Struck by Lightning" seems to want to have it both ways. As Colfer bullies everyone and blackmails them to his own reward, the movie embraces a meanness that is a perfectly acceptable choice. But the movie also wants to have its share of "warm and fuzzies." After terrorizing everyone in his life, we're also supposed to embrace a positive message from the hero? "Struck by Lightning" isn't a bad movie, by any stretch, it just sends a few mixed messages and one of them seems to support bullying as long as it's done by the right people for the right motives. KGHarris, 5/13.

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I've been reading all these reviews on amazon about SBL (bad life choice I know) and so many people are missing the point of the movie. They're trapped in this idea that somehow we're supposed to love Carson and want him to succeed for nothing more than the fact that he's a creation of Chris Colfer and we should want him to get what he wants in life but it's so much more than that they seem to be missing the major underlying message of the movie itself which, to me, is incredibly disappointing.

Struck By Lightning isn't supposed to be some kid-movie where you see the backyard boy succeed and go to the college of his dreams no matter what obstacles he faces. We're not supposed to sit there and adore Carson in spite of the fact that he's kind of a jerk (in fact, most people I know adore him because he's kind of a jerk and doesn't give a crap what people think about him).

It's supposed to be a movie about dreams. Some of the major quotes in the film are centred around this idea: 'A life without meaning, without drive, without focus, without goals or dreals isn't a life worth living', and `In what grade do we stop believing in ourselves'? It's not about giving up everything for your dreams, I don't think, or the essence of blackmail to get what you want.

What Carson realises at the end of the film isn't that he's happy because his dreams are coming true or because he's made an effort. He's happy because he's realised all the amazing things he's done in his short life; he may not have gotten into the college of his dreams or gotten everything he wanted, but he did something amazing. He had lived his life up to that point dwelling on himself, his self-pity and waiting every day for his life to begin. By doing so he had completely ignored all his personal successes, the things he had accomplished and the good, joyful things in his life.

SBL isn't supposed to be some indie comedy about a kid who's dreams all come true. It's a movie about finding your dreams, finding yourself, and realising that, okay, not everything is perfect but you've accomplished something fantastic and amazing in your time on earth, even if, at first, it doesn't seem as fantastic.

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White Men Can't Jump (2012)

White Men Can't Jump is a movie about basketball hustlers but the characters are multifaceted and this movie focuses on their reasons for hustling rather than the hustle itself. Sidney(Snipes) hustles as a means to get his family out of the ghetto. He is driven by an undying sense of family and a desire to be the provider that his family is looking for. Billy(Harrelson) hustles out of an addiction to gambling and also a desire to show his girlfriend(Rosie Perez) that he is becoming more responsible with money. The basketball in this movie is realistic as is the language and behaviors of the players. The real story; however, is one of loyalty, betrayal and eventually friendship. This is a smart and funny movie that transcends the "sports movie" genre.

This movie portrays loyalty, betrayal and friendship between two white and black men basketball hustlers. This movie has a lot of swearing and sex. I wouldn't recomend this to anyone under 15 unless you feel comfortable with your children watching this movie. Watch this movie because it is really awesome and I loved it so much.

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If you like basketball at all, you're going to love this movie. If you like to make fun of your friends, you're going to love this movie. Witty comedy that doesn't offend (that's hard to come by these days).

Billy Hoyle (Woody Harrelson) is a street-wise basketball player with something to prove. He heads to Venice Beach to hustle big-time players for money. Hoyle bites off more than he can chew when he meets up with Sydney Dean (Wesley Snipes) and becomes the victim of a hustle himself. However, Dean and Hoyle can't deny the bond of friendship between them, no matter how hard they try. When Billy loses his girlfriend because he loses all of their money and Dean's home is robbed they turn to each other for the solution...the ultimate pick-up game vs the legends: Eddie "The King" Farooq and "Duck" Johnson. $2500 to play, winner take all. Do they win? Well, as Gloria would tell you, "Sometimes when you win, you really lose. Sometimes when you lose, you really win. And sometimes when you win or lose you actually tie. And sometimes when you tie, you actually win or lose." Yeah, it's confusing. But that's the way it ends.

Classic comedy.

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This is one of the best films I have ever seen. I favor its technical side and the very idea itself as well. It depicts a reality that is fictious but it can easily be adopted to the real world. What is the most optimistic about this movie is the fact that a pair of main characters resemble ordinary human beings, like everybody. They need to fight their way thru life and, as it always happens in the real world, they find themselves in better or worse circumstances. The most encouraging thing is their special kind of friendship and their easiness to face whatever life brings. Due to that fact they endear themselves to the audience which turns a blind eye on their hustling activity. Still, they have to have some sort of income and, as long as it does not hurt anybody physically, the audience sides with them. I would very much like to have this movie in my home library but unfortunately there is no version available that is distributed in my region on DVD; and I feel extremely sorry about that; I think I would enumerate this as a main drawback of this movie...

Drowsy Existence

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If you like basketball, than you'll love this movie. More than a zany comedy as the ads would have you believe but witty and original with true chemistry between its 2 stars, Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes. Laugh-out-loud comedy, great basketball scenes and characters with enough depth that you will be routing for them the whole way. I highly recommend this movie.

Full Monty (1997)

Please note that this is for the two-disc "Fully Exposed" edition:

If you're reading this you're probably already a fan or at least have read other reviews telling you how great the movie is, so I won't clutter the place with more of the same.

But it has to be said that after ten years of being stuck with a DVD that counts "Interactive Menus" as a special feature, I'm beside myself that there's finally some REAL special features to be had.

We get to see some of the history regarding the brass band featured throughout the film, development of the script and production, not to mention two different commentary tracks.

But the real gem, as far as I'm concerned, is the featurette "Translating English to English". It really exposes this bizarre paranoia that the American side of the production had.

Rewinding a bit, I started my Monty obsession with a VHS copy of the movie and always wondered why some of the words didn't match the facial movements of the actors. When the tape wore out I replaced it with the first DVD version, which had an "Original UK audio track" option. Playing that, I realised that they had dubbed some of the words for the US version and that's why it always looked so goofy.

Even funnier, it wasn't the weirder UK expressions like "Chuffing Nora" or "Don't get a benny on". No, they dubbed words like "DIY" into "how-to" and "tw-t" into "git". Tw-t into git?? How is "git" any easier for the supposedly confused American audience to understand?

So the featurette on the subject was just about as funny as the film itself and, for me, that alone was worth buying this version.

Definitely a must-have for any Full Monty fan.

Just about the time you think no one is capable of making a fresh and original comedy anymore, along comes something like The Full Monty, to surprise and delight you with wit and subtlety and insight.

The story of unemployed steel workers in Sheffield, England who decide to put on a male striptease show for one night to make some money is a simple premise that is beautifully realized because of the time the film takes to build our understanding of these men and their different plights and motivations. We come to know and care for them as they come to care for each other. The comedy grows from the characters and their personalities and their different reactions and situations. There is sympathy and sensitivity to their desperation: Gaz (Robert Carlyle), the ex-con hustler, desperate to keep a connection with his son; Gerald (Tom Wilkinson), the manager, desperate to hold onto his middle-class lifestyle; Dave (Mark Addy), chubby and insecure, desperate to hold onto his wife; and so on. Expertly played by these actors, new to American audiences in 1997, but now familiar, the laughter evoked is wry and humane and, in the end, joyful.

The film carefully builds the story with expert comedic setups (the auditions and rehearsals, etc.) of everyday men trying to do something they are seemingly unequipped and ill-prepared to accomplish, with touches of pathos as we see the troubles and strains in their personal lives. All this leads to the Big Night and a grand finale that is funny, heart-warming and beautifully filmed. A terrific little film with a lot on its mind, beneath the humor. Something to do with the dignity of work, of self-respect, and of the touching care one can find amidst people undergoing hard times. A gem.

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I brought "The Full Monty" home one evening when my boyfriend was not feeling well because I thought that a good laugh would cheer him up. His reaction to seeing the video box? "I'm already not feeling well. I don't want to watch a movie about a bunch of male strippers prancing around." And then we put in the movie and couldn't stop laughing.

"The Full Monty" is about so much more than male strippers. The film centers around out-of-work steelworkers trying to cope with life now that their mill is shut down. The movie realistically explores male friendship, men's feelings about failing their wives' expectations, devotion to family, coping with loss,... but in ways that do not become depressing.

The stripper plan comes about because Gaz (Robert Carlyle) needs to come up with money to bring his child support current so that he can continue seeing his son. The father-son relationship is one of the most touching aspects of the movie. Gaz's son, Nate, tags along with Gaz as he tries to put together a Chippendale-style show to catch up on his child support. [As an aside, "The Full Monty" and "A Thousand Clowns" with Jason Robards would be an interesting pair of movies to see together as a starting point for examining what makes a good father.]

The relationships between the dancers that Mark Addy and Carlyle assemble is fun to watch. Tom Wilkison (also seen in "The Patriot", "In the Bedroom", and "Moulin Rouge") is excellent as their former supervisor who turns to dancing to cover his wife's extravagant spending. Addy is equally good as Gaz's chubby friend who is struggling with his marriage: His wife wants him to take a job in a local variety store. He thinks she's having an affair because he's too fat.

To top it off, the soundtrack is awesome!

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This classic (albeit very modern) 1997 British film, which I have seen a few times now, is one of my favourites. The storyline is highly original, very funny, and hugely entertaining overall, but it's also heartwarming. The setting is Sheffield, England, world famous for its steel. Sadly Sheffield, like most of the North of England, has had to deal with massive unemployment; in Sheffield's case, it's a result of the collapse of the steel industry. Briefly, the story revolves around six unemployed men, victims of the times, who aspire to "putting on" a one-night-only "full monty" (British slang for "taking it ALL off") strip show to raise some much-needed cash.

The idea is actually the brain-child of one of the men, Gaz (played by Robert Carlyle (The World is Not Enough)), who is in arrears in his maintenance payments for his son (who lives with Gaz's ex-wife and her new boyfriend). Gaz is at risk of losing joint custody and fears he may lose his son altogether. His motivation (and indeed his desperation) in coming up with such an outrageous scheme is, therefore, both plausible and understandable, for the men stand to pocket a nice little sum of money if they can, quite literally, pull it off. The film, which is 95 minutes, also features Tom Wilkinson (Essex Boys), who plays the lads' former boss from the steel factory, and Paul Barber (Denzil from Only Fools and Horses).

In conclusion, I highly recommend this film to fans of British comedy in general, but I think its appeal is broad enough to be enjoyed by anyone looking for a thoroughly enjoyable comedy with a really good storyline. Just one thing: Viewers ought to be prepared for fairly thick Yorkshire accents. This may be a bit of a shock at first for the unfamiliar, but close attention helps and it is well worth the effort. It's a cute story that is superbly acted and very well presented. What's more, it's a film that can be enjoyed time and again.

Very highly recommended!

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In the spirit of full disclosure, most of the films and literature on my "all-time favorite" lists are British, so there is definitely something about our cousins across The Pond that appeal to my sensibilities, although I am not of British descent, but "Monty" is special. Being from the Missouri Ozarks, the Yorkshire accents in the movie couldn't be further from what my ears are accustomed to hearing, but in no way did that interfere with my thorough enjoyment of this film. It is warm, sweet, a bit melancholy, and touching while managing to avoid being sappy...and absolutely hilarious.

The key is the situations in which the characters find themselves that are funny and not so much the characters themselves. The result is believability and dignity of each character, even while they find themselves in very undignified circumstances.

As a side note, The "translator" section in the Special Features is puzzling to me because they translate slang terms with which most Americans are already familiar, i.e., "DIY," "tw-t," etc., but leave out British oddities that are unknown in the USA, such as "chuffing Nora" "kit," and "taking the piss" and some terms that, after repeated viewings, still sound like gobbledygook to the average American. No matter. Everyone I know who has seen the film understood what was going on.

This film is not raunchy, tacky, or vulgar, so do not let the premise put you off. It is a lovely story about human beings discovering their dignity in the midst of very undignified circumstances. Highly, highly recommended.

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El Norte (The Criterion Collection) (1983)

I purchased a copy of this film in the 80's. It is one of the most powerful statements about the kinds of things which were happening in Central America during a time when most Americans lived in belief of their government's lies. It also is a most powerful statement about family and the strength one draws from that connection. The real problems in adjusting to a different culture without losing those values with which one has been raised is also a theme of this movie. I still rank it as one of the best movies I have ever seen. I would like a copy again as mine disappeared to one of the people to whom I lent it. If it becomes available in either DVD or VHS I would certainly recommend the purchase and I would be first in line. El Norte.....que magnifico!!!!!!!

I have never seen a better movie than this one, I will never see another movie like this one.

It is a "masterpiece", it is the only movie that is based on the reality of the world (filmed in Guatemala, Mexico and United States) not only it showed the life of the 80's (the massacres of people by the governments of our countries) and it also tells how and why most of us came to this country "The North" seeking not only refugee but also a new life after being abused and tortured by the law enforcement of the Central American governments. This is the case of a brother and sister who's father is decapitated and tortured by the Guatemalan soldiers just because they don't agree with the way rich people treated their countrymen. THE BEST MOVIE EVER !... Subtitled both English/Español and Español/English. A must have, a must see.

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El Norte depicts the plight of a brother and sister. They are Mayan Indians living in Guatemala but after their father is murdered in a rebellion and their mother is arrested, they have to flee their country to save their lives. They are headed north, through Mexico and then on the United States, which, like so many immigrants before them, seems like the Promised Land of electricity, flush toilets and big cars.



First they have to travel through Mexico and make believe they are Mexicans. When they finally get to Tijuana they have the difficult task of finding a way across the border without being robbed by the many unsavory characters who all compete for their small amount of money. Their first attempt ends in failure but eventually they make it by crawling on their hands and knees through a sewer pipe where they are attacked by rats. Once in Los Angeles their lives seem to improve, but they soon discover the reality of being illegal. This is not a happy story and the ending is sad and left me with a feeling of hopelessness.



One of the most striking things about the film is its innocence. It certainly was filmed on a shoestring budget and has none of the special effects we've come to expect in Hollywood films. Sometimes it had the look and feel of an amateur production, the violence looked staged, the camera often focusing on a full moon rather than or more complex shots. The acting, however, was so good that I forgot they were acting and soon was completely involved in this very human story. It was plain and simple real life. And there was humor here too, especially when the young woman gets a maid's job and has to learn to use a washing machine. However, like real life, things don't always work out for the best.



I guess I've always been aware of the plight of illegal immigrants. But I have never felt it more deeply than through this film. Highly recommended.

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The value of this film by director Gregory Nava does not diminish with time. I have shown it to audiences several times, and I continue to recommend it. It is not entertainment; rather it can give the engaged viewer an important educational experience about the reality of life for many Indigenous people who are forced to flee their homelands. It portrays the life of an Mayan brother and sister who are forced to leave Guatemala, their homeland, in search of survival in "El Norte." But they discover that the U.S.-Mexico border is a virtual war zone. The film ends in the tragedy that represents the reality of life for many Native people, whose status as "illegal aliens" is less than the humanity that they deserve.

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This was many people's introduction to the great director, Gregory Nava. "El Norte" is an important film on so many levels. It examines the immigrant experience, and it also takes a critical, uncensored look at the grim, gritty reality of many who come to the United States, seeking a better life after living in desolate circumstances back home in their native countries.

The refugee brother and sister from Guatemala, portrayed in this film, are an intensely beautiful study of a two young people seeking a better life, leaving their trapped existence, risking life and limb to get here, just to find that the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence. Ultimately, their story ends in tragedy, but it also leaves us with powerful images of two people who took a chance in a new culture, guided by hope and courage. I highly reccomend this film! However, I don't think very young audiences should see it. There are some very intense images in this story.....Beautifully done.

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Rec 1 and Rec 2 Blu-ray

The set comes with two blu-ray discs. The [REC] 1 & 2 case as you see in the picture on amazon is like the cardboard material. Its sturdy cardboard though. Keeps the discs in place nice and tight. Playable no problem on all Region 1/A (United States) blu-ray players. The picture quality is awesome! 1080p picture quality. They really up the definition in the blu-ray versions of [Rec] and [Rec]2. The sound is twice what it was on the dvd's. Really makes these horror gems all the much more scarier on blu-ray.

If your a fan of these two awesome films and have a blu-ray player this is a ABSOLUTE MUST BUY!

Not all movie producers are the same. The cinema world needs this type of genre to set the bar higher.

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this is one of my favorite movies of akk time. when you go to add cart it says ( rec 1 % 2 dvd blu ray ) but you are really getting the blu ray. this is a all reigion player so it will play on ALMOST any nly ray player, ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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True, the case is nice and sturdy and it is all region blu ray -bla bla bla. I have been really looking forward to seeing this movie but I only had one issue. It is all in subtitles. If you dont mind reading your movie this is for you. I thought it would be dubbed but no dice. As far as the movie itself, I have not made it through yet, again the subtitles.

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Santa Sangre (1989)

After over 20 years, Severin Films announces the release of Alejandro Jodorowsky's internationally acclaimed 'SANTA SANGRE'. The 1989 production, rarely seen since its U.S. theatrical release, comes to Blu-ray and DVD featuring a restored print of the film's European version as well as 5 hours of Bonus Material.

Jodorowsky exploded onto the international scene in the early 70's with his bizarre sensations 'EL TOPO' and 'HOLY MOUNTAIN'. Endorsed by John Lennon, who released 'EL TOPO's soundtrack on the Beatles Apple label, and embraced by underground culture worldwide, these films redefined movies as both art and entertainment while almost single-handedly creating the 'midnight movie' genre. Legal frustrations with the films' owner (and Beatles' disreputable manager) Allen Klein, as well as a failed attempt to direct a 14-hour movie adaptation of `Dune' starring Orson Welles and Salvador Dali, kept Jodorowsky from making films for 16 years until his triumphant return with 'SANTA SANGRE'.

Blanca Guerra, Guy Stockwell and the filmmaker's sons Axel and Adan Jodorowsky star in this surreal epic about a young circus performer, the crime of passion that shatters his soul, and the macabre journey back to the world of his armless mother, tattooed-strongman father and deaf-mute lover. "This is a movie like none I have seen before," wrote Roger Ebert in his original four-star review, "a wild kaleidoscope of images and outrages, a collision between Freud and Fellini." It contains blood and glory, saints and sinners, drug addicts and dealers, pimps and prostitutes, side-show freaks and the disenfranchised, circuses and churches, the pious and the perverse, as well as other unspeakable secrets of the night. And it's delivered to us wrapped in a parade of bold and flamboyant imagery, with Alejandro Jodorowsky as the circus ringmaster. SANTA SANGRE is a movie in which the inner chambers of the soul are laid bare.

A bizarre love triangle turns deadly when a circus strongman, Orgo, is caught fooling around with a tattooed woman by his wife, Concha, an aerial performer. Incensed, Concha throws acid on him, and Orgo retaliates by sawing off her arms before killing himself. All of this transpires before the eyes of their young son, Fenix (Adan Jodorowsky), who goes insane and is sent to an institution.

Years later, Fenix (now portrayed by Axel Jodorowsky, Adan's older brother, in a fantastic performance) is rescued by his armless mother and returns to the circus. Embittered by the tragic events, Concha now plans revenge, but needs assistance from her emotionally broken son. Violence spawns more violence in this terrifying, color-saturated psychedelic and unforgettable film by a master visionary who is worthy of more recognition than he's ever received. Maybe now?

Bonus Features on the Blu-ray and two-disc DVD include deleted scenes, domestic and international trailers, an audio commentary with Jodorowsky, multiple documentaries, new on-camera interviews with the majority of the film's cast and crew, and the 81-year-old Chilean-born filmmaker/playwright/graphic artist/shaman.

This film must be seen several times to be believed I have never viewed a nightmare brought to life with such conviction, beauty or perversity.

What is a movie? Is it an entertainment? A work of ART? Is a motion picture only a lure to get you to engage in a mass spectacle of consumerism? Is it the catharsis of a crowd in the dark?

Are you an intellectual? Are you passionate? Have you even been interested in Archetypes and Collective unconscience? Do you know that when you take the journey with a story--that that story will always stay with you?

In 1989, a lot of things changed in my life. I really can't explain what they all were, but between August and December of 1989, my hair went from black to white, and I started on the life that I lead today. Then came Santa Sangre.

Allesandro Jodorowsky is what is frequently called a 'visionary' film director. What he is is a wizard and a shaman. Jodorowski is a Jungian psychiatrist who writes comic books and directs movies. He started way back in the sixties, and was actually the first person to direct for the beatle's Apple Corporation. As a result his first film (El Topo) is almost impossible to acquire or see. Like everything from Apple--there is an immense legal battle over it's soul.

And this guy's work has got SOUL that won't quit. Take the little number we are discussing today. Here you have the story of Fenix, raised in a circus by his parents Orgo (a hypnotic knife thrower played by guy stockwell) and Alma(who hangs by her hair and worships at the shrine of HOLY BLOOD hence the film's title.) Fenix cries as his pet elephant dies, gets a tattoo with a bowie knife from a quart jar of ink while biting on a stick,cavorts with a little girl mute tightrope walker, sees his mother's cult of blind women being driven away as their 'shrine' is demolished, and, finally, witnesses his own parents murder suicide over an affair with a tatooed woman. That's all in the prologue..

Vaudeville. Strippers. Murder. Clowns. Dwarfs. The Invisible Man. Chuco hoods. Illusion. Mime (mime?) Chemistry. Madness. Denoument. Samba-ing Down's syndrome children. Reincarnation of painted corpses as ducks or swans. ritual crucifixion. Taxidermy. Every bottle of booze has a dead crow on the label (just something I personally noticed) Ventriloquism. Symbolism.

And it's based on the stories of a real serial killer.

Jodorowski is not slick (although this is by far his slickest work) He is in no way pretentious. This film is bone deep and meant to stop your cognitive process, to derail and reboot your mind.

Allessandro Jodorowski is what we get less of in today's cinema--it is the real deal. A human soul laid bare by art. You might cry when you watch this. You will probably laugh. But if you know what's good for you, you will watch it again.

persevere,

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Alejandro Jodorowosky has been making films since the 1960s.Though he has made only a handful of films(7 in all),given the quality of "Santa Sangre",a visionary and haunting work,one wishes he was more prolific.It is not possible to describe "Santa Sangre" with due justice within such a small review;the only succinct way of describing it:it as if Pedro Calderon had written "Psycho",or that Alfred Hitchcock had directed "La Vida es Sueno".Influenced by Freudian and Jungian psychoanalysis,the mordant satire and wit of Luis Bunuel and the beautiful baroque pageantry of Fellini,"Santa Sangre" tells the story of a reluctant serial killer(!) controlled by his dominating and insane mother and details his struggle to be liberated from her.The mother worships an imaginary saint,whose hagiography and devotion entails repression,guilt and false self-sacrifice.The son's attempt to attain romantic and sexual normalcy achieves(surprisingly,given the subject matter)much pathos.The ending is transcendent and the film contains many memorable images.Despite the criticisms leveled against the film's violence,"Santa Sangre" is not gory-it artfully suggests rather than explicates.However,if your idea of cinematic excellence are movies like:"The Towering Inferno","Terms of Endearment" or "Ghost"-then probably this film is not for you.However,if films like:"The Exterminating Angel",Satyricon",The Devils" and "Wild at Heart" are for you compelling and important works of art,then "Santa Sangre" is definitely to be experienced.

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Wow,this film blew me away the first time I saw it. It is 10 times easier to watch than El Topo and 1000 times easier to watch than Holy Mountain (by the same director). Although as disturbing as the aforementioned, it maintains a discernable plot along with the surreal imagery for which Alejandro Jodorowsky is best known. It is a strange story with bleeding elephant, circus performers (i hate clowns and the circus, but the presentation in this film made it easy to watch), a fully tatooed woman, cult religion which worships an armless saint, a crazed mother with a son who is obviously too attached to mama, and a visually disturbing rite of passage into manhood. All of the nightmarish scenery is somehow manipulated through the camera by mr. jodorowsky to bring us a beautifully disturbing film with a wonderful story and a great plot twist ending. Not for all people, but if you are sick of the loads of big-budget schlock that really has no redeeming value like I am then this will come as a nice and refreshing suprise to you.

I am also a big Evil Dead fan so I must be right about this one! (Evil Dead is in no way similar to this film with the exception of maybe the gore)

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The first time I watched this film I was completely taken aback by something that has never happened to me before while watching a movie: at the midpoint of the film I could not guess what was going to happen next! In every other film I had seen to that point I could always make a good guess on where the plot was going, and what could be expected of the main charater(s). Not in this movie! And that alone to me made the movie that much more worthwhile and enjoyable. I am a great fan of what little work of Jodorowsky's that I've seen and read, he has an insight on humanity that would frighten many, but the truth will do that.

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Wolf / Dracula / Frankenstein Trilogy (2010)

If only the The Wolfman can be part of this collection but I am glad to own these movies on blu ray for the upcoming halloween season. Movie looks great and the condition is great. Thank you very much

Classic movies remastered and waiting to be collected , any fan of these movie's must have this collection .

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I like all these films but why are you putting wolf in the set instead of the wolf man with Anthony Hopkins.

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The Fighting Seabees (1944)

This movie provides one telling of their story. During WWII, there was a serious need for men in the military who had the know how and the determination to carry out essential construction work, particularly in the Pacific Theatre of operations.

In this movie we learn a bit about the plan and recruitment of men to serve as hybrid construction workers/soldiers. John Wayne was a natural choice to serve as the prototypical SeaBee -an undisciplined individual, but determined, willing and able.

Join JW and his colleagues as they work and fight their way across the Pacific, building runways and roads, and anything else that needed to be made. During their spare time, they did some fighting, and JW finds time for some romancing (doesn't he usually?).

A good telling, and an interesting movie, but not quite 5-star material. Well worth a watch though!

This movie has become a part of lore among the men and women of the finest combat contstruction organizations of the US military. It is a nice Hollywood adaptation of the creation of the US Navy Seabees. And who can forget the best character in the movie -Natasha! It's not often that you see JW's character make the ultimate sacrifice. I watch this and see the beginning of some traditions and attitudes still in practice today. "With Compassion for Others, We Build We Fight, for Peace with Freedom," from the Seabee Museum. Remember their montra: Seabee Can-Do.

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In one of his lesser starring efforts, John Wayne plays the leader of a construction company that goes on to help form the Fighting Seabees, an armed group of workers. Prior to the Seabees, the construction crews building air strips and other military installations weren't allowed to carry arms. Wayne is stubborn and determined to say the least, and he pushes to have his men armed for battle as they work on curiously named islands in the Pacific during the Second World War. The film's focus is torn between the establishment of the Seabees and Wayne's romance with journalist Susan Hayward. Neither plotline is developed enough, and considering that it appears to be a war film, there's not much to the fighting in the film. It's not a bad film, but it suffers from a low budget and a script that needed much more work. However, there is a rare chance in this film to Big John jitterbug, which is good for a laugh.

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The setting of this movie is an island in the Pacific in June 1942. Besides getting entertained by the blazing combat action and the fervid patriotic mood, the viewer gets an education on the Seabees. The term itself comes from a phonetization and dramatization of CB's, which stands for Construction Battalions.

Wedge Donovan (a young John Wayne) takes command of a US Navy group of engineers who are using bulldozers, cranes, etc., to build various installations for military use. At first, civilians are involved and, not understanding the realities of a combat environment, they suffer severe casualties during a Japanese attack.

Wedge Donovan trains and, in time, leads the newly-named Seabees in a subsequent counterattack against a large group of Japanese invaders. Now it is the Japanese who suffer heavy casualties. The Seabees trap the Japanese in a flaming ravine, and pour gunfire upon them. Wedge Donovan gets decorated for leadership in this military success.

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Compared to today's action thrillers, this is sedate. However, there is more to a movie than speed. What it does well is remind us of our heritage. Although Hollywood may not have been accurate in its portrayal of the Seabees, this movie goes a long way in helping us understand their courage and contributions.

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Dead Sushi

I really didn't think this movie was gonna be any good. In fact, when I saw the trailer I wasn't very impressed. But I said what the hell & ordered it. Turns out I freaking LOVED this movie! Great humor, action & lots of blood! Truly one of a kind. If you love corky comedy horror, get it!

A mid-level entry to the Tokyo Shock genre which tries to rely on a stupidly clever premise. It's alright, I guess. But the premise doesn't carry it along as well as the writers hoped. I'd only recommend this for devout fans of Tokyo Shock.

Keiko (Rina Takeda; Ninja Girl, Karate Girl, High-Kick Girl) is training under her father (Jiji Bû; Tokyo Gore Police, Vampire Girl vs Frankenstein Girl) to become a sushi chef, which evidently involves some ninja kind of crazy martial arts whose choreography smacks of classic kung fu theater. However, the training and the demands of her father are too much for her. So she runs away and finds work at Yumi's (Asami; Helldriver, Mutant Girl Squad, The Machine Girl) hotel, where some executives have decided to go on a corporate escape.

It takes longer than normal (for movies of this genre) for the wackiness to get started. This happens when Yamada (Kentarô Shimazu; Tokyo Gore Police, The Machine Girl, Alien vs Ninja) injects a reanimating, contagious disease-bearing serum into a flying squid to exact his revenge on the executives that had him fired. Once the infected squid comes into contact with some of the hotel's freshly served sushi, the sushi itself turns into miniature flying killers.

Now, when I think Tokyo Shock I think crazy gore and exploitative tactics. Director/writer Noboru Iguchi's (The Machine Girl, RoboGeisha, The ABC's of Death "F" is for Fart) flick includes decapitation, making out with a severed head, squid-stabbing, the sloppiest sounding kisses ever, provocative sushi eating, man-face to man-crotch, finger to butt, tongue biting, eyeballs popping out of their sockets, sloppy raw egg-exchanging kisses, face-peeling, cannibalism, a naked woman showering in blood, rice zombies (that's not meant to sound racist), piranha-like sushi swarms, fire-breathing sushi, a guy turns into an over-sized axe-wielding fish monster, tandem vomiting, petrified sushi nunchucks, zombies copping feels and a few entertaining mutilated face prosthetics.

The effects behind the killer sushi is pretty cheap, but perfectly serviceable in a movie like this. It reminds me of the flying orb effects from Phantasm (1979). Some other CGI effects are truly awful and inferior even to ScyFy Network movie-of-the-week quality.

Comedic elements include farcical lessons in sushi preparation and connoisseurship, shy singing sushi that is friendly and supportive, cute jiggling giggling evil sushi monsters, sushi monsters mating and a sushi roll battleship. Like the effects and the pace of the story, the humor of this Tokyo Shocklet a noticeably not as good as I would expect from the genre.

That's not to say that the movie isn't without its moments. Like when Chef Tsuchida (Kanji Tsuda; Helldriver, Vampire Girl vs Frankenstein Girl) cries out: "When a sushi chef's pride is on the line the next course he serves in death!" Or when Yamada becomes infected by his own serum: "And now I have been reborn as a mighty tuna!"

I'd only recommend this for devout fans of Tokyo Shock. Tokyo Gore Police (2008), Vampire Girl vs Frankenstein Girl (2009) and Helldriver (2010) all do a much better job of delivering weirdly clever monsters/opponents and disturbingly creative gore, deaths and mutations.

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This movie is preposterous and disgustingly bloody and hilarious. I enjoyed every minute of it and went to my favorite sushi bar, Hashigo in 5 Points in Huntington Beach, the very next day, just to take revenge.

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4.5 stars

Almost everything about this classic B-movie cracked me up, from the acting to the wacked-out effects to the hilarious dialogue. I'll bet that if I knew Japanese culture better this would be even funnier. Imagine Monty Python on laughing gas and you'll get the feel of Dead Sushi.

Writer/director Iguchi penned a very silly satire of a script and just when you think it can't get goofier, it does. And then more so. I love surreal and absurd when it works, and it really does here, because this film NEVER takes itself seriously, except when it comes to delivering fun.

With one fine exception: the scene where our heroine (the excellent Rina Takeda) discusses how to create top-notch sushi is actually very accurate advice about making sushi properly. It's a suddenly almost serious moment, made funny by what's all around it, but you get the feeling that Iguchi really does take good sushi seriously. Watch that scene for one of the best tips you'll ever get in making real gourmet sushi.

The over-the-top effects and ideas here combine with the wisely underplayed performances to make a unique comedy unlike any I've ever seen. If you like weird and wild, get some Dead Sushi.

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I gave it a 4 stars cuz she my favorite actress in Japan. She's not the best actress but her Karate are top notch worldwide women Champion. Her acting are improving in after 3 years with average movies. It's funny horror comedy about sushi. It's kinda slightly less quality than Kung fu hustle. There's some nice scenes, a bit funny, I watched 2+ times! Sexy scenes are very nice of the girls. Rina Takeda dressed her prettiest in those pink kimono of best style in Japan.

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Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (2011)

I'm not a Mike Myers fan, and I avoided this film--and its sequels--like the plague when they were on the big screen. But I now know the error of my ways: AUSTIN POWERS is one of the freshest bits of purely entertaining, mindless fluff to come along in quite a while, the perfect antedote to an overcast and bad-mood sort of day.

The story is an amalgamation of the more excessive plot ideas of such films as DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER and OUR MAN FLINT. Fashion photographer by day and swinging spy by night, Austin Powers is the toast of psychedelic London--and more than a match for Dr. Evil. But when Dr. Evil has himself frozen, Powers does the same, and the two defrost some thirty years later and resume their battle in the much more up-tight 1990s. The most obvious target of the spoof is the James Bond films, but fans of 1960s film will have a field day spotting the film's take offs on such characters as Matt Helm, Derek Flint, Emma Peel, celebrities like The Beatles and Andy Warhol, and such diverse films as THE TENTH VICTIM and the camp classic DR. GOLDFOOT AND THE GIRL BOMB. And dare we mention the sixties' own classic swinging spy spoof, the infamous CASINO ROYALE?

Myers is greatly amusing in the double role of Austin Powers and Dr. Evil, both of whom have considerable difficulty adjusting to everything from safe sex to inflation, and Elizabeth Hurley is quite good in the Diana Rigg-ish role of sidekick Vanessa Kensington. But the real fun here is in the details--and the details include every one from Michael York to Robert Wagner to Burt Bacharach to Carrie Fisher, "Fembots" with killer pasties, and Italian sexpot Fabiana Udenio as a character with the most devastating name since Honor Blackman hit the screen in GOLDFINGER. The soundtrack is just as swinging as it gets, with blasts of everything from "These Boots Are Made For Walking" and "I Touch Myself." And look for a hilarious spoof of Bob Fosse-inspired choreography during the main credits!

You won't find any deep thoughts in AUSTIN POWERS, and thank heaven for it: giggles and grins are the order of the day, and the film delivers them in abundance. The DVD is a nice one as well, offering your choice of widescreen or pan-and-scan, some entertaining notes and deleted scenes, and amusing commentary. Buy it and keep on your shelf for that rainy day.

Mike Myers is rapidly becoming, if he isn't already, the heir apparent to Mel Brooks in the sense that he is a master of jokes based on bodily functions. AUSTIN POWERS--INTERNATIONAL MAN OF MYSTERY has all the elements of scatalogical humor: urination, fornication, masturbation, penis enlargement (almost anything to do with the penis really), allotta fagina, femmebots with gun barrel breasts... jeez, he even has a long scene in a toilet booth (with a fun cameo by Tom Arnold). And like Brooks, Myers is a master of movie genre satire. If Brooks had taken on a 007 spoof, it would pretty close to this. And Brooks would play multiple roles as well.

Still, Myers is to be congratuated for his undoubted originality. His interpretation and reinterpretation of 60s and 70s pop culture, which he also demonstrated a mastery of in WAYNE'S WORLD, is his own. Part Bond movie, part Laugh-In, part sci-fi, all hilarious, AUSTIN POWERS is one of the best comedies to have emerged in the 90s.

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I have to laugh my head off when I read negative reviews from people who say the movie is stupid. Gee, you think?. It is supposed to be. Some people, like the one star review below, were completely lost on the joke. Over their heads. So many don't understand comedy like that. Mike Meyers created one of the funniest and most memorable comedic characters of the last decade with this hilarious and silly and over the top comedy spoofing the James Bond series. Auatin Powers is a British spy with horrible teeth and a raging libido. Austin's main arch nemesis is Dr. Evil(also played by Meyers), who, with his bald head and cat and manner of speech is an obvious spoof of recurring 007 villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld. Evil freezes himself and programs the cryogenic chamber to unthaw him in the late 1990's. Austin decides he will do the same thing so he can be there to stop Dr. Evil with his dastardly scheme for global domination. Did I mention that Austin was also a photographer by day?. The guy just never stops. There are rumors that Meyers also fashioned the Dr. Evil character after his old boss, "SNL" maestro Lorne Michaels. Seth Green(who seems to pop up all the time)is hilarious as Scott Evil, Dr. Evil's angst ridden teen son. There scenes together are priceless. Equally as good is Mindy Sterling as Evil's assistant. Robert Wagner(does this guy age?)plays Number 2, another henchman. "SNL"'s Will Ferrell pops up as well. The 'girl' is none other than the lovely and beautiful Elizabeth Hurley, as Vanessa Kensington. A most perfect choice in the casting department if you know what I mean and I think you do. This movie is written, designed, filmed, and acted with the intention of just having a good time. This isn't comedy that'll make you think days afterwards. This is pure popcorn cotton candy people. Meyers is a master at different characters. He really brings them to life with their very own characteristics and mannerisms. He is brilliantly talented. The movie has many laugh out loud moments that make this movie the best spoof in many a moon. Again, the humorless droids who ridicule it as stupid have obviously missed the point. Of course it is. You may think your bashing it, but your basically saying that it did what it was supposed to do and it succeeded. Totally lost on those people. "The Spy Who Shagged Me" was even better, and now "Goldmember" is coming up. Let's hope that Austin and Dr. Evil have more adventures down the road. Oh behave!!.

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Austin Powers would have to be one of the funniest movies of the decade. That is why it is so disapointing that scenes in the original movie have been cut from this DVD version. Rob Lowe and Lois Chiles were relegated to the deleted scenes section of the DVD but at least they "appeared" albeit not in the movie itself. Where was Christian Slater and the famed "Orange Sher-bert" scene? Not to be found. True fans of Austin Powers may be disappointed with the DVD version.

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I LOVE this movie, but I am reviewing the DVD, not the movie. The DVD transfer for this movie is atrocious. The aspect ratio is wrong. There are grainy scenes and scenes where the film was obviously dirty. Need a new transfer from the master laser disks.

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