Last Chance Harvey (2009)

By no means do I damn with faint praise when suggesting that this is a "small" film. Rather, only to suggest that it covers a brief period of time (a few days), in a single setting (London), focuses primarily on only two characters, and there few plot developments. Briefly, Harvey Shine (Dustin Hoffman) is employed by an advertising agency in Manhattan as a jingle writer when we are introduced to him. Almost immediately we sense that he is dissatisfied with both his career (he would prefer to earn a living as a jazz composer and performer) and with the current state of his life (he is divorced and apparently alienated from his adult daughter, Susan, who is about to be married in London). The title refers to both situations: Charley is advised by his boss Marvin (Richard Schiff who played the character Toby Ziegler on the television program, The West Wing) that his job is in jeopardy. After a very brief encounter upon arrival at Heathrow Airport with Kate Walker (Emma Thompson) seeking to obtain travel information from passengers, Harvey is saddened to learn from Susan (Liane Balaban) that she has decided that her stepfather Brian (James Brolin) will accompany her down the aisle. Of course, Harvey encounters Kate again and then....

The acting is outstanding. The setting is especially appropriate for what happens to a troubled New Yorker, among strangers in a strange city, at a time when he is running out of options in all areas of his life. Kate has concerns of her own but seems less troubled, probably because she fulfills at least some needs by comforting and reassuring her mother Maggie Walker (Eileen Atkins) who calls her constantly throughout the day (and evening), concerned about trivial matters. We know almost nothing else about Kate's private life, other than the absence of romance and few (if any) chances of finding it. She clearly does not wish to be hurt and is sensibly reluctant to become involved with anyone, even a stranger who is clearly unhappy, feels rejected, and in need of attention and kindness.

Five Star ratings of films should be reserved for "classics" and that is especially true of romantic comedies such as It Happened One Night, Little Shop Around the Corner, Sleepless in Seattle, and You've Got Mail. Last Chance Harvey is not in their class. However, I think Hoffman and Thompson are not only superb but have charming chemistry, the film is well-made, respectful of awkward adult situations with potentially serious consequences, and arrives at its happy ending with a pleasing plausibility.

I understand that most people that go to movies are in their early 20's and the movie makers knowing this,aim their films for that audience generally,but this is a wonderful surprise.

A charming story of people at an older age that have hit many dead ends in life but because of chance,they discover that life doesn't have to be done, there can be a future filled with the excitement that you might feel only lived in the past.

With the two great actors,Dustin Hoffman & Emma Thompson and a wonderful supporting cast,this is a very well made movie that I feel has the legs to stand up for viewings in the future and still have that same warmth and heart.

I think that some of the twenty somethings that might see this now and write it off as silly,could very well see this film in several years and view it very differently after they gain some of the experience and disappointments that life brings.

I really feel this could be viewed as a classic in the future,

Buy Last Chance Harvey (2009) Now

For those looking for a fast-paced, ultra-modern, and formulaic romantic comedy feel free to run back to the bad acting, effects-laden Hollywood tripe so often produced for an unimaginative audience. If, however, you are looking for a thoughtful and surprisingly human story, then Last Chance Harvey deserves your attention. Rather than finding this movie slow and boring, my wife and I felt compelled to stay up past our bedtime because we simply couldn't fall asleep until it was over.

Yes, the movie moves at a walking pace--that's part of its charm! We should rediscover the skills of paying attention to a real story that does not require the aide of special effects and heart-pounding action. Simply put, the story itself is beautiful and wonderfully acted. Its true-to-life and a worthy addition to one's movie library if one has an eye for art rather than mere amusement.

Read Best Reviews of Last Chance Harvey (2009) Here

Very slow movie throughout. The plot revolves around a man, Harvey (Dustin Hoffman), a jingle writer. He is about to lose his job and has a difficult relationship with his daughter. He travels to London to attend his daughter's wedding and meets Kate (Emma Thompson) who works for an airline conducting research. They experienced an unexpected and lovely romance. The movie is indeed lovely but so darn slow! Although the acting was amazing; actually, it was phenomenal, I was still falling asleep. I can't help but wonder what this movie could have been in the hands of another, more dynamic director.

I especially like the featurette as it revealed a lot of interesting things about the movie. For example, I though the movie was based on a book. Actually, the screenplay was written especially for the actors Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson.

Want Last Chance Harvey (2009) Discount?

This movie is wonderful. I have to comment on some of the criticisms I have seen here--if you are looking for belly laughs and lousy computer generated effects,take your short attention span back to your x-box. This movie is a beautiful exercise in real story telling. These two seasoned actors bring incredible meaning and depth to a movie about real things that happen to people in real life. I was touched by the obvious and not so obvious messages in this story and feel it was, for me, a much awaited change from the fast-paced, meaningless bumblers Hollywood keeps ralphing out. Very well done--and thanks to Hoffman and Thompson for taking me along for the stroll. I needed the fresh air...

Save 61% Off

Harry Potter Double Feature: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban/Harry Potter and the Goblet o

I did not intend to upgrade my Harry Potter collection from DVD to Blu-ray until this "Double Header" collection came along. This is such a great bargain; why do they even still offer the films separately? These editions contain all the special features found on the two DVD editions.

I'm sure you're familiar with the films themselves, but if not: Prisoner of Azkaban is my personal favorite. Werewolves, time-travel, shape-shifters, wrongfully imprisoned convict escapes ... what else could you ask for? This duo of films marks the transition within the Harry Potter series from children's stories to something more sinister.

Save 25% Off

Cujo (1983)

I have waited a looooooong time to see this film get the special treatment it deserved. For years, the only way I had to view this classic horror treat was on an old DVD release with cropped edges, horrible picture, and NO special features at all.....not to mention the ugliest DVD artwork ever for a Stephen King release.

Lionsgate has now given us Cujo as it has never been seen on home video. I was blown away by how clear the picture is, and how vibrant the colors are. The old transfer just seemed washed out and faded. I watched this on my PS3, which upscales it to hi-def, and I never dreamed this film could ever look this good. I'm also glad that there was no effort to try to create a surround sound track for this film, since most of it takes place inside a car. You have the choice of watching it in the original mono, or a 2 channel stereo mix. While this is not a film I would choose to show off my surround system, it is very effective for what is happening on screen. Not only do we get treated to a remastered copy of the film, but Cujo also has some really good special features. The 3-part documentary runs about 45 min. total, and is very informative about the way the film was made. Both Dee Wallace and Danny Pintauro take part in the documentary. The director, Lewis Teague, also provides a good commentary track. I only have two minor complaints: 1st, there is no trailer for Cujo and 2nd, with it being the 25th anniversary edition, I would rather have seen the artwork from the original movie poster as the cover. I'm not complaining too much about the artwork since it is a huge improvement over the previous version, I just think the poster with the white picket fence and the word "Cujo" in blood was a great poster.

Bottom line: If you own the original DVD version of Cujo, put it in the doghouse. You will be glad you upgraded to this fantastic version of what I think is one of the best adaptations of Stephen King's work on film.

2013 Blu ray UPDATE:

I just got my new copy of Cujo in the mail, and thought I would add this to my previous DVD review.

Of course, the one thing you want to know; is this worthy of a double dip?? Well, that depends on how much you like this movie. I'll break it down into a list of pros and cons, then you can make your own decision.

PROS

* FINALLY, we get cover art from the original movie poster. This packaging is AWESOME!!! Original artwork is also reflected on the disc itself.

* New commentary from director Lewis Teague. This is a really entertaining track.

* Sound seems to be remastered.

* When I saw the video of the 25th anniv. of Cujo, I thought it couldn't get better. I have to admit that I was wrong. This is the best Cujo has ever looked!!! The HD transfer has obviously been remastered

since the 25th anniv. edition. The picture looks gorgeous!!!!

* On-screen menu also uses original poster artwork.

CONS

* No other extras included other than commentary

* Price is a little high for a bare bones movie.

BOTTOM LINE: In the case of the new 30th anniv. edition of this film, it really comes down to how much you're willing to pay for a new commentary track and some awesome artwork. If you do decide to double dip on this one, I would definitely save the previous 25th anniv. edition. That way you have the complete extra features.

Actually a fairly good Stephen King translation, I remember being genuinely frightened a few times when this played theatrically. But my fondest memory of the movie was its poster: a beautiful sun-bleached drawing of a very east-coast summer house, surrounded by a picket fence splattered with blood in the form of Cujo's name. Warner home video used this artwork when intially releasing the video over a decade ago, and now? This picture of a clownish lip-sticked overly-reddened St. Bernard and his teeth is clearly not even a shot from the movie! I have always questioned/doubted the wisdom of revisionist cover-art for video releases, but this one takes the cake as the most artless piece of junk I've ever seen.

Buy Cujo (1983) Now

If I had read the book first I would have probably known what I was in for when I sat down to watch this movie. I have a deeply rooted fear of confined spaces and possibly an even bigger fear of being eaten. So basically, this movie scared me to no end! Now I have to admit much of the story (and acting) moved along fairly slowly, until the mother and son were stuck in the middle of nowhere, in a station wagon, with a large, rabid Saint Bernard attempting to get inside! It was this portion of the movie that got my skin crawling! When Cujo starts attacking the car and you just get this feeling that nobody is getting out of there alive, that's good Horror entertainment! Strangely enough I never felt that Cujo should die or that he was a "monster". I just kept thinking that all of us are victims of circumstance, and not one of us has control over the events in our lives. That concept alone is terrifying! The acting of the mother and son were perfect and I'd really like to know how they got the dog who played Cujo to act so mean! To me, a claustraphobe, this was one nightmare of a movie. If I had been younger I would have probably developed a serious fear of dogs to boot. But dogs are great, as long as you make sure they've had their shots! You don't want your dog going Cujo on you, now do you! One of the scariest movies I've ever seen!

Read Best Reviews of Cujo (1983) Here

To all you folks that are complaining about a Saint Bernard being the wrong choice for this role, and that it was "too cute" to be scary, um that was the point. Sheesh. How could so many people miss that? It's the fact that a big, loveable dog has suddenly become a threat that makes this film so spooky. Man's best friend has suddenly become a monster. Had they used a Doberman or Rottweiller, everyone would have been like "Well, yeah, they're killers. No suprise it turned on them." Most good horror works on the premise of the benign becoming the terrifying. This movie is the epitome of that. Also, a Doberman or Rottweiller wouldn't have been that threatening. Doberman's especially are small enough to send rolling with a well-placed kick. They needed a large dog that would be able to dent a car door with it's massive skull, and take three hits with a baseball bat. Get a clue folks.

Want Cujo (1983) Discount?

When you think of successful early "adapted from a Stephen King novel" films, a few come to mind. From the greatest:Carrie, The Shining, Pet Sematary to the not-so-bad:Salem's Lot, Children of the Corn, Christine. But nessled right in the middle should be Cujo. For my generation, after this film was released anytime you saw a large strange dog in the near distance, your mind raced with the thoughts of this film.

While still pretty effective, this film about a mother and son trapped inside their broken down Ford Pinto while a rabies-infected Saint Bernard terrorizes them from the outside in, still has plenty of scares even 25 years later. While not as classic as other Horror films of it's time, it did forever become the grandaddy of all maniac dog movies. So on that level alone, it comes from me to any Horror fan very suggested.

However, it does have a few faults. Even though it was shot and released in 1983, this movie looks and feels like it was actually done in say 1976, down to it's starring car and ABC-Movie Of The Week musical score. Another is the 30 minutes of set-up at it's beginning showing the trials and downfalls of suburban marriage and family life at the time. Not that those 30 minutes hurt the movie, it actually sets up the characters for concern quite nicely, but to new fans of the movie they might wonder what drama film got accidently put in this Horror DVD's case.

But once Cujo gets things a foamin' about 40 minutes in, all Hell breaks loose and let the intense claustrophobia begin. As for extras, there's a nice 50 minute documentary called "Dog Days:The Making Of Cujo" from 2007 that has crew and actors telling about how things were done quite informatively. Seeing a now 30 year old Danny Pintauro talking about his role when he was just six is nice to see a former child actor who can still remember the work much less live to tell about it. Also a directors commentary & an anamorphic picture with a high bit-rate, this is a worthy addition to any classic Horror collection. Despite purists who say that it changed certain aspects for the film not originally in the King novel (all of which were approved by King), this is one film that will make most say "The movie was better than the book".

(RedSabbath Rating:8.0/10)

Save 20% Off

Summer Interlude (The Criterion Collection) (1951)

"Summer Interlude" is an often overlooked pearl from Bergman's film catalog. It's not as famous or as experimental as his other releases from this period, such as "Sawdust and Tinsel." Nevertheless it's quite good and I hold it in high regard. It fits in among the romantic-themed films he made from time to time--a close twin to "Summer with Monika," which he made a couple years later. Both share the theme of young adults navigating the pleasures and dangers of falling in love over the course of a single summer. Monika is a classic, in part because of Harriet Anderson's notoriety, but "Summer Interlude" is a sweeter film and the characters more likable. The protagonist played by Maj-Britt Nilsson, is both beautiful and admirable without the seedier bohemian carnality of Harriet Anderson's Monika. I know a lot of Bergman fans like "Summer with Monika" and both films are worth seeing, but to me "Summer Interlude" is the stronger film.

Regarding this DVD version: Tartan has released several Bergman films on DVD that aren't otherwise available in the US. They're in PAL format, which may discourage American fans since they probably aren't playable on the typical television DVD player. But I've had success playing them on my computer's DVD player. For some reason computers are more flexible about formats. If you don't mind watching a film on your laptop, you may be able to view this and the other Bergman films Tartan has released.

Touching, simple story of how a young girl's summer romance with a

sweet, modest young man, changes a her adult life as a ballet dancer

forever.

Told in flashback, beautifully shot, and mostly well (if not quite

brilliantly) acted, this lovely film could have been even stronger if

the two leads both didn't look and feel much too old for their roles,

making their naiveté and innocence feel a bit forced.

But there's much that's moving and insightful here about youthful

idealism versus life's hard realities.

Buy Summer Interlude (The Criterion Collection) (1951) Now

Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman is one of the world's most accomplished and influential directors of all time.

Known for a plethora of films in his oeuvre such as "The Seventh Seal", "Wild Strawberries", "Fanny and Alexander", to name a few. Bergman is best known for films that dealt with existential questions of mortality, loneliness and religious faith. Many of the films, especially the characters are an expression of how Bergman felt at the time.

And many of his stylistic and conceptual themes were formed in his earlier work, especially stories that were set in summer. "Smiles of a Summer Night", "Summer with Monika", "Wild Strawberries", etc.

But one film that resonated strongly with Bergman was an earlier film from 1951 titled "Summer Interlude". Bergman wrote in his book "Bergman on Bergman", "For me Summer Interlude is one of my most important films. Even though to an outsider it may seem terribly passé, for me it isn't. This was my first film in which I felt I was functioning independently, with a style of my own, making a film all my own, with a particular appearance of its own, which no one could ape. It was like no other film. It was all my own work. Suddenly I knew I was putting the camera on the right spot, getting the right results; that everything added up. For sentimental reasons, too, it was also fun making it."

And for the many cineaste who have followed Bergman's work, many credit "Summer Interlude" as his "breathrough" film and featuring a style that would later be fully expanded in later films.

VIDEO:

"Summer Interlude" is presented in 1080p High Definition black and white (1:37:1 aspect ratio). The video quality looks amazing considering that the film is 60-years-old. The detail is amazing as the film shows quite a good number of closeups. You can see the skin pores and the details on Marie's face, her clothing... for the most part, the clarity of "Summer Interlude" looks amazing, black levels are nice and deep, white and grays are well-contrast and this film has not suffered any major damage.

With that being said, there are some white specks and a few lines and scratches that do show up from time-to-time, but the majority of the film looks absolutely great. In fact, there is a good reason for the scratches which the Criterion Collection mention in the booklet.

According to the Criterion Collection, the original negative of "Summer Interlude" has been lost; this new digital transfer was constructed from two 35 mm duplicate negative sources. The Criterion Collection accessed the first, the only existing 35 mm duplicate negative in Sweden, at the Swedish Film Institute and was transferred in 2K resolution on an ARRISCAN film scanner at Chimney Pot in Stockholm. Much of the duplicate negative, however, was scratched, as well as riddled with mold so persistent that in some sections, it was impossible to remove completely, even after more than 400 hours of restoration.

The Criterion Collection then discovered another 35 mm duplicate negative, in Janus Films vaults, made in 1966 and stored under the alternate title "Illicit Interlude". Though there was no mold problem with this duplicate negative, much of it suffered from severe shrinkage, which can cause the right side of the frame to buckle and be out of focus.

The Criterion Collection was able to replace the sections of the Swedish Film Institute transfer that suffered from the worst mold and scratches. The final master, which still contains scratches that could not be repaired, incorporates nine minutes of Janus Films' negative with the original transfer.

Additionally thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, splices and warps were manually removed using MTI's DRS, while Image Systems' Phoenix and PixelFarms' PFClean were used for small dirt, grain, jitter and flicker.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

"Summer Interlude" is presented in monaural Swedish with English subtitles. Dialogue and music are clear from the monaural track and detected no hiss or crackle during my viewing.

According to the Criterion Collection, the original monaural soundtrack was mastered at 24-bit from a 35mm optical soundtrack print. Clicks, thumps, hiss and hum were manually removed using Pro Tools HD. Crackle was attenuate using AudioCube's integrated workstation.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

"Summer Interlude The Criterion Collection #613″ on Blu-ray comes with no special features.

EXTRAS:

"Summer Interlude The Criterion Collection #613″ comes with a 20-page booklet featuring the essay "Love and Death in the Swedish Summer" by Peter Cowie.

JUDGMENT CALL:

As many new fans of Ingmar Bergman are starting to discover a lot of his films through Blu-ray (many released by the Criterion Collection) and on DVD via Criterion's "Eclipse Series", many have been introduced to his most earlier work and also his most revered work in his oeuvre.

"Summer Interlude" is a film that is important because it is a beginning for Ingmar Bergman as a filmmaker. It's a film that was the first to give Bergman independence and the freedom to create a film his way, his style and was literally the precursor to many of the films that people who have collected his films from the Criterion Collection. It all begins with this film!

And it's a film that exemplifies Swedish filmmaking but it's also a personal film for Ingmar Bergman.

In Sweden, June and July offer people from the city, to enjoy summer vacation in the countryside before the cold, harsh winter. And it's a season that Bergman would follow in later films in capturing the summertime, as one of the most memorable experiences in his life took place when Bergman was a teenager. It is where Bergman would have a magnificent love affair with a young woman who unfortunately contracted polio.

In 1949, Bergman wrote a short story about this young woman and he would eventually go on to use the story for the film "Summer Interlude".

"Summer Interlude" is a film that is beautiful to watch. Capturing the beauty of the island region in film, capturing the silhouettes of the characters, but most importantly, how the moods of the characters reflect what is shown onscreen. Visually rich, the film would attract cineaste and was lauded by film critics including Cahiers du Cinema critic (and filmmaker) Jean Luc Godard who also praised the film's beauty. American film critic Pauline Kael would praise "Summer Interlude" for its "elegiac grace and sweetness."

Actress Maj-Britt Nelson (who worked on Bergman's "To Joy" and "Secrets of Women") was remarkable in playing 28-year old ballerina named Maria who looks tired of life. Doing something she loves, but yet looks rather effete, a loss of enthusiasm. But often a person has a hard time letting emotions go of something that has happened in the past.

It's an elegy that perhaps Ingmar Bergman has kept with him when he wrote the original story back in the late '40s. Marie more or less represents Bergman, who saw the young woman that he loved contracting polio. A woman full of energy and life can change within a second.

We see the same with Marie, when the story takes the viewer through a flashback when Marie is 15-years-old. Unlike herself in the future, she is full of energy, constantly giggling, vibrant and full of life. She feeds off the beauty of the island and she feeds of her love for Henrik.

Birg Malmsten did a wonderful job of playing the shy and timid college student and both Marie and Hendrik are perhaps the juxtaposition of Bergman and the young woman he had a love affair with. For many people, to love at a young age and to see that love taken away is a painful experience.

While Bergman films would expand to characters that have lost their identities and at times, the storyline are darker than what is featured in "Summer Interlude", this film has a sense of pureness, hope and one person trying to find her way through tragedy. The elegy of Marie shows us the corruption of youth in a different kind of way that most traditional films tend to explore of such things.

And as "Summer Interlude" has no doubt showcased an elegiac grace and beauty. There is a visual style for the film that captures the balance of happiness, vibrancy, sadness and regret, but most importantly, a style that also brings to the viewer...hope. Magnificent!

On Blu-ray, I was thrilled with the overall quality of the film. The Criterion Collection have really gone to great lengths into having a proper restoration of "Summer Interlude" and reading in the booklet of how far they had to go in finding the best prints, it's no surprise that this Bergman film had taken so long to be released (considering The Criterion Collection have released so many films from Bergman's ouevre on video). And as people wonder how come some films take longer than others to be released in the US, it appears that the Criterion Collection really went through hoops and bounds to take two existing film elements and present "Summer Interlude" in the best quality as possible. And I'm grateful for the company for doing that.

While I wish there were special features included on this Blu-ray release, especially an audio commentary, to make up for it, the Blu-ray is much cheaper than other Blu-rays.

"Summer Interlude" is an Ingmar Bergman film that is a must see, must own film to own, if you are a fan of his work or really want a film that shows a major breakthrough within Bergman's fillmmaking and would be among Bergman's earlier films to jumpstart the period of fantastic Swedish cinema.

It's also important to note that with the release of "Summer Interlude", Bergman's other summer film "Summer with Monika" (1953), which shows us an alternate storyline of "what if?", as a couple who met on summer vacation, must take responsibility when the young woman gets pregnant. So, with the release of both films in May 2012, you'll definitely want to pick up both of these Ingmar Bergmans film on Blu-ray!

Overall, "Summer Interlude" is a highly recommended film despite its lack of special features.

Read Best Reviews of Summer Interlude (The Criterion Collection) (1951) Here

these are terrific Criterion releases timed to our seasonal climatic. spot on. Bergman was building a film machine that would ultimately place him in the top 5 all time worldwide best directors (or ten if you are stateside fanatics). these are great examples that capture the uncluttered beauty of that country in the early 1950's just before mass production became a disease taking root and hold everywhere. while also revealing the youthful, rebelliousness, restless angst that subtly connected the first generation to come of age after WW II, manifesting subliminally and unspoken. I always preferred his black and white films over his color stock productions.

Bergman was a serious womanizer which is hinted at in a Summer With Monika featurette that would never be satiated in his lifetime regardless the chase and conquer. these films hint at the greatness bubbling under his surface and go beyond art house as far as substance and sustenance quantify. if I love them, you'll probably like them. be more, try them. go way beyond today's digital so "30 seconds ago" when timeless moments could happen, leaving you in awe and breathless. unconcerned with whom knew what, when, or if ever.

Want Summer Interlude (The Criterion Collection) (1951) Discount?

(Review based on the Criterion release on DVD checked out from local library with included booklet and original case)

I have been a Bergman fan for years. The man could create some of the most strikingly beautiful black and white films ever. Even watching this film, one of the earlier in his career (his 10th directing), the cinematography is haunting. I could turn off the sound and subtitles and just watch the film for the beauty and the expressions of the amazingly talented cast.

In this film we see a series of flashbacks by the main character and ballet dancer Maria. Her flashbacks are triggered after receiving a diary in the post. The flashbacks take place 13 years earlier at her uncle's country house and estate. The setting is idyllic and filled with the energy of youth. Maj-Britt Nilsson plays a very convincing teenager (I figure she is supposed to be between 17 and 20) as well as a believable aging ballerina in the present time. In typical Bergman fashion, we are given little snippets of foreshadowing. One character even remarks on the "presence of death" around the lake.

I won't give away anything in the film, but I will say that it's not as happy go lucky as Smiles of a Summer Night, nor as dark as his later films. Instead it has an interesting dichotomy between the present, where Marie is obviously suffering emotionally, and the past where things were free spirited. There is an occurrence which ties the time and the emotional state of Marie together. The use of shadow is of particular note in the past after this event.

I particularly enjoyed the supporting cast. Marie's 'uncle' is very odd. There is also some insinuation that he may have been with Marie at some point, and in fact later in the film we see that in the period between the past and present it may have occurred again (or for the first time). But Bergman doesn't spell it out, and it is left to the viewer to interpret. When we first see her uncle it is when he places a bracelet on Marie's wrist (in her youth) and fondly (and far to familiarly) kisses her wrist. Henrik's aunt is also entertaining in her one scene, as is the rabbi in the same scene. Other notable supporting characters are the ballet company dancers and maestro.

There are a few well shot scenes with Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. It is of note that the film almost follows a Swan Lake arc to the story, albeit slightly different in the end. But Swan Lake is a tale about youthful innocence and love only to become much darker in the second half and end tragically.

This is not up to the level of Seventh Seal, Wild Strawberries, Persona, or Smiles of a Summer Night; but this film does take the first step from Bergman's more obvious and narrower earlier films into the greatest era of his directing. The depth in this film is impressive, especially since it was unexpected for me. Criterion did well to restore and release this film under their regular line and not in the Eclipse series.

Of note: There aren't any special features on the DVD. You get the film on one disc, though it is amazingly restored despite its age (1951). Instead of special features, Criterion has included a 20 odd page booklet with some additional reading. This is an amazing addition and I highly recommend reading it after viewing. The booklet helps the viewer to dissect much of the film, including the reasons Bergman chose the particular setting and the irony of the title 'Sommarlek'.

If you are a Bergman fan, you will like the foreshadowing to later films; in one scene the rabbi plays chess with the aunt while discussing Death, in another scene the characters comment on how they "love wild strawberries". Both put a smile on my face.

So is this film worth a purchase? For true Bergman fans, yes. Otherwise, if you can get a copy from the library I might recommend picking it up. Especially for the booklet. If you can rent it or watch it streaming, then perhaps check it out that way first. It's a great film, but I doubt I will be re-watching it over and over like Seventh Seal and Wild Strawberries. But $14.99 is more than a fair price for the DVD version.

Save 28% Off

Appleseed (2010)

This is my first review for Amazon. I've always felt that the reviews that I read were adequate to represent the movies and anime that I liked. Not this time.

I have an extensive collection of anime. Everything from the really silly stuff, filled with fan service, to the very serious classics that so many fans rave about. I'm not really into the mecha thing, though I do have a lot of it. It's the animation first that drives my interest, then its the story and the character development are close seconds.

Appleseed has all that I'm looking for in an anime, and in Spades. Great characters, a well crafted plot, and some of the best animation I have ever see. To say, as some reviewers have, that the movement in this version are unnatural,is more than unfair, it's just not true. All action is extremely lifelike, and the action scenes are the best I've ever seen. I actually found myself reversing the disc to rewatch some action repeatedly, something I never do.

I've owned this version of Appleseed a few weeks now, and I have watched it at least five times, and am looking forward to another veiwing soon.

I have relied on Amazon reveiws to decide whether or not to buy anime in the past, so I hope that this reveiw is helpful. There is a lot of good anime worth investing in, and this one is near the top of my list.

Close to the beginnings of my anime reviewing here I saw the 2001 Final Fantasy release. This set a standard for CGI that may very well never be equaled without a significant technology breakthrough. Another notable film of the period was the original Ghost in the Shell, had outstanding animation. Appleseed has much in common with both films. It shares the heavy use of CGI, and some interesting bits of underlying philosophy with Final Fantasy. And, like Ghost, it was created from a manga series from Masamune Shirow. If you're familiar with Ghost in the Shell you may very well see the world of Appleseed as that post-apocalyptic version of Ghost's, which was already unraveling.

Here the world is mostly ruined, other than a small colony composed of humans and bioroids androids whose primary function seems to be to balance humanity's tendency to self-destruct. They are indistinguishable from humans other than that they lack the ability to breed, and cannot feel anger. Yet all this is apparently to no avail. With no outer war to distract them mankind has opted for inner violence, and Olympus is torn by human fear of the bioroids.

Into this comes Deunan Knute, a deadly woman warrior who is the daughter of a woman who helped create the first bioroids, and, in the company of Briarius, and old lover who has become more machine than human, Deunan is Olympus's hope for the future. Buried within her mind is the key that will complete the bioroids, and give them the capability to love and have children. The events trigger an Armageddon like confrontation.

The story is almost successful, despite it's somewhat simplistic characterization. Director Shinji Arimaki fails to provide some needed continuity, though. The result is that important things happen off-stage and there are too many unexplained switches in the plot. Arimaki has seized the primary theme of human anger, suspicion and xenophobia, thrown in a lost of admittedly spectacular scenery and fight scenes. But he only pays lip service to the deeper questions of human nature that Shirow often addresses. The result is an vary entertaining film that just misses the mark.

That being said, it's still worth watching. There is an earlier animation film of this story that enjoys a significant cult following. I would like to see that, and look at the manga as well. There is something to this that does capture the imagination, and there's more to be found than what this film focuses on.

Buy Appleseed (2010) Now

Appleseed recieved a ton of hype prior to its DVD release, and for good reason. Using a new technique called 3D live action CG, the original story has been given an amazing upgrade. The story involves Deunan Knute, a beautiful but deadly soldier, who after World War III is taken to the city of Olympus (which is supposed to be a Utopia). In this city, humans coexist with the Bioroids, an advanced human clone form whose purpose is to make human existence more peaceful. When the balance of this relationship is threatened, Deunan and Briareos are the only hope to save the city of Olympus (from what I wont say). I can say that this movie is action-packed throughout, and there was never a slow moment to me. Another reviewer said that this was not a deep philosophical anime like Akira or Ghost in the Shell, and that is true. But who needs that when you have something that is so visually impressive? One complaint is that the story is too rushed. I thought it was excellent, and it has been said that a sequel is in the works. But anyway, the bottom line is that this is the most impressive CG feature I have ever seen. The characters are very easy to relate to, the action will surely please any fan that wants action in an anime, and the soundtrack in the movie is awesome.

So I bought the two-disc version in the LE tin. If you have more money the Briareos figure is a very cool thing to have. As far as the tin goes, it is high quality featuring great artwork from the movie. It is not metal like some others I have bought, and it is hard to explain. Very nice though and a must for anime fans and collectors.

There are some great extras in this loaded set compared to other anime movie releases (most come with little or no insight into the making of the film). On disk 1 is the feature film in English or Japanese. There are also previews for other Geneon releases (Samurai Champloo, Paranoia Agent, Fafner and a couple of others). Disk 2 has some pretty great extras as well. There is a behind the scenes featurette with several of the people behind the movie to start out, and it gives their opinions on Appleseed and the pros of this new animated style. It is interesting if you like that sort of thing on DVDs. There is also a concept art gallery as well as image gallery with most of the characters from the movie. Next there are 2 Japanese trailers from the thearical release of Appleseed as well as 1 U.S. trailer. "Appleseed Info" fills you in on some of the names throughout the movie and what they are, such as "Gaia", as well as character bios. Add to this a commentary track from both the director and producer, and it makes for one excellent anime DVD.

Overall this is now my favorite anime feature film (and I have seen several). The story was great and easy to understand. The action sequences with Deunan and Briareos are awesome. The songs from the movie are perfectly suited to the scene which adds to its greatness. I believe a lot of people may share my opinion upon first viewing this, but it may not appeal to everybody. Best anime movie ever? That is for you to decide. At least give it a shot, and if you become a fan then this 2 disc version is the one to own.

Read Best Reviews of Appleseed (2010) Here

I just had the privilege of watching an advance promo copy of this new version of Appleseed, and I am deeply impressed.

Simply put, it is beautiful. Hands down, the animation in Appleseed is some of the best I've ever seen; a stunning combination of computer rendering and cell animation, with mind-blowing results. It puts pretty much every other animated movie I've seen recently -from "Final Fantasy" to "The Incredibles" -to absolute shame. Those movies wish they looked this good.

The soundtrack, featuring Paul Oakenfold and Ryuichi Sakamoto among others, is also excellent. The music provides counterpoint to key scenes, but is never over the top.

The story is a solid one, peopled by believable characters and a steadily-moving plotline. Action sequences are paced nicely, and the dialogue is simple but works. My one complaint (a minor one) is that I wish that they had gotten better voice actors for some of the parts. The actress for Deunan was fine, but better actors for Briareos and Hitomi I think would have carried it a little better. Nevertheless, this was but a minor distraction in an otherwise outstanding film.

If you're a fan of Japanese animation, or animated films in general, then you must see this movie. This could well be the first in the next generation of animated movies -which would be quite fitting.

Want Appleseed (2010) Discount?

Based on the comic book series by Masamune Shirow, APPLESEED takes place on a future Earth following a massive world war. A small zone of peace and civilization exists in Olympus, a city overseen by the supercomputer Gaia. Balance is kept via the coexistence of humans and bioroids, artificial beings with suppressed emotions (who are thus less likely to lead to dissent and more war.) But as it is human nature to fear other races, many fear a time when bioroids will control humans. It is up to skilled warrior Deunan Knute to unlock the secret from her past that will prevent a new conflict from breaking out.

This version of APPLESEED is entirely computer generated, to varying degrees of success. The outdoor night scenes look spectacular, while day and indoor scenes look rather artificial. At first I thought the human characters were hand drawn, but they too are rendered, though not as fully as those in 2001's FINAL FANTASY movie. They appear flat and doll-like next to the scenery and mechanical constructs, with their hair curiously molded. It might have been better if they had been done the old-fashioned way after all.

The film is presented on DVD in three 5.1 soundtracks: English Dolby Digital, Japanese Dolby Digital, and Japanese DTS. I'm not set up for DTS yet so I watched it with the second option, and it sounded fantastic. This is a movie you'll want to show off your surround sound system with.

Extras on the standard DVD edition include a director and producer commentary, previews for other Geneon releases, and staff biographies. You can also jump directly to the musical sequences within the film; featured artists (with biographies) include Boom Boom Satellites, Paul Oakenfold, Ryuichi Sakamoto and others. There is also an advert for the CD soundtrack, and DVD credits, but it's reaching a bit to call these extras.

This film has been rated R by the MPAA which I think is harsh. Except for a little bloody violence in the opening sequence, there's nothing in APPLESEED that wouldn't be appropriate for younger viewers, although the story may fly over their heads. If you're going to watch it around kids, you might want to just jump past the first chapter. Or not.

Despite the ambitious nature of the production, I found it left me a bit cold overall. This may be stating the obvious, since most of the characters we meet are artificial, but there is very little emotion or humanity in the story. I didn't care much about any of them. The story isn't very involving, and Deunan's ties with Olympus' origins felt contrived. It's worth renting if you're a CG enthusiast, but I can't give this a strong recommendation otherwise.

Save 36% Off

Open Season 2 (2009)

I had high hopes for this one as animation can look so pristine in BD, but I was in for a shock. Sony Animation was behind this, but it had the whole Cartoon Network look to it instead. The main voice talents from the first film did not come over,nor did any of the writing/production staff (and it shows).

The story is just ok, entailing friends helping and rescuing each other with plenty of adventure and rabbit abuse. One of the main characters is a dachshund so apparently the "wiener" humor is what passes for hilarity these days. While it has been playing in the store kids of all ages are entranced by it but the parents haven't been thrilled with the parts they have seen. The "..that lady pulled my wiener.." and "..my beautiful rack.." lines raise a few parent's eyebrows so it hasn't exactly been a hit like I had hoped.

The BD supplements are painful, including "deleted scenes" which were hand sketched and not worth the time. The "Weenie Arcade" has a horribly spliced "Who Let the Dogs Out" video by the Baha Men, a how to draw the animals tutorial, and a featurette about the faces behind the voices.

I loved Hoodwinked, even with that style of animation, and OS2 looks similar in nature (no pun meant) but is much less of a quality film. I have read where people say this an ideal family film, which nothing really offends me so I would watch it with my kids, but needless to say I lost a few rentals playing it in the store. And for a BD, not one of the memorable ones.

Aside from the trite story line and really cheap animation the real reason for watching this animation was going to be it's anticipated hilarious humor. So here's the humor count: Half chuckle 10 minutes into movie; another half chuckle around 23 and again 45 minutes. Fell asleep between 23 and 45 so there may be more. Story was resolved at about 65 minutes and the final 20 minutes was pointless filler. Suggestion: Stop at Open Season 1 if you want to be left with fond memories.

Buy Open Season 2 (2009) Now

1. Doesn't have Martin Lawrence or Ashton Kutcher

2. Lots of sexual innuendos

3. Lame story

4. Dissapointing looking character models/animation (doesnt come close to the first)

dont waste your money.

Read Best Reviews of Open Season 2 (2009) Here

I didn't have any expectations for this movie, but I liked the first one and wanted to buy this one as well. I was a bit disappointed in the story line and more disappointed that the original cast did not do the voices for this one. It has it's funny parts though. Not as good as Madagascar 2 but I'll keep it.

Want Open Season 2 (2009) Discount?

Boog and Elliot and the cast of Open Season are back for another crazy adventure. In this one, Elliot plans to marry Giselle but the plans are cut short when he see Mr. Weenie get kidnapped. Boog, Elliot, McSquizzy, Buddy, Giselle and the rest of the gang launch a rescue mission to save their friend, only to find themselves in a war with pets.

Take heart, though, fellow Open Seasoners...there's been some changes made this time around. Gone are Martin Lawrence & Ashton Kutcher, in are Mike Epps & Joel McHale. Personally, I think they did a decent job at capturing Boog & Elliot's essence for this movie. Although, I missed Martin and Ashton's presence. They seemed to have a chemistry that showed in the original.

While I love this movie and recommend it to you, wholeheartedly; it still lacks that certain something to me that made the original so great. I'm going to be honest with you, above all, concerning my feelings for the movie. It's not a bad movie by any means. Everyone gives stellar performances. It's just something didn't click. Maybe that is why the movie was released straight to DVD and not theatrically.

At any rate, would I recommend you buy it still and add it to your collection? Most definitely.

Save 46% Off

The Clowns (1970)

I first saw this film in college in the early 70s; it was about the time of SATYRICON and after JULIET OF THE SPIRITS, thusly, around the time that Fellini was moving away from narrative cinema and into the "metacinema" that would be more and more prevalent in his later films. I CLOWNS was by far his most successful foray into films reflexive onto themselves as "film". Surely, none of his other pseudodocumenataries ever approached the emotional tug that I CLOWNS produces. The lovingly recreated clown acts that Fellini films, accompanied by the haunting trumpet theme that winds through one of them, has never left me. I am gratified that I CLOWNS will be available on DVD, finally; I only hope it is struck from a clean master and not just a rebooting of the inferior VHS copy that is still out there somewhere. I CLOWNS is a film that, if viewed with a sympathetic imagination, can bring anyone back to the wonderment felt at the world when one was young. Now that I CLOWNS is available, by my reckoning it is only LA VOCE DELLA LUNA, Fellini's last film, that is not available on DVD. C'mon, guys, someone's gotta release this one too!

I'd like to defend this against some of the negative reviews here. Just my opinion. I don't work for the company. I haven't seen the French release but then that's not widely available, and not everybody has a multi-region player. I Clowns was just not available for so long. This is a full-featured disc with a 40 min. video essay about the film, a 50 pg. booklet filled with Fellini's color drawings, reproduced beautifully, and his long essay of reflections on clowns "A Journey Into The Shadow," the most important bits from the coffee table hardback "I Clowns" published by Rienzi in 1970 (also pretty hard to get). And Fellini's 16 min. short from the omnibus film "L'Amore in Cittá," which has also been unavailable in the US. That's not all, sound in DTS HD Master Audio 5.1, and meticulous listing of cast, crew, and credits, identifying every person appearing in both films explaining where they appear, and even where scenes were shot and when.

The Product Description is misleading. It's not one of Fellini's "final masterpieces." It was done 20 years before his final film and is not a masterpiece, as Fellini himself describes in his essay, recounting the "carefree and laid-back attitude with which (he) approached it," "without thinking about it too much," approaching it with his "left hand." And it doesn't "feature" Anita Ekberg, she has a short cameo appearance in it.

Buy The Clowns (1970) Now

For Fellini fans, this is a treat the director's lengthiest and most elaborate examination of one of the mainstays of his films clowns and circuses. It's part biography (what an wonderful opening, with a small boy watching a circus tent going up outside his bedroom window, as if it's an extension of his dreams), part history and part circus extravanganza. Rota's score is a gem circus versions of themes from practically all Fellini's films to that point. Shot for television but released soon after in theaters, the movie is not one of Fellini's best-photographed films, and I recall finding the color odd and grainy in the original 35mm prints. But this edition is about as good a transfer as you could hope for. Also, for Fellini completists, the disc includes Fellini's "Matrimonial Agency" from the early 50s compilation movie, "Love in the City." That film has yet to be released on DVD in the US. It's rather minor Fellini, but contains the seed from which Marcello, the central character in "La Dolce Vita," grew.

Read Best Reviews of The Clowns (1970) Here

Gordon Sullivan, DVD Verdict --When The Clowns first arrived on DVD, fans were ecstatic that this little-seen Fellini film was getting an American release. However, most reviewers noted that the release wasn't as stunningly remastered as they would like. Many of those problems--though not quite all--have been addressed with this Blu-ray disc. The AVC-encoded transfer has an impressive amount of detail, and the print from which it was made is surprisingly free of damage. Color saturation is spot on, but there's something about the image that can look a little over-processed. It's nothing in particular (like edge-enhancement or excessive DNR) that I can point my finger to, but the transfer gives the impression that it could be better. For audio we get a pair of Italian DTS-HD tracks. One is mono, the other 5.1. The 5.1 track is a total waste, with no real surround use and little in the way of directionality or atmosphere. In either case, we're dealing with forty-year-old location sound on a television documentary. The audio doesn't have the body or clarity we expect from contemporary sources, though it's still very listenable.

The disc itself houses a pair of extras. The first is a short film that Fellini made for an anthology; it's a fictional take on marriage and comedy. The second is the more substantial of the two, a 42-minute "visual essay" on The Clowns that discusses its style and history while comparing it to other artifacts from the period (like archival photos of clowns). Finally, this release includes a long booklet with information from Fellini himself about the genesis of the project and how he envisioned it. In many ways fans of Fellini will appreciate this booklet and the "visual essay" more than the film itself.

The Clowns is a very minor entry into the director's canon, and it's hard to trust a "documentary" from a filmmaker as interested as Fellini is in blurring the line between fact and fiction. A rental is probably best for the curious before deciding to plunk down the cash for this release.

The Clowns is a fascinating peek into the mind of an internationally beloved filmmaker and his passion for clowns. Yes, that sounds a bit odd, and Fellini must have known he was making an oddity. Fans of the director should give the film (and especially the extras) at least a rental. Those who bought the previous DVD should seriously consider an upgrade for the improved audiovisual presentation of this disc.

-Full review at dvdverdict.com

Want The Clowns (1970) Discount?

It's hard to believe only 4 other people have reviewed this film, and that it seems to have passed under the radar. This is another Fellini film I hadn't seen in years. I remember that it depressed me the first time I saw it, but then I was much younger, and now my life experience has caught up to that of Fellini's age when he made this picture for television. This time, I was inspired. And I learned a lot. Fellini's non-commercial pictures are often better than his more mainstream, commercial hits! Granted, this film is not entirely consistent in terms of quality; but when it's good, it's really good! One of the important themes of "The Clowns" is that of the White Clown versus the Augusto; the White Clown representing authority, discipline, respectability, moral superiority, parents, what one should do or is supposed to do: the Augusto representing the rebel, the enfant terrible, the spoiled brat, the practical joker, the delinquent, the one who screams, jeers and disrespects. This picture was done in a faux-documentary-style that at first seems to be authentic; gradually it becomes evident that Fellini is satirizing the documentary process. The working lives of several famous 20th century European clowns are explored in this film, many of them being of Italian and French origin, but Spanish, Cuban and English as well. A diverse array of clown makeup, costumes and styles are presented in this film. The clown costumes especially are stunning; they could even be described as Dada-influenced. Selections from Nino Rota's various compositions are appropriately and effectively utilized as a soundtrack.

The most compelling sequences in this picture are those in which Fellini re-creates his conception of the world of the clown in a circus environment, particularly the amazing, extravagant final scene, the "Clown Funeral", which vacillates between faux documentary and outright spectacle. There are a few sad visits to clowns in the twilight of their lives, but other than that atmosphere is quite upbeat. Fellini also examines characters from his hometown, "grotesques", who reminded him of the clowns he saw at the circus in his youth; the maestro reveals that as a boy, he found the clowns to be disturbing, as opposed to funny. Fellini compares the clown to man's "shadow side" (IE in one sequence where high-profile individuals are being qualified by Fellini as clowns, Sigmund Freud is classified as a "White Clown"; Carl Jung is qualified as an "Augusto"). At the end of the picture, perhaps to illustrate a symbolic reconciliation of opposites, the White Clown and the Augusto, both playing horns, leave the circus theatre together. A 42-minute documentary, included as supplemental material, deconstructs "The Clowns" from various technical perspectives; much of the supplemental documentary contains repeats of chapters from the main feature. A booklet is included with the DVD containing Fellini's essays about clowns and his drawings of various colleagues and concepts. Fellini is a great writer as well as a filmmaker, and thus I found this booklet to be educational, entertaining and informative.

Stephen C. Bird, author of "Hideous Exuberance: A Satire"

Save 45% Off

Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn Vol. 1 (2010)

I have been watching Gundam since Mobile Suit Gundam came out and this series like the original takes place in Universal Century. However if you are new to Gundam I wouldn't start with this series which is sad to say.

The positives are really positive. I have never seen an anime more polished than Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn period. It's like the art pops out at you with amazing color and animation. The movement of the mobile suits really sucks you in like you're on the battlefield. You get longer episodes it appears and it has more than enough story and action to keep you wanting more. However that's just the problem.

The negative is that this series is being released one episode at a time. 57 minutes of viewing pleasure, but the price of the average full length movie and a little extra. Also episode two isn't around the corner it's a few months away. Worldwide releases for the DVD and Blu-Ray, but you won't want to watch it in anything less than HD.

So what about extras, well you will get them as long as you have a Blu-Ray player connected to the internet. All the extras are accessed through BD-Live. So techniquelly it has the potential for plenty of extras, but you may have to wait as not much is up already and once again without an internet connection you are out of luck.

For fans this is more than likely worth every penny. It takes place after the events of Char's Counterattack and is not a side story like many of the Gundam's previously released in the U.S. Bright has already been mentioned, so my assumption is he's going to make an appearence in the series before long. They've also mentioned the main character's Haro is an exact replica of an Ace Pilot from the war.

Other than that I really don't want to give away much of the story, but it has the normal Gundam series of events. As me and my friends say, "Welcome to Gundam". Your friends at school got killed in a new war that just happened to be in or around your colony, "Welcome to Gundam". You're a teenager who has a difficult home life or your a troubled child who is now piloting a mobile suit, "Welcome to Gundam". Anyway this happens in pretty much every Gundam series. It's kind of funny and a little sad, but it's true. Of course there are exceptions, but this is what you can expect.

So I say it's geared to the fans who want a Gundam experience unlike any other. My guess is the distance between episodes is the fact that it probably takes months to even finish one episode seeing as how it's like it's own movie. So you will get animation and the feel of something that takes that long to make. The characters and story even flow in seemless motion sucking you right in from start to finish.

To be honost this is probably an expensive project and you pay for it. For fans like me I'm sure that initial fee was or is worth it. I did take off one star for the set-up, but I do believe they have valid reasons as to why. So if you have been with Gundam for awhile I really recommend it or if not try to find Mobile Suit Gundam which is actually kind of difficult.

With this release I can only hope Bandai of America releases ZZ Gundam in the U.S. I have a feeling we will run into characters from all through out U.C. which means Judua could likely make an appearance.

Gundam fans were elated to hear that the new Gundam OVA, Gundam Unicorn, would be released in America at the same time as its Japanese release. But for those without Blu-Ray players, the wait would be a very long one, as the simultaneous release would only be for the Blu-Ray and Playstation Network, not for DVD. And now finally, patient Gundam fans without Blu-Ray players have been rewarded and rewarded very well with this excellent, albeit way too long coming, DVD.

This video is only one disk containing the first two hour long episodes. The packaging is fantastic, featuring a reversible cover with both Blu-Ray covers on either side. Sadly there are no inserts, but that has become common with Bandai as of late. The content of the disk is the real meat of this set anyway.

Both episodes look fantastic in standard definition. As I haven't watched it in Hi-def, I can't compare but I can say that the show look absolutely amazing from beginning to end. The story is very well told and roots itself firmly in the cannon of 80's Gundam. Fans of the classic Gundam shows will find plenty to love in the story, along with the great mobile suit battles and the very 80's looking characters. This series feel like a natural continuation of classic Gundam, rather than a random story that was shoved in to sell more model kits. There's very little I can say that's bad about the show itself. Everything is tight and both the English and Japanese versions are very tightly cast and well acted.

The closest thing I have to a complaint are the extras. The character and mech highlights are excellent, but the vast majority of the extras are promos for episode 1 and even a recap of episode 1, the first thing contained on the disk. There's nothing on the disk related to episode 2, which was a bummer, but overall, this is a great purchase and I'm glad to see this show finally both at an affordable price and on a format that more people have access to.

Buy Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn Vol. 1 (2010) Now

I've been a Gundam fan for almost 10 years now, and have spent more money on the DVDs (and no Blu-Ray) and models than I care to even try and think about. That being said, I'm NOT one of those fans that goes "it's Gundam, it must be good!" I try and weigh each and every item I buy on it's own merits even though my first Gundam series was G and Wing, those are the two series I like the least (in fact, I don't like them at all... )

Having been disappointed by the lack of Blu-Ray release for Gundam 00, I was very VERY excited when I found the BR release for Unicorn. I've really enjoyed the mech designs for the model kits so far, and have been looking forward to the BR release of the anime. While having one hour-long episode per disc is a bit of an expensive purchase (the only ones more expensive in the Gundam universe were the MS Igloo releases, at $50 apiece, and that was just for DVDs) I believe the high production values more than make up for it.

What we have on the disc is a true masterpiece. The visuals are stunning (and unlike some of the other Gundam releases looking at Seed and 00 here, they don't fly by so fast you have to rewind and watch again to make sure of what happened), absolutely gorgeous, more of an updated First Gundam than anything (which is as it should be). Sound quality is vibrant and balanced, the special effects for the pewpew of the lasers were not tinny; every aural sensation possible on film sucks you in and is absolutely pleasing. And I've only watched it with the English 2.0 audio so far... I'm really looking forward to the 5.1. The music as well is very enjoyable. There are quite a few orchestral pieces that had me wanting to watch over and over again just to hear some of the highlights of the music.

I won't get into the story too much, because I don't want to give away plot points and spoilers. It's Gundam, and if you're reading this I expect that you've at least watched some Gundam before. While it somewhat seems to stick true to the formula, it's going to be hard to tell for sure after just an hour viewing... The subsequent releases will give us a better idea of what's in store. If you liked the character designs from Zeta, then you'll like this. The main character, Benegher, is like a not-nearly-as-annoying version of Kamille Bidan (from Zeta), and even looks a bit like him. The female characters have similar designs to those found in Zeta as well. The mech designs are amazing, Kshatriya really made me fear for me life (even though I know it is just an animated video). All of the mechs are very well detailed and the animation is very realistic.

Is this a worthwhile purchase? I would say without a doubt. Even non-Gundam fans who like anime in general might really enjoy this. I really hope that the next episodes aren't too far off

Read Best Reviews of Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn Vol. 1 (2010) Here

I was able to watch this the other day thanks to a private screening from Bandai-Ent. I really enjoyed it, I'm not normally into the Gundam series but I thought the visuals were really clean, modern, and sleek, the music was epic and invoking, and the English voice cast was well selected. A definite day one purchase for any mecha anime fans out there, and certainly for you Gundam fanatics.

Want Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn Vol. 1 (2010) Discount?

This Gundam series is unlike any other to date. Having literally watched every single Gundam title ever created I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt, this is by far the ultimate, and I'm not just saying that because I love the Gundam franchise. The story progresses quickly into the main plot and while easy to follow at first, takes you for a few surprises. The characters are very well implemented and their personalities accurate. This really is not quite the same story as all the other Gundam titles although the generic mecha-war type plot will surely develop although probably not a very large scale at first if I am correct.

Blu-ray. This is the first ever Gundam title to be completely rendered in 1080p with the matching TrueHD and Dolby encoding which further compliments the orchestral pieces chosen for the film. Stunning from the minute you see first light of the beginning. The quality is simply amazing and this title is truly something special for all Gundam fans and Anime fans in general. This is the type of anime to be enjoyed on a big screen TV in HD with the surround sound on and kicking. Sound effects are brilliant; video is absolutely out-of-this-world! I won't give away the plot, although I know this will be one of my all-time favorites for many many years to come.

Buy it now. I promise you will not regret it.

Save 16% Off

Deadly Blessing (Collector's Edition) (1981)

ONE of Craven's earlier chillers which I thought was pretty good. Mara Jensen and her husband live on a farm and her husband is accidentally killed. (not a spoiler it happens in the first ten minutes!) Her friends Sharon Stone and Susan Buckley(patty from grease) come to stay with her. Besides them, Mara's only other friends are Lois Nettleton and her shy daughter who live nearby. Soon more accidents are happening ,obviously a killer is on the loose! You get a snake in the tub(just try to watch!), Mara Jensen in two catfights, and sharon stone freaking out in a barn and falling down stairs. i don't know why this is so hard to find. they should re-release it. luckily i have a copy i bought used a few years back. if you can find it get it.

This blu ray is an improvement on the previous region 2 dvd which I had, not only in the extras department but also visually. The movie is in widescreenthe scenes of the Texas farmlands are beautiful, and many of the night shots (during which certain murders occur) are just the right balance of light and dark so that you feel it's really night and the action is clear enough to make out. One problem is that the high quality of the blu ray image shows-up the limited quality of a couple of effects shots. The audio commentary by Wes Craven has interesting antecdotes about filming and setting-up some of the creepy built-up set pieces as well as dealing with certain actors and the ending which he did not choose but was forced to use. The sound is goodJames Horner's eerie and sometimes overblown score is louder than ever, and dialogue and sound effects shocks are sharp and clear. The interviews explain almost too much about the film, taking away the mystery of a film of which little was told of over the years except for the segment about a certain creature effect in the film (hardly anything is shone clearly). The interviews with both screenwriters are the most revealing of the story and filmmaking process. This was also the first time I had seen the interesting-looking actor Michael Berryman interviewed. The TV spots are interestingI had not seen them since I watched these advertisements on network TV back in 1981. Thanks to Shout! Factory for releasing yet another cool 80's rarity.

Buy Deadly Blessing (Collector's Edition) (1981) Now

This is a creepy little movie that I am surprised is not on DVD. It should be! That snake in the tub scene freaked me out when I first saw it years ago,

as well as the spider scene. Maybe it has something to do with my natural fear of snakes and spiders! Waiting for a smart company to bring this out of print Craven flick back so it will get the attention I think it deserves.

Read Best Reviews of Deadly Blessing (Collector's Edition) (1981) Here

I still think this is one of Wes Craven's best movies. I know it goes completely crazy at the end and doesn't make a lot of sense but it has great atmosphere, great scares, and a young Sharon Stone looking hotter than any woman has a right to. Why this isn't out on DVD is beyond me.

Want Deadly Blessing (Collector's Edition) (1981) Discount?

If you are a fan of 1980's horror/suspense, the you will love Deadly Blessing. Personally, I've always had a crush on Maren Jensen. Her character on Battlestar Galactica was prominent at first, then forgotten about as the episodes went on. She is fine in the role of Martha, a widow left alone after the mysterious murder of her husband who was going to the shed to pack bearings on his tractor. Michael Berryman, Ernest Borgnine, Sharon Stone and the rest were a delight to watch. I have been waiting for this movie to be available on at least DVD for 10 years or more. I bought a used VHS from Amazon just to see it again. The blu ray transfer is just fine. The darks are exactly the way that I like them, and the subtle soft edges look great where they left the colors alone without messing with film grain. James Horner's score i spot on, and there are moments when I feel like I am listening to either "The Wrath of Kahn," or "Aliens."

Overall I am VERY pleased with this release and the extras are fabulous. I want to give a personal thanks to Scream Factory for delivering these older classics of sometimes forgotten films. This will be the 12th purchase I have made from them in High Definition and they are by far my favorite company. I LOVE that they do not forget the original classics from the 80's that paved the way for a generation of wannabe horror films.

Keep doing what you are doing! My only problem is that my wife is complaining that my movie area is getting too large for her liking. I can always hide some of them!

Save 22% Off

From Beyond (Collector's Edition) (1986)

It is about time they released this gem on DVD, or at least, release a "real" USA version instead of the cheap version from China with the subtitles that would not GO AWAY. The guy selling the german bootlegs on amazon (you might have noticed his posting just above this one when you searched "from beyond") must be crying like a baby. I have searched for this movie for the past five years, like once or twice a month waiting for it to show up, and that german copy has been there for months now with fans like myself paying for a crap version.

Anyway, the point, another H.P. Lovecraft gem staring Jeff Combs and Barbara Crampton, both of which rocked in Re-animator, are back for another cool blood soaked romp. Other dimension worms, exploding heads,and brain eating. What more could you want. The plot moves fast, the story is interesting, the special effects are cool, especially for the day, and once again Jeff and Barb bring humor and intensity to this cult favorite

BUY it. not to be missed

After years of waiting, Stuart Gordon's From Beyond is finally out on DVD, and be thankful that it is. Undoubtedly one of Gordon's (Re-Animator) best films and one of the best H.P. Lovecraft adaptations ever filmed, From Beyond revolves around survivor Crawford (the great Jeffrey Combs) of an experiment gone hideously awry. A psychiatrist (Barbara Crampton) however wants to continue the experiment, and returns to the house where everything went wrong, along with Crawford and a cop named Bubba (Dawn of the Dead's Ken Foree). Naturally, things don't go very well, but in Gordon's hands, the otherwise predictable story and events are frequently gross, and frequently entertaining. There's plenty of gorey, slimy moments to be had, as From Beyond is finally restored in all it's uncut glory after years of only being able to see it as a butchered, MPAA approved version that floated around on VHS. The DVD itself has some great special features as well, including an insightful commentary from Gordon, and a couple featurettes as well which detail the making of the film as well as it's re-editing for DVD. All in all, it's so great to finally have From Beyond in all it's uncut glory on DVD; and it's needless to say that if you're a real horror fan, this DVD belongs on your shelf.

Buy From Beyond (Collector's Edition) (1986) Now

Scientific endeavors to reach the other side work and the results they leave an enigma splashed all over an upstairs laboratory and a man in the custody of a lovingly cozy straightjacket. Here you have an assistant accused of killing his protégé with an axe, a young researcher that wants to exploit the possibilities of findings that still exist in a house with a now-grizzly past, some muscle to keep Jeffrey Combs from trying to escape while helping arrange this and while trying to prove to people he isn't crazy, and a host of things that become transparent when an experimental machine is fired up and something "from Beyond" returns.

You really have to love the work of Stuart Gordon, and moreso now that it comes complete to you in a form you haven't been allowed to see.

For the longest time this item was only available in the US on VHS, and even then it was available only in chopped up variations that made you want to wince. The same can be said for the versions that appeared on bootlegged DVD there were qualities issues that abounded, terrible dubbing issues to contend with, and there were also the irregularities that seemed to occur depending on what version you had. This was a sad fate considering this was one of the Gordon "big three," too, and the idea that such a good Combs movie could be overlooked seemed almost impossible. Lately rumors began to surface about a DC of the movie, though, and the suicidegirls did an interview that confirmed that the movie would be coming out. So, it took 21 years for someone to see the point in that, but after 21 years you have a DVD feature of one of Stuart Gordon's better films and one that he did in the height of HPL remakes and j. Combs stardom.

So, what does it mean to have a director's cut of the movie. Well, according to Gordon, the MPAA castrated his film when it was first rated and made a mess of it. Much like movies that wer ebeing imported at the time and even movies like Evil Dead, the MPAA wanted no part of horror. That meant that they hacked random pieces a lot of goes and story as well just to finalize a product they agreed with. Although there were just a few minutes that were added back in, the pieces that were added back took the campy nature of the film and gave it more power. The result something you should check out because it has been needed for far-too-long. So, if you are a fan of Gordon, are a fan of Combs, or simply want to watch some horror when horror was good THen you need this.

I recommend this o so strongly.

Read Best Reviews of From Beyond (Collector's Edition) (1986) Here

"Mad scientist" Dr. Edward Pretorius has created a resonator machine which can reveal a parralel dimension by stimulating the pineal gland in the brain which perceives the lurkers beyond who lie in wait. Parasitic creatures swim through the ether attracted by movement and light. It is claimed that the pineal gland in the cerebrum is responsible for sixth sense function, and is essentially the parapsychological bit of grey matter.

When Dr. Katheryn McMichaels discovers Pretorius' assistant Crawford Tillinghast who was misdiagnosed with schizophrenia, incarcerated in a mental hospital, she remands him into her custody to recreate the experiment. Together with cop Buford 'Bubba' Brownlee, the dimension is opened and they are greeted by a nude and subsequently malformed Dr. Pretorius who takes a strong liking to Katherine both to her horror and ecstasy, for it seems the process also enhances sexual sensitivity as well, and she is awakened to her primal self.

Considering the procedure is largely experimental yet, the scientific method of trial and error is employed to disasterous results, as various creatures who range from eel-like beings to huge worm-like monsters are attracted to the massive electro-magnetic vibrations, and eventually overcome the participants. Pretorius is himself a transmutating beast who attempts to absorb Tillinghast and Katherine, until they eventually barely escape with their lives, though Tillinghast is dramatically effected by this encounter as his pineal stem emerges from his forehead like a "third eye", through which his psychic abilities are amplified, but is also afflicted with an insatiable hunger for brains.

Despite becoming a patient herself scheduled for shock therapy at the hands of a sadistic and resentful rival doctor, Katheryn escapes and returns to the attic of the blighted house to destroy the resonator, but is surprisingly met by Tillinghast who restrains her. He struggles to regain control of his mind, but is eventually ingested by Pretorius, creating a hellish struggle from within the bowels of the creature.

She barely emerges from the nightmare with her life, but at the cost of her own sanity.

For those who enjoy the writings of Lovecraft, From Beyond is both a psychological and horror thriller filled with impressive pyrotechnics and FX creations.

Want From Beyond (Collector's Edition) (1986) Discount?

I saw this years ago, and it was one of the nastiest, scariest, horrifying pieces of cinema I have ever witnessed. I absolutely respect Stuart Gordon who also did Dolls and The Reanimater, for their time so original and still great fun to watch. I am still waiting for it to be put on DVD format, then I'll be buying it.

Save 27% Off

Dangerous Liaisons (1988)

At first glance, DANGEROUS LIAISONS appears to be an extravagant eighteenth-century period-piece, which it is; the powdered wigs and overflowing corsets typical of the genre are all here, and the cinematography is appropriately glossy. But boiling beneath the elegant surface are the deviously twisted sensibilities of two monstrous characters--the Marquise de Merteuil (Glenn Close) and the Vicomte de Valmont (John Malkovich), a pair of schemers (and former lovers) who take pleasure in coolly manipulating and seducing those around them. The Marquise challenges the Vicomte to seduce the virtuous Madame de Tourvel (Michelle Pfeiffer), but when the latter finds himself genuinely falling in love with his intended prey, the game quickly turns fatal--with devastating consequences for everyone involved.

A period-piece? Yes, but one honed with a distinctly contemporary menace. It's rare, for example, to find a period-piece with such delicious, razor-sharp dialogue (which garnered the film an Academy Award for Best Screenplay Adaptation). It's also rare to find a period-piece that focuses primarily on sex, but treats its subject matter with so little eroticism. DANGEROUS LIAISONS is more about power and one-upmanship; sex merely serves as the weapon of choice. It's a diabolically entertaining film, a decadent one even; there's something both disturbing and enjoyable about watching the two central characters indulging in their elaborate power plays.

The performances are strong for the most part (Close, Malkovich, and Pfeiffer all received Oscar nominations), although the women fare much better than the men. Glenn Close does a magnificent job as the evil Marquise, and supplies the film with some of its most explosive moments--the scene in which she quietly utters the word "War" without batting an eyelash is chilling beyond words. I didn't completely buy Malkovich as the charming lady-killer (a small but serious flaw that undermines the whole film), but he does a fine job with what he's given. Keanu Reeves, as usual, is utterly unfathomable, even in a relatively minor part. The best performance of all is delivered by Michelle Pfeiffer; as the tormented wife, she bares every inch of her moral anguish, and the results are heartbreaking to behold. Behind the cold-blooded duo of Close and Malkovich, it's Pfeiffer who provides the emotional heart of the film, and in every one of her pained expressions lies the evidence of the very human consequences at stake.

There's a certain degree of sinful pleasure hidden beneath the depravity of "Dangerous Liaisons," a film that is perversely elegant in its execution and daringly naughty in regard to its story. Based on the novel by Choderlos de Laclos, the script by Christopher Hampton explores the cause and effect nature of love, betrayal, and sinful intentions in both humorous and serious lights. While the material could be easily morose and unaffecting, director Stephen Frears spices up his canvas with a beautiful cast and a well-constructed production design.

At the center of the story are two people who feed on the misery they cause others as a way to keep their urges for one another suppressed. Glenn Close is the seductively evil Marquise de Merteuil, a self-proclaimed "virtuoso of deceit" who believes it her duty to dominate the opposite sex, and avenge her own. Her latest undertaking involves the daughter of her naive friend Madame de Volanges (Swoozie Kurtz), for whom her former lover left her. In hopes of ruining daughter Cecile's (Uma Thurman) reputation, she calls upon beloved friend and partner in evil, Vicomte de Valmont, played by John Malkovich. Valmont, like Merteuil, prides himself on his accomplishments, and prizes the feeling of success that comes with the devastation he causes to women.

But he has different plans in mind, involving the seduction and ruin of one Madame de Tourvel (Michelle Pfeiffer), whose ideals and virtues are the exact opposite of these two wicked souls. His plan is concocted from the most cruel of intentions: to make her want him so badly that she does not relinquish her beliefs, but instead is crushed by them once she gives in to his advances.

Imagine his surprise when he finds that his task will not be as easy as he had at first hoped. When he finds that Tourvel is far more resistant than first expected, he agrees to aid Merteuil in her quest for revenge against Cecile. As the two weave their intricate web of deception and betrayal, Valmont finds himself in a position he never imagined possible, and Merteuil finds herself in danger of losing her grip over him.

As you may have noticed, I've left out much of the important plot points concerning other characters; half the fun of this film is the unveiling of each evil plan, all of which fall into place in a manner that is ingeniously devilish and supremely potent. The manner in which these actions are carried out, and the overall effects they have, are unsettling, to be sure, yet there's a wondrous sense of awe about them, one that stems from the craftsmanship of such detailed revenges that are disturbing and mesmerizing at the same time.

For such a devious story to work, a talented cast is in order, and "Dangerous Liaisons" supplies us with precisely that. Glenn Close is outlandish as Merteuil, mastering with incredible wit and sensibility the calculating nature of her character. She wonderfully portrays the physical beauty used to mask the cold-hearted novice with terrific gusto; in Merteuil's "win or die" conversation with Valmont, Close sells us on the character, and also proves her worth as an actress.

Mirroring this delightfully evil performance is that of Malkovich, whose delectable wit and cool masterminding of deceit are supremely effective. For his character to work, there must be two key factors involved: we must believe enough in his ability to seduce and destroy, and we must be able to accept the change of heart that comes after meeting Tourvel. Malkovich is able to accomplish both with suave, debonair charm and true emotional feeling within his words.

High praise to the supporting cast as well, who all give well-rounded performances. Pfeiffer portrays Tourvel's resistance and innocence perfectly, as well as the heartache and hardships once she accepts her feelings for Valmont. The two pawns in Merteuil's wicked game, Cecile and her young love, Chevalier Danceny, are played by Thurman and Keanu Reeves with a much-needed naivety and innocent virtue that casts Merteuil and Valmont in an even more chilling light.

In my praise of the cast, I've neglected to mention the superb art direction and production design for "Dangerous Liaisons." Some of the best sets and costumes ever designed for a period motion picture reside here, conveying the elegance and aristocracy of pre-Revolution France in a very accurate manner; the bawdy, forceful score by George Fenton also receives high marks. Anyone looking for some fiendish fun with a believable premise need look no further than this film, a sheer delight of whimsy, devilish evil, and grotesque elegance.

Buy Dangerous Liaisons (1988) Now

The two movies, `Dangerous Liaisons' directed by Stephen Frears and `Valmont', directed by Milos Forman are a real anomoly in that they were released at almost exactly the same time and tell almost exactly the same story, based on an old novel, `Les Liaisons Dangeruese' by Choderlos de Laclos. It is a minor tragedy that `Valmont' received so much less attention and promotion than `Dangerous Laisons'. I suspect that had a lot to do with the fact that `Valmont' was released by the company Orion which may have been in its last throes of survival and simply did not have the means to promote the film.

The only bright side of this situation is that the `Dangerous Liaisons' implementation of this story is much better. It is a sign of the value of `...Liaisons' that it is much better than a really worthy movie.

I believe the difference in the quality of the two movies lies directly on the aptness of the casting and the quality of the acting. On all the lesser qualities which go into making a movie such as set decoration, cinematography, editing, music and the like, the two films are easily on equal terms.

The heart of the matter is in the comparison of `...Liaisons' casting of Glenn Close and John Malkovich in the principle roles versus `Valmont's casting Colin Firth and Annette Bening. While Firth is physically much more believable as a Casanova type, Close and Malkovich are far superior than Bening and Firth at playing world class scoundrels. At the secondary level, `...Liaisons' casting of Uma Thurmen and Keanu Reeves as the two young innocent lovers is immensely more satisfying than the `Valmont casting of unknowns Fairuza Balk and Henry Jones. My memory of their relative careers is a bit dim, but this movie is ample evidence of why Uma and Keanu are big stars today and Fairuza and Henry are footnotes to cinema history.

Of the fifth major role, we have `...Liaisons' casting Michelle Pfeiffer versus `Valmont's casting Meg Tilly. This may be the only role where the two movies are close. Tilly gives a great performance as a naïve young wife who ultimately gives into Valmont's seductions, but I think Pfeiffer is even better. Here, the difference may have been in the writing, as I suspect Pfeiffer's role is just a bit more strongly written, so Michele had more to work with.

If nothing else convinces you, compare the seduction scenes between Malkovich and Thurmen versus Firth and Balk and the mix of sweetness with darkness in the former versus the pure soft core porn of the latter will carry the day.

Read Best Reviews of Dangerous Liaisons (1988) Here

I won't rehash the whole plot, we all know the story. I'd give this version of Dangerous Liaisons more stars if could. I only have one thing to say. I'm tired of all those people who say that John Malkovich wasn't handsome enough to play Valmont. Justin Chang from California wrote that he "didn't completely buy Malkovich as the charming lady-killer" and that casting him in the role was a "a small but serious flaw that undermines the whole film". Bulls**t!

How could anyone watch Malkovich's stellar performance and think of nothing except looks. Hollywood is so full of "good-looking" actors and actresses who can't act their way out of a paper bag. In modern times we often value conventional beauty over all other aspects of a person's character. A lot of these Hollywood hunks wish they could act as well as Mr. Malkovich. Get over it, people, no one will ever play Valmont better!

Want Dangerous Liaisons (1988) Discount?

First I have to say, this is probably my favorite movie of all time. The acting, (with the exception of Keanu Reeves.) can not be beat! The cinimatography is awesome and the score brings it all together. But, this DVD is not the quality I expected. I bought a DVD copy of this movie in February and was disappointed to find it wasn't the best transfer. My VHS version has a better picture. It was obviously transfered from poor quality print of the film, or poor quality video. There are several scenes that have white splotches that pop up. And, what looks like there may have been scratches on the film. I just finshed watching the copy I received today, and all those flaws were on the new copy also. I would only recommend this to you if you don't have the VHS version and are going through withdrawls. Otherwise save your money until Warner Brothers gets serious and cleans up the DVD some.

Save 25% Off