Copycat (2011)

If you like suspense, mystery, a good story, and for the most part, good acting, then this movie is a good choice. What I like about Copycat (besides Sigourney Weaver) is how it seems to come full circle. It feels complete to me. It starts at the beginning, doesn't backtrack with flashbacks or start in the middle and leave you wondering what's going on. You're able to follow along and not get distracted by unnecessary gore (sure there is some, but not much). It's a psychological thriller, and I like that much better than the slash and dash type of movies. It makes you think and allows you to try and figure out what the outcome will be.

Sure, you expect the star to live, but it's not always a given. The ending kind of hints at a sequel but as far as I know, there isn't one. If they can make one as good as the first, I think it would do well (at least those who enjoyed this one, might see the second). It's rather interesting to see the Harry Connick Jr. play a serial killer. He's pretty creepy.

Here you have two tough broads, a good cop and the nastiest of killers. How can you lose? Actually, the pairing of Sigourney & Holly is wonderful, in this age of films so lacking in strong women's roles. Sigourney, in particular, after years of kicking alien-butt, withdraws as the victim of an almost lethal attack and subsequent nervous breakdown. Her house-bound recluse still shows fire and rage, well-controlled and centered; a really great performance. Holly, too, in a slightly less showy role, shows drive and command of her role. These women are magnificent, in their own ways, and carry this film through plot-twists and strange turns that are always compelling. Also compelling is the very taut direction of John Amiel, never missing a chance to include the audience in everything, though you don't realize it at the time. A very handsome Dermot Mulroney makes an auspicious presence as an "almost" sex-object for the women, and William McNamara is greatly effective as the ultimate center of the film. Harry Connick, Jr. has impressed me as an actor many times, but not so much as here. With rotten teeth and an oily, snake-like presence he is given a few memorable moments. This film has been compared to "Silence of the Lambs", but it really has its own character and drive. The tension is high, the plot well presented and the acting is superlative. I like this film a lot.

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Amidst all the suspense, shocks, and chills of this superbly made thriller stands the awesome performances of Sigourney Weaver and Holly Hunter. Ever since she pioneered the "female buttkicker" in the Alien movies, Sigourney has stretched her range to show the immense amount of talent she possesses. Her role as agoraphobic Helen Hudson is one of her finest; she lets us feel every nuance of her frustration, her terror, her anger, her intense ability to be strong even when she admits she's weak. Matching her performance is the understated portrayal of cop M. J. Monahan by Oscar-winner Holly Hunter. Hunter's bravura etching of this likeable cop is extremely effective in counterbalancing the tormented Weaver. Although the fate of Dermot Mulroney as Monahan's partner is questionably appropriate, it does serve as a motivating factor in Hunter's pursuit of the serial killer. William McNamara's performance as Peter Foley may seem underplayed, but it serves to heighten the normal-ness of this obviously demented young man. Like life, the good guys don't always come out unscathed. The film is dark, brooding and its ending is chilling in that Harry Connick Jr.'s imprisoned psycho is obviously going to continue his quest for revenge on Weaver. A sequel would have been nice; I would have also liked to have had at least one scene with Weaver and Hunter after the explosive ending. But, as far as thrillers go, this is a great addition to a small set of classics.

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Serial killer psychologist who survived a strangulation some years prior is enlisted by the local police force when a serial killer starts patterning himself after other famous killers. Much better plotted and ran through than Se7en, this film is much more interesting and slicker. Doesn't use full scale gore and torture techniques to produce scares and even packs a few laughs.

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This is one of those movies that I watch several times a year. There's not one specific thing I can point to as my reason for liking the movie so much, it's a combination of little things. The plot is original; the killer is a copycat killer who copcats a variety of other serial killers. I am a huge fan of Holly Hunter and she does not disappoint in this movie. Sigourney Weaver manages to portray a woman who is both strong and fragile. Harry Connick Jr., though playing a serial killer, is one of my favorite characters. He makes the most of his role and manages to stand out in the movie.

I could have done without the back story of Hunter and her exlover/ expartner but all in all it's a pretty good movie.

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Biutiful (2010)

If Mr. Iñárritu went to 3 continents to film the great story of BABEL, his latest film, BIUTIFUL is bringing people from 3 continents to one amazing place; the underworld of Barcelona. I saw this well crafted art film a few days ago in Los Angeles (Mr.Iñárritu and Bradem were present) and wanted to share with you my take on this important, agonizing and remarkable picture. It will take you to places seldom explored by others, it will set in motion untapped feelings, it will make you hate or love it, it will make you talk about it.

Mr. Bardem is masterfully playing Uxbal and with him we slowly and painfully descend into Hades, human misery and his personal hell. The complex character of Uxbal is central for the film and through his journey we meet some of the most unusual characters, places and situations. There is an action/high energy scene of police chasing drug dealers in center of Barcelona, remarkably filmed by the very talented Rodrigo Prieto; it will stay with me for a long time.

Many call BIUTIFUL "a love story between a father and his children", but it is much much more than that. Maybe this line will sell a few extra tickets, but it is more about a extremely dysfunctional modern "accidental" family. The mother, Marambra is superbly played by newcomer Maricel Álvarez, and the children are ever so patient, innocent and understanding.

Kindness, hope, goodwill and humanity is not missing in Biutiful, it is ever-present in the daily dealings of Uxbal who's psyche we enter from the very beautiful and poetic beginning of the film.

See BIUTIFUL with an open heart and mind, let yourself go places you never wanted to go, places you only watch on the evening news.

My tag line for BIUTIFUL: "You don't choose your family. We all belong to somebody, but to belong to Uxbal and Marambra, is both a blessing and a curse."

Adam

It's all about death and dying. We can't get away from that, nor avoid it.

Most European directors take much longer to develop character in films than American directors. There are scenes in this film that wordlessly drag on, with panning shots that are longer than what American film directors recommend. But there is nothing wrong with that. This just means it takes longer to watch a European movie and this artpiece is no different.

Uxbal (Javier Bardem) plays the middleman for a counterfeit operation in Barcelona. He works for a few crooked Chinese who manipulate Africans and Chinese who come into the country illegally to work for pennies a day. Uxbal takes his share of the money but he also has a soft heart for the people who live in dark, musty cold basements.

His wife is a drug-dependent, bi-polar prostitute who only thinks about the next trick. Her goal in life is to have fun, despite her two children that love her very much. Unfortunately, Uxbal lovers her, too, and this uneven chemistry gleams throughout this movie.

We learn right away there is something wrong with Uxbal. He is in the late stages of prostate cancer, and his life is flashing him by throughout this movie. He lives what time he has left to redeem himself among the people he also took advantage of earlier, realizing there are many victims left behind doing the work that he does.

Shot in and around Barcelona's slums, there's a lot of touching cinematography in this movie. Smoggy city panoramas, gushing ocean waves, whispering cold mountain pines and loud street scenes that want to take over your auditory nerves. Take all that out and you have a more American-style movie with action and romp but less story and plot.

This is not a movie to watch when depressed, or while grieving the loss of a loved one. There is more to this movie than what I have just posted, but in the end of this 2:18 hour movie (not including the ten minutes of credits in the end), this is one movie that will haunt your senses for a while.

Crashing waves, whispering pines, dying owls that spit up hairballs. This is life in the real sense.

I rented this via the Amazon Instant Video. I had so many problems watching this movie without it constantly stopping to reload. This may be the last time I rent a movie this way. Great movie, horrible presentation.

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Alejandro Innaritu has directed 4 movies so far, Biutiful being the latest, and all 4 of them are solid. There is great substance in them all. Every film of his has several complex, interknit storylines, each with detailed narratives, and nuances. Innaritu potrays his astounding skill and capability of interlinking several of these, cumulating into an exhilarating panoramic vision, which is a feast to watch.

Innaritu has always casted great actors for his films, such as Gael Garcia in Babel & Amores Perros, Sean Penn & Benicio Del Toro in 21 Grams and Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett & Rinko Kikuchi in Babel. Here, there has been much praise for Javier Bardem's potrayal of the low-life criminal, trying to make ends meet for his family, and nearing his death very soon, and it is all very well deserved. Javier Bardem is a remarkable actor, portraying his characters with simplicity, yet with layers of complexity.

*Might contain spoilers below*

The most interesting characteristic of his films, is the use of regional languages & characters to a very natural degree. Cheng Tai Shen, playing the role of the Chinese syndicate businessman, uses spanish and chinese with much fluency and ease, which I found remarkable. Just as captivating is the role played by Diaryatou Daff, of an african immigrant woman, who is caught in the disturbance of her husband's involvement in the underground drug racket, and his deportation.

The journey for Uxbal (Bardem) is devastating, and tragic, yet fulfilling in a way, since his transition into the afterlife is shown to be one of serene, his departure from his family implying painful repercussions, nonetheless, which is what the viewer is left to come to terms with, in the end.

Another element or tool which the director uses, concurrent to his previous films, is the use of the strong background score and music. Babel had excellent score from the maestro Gustavo Santaolalla, and so does Biutiful. The use of progressive dance tracks such as The Joker (ATFC Remix) by Fatboy Slim in Babel, and Shudder/King of Snake by Underworld in Biutiful, intensify the mood and atmosphere of the films, combined with remarkable camera-work and cinematography, reveal the underbelly of cities such as Japan, and Barcelona, where city-life is portrayed near perfectly, and contrasted with varying emotions that the characters feel.

This film, is as successful as it's predecessors, thanks to the gifted Innaritu, and his muse Bardem this time around, who have both wonderfully captured the nuances and depth of the characters and the intricate story that is the driving force behind this masterfully complex & captivating movie.

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Aunque sí es una película triste, creo que "Biutiful" es una película importante para ver. La película nos enseña las partes de la vida que no queremos ver. Es exactamente por esa razón que creo que es tan importante para ver. Viendo "Biutiful", no puedes evitar las temas incómodas como la depresión de Marambra, la desesperación de los niños, y las repercusiones graves del comercio ilegal. Estoy de acuerdo con la revisión de Mariela Perez-Simons, porque yo también creo que es importante que Uxbal es un héroe complicado. No estoy de acuerdo con Chris Pandolfi y su revisión de la película porque no creo yo que la película hubiera sido mejor por no tener un personaje cerca de morir. Presentado con la historia de un hombre trágicamente desafortunado y enfermo, el público puede entender mejor que la vida puede ser muy injusto. Creo que la mensaje más importante de la película es que no importa lo mal que sea la vida, uno debe vivir lo mejor que pueda para los que ama.

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A beautiful, moving film about the devotion of a father to his children through thick and thin. I was impressed by the actor's range. After all this is the same actor who portrayed a ruthless psycho in No Country For Old Men.

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Tromeo and Juliet (1996)

First thing you need to do before you read the rest of this review is read the title of the movie again...TROMEO and Juliet...it is a Troma film. Ok...now that we have that out of the way we can move on with the review.

This film is no Gone With the Wind, but then I say to you that Gone With the Wind is no Tromeo and Juliet either. Troma is not defined by your typical Hollywood rules where movies are concerned. Troma sits off in the dark corner of the big room where all the class clowns hang out and are just in their own world. Tromeo and Juliet does what Troma does best and does it better than ever before. I never really believed that I would enjoy something more than the Toxic Avenger coming out of Tromaville. This movie quickly took over the position as my favorite Troma film. The characters are over the top and fun. The script is funny and Tromeo's black fartin' dad is hilarious. A great cast of characters with an intelligent(as in Troma intelligent) script.

I personally thought the cook for the Capulets was far more sexy than Juliet, but what do I know. I will say one thing about some of the off color content...be warned if you are easily offended. There is plenty by which to be offended in this film. For instance, a freakshow who desires his sister in every way, a father who is freakishly attracted to his daughter, as well as plenty of other off color scenes. Did you expect anything less from Troma though.

Watch for the tons and tons of memorabilia from the other Troma films throughout this film as well as the party where you see a cast of characters from the other films to include Toxie himself.

I have to say that when the characters break into their "Shakespearean" dialog, it just makes me giggle. Very funny if you ask me.

Overall this is a pretty solid Troma film with a nice story done in vintage Troma style.

I've always had this fantasy that some thoroughly disreputable quick-buck movie would end up being brilliant. Like, what if some soft-core "Erotic Thriller" ended up having gutsy, breakthrough performances and a riveting plot? What if "Police Academy 12" was Oscar-worthy?

My fantasies came through with "Tromeo & Juliet." The very concept of a punk "Romeo" is brilliant they conceived this before Baz Luhrmann's movie but seeing as how this is Troma we're talking about, Lloyd Kaufman could have steered this in a very wrong (read: conventional) direction. Fortunately, they managed to find a young mad genius named James Gunn to write the script, and they found some hungry young acting talent who threw themselves into the project. And Kaufman, perhaps inspired by all this, finally directed like a man more concerned with making a good movie than cashing in on the quick-buck exploitation trends that nearly ruined "Troma's War" and "Sgt. Kabukiman."

Not that "Tromeo & Juliet" isn't a quick-buck exploitation movie. It is. It's also a hilarious and inventive comedy, an art film, a soft-core porno, a gross-out gore flick, a surprisingly moving love story, and best of all one of the most oddly faithful Shakespeare adaptations I've ever seen. Amazingly, it's all these things all at the same time, sometimes even in the same scene (check out Murray Que's final scene, in the tattoo parlor). "Tromeo" captures the spirit, the wordplay, and the abandon that so many staid Shakespeare movies completely miss. And it's one of the most energetic and creative movies you're likely to see.

I could gush on and on about "Tromeo," for it is my favorite movie. Now that James Gunn is a big-time although still delightfully weird Hollywood writer, I wouldn't be surprised to see a surge in "Tromeo" sales. This is a good thing. "Tromeo" is a completely unique and exhilirating movie, and it deserves a huge audience. It's not for everyone, I suppose (the close-up shot of the nipple being pierced will pretty much clear the room of those who should have stayed away in the first place). But if you like a little trash in your art, or art in your trash, give "Tromeo" a chance.

Oh and the budget for "Tromeo" was $350,000, or about what it costs to cater lunch for a week on your basic Adam Sandler movie.

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William Shakespeare's play Romeo & Juliet has been interpreted hundreds of times on stage and in films. Sometimes literally following the original text (which is, at times, vague in stage directions), sometimes in new interpretations where directors chose to show their own view on the piece. Some are good, many are mediocre. Lloyd Kaufman's film certainly stands out as one of the most original, modern versions of the bard's creation, It may be placed in a modern-day decaying New York and full of the modern-day anti-social behavior, body piercing, dismemberment and kinky sex (which, for the more than casual reader, Shakespeare himself wasn't shying away from), but at the same time it stays incredibly close to the overall feel and point of what the play is all about, which is quite an effort. Kaufman wrote the script with his co-director on the film James Gunn, who is now famous for writing two successful Scooby Doo movies, doing the impossible by making a perfect remake of an already perfect film with his script for Dawn of the Dead and directing one of the best horror-films of the year: Slither. Lloyd Kaufmans innovative directorial view alongside with James Gunns original and unrestricted writing make for an interpretation of Shakespeare's play that maybe not everyone will "get" immediately, but will certainly be recognized by a truly unique and highly important view on a classic play. With a script that is written entirely in iambic meter, appearances of Motorhead's Lemmy and an outrageous forceful soundtrack watching Tromeo & Juliet is something no one will ever forget. Apart from it's historical significance, Tromeo &

Juliet is a treasure for film-lovers of all kind. Not only for the script by James Gunn, now a good influence on Hollywood while working from the inside, but also because it features an early part of legendary actress Debbie Rochon. Well known by everyone familiar with films that are made on lower budgets. The 10th anniversary edition on DVD adds to all that by including so many as-yet undiscovered gems that not only all the information one could wish for about the film itself and the experience of making it is presented in ways that make it impossible to turn off the DVD, but also a very honest (and disturbing) look is given into the ways independent cinema has to surviver these days. In many ways the extra's on the disc are an invaluable addition to the already impressive amount given on Kaufman's film-school "Make Your Own Damn Movie". Furtermore historical items from the Troma vaults which include James Gunn, Debbie Rochon and other contributors to this masterpiece are included, and the film itself is, apart from looking better then ever, accompanied by no less than four audio-commentaries, each and everyone informative, excruciatingly funny and all done for serious addition to the film instead of the boring and nonsensical commentaries that are so common these days. There are new

commentaries (one with Kaufman and Gunn together), but also the one James Gunn did for the original release of the DVD but couldn't be included there for some of honesty he displays about some other people is present on this disc. With fan-recreations of a few of the scenes from the film, a video diary of Lloyd Kaufman's visit to the set of James Gunn's Slither and a visit the two brought together to Eli Roth's Hostel Birthday party and much more, this is the ultimate set everyone must own. Weather you are a film historian, someone interested in interpretations of the great Bard's work, a fan of great cinema, a fighter for independent cinema, a fan of James Gunn, interested in learning more on making films on a low budget, a fan of Lloyd Kaufman or whatever: this is the most important DVD-release of this millennium!

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According to the Troma website, this 2-disc edition of TROMEO AND JULIET is going to include:

*4 different audio commentaries featuring writer James Gunn (SLITHER), director Lloyd Kaufman (THE TOXIC AVENGER), actor Sean Gunn (GILMORE GIRLS), film editor Frank Reynolds (IN THE BEDROOM) and Troma staff editor Gabriel Friedman (TERROR FIRMER, CITIZEN TOXIE, POULTRYGEIST).

*2 hours of interviews with cast and crew including Debbie Rochon (Ness), Tiffany Shepis (Peter), Sean Gunn (Sammy), Valentine Miele (Murray), Stephen Blackehart (Benny), and Lemmy (of Motorhead).

*GETTING HOSTEL WITH HOLLYWOOD: James Gunn and Lloyd Kaufman visit Eli Roth's birthday party.

*SLITHER-ING THROUGH HOLLYWOOD: A brand-new, expanded, uncut version of Lloyd Kaufman's video diary on the set of James Gunn's SLITHER.

*Deleted scenes, plus a featurette of James Gunn and Lloyd Kaufman commenting on the deleted scenes.

*Exclusive never-before-seen rehearsal footage of Jane Jensen and Debbie Rochon.

*Willie Wisely music video, featuring Andy Dick and Kara Monaco

*Classic Troma movie introductions featuring the cast of TROMEO AND JULIET

And more.

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"Tromeo and Juliet" is to Troma fans what "Die Hard" is to Action fans, what "The Exorcist" is to Horror fans, and what "Tootsie" is to Cross-dressing fans.

The Bards Greatest Romance gets the Troma Treatment in the Grandest Scale. Lesbianism, Language, Gore... Everything is overdone Beautifully.

Its Storyline (and it's similarity's to the Real Romeo and Juliet) is pretty Inconsequential, but, as you've probably guessed, it's about Forbidden love between two teens whose Family's are Rivals. The makers cleverly (well, cleverly compared to a lot of their previous work) twist the more famous elements and make them more Modern, more Sick and more Funny.

The Acting is Oscar worthy, (keeping in mind I'm only comparing this to Other Troma films) Jane Jensen and Will Keenan seem to have a Genuine Attraction, which threatens to make the film... Realistic, a Realistic Troma film, Times really are Changing. The Rest of the performances bring the film back to the Troma Level we all know and love.

If you Know what you're getting in for, "Tromeo and Juliet" will Surprise with its Assuredness. If you are New to this sort of film, it Will grow on you... It always does.

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Apocalypse: Second World War

I have at least twenty historical dvds of WWII, and Countless Hollywood movies about WWII. What I believe makes This series and Blu-ray unique is seeing more of a perspective of the civilians during WWII. Many of the historical dvds give the viewer details of the battles, and film and pictures of the battles, but more from a soldiers perspective. I am glad to add this to my collection because I believe it added that civilian perspective. Many people forget that the civilian causaulty rate dwarfed that of the soldiers lost during WWII. The civilians were just as courageous as the soldiers in many instances. Hopefully we will never have to repeat the lessons that so many learned.

I have what is apparently the original version of this series which I ordered through Time-Life. It is in English with a rather bland narrator whose voice I don't recognize. While not obviously inaccurate the narration doesn't go into a lot of detail and repeats many well-worn cliches (i.e. Polish cavalry DID NOT deliberately charge German tanks in September 1939; they simply got surprised in the open by a German armored column). Disc 2, which details the first 6 months of the Pacific War, contains very little new info and I quickly became bored watching it.

Time-Life promotes this series as being spectacular and new. A lot of the footage is indeed new, but I also had seen much of it before on history websites. There are also some curious parts in which the script feels like it was solely written to incorporate available footage.

That said, there is some very interesting footage that I had never seen before. Colorized footage of U.S. battleships burning at Pearl Harbor and Japanese planes apparently ditching in the ocean after their carriers had been sunk at the Battle of Midway was nice. Footage showing executions of Jews and alleged collaborators can also be quite graphic, as can be the scenes of dead bodies.

I would recommend buying this series only for the footage, much of which is definitely worth the price of admission. But if you've been studying World War 2 in detail for any length of time don't expect to learn anything particularly new. If you're new to this subject, know that this is a well-produced series that looks and sounds nice, but just be careful about repeating what you learn from it.

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I bought the 4 dvd set from Time Life and watched it today. While some of the footage was new, much of it was stuff I had seen on the history channel and the victory at sea series. Some of the information was informative like the French invasion of Germany after the declaration of war and the fact that Hitler did not pursue the English troops evacuating at Dunkirk although Stukas did sink some of the evacuation craft. Some of the footage fell short of telling the whole story, like the part about the bombing of Monte Cassino in Italy. Much of the new footage focused on the eastern front. While the development of the Soviet air force played a large part in the battle, it was overlooked in this dvd. The pacific war footage showed the battle for Saipan and said that it was the place where B-29s took off to attack Japan, and they covered the atomic bomb drops on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, although those attacks were launched from Tinian and not Saipan. This package wasn't worth it.

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The DVD available is not like the series shown on T.V. The audio has been altered with the original narrater being replaced with a someone who is very monotone. It really changes the presentation of the show in a negative way.

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First thing I must point out about this series, is don't expect this to be the most comprehensive in terms of technical details, this is more of a broader overview of the conflict. The aspect that makes this series fantastic is the footage..it is some of the best, if not THE best I've ever seen. Especially German military footage, I don't think I've ever seen another documentary on the second world war with better footage of the Wehrmacht. A lot of the footage in Apocalypse you won't find in any other series, or if you do it will most likely be in black and white and not remastered in HD. This is a more cinematic presentation of the war, with no interviews to break up the continuity. The sound is also a great selling point for Apocalypse, because it's in 5.1 surround. If you have even the slightest interest in WW2, pick up this one. If you want a more detailed synapsis on the conflict I would suggest picking up the classic 'The World at War'.

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Another Earth (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2011)

I'm a cantankerous old goat, rarely moved to hyperbole, but I was simply enthralled by this film: totally absorbed throughout, except when I found myself chuckling giddily at the realisation I was watching a profoundly brilliant piece of cinema. The last time I had that sensation was in 1991 when I saw Silence of the Lambs. Another Earth is an utterly different film, but in its own way it offers, just as completely, everything that this medium of film promises and so rarely delivers.

In Another Earth, a new planet appears, close by, in the sky. In fact, it is another Earth, identical to our own. Thereafter, Earth II precipitates, frames and propels a delicate and desolate gravitational attraction between two irreparably damaged people. Irreparably damaged because the only thing which will heal them is the only thing that cannot: each other. Another Earth explores that relationship and, with the aid of the planet-sized metaphor, the ever-present path-dependency of our short, brutish existences.

This is an independent film: budgets are tight and much is shot, Blair Witch style, on a hand-held camcorder. The blown-out exposures, over-sharpened lines and noisy, boxy sound give the picture the feel of a student project. But science fiction with production values at zero is like silent film: if forces you to watch, and undistracted by dazzling computer generated images and 7.1 digital surround sound, you are drawn fully into the ingenious screenplay and the human resonances it explores.

Rhoda Williams is about to go to college. She's smart: she'll be an MIT astrophysics undergraduate, and she's handsome: not a million miles from a young Laura Dern. You might call her pretty, but she's by no means saccharine sweet. She is, however, tipsy: intoxicated not just with the promise of the path on which her young life is taking her, but with a little too much champagne. She gets in her car to go home. Rhoda takes her eyes off the road and gazes at this new Earth.

There is, of course, a ghastly accident. It brings Rhoda together with John Burroughs, a composer and a devoted husband and father who is the only survivor when Rhoda's car ploughs into his at a pedestrian crossing. Thus are their characters brought together and simultaneously flung apart by the centripetal force of their own damaged psychologies to the most isolated, remotest reaches of human space.

When John Burroughs emerges from his coma his reaction to his family's death is, well, to burrow: he retreats to the huge, draughty and decaying New Haven house, to drink, wither and die. He compounds his downward spiral with clutter: rubbish, bottles and piles of trash: the detritus of his life are the physical manifestations of his disintegrating psyche.

Rhoda emerges, after a similar period, from prison. Her spiral seems as destructive and hopeless as John's; she withdraws into herself and hatches various plans to escape the here-and-now altogether. Her more benign attempt is to enter an essay competition to win a seat on a probe to Earth II being organised by an Australian entrepreneur (yes, I found this odd too: perhaps this is a parallel universe where the men from down under won the space race). Rhoda also tries more damaging means of putting an end to her suffering, too.

While morosely visiting the scene of the accident Rhoda observes John Burroughs doing the same. He knows little of the details of the accident and nothing of Rhoda. She resolves at least to apologise to him, gets as far as his front door and, human frailty being what it is, fluffs her lines. Instead, she makes an excuse by dint of which she winds up in a distant, but ongoing interaction with Burroughs anyway.

Thence commences the tragic, and delicate, convergence of these lonely orbits. All the while that missing admission, like Earth II in the sky, looms ever larger.

Their burgeoning relationship, we know, is as flawed by human weakness as was the accident, and yet here are two people, with no alternative means of recovery and who offer each other great redemption, but only so long as there is this awful lie between them.

The film unfolds carefully, slowly and wondrously, without a false step throughout its length.

When I emerged from the cinema a giant gibbous moon hung low over the Soho skyline like another world, as if even the universe itself was pitching in to Cahill's metaphorical scheme. It followed me home, slinking behind the trees and between buildings, always there, watching my every step. It's still there now.

Beautiful, and profound.

Olly Buxton

This movie is very well done. No 3-D aliens and nothing exploded. Very thoughtful dialog and great use of the Science Fiction genre to tell a very human story. William Mapother (probably best known as "Ethan" in the seies "Lost") and Brit Marling (who has an economics degree from Georgetown an looks very comfortable playing the "smart girl" role)are very good. Kids will find this boring as will people that need helicopters in every other scene to keep their attention. But if you want to view deep characters in an interesting story, this is a jackpot. I gave this 4 stars but I'd call it a 4+.

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Why didn't this film do better at the box office? Was it the marketing or, was it was just too cerebral for most of the movie going public. Perhaps the trailer gave the impression of unremitting and unrewarded suffering. In the last case, be assured that there is true and well deserved redemption that comes with a twist at the end. Whatever the problem was, the fault was not the film. But, it prevented this movie from drawing an audience in numbers it should have. And that is a shame. Its failure at the box office will further dampen the spirits and limit the opportunities of truly original film makers. Don't let this happen. Buy this movie and reward intelligent, creative and thought provoking films that will provide a welcome relief to the normal mindless Hollywood fare.

Read Best Reviews of Another Earth (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2011) Here

brit marling is like a dream, and the movie is more like her beautiful but disturbed interruption upon wake: we, the viewers are watching her story unfold. this isn't like an ordinary 'movie', set so differently from real life, or that the actors are separated from their trailers and coffee breaks, to the players and costumes they portray. this is like watching a woman, behind a raspberry bush, following her as she walks through life, brilliant, suffocated, ashamed, gracious. she's the most beautiful, kind-hearted, warm-intentioned 'criminal' i've ever watched upon the screen and thus the most realistic. i've rarely been able to hold a piece of the actor's heart, and intentions, into my own personal life i've, sure, been able to escape into brad pitt's biceps in 'fight club', been thrown off guard by keira's rosy cheeks and beauty in 'atonement', wished my life could be as dangerous and wonderful as the scoundrels in gregg araki's films, but i've rarely felt as approachable to those characters. if i saw them in real life, i would most likely feel fat, ugly, unhip, unmodelesque, un-actory. brit is someone i Want to meet, be friends with, look at, despite her looks or actions. she isn't even acting, in a sense. she's connecting with another persona, but using her words, glimpses, thoughts, like she would as if making a present for her mum, presenting a graduation speech, listening to a friend as she reaches out in tears... she's all about connecting, and honesty. she's just like you and i if we could care less about weight, or impressing our parents deciding to be in a film and use a new kind of media for discovering about the poetry of life, science, space, people, pain... It's one of those films that will be overlooked, turned down, judged voraciously, but only because it isn't immediate, but it is also the most captivating piece i have watched in a long time. it wasn't uncomfortable, cliche, frustrating, nor depressing for me. it was inspiring to see her struggle, heart breaking to know i could be in that same situation and learn the same road lose my friends, want to die, feel honestly dis-tached from family, and take haven in others stories rather than my own. it was breath taking to see so many metaphors and music put together the cello playing every time brit entered the scene, tumbling on rocks, or the piano and cello chaotically together when she made love with the other. or the way the first human she saw after being set free... was a man in an alien costume. the irony. or how the astrophysicist chose to speak to the alternate Her from planet 2, asking about Astro Strawberries and when she was 7, instead of the terrified or panicked beacons that governmental employees are known to embark, when speaking to extraterrestrial forms. it's also infuriating how this got a 64 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and that the general public found it dull, repetitive, and over-dramaticized, where i found it fresh, completely realistic, and clenching.

the kind of movie where blowing your nose or taking off your shoe a three second act that removes you from the screen was enough to make me rewind, and capture those seconds lost. the kind where after watching, i told everyone i knew in proximity all of my roommates and my friend that day later, to 'watch this movie, no matter what'. the kind that isn't even a movie, really, but a piece that i was fortunate enough to see, that didn't use gimmicks or flash to attract me, and is what movies should Aspire to be.

it's also one that will be a classic, cult or general, in years to come. the kind that isn't favored by the public or critics initially, but is well-traveled down the road, for being something new, broad, sweeping, and challenging. the kind where you Want to be in the main character's shoes, be gawked at by the same brother, make love to the same man, throw up elegantly on the same train toilet, stare at the same flock of birds, and tuck the same lock of hair behind the ear, but don't want to, because only she can be as beautiful and honest, as herself.

please give this another thought. at least appreciate it for it's power to invoke a primal emotion, rather than immediate excitement and then forgetfulness.

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This is a beautiful movie. I simply cannot get inside the heads of those who give this movie negative reviews. It is a beautiful concept, executed with sere, tender restraint. The primary character, Rhoda, is drawn and acted with authenticity. Brit Marling is phenomenal. If you like good movies, you will like this film.

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High School Musical (Remix Edition) (2006)

Heard about High School Musical and wondering which one to get? My advice would be this one. This isn't really a remix like with an album. It is more like a deluxe or extended edition. You get all the bonus features of the original and over 30 minutes of new features.

My kids saw this and bugged me for months to buy it when it came out on DVD. I did and they LOVE it. I personally don't get the appeal but I guess you have to be a tweenie or a teen to relate to it. All I know is my kids range from 10 to 17 (this month) and despite their age range, they ALL love this movie. So, my suggestion is if you have kids of any age over toddler get this movie, they seem to LOVE it and watch it over and over. I bought the deluxe version just 'cause I know my kids like the extra "stuff" on deluxe versions.

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I have 2 Copys of the Encore Version. Huge Disney fan, I support most of the cast of the film, but Love Ashley Tisdale! I was going to just for fun, buy 3 copys of the Encore DVD. Although I felt it was poorly done, and not having a lot of Content along with Extra materals that it could have.

Now this is Release, I have good hopes. I feel the Encore is a "treat" and this next one is the quote and unquote "The main meal" or "main deal". With All The content and bonus materal. Just in time for a great Xmas gift for your HSM fans, Disney fans, Supportors to the cast, or whatever. I already plan on buying 2 or 3 copys of it, :).

I just hope to anything that Disney does a 10/10 job with High School Musical 2 and 3. Disney isn't a name that likes to release it's DComs on DVD a lot, so we should be happy that they release certains things.

Read Best Reviews of High School Musical (Remix Edition) (2006) Here

I got a kick out of one of the recent reviews that trashes this movie as unrealistic -the kids are not doing what they need to do to get into college. Good grief. Since when is a musical ever realistic?? Especially one that is geared to kids. Hello??!! It's not supposed to be realistic! If you expect realism, go elsewhere. But if you want to have some fun with a great message not-so-subtly woven in, then watch this movie. Kids love it (mine do along with anyone else I've talked to), and the message is just terrific ~ it's okay to be yourself with all kinds of wild likes, dislikes, hobbies, etc., no matter what anyone else thinks. I love it! I can't even begin to say how much better this is than "Grease," the high school musical of my day where the heroine had to give in and become a slut to get what she wanted and be "happy." Relax with your kids, go get some popcorn, and have some fun with the Wildcats kids from "Highschool Musical."

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i watched the 2nd movie like a month ago or whenever it was. and loved it. and i finally own the first one. and i also pre-ordered the second one. can't wait to get that one. will definitely be watching this one again.

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Total Recall (1990)

I have to take umbrage at the person who made rude comments about how all the martians mutants with their foam latex appliances looked fake and lowered the quality of the film. I am part of the team that made all those crummy appliances. You can find my name in the credits under Rob Bottin. Actually I agree with you and I also think the scene where everyone decompresses and their eyes pop out on stalks then pop back in again when air pressure returns was totally preposterous. Total Recall was one of the last big films where effects were still done with rubber and mechanical animatronics pulled with cables. Many people thought the fat lady head slice gag was done with computers but it was a fiberglass head enlarged many times by soaking a silicone casting of the head in kerosene. The head was sliced with a special saw and a special array of slide bearings rigged with cables were pulled to open the slices. Makeup artists spent hours between shots filling up the gaps in the slices with wax so you could not detect them until the head was pulled apart. We were very proud of that effect and got applause from the crew when they saw it for the first time. Other effects did not go so well. Johnny Cab (Bob Picardo) was supposed to be very animated. His mouth was designed to open wide and form shapes but the servos would not work properly so in the film you see him mostly just bounce his jaw up and down with some minor lip movement. The guy in charge of repairing Johnny Cab stayed up four sleepless days and when it still didn't work was yelled at and mercilessly berated by the FX supervisor and later that day almost died of a bleeding stomach. On the good side Bennie the mutant cab driver has a mutant arm that is a beautiful thing to watch unfold and easily missed if you are not paying attention. You probably won't hear these uglier stories on the supplemental disc but if you are a fan of Total Recall and like to hear interesting background stories, this is certainly the version of the disc you should buy. Paul Verhoven with his deep German accent and extreme personality combined with Arnolds thick Austrian accent and ego should make for one of the most incomprehensible commentaries in the history of DVDs. Just kidding. Both are dynamic guys and present the material in an interesting fashion.

Total Recall is about a miner named Quaid (Arnold Schwartzennegger at the very peak of his career) who seemingly has a beautiful wife (Sharon Stone)and a nice home. He has a fascination with Mars that disturbs his wife to distraction. One day he decides to take a simulated vacation from Rekall where memories are implanted in your brain to make you feel you have been on an extended vacation. What Rekall does not know is Quaid is not who he appears to be or who he thinks he is. Something goes wrong when Rekall unknowingly plants Quaid's own real memories of being a secret agent on Mars into his brain. Quaids brain is temporarily fried and he has to quickly rediscover his true identity before a team of counteragents kill him for what he knows.

Total Recall was originaly intended to keep the audience guessing about what was real and what was only imagined. However this was dropped with the exception of one memorable scene. From what I could observe on the set I think Paul Verhoven realized the effects had taken over the movie and there was no point in making this a psychological action thriller. So he resigned himself to play it as a straight up Arnold vehicle packed with slam bang effects and some wicked Verhoven humor. This was too bad because I think many people feel it could have been a much more of a movie than what it was. Instead this is wild mindless action, violence taken to excess and effects for pure escapism purposes . If this is your cup of tea, than Total Recall may be the thrill ride you are looking for.

I Love Total Recall as a movie hence the reason I've bought it for a 3rd time, after VHS and DVD. I must say I was very disappointed with this transfer, why when films can be cleaned up prior to transfer do they make us buy such a crap transfer!? I mean I bought the Rambo1 Blu Ray from Lionsgate/ Studio Canal which is now 25 years and that is a superb transfer, even the French HD of Basic Instinct is a Cracking transfer by Studio Canal, In Comparison Total Recall is a let down, and to be honest when we fork out our hard earned cash for movies we love on HD formats we expect a marked improvement, why should we make excuses that this film is old, what 1990 is old! When film companys that do spend the money get results, have you seen the Bond Remasters on DVD, some of these are over 40 years old and look better then ever (cant wait for the blu rays of them!) Overall Buy this if you must have it, but be prepared for a let down visually!

Buy Total Recall (1990) Now

"Total Recall" is, quite simply, one of Arnold Schwarzenegger's best action flicks and quite obviously, one of the ones that helped build his super star status at the time of its release. When this outstanding Sci-Fi action/thriller was released, it was right in the middle of Arnold Schwarzenegger's run of films where he could seemingly do no wrong. After watching the "Imagining Total Recall" documentary, it's even more surprising to find out that the original director wasn't Paul Verhoeven and the original Douglas Quaid wasn't to be Arny but Patrick Swayze; now that would've been an almost entirely different movie. Despite the exceptional script, I doubt Patrick Swayze would've garnered the attention that Arnold did for this memorable flick.

One of the most interesting aspects behind the script of this film is the overall theme behind it, was it "real" or was it Douglas Quaid's Total Rekall experience? Another highly interesting aspect of this film is its supposed sequel which may have been scrapped for Arnold Schwarzenegger's bid for and election as the Governor of Kalifornia! If you pull up the Cast and Crew Information under the Special Features section and click on Arnold's screen, you'll see a listing for Total Recall 2 (2002), something that obviously hasn't happened but who knows what will happen in the future!

Credit goes to Arnold for his performance in this film, which was an exceptional display in that his acting skills were only getting better and better; granted, he's not the best actor in the industry, but for his type of movies, he was at the top when this film was released. Sharon Stone puts on a wonderful performance in this film and this film can most certainly be directly attributed to being the one that led to her super stardom and being cast for some of her bigger roles. Ronny Cox also does another superior job of being the villain in this movie, a role he has always done well in. For Star Trek Voyager fans, it's interesting to note that Robert Picardo does the voiceover for the Johnny Cab.

"Total Recall" is just another in a long list of outstanding and somewhat gory action flicks for director Paul Verhoeven. In this genre, he can most certainly be counted among the best directors to ever take up the mantle. Phillip K. Dick, the author of the short story "We Can Remember it for You Wholesale," the story that "Total Recall" is based upon, also wrote the story that "Blade Runner" was based upon and many more; just showing what a talent this writer has been.

The Premise:

Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger) wakes up to find himself lying next to Lori (Sharon Stone), who he believes to have been his loving wife for the last eight years. Quaid expresses that he wishes to go to Mars but Lori doesn't want anything to do with it. As Quaid is coming home from work, he sees an advertisement for Total Rekall where he can take a virtual vacation and decides to try it. Not long after his virtual vacation begins, this action flick takes off on a breathtaking wild ride that doesn't slow down until the credits start rolling...

I highly recommend this film to any and all who're interested in seeing one of the best Sci-Fi action movies ever made. One note of caution though, this film is not for the young, faint of heart or weak of stomach as is the norm with a Paul Verhoeven film. To achieve the film he's looking for, he doesn't spare the gore at all! {ssintrepid}

Special Features:

-Audio Commentary with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Director Paul Verhoeven

-"Imagining Total Recall" Documentary

-Rekall's Virtual Vacations

-"Visions of Mars" Featurette (This is especially interesting considering we have a rover on Mars right now)

-Visual Storyboard Comparisons

-Conceptual Art

-Photo Gallery

-Production Notes

-Theatrical Trailers and TV Spots

-Cast and Crew Information

Read Best Reviews of Total Recall (1990) Here

I'm not a big video geek, and before when I saw people complaining about a horrible dvd transfer, I chalked it up to little details I couldn't see. *This* I could see. I liked _Total Recall_ the first time I saw it, and it is still a good movie. However the film quality on this DVD is really grainy and the color was off -like they mastered it from a five year old video that had seen wind and weather. Just get the video.

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I got a BD player a year after they came out while the format war was still going on and I read reviews of the discs. They always said that this one was not too great but acceptable. Some how, some people rate The Terminator (first 2) discs as poor when they are not. Total Recall is by far THE worst BD disc ever!

This one gets the same type of review as Robocop from the reviewers. It is no wonder why these discs are $10 or less! This is a very poor representation of Blu-Ray or even HD. I am good at spotting resolutions with my eye and I can tell that this is not an HD master. It has to be a 480I give or take a few lines!

This is nothing more than an upconverted picture, but upconverted DVD's look much better in most cases. From the moment the credits roll, there is severe crushing, noise and low resolution. The picture quality is so bad that it looks like analog cable with a damaged cord THAT bad! The noise (it can't be mere film grain alone) is so horrible that the film grain has noise that moves and changes colors!

The colors were bland and there was NOTHING HD about the picture in any way. There was no 3D effect when looking at the picture. No facial details. No stitching in the clothing nothing. The sound was weak as well since it was in DTS-HD, not Master Audio. Hey, it was one of the early BD titles.

Instead of steady re-releasing Terminators, they need to remaster this! I avoided it out of fear of the reviews, but the reviewers were too soft on this one. Do not get it if you are looking for HD picture.

On another note, it was weird (I know) to see so many tube TV's 100 years into the future. Even 2001: A Space Odessy predicted flat screens.

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Forest Warrior (1996)

I enjoyed this movie alot. The kids are the real stars, and though protecting the envirnment is one of the lessons the movie trys to show, and even better storyline are the people learning how to pick themselves up and not quit when life knocks them down. The father, played by Michael Beck, coming to realize what is really important. His failing and redemption was a major enjoyment for me in this movie. The kids caring for the mountain habitat is catching. And I thought the hijinks the kids used to stall for time against the bad developers was a riot! LOL!! I didn't mind the fantasy(Chuck's Warrior) parts at all, everyone should be able to dream alittle.

There's just something about Chuck Norris. Is it the hair? Is it the roundhouse kicks? Is it the lost list of credentials?

Who cares? He's Chuck Norris, and he's as Chuck Norris as he's ever been in Forest Warrior, a story about a group of young tree-huggers who embark on a fun-filled camping adventure to "the mountain." But wait, what's this? Ne'er-do-well lumberjacks and bad, meany business men want to log the mountain. Not if Chuck Norris has anything to say about it.

With the help of the bafoonish fighting skills of the antagonists, Chuck Norris saves the day again and again. And each time is more entertaining as he transforms into a hawk, and a wolf, and a bear, and the omnipresent spirit of the mountain, which is always there to lend a hand when situations get sticky.

The acting is awful, the script is worse, and the special effects are laughable. But honestly, what more can we expect from Walker, Texas Ranger? Clad in ill-fitting leather shirts and wielding the power of 100 men, Chuck Norris comes to the rescue, to yet again save America's youth from the greed of big business. Way to go, Mckenna!

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Forest Warrior [VHS]

To say it in one word:

groundbreaking

I thought I knew what a movie should be. You know, a normal balance of characterization, plot, climax, and perhaps a denouement. Well, Chuck Norris provides us with each of those qualities to a caliber that I have never seen before. It has suspense, mystery, adventure, love, turmoil, and fatigue. People, just pull out your credit card, drag out the dvd converter, and order this gem, you'll thank me later. Film students, you wanna learn how to roundhouse kick the heck out of a film? Ignore that fancy professor who stands in front of you and tells you stuff, order this masterpiece and learn how to make a movie with chest hair. Spirit of the Mountain, protector of the winds, guardian of the trees, eagle of the night, he is, the Forrest Warrior.

Read Best Reviews of Forest Warrior (1996) Here

In Forest Warrior, you'll see Chuck Norris as you've never seen him before! You'll find humor, excitement, and action galore as the forest warrior (Chuck Norris) aids three children in their quest to save the mountain from a greedy lumber mogul who's only interested in the money the trees can bring. You'll want to stand up and cheer when Chuck swoops down (yes, swoops . . . I don't want to take away from the thrill of watching it for the first time) to thwart the enemies of the forest. So unlike his previous movies, Chuck Norris takes a giant leap into an entirely different genre in this movie and it does not disappoint. I wish it would have received better promotion, as it's thoroughly deserving. My highest recommendation!

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This is one of Chuck's best movies. I have seen it on television several times and enjoyed each and every time I just saw it again today and hoped I could find it to buy.

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Kurokami 1

First I got it because of it being Blu-ray, then as I started watching it I enjoyed it. Wasn't expecting the movie as it was. But have enjoyed it. And you can't be the price.

Saturday Night Fever (1977)

"SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER"...the iconic disco film from 1977 that defined a decade full of polyester, hairspray and most of all, disco dancing. Also, a film that would catapult actor John Travolta (previously known for his role on the TV series "Welcome Back, Kotter") into one of the top actors of all time.

The film was based on a New York Magazine article from 1977 titled "Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night" written by Nik Cohn (who admitted fabricating the whole story after twenty years later) and was written by Norman Wexler and directed by John Badham ("War Games", "Short Circuit", "Blue Thunder").

Featuring classic disco music by the Bee Gees (the soundtrack is recognized as the top selling movie soundtrack of all time) and popular disco tracks of that time, the film helped popularize the disco movement.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

"SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER" looks incredible on Blu-ray. The film is presented in 1080p High Definition and I compared the video quality of the original DVD and perhaps it was the upconverting but the DVD looks terrible compared to the Blu-ray.

In the famous opening sequence as the film pans around New York and then we see John Travolta as Tony Manero walking with swagger with a can of paint while looking at the women, on the DVD the picture quality was slightly dark but watching the Blu-ray, it's brighter, sharper, more colorful. I was comparing the picture quality and it was like night and day. "SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER", for a film that is over 30-years-old, just looks incredible in high definition.

And the music, which is presented in English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD (also, featured in French 5.1 Dolby Digital and Spanish Mono) is just crystal clear. I was very impressed with the audio quality as the disco music just comes out alive on your home theater setup. Dialogue is well-heard but when the music comes on (which is frequent), the music and hearing it on high definition was quite awesome. The film is primarily a dialogue and music driven film, so you will get more through the front channel and low frequencies on your subwoofer.

The film also comes with English subtitles inc. English SDH, Spanish and Portuguese.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

In the 25th Anniversary of "SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER", there was the commentary, VH1 special featurette and the deleted scenes. For the 30th Anniversary, we get all new special features to celebrate the 30th Anniversary. It's important to note that John Travolota is the main cast member who did not take part in the 30th Anniversary interviews. Included are:

* Commentary by John Badham This is the same commentary used on the 25th Anniversary disc. John Badham commenting on the filming of "SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER" and the difficulties they faced due to the fans of John Travolta who were everywhere the camera crews were at. Very good insight on the whole film.

* Catching the Fever This is where you can find a good bulk of featurettes such as:

A 30-Year Legacy (15:23) An interview with Director John Badham, Producers and cast of "SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER" sans John Travolta. The group talking about working on the film, how iconic the film became as it inspired disco, fashion and much more.

Making Soundtrack History (12:37) An interview with the Bee Gees and more in regards to how the film used the music as a form of promotional by having the soundtrack released first and eventually creating hype around the film. Also, interesting information of how the Bee Gees felt their careers were over because they were a 60's band and how the film gave them a new life.

Platforms & Polyester (10:35) Polyester was very big then and quite inexpensive. But those who wore polyester were in and also how the film made a certain brand of shoes quite a fad back in the late 70's.

Deejays & Discos (10:17) Interviews with DJ's and people of the time talking about how things were back during the day at disco clubs and how celebrities were often DJ'ing and more.

Spotlight on Travolta (3:35) Interviews with cast and big names from the 70's in regards to working with John Travolta. The theme was the same with each talent, Travolta was courteous, friendly and never put himself higher than anyone on the set. Everyone loved working with him.

* Back to Bay Ridge (9:00) Actor Joseph Cali who plays the character of Joey visits the various locations from the film in New York and shows how things have or haven't changed since 1977.

* Dance Like Travolta with John Cassese (9:48) John "The Dance Doctor" Cassese teaches the viewer how Tony and Stephanie dance their popular competition dance.

* Fever Challenge! (4:00) Learning some of the complicated dance moves from "SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER"

* Deleted Scenes (3:36) It's important to note that there were two films available for the public. A rated "R" version and a "PG" version which would attract a young audience (note: There was no PG-13 at the time). The deleted scenes were used in the PG version of the film and the more sexual and profane scenes were toned down. Included is a deleted scene which shows Tony's father getting his job back, Tony going to Stephanie's home to apologize and more.

JUDGMENT CALL:

It was great to have 30th Anniversary features for this Blu-ray but for those who own the 25th Anniversary DVD edition, you may not want to give away the DVD just yet. The original DVD contained a VH1 special feature that shows more of the emotional and somewhat darker side behind-the-scenes of the film in which Travolta's real life girlfriend was dying of breast cancer and how it took a toll on him during the filming of "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE" and also other things discussed on that 30-minute featurette.

I would imagine that the featurette was not included on the Blu-ray because of rights or the fact that everyone on the VH1 special no longer look the same as they do on the 30th Anniversary featurettes and wanting to keep things consistent.

My parents were hardcore into disco when I was a child. I was taken to watch "SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER" at the theaters twice, my parents put the vinyl of the soundtrack and the Bee Gees playing quite often during those years and remember all these people coming over for disco parties.

Suffice to say that "SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER" was an iconic film of that time period. Sure, there are music videos and shows that I could think of that popularized disco but this film did more than that. It is now ingrained into pop culture for the music, the dancing, the polyester, the platform shoes and the hair.

I think there is a misconception among people that "SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER" is like "GREASE" (a film made in 1978, a year after SNF). This is not a musical, the film is about teenagers living in New York and one knowing he has potential to do something bigger. His family life sucks, his friends constantly get into trouble and don't share the same passion in dancing as he does and he's tired of living his life of being a dancer at a club and wants to get serious with his life.

The film shows major repercussions to the characters at the end and the things you see on this film, especially its racial tone probably would not be acceptable today. This film is about youth and a people wanting more in their lives (unfortunately, its sequel "Staying Alive" directed by Sylvester Stallone was not as great despite it being a financial success).

John Travolta does an absolutely great job as Tony Manero. It's one thing to learning the various choreography for the film but there are certain mannerisms that you can't help but laugh. In one scene, his father hits him in the back in the head after he mouths off to his mother. Tony makes a comment of how he has been working so long on his hair and his father hits it. Another scene, where Stephanie and Tony go out and eat and Tony with no manners talks with food in his mouth. But to find out that a lot of these scenes were improvised by Travolta was shocking.

As James Dean made "Rebel Without a Cause" a youth film for its time and both he and the film became iconic for that time, John Travolta and the cast knew that this was his vehicle to shine and Travolta succeeded.

And the other talents made this film feel real, such as his gang of friends to even Donna Pescow as Annette, having to gain weight and regain her New York accent for this role. Karen Lynn Gorney having to learn all the dance moves along with Travolta was convincingly real as a woman not wanting to be bad but wanting to be better.

John Badham did a great job in capturing the urban life and the youth during the late 1970's and although his name would be branded with "War Games", "SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER" was a film that many people would forever remember as one, if not his best directorial work ever.

And the music especially for those who did grow up around disco knows the impact of the soundtrack of the film. The soundtrack for "SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER" was the first music soundtrack to utilize a double album and also released before the film to create hype and eventually becoming the largest selling soundtrack ever is a great accomplishment.

And last, the 30th Anniversary Blu-ray is just fantastic. Again, comparing the DVD picture quality and the Blu-ray quality is like night and day. The Blu-ray blows away the 25th Anniversary out of the water. I'm just impressed with both picture and audio quality and how well the transfer is in High Definition.

Again, for those who own the 25th Anniversary, may want to keep it for the VH1 Special Feature which has a deeper behind-the-scenes of what happened on set during the filming but overall, the new featurettes created for the 30th Anniversary in combination with HD video and audio makes this 1977 classic a disc worth owning for film buffs and those who are nostalgic of that time period.

"SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER" is highly recommended!

Unfairly dismissed by many viewers today as a relic of the disco era, "Saturday Night Fever" should more properly be remembered as the classic coming-of-age tale in which John Travolta exploded onto the big screen. The actor's character, Tony Manero, is a nineteen-year-old Italian-American still living with his family in Brooklyn who is stuck in a dead-end job and hanging around with a group of old friends who (like himself) have no real hopes or ambitions for the future. Manero's only true talent and his escape from the world around him is his prowess on the dance floor. It's a tricky role the outwardly racist, sexist, homophobic, immature Manero is not the most sympathetic of characters but Travolta imbues him with a aura of underlying decency and vulnerability that causes the audience to identify with him and ultimately, cheer for him. It's truly a knockout performance ... one that deservedly netted Travolta an Oscar nomination for Best Actor and won him the top male acting award from the National Board of Review.

The 25th Anniversary edition DVD offers home viewers a great video and sound transfer. A VH-1 "Behind the Music" documentary offers an interesting look at the troubled production history of the film, as well as some interesting insights into the movie's impact on popular culture. Regrettably, the disc does not include the Original Theatrical Trailer; I found myself curious to see how the distributor (Paramount) promoted this film to theatregoers. This one minor flaw aside, the DVD offers a solid presentation of this 1977 classic, and is a video worthy of repeated viewings. Enjoy!

Buy Saturday Night Fever (1977) Now

(2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)"Saturday Night Fever" started out as a low budget film by legendary John Badham and ended up being an unforgettable period piece nominated for Oscars and selling more soundtrack albums in history. A tale of a paint shop guy who blows his money on the weekends to become a local legend on the disco floor, John Travolta nailed the role dead on. Although gritty with language and scenes that some might consider offensive, it is a true life tale of the mid seventies in New York City. Some call it the revival of the movie musical, but it's much more than that. Ultimately a story of one man's growth into adulthood through misled love and the confusion of youth, this freinds and family story rings true to the bone. Fueled with the dance beat of that generation and climaxed with the writing and singing skills of the Bee Gees, this movie is a classic representation of the times.

Read Best Reviews of Saturday Night Fever (1977) Here

This 30th anniversary special edition might have been re-thought when John Travolta decided NOT to be in the documentary. There have been MUCH better retrospectives on TV . The small section on the Music which DOES feature recent interviews with Barry and Robin Gibb...is okay but big time redundant...and the BEHIND THE MUSIC on VH1 which was put in excerpt in the 25th Anniversary Edition would have been MUCH better than all the useless junk on this edition. This was an important ( I know that is an overused word) movie for my generation ...with big themes of growing up , friendship, career , family,and moving out...among others..and the special features of this edition reduce it all down to clothes and dance steps...THOSE THINGS didn't make this movie important...they missed the boat entirely.

John Travolta is NOT in the bonus features? Oscar nominated for his performance....he's missing from this "special" edition..and for my money..if he's not participating ...WHY make it? and if I'd known he wasn't in this I would not have wasted my money...the 25th Anniversay Edition is frankly...much BETTER!

instead of the DELETED Scenes on the 25th Anniversary Edition we get dance lessons? YIIIKES this stuff stinks!

the 25th Anniversary Edition

commentary, a very very good half hour behind the music documentary with interesting interviews and Travolta plus never before seen rehearsal footage , deleted scenes

the 30th Anniversary Edition

commentary...no behind the music, no deleted scenes , no Travolta.

no way!!

Want Saturday Night Fever (1977) Discount?

I love this movie, I think it's great. But, please, c'mon, how many more Special Editions/Special Collector's Edition/Director's Cut/Unrated Cut/Anniversary Edition, etcetera etcetera, we will have to endure for ANY DVD we already own? It's amazing the nerve of movie studios to continue laughing at our face with these so called "marketing strategies". Give me abreak! Enough already!!!!! Put the movie with all the special "stuff" in one DVD. I'm sure all movie fans will buy them and respect you a little more!

JFK (2011)

Oliver Stone's "JFK" is a monstrous epic that revolves around the whole mystery around President Kennedy's assassination. While it is a dramatic picture and Stone most likely twisted a few things to make this a more relevant and better movie, it is still an undeniable powerhouse that has you go through a whole set of emotions, ranging from fear, anger, paranoia and sadness. There's no question that the majority of the country believes that there is more to the assassination than we were lead to believe. I don't think it's exactly how it is in the movie, but that's not important. What is important is that the film works for many reasons.

President Kennedy has been assassinated. Lee Harvey Oswald is the suspect and gets shot shortly after. There is a secretive and brief hearing on the whole assassination, and it is in stone that Oswald was a lone gunman and nobody else was involved. Seems like an open-and-shut-case, but District Attorney Jim Garrison isn't willing to buy it. With his staff, they decide to work on the case, until they are shut down by the government. Three years later, Garrison isn't willing to stand by in silence anymore and decides to go ahead with the case. The further he digs, the more horrible truths he uncovers. Not only that, but people high up in the ranks are willing to do anything to make sure that the American Public will never find out about them.

As I said, this isn't meant to be an entirely accurate portrayal of how everything happened. It suggests to you that it could've been this way, and it even does a good job of presenting its case to you. What I think Stone was trying to achieve was to create his own commentary on how people feel about the handling of the whole assassination and how sloppily the case was handled. The film wasn't made to merely exploit the death of Kennedy, but what it does exploit is the fact that we're willing to believe anything they tell us in the media. It's a hard concept to grasp, because it's not too far from the truth. The movie is brilliantly directed and well-acted. Kevin Costner gives one of the best performances of his career. The film has a whole list of famous actors in it, like Gary Oldman, Kevin Bacon, Tommy Lee Jones, Joe Pesci, Sissy Spacek and a whole bunch more. They are all fantastic in their roles.

A word of warning; this is a VERY LONG movie. It is about 3 and a half hours long in running time. If you want to watch this, then you have to really commit to it. If you're not in the mood for a very lengthy movie, then you will not be able to enjoy this. The new 2-Disc Special Edition offers a remastered director's cut that looks and sounds great. Another interesting feature is the documentary, "Beyond JFK: The Question of Conspiracy." Extras included are deleted/extended scenes, commentary from the director, theatrical trailer, essays and DVD-ROM features. A very nice package that does the film justice.

JFK" is an amazing picture that did not bore me for a single second. Not only does it work as a powerful drama, but it also works as an intense thriller. Did everything happen the way the movie proposes? Maybe, maybe not. What the film does is make you think about everything that happened around the assassination. Any film that can get the brain thinking is more than okay in my book. A very character-driven and passionate epic that is perfectly executed by Oliver Stone.

-Michael Crane

This review refers to the 2 DiscOliver Stone CollectionSpecial Edition (Director's Cut) DVD

Oliver Stone uses facts,speculation and some dramatic liscense to bring us this fascinating look back at the aftermath of the Kennedy assassination.The New Orleans District Attorney at the time of the murder was Jim Garrison(Kevin Costner), who uncovers a chain of evidence that leads back to his city and a possible conspiracy theory.He persues the evidence,witnesses, and suspects, and finally years later brings the first and only trial of the conspiracy theory to the courts.

Stone's gripping film unpeels the layers of this "mystery wrapped in an enigma" by following Garrison and his staff's endless investigation into the facts.Interviews with the witnesses that heard and saw shots coming from the "grassy knoll" area, the "magic bullet" theory,which showed that there was more than one rifle and more than three bullets shot(as previously stated in the Warren Commission report) and conflicting autopsy reports to name a few.

Garrison also has conversations with a man called"X", who relays information vital to the case that causes us to ponder not who or how many shot Kennedy, but WHY was he assasinated. Speculation on this leads to one theory, the discovery that Kennedy had set a plan in motion to pull out of Viet Nam, but there were many powerful people against this(ranging from the mafia all the way to the White House), and the day of Kennedy's funeral Lyndon Johnson signed documents that in effect brought us full force into Viet Nam.Other theories are also brought to light.

The film,based on Jim Garrison's books, is outstanding in all respects. It looks at all of the issues and will keep you intrigued until the end. There is actual footage of the day of the assassination incorporated, and the photography going from color to black and white(in the flashbacks) is excellent. There are so many fine performances, I'll just name a few. Kevin Costner anchors this magnificent cast as the low key Garrison, Tommy Lee Jones is Clay Shaw,the only suspect brought to trial. Kevin Bacon as a key witness, Joe Pesci is wonderful as David Ferrie, the paranoid link to everyone, and Gary Oldman IS Lee Harvey Oswald! Donald Sutherland is the mysterious "X". The Musical Score by John Williams adds greatly to the film.

In most cases I usually view the "extras" on a DVD as a bonus. In this case I was as enthralled by these features as I was by the film. They were welcome additons to this film of historical importance. Some included are interviews with the real"X", this was very enligthning,and new and updated information on the evidence surrounding this 40 year old mystery. There are also deleted/extended scenes with or without Stone's commentary and more. There are also subtitles in English Frensh, Spanish and Portugese if needed.The widescreen,clarity of picture and sound is as wonderful as the film. This DVD is a great addition to any film library.

Each time I view this film I discover something new. You will too!.....Laurie

also recommended:

Marilyn Monroe The Final Days(great bio includes clip of Marilyn singing happy birthday to JFK)

Best Picture Collection Epic Dramas (Casablanca/Gone With the Wind/Ben-Hur)

Gandhi

Buy JFK (2011) Now

Oliver Stone's "JFK" is a remarkable film that is too often overshadowed by the very real events upon which it is based and by the perceived political agenda of its director. But, as Stone himself has stated on numerous occasions, the movie is not meant to stand as a definitive historical document but rather as an alternative look at what might have happened on that fateful day in Dallas given the conflicting and incomplete information that came out of the official final word on President Kennedy's assassination, The Warren Commission Report. Much of "JFK" is based on known fact but Stone has taken it one step further and extrapolated out a variety of possible realities based on the many unanswered questions and perplexing coincidences that surround the case.

The central character in the film is Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner), the district attorney from New Orleans who actually brought the case of the Kennedy assassination to court -some three years after the fact. Although his attempt to convict Clay Shaw (Tommy Lee Jones) of conspiracy in the assassination of the president was doomed to failure, the facts that he uncovered, and continued to pursue through his later writings on the subject, gave a certain legitimacy to the claims by conspiracy theorists that all was not right with the official investigation. Through countless scenes, the government's assertion that Lee Harvey Oswald (Gary Oldman) was in fact a lone gunman who acted of his own volition and with no outside help is continuously under siege. By the end of the film, every preconceived notion that the viewer may have had regarding the assassination has been called into question.

In addition to the actors mentioned above, "JFK" is a virtual who's-who of Hollywood talent. Rounding out the cast are Kevin Bacon, Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon, Donald Sutherland, Sissy Spacek, Joe Pesci, and even John Candy. In all instances, the performers bring a certain degree of mystery to their roles that really reinforces the overall disconcerting feel of the film.

Enough about the film already, what about the DVD? Well, as many of you know, Warner first released "JFK" as a movie-only edition back in 1997. While this DVD featured Oliver Stone's preferred director's cut of the movie with some 17 additional minutes of footage reinserted, the video was non-anamorphic and the audio was a merely serviceable DD 2.0 mix. In addition, the lack of any extras was a shame and the disc itself was a dreaded "flipper". With this new release, Warner has addressed all of these issues and "JFK" is at long last available in a fine special edition DVD.

"JFK" is presented in anamorphic widescreen, preserving the 2.35:1 aspect ratio of the original theatrical release. Sharpness is usually quite solid although the extensive use of filters lends a somewhat soft appearance to the image in a number of scenes. Black levels and contrast are good with only the darkest of scenes losing fine shadow detail. Colors are accurate and exhibit no signs of bleeding but the palette is, for the most part, somewhat muted. I could spot no instances of compression artifacts and the edge enhancement that plagued the original release is mercifully gone. The video is a marked improvement over the old release and, while it isn't a perfect transfer, I could find no glaring issues with the work Warner has done preparing this release.

Just as the video has been upgraded for the new special edition, so too has the audio. Replacing the fairly good Dolby Digital 2.0 mix on the previous release is a brand-new 5.1 channel Dolby Digital soundtrack available in both English and French. The increase in dynamic range afforded by this new mix really makes John Williams's moving score come alive and adds some overall depth to the soundtrack as a whole. Surround use is frequent and well-integrated and dialogue is always clear and firmly anchored to the center. While this new 5.1 mix certainly won't give the best soundtracks a run for their money, it is a fair improvement over the previous release and is very well done.

Now we come to that facet of DVD that truly defines a special edition -the extras. Seeing as how the film itself is quite long, Warner has taken the step of making "JFK" into a two-disc release in order to accommodate the plentiful bonus features.

Disc One features the movie itself and provides a very engaging commentary track by Oliver Stone. I've listened to a number of his commentaries and they are always informative, entertaining, and full of great personal and professional recollections. "JFK" is no exception as the director delves into every facet of this remarkable film. His tone is always conversational which makes the three plus hours spent listening to him more enjoyable than one might expect. Rounding out the extras on Disc One are cast and crew bios and filmographies as well as a list of the awards that "JFK" has garnered.



Disc Two is where the real strength of this special edition resides. First up is a 15 minute interview entitled "Meet Mr. X: The Personality and Thoughts of Fletcher Prouty" in which the real-life Mr. X discusses his particular take on the assassination. Played by Donald Sutherland in the movie, Mr. X was to Jim Garrison as Deep Throat was to Bob Woodward -a shadowy source who provides the hints needed to further the investigation. Next up is "Assassination Update: The New Documents," a 30 minute multimedia essay hosted by noted conspiracy theorist James DiEugenio. Combining text, photographs, and video clips, Mr. DiEugenio delivers a very riveting, if not a bit overwhelming and scattershot, look at the facts of the case that have come to light in recent years.



Are we done yet? Not even close. Also included on Disc Two is 50 minutes of additional footage that can be viewed individually or as a complete set and with or without Oliver Stone's accompanying commentary. Combine this with the 17 minutes previously added back into the film and you have well over an hour of footage that wasn't in the original theatrical release. As is the case with some of the scenes that were added to the director's cut, much of this bonus material is redundant. Nevertheless, there are some real gems here and it's great that this abundance of cutting room casualties are included on the DVD.

Rounding out the extras on Disc Two is the DVD-ROM content that features links to a number of websites, a series of theatrical trailers for this and other Oliver Stone films, print reviews of "JFK," and a link for a future online chat with Oliver Stone. Whew!

Now we turn to an aspect of this DVD that I rarely mention in a review -the packaging. "JFK" is presented in Warner's preferred snapper case, which should come as no surprise. But, in order to accommodate the two discs, a pocket has been added to the cover flap and Disc Two resides there in a flimsy little envelope. It really is a screwy method that may be a bit rough on that second disc over the long haul so it's best that the buyer be forewarned. But, on the plus side, Warner has taken the negative comments about this packaging to heart and have promised to come up with a better alternative for any future two disc sets.

"JFK" is a thought-provoking film that remains almost as big a conundrum as the subject upon which it is based. Many viewers and critics see it as nothing more than another political rant by that crazy Ollie Stone. Others have had their eyes opened wide upon seeing it and no longer view the world in quite the same rosy light as they once did. Skillfully filmed, well-acted, and at its very core quite unsettling, "JFK" stands as one of Oliver Stone's finest films.

And what better way to treat a great film than with a brand new two disc special edition DVD? Featuring vastly improved video and audio, the new release presents "JFK" in fine fashion. The wealth of bonus features that examine the film itself, and the real-life events it revolves around, add some much needed depth to the understanding of this pivotal moment in American history. Throw in the fact that Warner is offering this two disc special edition for much less than some studios sell their bare-bones DVDs for and you have a sure-fire winner. The film and the DVD both come very highly recommended.

Read Best Reviews of JFK (2011) Here

I'm surprised, after 40 years, that so much effort is still made to discredit Jim Garrison's investigation of the assassination of President Kennedy and Oliver Stone's telling movie "JFK".

Peter Jennings and ABC made a "heroic" effort to convince viewers that Oswald was a "lone nut" assassin. Even PBS sold out with their "Frontline" program, and a couple of others, about the JFK assassination.

As someone who has studied the JFK assassination, as an avocation, since 1968, I highly recommend Oliver Stone's "JFK" as an excellent starting point to understanding why Kennedy was assassinated.

Stone had to abbreviate the story. How could any film cover everything that happened from before Kennedy took the oath of office in January of 1961 until the trial of Clay Shaw in 1969 in a couple of hours? It isn't possible unless some artistic license is taken. An example is "X", the mysterious military colonel, who was based on more than one person but primarily on Col. L. Fletcher Prouty (who wrote the excellent book "JFK: The CIA, Vietnam and the Plot to Assassinate John F. Kennedy". The conversation, in the film "JFK", between "X" and District Attorney Jim Garrison, never took place. But it precisely summed up events which happened over a long period of time in the planning and execution of the assassination. If not for these kinds of artistic license a movie spanning nearly nine years would have to be several years long to include all details exactly as they happened.

The jury in the Clay Shaw trial believed there was a conspiracy, they just didn't have the proof they needed to convict Shaw. And it was no wonder they couldn't. The FBI, CIA and many other government entities did everything they could to thwart Garrison's investigation. His offices were bugged, "volunteers" removed stacks of documents, The FBI threatened his investigators, witnesses were murdered, Governors refused to extradite key witnesses, the judge wouldn't allow the police officer who booked Clay Shaw to testify that Shaw said he used the alias Clay Bertrand when being booked ... no D.A. could win a case under those circumstances. Even Johnny Carson, on NBC's "The Tonight Show", attacked Garrison over national television.

Garrison did a remarkable job, under the circumstances, of coming close to solving the assassination. Garrison's book "On The Trail of the Assassins: My Investigation and Prosecution of the Murder of President Kennedy" illustrates exactly what he was up against in bringing Clay Shaw to trial. If you can find this book buy it.

Why is the Kennedy assassination of any importance 40 years later? You have to understand what happened then to understand what has happened since. Why would the government, the media, authors, television program producers and others want to make you belive a lone nut assassin killed our President? Why did so many witnesses die so quickly? Why was evidence destroyed and modified? Why was Oswald silenced by Jack Ruby? Why was Oswald given Russian language training while in the Marines, sent to work at the largest CIA military base in Asia, then allowed to "defect" to Russia? Why would our government stand by and do nothing when Oswald tells the U.S. Embassy that he wants to give up his U.S. citizenship and says he is going to give Russia secrets about our U2 flights? Why would he be allowed to do that? Why, when he wanted to come back to the U.S., was he promptly given his passport, never debriefed, and even given travel money by a CIA cover group? Why wouldn't he be charged with treason? Why did Oswald pretend to be pro-Castro working out of the office of Guy Banister, a private investigator who was former ONI (Office of Naval Intelligence) and former head of the Chicago office of the F.B.I.? Why would Oswald hang out in a place within a couple of blocks of the Secret Service, the F.B.I., the C.I.A. and the O.N.I. offices in New Orleans if he had truly defected to Russia? Was Oswald being set up to be the "patsy" for the assassination? Why didn't the Warren Commission take Jack Ruby to Washington, D.C. where he said he could tell the truth? Why did Ruby suddenly contract a virulent form of colon cancer in his lungs just after being told he would get a re-trial? He claimed he was being injected with cancer and he died within a couple of months. Why would JFK's brain disapper from the National Archives along with autopsy photos? Why did LBJ have the limousine flown to Ford Motor Company and the windshield with a bullet hole removed and destroyed, as well as the carpet and parts of the interior replaced destroying that evidence. These, and hundreds of other questions, will come up as you watch "JFK" and do some searching on the internet.

Want JFK (2011) Discount?

It has been said that JFK is Oliver Stone's favorite of his films, and I can understand why. In many ways, it is his best. It is certainly his most ambitious. Even if taken only in terms of its visuals and editing, this was an ambitious undertaking. And he's taken it a step further. He has taken the dry minutiae (whether you can give a label of "hard facts" is debatable) and not only kept it from being boring, but has also made it compelling, gripping cinema. Three hours go by without a yawn.

Culled from two major sources--On the Trail of the Assassins by Jim Garrison (who is the lead character played by Kevin Costner) and Crossfire by Jim Marrs--as well as other governmental records and his own interviews, JFK is an almost complete picture of what information was available at the time.

Also involved in the film's riveting status is the all-star cast Stone has hired to portray important characters. A listing of actors in this film includes: Tommy Lee Jones, Joe Pesci, Sissy Spacek, Kevin Bacon, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, John Candy, and Gary Oldman. Donald Sutherland (playing "X," a character based on Fletcher Prouty) gives a ten-minute monologue that should have been dull as dishwater, but it is so chock-full of information combined with intercut dramatizations and John Williams stunning score, that it is a pivotal (and my favorite) scene in the movie.

There is so much information involved here that it could have easily become confusing or overwhelming but Stone and co-screenwriter Zachary Sklar have assembled the pieces in a narrative form--often having the information come out in the form of character interviews--and doesn't talk down to its audience. Also, the mix of film types--grainy documentary-like footage, differences in lighting and colored filters mixed with footage from the Zapruder film--was surely a step toward the making of Natural Born Killers a scant few years later.

My only question lies in Kevin Costner's performance as New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison. He gives his normal measured performance, but, apart from a workable Louisiana accent, never really delves into the character. Perhaps this is deliberate. After all, Garrison is only the means Stone uses to tell his story (putting other people's theories in the character's mouth along the way), so why wouldn't the actor playing him be just as much of a conduit? A familiar face that we have come to trust through his relationships with other quality films playing a man who we need to trust for the film to work. If this is so, it also explains the stunt casting of the key personalities: give us familiar faces so we don't have to learn new identities, we can just take what we know of their past performances and subconsciously layer that over the new ones.

I could keep going on but suffice to say that JFK is one of my favorite films and I recommend it highly as entertainment--regardless of what you think about the cause of the assassination.

(Other good reading on the subject is Don DeLillo's novel Libra, which suggests that Lee Harvey Oswald was hired to pull off an unsuccessful attempt on the president in order to blame it on Cuba and warn Kennedy to change his administration's relationship with that country.)