Buck

Neither my wife nor I had heard of the movie Buck. We went to see it because it was close to our motel in downtown Grand Junction, CO. It was spellbinding. Both my wife and I truly enjoyed the movie. It was an unexpected treat. Though it may seem to be about horse training it is really about life though Buck's life in particular. It will appeal to a far wider audience. I hope this movie goes in wide distribution because I think this movie would be enjoyed by many more than might see it in the limited distribution theater network. This would be a good parenting movie. I plan on buying the DVDs for my kids who are in their 30s, and maybe a few friends. See this movie.

I have known Buck for over twenty years and had horses in my life for over 40 years. I work with horses and use them to help humans who have survived trauma, who have physical challenges, or those who simply want to learn to be around a powerful, gentle, sensitive creature. Horses are the mirror for the human condition. If you are unbalanced they will not choose to approach you. If you have good, calm, welcoming energy they will be drawn to that. If you are angry forget it, they will have nothing to do with you. I am delighted with the accurate portrayal of Buck. Kudos to Cindy Meehl and crew on a documentary well done!

If you are not a horse person, you will gain insight into how people can overcome. That old adage that, 'abusers grow up to become abusers' is simply not true. I have several friends that are in the mental health field and they love the film.

If you are a horse person you may find a new path to getting more done with your horse by doing LESS sooner.... ah, that old gem: prepare for the transition and the transition will take care of itself...

Buck is holding the bar high and hoping we can all aspire to finding softness and harmony; in ourselves, with our horses, and in life.

This film is a treasure, we have been invited into the lives of some very special people. Watch it, look in your "mirror" assess what is reflected there, change where you need to then go share. Pay it forward and the world will be a better place.

FYI I've seen this twice now with friends and would go again if asked while it's still up on the "big screen" every time I watch it I get something new.

Enjoy & happy trails

Buy Buck Now

You walk away with a better understanding of people, and hopefully more respect and understanding for living things than before you saw this film. And that is worth a lot.

So, don't think it's just all cowboys and horses, it isn't really that at all, only on the surface.

Read Best Reviews of Buck Here

Buck Brannaman is the "real enchilada", a man for whom it would seem the term, "cowboy" was coined. Enduring beatings from their abusive tyrannical father, Buck and his brother were professional trick ropers by the time Buck was 4 1/2. After their mother's death, authorities finally removed the boys from their dark home life. Through the love of his foster parents, Buck managed to leave his haunted past behind, though not without heavy scarring, on his soul as well as his body.

As one of the interviewees pointed out during the movie, perhaps "tortured souls", such as she calls Buck, have a special sensitivity to the horses they help that the average trainer lacks. Whatever it is, Buck's feel for the horse has enabled him to help thousands of horses with their "people problems", as he is wont to call them. "Buck" follows Brannaman as he takes to the road for nine months of each year, giving 2-day clinics all over the country. There is even footage of his daughter, Riata and her girlfriend, as they accompany him for part of the time, as well as Mary Brannaman, Buck's wife of many years.

Fans of Buck Brannaman will slurp this movie up like a kid eating ice cream on a hot day. But its appeal is far broader than just for those who love horses. Scenery is excellent, the music is catchy, and there are scenes of working cattle, Californios roping with Buck and Riata, and what most fans probably are looking for, Buck doing his thing with horses with issues. More than this, though, is the weaving of Buck's past through the film, along with footage of some of the Western horse world's greats, such as Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt, mentors of Brannaman.

As if all this weren't enough, "Buck" shows how oftentimes clinics are about more than getting a handle on your horse. As Buck says, the horse is our mirror. Owners' issues are reflected quite accurately in their horses' attitudes and actions. And when Buck begins to pull threads on the horse, you can just about bet, one or two ends will be firmly attached to the owner. Tears and other emotions often rise to the surface, and people usually find they learn more than they'd imagined they would, at day's end. Sensitive he may be, but Brannaman pulls no punches when it comes to giving "tough love" to his clients. If they ask, he will tell them what they need to hear, which is many times far different from what they may want to hear!

"Buck" is nicely done; not too long, with just the right mix of lightness, humor, and drama to keep viewers' interest high. And ultimately, the scenes of Buck on a horse just shouldn't be missed. No one sits a horse like Buck Brannaman! See it; you'll be glad you did! I can't wait for the DVD!!!!

Want Buck Discount?

This was a "no holds barred" documentary during which Buck candidly shares his thoughts on many subjects, not only those related to horses. Having had a troubled childhood, Brannaman matured into a really fine adult who has helped a lot of horses, as well as many people. The sequence near the end of the movie shows that some horses are actually beyond help. However, during most of the movie we can see how well he handles horses that others find to be problematic. He has real respect for the animals and, in most cases, they seem to appreciate it and respond in kind. This movie should appeal to more viewers than simply horse lovers.

Paul Baragona

Raleigh, NC

Save 50% Off

Earth vs. the Flying Saucers[Region Free] (2008)

These films,were in fact filmed in either 1,85 or 1,66,both Widescreen for the cinemas.

Being a Projectionist working in the 50's I can vouch that these films were all presented in Widescreen.

So as one reviewer puts it,these are not fake Widescreen'but are being presented as they were originally filmed.

Had to clear that up.

Here is a list for people jaded by "Star Wars"-type digital special effects and Bruce Willis-type smart-aleck dialogue of what the classic science fiction film "Earth versus the Flying Saucers" (1956) does not boast: it is not processed in Technicolor but only in (glorious) black-and-white; it does not show whole cities sprung sky-high by death-rays or fleets of numberless star cruisers nuking it out among the nebulae; its aliens do not look like the dripping unsought-for results of recombinant DNA experimentation, nor are they invulnerable so that stopping them depends on a hasty "deus ex machina" tacked on by the screenwriters; its scientist hero and his wife are mature people, not teenagers or "twenty-somethings" escaped from prime-time television; they act with deliberation and do not pump air or dance a jig when their efforts prove effective; when people die in the film, they die without bravado. People who insist on such things should know in advance that their particular adrenaline-addiction will not be fixed by this film. Intelligent and discriminating viewers, on the other hand, can expect the superb model-work of Ray Harryhausen deployed economically but satisfyingly throughout the film. They can also expect thoughtful, jargon-free dialogue from screenwriters George Worthington Yates and Raymond T. Marcus, working from a story by Kurt ("Donovan's Brain") Siodmak, and taught direction from Fred F. Sears. "EVFS" gratifyingly violates one of the formulas of 1950s sci-fi cinema: it does not make the audience wait to see the alien nemesis, continually postponing a disappointing appearance, but exposes its first saucer within two minutes of the opening segment. As Dr. Russell Marvin (Hugh Marlowe) and his newlywed wife (Joan Taylor) drive down a California desert highway toward the rocket test-site where Marvin directs his earth satellite program, an enormous craft swoops down on them, maneuvering around the speeding car. Both are fazed by the experience and don't quite believe their senses. When Marvin tries to launch another one of his "artificial moons," a saucer lands on the grounds; soldiers fire on the robot-like aliens, whereupon the craft takes to the air again and uses its ray to blast the installation. It is while waiting to be rescued from the bunker where they have been caught that Marvin and his wife discover that their tape-recorder contains a message from aliens, beamed at them during their close encounter on the highway. The message is apparently friendly, but the aliens turn out to be intent on taking the earth by force. Marvin and his scientist cronies race to develop a weapon to neutralize the saucer-fleet, which makes its attack on Washington D.C. in the film's brilliant finale. Supporting performances come from the ubiquitous Morris Ankrum and from Donald Curtis. Ankrum appears in nine out of ten 1950s sci-fi "B" movies, or so it seems. (See "Flight to Mars" or "Kronos.") Midway through the film, Marvin and his wife, in company with his wife's father, an Air Force general played by Ankrum, board a saucer that has landed on the beach, ostensibly on the Virginia shore. The location is actually Westward Beach, in Malibu, about a thousand feet from where I lived as a teenager, looking as deserted an alien as it is possible to imagine. It is a remarkably stark scene. The interior of the saucer is sparsely and therefore effectively conceived. The aliens regard themselves as supermen, classically "beyond good and evil." In the assault on D.C., Ray Harryhausen contrives to destroy every major national monument in the city. That the alien hardware is not indestructible lends the story credibility: the implication is that humanity is equal to the battle, provided that it does not panic. The DVD of "EVFS" includes two featurettes, "This is Dynamation," about Harryhausen's signature technique, and the more specialized "The Making of Earth versus the Flying Saucers." Presentation is in wide-screen, a real boon. (The VHS was in pan-and-scan television format.) This is a terrifically entertaining item from the black-and-white "alien invasion" genre. Highly recommended.

Buy Earth vs. the Flying Saucers[Region Free] (2008) Now

This is a 2 disk set. The main film is, like "20 Million Miles to Earth: 50th Anniversary Edition", on 1 disk in both a digitally-restored black & white original version and newly colorized version. This is made possible by a process Sony calls "Chromachoice". This allows you to switch between the color and b/w versions of the film at any time by simply pressing the "angle" button on your remote. It's a good idea but some would argue that it's flawed in execution. I'm one of those. On my player the "angle" icon comes up every time there is a chapter stop and will NOT go away until I press the "clear" button. This is very annoying but at least I can get it off the screen! Based on reports on "20 Million..." other players will display this icon the entire film. There may or may not be a way of disabling this on your player. Frankly, I would rather choose from a menu which version to watch as the novelty of switching wears off after a while and the annoyance of the constantly appearing icon does not. While this is possible you still get the icon "popup" at chapter stops.

Special features on a 2nd disk are:

Audio Commentary by Ray Harryhausen and Other Visual Effects Specialists

Featurette: Harryhausen on Earth vs. The Flying Saucers

Featurette: A Present Day Look at Stop Motion

Featurette: Tim Burton Sits Down with Ray Harryhausen

Featurette: Interview with Joan Taylor

Featurette: David Schecter on Film Music's Unsung Hero

Featurette: The Hollywood Blacklist and Bernard Gordon

Video Photo Galleries

Advertising Artwork video montage of film's ad materials by Producer Arnold Kunert

Sneak Peek of Digital Comic Book Flying Saucers vs. the Earth

All-in-all a good package for a classic Harryhausen film marred only by "Chromachoice" which reduces the score from 5 to 4 stars.

If you are concerned about possible problems with "Chromachoice" on your player, I recommend that you borrow/rent a copy of the newly remastered versions of "20 Million Miles to Earth" , "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers", or "It Came from Beneath the Sea" first to check your player for compatibility issues.

Read Best Reviews of Earth vs. the Flying Saucers[Region Free] (2008) Here

Released in 1956, "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers" was the second film visual effects genius Ray Harryhausen did with producer Charles Schneer. They had previously worked together on the gigantic octopus vs. San Francisco film "It Came from beneath the Sea," and would go on to craft a long series of color fantasy movies that remain favorites with all ages today. "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers" (or "E v. FS" if you prefer) arose from Schneer's interest in the flying saucer-sighting craze of the day. Curt Siodmak, author of many of Universal's classic monster films, hatched the original story of a full-scale invasion by alien craft, but the final script is credited to George Worthing Yates and Raymond T. Marcus. Harryhausen found himself animating not monsters, but futuristic spacecraft. Thus, the film is quite a departure from his usual fare, but nevertheless Harryhausen infuses the movie with his genius and personality. "E v. FS" is the ESSENTIAL alien invasion flick of the decade, far more entertaining than George Pal's stuffy "The War of the Worlds." Everything you want from 50s science-fiction flick is here, and with Harryhausen's visual effects, it all looks damn cool too!

The husband and wife science team of Hugh Marlowe and Joan Taylor (both fun performances) investigate a rash of saucer sighting. The aliens have come to Earth to seek aid, but when they land the trigger-happy military opens fire and the aliens retaliate with a ruthless war of destruction. But don't fear, our peppy scientist couple have come up with a wild invention that may stop the destructive alien visitors. It all concludes in a wild scene over Washington D.C., and not all the monuments end up in good shape.

Ironically, Harryhausen doesn't have very positive feelings about the film: "It remains for me the least favourite of all our pictures. There is a dividing line between science fiction and fantasy, although they can occasionally overlap.... Fantasy has a poetic appeal radiating romance and warmth, whereas science fiction, with all its preoccupations with machines, politics and scientific apparatus, has a tendency to reflect coldness and indifference."

Well, Ray is certainly entitled to his own opinions about his work and his preferece for fantasy, but I think "E v. FS" works amazingly. There's a general giddiness about it, and a sense of invention, that speaks directly to modern viewers tired of the overblown and grim action and science fiction films of today. Harryhausen's flying saucers astonish, moving with jittery speed and very animated motions. The aliens themselves wield awesome technology, like death rays, brain probing beams, and vibrating shields that protect their ships (stunning effects, all of them). The budget limitations resulted in alien suits that are bit simplistic, but they still work. And the finale in Washington is a humdinger. Harryhausen's models and the intricate portrayal of the destruction still look astonishing. He even manages to make creative use of stock footage, instead of merely relying on it for a cheap shortcut as so many other 50s science fiction pictures did.

This excellent DVD presents the film in its original 1.85:1 format (I'll bet you didn't know it was a widescreen film) enhanced for widescreen TVs. Also included is "The Harryhausen Chronicles," a feature-length documentary on Harryhausen's work; it appears on all of Columbia's Harryhausen DVDs, so you might have seen it before. New for this DVD is an interview between Harryhausen and director Joe Dante ("Gremlins"). It's short, but you learn some great secrets about the film straight from its creator's mouth, and you also and get to see the original saucer models. Dante also shares his personal memories about seeing the film as a child.

This is a must for any Harryhausen fan or anybody who loves the 1950s Golden Age of alien invaders.

Want Earth vs. the Flying Saucers[Region Free] (2008) Discount?

A few months ago, Ray Harryhausen told an interviewer that his 50's black and white classics were being colorized, and he was happy with the quality. Amazon lists these 3 films as being in color, but they are NOT (Supplemental material is in color). The booklet contains exerpts from Harryhausen's Animated Life book, so there is no new material here for Harryhausen fans. Since these three films are already included in the Sci-Fi Harryhausen box set, I am curious as to why this set was released at all. If you don't have these films, I highly recommend them as an example of the brilliant stop-motion animation work produced during Harryhausen's early career. For rabid fans, nothing new.

Innocent Bystanders (1972)

DOES NOT APEAR TO BE STATED ON THE PRODUCT ITSELF, BUT AMAZON IS CORRECT FOR THIS BLU-RAY'S REGION CODING. SADLY, IT WILL NOT PLAY ON REGION B PLAYERS, AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION WHEN THERE HAS BEEN NO SEPARATE RELEASE FOR REGION B.

I was pleased to discover that Amazon carried the DVD of this 1972 British spy film.

I had only seen (in part) one other version and that was a version shown on network television years ago. For some reason, the TV version in the USA included additional scenes, apparently filmed in New York. I know that it has been a trend lately to release DVD versions (and even theatrical versions) of films called the extended cut, the director's cut, or a version with an alternate ending.

The early version of INNOCENT BYSTANDERS was, I believe, one of those theatrical films with new scenes added to the televised version to pad it out to fit into a network time slot that could include commercials. The most shameless example of this is the Hammer film KISS OF EVIL or KISS OF THE VAMPIRE which has newly (and insipid) scenes filmed for the televised showing. In some cases, scenes in the original theatrical films are often expurgated because they include footage (usually violent) that is considered by heavy-handed censors to be inappropriate for the sensibilities of mainstream America who are not yet accustomed to cable programs. The version of INNOCENT BYSTANDERS that I saw on network TV includes a scene where John Craig (Stanley Baker) breaks the arm of a watchman and causes him to faint. Also included is a scene where a young girl touches his arm in affection and Craig responds: "What are you doing?" He tells his companion that feelings were cut out of him when he was tortured in the past.

These two scenes were not included in the DVD released by Amazon, which is, apparently, the theatrical version. A reader may point out that I, perhaps, confused two separate films that both starred Stanley Baker. This is not the case because I clearly remember Baker (as agent Craig) telling his companion -an Israeli agent portrayed by Geraldine Chaplin -about his physical and mental problems. It seems a bit questionable that such an innocent bystander as Ms.Chaplin would want to seduce an impotent "old" agent as Craig, but this is, in fact, what happens.

At breakfast the next morning -after his apparent renaissance -she tells Craig that he should be grateful for her restoring his ability. He thanks her, but a bit cynically. She adds that perhaps she wasn't "that good," and he responds to her compliment-fishing by confirming that she was. Later, when she is tortured by a sadistic British agent sent along to undercut Craig's efforts (Derrin Nesbitt from THE NAKED RUNNER and WHERE EAGLES DARE), Craig is quite sympathetic and reveals important information to spare her further pain and humiliation (what Nesbitt does to Ms. Chaplin is not clear because his torturing takes place off-screen).

Nesbitt is effective as one of the agents sent on the same mission as Craig (supposedly without the latter's knowledge). The other agent is an image of compassion and gentility when compared to Nesbitt; she is played by Sue Lloyd (the female love interest in THE IPCRESS FILE -one of the greatest spy films ever), who is as accurate with a gun as Craig but a bit quicker. Stanley Baker, however, is superb as the no-nonsense, non-romantic aging agent who is betrayed by his non-trusting and not-trustworthy superior Loomis, stiff-upper-lipped Donald Pleasence. Also on hand is the CIA in the person of Dana Andrews. As a hero from 1940s and 1950s films, Andrews seems out of place here -but perhaps it is only his non-matching fright wig that he perhaps sports to take our attention away from Stanley Baker's own hairstyle that seems that it does not belong.

I have been a fan of Stanley Baker since he portrayed Achilles in the 1955 international epic HELEN OF TROY. Despite his dark hair (Homer's Achilles was supposed to be blond as he is played by Gordon Mitchell and Brad Pitt), Baker is the best on-screen Achilles ever -capturing the fury of that semi-god from Greece mythology. I also like Baker in HELL DRIVERS (which features a minor role by Sean Connery), ZULU, IN THE FRENCH STYLE, and SANDS OF THE KALAHARI, which I will soon order from Amazon. I have nothing against long hair (I often wear my own blond hair long), but somehow the style as worn in INNOCENT BYSTANDERS doesn't somehow seem suited to Mr. Baker as an "older", black-haired agent. Perhaps he sports this style to make clear that he is an anti-Bond. He (like Michael Caine in the five Harry Palmer films) doesn't use ridiculous gadgets supplied by Q branch but relies instead on his wits and marksmanship. The sequence where he shoots fellow agent Nesbitt in the foot is not to be missed (Kudos to Nesbitt or his stunt double for his flipping forward after being hit by Craig's bullet).

The ending seems to come rather quickly, but we, at least, know that he outsmarts his double-crossing superior Pleasence (an incredibly unlikeable superior in the mode of Stewart Granger who double crosses RIchard Burton and the other mercenaries in THE WILD GEESE) by flying to Beirut where he may (the romantics among us hope) meet up again with Ms. Chaplin. Don't be fooled by the glitzy, flashy, pop-culture artwork on the cover of the DVD of INNOCENT BYSTANDERS. This is not a Dean Martin humor-fest (like we see in the Matt Helm romps) but a fairly gritty spy tale not unlike the Harry Palmer films. It has plenty of action, but the action is believable and plot-enhancing.

Check it out. In the meantime, let us hope that the fad of releasing many versions of a film in order to milk dry every possible penny from DVD sales will eventually end. Let's make one version of a film and stick with it. After all, how many versions of the "Mona Lisa" do we find?

Buy Innocent Bystanders (1972) Now

John Craig, a British operative regarded as expendable, is sent on what is intended to be his last assignment, in Innocent Bystanders, a tough, gritty, and at times brutal espionage thriller, that is enjoyable for its realism, and very cynical British sensibilities. Capably directed by Peter Collinson (The Italian Job, The Long Day's Dying), the film features an outstanding cast, headed by Stanley Baker (Zulu, The Guns of Navarone).

John Craig is a spy who has sacrificed much for Queen and Country. After being tortured by electrical shock, he suffers from post traumatic stress, and has also become impotent. Loomis (Donald Pleasance), Craig's boss at Department K, believes that while still competent at killing, Craig is damaged goods, and decides to use him as a decoy, on a mission to recover a missing agronomist named Aaron Kaplan (Vladek Shebal), who supposedly can make the desert bloom. Having escaped from a Russian prison camp, the highly valued Kaplan is also being sought by the Russians, and the Americans.

Loomis' "first team" are Joanna Benson (Sue Lloyd), and Andrew Royce (Derren Nesbitt), two younger agents who are assigned to backup Craig, and move in when he fails. Royce openly disrespects Craig, calling him an "old man", while Benson is more circumspect than her impetuous partner, as Craig is dispatched to New York to question Kaplan's brother.

While Loomis appears to be cooperating with an American agent named Blake (Dana Andrews), both the British and Americans are determined to get Kaplan for themselves. Once a finely honed instrument, Craig is now regarded as broken down, and no longer capable of excellence. He surprises his detractors however, jumping ahead in the game, kidnapping Miriam Loman (Geraldine Chaplin), a woman who may have some clue to where Kaplan is hiding. The trail eventually leads to the Middle East, and then Cyprus, where the intrigue, danger, and violence increases, as the various parties scramble to recover Kaplan. The body count begins to rise, on what will surely be Craig's final assignment.

For what this movie was intended to be, the acting performances are spot on. The lanky Baker isn't debonair, but he fits the bill as an intelligent and brutally efficient survivor. Craig starts out as a broken man who screams from imaginary pain, but he regains his manhood, and proves that he isn't quite "past it" yet. Derren Nesbit (Where Eagles Dare) is terrific as the arrogant pretty boy, who in the end does what he was trained to do. And Sue Lloyd (The Baron), does a nice job as his inscrutable partner.

Although he would later become an icon in the Halloween films, coincidentally playing a character named "Loomis", Donald Pleasance is also excellent here, as a cold, calculating, and confident bureaucrat, accustomed to playing God. As Miriam Loman, Geraldine Chaplan (Dr. Zhivago, Nashville) provides most of what little humanity there is, although as the "innocent bystander", Loman is deeper than she appears. Quirky Warren Mitchell, is entertaining as Omar, an enterprising guide, and Vladek Shebal (From Russia With Love), is solid in an understated role.

John Craig first appeared in four novels published between 1964 and 1969. James Mitchell wrote the books, under the penname "James Munro", and The Innocent Bystanders, published in 1969, was the last in the series. Mitchell also wrote the screenplay, and nicely captures the novel's serious tone, with characters that are mostly hardened professionals. With some cinematic action elements, and touches of dark humor, Innocent Bystanders is an interesting and enjoyable watch, for the discriminating espionage aficionado.

Ending on an abruptly defiant note, this stark and cynical adventure, has virtually nothing in common with the glamour and affluence of the Roger Moore era Bond films. If that's your type of espionage, give this movie a chance. Unfortunately, Stanley Baker would never reprise the role of Craig, as he passed away in 1976 at only 48 years of age.

Read Best Reviews of Innocent Bystanders (1972) Here

The Devil's Backbone (Criterion Collection) (2001)

Guillermo del Toro is currently known as the guy who made the Oscar-winning "Pan's Labyrinth," the "Hellboy" movies, and came close to directing "The Hobbit."

But way back in in 2001, del Toro made a movie that serves as a sport of ghost-story prequel to "Pan's Labyrinth." With its mysterious specter, innocent hero and a story set during a bloody civil war, "The Devil's Backbone" is a unique kind of horror movie -it deftly sidesteps the cheap tricks and scares that most ghost stories employ.

Unaware that his father has been killed, Carlos (Fernando Tielve) thinks that he's being left at a remote orphanage only temporarily. Kindly Dr. Casares (Federico Luppi) sympathizes with the lonely new boy, but Carlos soon is distracted from his troubles. He keeps seeing shadows, footprints and falling pitchers -and when he wanders down into the vaulted cellar, he catches a glimpse of a silent ghost with a bleeding head wound. Even worse, the ghost -which was a boy named Santi -informs him that many people there will die.

But the most dangerous one at the orphanage is the brutal former-orphan Jacinto (Eduardo Noriega), who is searching for a cache of hidden gold. As Carlos tries to figure out how Santi died -and what angry, miserable Jaime (Íñigo Garcés) has to do with it -the orphanage is suddenly turned into an explosive war zone. As Dr. Casares tries to protect the remaining boys, Carlos discovers the reason Santi died -and what he wants now.

"The Devil's Backbone" is a movie filled with death: the orphanage is a dying institution in a time of war, filled with orphans and surrounded by sun-burnt grass. It even has a defused torpedo stuck right in the middle of the courtyard. By the time the ghost shows up, it seems like almost a natural part of such a ruined, quietly sorrowful place.

Fortunately Guillermo del Toro avoids cheap scares -the ghost doesn't make weird noises or leap out at Carlos for no reason. Instead he evokes the fear of a child in a dark, creaky old house who is ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that there's something out there. Also some beautifully creepy visuals, such as blood floating in the air as if it were in water.

But the whole creepy-ghostly-factor is eclipsed about halfway through the movie. After a slow buildup of tension, everything suddenly erupts when Jacinto suddenly reveals his true self. Suddenly we've got explosions, blood, shattered glass, mangled bodies and an all-too human enemy who is slowly closing in. It makes the ghostly Santi seem suddenly very... nonthreatening.

And though the plot seems simple, del Toro spins a spiderweb of interconnected hints and plot threads -comic books, slug collections, a wooden leg and blood-tinged water all come into play. There's loads of symbolism, and the beautiful scenes (Dr. Casares' final poetry recital to Carmen) are handled just as powerfully as the more gory, ghastly ones (the orphans' final assault).

It's kind of amazing that this was Tielve's movie debut, because he's simply incredible -his character slides through fear, courage, sorrow and confusion, all with a kind of unshakable innocence. Garcés is equally good; at first he seems like a mere bully, but we gradually see how troubled and guilty he feels over what happened to Santi. Noriega is thoroughly nasty as a greedy, sociopathic thug who cares about nobody except himself (even his fiancee), while Luppi is a kindly, cultured old man who obviously loves the boys as if they were his own.

I can't think of a better movie to receive a Criterion release, and there's a decent showing of material in this new release -new subtitle translations and film restoration; a booklet by Mark Kermode; audio commentary, video introduction and new interviews with del Toro himself; older interviews; a making-of documentary; storyboards and concept sketches compared to the final film; deleted scenes with commentary; del Toro's notes, and so on.

"The Devil's Backbone" is a haunting kind of ghost story, where the ghost is not the scariest thing you'll see. A powerful, striking movie.

Guillermo del Toro's 'El Espinazo del Diablo' "The Devil's Backbone" tells a story set during the Spanish civil war in the 30's where a new orphan Carlos arrives at an orphanage that holds dark secrets. A few years before a young boy named Santi was murdered and recently the other boys who call him "He Who Whispers" tell Carlos about him and when Carlos first sees Santi the ghost boy tells him that many others will die. Carlos makes fast friends with some of the other boys and they're all wary about a large unexploded bomb that has landed in their courtyard. Plus, there's also the mystery of some gold that is kept in a secret hiding place by Dr Caspares.

When del Toro makes films in his native language they're just brilliant and this one is a precursor to his even bigger hit the Oscar winning 'El Labarinto del Fauno" "Pan's Labyrinth". As you can tell, this reviewer prefers to name the films by their foreign titles. So for genuine chills in a frightening ghost story when 'El Espinazo del Diablo' comes to Criterion Blu Ray at the end of July, snag it it's worth any price. A great film with a top-notch cast the boys are naturals in this "Oliver Twist" ghost story from one of our most imaginative directors.

Buy The Devil's Backbone (Criterion Collection) (2001) Now

Not only is this the best Guillermo del Toro movie ever made, it is one of the best ghost stories of all time. Practically everything he has made since then has fallen in the shadow of this film.

Read Best Reviews of The Devil's Backbone (Criterion Collection) (2001) Here

Not as eerie or creepy or as interesting as I had hoped for. I had heard so much hype about how scary and spooky this film was, but unfortunately it was just hype. This film has beautiful cinematography and the ghost kid is very creepy, but it wasn't enough to hold my interest.

Want The Devil's Backbone (Criterion Collection) (2001) Discount?

Venom

... but the DVD edition has the option for English or Spanish subtitles.

Echo Bridge is so inconsistent from title to title in whether or not their releases are subtitled and as of this writing, probably 99% of Echo Bridge releases (from their cheapie "20 Horror Films on One Disc!" to single titles) are not subtitled in any way, shape, or form.

As far as a review for "Venom", it was an okay little voodoo-esque thriller with a talented cast of enthusiastic actors who are recognizable to those of us who live for horror flicks:

Agnes Bruckner (as Eden Sinclair, the protagonist)

Jonathan Jackson (as Eric, Eden's on-again, off-again boyfriend)

Meagan Good (as Cece, friend and co-worker of Eden)

The late Deborah Duke (as Miss Emmie, the excavator of "the box" and Cece's aunt)

Bijou Phillips (as Tammy, another friend of Eden)

Laura Ramsey (as Rachel, and yet another friend of Eden)

D.J. Cotrona (as Sean, a friend of Eric),

Method Man (as Deputy Turner),

and the incorrigible Rick Cramer (as the misunderstood truck driver Ray Sawyer)

"Venom" was produced by Kevin Williamson and directed by Jim Gillespie.

I liked "Venom" on DVD enough to pick it up on Blu-ray, assuming that if the DVD had English subtitles that the Blu-ray edition would certainly have subtitles?

I was wrong. The Blu-ray edition of "Venom" is NOT subtitled either in English or Spanish and Echo Bridge has fooled me once again.

In all fairness though, the BD edition does not state that it is subtitled so I really can't blame Echo Bridge for my not being careful enough and not reading the rear-cover specifications.

I enjoyed the film (with all its atmospheric darkness, wetness, greasiness and accursed voodoo-zombie story) and give this well-done horror outing a solid Four Stars out of Five.

But no subtitles for this Blu-ray version when the DVD had subtitle options? That, I don't understand.

"Venom " is one of those movies I thought I would hate because I heard so much negativity about it but I really enjoyed it. Being a fan of the 70's and 80's slashers I crave new Slashers because I have seen all the other ones over and over again.

Venom did NOT disappoint me.

It starts off with a bang and never lets up.I found it to be a very worthy addition to the new horror/slasher flicks'

The voodoo angle was good but not overplayed. I'm simple in that I want to see a killer with an axe , machete butcher knife etc not a bunch of supernatural mumbo jumbo..I don't want to have to wonder if something is a dream or real.

Give me an old fashioned slice and dice and I'm in heaven.and Venom gave me that and I hope to see Venom 2 if so I'm there. Venom has Lot's of great gore effects and good actors I'm a big Agnes Bruckner fan,seeing as she has become quite the Scream Queen.If you are terrified of snakes by all mean watch this,after all isn't being terrified what watching a horror movie is all about ?

(For the record, Mr Jangles used the hook & Chain before Kane in see No Evil...)

Buy Venom Now

I did not have high hopes, but I am always buying horror films in the hope that they are fun and scary. While this movie would not result in nightmares, the film was quite well done. The camera work, the quality of the compositions and colors, and the acting were all solid and without any critical flaws. The storyline was well thought out and was believable to anyone who appreciates the genre. This kill scenes were gory and the special effects and make up were true to life. Overall, this was a fun voodoo based movie that was worth buying and adding to the collection.

Read Best Reviews of Venom Here

With the name like "Venom" you would expect a big ole improbable snake. Nope. This is a slasher film. Ray (Rick Cramer) while performing an act of kindness, gets killed and bitten by snakes. These aren't just any snakes, but snakes who have evil souls within them. The souls are transferred through the venom to the dead Ray, who doesn't stay dead. It is up to the teens to save the day.

Other than the manner in which the slasher is created, this film offers nothing really new to the genre. No clever dialouge, no memorable characters, no special killing scenes, no shower scenes. It's Louisiana, voodoo, kids and a slasher. Nice cemetery. I obtained mine on a Wal Mart 20 pack. $5.00 for all 20 films.

Parental Guide: f-bombs. No sex, no nudity. Girl showing off her stolen leather bra, "a crook with a nice rack."

Want Venom Discount?

I sold the DVD edition of this and upgraded to the Blu-ray edition. Very pleased with my purchase. This looks miles better than the DVD copy I had. Made this great movie much more enjoyable to watch.

Save 20% Off

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (Blu-ray + Digital Copy + UltraViolet) (2006)

Lucas Black (the kid from the "American Gothic" TV series and the "X-Files" movie) has matured into a charismatic young actor with a brooding screen presence. He does a terrific job picking up the franchise torch from Vin Diesel and Paul Walker in this killer sequel, a well crafted guilty pleasure that delivers the Fast and Furious goods.

Sexy, colorful, edgy, expertly paced, with a great opening sequence and a knockout ending, "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" is formula genre filmmaking at its absolute finest. The movie has a beautiful female lead (Nathalie Kelley), cool sidekicks, wonderfully over the top villains, and a great setting (the filmmakers do a great job utilizing the Tokyo locations).

This movie is a real rush of adrenaline. A wicked guilty pleasure that lives up to its title.

Loud, Brash, Noisy, Sexy, Morally Murky, Bursting with Energy and Guts, Justin Lin's (the terrific "Better Luck Tomorrow") take on episode 3 of the "Fast and Furious" franchise is a great way to spend a hot Summer afternoon along with a gallon size soft drink and a tub of Popcorn.

Here Lin is in Tokyo with the stoic, deadpan line reading Lucas Black (as the booted out of the US to avoid Juvenile detention, Shane Boswell...a car nut addicted to driving fast and grinning like a Cheshire cat) who, of course finds the local car culture and its inhabitants by way of a school pal, Twinkie played by the appealing Bow-Wow. And he just as quickly falls in with the "wrong crowd" consisting of Han, a sort of Sensei to Shane (the enigmatic and excellent Sung Kang from "Face" and "Better Luck Tomorrow"), and the villain of the piece, Yamata played with his face crunched and a constant sneer by Sonny Chiba. Then there is the lovely Neela (Nathalie Kelley...a dead ringer for FFI's Jordana Brewster): like Shane and Twinkie a High School (!)student with very, very permissive parents.

Lin directs this piece to within an inch of its life: your eyes and ears are never bored, never without something to feast your eyes upon or pop your fingers to.

Lin never judges his characters, we never feel that he is slumming...he always respects the material he is given to direct and he always puts his personal stamp on everything that he does.

I wish he were given something as meaningful and heartfelt as "Better Luck Tomorrow" to direct but he's young and he has many many movies to make before he is through.

Buy The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (Blu-ray + Digital Copy + UltraViolet) (2006) Now

The cast in this movie was extremely well chosen, and they all acted very well. Sean is a reckless, charming, somewhat troubled teenager, but he doesn't come across as stupid and careless--despite his angst and frequent bungles, he is immediately likable. When a car race with a peer at his school results in two wrecked cars and extensive damage to a local construction site, the only alternative he has to jail is to move to Tokyo and live with a relative (his father, I thought, but maybe his uncle...).

In Tokyo, Sean quickly discovers the racing scene. After trashing a race car, he has no choice but to work for Han, the car's owner, as compensation. Han is by far the best character in this movie, to the point that he seems out of place--you just don't expect a character THAT good in this sort of action flick. Han is a whimsical, philosophical and intense character. He completely upstages Sean and almost from the first moment you see him, calmly eating his chips while he watches Sean destroy his expensive race car, you want to see more of him.

Much of the movie's impetus comes from D.K. and Neela. D.K., short for "Drift King," is the top racer in the area and the nephew of a local yakuza boss. He's partners with Han and is obsessed with Neela, a peer of Sean's at school. D.K. dislikes Sean immediately, noting Sean's interest in Neela and tensions between the two of them escalate throughout the movie, leading to the "climax" which is a night race down an extremely windy road out in the middle of nowhere. The races in general are pretty entertaining and are a good length, time-wise.

This was a good flick with a few really excellent qualities. The plot was a little hazy but there was one, and the characters were very well developed. Just the Han character made it worth seeing, for me. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys action movies. It was at last as good as the previous two movies in the series.

Read Best Reviews of The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (Blu-ray + Digital Copy + UltraViolet) (2006) Here

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift isn't a deep, thought provoking movie, but it doesn't purport to be either. It's just what it was marketed in trailers to be: an action packed fun bit of mind candy filled with fast cars, dozens upon dozens of hot Japanese girls, thumping music, and body flinching car crashes. The basic plot is that a high school driving nut gets in trouble (yet again) after racing with a rich boy. To keep him out of jail, he is sent to his estranged father in Japan. Alas, there he discovers the world of drifting, an even more dangerous style of racing. Unfortunately, he also soon finds himself in trouble with the relative of a high ranking Yakuza.

For me, the only really noticeable mistake in this movie is that way too many people walked away with only a few scratches from what should have been fatal crashes. For example, there is one crash where a car rams into a concrete tube while going at least 80 mph. Yet the two occupants didn't even require a hospital bed! A more minor mistake might have been putting in a little too much plot, especially when some things weren't followed up as well as they could have. In the end, though, the plot is mostly there to serve as some spacer between all the hot cars and awesome races. I should mention one other minor mistake. Vin Diesel's cameo was so completely pointless. The movie already had a good ending, it was just kinda senseless.

The cars in this movie are the real stars. So many hot little numbers, including American muscle cars, hot foreign vehicles, and one pimped out van that you just have to see to believe. The acting is good, for what it is, though Luca Black's twang-filled voice might annoy some folks. Twinkie, another army brat played by Bow Wow, is such a hoot! I know I said the plot was mostly spacer, but I did find the interaction between Sean, Han, and Twinkie to be awesome.

So I suggest you don't think about the logistics of things. Just sit back and enjoy the cars, the some times over-the-top characters, and, for the men (or lesbians) the multitude of Japanese girls who barely wear any clothes. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing this movie. I was pleasantly surprised that they attempted to include at least some true elements of Japanese culture, such as the changing shoes thing in schools.

I do recommend this one been seen in the theater. The music and pulse of the movie are made for big screen, surround sound viewing! I might get this one DVD just to have something fun and rocking to watch when I want some mindless action.

Want The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (Blu-ray + Digital Copy + UltraViolet) (2006) Discount?

After buying the original "The Fast and The Furious" I found most of my enjoyment came from making fun of the movie and shaming it. However, I can now say I am a fan of the trilogy (all 3 films are good).

Lucas Black is simply The Man and gives another great performance here. Bow Wow does a surprisingly good job as well. Car buffs and street racers will especially like this movie (which I am neither). This is a fast paced and exciting action packed movie that many will enjoy.

Save 25% Off

Hanasaku Iroha ~ Blossoms for Tomorrow DVD/Blu-ray Set 1 Premium Edition (2011)

One of the most endearing and delightful series presently on the market,this is the story of Ohana Matsumae,the never-say-quit 16 year old daughter of a irresponsible single mother who is,in turn,the estranged daughter of a resort owner whom Ohana has never met. When mother decides to go on the lam with her latest boyfriend to escape his creditors,Ohana is sent to stay with her grandmother. After a long train ride and a steep walk up to the top of the hill she is so delighted to see how magnificent the hotel is she immediatly begins to pull the weeds she thinks are cluttering up her view...except they aren't weeds but wild rocamboles,an ingrediant used by the trainee-apprentant to the assistant chef,another 16 year old employee at the spa...and her new room mate. Just as the squabble begins,an old woman from an upper widow calls out for Ohana to hold out her arms. It is her grandmother and instead of getting a warm welcome,Ohana is tossed a bucket and told to get to work. Thus starts a fast-paced and rich story,filled with the arcs of the several major players but mostly that of a delightful and persistenly up-beat girl bent on setting things to right.

The character designs are well above average and some of the background artwork,especially around the train stop,is near-superphoto realistic.

An exceptional and fast paced series,best for teens and young adults and worthy of the highest of recommendations.

Save 1% Off

The Baytown Outlaws (2012)

Great movie! Great acting. Loved everything from the creative storyline and direction to the bits of humor among the intensity. Language and graphics aren't for weak stomachs, but it needed raw for impact and was very engaging. I'm going to keep my eye out for anything else Barry Battles creates. This was fresh and super entertaining.

Had a GREAT time watching this movie! If you love a shoot em' up then give this one a try. The action is non-stop and the characters are just plain fun to watch. The language us really rough, but if you can overlook that you'll have a great time.

Buy The Baytown Outlaws (2012) Now

The Oodie brothers are three redneck hitmen living near Montgomery Alabama. They are in cahoots with the local sheriff (Andre Braugher). When Celeste (Eva Longoria) offers them $25,000 to retrieve her godson (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) from crime boss Carlos (Billy Bob Thornton) they free lance.

The boys are Brick, the leader (Clayne Crawford); McQueen, nearly illiterate (Travis Fimmel) and Lincoln aka The Dixie Reaper (Daniel Cudmore). Carlos is the "Walf@#$ing Mart of crime." Once the godson is taken, he sends out gangs to retrieve him, including a gang of biker prostitutes. Meanwhile the sheriff is being hounded by a "Yankee ATF" (Paul Wesley) who is putting the pieces together.

This is a great shoot 'em grindhouse film. If you are not a grindhouse action fan, then don't bother with this film. This production includes colorful characters, a great soundtrack, and an improbable plot...everything we want in a grindhouse except Danny Trejo.

Parental Guide: F-bombs, brief rear nudity, brief sex on a video.

Read Best Reviews of The Baytown Outlaws (2012) Here

No idea where this movie came from, but it completely exceeded expectations. Great action, totally solid work from everyone involved... completely fun and campy... ridiculous without being annoying. If you're the type of person who likes this kind of movie -you know who you are -then you should totally watch Baytown Outlaws.

Want The Baytown Outlaws (2012) Discount?

I just finished watching this movie & felt compelled to right a review of it.

I rented this expecting to see a stereotypical grindhouse flick. I was wrong & can admit it! Lol. I was very surprised. This movie was at least 10 times better than I expected. Lots of laughs.

Loved how the three Oodie brothers took care of Rob and loved him like a brother. The lengths they went to in order to protect him, was amazing. The amount of compassion the brothers showed Rob, had me choked up a few times.

The profanity didn't bother me. Almost no nudity in the movie.

This is a movie that needs to be seen to be appreciated. It is beyond me how anyone cannot like this movie.

I rented & watched the movie...now I just put the DVD & Blu-ray discs in my Amazon shopping cart.

If you want to watch a good, surprising movie....watch this movie.

Save 67% Off

Gainsbourg (2012)

Serge Gainsbourg was born Lucien Ginsburg (Kacey Mottet Klein) and grew up in Nazi occupied Paris. Lucien was smallish boy interested in art, especially graphic stories. He and his parents escape Jewish extradition but return after the war. Lucien, following his father's footsteps becomes a piano player in various nightclubs. His manager suggests the name change to Serge (more masculine) and a less identifying spelling of his surname.

Now brilliantly played by Eric Elmosnino, Serge has a compelling charm that manages to seduce the most unlikely women. With some historical accuracy, Gainsbourg has numerous affairs including one with rising starlet Brigitte Bardot (a spot on Laetitia Casta). He suffers through a couple marriages before eventually marrying British model and actress Jane Birkin (Lucy Gordon). That union produced French singer and actress Charlotte Gainsbourg.

The film features a couple characters created in Serge's mind including an alter ego known as La Gueule (Doug Jones), a giant, exaggerated version of himself with huge ears and proboscis. Gainsbourg is clearly an interesting character and a train-wreck in the making. He gets caught up in his fame and fondness for the ladies, all fueled by excessive alcohol. The film features non-stop smoking by just about everybody in the movie including a gaggle of pre-teen boys and girls. Be forewarned if this is a problem. Director Joann Sfar adapted the screenplay from his graphic novel and he is clearly a big fan. The film is sometimes erotic, sometimes irreverent but always interesting. Like other filmmakers, Sfar has a hard time stopping as the movie clocks in at 2 hrs. 16 minutes. Recommended.

must see movie about the life and times of one of the most celebrated and controversial singers/songwriters of his generation. Gainsbourg songs today still resonate with the same raw passion today as they did when he released them and even more.. and you can hear what a true musical genius he is because his songs never grow boring or tired. The man was 1 of a kind and his collaborations were just perfect.

Buy Gainsbourg (2012) Now

The Color of Money (1986)

I was looking forward to picking this up on blu ray and couldn't be more disappointed in the picture quality of this disc. Most disappointing blu ray disc purchase I've made to date. At no point do you think you're watching a high def movie.

[Edit] This is exactly the same so called "HD" print that they've shown on HBOHD and CinemaxHD since long before the blu ray was released. I'm watching it on Cinemax right now and there is no difference whatsoever between this version and the blu ray.

This movie deserved a lot better treatment than this. I can't enjoy the blu ray because I'm constantly thinking how bad the picture looks. Disney has told me they will refund the money for this, I suggest anyone who feels like they got shortchanged buying this contact them.

(2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)This movie appears to be about pool on the surface. But it's less about pool than it is about what motivates us as people.

Fast Eddie Felson of the classic, "The Hustler," returns to reverse roles in this 80s classic. Instead of being the young champ, he wants to train the young champ in Tom Cruise. But eventually, he realizes the hard way he doesn't have the stomach to play stake horse and in his heart he really wants the thrill of competition.

A lot of people will compare this movie to "The Hustler," since it is the sequel. There is no comparison. This movie really can't even be compared in pool terms. The pool shots that they hit in this movie are, for the most part, average to above-average. This is not the mind blowing pool play from "The Hustler" to be sure.

But this movie does have plenty going for it. For non-pool players, this movie has more character development. This movie also features some of the greatest cinematography of any film. And Newman, Cruise, and the supporting cast all put in stellar performances.

In short, this is a great movie that's worth watching just for enjoyment or on a deeper level for those who appreciate fine cinema. It's not half the movie that "The Hustler" is, but it has enough merits to stand on its own.

Buy The Color of Money (1986) Now

Avoid this turkey of a HD transfer at all costs. That was rather poor quality 8 years ago, now it's shameless to sell this. No HD detail, no proper 35mm texture, no proper colour and shadow detail. Someone should tell Marty...

Read Best Reviews of The Color of Money (1986) Here

If you care about this film at all, run away far and fast. Somebody botched this disc so badly it almost has to be a mistake. It's an incredible shame

that a film that earned Paul Newman accolades and an Oscar, is among Scorsese's best, has an excellent performance by Tom Cruise gets this kind of treatment. Hopefully it will end up like Gladiator and Gangs of New York that somebody will acknowledge that this isn't what was approved and the real

intended Bluray will be released. Everybody knows about the John Carter debacle and how much money Disney probably will lose, but butchering a classic Live

Action film isn't the way to recoup either money or reputation. Multiple end-users and professional reviewers have been appalled at this attempt and

hopefully once Scorsese gets a copy he and his people will throw some weight behind getting this abomination fixed.

I only wish I could give this 0 stars or worse.

Want The Color of Money (1986) Discount?

In this movie's opening voiceover, director Martin Scorsese explains that nine-ball pool, as you've probably guessed, comes down to one basic rule: You don't win without pocketing the 9. Partially this depends on the balls' spread in the break; i.e. on luck. But, Scorsese concludes with the credo of all high-stakes hustlers from poker to pool and beyond: "For some players, luck itself is an art."

Once, Fast Eddie Felson (Paul Newman) mastered this art; a whiz kid out to beat champion Minnesota Fats, he had to learn some painful lessons instead. But that was 25 years ago in 1961's "Hustler," to which "The Color of Money" is a belated sequel and now it's "dead and buried." Now Eddie is a liquor salesman; even if he's still got the hustle down cold: just listen to him philosophizing about a bourbon's color, age and acidic content and I'll lay you any bet you'll be buying a case from him in no time at all.

Yet, Eddie keeps hanging around pool halls, and one day the inevitable happens: He runs into Vincent (Tom Cruise), almost a reincarnation of his younger self; a guy with a sledgehammer break and an "incredible flake," as Eddie opines less than charitably, cocky beyond belief but apparently unaware of his potential, preferring to perfect his video game reflexes on the theory that this might get him into West Point, instead of focusing on his greatest and, more importantly, only financially viable area of expertise: pool. Now, if Eddie has learned one thing it's that whatever your field, it *all* comes down to money; and the guy who's got the most of it is the best. But to get there, you have to be more than just excellent at what you do: You have to be a student of psychology, learn to take advantage of others, understand when to lose is actually to win; and if you're a "natural character" like Vincent, you have to learn to "flake on and flake off" to be yourself, but on purpose. In short, it takes the right proportion of both brains and b*lls to win big at pool. All this, Eddie is determined to teach Vince, even if it takes some support from his girlfriend Carmen (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) to get him going. But eventually they do set out on the road, for a six-week high-intensity training in hustles and cons, with their eyes set on a high-stakes nine-ball tournament in Atlantic City at the end. And Eddie, once exploited by a ruthless promoter himself, dispenses tough love; all to drive home one crucial lesson: "Nice guys finish last;" and mercy towards *any* opponent is downright unprofessional.

Vincent, Carmen and Eddie make an unequal trio; they collide as often and as hard as cue balls, and it's a sheer joy to see these outstanding actors go up against each other: Cruise as the cocky kid who refuses to drop his ego trips, Mastrantonio as his tough-talking girlfriend, and Newman as the seasoned pro who suddenly gets goose-bumpy again when entering a pool room (even if to his shame he finds the place now used for furniture storage), rediscovers that money won is "twice as sweet" as money earned, and at last gets hungry enough to get back into the game himself, albeit at the price of first being hustled by a kid with a dumb-fat-underdog routine (brilliantly played by Forest Whitaker). For Tom Cruise, who left a lasting impression with 1983's "Risky Business" but otherwise only had a few middling movies under his belt at this point, this was a great opportunity to show his chops opposite one of the business's all-time greats, and he was more than up to the task. (Although he shot to superstardom the same year with "Top Gun," even here virtually all of his trademark mannerisms and voice inflections particularly when playing cocky are already fully present.) Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio earned Oscarand Golden-Globe-nominations for her portrayal of Carmen, who clues into Eddie's "pool is business" lessons quicker than Vince and, after a first-hand education on the use of "that thing," finds ways through Vincent's cockiness where Eddie doesn't have access. Paul Newman finally netted his long-overdue Academy Award; thus belatedly making up for the undeserved pass for "The Hustler," after the Academy had summarily sugarcoated a total of seven unfulfilled nominations and numerous award-worthy appearances that didn't even earn that kind of nod with a lifetime achievement award the year before. (Newman accepted, but wasn't present at either ceremony.)

What makes this movie stand out, however, is not merely its tremendous cast, from the central trio to Helen Shaver (Eddie's girlfriend Janelle), John Turturro (Julian, the "stake horse" Vincent replaces in Eddie's favor), Scorsese's dog Zoe (credited as "dog walkby"!), Iggy Pop, and several top pool players, e.g. Steve "The Miz" Mizerak, Jimmy "Pretty Boy Floyd" Mataya (together with wife Eva also technical advisor) and Keith McCready (Vincent's nemesis Grady Seasons). Moreover, nobody could have captured the pool halls' dingy allure, a trick shot's swift precision and the balls' movement over the table quite like Michael Ballhaus there's a reason they call him "Hollywood's Eye." And then there's the score, by the "Band's" ringleader Robbie Robertson; featuring contributions from a virtual who-is-who of rock and blues's all time greatest, including Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Don Henley, Warren Zevon, Phil Collins, Robert Palmer and Percy Sledge; pointedly framing all key scenes and doubling the edge of the cue balls' and characters' collisions alike.

The movie's ending may appear anticlimactic, as the story seems to build up to a showdown which we never get to see. But for Eddie, it's ultimately about going up against Vince's best game and the only thing that matters is that he's back, and there to stay for the duration this time. And no question: back he certainly is.

Also recommended:

The Hustler (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

The Sting (Universal Legacy Series)

The Firm

Maverick

Atlantic City

Rounders (Collector's Edition)

Flim Flam Man

Save 27% Off

Rocky IV (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (1985)

I disagree with most of the crtical reviews of this movie 150%! Not only was this movie my favorite Rocky film (YES, even more than the original Rocky), it is one of my all time favorite movies which I have seen dozens of times and NEVER grow old of it. So much so it became the inspiration of the main graphic on my business web site.

Why? For many reasons.

To me the Rocky theme never grows old. It is the classic "Hero's Journey." The underdog in life that is challenged to pull deep within, fight the inner "demons," connect with one's true strength and inner potential and triumph in the end.

What makes Rocky IV different and more potent in my mind is the contrast in themes. In this movie, Rocky is at the top of his game (in fact retire with all the trappings of success) and is forced to look deep within again but for a much deeper and more soul provoking reason. His best friend and original boxing contender -Apollo Creed -has lost his life in the boxing ring to the testerone-driven, freakish, goliath-like Russian boxing challenger. This castrophe forces Rocky to do some deep soul-searching about how "he sold his passion for glory." (from "The Eye of the Tiger" song).

How many people in the business world and life in general, sacrifice their passion for glory?! Probably 95+%. Being a business coach, I constantly look for movies, books, stories that coach people in their businesses. To me this movie has that compelling message. "We must fight to keep our passions alive."

The other aspect that I like about this movie is the strong contrast between nature and technology. Rocky flies off to the desolated mountains of Siberia using nature as his training ground, connecting with his true inner strength. The Russian on the other hand uses all the latest high tech gear and non-stop steroids to build his massive robotic body that looks more like a machine. Another valuable lesson.

While technology has tremendous value to our society, how often do we allow technology to rule our lives, stripping us of our of our connection with ourselves and other people, making us feel more like machines?

If you look at this movie as just a boxing movie, you miss the deeper lessons it can have for your life. Go watch this movie with new eyes and see its brilliant message unfold in front of your eyes.

In this 3rd sequel to the Oscar winning "Rocky", Rocky(Sylvester Stallone) goes to Russia to fight. Not to defend his title but to defend the honor of his friend and the American people. The opponent is the bigger than life Ivan Drago(Dolph Lundgren), who looks like he was chisled out of stone. In an exhibition fight Drago delivered a fatal blow to the Rock's old pal Apollo Creed.

Rocky leaves for Russia with Pauly(Burt Young) and Apollo's trainer, against the wishes of Adrienne(Talia Shire) who thinks Rocky will also meet his demise by the hands of this powerful giant they call "Death from above". He trains in remote part of Siberia, using the most primitive equipment, while Drago on the other hand has the use of the most technically advanced methods of training (and with the little help of some steroids.)

As always the faithful Adrianne has come around and has joined him there. The fight takes place with all of Russia in Drago's corner. The fight scenes are great, the crowd starts to warm to Rocky, and in the end (no matter who wins) we find that, people can change, and a fight between 2 men in a ring for sport is better than 2 countries fighting.

What really impressed me was the soundtrack of this film. It propelled the movie right along. We are even treated to a ringside performance by James Brown. The sound quality of this VHS (MGM/UA) is terrific in Dolby Surround and Hi Fi.

Added to the cast is Brigitte Nielsen who plays Drago's wife and for comic relief(besides Paulie) there is a talking robot. It was written and directed by Sylvester Stallone. If you're a die hard Rocky fan this would be a good addition to your collection.

enjoy.......Laurie

Buy Rocky IV (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (1985) Now

THis is one of my favorite films ever I have been watching it ever since I was a kid. I liked this movie more than all the other sequels made to the Rocky films. Please do buy this DVD and do yourself a favor.

Read Best Reviews of Rocky IV (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (1985) Here

The Rocky films are such inspiring movies. I don't think anybody that has seen any of them other than five has felt motivated to do something with there lives. In the first three Rocky films we see the Italian Stallion come from a nobody to a somebody. He's the heavy weight champion of the world and has overcome a lot. Rocky IV shows they were running out of ideas and naturally Sylvester went to the easy way out, he'd have Rocky fight communism.

Rocky IV is simple enough to follow. Ivan Drago(Dolph Lundgren) is the next big thing in the boxing world. He's the enourmus Russian that looks unbeatable. He's won the gold medal and has cleaned Europe out. He comes to America looking to become the champion and put Soviet boxing back on the map. Apollo Creed(Carl Weathers) wants Ivan. The Soviet agress to the match to show that he's unbeatable. He kills Apollo in the match and then looks at Rocky like he's next. Rocky(Stallone) feels responsible for the death of Apollo. He's unsure if he can beat the Soviet. Even his own wife Adrian doubts him. It's now up to Rocky to rediscover himself and restore honor to himself, Apollo Creed, and the United States.

Rocky IV is such a hoaky movie it's beautiful. The East vs West set up is great. It's not just Rocky vs Drago, it's the United States vs the Soviet Union. This 1985 movie did take place during the arms race and it's a great patriotic tale. Very few movies have me made want to shout USA out while I'm watching them and Rocky IV does that.

I have to tip my hat to Syvelster Stallone and Dolph Lundgren. Both are in amazing shape for the movie. Everybody that has seen the movie loves the scenes in Russia where Rocky and Drago are training. It's so barbaric, tender, and motivating all at the same time. The two in there boxing scenes also look good. Drago is the most impossing force ever scene in any of the Rocky films. Dolph broke most of Stallones ribs during the filming and did a number on bones in his face. You have to love that kind of dedication from Stallone who also wrote and directed.

Rocky IV is an excellent film. A lot of people said they should have stoped after III and they are wrong. Rocky IV is a great motivational and patriotic tale. In a liberal dominated hollywood and media it's great to watch a feel good movie like Rocky IV.

Want Rocky IV (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (1985) Discount?

The whole Rocky series of movies is about the American dream.

In the first two, Rocky works hard and works his way to the

top of the boxing world through his own hard work, GOD, and

belief in family. In Rocky III, he was on top of the world

but had to learn to defend himself from those who would attack

him and take away what he *owned* and *earned* through his

efforts.

But in Rocky IV, he takes it to the next level. He is drawn

into the struggle against communism in the 1980s. The communists

hating Rocky, have created a drugged up monster named DRAGO

with the specific purpose of sending him to America to steal

the world title and more importantly prove to the world that

communism can produce a better boxer than capitalism and

individual effort produced in Rocky.

As in many cases in the history of America, Rocky and his friends

underestimate the threat of communism. Apollo steps in to

take out the Russian and is killed by him as Rocky looks on.

The communists retreat back behind the iron curtain. Rocky

puts everything at stake and follows determined to defeat

DRAGO on his home ground. Rocky's wife gives the usual liberal

objections, but Rocky is firm in his purpose to fight for

America against the communist monster.

They go to russia and are treated about as would be expected.

They are sent out to a hut in the gulag where they can train

for the fight. They are constantly watched by communists.

Finally there is the fight. Rocky puts everything on the line

and uses his hard head to face down DRAGO and communism. The

communist bosses turn out to have made a mistake in going after

Rocky. Their slaves in the boxing area turn on Drago and then

on the entire evil system of communism. They learn to respect

America and the kind of individual effort that rocky represents.

In the end, we get a 1980 Olympics style moment where Rocky

covers himself in the American flag and creates one of the

great scenes in film history. And unlike 1980, the location

is not the USA, but the heart of the communist empire. The

communist slaves have seen the power of american freedom and

have rejected the anti-god collectivist slavery system of their

bosses.

This movie also introduces a robot into the rocky family of

characters. While the robot is strictly played for comedy,

it adds some good clean fun to the film. I wish there was

more of the robot and that the next Rocky movie had followed

up on what happened to the little fellow.

Stallone knew that communism was rotten and that it would

fall. And I think this movie played a role (a small one)

in bringing about its end.

Save 45% Off

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo in Blu-ray Packaging) (1966)

MGM released a DVD edition of "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" in the late 1990s, but it had few extras, a mono soundtrack, and a scratched print. Finally, MGM has given Sergio Leone's Western epic the double-disc special edition it deserves. The print is restored and as clear as I've ever seen it, the sound is now an astonishing 5.1 Surround (listen to the glass falling off Tuco after he springs through the window in the opening sequence!) nineteen minutes of footage from the Italian original have been restored, and the discs are packed with extras. Even the packaging is great: a sturdy interlocking box, with the DVDs kept in the upper and bottom parts of the two lids. Also inside the box are cards containing posters for the film in five different countries.

The film, like most of the European Westerns of the 1960s, was critically disregarded in its day. The New York Times said of it: "the most expensive, pious, and repellent movie in the history of its peculiar genre. There is scarcely a moment's respite from the pain." It's amazing how people missed the brilliance of this movie, which turned Western conventions upside down in such a wonderfully bizarre, European way. Now the film is considered a classic, and only Sergio Leone's own "Once Upon a Time in the West" (another great 2 DVD set, by the way) has more respect in the genre. Leone's strange style -stretched out time, obsession with close-ups and extreme wide-shots, focus on rituals, and use of Morricone's wild and avant-garde score -are all in full force in this tale of three treasure-seekers searching for a cache of gold coins on the Texas-New Mexico border during the Civil War. The implacable and unflappable 'hero' Blondie (Clint Eastwood), the crazy comic bandit Tuco (Eli Wallach), and the calculating immoral sadist Angel Eyes (Lee Van Cleef) cross each other's paths amidst the senseless violence of the war. Leone perfectly contrasts the self-interested men with the greater backdrop of the tragedy of war. It's a strangely emotionally affecting picture despite its focus on three men who are detached from normal society and seem not to care about anything but money. So many individual scenes stand out for their virtuosity that the movie a parade of "greatest hits." Most astonishing of all is "The Ecstasy of Gold" sequence where Tuco dashes madly through a cemetery, looking for the grave that might hold the gold. Morricone's music here is especially overwhelming.

Chances are you've seen the film and love it. What about the new scenes and the extras?

Nineteen minutes of footage have been restored that were never shown in the American prints. The scenes integrate perfectly into the film, and after seeing them once, you won't be able to imagine they were ever missing. Among the scenes are Angel Eyes visiting a destroyed fort; Tuco hiring bandits to help him chase Blondie; Blondie and Angel Eyes having a face-to-face when they first set out together to find the gold; and some extra conversation between Tuco and Blondie in the desert. However, these scenes were never dubbed into English in the 1960s. Therefore, the DVD producers had to newly dub them. Eli Wallach and Clint Eastwood do their own voices. An actor named Simon Prescott does the imitation of the deceased Lee Van Cleef. Admittedly, Wallach and Eastwood no longer sound the same, but I couldn't imagine someone else imitating their voices -it couldn't have been done any other way. Prescott is pretty good as Angel Eyes, if a bit more gravelly.

The extras...

Disc 1 has audio commentary by Richard Shickel, a film historian who wrote Eastwood's biography and also did commentary on Leone's "Once Upon a Time in America" DVD. His comments can be pretty dry, and he focuses mostly on Leone's style and techniques instead of on background information on the filming itself. Nonetheless, there are many interesting insights, and Shickel manages to say a lot during the three-hour running time.

Most of the extras are on Disc 2:

"Leone's West" -A 20-minute documentary about the making of the film. Includes interviews with Shickel, producer Alberto Grimaldi, author of the English dialogue Mickey Knox, and best of all, Eastwood and Wallach. There's some very interesting info and memories here, mostly from Knox and the two actors.

"The Leone Style" -A 23-minute documentary, really just an extension of the first one. It spends more time on Leone's unusual techniques. The same interviewees appear here.

"The Man Who Lost the Civil War" -A 14-minute documentary that was produced separately from the DVD. It makes no mention of the movie, but is about its historical backdrop: the disastrous General Sibley campaign in Texas. Sibley appears in the film briefly, and this short documentary gives the viewer an important insight into the world of Blondie, Tuco, and Angel Eyes.

"Reconstructing The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" -An 11 minute look into the painstaking work involved with fixing the picture and sound, restoring the cut scenes, and re-dubbing it.

"Il Maestro: Ennio Morricone" -8 minutes; mostly an interview with music scholar John Burlingame about the film's score. At the end of the feature, you can choose to listen to an audio-only twelve-minute lecture by Burlingame that provides a much more in-depth analysis of the music.

"Deleted Scenes" -Two scenes couldn't go back into the film. The extended torture scene had a damaged negative, so here it is in its rougher state. An apparently lost scene is reconstructed through text, stills, and clips from the French trailer.

Finally, there's a gallery of posters, the original trailer, and MGM tossing in some gratuitous advertising for their other films.

Don't miss this DVD. Not only is it one of the great action films and one the great westerns, but it's the kind of release that the DVD format was invented for!

I am a huge fan of Leone's work, especially his Westerns. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is a fantastic entry in his oeuvre (though I rank Once Upon A Time in the West and For A Few Dollars More just above it). It is full of his great style, it's very entertaining, and it features one of the best adversarial trios ever put to film in Blondie, Tuco, and Angel Eyes.

So it is with sadness that I have to rate this Blu-Ray 3 stars (and it's closer to 2.5). I've bought this movie three times now, not counting this Blu-Ray: on VHS, the first single disc DVD, and the SE that came out a few years ago. It should be obvious that I love this movie. When the Blu-Ray was announced, I was ecstatic. High definition Leone? Sign me up! I pre-ordered it along with the new T2 disc. Then I started reading early reviews that said the picture quality wasn't up to snuff. I was disheartened, and decided to cancel my order until I could check out the disc for myself.

I rented it from Netflix, and have unfortunately found my fears confirmed. While it certainly looks better than the SE DVD, it is not the best this movie can look. The over-zealous Digital Noise Reduction that has been applied completely robs many scenes of the fine detail we might otherwise have seen in 1080p. I put the old SE DVD in my Xbox and flipped back and forth between the Blu-Ray and DVD on a single scene (Blondie stands alone against some hills in the background in the final scene). While the Blu-Ray looked "cleaner" (that is, the digital artifacting visible on the DVD was gone), there was actually no further detail to be seen on the Blu-Ray! It was as if you took the DVD image and smeared it until the noise was gone, then bumped it up to 1080. I looked specifically at Blondie's eyes to see if any more detail was visible on the Blu-Ray, but there wasn't. The bushes on the hill in the background, too, looked like sharpened up-scaled blobs rather than bushes captured on film by a camera.

So, the picture quality isn't as good, but how about the rest? Well, it's mostly great! The extras, carried over from the SE, are all still interesting, and the new commentaries (which I haven't listened to yet) are very welcome and appreciated. The new menus are also nice. But I do have one more negative point: the sound.

If you watch the special feature on restoring the movie, the producer notes that in order to make a 5.1 audio track, he had to add sound effects. While I'm sure some appreciate having a 5.1 track, the sound effects (specifically the gun-shots) sound way off from the original unique and integral Leone effects. They use the exact same stock gun-shot that you've heard on TV cop shows and it really detracts from the movie if you've seen the original as many times as I have. The Blu-Ray includes many audio options, but unfortunately, an original mono track is not among them. It did have an English 2.0 mono, but it's still the remastered sound with the lame gun-shot effects, oddly. To hear the difference, pick a scene (like Tuco in the bath), and switch back and forth between the English 5.1 or 2.0 and the Italian 2.0. It's very obvious and really bugs me. So if I want to hear the original sound effects, I have to watch it in Italian? Come on, MGM/Fox, how hard would it have been to include the ORIGINAL 2.0 Mono track?

So, in conclusion, you have a great movie on Blu-Ray with lackluster picture and no original English soundtrack, but a plethora of great extras, all on a single disc. Worth it? Not for me, but it may be for you. I'm holding out hope that one day MGM/Fox will get a good transfer that isn't overly digitally tampered with (Leone should have some GRAIN, man! Check out the Italian BR releases!), and includes the original mono sound in English. Until then, I'm going to have to buy the old 1-disc DVD release used to enjoy this great movie.

Buy The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo in Blu-ray Packaging) (1966) Now

"The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" is Sergio Leone's epic masterpiece. While it is part of his Spaghetti Western Trilogy( all three films have different characters and plots), the film stands on its own and really shows you how good a movie can really be. This movie has it all. It has action, drama and even some comic relief in it. It is a timeless classic that is unforgettable. When I first saw it, I was a little kid and couldn't truly appreciate it as I can now at age 22.

Blondie (The Man with No Name) isn't your typical good guy. He mainly does things that suits his own agenda. However, when compared to the murderous Angel Eyes and the greedy Tuco, Blondie is a saint. This tale involves bloodshed, shoot-outs, search for treasure, and double-crossing. And it all takes place while the Civil War is going on, which makes things a lot more "interesting" for the notorious three. The West has never been wilder or more unpredictable than it is now. With an incredible score, excellent acting, and superb story-telling, this is one memorable film that you will never forget.

As I said in the beginning, the first time I saw this was when I was a little kid. When I just recently purchased this new edition of the movie, it truly was like I was watching it for the first time. Coming from a guy who isn't a big fan of Westerns (I don't mind them, but I don't watch too many of them), I absolutely LOVED this film. In fact, I wanted to give it a standing ovation when it was all said and done due to how moved I was by it. This really is filmmaking at its finest. I wasn't terribly impressed with Leone's "Once Upon a Time in America," but he is absolutely flawless with this amazing and timeless Western. It is slower than the second film ("For a Few Dollars More"), but I think that makes this all the better. The build up of tension is much more present in this film, and you really get the sense that these characters are real people. Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach are brilliant in their roles, and a lot of props need to go to Lee Van Cleef as he is absolutely chilling in his role.

This new edition really does the film the justice it deserves. The film has been restored to the director's original vision as much as possible, giving you an extra 18 minutes. You will notice the added scenes as the voices have been re-dubbed (the first time you will notice this will throw you, as I think that specific part has the worst re-dubbing, but the other added scenes are done a lot better, even if you still notice it). The picture looks incredible and the sound is great. Extras included are commentary from Richard Schickel, a couple of documentaries and featurettes, poster gallery, deleted scenes and the original theatrical trailer. Along with the nice packaging, you get an 8-page booklet that includes pictures from the film along with Roger Ebert's most recent review of the film. And, you get some mini-posters included inside the packaging as well. A superior edition of the movie, without question.

"The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" is a pure triumph in filmmaking and should be seen by everybody at least once. Don't let the fact that this is a Western throw you. I think this can be enjoyed by everybody, and even by those who are not big fans of Westerns. A film filled with authentic emotion and action, this is one that shouldn't be missed by anyone. I LOVE this movie, and I cannot express that enough. -Michael Crane

Read Best Reviews of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo in Blu-ray Packaging) (1966) Here

Don't miss Christopher Frayling's terrific commentary which is packed with production information and incisive observations. Particularly touching is the way Frayling takes up for Leone's decision to humanize Tuco, pointing out that this movie, far from a straight shoot-em-up, shows Leone coming of age. (This part of the commentary is during the great scene where Tuco meets his brother.) Frayling makes a few errors that are a bit surprising... Eastwood says "sure" rather than "pshaw" in a key exchange that Frayling gets wrong, and Frayling claims that Lee Van Cleef does not have part of his finger missing, a point definitively refuted by scenes in FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE... but his love for this movie comes through resoundingly. This is one of the best commentaries I've heard. And the transfer, despite whatever DNR was applied, looks very detailed, film-like, and beautiful. Take it from somebody who has seen the movie over a hundred times... this Blu-ray is worth getting!

EDIT: I recently got the Mondo Blu-ray of this title and what everybody has been saying is true; it is utterly superior to the MGM transfer in picture quality. It's a shame that this Italian version (transferred from a print owned by the Leone family) doesn't have an English soundtrack, but since I know this movie by heart anyway, I'm fine with it. Let's hope that someday this beautiful transfer is issued in English.

Want The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo in Blu-ray Packaging) (1966) Discount?

This is the best edition of GBU that I have seen so far. I do not agree with the reviewer that complained about the absence of grain due to DNR. For me it looked sufficiently grainy and I could not see any DNR artifacts (on a 1080p plasma screen). There is some minor problem with the film's sprocket hole registration, meaning that the picture is shifting slightly in steady shots. This can be attributed to the 40 year old film technology, but it could have been corrected during the restoration.

The language and subtitle options are awesome, even the two audio commentaries, by Schickel and Frayling, have subtitles. I still have to take the time to enjoy the commentary by Frayling, which is new to this edition. The Schickel commentary was already on the 2 disk DVD edition from a few years back.

And, as mentioned by others, the cover states incorrectly a running time of 161 minutes, when it is in fact 2:58h (178 minutes).

Save 4% Off

A Bug's Life (1998)

This is probably not going to surprise anyone-This is simply an excellent DVD, in every scale. The first disc contains the movie itself, which is transferred from its original, digital source. The picture quality is unbelievable. Not one spot comes up during the movie, not one scratch appears-because this wasn't transferred from film. This is the way A Bug's Life should be watched. The colors are amazing, bright and contrast eachother perfectly. The sound is also unbelievable-this movie challanged my 1.5 surround system perfectly. Unlike some other movies I've seen, where the two rear speakers are only used about twice in the movie, A Bug's Life uses them almost constantly-You can hear the crickets and cicadas all around you in many of the scenes, Hopper's gang are flying at you from behind; Even with a simple scene like the "Royal Huddle" the ant's footsteps are coming from around you. The first disc contains a Cinemascope widescreen version and a pan-and-scan version. I'll have to say that if you don't have a widescreen TV (I don't), you probably should forget about the widescreen version here as it is aspecially small. Besides, the PSP version was edited digitally in a very special way, even described on this DVD-you hardly miss anything in the PSP version because of that special editing. If anything, you actually get to see more detail. Also on the first disc are two special audio choices, Music Only (cool) and SFX only (VERY cool), and a director's commentary (quite cool, although not the best I've heard. John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich seem to talk too much about the story, which sometimes makes it sound as if they're just describing what you already see on screen.)

(I'm not going to give review to the movie itself here-In short, it is definitly a 5 star movie!)

The second disk is where the real fun begins. I've never seen so many extras, with so many choices to choose from. It's almost confusing- You not only get to see how they made the movie, you get to literally see how they developed EACH AND EVERY character in this film. It's astonishing. You can also hear how they edited the sound, see how they made the PSP version so good, see how they made the outtakes at the end (and also see the outtakes by themselves, clean, full screen and with no credits to interrupt), see an interview with the characters themselves (which is simply hilarious), and... See Geri's Game in all its glory. And there's even more.

Basically, if you don't have this DVD, you WILL buy it. Otherwise, what's the point of having a DVD?

This is the definitive DVD edition of A Bugs Life. The film makers call it "The Super Genius Edition" and I have to agree. They included everything in this two disc edition. Not only do we get both sets of outtakes, but we get Geri's Game (old man playing chess), the trailers (including one for international release), deleted scenes, storyboards, pictures, making of segments and more. It can easily take you 3 hours to go through all the extras on this disc. If you have ever wanted to know how this movie was made, this disc will tell you!

Buy A Bug's Life (1998) Now

This is a fable about our need to believe in ourselves.

The story is probably one of the best features in the exquisite animated film, A Bug's Life. The narrative about the life of a working ant called Flick and his attempt to save his colony from the eternal domination of the grasshoppers -through recruiting a group of insects that turn out to be circus actorsis completely charming, innovative and unique. The plot is a pleasant surprise for the audience: just when one thinks everything is revealed, a new twist comes out to keep us guessing again what will happen.

The movie allows itself to have a series of incredible characters that develop while the story takes its place. Flick goes from naive and optimistic to self-confident and serious. The circus members are one of the most eclectic groups of lovable losers ever to illuminate the screen. They add color to the plot and the rest of the cast, with their adventures, mischief, eccentricities and craziness. Their growth as a group, who finally find their audience, must be highlighted too. Little Princess Dot is charming in her role as a little ant with low self esteem until becomes a leader and finally princess.

The bugs are, in fact, very graceful and funny, but it's through their extravagant personalities and their sharp dialogs that finally conquer our sympathy.

In addition, there's a solid work of animation. The visual splendor is spectacular. This is an engaging film that seems to use the most vibrant colors. The detailed work is admirable in every corner, every gesture. Ambience and characters are not limited to coexist, but to work together, consolidating the story. This is one of the best animated features of the past decade. A solid accomplishment from Pixar, who doesn't seem to let us down with their creativity, their craftsmanship and their pure genius!

Read Best Reviews of A Bug's Life (1998) Here

When I first purchased my DVD player this June, I made a b-line for the rental store for Bugs Life, hoping to relive some of the magic I remembered from seeing the film at the cinema house. What I discovered, though, was that the images were so clean, vibrant, colorful and striking, that I was too busy looking 'at' the film that I had a difficult time 'watching' the film. Pixar did a great job with assembling a touching and imaginative film here, but what remains for me is that the DVD stands as the benchmark for all that the DVD format delivers.

Want A Bug's Life (1998) Discount?

A BUG'S LIFE is truly a movie that the entire family can enjoy. It is adorable, funny, and it has a message that everybody can relate to.

The DVD is amazing, amazing, amazing! The transfer (the first ever completely digital transfer), is simply unbelievable. It is like you can reach into the screen and touch the characters. The cinemascope animation is truly stunning, and the transfer expresses it beautifully. The sound is wonderful. You feel like you're in the bugs' world.

This DVD has the most amazing set of extras I have ever seen. It takes you through the entire process of making A BUG'S LIFE...I've gone through "preproduction" and the first half of "production" and it took me an hour and a half...I still have three sections left! What is more amazing is that every extra is interesting! Truly an outstanding, sure to be groundbreaking disc. Disney, why can't all of your DVDs be like this!

A MUST HAVE!

Save 33% Off