Editorial Review

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Reviews (135)

Great Film!
Rebecca is one of my very favorite movies. I have seen it many times and I never tire of it. The story is ageless and simple. An aristocratic widower marries a shy young girl and takes her to his castle-like home. There, she lives haunted by the shadow of Rebecca, his first wife. It is Rebecca did this, Rebecca did that, Rebecca all the time. A stunning classic.

A Hitchcock Movie for People Who Don't Like Hitchcock Films
Looking back in retrospect, I truly believe this film was the launching point of Hitchcock's career. He went on to have one of the most glorious careers in Hollywood history. Although he never won an Academy Award Oscar for the Best Director award; Hitchcock showed that he truly belonged in the top echelon of directors. Especially in his golden era: circa 1951 to 1959.
Classic Version Of The Romantic Suspense Novel. A-List Cast+Excellent Script+Flawless Direction=The DEFINITIVE Version.
Alfred Hitchcock's first film made in America was an adaptation of the highly successful novel "Rebecca." In the role of the mysterious, but handsome, Maxim DeWinter, is Laurence Olivier (coming off the success of "Wuthering Heights" the year before; please see my review on it), giving a complex performance yet again. Joan Fontaine plays the nameless heroine, Judith Anderson plays the sinister Mrs. Danvers and George Sanders plays Rebecca's devious cousin. Very faithful to the novel, this film is. Recommended for English classes. Not Rated. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Mystery / Suspense   

Editorial Review

The 1951 John Huston classic, set in Africa during World War I, garnered Humphrey Bogart an Oscar for his role as a hard-drinking riverboat captain in Africa, who provides passage for a Christian missionary spinster (Katharine Hepburn). Taking an instant, mutual dislike to one another, the two endure rough waters, the presence of German soldiers, and their own bickering to finally fall into one another's arms. This is classic Huston material--part adventure, part quest--but this time with a pair of characters who'd all but given up on happiness. Bogart (a longtime collaborator with Huston on such classics as Read more

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Reviews (57)

African Queen deserves royal treatment....on DVD!!!!!!!!!
This movie is way looooong over due to be put on DVD. I find it amazing how some of the crapiest movies get released on DVD, yet this wonderful gem of a movie has yet to see the light of day on
Should be rated "G" not Unrated.
This movie should have a "G" rating becauseit's a classic film from 1952. I saw this movie in 1990 when I was 10. I liked it then and, I like it now. There's nothing explicit in this movie at all. That's why it should be rated "G".

Undiminished Classic Carries the Unshakable Triumvirate of Bogart, Hepburn and Huston at Their Peak
The reputation of this deserved classic rests primarily on the shoulders of master director John Huston and his two legendary stars, Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. The story itself, penned by Huston and James Agee (with uncredited help from Peter Viertel) based on a novel by C.S. Forester, is a two-character high adventure that moves its narrative in a rather contrived manner. Yet, the resulting 1951 film sparkles in a burnished aura of Hollywood lore, as Clint Eastwood saw fit to make a film about the production itself with 1990's "White Hunter, Black Heart" and Hepburn herself wrote an entertaining memoir 36 years after the fact with the seemingly apt title, "The Making of the African Queen: Or How I Went to Africa With Bogart, Bacall and Huston and Almost Lost My Mind". Between Bogart's apparent boozing, Huston's big game obsessions, Hepburn's idiosyncrasies and the challenging African jungle, it must have been quite an unpredictable set.
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-action/Adventure    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

If you concentrate on the fact that Read more

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Reviews (137)

The dreams of youth...
...are the regrets of maturity.
Just to counter all the negative reviews...the Duck is what it is.
I understand why someone who is looking for a great film would be disappointed.Howard the Duck is no Saving Private Ryan or English Patient.Thankfully not all films are or we'd be really bored.What Howard The Duck IS is entertaining.It's a guy in a duck suit...so what?It's pretty funny and refreshingly enjoyable to watch.It is a well made B-movie...so if you look at it on that level then it's a lot of fun.And it's not helpful to compare the film which is aimed at a young audience to the comic which was very adult.Two different things entirely...really, if there were enough fans of the comic (and I'm one) then there would be a new, adult version of Howard.I don't see that happening.So enjoy the film for what it is.I hope the DVD does it justice.

Now people we need to get over it.
If nothing else this should be released on DVD as a "B-Movie cult classic" Now I'm not going to say it should have won an Oscar but for goodness sake this movie is fun if nothing else...come on it had a naked duck with nipples.That's pretty cool...You know Lucas is just making us sweat and will bust out a CG Howard before you know it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comedies    2. Comedy    3. Comedy Video    4. Feature Film-comedy    5. Movie   

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Reviews (17)

The Only Film that Ever Put me to Sleep
I must have seen at least 2000 films in my 44 years on this Earth.This is the only movie that ever put me to sleep in the theater.
the dead
Joyce wrote this short story as part of a collection while he was living in Paris during the period 1904 and 1914.He had great difficulty in getting the collection published and his poem "Gas from a Burner" is worth studying in this context.
Meditative and poetic Hibernian elegy
" Better pass boldly into thatother world in the full glory of some passion ,than fade and wither dismally from age " Read more

Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-drama    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

When the totalitarian planet of Mongo decides on a whim to obliterate Earth, it's up to the lunk-headed quarterback Flash Gordon and his oddball companions to make the universe safe for democracy. Based on the classic (and infinitely more reputable) comic strip and its '30s screen serialization, this cotton-candy-colored trash classic deserves immortality for Queen's unforgettably pulsating soundtrack alone. The legendary Max von Sydow appears to be having a blast as the evil Ming the Merciless, while Ornella Muti, as his daughter, is the living embodiment of what attracts adolescent boys to comics in the first place. (She makes Barbarella look mundane.) One of the most shamelessly entertaining movies ever made, this is a knowingly absurd sensory freak-out that'll have the viewer blissfully checking the sky afterward for signs of Hawkmen. Read more

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Reviews (131)

George Lucas, please take note
This remake of the classic serial adventure plays like the opposite of the recent 'Star Wars' prequels: it's campy, silly, goofy, cheesy...and a lot of fun.
Why has this not been reissued!!
Oi, it's true this has come out on dvd already but, hey it came out on dvd almost ten years ago.Back then DVD players were around the price of 700 bucks so, this movie was released in a very very small print run...... Here it is 2006 dvd players are 50 bucks and this movie is still not rereleased and ironicly sells more than it cost to buy a dvd player!?!? Whats up with that?????Why has this great cheesy sci fi film yet to see a reissue or some sort of "collectors tin" edition just so they can charge 30 bucks. Either way I'd be estatic to see this come out on dvd at a price I could afford!!!The only thing I could see thats preventing this from being rereleased is the soundtrack royalties...... If so, hey queen please don't be greedy or hey universal don't be cheap on royalties.... I don't know who's at fault but, come on bring this film to dvd again at a price we can afford.... Someone is sitting on this film because it's not even rerunned on some offshoot of a turner network like it was throughout the eighties..... Bring this back to dvd! Flesh Gordon is easily findable on dvd but, not the real movie..... Oh, as for a review of this film this is a movie about a jets quaterback who saves the universe! And in space if one recalls dudes bleed blue blood since theres no oxygen ;) And the soundtrack is one of the best soundtracks made by one band for a movie period. No songs feel forced into the movie... Instead each track flows perfectly with this film.... IE this was made in the day when soundtracks where just that soundtracks to the film. Not some junk to sell a new "artist's" single like soundtracks are so like today.....

Wow - has it really been 26 years since Flash saved every one of us?
And what thanks did he get? No special treatment, no Superbowl ring, not even a crummy twenty-fifth anniversary re-release on DVD. Where's the justice? Where are the special features? Where's the widescreen, digital transfer? What the heck ever happened to Sam Jones? Is Ming the Merciless running the Universal Studios home video division? Will my children be doomed to a lifetime of Flash-lessness? Please, Flash, say it's not so!
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Subjects:  1. Horror / Sci-Fi / Fantasy    2. Movie    3. Science Fiction   

Editorial Review

John Hughes's popular 1985 teen drama finds a diverse group of high school students--a jock (Emilio Estevez), a metalhead (Judd Nelson), a weirdo (Ally Sheedy), a princess (Molly Ringwald), and a nerd (Anthony Michael Hall)--sharing a Saturday in detention at their high school for one minor infraction or another. Over the course of a day, they talk through the social barriers that ordinarily keep them apart, and new alliances are born, though not without a lot of pain first. Hughes (Read more

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Reviews (272)

Classic in its own right
I dont know what its like to have gone to school in the 1980's or have gone to school in the United States but I can still relate to this movie. This movie could have been set anywhere and in any decade and it would still tell the same story, only fashion and accessories would be different. Everyone has seen this movie by now and everyone has an opinion on it and most will say it is a really good movie. I would say that it deserves to be called a classic by now. It may not be a laugh out loud comedy or very dramatic and does move a little slow at times, but it delivers its message loud and clear and keeps you engaged throughout the whole movie. It gains momentum as it moves along and by the end, after experiencing all the emotiions you will feel satisfied.
1980's Classic
This movie is all about character development of people who are all drastically different.This is a comming of age film for the 1980's.The acting is wonderful.It is a different style of movie.There were some really great movies comming out then.Ferris Beulers Day off, Pretty in Pink and some kind of wonderful.This is another one.It is a classic of the time period for the people comming of age durning this time.The 1980's is a time I was fond of.I do not find it tacky as the media is right now.This movie is funny.Some of these classics get refered to inother movies.You might want to watch it.

To each his own...
This seems to be on everyone's list as the most definitive film of the 80's, that film to describe the youth of the generation and it's been hailed as the greatest high school movie ever made.Beings that I wasn't born until the year this film was released my idea of high school life finds no merit in this film whatsoever and I in no way shape or form can relate.Thus I can't agree with the above statement.
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Subjects:  1. Comedy Video    2. Drama    3. Feature Film-comedy    4. Movie   

Editorial Review

John Huston was eager for a lightweight lark, and Read more

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Reviews (21)

Looking for a DVD (and might I suggest a Re-make?)
First of all, I have no idea why this film is not available on DVD yet. You might be looking at my rating right now and thinking "He only gave it 3 stars? Who cares if it comes out on DVD!" Let me explain.
DVD, PLEASE!!
When, when, when is this terrific movie going to come out on DVD?The mystery is great, the acting terrific and I defy anyone who sees it for the first time to figure it out!

Huston In A Minor Key
While not necessarily one of the shining stars of director John Huston's career, "The List of Adrian Messenger" is a fairly engrossing mystery. George C. Scott stars as a retired MI-5 inspector who is given a list of 11 men by his good friend Adrian Messenger (John Merivale). When the men on the list--and Messenger himself--all end up dead, Scott must discover what links them together, and who is eliminating them one by one. The excellent supporting cast includes Herbert Marshall, Jacques Roux, and Dana Wynter, but the central gimmick of the film is spotting the cameo appearances by Tony Curtis, Frank Sinatra, Burt Lancaster, and Robert Mitchum. It's not hard to spot the heavy makeup; it's tougher figuring out who is behind it. Huston himself also makes a cameo toward the end, but without makeup.
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Movie    3. Mystery / Suspense   

Editorial Review

The Salem witch hunts are given a new and nasty perspective when a vengeful teenage girl uses superstition and repression to her advantage, creating a killing machine that becomes a force unto itself. Pulsating with seductive energy, this provocative drama is as visually arresting as it is intellectually engrossing. Arthur Miller based his classic 1953 play on the actual Salem witch trials of 1692, creating what has since become a durable fixture of school drama courses. It may look like a historical drama, but Miller also meant the work as a parable for the misery created by the McCarthy anti-Communist hearings of the 1950s. This searing version of his drama delves into matters of conscience with concise accuracy and emotional honesty. Three passionate cheers for Miller, director Nicholas Hytner, and costars Daniel Day-Lewis and Winona Ryder. Read more

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Reviews (135)

excellent film of a great play
If you can believe it, the first play I was ever in was The Crucible, when I had just finished sixth grade.We had a rather progressive director for the YMCA summer drama workshop.Her philosophy was that this was not theatre for children, but theatre by children and we did the last couple of scenes of this great play.I got to play Judge Danforth and my little brother was the Reverend Mr. Hale.I doubt any of our cast fully understood the play's ramifications then, but some of us understood enough to learn more, to read the entire play, and to try out for more plays when the chance came.
Disturbing and well made
I'm not sure why I ordered this movie, given that usually I don't like too much suspence, but maybe the historical aspect of it drew me. In any event, I'm happy I've ordered it--it is very well made, the acting is unnervingly convincing, and the story makes one be VERY grateful for not living in that village at that time! The analogy to present time abuse of power, mass histerias and tendency for 'witch hunting' (though no longer in the literal sense, still very much in other finger-pointing-to-save-one's-own-face and terrorizing others to join or else...as well as pompous know-it-alls) is eerie. Ideas and locations change, but the human flock-factor seems to be an ever present enemy...
Not the definitive version, but ultimately moving and powerful
The Crucible is considerably simplified from the play. Despite Arthur Miller handling the adaptation himself, so much of the historical detail and motivation for the witchhunts is dropped to get the narrative moving faster that at the end of the day the whole thing seems to have been reduced to a simple case of a woman spurned and a bad case of mass hysteria. Some awkward performances in the first half don't help either - Bruce Davison is shrilly ineffective, Daniel Day Lewis still seems to be doing Hawkeye, Joan Allen does her serious face again and the jury's still out on whether Winona Ryder is giving a convincing performance as an unconvincing liar or and unconvincing performance as a convincing liar. Yet the strength of the material shines through and suddenly, by the halfway point, you suddenly realise that you are completely gripped by it and that most of the performances have improved immeasurably once Paul Scofield has arrived to up the ante. Indeed, by the end the piece is genuinely tragic and moving (that said, I still maintain that the real hero of the piece is not John Proctor but Pastor Hale - the only character to realise his terrible error and to have the courage to publicly try to remedy it, however hopelessly). Excellent supporting performances from Karron Graves and, surprisingly, George Gaynes, although the houses seem a little too large for Puritan stock. Definitely a film of two halves, but worth seeing for the sheer power of the latter half.
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-drama    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

When Baby Bear must learn his alphabet in one day, Big Bird patientlytakes him under his wing in Read more

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Reviews (105)

NOT a good choice
For a video that is intended to be educational for very young children, this is the worst!My primary complaint is the serious speech impediment of the main character, Baby Bear.How does this help children learn to speak properly??In addition, his attitude is terrible.Finally, some of the animation (the letter "F" faces) is scary for young children.My daughter (who is about to turn 2) has several of the Sesame Street videos and this is the only one that I absolutely would NOT recommend.

Excellent!!
My two girls love to watch it all day over & over agan LOL. My girls are 3 & 1 and my 3 year with in the first two weeks she is starting to say the letters of the Alphabet along with the DVD. This is a must for kids early development.
Speech impediment of main character is an issue
OK, on the good side, this video contains all the favorite Sesame Street characters; is fairly long; has puppets, cartoons, animals, music, and some celebrity cameos; and most importantly, teaches kids the alphabet in a fun way. My 4 children have enjoyed it. However, one big issue with this video is the speech of the main character, Baby Bear. Sesame Street has always used the most ordinary looking children (not model-types) and has made its muppets with varying character traits, apparently, in an effort to show children that people come in all shapes and sizes - very "PC" and this was true even in the 70's before being "PC" was even defined as such. Having an instructional video with a speech-impaired puppet, though, is problematic. Forget trying to show kids that "Oh, some children speak like that and so that's part of the real world and it's OK". No. This is an educational video and I'm surprised and annoyed that this bear seems to say every possible word there is with a mispronouned "R", or as he says "aww" (rhymes with raw-ooo). So everytime this video is watched, my 2 year old thinks that it's correct to say "Beawwww" instead of Bear, "lettewwws" instead of letters, "twide" insted of tried, etc. Besides the educational shortcomings, the Awwwws begin to seriously grate on my nerves. If you can live with the fact that a main character in serious need of speech therapy is teaching your kids how to speak, then you may find this video enjoyable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children    2. Children's Video    3. Childrens    4. Educational    5. Family    6. Movie    7. Sing-Along    8. TV Shows   

Editorial Review

Most of this second volume of stories from the 1985-87 televisionanthology series is a middling offering from former Steven Spielbergprotégé Robert Zemeckis, who later won an Oscar for directingRead more

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Reviews (11)

Family Dog - Family Favorite
The first half of this is a less than memorable Christopher Lloyd episode of Amazing Stories, which says a lot about the writing since Christopher Lloyd could make a piece of toast funny. The second half of this is the Family Dog, which is not only memorable, but classic and under appreciated. This animated half hour has excellent writing, animation, and voice talent - including Annie Potts as the mother. The hilarity of home life is in your face and leaves you wanting more. My sisters, brother, even my mother quoted it for years after seeing it, "Oh my gawd they've taken the coffee maker!" My family was very grateful when years after seeing it, I bought each of them a copy through Amazon. They love it and watch it over and over- and what makes a classic of something beyond the audiences love of returning to the material? Even though the eventual animated series it spawned lacked the same writing punch, I would highly recommend this to anyone with a love of good clean "art imitating family life" humor.

It's perfect... would like it on DVD
We first watched it about 18 years ago and it's brilliant, a real gem. We watch it every couple of years now and enjoy just as much. The VHS tape (which was a copy) is almost unwatchable... would love to get the DVD.
OH MY GOD!!!
The cartoon was unbelievably funny! That rotten little boy and the smartass dog was too too funny for words.I RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE TO ANYONE WITH AN ATTITUDE PROBLEM BECAUSE THIS MOVIE WILL GET RID OF IT TEMPORARILY. JUST LONG ENOUGH FOR YOU TO FORGET WHY YOU WERE MAD IN THE 1ST PLACE ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Movie    2. Mystery / Suspense / Thriller    3. TV Shows    4. Television   

Editorial Review

A Halloween treat. Elmo visits fellow Sesame Street Muppet the Count in the latter's castle--and gets scared for a moment. But only a moment, as more friends from the television program show up, and jokes, songs, and surprises abound. Among the clever tunes: "Transylvania 1-2-3-4-5," "We Are All Monsters," and "Frazzle." Read more

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Reviews (24)

My three year old son thinks it is too scary
Well, this is cute.I like it.But my three year old son (who normally likes Elmo and who normally like Halloween) is scared to watch it.He doesn't want me to play it--he asks for Dora's Halloween instead.
Very cute Elmo video
Nothing like Best of Elmo but entertaining for a 2 yeard old.Wasn't dissapointed.

A favorite
Of all the Elmo movies my daughters own, this one (and wild wild west) are their favorites. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children    2. Children's Video    3. Childrens    4. Family    5. Movie    6. TV Shows   

Editorial Review

The Read more

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Reviews (149)

OK
My daughter is 16 months old and loves Elmo.I purchased this DVD thinking she would love it but she doesn't love it, she likes it.She loses interest in it b/c the songs aren't familiar.All in all the DVD is OK.

The BEST DVD for Toddlers by FAR!!
My 20 month old daughter absolutely LOVES this DVD. This is the ONLY DVD that she will watch for the entire length of it!I have even restarted it with her still in her "Elmo trance" and she still didn't budge!This has been her best Easter present! She has since received three Elmo's World DVDs that she likes, but they still do not compare to how much she LOVES this one.With the Elmo's World DVDs, she gets bored when they show Mr. Noodle and the other "real people" clips.Maybe those are more interesting for older kids, but for my daughter, she just isn't interested.

2 little thumbs up!
A great addition to the Elmo collection. We liked this so much we bought the cd to listen to in her room for play time. Excellent video. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children    2. Children's Video    3. Childrens    4. Family    5. Movie    6. TV Shows   

Editorial Review

This big and sometimes messy movie achieves the seemingly impossible: it demythologizes the American Revolution and lets us see it in a completely new light. Hugh Hudson (Read more

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Reviews (40)

Haunting and real, a cinematic work of art
I chose this film over Gibson's The Patriot for my son to view as part of his course on American history and literature, with no regrets.
A bit clipped
This film leaves me a bit on the confused side. Costuming is first class and excellant. The Scenery and settings are first rank. Battle scenes are good and appear realistic. But the plot leaves me a bit confused. I would be inclined to ask if this was originally planned as a great mini-series except the best parts have been clipped out and the rest stitched back together to form something within a time limit.
Overlooked Gem
I wrote a review for this film six years ago while I was a college history student. After one more degree, and six more years of study in the history field, I still consider this film the best treatment of the American Revolution.
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Subjects:  1. Action    2. Adventure    3. Drama    4. Feature Film-action/Adventure    5. Movie   

Editorial Review

Alice returns from Wonderland only to discover she's on the wrongside of her living room mirror at the beginning of the second half of IrwinAllen's 1985 production, with teleplay by Paul Zindel and songs by SteveAllen (the three-hour film was broken into two parts for video, the firsttitle being