Editorial Review

John Schlesinger's solid adaptation of Thomas Hardy's novel sees three rival suitors vying for the affections of the beautiful Bathsheba Everdene (Julie Christie decked out in a variety of bonnets and frilly dresses), who has just inherited a farm. The men in her life are stout, whiskered yeoman Gabriel Oak (Alan Bates), an impoverished local farmer; neurotic, repressed squire William Boldwood (Peter Finch); and handsome rascal Sgt. Troy (Terrence Stamp), who breaks women's hearts for a hobby. Read more

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Reviews (25)

One of my favorite films!
Before I purchased this film I couln't decide whether to get this 1967 version or the Masterpiece Theatre version that came out in 1998.I'm glad I chose this one.The musical score is breathtaking as well as the scenery.The actors did an incredible job in conveying their characters.I probably watch this film every couple of months simply because it moves me so deeply.Alan Bates is my favorite character-he plays the kind, honest, responsible "average" guy very well.Most of the people in love with this film saw it when it came out in 68 so I guess I was lucky to have discovered it-mainly through my love of english literature.Otherwise I had never heard of it like Gone With the Wind-I wasn't even thought of till 78.
An unforgettable picture!

Far From The Madding Crowd
This is an exceptional film.Julie Cristie is perfection!!
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Movie   

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Reviews (24)

Poor QualityDVD
I purchased this movie, Les Miserables, for my boyfriend. All he ever talked about was this movie starring Richard Jordan and Anthony Perkins. Since it was a fairly old movie, I chose to purchase what I thought would be a quality movie from Amazon. My boyfriend watched the movie while I was working one night, and to his dissapointment, towards the end of the movie, the DVD stopped, slowed down, started, paused, started, slowed. What a shame. I am really dissapointed with my purchase.

Great Story, good movie, bad special effects.
The story revolves around Jean Valjean. He is sent to prison for 5 years for stealing a loaf of bread. Time is added to his sentence after a series of attempts to escape. After 19 years in jail he finally escapes. He meets a bishop, "who buys his soul", and makes him change his life. After 5 years of hard work he becomes mayor in a town. A new Inspector moves in and recognizes him. After 15 years of trying to run away from police, they meet again in Paris. The inspector finally has a chance to kill his rival, but decides not to and commits suicide.
Nice film--but no music!
Film version of Les Mis has great acting and authentic setting. However I didn't realise when reading other reviews that this was a dramatic version based only on the book (not the play) and therefore all the glorious music is not part of it. How dissapointing.
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-drama    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

John Waters made his bid for PG respectability with this enjoyably trashy comedy about the racial integration of a teen dance show on Baltimore television in the early '60s. Waters, as always, makes a virtue of junk culture and the powerful emotional forces it can represent as kids vie to get on the show. Meanwhile, a parade of former stars (Pia Zadora, Debbie Harry, Sonny Bono) and pseudostars (Divine, Ricki Lake) cross the screen, playing freakish characters absorbed by thoughts of fame. (Waters himself turns up as a weirdo psychiatrist.) This transitional film for Waters is rough going at times and not as interesting or funny as his later features Read more

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Reviews (60)

A Change of Pace for John Waters
I first heard of Hairspray a few years ago when Harvey Fierstein was winning acclaim playing the transvestite role on Broadway. I heard of it once again, when I read that John Travolta would be playing that same role in a theatrical version of the film. Around this same time I saw a movie called "Pink Flamingos" which led me to discovering John Waters, which led me to finding this film. "Hairspray" is not Waters' best (in my opinion), but it's definitely a special and funny film that is a far cry from other efforts by Waters. First off, it's his first and only film to have a rating under 'R' (In fact, it's rated PG) and while it still contains a few vulgarities; It's actually a pretty tame movie. The film takes place in the 60's, where hair (and hairspray) was the rage. Equally popular is The Corny Collins Show, a TV dance party that all the kids just eat up. One in particular though, dreams of being on the show and becoming famous. This is Tracy Turnblad (Ricki Lake, 'Serial Mom')...
Lousy movie
I saw the stage production and thought that since it was good the movie would be good also. I was very wrong. The movie is awful

What Great Fun
What great fun I had watching this movie. I really enjoyed the music, and the characters in the movie were just like the kids were back then.I was taken back to the days of American Bandstand and other dance shows of that era. Really fun to watch and fun to remember........ ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comedies    2. Feature Film-comedy    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (6)

A Small Film with a Huge Heart
I saw Cal when it came out in 1984 at the Harvard Square Theatre, back when it specialized in classic American films, what we call now independent films, and small foreign movies.That theatre in this form doesn't exist anymore, nor do films like this one.The demise of both is a shame.The fact that there is no DVD version of Cal speaks to how even today a film with the scope and subject of this particular one might seem less than economically viable to a distributor.Like the wonderful short novel it is based upon, and adapted no less by the novelist himself, Bernard MacLaverty, Cal is a bleak, dark film--depressing even.How could a film about the Troubles in Northen Ireland not be?Nonetheless, it is a beautifully filmed movie, its scope honed down to the bone so that through the story of Cal McCluskey, reluctanct IRA getaway driver, and his terrible guilt for his role in the assassination of a local Protestent cop, followed by his love for the dead man's widow, Marcella, we see the whole awfulness, madness, and tragedy of the Troubles.That's a lot for a film this small to accomplish, yet it does, all the while never overstepping its modest style and approach.What makes this film work is the artfully understated performances by all its cast, but in particular John Lynch as the inarticulate young man at the center of the story.Then there is Dame Helen Mirren in one of her early film roles.She's young here, younger than you remember her ever being, but she is still Helen Mirren, one of the great actors in contemporary film.And in the unflashy role of the young widow, she is, naturally, excellent.So is the haunting, Gaelic tinged score by Mark Knopfler, one of his best.Is this a great film? No.But it is a film that is uncompromising about what it wants to do: to show how war and bigotry affect the innocent.If you want that kind of movie, then this is worth spending 5 dollars on.Or much more.

magnificentlydeadlocked
This excellent movie takes you back to the Northern Ireland of around 1980. A country greatly suffering from the violence between the IRA and the British army.
disapointing
since i've never heard of it, and being an american of irish-catholic decent naturally i was excited! with anamazon "5 star" rating, i was ready for something like "in the name of the father" or "michael collins" or like caliber. unfortunetly this film (athough somewhat interesting) was nowhere near that quality. this film once again proves my theory,"If you've never heard of it there's a reason for it!!! ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Producer Gabriel Pascal brought the undiluted wit and wisdom of Bernard Shaw to world cinemas, and the world is grateful.But for all Shaw's philosophical irreverence and bracing ironies, as a screenwriter he had a lot to learn about structure and movement.Read more

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Reviews (5)

One of the most striking comedies of the British Golden Decade!
Once more the irreverent vision of Georges Bernard Shaw, carves in relief with this story about a rich girl who decides to join the Salvation Army. Wendy Hiller one of my beloved "brides" of the screen makes a delightful and terrific performance in this satire of mistakes where she will discover the other side of the life.
Food for Thought
A previous reviewer noted that the film was basically a platform to expound on George Bernard Shaw's views on munitions, war and other issues of the day, and rated it with one star.
Worth Watching For Cast Alone
I am a hugh fan of Robert Newton, made famous as Long John Silver in Disney's Treasure Island.Seeing him in his younger days as would-be tough guy Bill Walker, was very interesting.You can clearly see glimpses of his future characters such as Long John Silver, Bill Sykes in Oliver Twist and so on.Having seen him mostly play rough guys it was aslo fun to see what a cutie his really is. The film isn't the greatest but I would definatly recommend see it despite critics pointing out its cinematic weaknesses and plot flaws.I am one of those people who simply watches a movie instead of analysizing the film to death, and it is worth watching. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comedy    2. Drama    3. Feature Film-drama    4. Movie   

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Reviews (3)

It should be called - NonArena
Time again to counter the perfect reviews for the Justice Department.
Man Vs Monster
One of my all time favorite B movies from the 80's. Not even given close to the recognition it deserves, this film is one of the absolute best cheap ass sci-fi movies out there. I too cannot wait for this to show up on DVD and quite frankly I'm shocked that isn't even being discussed to my knowledge. In the same genre..Killer Klowns from Outer Space made it to DVD..I truly can't see why this one cannot. I picked this film up at a local video store back in 1988 and just fell in love with it. Sure it's cheesy..but hey..if you are true B movie fan..then this one is for you. 3 thumbs up! I own the typical VHS version of this film and I'm crossing my fingers for a DVD sometime in the near future.

Bad SciFi at it's Best!
This is one of my favorite "B" movies. Cute story with an interesting cast. Don't expect much and you won't be disappointed. Can't wait till they put it on DVD! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action / Adventure    2. Movie    3. Science Fiction   

Editorial Review

Zhang Yimou (Read more

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Reviews (144)

This is the one to watch
Red Lantern is a carefully crafted story centered around a young woman named Songlian, played by the ever-brilliant Gong Li. Songlian's hopes and dreams of college and a better life are cruelly cut short by the sudden and unexpected death of her father. With no money for school and at the insistence of her mother, Songlian is forced to marry Chen, a wealthy landowner who already has three wives of his own. Each of the wives reside in separate wings of his centuries-old castle estate. The living quarters are extremely upscale and come complete with a personal servant and maid. But, like the storied bird in the gilded cage, their lives are sad, empty and lonely.
The Quality to DVD is Appalling!
Raise the Red Lantern is a wonderful movie with a great story.When I had heard that this movie was going to be transfered to DVD format, I was thrilled. And then I bought the DVD, and to my dismay, within the first couple of minutes into the movie, there were white lines and distortion. Since I loved the movie so much, I thought I would make an exception for the first few minutes, but as the movie continued, so did the white lines.I could not believe what I was seeing.The DVD copy of this movie, reminded me of the old movies I use to see years ago, when there were only 7 channels on TV.
Terrible transfer quality!
UGH!Yet another disaster!I REALLY hoped this would be a bettter transfer than Ju Dou, but alas I am not satisfied!I am already 2 minutes into the dialogue and thinking "oh my gosh, do I really have to sit through this cr*p again??"Terrible subtitles also...erghhhhh...and I LOVE Gong Li.What a shame.I guess one can watch it KNOWING it's going to be bad quality ahead of time...I just really wasn't expecting it.I'm going to go watch it as I'm sure it's going to be great acting. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Foreign Film - Chinese   

Editorial Review

Imagine a Cheech and Chong pothead comedy, only instead of two scruffylowlifes, the movie is about an aimless Scottish gardener and a middle-agedBritish widow with a green thumb. Grace (Brenda Blethyn of Read more

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Reviews (66)

The best movie of all time!
This movie has it all, especially for baby boomers of the early 1970's. Blethyn, as a betrayed widow is priceless and Nigel Ferguson as her pot smoking gardener steals the movie with his characteristic good humor and good looks. The English scenery is charming and Blethyn's loyal village friends top off the movie's touching humor and happy ending. I have given this DVD as Christmas gifts and my friends have loved it too. A MUST OWN!

Top 5 of the funniest movies I have seen
This is a truly funny movie. The main character is so out of her element that it is totally belivable how ridiculous she is. This is one of those movies that you buy and come back to watch and invite your friends over for movie night. It's a good buy for your DVD collection

A must see
This is a must see movie for lovers of British comedy. This movie had me in stitches. In short, the plot of the movie is about a widow trying to raise money to pay off the debt her husband left her. How does she go about the task? By growing pot. Lots of laughs to be had. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comedies    2. Feature Film-comedy    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

After the tight plotting and quirky intensity of Read more

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Reviews (598)

'Where's the money. Lebowski?" - "It's uh... uh... it's down there somewhere, let me take another look. "
I won't add to the voluminous praise that already exists in abundance on Amazon that speaks so eloquently of this film.I agree totally with everything written here stemming from a positive vibe, man.This is one of my favorite movies.Certainly my favorite Coen Brothers movie in their comedic body of work, even bypassing "Raisng Arizona" (which I think is a masterpiece as well).
The only good part of this movie is when...
...Tara Reid offers a certain favor for a thousand dollars. Other than that, it's a typical Coen Brothers "Look-we're-being-clever" affair. And yet the laughs are few and the "zaniness" rings hollow.

Hilarious
The main character, Lebowski, is a bum of a person living in Los Angeles who spends most of his time either doing nothing or bowling with characters played by John Goodman and Steve Buscemi. Suddenly Lebowski's life is changed when he is mistaken for another Lebowski who is much wealthier than he and who as gotten involved with a group of unsavory characters.
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Subjects:  1. Comedies    2. Feature Film-comedy    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

British filmmaker Michael Winterbottom didn't make a particularly good film until Read more

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Reviews (76)

A good soundtrack in search of a movie.
About the only thing this movie has going for it is the excellent music. The producers of this film are out of their mind if they expect any viewer who's not screwed-up in the head to feel sorry for the two stupid main characters just because their sick, incestuous, and adulterous lifestyle is incompatible with the world they live in. If you want to leave your entertainment center in a good mood, don't watch this!

A tangled web of breaking social codes
This was Winslet's pre-Titanic post-Heavenly Creatures film baed on the Thomas Hardy novel. It's a story with very shocking social themes for the period setting: cousins in love, one being married to a woman who has committed bigamy, illigetimate children, fratricide, social exclusion, poverty, adultery, and all sorts of class struggles made harder by very unpopular social choices. The film is long, detailed, complicated, and there is an unusual chemistry between Winslet and her co-star. It's hard to day what the theme or "moral" of the story is but does lend itself to social commentary. The characters are victims of many social demands of the time and prove that doing everything in the name of love can be a very bad thing. They just can't get ahead in life because of their choices. In the end the love destroys both of them with Winslet turning to religion in repentance and her cousin/lover forced to live alone and in yearning for her.

AN EXCELLENT MOVIE .NOT FOR KIDS VERY VIOLENT.
I JUST WATCHED THIS DVD AND ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW.KATE WINSLET AND CHRISTOPHER ECCLESTON GIVE STELLAR PERFORMANCES.THE STORY TAKES PLACE IN SCOTLAND.IS VERY VIOLENT,AND VERY DEPRESSING.THERE ARE A LOT OF MIND GAMES PLAYED.THE ENDING IS VERY SAD`AS THEY LOSE 3 CHILDREN TO SUICIDES.WHAT A MOVIE NOT THE USUAL FAIR,BEAUTIFULLY FILMED.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED,ONLY IF YOU HAVE A STRONG STOMACH.DO NOT LET YOUR CHILDREN WATCH THISTHANK YOU . ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Majid Majidi, whose delightful Read more

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Reviews (68)

Gentle and powerful . . .
This is another fine film by Iranian director Magid Magidi. In its manner, it seems to reflect issues in Iran's culture (its faith-based adherence to patriarchy, for one), while treating them in what seems to be a gently elusive way, at least on the surface, while appealing at the same time to more universal and deeply felt values that cross national boundaries everywhere. The elusiveness may well result from the heavy-handed control of artistic expression in the Islamic Republic (see Shirin Ebadi, "Iran Awakening") but patience rewards the viewer with what is a thoughtful meditation on the struggle for dignity, personal safety, and a harmonious community life.
Crying out for love
As a genera, foreign films are much more beautiful than anything produced by Hollywood. The Color of Paradise was no exception. Right from the start the audience was immersed in a heart wrenching family drama transcending both time and culture. The beauty of this film is, whether you grew up in Iran or any place else on the planet, you can't help but empathize with the plight of Mohammad and Hashem. Although filmed in a foreign land the plot is definitely not a foreign concept. The characters speak Farsi but once you turn on the subtitles even the language barrier goes away.
Captivating
After I watched this movie, for a while, I became more enthusiasic for life and this world thanks to Mohammed. I watch parts of this movie over and over again, the part in which he discovers the crops growing in the fields in his village, the part in which he is discovering sand , water and the call of sea birds by a beach and the time, he is happy to come into his village and shouts out to his grandmother over and over again.
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Foreign Film - Other    3. Movie   

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Reviews (21)

This is great!!!
I don't know why people are giving such bad reviews for this movie. i loved this as a child. As you get older you can point out the mistakes but just enjoy it. I loved how the princess wasn't afraid to do things and helped defeat the goblins rather than sit back and watch. The "weird weaknesses" and "lisps" are for comedic humor. Remember this movie's audience was for children, not adults, they need something to keep their attention. I highly recommend this movie, as someone who loved it growing up and i still loves it as a young adult.

Cute I guess...but doesn't make much sense...
This movie is o.k. for little kids, but in many ways doesn't make much sense. The Goblin's have a werid weakness for they way they live and you would think they would do something about it. Also the king and his men are pretty stupid considering what is going on...watch the movie you'll see. But I would recommend something like Spirited Away, what a great movie.
Where's my salt shaker...
Watching this movie was probably the worst moment of my life. This is probably the worst movie to carry the words "genre animation." Actually... probably the worst movie to carry the word "genre." Yes, it was fun to watch when I was a child, but now that I know that there are much better movies out there, I realize that this is no great production. Also, I think that you people who are still absent-minded in the movie world need to grow up. If there was a -1 star rating, of course I'd rate it that. And for all of you who said that the animation was great... well... let's just say I could do better using watercolors blindfolded. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action / Adventure    2. Children's Video    3. Childrens    4. Pop   

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• Original recording reissued
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Reviews (20)

Beware, PAL
Some sellers are selling the PAL version of this DVD under this heading of Region 1.Unless you can play PAL, avoid.
Enjoyable yet unpretentious
Angela Lansbury does a wonderful job at protraying this character. Set in great locations that make the story more believable. No movie ever lives up to what a book can deliver in feeling and detail but this comes pretty close. I enjoyed the complex relationships between mother and children. They ring so true, using my family and other families I know as a guide. Forget those that say this is nothing like the book or give it only one or two stars. This movie does stand on it's own and the acting is great.

The Shell Seekers
I had read the book and enjoyed it.The movie followed the story line in a believable manner. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-drama    3. Movie    4. TV Shows   

Editorial Review

Having earned Hollywood's respect with blockbusters like Read more

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Reviews (233)

Of Historic Importance..But...Longwinded
This review refers to "Windtalkers" DVD
Who was the movie more focused on?
As a nephew of a Navajo Code Talker, I would like to express my thoughts on WINDTALKERS.
Life of the Navajo Code Talkers
This film was okay but they should have gone more on how the code talkers operated to get the Japanese target destroyed. There were too many war cliches in this film like when Sgt. Enders picked up wounded Pvt. Ben Yahzee amid gunfire from heavily trained Japanese rifleman. The Big Texas Marine who operated the BAR seemed like a Saturday Morning Cartoon Character. There was racism like the Zoot Suit Riots in LA. But the Marines would have respected their Navajo Radio Operater like a brother since their lives depended on him and the Navy Corpsman. I thought John Woo (who mostly make hardboiled-gun battle action movies) was the wrong person to direct this film. Hopefully the new Band of Brothers sequel based on the Pacific Theater and the move based on the book "Flags of our Father" that are be made by Steven Spielburg, Tom Hanks, and Clint Eastwood will be good. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action    2. Adventure    3. Drama    4. Feature Film-drama    5. Movie   

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Reviews (10)

Region 2 DVD is now available, but only with Scandinavian subs!! :-(
Such a shame, there is now a restored version available but they didn't bother to make it available to the rest of the world.
An epic film: a battle against the dignity no matter what!
This timeless film shows how far the power of will of some human beings can reach under determined conditions and not precisely the most favorable ones .
Utvandrarna
I bought this video for a research paper I was doing on Vilhelm Moberg, author of the four Emigrants novels.At any rate, I consider it a testament to the achievement of the Swedish actors that their performances managed to carry feeling, tension, and a spark of humanity although their voices had been taken away.I can't stand dubbed voices, so this is saying a great deal.At any rate, this is a fine movie, telling a fine story (read the books!), the only reason a star is missing is for the dubbing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Foreign Film - Swedish    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

The classic science fiction novel by Ray Bradbury was a curious choice for one of the leading directors of the French New Wave, François Truffaut. But from the opening credits onward (spoken, not written on screen), Truffaut takes Bradbury's fascinating premise and makes it his own. The futuristic society depicted in Read more

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Reviews (110)

Fairly faithful adaptation of the Bradbury novel.....
Perhaps one of Truffaut's most ambitious films.One knows we are in for something special when the opening titles of the movie are spoken rather than written and hints to the innovative approach Truffaut has taken to depicting perhaps Bradbury's most popular novel.
Not So Hot
I was disappointed when I went back and checked out this 1966 movie version of Ray Bradbury's famous tale about book-burning.The characters here start off in a world where books and reading are banned. It's an authoritarian world in which the government controls the media. So I had thought this movie made a commentary that would be relevant to the dangerous drift of today's governments. My memory apparently didn't serve me well though. Viewing this Fahrenheit again, I actually found it to be a weak, illogical rendering. I don't think Bradbury could have been too happy with this translation of his story onto the screen.
Oldie but goody
A movie version of Ray Bradbury novel of a restristed society that banned books "for our own good". People are given drugs to make them feel good all the time (like Prozac and other drugs now).
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Subjects:  1. Horror / Sci-Fi / Fantasy    2. Movie    3. Science Fiction