Editorial Review

Complex to the point of being pleasingly convoluted, this Sydney Pollack film (from a terrific script by Robert Towne and Leonard and Paul Schrader) is an intriguing blend of Western and Asian sensibilities. Mitchum, in one of his best roles of the 1970s, is drawn to the Orient by an army buddy (Brian Keith), whose daughter has been kidnapped. But when he gets to Japan, Mitchum finds that her kidnappers are the shadowy Yakuza, the Japanese Mafia--an organization that is as vicious as it is tradition-bound. He must call on friends he made after World War II for favors and finds himself unintentionally trampling on issues of honor, even as he battles for his life and that of the girl he is seeking. Surprisingly heartfelt and deliciously exciting, the film features a sorrowful performance by Mitchum and a stoically touching one by Ken Takakura. And what great samurai swordplay! Read more

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Reviews (15)

I am obligated to buy this on DVD and on VHS!
I have seen this movie numerous times and NEVER tire of watching it. As someone involved in Japanese Budo and having been to Japan several times, I get lost in the movie each time. Watching Takakura Ken perform the first Iaido kata-Ippon Mae: Mai is excellent.
They Bring a Sword, Then You Bring a Gun!Mitchum Rules!
When we were living in New York City, and I was twelve, my Dad told my Mom that he was taking me somewhere for a few hours.To my delight, we ended up at a ratty movie theater on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.These were the days before the monster multi-plexes.I can't remember the exact address, but it was a large one room gig that had seen it's better days.From what I could tell, some cool guy had come up with the idea of programming this low-rent theater with old Samurai flicks usually starting with the name Yojimbo...Yojimbo meets the One-Armed Warrior...you get the idea.
GRANDDADDY OF FILMS SET IN JAPAN, BUT SHOWING ITS AGE..
For a movie made in the 70s, this Pollack production deserves a hats-off for being so way ahead of its time. From a Kendo class with very accurate "kata" to Ginza's neon lights, the film gets it astonishingly spot on, which is remarkable given the preoccupation of the rest of the world with the meteoric rise of that whole Japan chimera at the time.
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-action/Adventure    3. Movie   

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Reviews (28)

A Hidden Treasure
Got this today on VHS. Saw it when it came out years ago and should have had a copy before now. I did have a copy on VHS taped off of cable a few years back but it got drowned by water from a leak in the basement. Let me just echo the sentiments expressed by the reviews before me, please whoever reads these reviews in the entertainment industry, please release this on dvd. It is a classic and a highly underrated film.
Attention studio:Please release this on DVD!
I'd like to echo the other reviews and say that I, too, would love to see this movie on DVD.It's a very entertaining movie!It's easy to get wrapped up in it and not want to miss a moment.Unique story and some nice photography.My old home-taped video is getting worn out -- sure hope the studio sees fit to release this on DVD soon! It really is baffling why studios release some really bad movies on DVD right away -- and then wait years to release better ones.

No DVD YET??
So, every crappy movie ever made is on DVD and yet this great movie with big name actors and a fun plot is still a no go??I guess the "WTF" shorty was made for a reason.Might be this one. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Ranked 34 on the American Film Institute's list of the 100 Greatest American Films, Read more

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Reviews (294)

Just about perfect in all respects...
Race and crime are the topics of this adaptation of Harper Lee's mega-selling novel. Set in the pre-World War II south, filmed in black and white, starring two child actors who were totally unknown and the wonderful Gregory Peck, the movie is really a tale of a single dad small-town lawyer raising a boy and a girl to do the right things and think the right thoughts. Famous for many things, the movie features a child character based on Truman Capote, and a mysterious neighbor played by Robert Duvall in his film debut. The music and cinematography are both superb. Everyone over the age of 12 should see this film at least once.

A Cinematic Masterwork About Human Fallibility in a World of Wearying Intolerance
Having just read Charles Shields' biography of Harper Lee, "Mockingbird", and re-read her classic (and only) novel for at least the third time, I was able recently to watch Robert Mulligan's 1962 classic film adaptation with fresh eyes, and the 2005 Legacy Series Edition DVD fortunately contains a pristine print transfer and a bundle of extras that make repeated viewings more than worthwhile. Rarely has a film so accurately captured the emotional consequences of human fallibility steadfastly within the grip of racial intolerance. Set in the Deep South of Lee's childhood in the fictional town of Maycomb in 1932, the story, adapted by writer Horton Foote, focuses on six-year old Scout, the tomboy, motherless daughter of lawyer Atticus Finch.
Review of DVD To Kill a Mockingbird
The Legacy Series Edition of To Kill a Mockingbird is an excellent DVD set.In addition to the classic movie (which we never tire of), the special features are very interesting, including interviews with "Scout" (Mary Badham), and "Atticus Finch".It is easy to understand why Gregory Peck is so revered and respected as an actor.
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-drama    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

Middle-eastern terrorism provides the dense, perpetually timely context of Read more

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Reviews (16)

great spy movie!
forget the tacky 1980's clothes that Diane Keaton wears, forget the fact that Diane Keaton was a mite too old to be playing the Mata Hari, this is a fantastic spy movie! Diane Keaton plays a spy
Diane Keaton plays "The Little Drummer Girl", a young American actress recruited into a very complex plot to help catch an international Arab terrorist.The plan involves a lot of twists, backstabing, and double crosses, so you'll forgive me if I don't go into the details.Diane Keaton dose well as the vulnerable woman who is seduced into this rather complicated mission, where she is scared because she dosn't know everything that is going on or who she can trust.Keaton is strong and believable as a Palistine sympathizer.Yorgo Voyagis and Klaus Kinski as Keaton's contact and his suprerior (resectivly) also stand out with excellent performances.I really bought the love story between Keaton and Voyagis, which is rare; usually I hate the love stories in espionage thrillers, this one felt real.It is mostly subtle, only the violence at the end is brutal and bloody, but not too badly.I keep watching movies like this one or "Black Sunday" and I get chills at how close these movies are to (then) future events.Although that's where similerities end, "Little Drummer Girl" makes former West Germany it's target of terror.I liked this movie, it had the reality that James Bond dosen't, and heart that Tom Clancy is usually lacking.Good job all around.

YIKES
I was surprised at how dopey this movie was -- I mean, right from the beginning. But then, it wasn't made yesterday -- it was made 20 years ago. I guess nowadays we demand a far more detailed setting for a flick involving Middle East intrigue. It felt so much like a standard issue TV episode from the early 80s that I kept expecting to see a commercial break. I swear I've seen episodes of Gilligan's Island that outperform this film in terms of suspense and plot development. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action / Adventure    2. Feature Film-action/Adventure    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

Roger Moore was nearing the end of his reign as James Bond when he made Read more

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Reviews (105)

One of the Best Bonds
This is one of Roger Moore's best Bond movies and ranks up there with his definitive THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN. It certainly has its moments. It does contain the best scene from the entire series. Bond swings from a vine and gives this terrific Tarzan yell. Only Roger Moore's Bond could pull that one off. Bond uses some cool disguises like a gorilla suit and an alligator outfit that turns into a boat. The story is a little confusing and gets jumbled up in subplots involving lookalike jewelry and smuggled nuclear devices. You don't know who is good or who is bad. It depends on your point of view.
James Bond As Indiana Jones
Was there ever a James Bond like this one? Oh, there were better Bond stories, no doubt, but I do doubt there were any more entertaining than this one.
5 stars
Very good Moore best by far the ones before Octopussy Moore was too young and the one after he was WAY TOO OLD great plot great actors great bond girl MUAD ADAMS probally the best bond girl and many exotic locations like India and Germany. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action / Adventure    2. Feature Film-action/Adventure    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

This B movie with noble aspirations is the work of a gifted filmmaker whose storytelling falls short of his considerable stylistic flair. While addressing crises of faith in the framework of an alien-invasion thriller, M. Night Shyamalan (in his follow-up to Read more

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Reviews (1203)

A Sober Mel Gibson delivers an excellent performance
Very good acting and a fantastic script put this movie at the top of the list of must see movies of this decade.
Hotch Potch
Not since "Sixth Sense", with the most obvious and telegraphed twist, have I seen a bigger load of hooey. This guys inability to tell a story without glaringly obvious chasms in the plot is only equalled by his obviously tenuous grasp of Christian theology and doctrine.. a bit like an O'level pupil writing a thesis on nuclear fission. The mere concept of this plot, using an alien invasion as proof of Gods existence, flys in the face of the most fundamental of christian tenets.. Crikey, and all this from an agnostic..

Signs is One of Our Favorite Films
Not only does the movie Signs offer a wonderfully different kind of alien/ufo tale, but its characters are very likable and the story is about much more than aliens from another planet. The story's true question is this: does everything just happen by chance, or is God caring for His children in ways they simply cannot understand? Signs is the story of hope lost, faith put aside because of intense pain and grief, and how one man's relationship with God affects the lives of those around him. We were amazed by how truly moving this film is, as well as how humorous it can be, and we were impressed with the acting of all the cast. Does everything just happen by chance, or is God caring for His children in ways they simply cannot understand? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Horror / Sci-Fi / Fantasy    2. Movie    3. Mystery    4. Science Fiction    5. Suspense   

Editorial Review

Billy Bob Thornton wrote, directed, and starred in this mesmerizing drama with haunting overtones of Read more

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Reviews (185)

Modern masterpiece!
Karl (Billy Bob Thorton) is a mentally challenged former killer that done a serious crime 25 years ago has been released back home. While he's there he meets and befriends a young boy (Lucas Black) and his widowed mother (Natalie Canerday) whom has trouble with the abusive boyfriend Doyle (Dwight Yokem) as it suddenly remindes Karl of his horrific past.
IS ALREADY A CLASSIC
The only bad thing I can say about this movie is that director/actor/writer Billy Bob Thornton (BBT) will never top it.Watch the included extras on Disc II of this release (over three hours worth) and you'll see that BBT agrees with that prediction."Sling Blade" is simply a GREAT movie, already a classic.It is better each time I watch it.

Excellent, big hearted film
"That Frank, he lives inside of his own heart. That's an awful big place to live in."
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-drama    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

This minor 1955 work by Alfred Hitchcock, one of the lighter entries of his creative peak in the 1950s, is still imbued with the master's stock themes of shared guilt and romantic ambivalence. It is also hardly lacking in Hitchcockian cinematic inventiveness, such as a famous, often-imitated sequence in which some smooching between stars Cary Grant and Grace Kelly is intercut with a fireworks show that just happens to be going on outside in a Riviera setting. Grant plays a reformed cat burglar who is suspected of reviving his trade, though he knows someone else is using his old methods. A very enjoyable experience, but don't get this confused with Hitchcock's other Cary Grant film of that decade, which was a masterpiece: Read more

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Reviews (110)

Good edition of the movie.
Everybody knows the plot of this movie. So, I can't add anything in that respect. However, I can tell you that the quality of the DVD is very good. Clear picture and sound - great buy.

Hitchcock's Combo Platter: Style, Suspense and Comedy
This is Hitch's least "heady" film -- the sheer physical beauty of Grace Kelly in her prime, Cary Grant in his, and the French Mediterranean in its, they all conspire to confound intellectualization. The screen seems slick with the vapors of the stars' physical luminosity.
To Catch a Thief
You don't get much better than Cary Grant, Grace Kelly and Alfred and Edith Head.Full of fun, danger, and suspence, this suspenceful thriller shows how Hollywood used to make a romantic movie. Alas, can one imagine how this movie would be made today? All guns, car chases and explicit sex and very little plot! Let us be glad we have means of saving these classics for our future entertainment!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classics    2. Drama    3. Movie    4. Mystery    5. Mystery / Suspense    6. Suspense   

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Reviews (56)

Believable premise
Having heard the real Travis talk about his abduction I was anxious to see the video interpretation of the experience. Expecting a low-budget "B" movie, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the movie took the premise seriously, focusing on the reactions of Travis' friends instead of lingering on outrageous special effects. I highly reccommend this film.

Fire in the Sky
My cousin recommended this movie. She being a little more squeemish than I. It was a good story, like a bad dream someone might have but not too scary. Too many unanswered situations.

An Alien Abduction Case and Human Drama
"Fire in the Sky" opens with a quotation from the Greek dramatist Aeschylus: "Thus does chance make a plaything of a man's life"-pretty highbrow stuff for a sci fi flick about an alien abduction. In fact, the opening quotation of this excellent and underrated screenplay by Tracy Torme is aptly chosen and deftly introduces the deeper, metaphysicalunderlying themes of the movie.
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Movie    3. Science Fiction   

Editorial Review

Disney's delightful whodunnit mystery Read more

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Reviews (41)

Fantastic movie for kids 6 and above !! The cat and dog are great!
Great movie for kids; the cat (Mrs. Murphy) and the dog are great.My 6 1/2 year old daughter loved it!!! Good Disney Fun!

Shallow and a Big Disappointment
I am a huge fan of Rita Mae Brown's "Mrs. Murphy" mysteries, so I was understandably excited to watch this movie.Unfortunately, the producers of the film changed many of the characters personalities.Some of the changes were minor (Blair Bainbridge was a doctor, not a model; and Susan Tucker now owns a cafe) but some were unforgivable in that they changed the character's basic nature and made them so shallow they were one-dimensional.Considering that Rita Mae Brown's greatest strength as a storyteller is her in-depth characters, this simplifying them was really quite insulting.For example, Cynthia Cooper was somehow morphed from a tall blonde to a short black woman whose main purpose in the film was to serve as a comic counterpoint to Rick Shaw -- who lost his moustache and was changed into a stereotype of a bumbling county sheriff.This was not the fault of the actor, who tried his level best with what the writers gave him and by sheer willpower rescues any dignity Rick had left after the writers were done with him.
Why, oh why . . .
The fact that this movie has a nice cast just can't save it from the usual Hollywood stupidity.They started with a perfectly good story, written by Rita Mae Brown and as part of her Mrs. Murphy mystery series, and changed it almost beyond total recognition.These books are not great mysteries, but they are always charming, full of great character development, and quick to read.The changes made in translating the story from the book to the screen were totally unnecessary, and especially jolting when you consider how many people have actually read the books.Why the producers felt they had to change the story, change the characters and their backgrounds, and many other things is beyond comprehension.This sort of thing should not happen, but it does much too often.When will Hollywood learn to listen to people who watch their movies? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Feature Film Family    2. Movie    3. Mystery / Suspense / Thriller    4. TV Shows   

Editorial Review

James Bond's fourth adventure takes him to the Bahamas, where a NATO warplane with a nuclear payload has disappeared into the sea. Bond (Sean Connery) travels from a tony health spa (where he tangles with a mechanized masseuse run amuck) to the casinos of Nassau and soon picks up the trail of SPECTRE's number-two man, Emilio Largo (Adolfo Celi), and his beautiful mistress, Domino (Claudine Auger), whom Bond soon seduces to his side. Equipped with more gadgets than ever, courtesy of the resourceful "Q" (Desmond Llewelyn), agent 007 escapes an ambush with a personal-size jet pack and takes to the water as he searches for the undersea plane, battles Largo's pet sharks, and finally leads the battle against Largo's scuba-equipped henchmen in a spectacular underwater climax. This thrilling Bond entry became Connery's most successful outing in the series and was remade in 1983 as Read more

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Reviews (150)

Thunderball just isn't a good film. Period.
Any way you slice the pie, Thunderball is a lard-encrusted, margarine-filled meal of empty calories. It is a bloated mess with a pompous performance by Connery, its only saving grace a towering budget and an excellent John Barry score.
Thunderball
I'm not sure how it's never happened, but I've never seen a James Bond film. I didn't see any of them. I've heard of them of course, but finally while walking in a local library...I stumbled on this one and figured why not. Well, for my first James Bond experience I was pretty satisfied. It's a decent spy film, with some good action scenes and Sean Connery's burning charisma.
He's the best Bond!!!!
an't mess witht he Connary. He unbreakable baby!! You have to love the old school. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action / Adventure    2. Feature Film-action/Adventure    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

This 1991 thriller by Joseph Ruben (Read more

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Reviews (61)

This movie is very disturbing, but perhaps some people will develop compassion
When I went to this movie I thought it was a spy movie.Nope it is not.It is about domestic violence.Men seems to really like this movie and some women too.Perhaps someone can gain some compassion from this movie because it feels this way to be in an abusive relationship.I had just comeout of one when I saw it.It was a horrible experience to see this movie.People are allways blaming women.My relationship did not go this far, but perhaps people will develop compassion and learn how bad this is.When you see her stress of trying not to upset her husband with stupid little things like arranging the cans.Yeah I lived stuff like that.Anything will set off an abuser like that. A stray carrot peeling set mine off.The neighbors porch light.Spending time with his dad his abuser from childhood.The person gets it for these things.Perhaps you will understand from this movie.My next boyfriend purchased this from BMG he was an avid movie buff.I told him to get that out of the house.He took it back to the post office and he said that the woman there said it was a good movie.He said he had to return it because it reminded me of my ex he said she gasped.
Flawed, But Engrossing
Although primarily a showcase for Julia Roberts, who had become Hollywood's latest "IT" girl after "Pretty Woman", this romantic thriller, based on Nancy Price's novel, is watchable and quite suspenseful. It cannot be denied that the book is far superior, as is the case with most film adaptations based on a best-selling novel. The film is obviously aimed at women and the "yuppie" attitude that was still prevalent in the early 1990s. In the book, the abusive husband and wife were middle-class, while in the film Martin Burney (Patrick Bergin) is a wealthy businessman, who places his beautiful wife on a shelf like a trophy, expecting perfection and exploding when she doesn't meet his qualifications. While many may argue the change in their financial status in the movie, it does show that domestic violence can happen at every economic level, in all different walks of life and societies. We are only subjected to one instance where Laura (Roberts) is beaten by her spouse, although his control over her, demands and insensitivity to her feelings has been hinted at, and she does indicate that it was definitely not the first time. The novel goes into far more graphic detail of his offenses. Sara (the names that Roberts assumes are reversed in the book) wears a wig constantly after she escapes to Iowa, while the movie only has Laura wearing a wig as she escapes, and then she has her hair trimmed a little shorter and gets a perm. Not a very effective disguise if you're trying to alter your physical appearance so the bad guy won't recognize you! When she tosses her wedding ring in the toilet and tries unsuccessfully to flush it down the drain, Martin finds it after he tears through Laura's personal belongings and cuts himself, he discovers it with no problem - did he not use the toilet in the weeks since Laura's "death"? Faking her demise, since her husband believes that she could not swim (she secretly took lessons at the YWCA, who inadvertently tips psycho hubby off - how did they find him?), she finds an ideal guy, Ben Woodward (Kevin Anderson), the local college drama professor, who embodies the sensitive, artistic dreamboat with such naturalness that you cannot help but like him. He gets her to open up (at least as far as she is capable of doing) and he senses that she is very traumatized, and is there for her when she most needs him. Anderson has rarely been seen since and I wonder what became of him - he certainly had the talent (anyone who can even partially pull off the opening number from "West Side Story" with a garden hose in tow and make it look easy must have something special), and the sequences featuring Van Morrison's Brown-Eyed Girl, and the vintage 60s tune Runaround Sue is actually quite engaging, a break from the intensity of the plot and showing some light-hearted, romantic fun.
Enjoyable fun 90's thriller
I enjoyed this film from the great acting from a young Julia Roberts. The film is early 90's so it's not the greatest but it's very entertaing. the film is very suspensfull and the acting is good. The plot is original and has you on the edge of your seat. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-drama    3. Movie    4. Mystery / Suspense    5. Mystery / Suspense / Thriller   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (213)

A Movie With A Heart
I Am Sam is superb to the core.Excellent performances across the board, and an emotionally involving story.Sean Penn is believable as someone who is mentally challenged.This is a veritable tour de force for him.But not to be upstaged is Dakota Fanning, who plays opposite of Penn and is named Lucy Diamond after the hit Beatles song.Sean Penn's character has to fight for custody of Lucy, and luckily he retains the services of a good lawyer, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, for free.She helps him as best she can and so do some mentally challenged friends and a caring neighbor.All in all, a very beautiful movie with plenty of heart and goodness.One of my favorites.

Do we get balloons?
I did cry during this film.There, I got it out there in the open so that it wouldn't hold me back as I talked about how great of a cinematic journey I Am Sam was.I remember when this film was released and how disgusted I was to hear that Sean Penn was taking the role of a mentally challenged individual because I am under the utter beliefs that if you want realism in your film, just hire someone who faces it daily.I didn't see the point of getting Sean Penn to over dramatize it.I am here to say that I was wrong.For once, I think Sean Penn was the perfect choice for this film.Yet, it wasn't just Penn that made this film worth more than one viewing.I believe that director Jessie Nelson realized that she had a cliché Hollywood story on her hands, in fact just another retelling of Kramer vs. Kramer (which is referenced throughout the film), and needed to do something to set it apart from the rest.Her answer, Beatles songs, imaginative cinematography, and gathering the best of the best to tackle her main characters.While Michelle Pfeiffer seemed to be an odd fit, the rest fell into place beautifully.Let me say this now, Dakota Fanning will win Oscars (more than one) during her film career.Needless to say, this was a much better film that initially represented.I Am Sam is one of those movies that we assume will be just like every other Hollywood outing, but until you open the box, put the DVD into your player, and experience the music, the visuals, as well as the phenomenal acting; you will never quite understand why I Am Sam carried above the Hollywood standard.
A really good choice...
Not to far back I made a statement that I felt Sean Penn's performance in this film made him appear desperate.After watching this film yet again I have to reconsider my approach for it's less desperate and more over-enthusiastic.Who can blame an actor whose well loved and adored by fans as well as the academy for going a little overboard when given the opportunity to chomp on some real Oscar bait.The only problem here is that Sean goes a little too far over the top and it just gets to be too much (ONLY at times...I don't want to leave the impression that the entire film is full of overacting...it's not!)
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-drama    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze are the passionate lovers whose romance is undone when the latter is murdered during a bungled hit arranged by a rival. The clever concept by screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin (director of Read more

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Reviews (132)

enduring
This is my #1 favorite movie.I saw it again hours ago.I could recall all scenes and 90% of the dialogue; so I was a bit surprised to find a few tearsrunning from my eyes at the ending scene.
" Ditto "
Phenominally successful film, about a man named Sam , who is killed and begins his journey to solving his own murder , as a ghost. Simple plot , however , the story is told with a fantastic cast. Whoopie Goldburg gives an outstanding, Oscar winning, performance as the medium that helps , Sam , communicate and get his earthly revenge. Everyone says this is a great film. I say , ditto.