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Reviews (9)

GIRLS TOWN -- Two VHS Duplication Speeds.
It's always amazed me how director Charles F. Haas managed to orchestrate the outstanding cast that he had for _Girls Town_. The amount of talent assembled for this low-budget classic is virtually unprecedented: Mamie Van Doren, Mel Torme, Ray Anthony (Mamie's real life husband during filming), Paul Anka, Gloria Talbott, Elinor Donahue, Gigi Perreau and The Platters.
A Very Good Movie
This is a very good movie. In fact, it is extremely well done all around. The acting was very effective and convincing. I particularly liked the cinematography.Also, the script worked on many levels making it appealing to a wide audience. I found this film to be both entertaining and thought provoking.

Girls Town
I actually saw this movie for the first time a couple of weeks ago on American Movie Classics. I know it's a B movie, but I really liked it. I thought the acting was surprisingly "tight". I was also surprised to see Mel Torme acting in a film, as I had never seen this before.As with most films portraying teenagers, real teenagers are seldom used, so I can't really bash it for that.I liked the music as well, especially the opening song and Anka's touching rendition of Ave Maria.This is the kind of movie I would have enjoyed watching at a Saturday afternoon matinee. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Feature Film-drama   

Editorial Review

Oliver Stone would like to have the last word on America's media culture of voyeurism and violence, but whatever he's trying to say in this grisly, unconventional movie comes across terribly garbled. Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis play traveling serial killers who become television celebrities when a Geraldo-like personality (Robert Downey Jr.) turns their madness into the biggest story in the country. Stone extensively rewrote an original script by Quentin Tarantino, and he employs a mosaic of different film stocks, video, and pop pastiches to create a sense of blurred lines between visual phenomena. (The background on Lewis's character's life as an abused child, for instance, is presented as a sitcom starring Rodney Dangerfield.) But the result of these experiments is a pompous, even amateurish effort at grasping the reins of a real-life national debate. One almost wants to tell Stone to sit down and raise his hand next time if he thinks he has something to say. The controversial director would like Read more

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Reviews (343)

A Slice of Americana with a Tall Glass of Non-Fat Milk
Natural Born Killers took a stab at the media, penal system, and American culture so deep that it still has not recovered. Oliver Stone has always made risqué films, and has always in my personal opinion put his heart and soul into them. Films such "The Doors", "Platoon" and "Nixon" which all captured some degree of humanity and subculture do not even hold a candle to this phenomenal work. The infusion of animation, pop culture and askew directing make this story (written by Quentin Tarantino) one of epic proportions.
So bad it's almost interesting
There's no description for this movie.Stone has managed to take a couple of characters that nobody would like and make you hate them even more.Some say he's a genius.Maybe he is but I don't think he's much of a director.

Choppy movie
I felt as though the camera was clamped to a paint mixer. After about 30 minutes it gave me a headache so I turned it off. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

In the future, crime is out of control and New York City is a maximum security prison. Grabbing a bargaining chip right out of the air, convicts bring down the President's plane in bad old Gotham. Gruff Snake Plissken, a one-eyed warrior new to prison life, is coerced into bringing the President, and his cargo, out of this land of undesirables. Kurt Russell put his Disney days behind him as the nicest bad guy in the picture. All comic-book sensibilities and macho posturing, this is one of writer-director John Carpenter's better brainless escapes. There are snappy one-liners and explosive action scenes. However, the film lacks tension and some believability even within the realm of SF fantasy. Even when it fails to gel, though, it always manages to amuse, thanks in great part to a varied and unusual supporting cast (watch for Ernest Borgnine as a cabdriver). Followed in 1996 by Carpenter's overdone and campy Read more

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Reviews (133)

Good Movie, Good DVD
**This Review is only for the special edition DVD**
[Really Three-and-a-half out of Four] Snake Plisken, take a bow!
Very well made John Carpenter future
(;D)....(:D)...(:D)
A definite cult classic Sci-Fi that is dark, bleak and thoroughly enjoyable! Kurt Russell is outstanding as the over the top anti-hero Snake Plissken and has a lot of fun with the role. The story line is fairly solid and keeps you watching. And although by todays standards the special effects may be a little dated... they are still adequate. A fun no brainer for sure! Just don't see the terrible sequel Escape from L.A. It basically was a bad remake of New York and was very cheesy and almost sad to watch. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Pam Grier and Sid Haig stole the show in Jack Hill's Filipino-women-in-prison hit Read more

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Reviews (7)

Jack Hill, precursor to 80's action directors?
I'm not out and out familiar with the Women In Prison genre, nor am I all that familiar with the work of Jack Hill.I came to this flick by way of a growing interest in Transgressive/Exploitation cinema of the 60's and 70's.
Solid Grier Action Movie
This movie is much better than I anticipated.Despite being a "women in prison" exploitation movie, this film has more to offer than just cheap voyeurism.The plot surrounds life inside a womens prison in the Philippines and culminates in a break out.Complexity is added by the role of Pam Grier and her revolutionary friends who are hoping to assist the break out for their own aims.Grier is good as ever and well supported here by an unusual cast that work well.The whole movie is somewhat tongue in cheek, but still works as an action movie.There are few dull moments as the movie has plenty of action maintaining a good tempo and you come away feeling satisfied.The quality of the DVD version I have seen is quite high and it looks fresh and good to look at.Whilst you cannot take it too seriously, this would be quite worthwhile owning.

A big DUD --- avoid this one like the plague!
Women-in-prison films are supposed to be erotic!That means they're supposed to have AT LEAST ONE of the three following things (and preferably MORE than one):
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Subjects:  1. Action / Adventure    2. Movie   

Editorial Review

Pam Grier in a women-in-prison movie? Why did no one think of this sooner? OK, they did. Several times. But this one is different. Read more

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Reviews (9)

[3.5]--"Let's get down to some serious B&tt-kicking business."
I don't understand anyone who says that this is one of the worst exploitation films they have ever seen. Just the title alone gives this cult status and all the ingredients are here for it being an extremely fun film to watch. Yeah I'll admit that women's Prison flicks are terrible. They are all about getting girls naked. BAD action sequences & Horrible acting always plague these movies. They're usually made for teenagers who watch late night SKINemax. Black Mama White Mama on the other hand is fun. It doesn't take it self seriously. It even has drama that is topped off with a dramatic ending.
Whole Lotta Woman!!
Pam Grier is THE dish in this blaxploitation Classic!!Sleazy, campy lesbian undertones and some truly hilarious dialogue make this watchable again and again

dis movie rox mai sox mahon!!!!!
DIS IS DA PAM GURL MOVIE...........SHE IS DA BEST GURL IN PLANET CAUSE SHJE LOOX HOT WITH GOOD LOOKIN HOTTAS.................DA BOMB MAN DA BOMB!!!!!I LOVE DAT GURLS MOVIE............MARRY ME ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action / Adventure    2. Movie   

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Reviews (6)

Action-packed Bronson time-filler
Typical Bronson actioner where he plays a gun for hire using a helicopter to get American businessman, Robert Duvall, out of a Mexican prison.Randy Quaid plays Bronson's assistant, and Bronson's then real-life wife, Jill Ireland, plays the wife of Duvall desperate to get her husband out. Director Tom Gries also directed the highly acclaimed western, "Will Penny" in 1968.
LIFE IMITATING ART
When BREAKOUT was released in 1975, it was shown at Jackson State Prison (Michigan).Several days later, someone tried to break an inmate out of the prison using a helicopter.Unlike the film it failed.But another classic example of life imitating art.The prisoners would have been better off trying to get an imitation of Sheree North in (the)black lingerie (sequence).BREAKOUT is yet again another enjoyable Bronson time waster, not of the caliber of his work with Michael Winner, but still worth a look.The Jerry Goldsmith score is first rate as expected.

Great For Bronson Fans!
Once again Charles Bronson plays the role of the hero.The lead
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Subjects:  1. Action / Adventure    2. Feature Film-action/Adventure    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

Fifteen years after John Carpenter squandered a great idea on a mediocre movie (Read more

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Reviews (93)

Time waister
Sufficient movie to waist a couple hours downtime here in Afghanistan. That's it though!

[Out of Four stars] Snake Plisken is back! And surfing Ventura Blvd!
John Carpenter did better than many
Old cars
In my humble opinion, the real stars of this sorry sequal were the cars, e.g. the Corvair, Buscemi's Caddy and Cuervo's 1959 Buick.
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Subjects:  1. Action / Adventure    2. Feature Film-action/Adventure    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

The first of many in a series depicting the harrowing prison existence of a convict who uses his wits and fists to survive. Leon Isaac Kennedy's character is thrown deep into the bowels of the prison system, where the only consistent truth is kill or be killed. To show his strength and gain respect from the other inmates, Kennedy must distinguish himself as a boxer, taking on all comers to save his own skin and regain his pride as a human being. Surprisingly effective in its harsh detailing of violent prison life, the film addresses the dehumanization of prisoners without excusing their crimes. Thought of as an exploitation picture, Read more

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Reviews (7)

I can defiantly see why this is one of John Singleton's favorite films
This film was really good. Writer and director Jamaa Fanaka was still a student at UCLA and Penitentiary was the first starring vehicle for former disc jockey and future evangelist Leon Isaac Kennedy. If you don't know the story it goes like this; Too Sweet (Leon Isaac Kennedy) is charged with murder, and convicted despite his innocence; he's shipped off to a run-down prison where Jesse Amos (Donovan Womack), one of the prisoners, lords it over the other inmates. Too Sweet ends up sharing a cell with Half Dead (Badja Djola), a violent lunatic who is one of Jesse's musclemen. Too Sweet refuses to buckle under to the intimidation dished out by Half Dead and his cronies, even after seeing how they've "turned out" Eugene (Thommy Pollard), another new fish who has become Jesse's sexual slave. Forced to defend himself even though he hates violence, Too Sweet displays a genuine talent for fighting, and is persuaded to take part in the prison boxing tournament, where he could win a night with a woman or even his freedom. However, Too Sweet sees the deck may be stacked against him when he finds out his opponent is the horrible Half Dead.
Most Realistic Prison Movie Ever!
Penitentiary.Wow!This is not your average, run of the mill, candy-coated prison movies.Be sure to fasten your seatbelt before taking off on this journey.After seeing it for the first time, it shocked me because I wasn't ready.However, after that, I basically became hooked.I simply cannot get enough of Penitentiary.The fight seen between Half Dead Johnson and Too sweet is the best raw, street fight type of battle you will ever witness on screen.The "Crazy Man" game, when Too Sweet jumped on Big Jesse, the (heterosexual) orgies in the bathroom, the final bout . . .I could go on and on about this movie, but I'll end here by saying if you are a fan of prison movies, you simply can't go wrong with Penitentiary.Too Sweet is the Man!

wrong dvd
I ordered a dvd that I was wanting but instead they sent one that I had no interest in. I wish that I had the one that I had originally ordered!!!!!!!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Movie    3. bargain_vhs   

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Reviews (4)

not as good as expected
for all of you w.i.p films this is a dud not what we are all looking for but had a few parts that were intersteing but very few

not as good as expected
for all of you w.i.p films this is a dud not what we are all looking for but had a few parts that were intersteing but very few

Some people shouldn't make women-in-prison movies!
If you're going to attempt a women-in-jail flick, you've GOT to have at least ONE good girl-girl scene, right?If not, then why bother at all? I mean, people are going to EXPECT it, and to not include a couple ofaggressive lesbian guards and/or prisoners kind of defeats the purpose forthe entire film!Jewel looks good, but I'm sorry, it's not enough! ... Read more

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