If You Don't Stop It, You'll Go Blind

Sexy and funny
Classic sex jokes played out in real life with 70's style. Quite funny. Pull up your couch, grab a drink, shut off your brain, and enjoy.

A Cult Classis? Maybe
A really stupid movie. It was a lot better when I was younger. But, I guess you could regard it as a classic and a must-have for any serious collector.

Does not stand thetest of time
Can I do it till I need glasses was a "Classic!" This was just average. I bet if you are on something, it would be a funny movie!

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Iris [HD]

Love Does Not Cure Everything, But It Helps A Lot
"Iris" is not an easy to movie to watch. It is very painful and it can be unberable to some people. But in the end you see how much it means to have someone to support and love you -- mainly when you need.

The film tells the story of the British novelist and phlisopher Iris Murdoch. Alternating scenes from the young Iris (Kate Winslet) and the old (Judi Dench) the film shows the most important periods of her relationship with the love of her life John Bayley ( Hugh Bonneville and Jim Broadbent). So we see when they first met and how they develop such a relarionship founded on love, friendship and mutual admiration. And we also see their last days, when the desease dominates Iris' mind.

The cast is simply a wonderful. No actor is in the wrong place and the four central actors who plays the couple in different times of their lives are stunning. Kate Winslet once more is brilliant as the young Iris who is beautiful inteligente and fierce. Judi Dench as the older Iris is centred and...

Poignant portrait of Iris Murdoch
Because I have personally witnessed the devastation of Alzheimer�s Disease, I was hesitant to view �Iris�, which is an unflinching account of famed British writer Iris Murdoch�s battle with this monstrous illness. Now, I�m glad I saw it. It�s a beautiful film.

Murdoch [1919-1999] wrote nearly thirty novels, most of which deal with the complexities and mysteries of human behavior. She also taught philosophy. She deeply loved her husband of forty years, John Bayley, a renowned literary critic. Her other great love was words. To watch her slowly losing contact with all she loved [and, thus, with all she was] is a deeply touching experience, though the movie can only begin to describe the real-life events.

Iris is portrayed as a young woman by Kate Winslet. Judi Dench plays the older Iris. Young John is Hugh Bonneville, old John is Jim Broadbent, who won and Oscar for his performance. The casting is perfect, not only because the actors are...

Beautiful and poignant
This is such a beautiful film, and although it's sad I didn't find it depressing. The setting is drab - in fact, most of it is filmed in a dilapidated old house - but the effective use of flash-backs and the four superb, Oscar-worthy performances of Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent, Kate Winslet and Hugh Bonville shine and make this movie something truly exceptional. See it.

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A Dominatrix Story

PAIN IS MISUNDERSTOOD
Abby (Rebecca Larson) is shy and psychotic. She breaks up with men before they can break up with her...so there! She has film of her father who was killed by a dominatrix. She goes after all of those involved by dressing as a dominatrix.

This movie is also marketed under the title "Justify" and "Sweet Karma". Abbey gets close to the dominatrix by getting involved with a portrait painter (Jaret Sacrey) and his model the dominatrix Victoria (Heather Lemire).

I found the film to move slow. You really don't care for Abby who is aloft and is her own worse enemy. You don't really get to know her because you don't care to know her. The camera work was fairly bad as it had a lot of unnecessary movement, i.e. not mounted but hand held. I am not sure what the effect should be other than annoying. Even with a strong sexual theme, I found things rather boring in between the times Abby wasn't wearing her outfit.

There are better kinkier films. Lipstick, 9 1/2...

Dominatrix Plots Revenge
I found this story interesting but also a little disappointing. The plot involves a girl who years later uses sessions dominating people to murder those who killed her father. Overall, the story seemed a little thin and a lot less titillating that such a story line might at first indicate. While I liked the fact that the domination scenes were treated as a natural part of the story, I found that they were rather brief and seemed almost an afterthought. Also, the only such scenes in the movie were those where she exacted her revenge. Was she really a dominatrix, or just using it as a cover to access people when they were vulnerable?

Don't Believe The Title
There is no story of a dominatrix! I expected scenes of true domination. There were only a few short scenes of her dressed like a dominatrix and only 1 scene where she acted like one for a short period of time. It is a story of revenge and murder. Not a dominatrix.

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The Cove [HD]

a must-see documentary
****1/2

Ric O'Barry may be the world's premier lover of dolphins, but the one place you'll never find him at is Sea World taking in a show. That's because he'd much rather expend his time and energy in freeing those marvelous creatures from captivity - an act for which he has been arrested numerous times and which has earned him the status of persona non grata in many quarters. Yet, although O'Barry may be an "environmental whacko" (maybe even a "dangerous criminal") in the eyes of some, to others - and certainly to the dolphins whose freedom and well-being he champions - O'Barry is a real life hero.

The remarkable, consciousness-raising documentary "The Cove" chronicles O'Barry's efforts to make a clandestine video record of a dolphin slaughter that takes place regularly in a secluded cove in Taiji, Japan, far away from public view. Here thousands of dolphins are trapped, some to be captured and sold to dolphinariums, but most to be brutally massacred for...

Secret Slaughter: Today's "Silent Spring"
About 3/4 of the way through THE COVE, I nearly turned it off. Not because it was a bad film, but because it was almost too painful to keep watching. I grew up, like many my age, watching the hit TV show, Flipper. It was a great adventure going along with Bud, Sandy, their dad and, of course, Flipper the dolphin. I used to pretend to swim with him (Flipper) and thought it would be the coolest thing to be able to feed and play with a dolphin. So it was doubly troubling to see Ric O'Barry (the man who helped capture and train Flipper) as the centerpiece for this film. After watching the original Flipper die in captivity, Ric learned a hard lesson: that creatures with this kind of intelligence should never be kept in captivity, nor should they be harmed.

Fast forward to today, and we find Ric in Taijii, Japan near a small cove where, every September, the unthinkable happens. A mass slaughter of hundreds or...

Touching and inspiring...
I really think everyone should watch this documentary, not because this is just a great documentary (and it is), or because their cause deserve any more attention than any other animal cruelty or global warming issue, but because it pictures the kind of people the world is most in need nowadays.

These people are different from us, who, in most cases, see what is happening to earth and its wildlife and just think: "i wish i could do something to change all this", or maybe just don't care at all. This is where these people differ from us, they actually got out and did something about it, sometimes even risking themselves.

What is happening in Japan, and other places in the world, where dolphins are being literally slaughtered, is a cruelty, plain and simple. When i see something like this happening i think: "there is no hope for the human race, we're just doomed, we're killing this planet a creature at a time." But when these kind of people try to do something to...

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Just Wright [HD]

Just Wright Review
JUST WRIGHT

STARRING: Queen Latifah, Common, Paula Patton, Pam Grier, James Pickens Jr. and Phylicia Rashad

WRITTEN BY: Michael Elliot

DIRECTED BY: Sanaa Hamri

Rated: PG
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release Date: 14 May 2010
Review Date: 25 May 2010

It's been refreshing seeing so many romantic comedies as of late, that were not only good, but clean as well. Leap Year, Letters to Juliet and now Just Wright, have all been very tasty films and were all rated PG.

The adorable Queen Latifah who is one of the few people in Hollywood you can tell has a good soul just by looking at her; stars as Leslie Wright. All of Leslie's life, she has been the `friend' to charming and available guys. No one has ever wanted to be more than that with her in the end, and to add insult to injury, guys tend to fall for her best friend Morgan (Paula Patton).

Morgan is indeed beautiful, but then so is Leslie, and only an idiot...

Predictable plot, interesting characters
Nothing about this film seemed any more unique than any other romantic sports style film. Boy chases girl. Boy gets girl. Boy dogs girl. Boy makes it better. The end. While other friends and family around me were just dying for the release date of this film, I wasn't going to see it. However, when I saw Common and Queen Latifah (fake?) flirting it up on "The Mo'Nique Show," I found them entertaining. They sure did look believable, so it made me want to see them in action. I saw the film. I won't lie to you. It is about as predictable as you would guess. Leslie is the girl's guy, the next-door-neighbor style lady who is chummy with all the guys but they don't really get a spark out of her. She's every guy's best friend who's a girl but not girlfriend material.

But her roommate Morgan (Paula Patton) knows what to wear and what to do to sink her teeth into a man. Her eyes are set on Scott McKnight (Common), and he of course chases her. She badly wants to be a basketball wife...

Great Movie
I love this movie so much. I have watched this movie at least 4 times since I purchased it. Every time I watch it I always feel so positive about meeting the right man for me. Queen Latifah and Common had such great chemistry. Paula Patton was just too cute and funny. James Pickens Jr., Phylicia Rashad and Pam Greir were so good as the parents. The story was so positive. It is too bad that Hollywood doesn't produce more postive movies about African-American relationships like this.

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The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1960)

The best film version of the Mark Twain classic.
This is probably the most accurate portrayal of Huck ever brought to screen! Here you see the young hero learn the power of loyalty and the evils of racism as he smokes and curses his way through one adventure after another.

Despite criticisms about the use of racially offensive language, this movie(and book) have done much toward bridging the gap between the races by imparting understanding and empathy. Accusations that the language of the book should justify its being banned are born of ignorance, not a true desire for tolerance.

Watch this and decide for yourself.

MICKEY ROONEY SHINES!
THIS MOVIE IS ONE OF THE GREAT STAR MICKEY ROONEY'S VERY BEST. WHO CARES IF IT'S NOT TOTALLY TRUE TO THE BOOK. THE FACT HERE IS THAT I WATCH IT TO SEE MICKEY ROONEY'S GREAT TALENT AND JUST TO SEE HIM. HE HAS SUCH A SCREEN PRESENCE, THERE IS JUST SOMETHING ABOUT HIM THAT MAKES ME BELIEVE THAT NO OTHER COULD BE ANY BETTER. THIS MOVIE IS GREAT! IF YOU ARE A MICKEY FAN AS I AM YOU WILL LOVE THIS MOVIE! HE'S GREAT AND ADORABLE!

Close to the Book
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a classic story that has made its way in some way or another into the brains of every American. It is Mark Twain's novel about a boy named Huck (Mickey Rooney) who hates school and everything proper who escapes his aunts and his deadbeat father on a raft down the river. He discovers that his aunt Polly's slave Jim (Rex Ingram) has escaped too, and the two join forces. However, it is assumed that Jim has killed Huck, so a desperate search is on to find the runaway.

Thanks to two outstanding performances by a youthful Rooney and a talented Ingram (not the director), this film shines. Rooney was certainly no innocent little boy when he made this film, but he behaves just like one. Ingram was lucky enough to get one of the few black roles at this time with some depth; he utilizes it. This film also stays close to the original story without being lengthy. It is an entertaining film all the way through, even if you've read the book and seen...

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Boys And Girls [HD]

Very Interesting Movie
I am not in the target audience and did not expect to see this movie, just picked it up for my daughter. However, I found this film to be very good, especially the performance of Freddie Prinze (Ryan) and Clarie Forlani (Jennifer). The way they play the changes in feelings between them is well acted and interesting. The dance scene is outstanding and really puts you into the film. I purchased the film after renting it I enjoyed so much--not something I normally do.

Clarie provides an outgoing personality that plays very well with Freddie's quiet character who's feelings warm to a roast as the movie reaches its love scene. The final scene is the movie's peak and as well done as any I have enjoyed.

The first level of the movie is standard boy meets girl. But below the surface are two individuals that have many conflicting emotions. This was well played by Freddie when at a party he asks if his "sis" wants to leave. Claire, the sis, is involved with a guy and wants to...

When Harry Met Sally for teens
Misery loves company. I became addicted to this quirky, somewhat surreal romantic comedy when a long term relationship of mine ended. To watch Freddie Prinze Jr. and Claire Forlani as long-time friends navigate through the minefield of failed relationships and teen angst only to eventually consider getting together themselves seemed like the perfect anecdotal medecine to relieve what I was going through at that time. Yes, it's ultimately a funny and touching drama that taps into that need for comfortable feel good stories to put the sparkle back into life. Really, it bears more than a striking resemblance to WHEN HARRY MET SALLY in both structure and themes. (Is it a surprise they are both favorites of mine).
Ultimately my favorite part of the movie is the first half. The movie starts with a young Ryan and Jennifer meeting for the first time on a plane from New York to Los Angeles. Their encounter remains so memorable that five years later Ryan recognizes Jennifer during a...

Should friends become lovers?
Should you be yourself, or smooth out the rough edges? What about opposites? After many bad endings, how do you know if love is going to be worth the trouble?

Jennifer & Ryan are pre-teens when they meet. Jennifer is being very forward, discussing the implications of her period. Ryan is a geek, trying to plan everything, who doesn't think Jennifer is his type, and pushes her away. As the plane takes off, he is afraid of flying. I actually missed this symbolism, but something at the end of the movie reminds you of it.

For the next 5 or so years, and dozens of chance meetings, this scenario repeats until the viewer can hardly stand it. Ryan will not pick up on Jenny's advances. For contrast, his roomate works entirely too hard at meeting girls. Does Ryan play it too straight and careful? Is Jenny too slutty? Is her roomate gay? There are lots of interesting angles and subplots, exaggerated so you don't have to be a genius to pick them up, which I find helpful. :)

For...

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Kronk's New Groove [HD]

An entertaining, though weakly plotted sequel
First of all, let me just say that Kronk's New Groove is very, very funny with a good amount of laugh out loud moments. Surely that is all that matters then, eh? Well, no. Compared to the first film, the story is pretty tepid.

All of the previous characters return. Of course there is Kronk himself, along with Kuzco, Pacha and his family, the babbling squirrel and Yzma (who has now turned mostly back into a 'human' but still features a cat's tail and feline abilities). The movie tries to incorporate all of them into the story but nothing really sticks. It all just seems like an excuse for mayhem.

As before, it is told in flashback with Kronk explaining how he ended up in such sorry circumstances. His dad is coming to visit him and he's afraid of the inevitable disapproval he'll get as all he's managed to do with his life is be a Junior Chipmunk Troup Leader and run a restaurant kitchen. His dad thinks that cooking and talking to animals isn't a 'real job' and...

3.5 stars: Not as brilliant as "The Emperor's New Groove" but fun
I have to confess I have minimal hopes (close to none, actually) when it comes down to Disney "Part 2" movies. Almost every single one of them I have seen has dissapointed me. So, in the same way, I had very low hopes for "Kronk's New Groove", very much so, the second part of "The Emperor's New Groove". To beat the first one or be just as good was a tall order: David Spade stole the show on that one, making it a very happy surprise for most movie viewers.

Kronk, indeed being a secondary character in the first one, takes on center stage here. And while his story lacks some of the appeal that made the first one a hit, the directorial duo manages to pull off a pretty funny flick, starring the same cast of voices from the first movie (Spade, Patrick Warburton -Kronk-, John Goodman -Pacha, the Emperor's partner from the first movie- and Eartha Kitt -Yzma, the villain-, among others). The movie is packed with tongue-in-cheek moments that I found amusing and my son laughed to over...

Kronk won't get a "nostril flare of total rejection" from me
For starters, I haven't seen The Emperor's New Groove, so I'm pretty much judging this sequel on its own merits. I liked a lot of things about Kronk's New Groove - maybe I would have enjoyed it less if I could judge it against the first movie, but maybe not. The only real negative about this one is its length - the credits start rolling after a mere 67 minutes, and that qualifies as short in my book. In a way, though, the length speaks to the whole aura of the film. Kronk's New Groove isn't about trying to impress you with the latest supercool animation techniques or framing an epic story that will be talked about for decades to come. I think it's just trying to entertain and, to some extent, deliver a wholesome message, and it does it in a fairly laid-back manner.

Kronk (Patrick Warburton) is now a chef (and, lest we forget, chief delivery boy) at a popular diner, his henchman days all in his past. He's pretty happy with his job and all of his friends there in town...

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Three Men And A Baby [HD]

Fine Entertainment!!
This older film, dating back to 1987, was a sleeper hit and a real favorite when it came out. The cast of Tom Selleck, Steve Gutenberg,and Ted Danson was just fine, and the story line was terrific. Here we see three "professional men" having to deal with the realities of life- a baby- and the predicaments they have to deal with are realistic and not patronizing at all. Then to discover that Danson is the real "Daddy" brings an even greater element to the film.

I believe that this had to be one of Selleck's best movies, and the ensemble cast is excellent. A fine family film, and to watch and listen to the trio sing "Goodnight Sweetheart" is worth the price of the movie.

It is so funny!
My mom rented this movie for my sister and I. Four thumbs up!!!!! The parts we liked the best were when the baby was crying, when Peter and Michael first saw the baby, and when they were bathing the baby using a turkey baster.

Enjoyable film with a lot of humor and content
This movie came out in the late 80s and I have never seen it. I've seen the sequel, Three Men and a Little Lady, but never this one. So, being that there was nothing new I wanted to see and intrigued by the idea of Leanord Nimoy as a director, I watched the film.
Honestly, I found the film to be quite entertaining and enjoyable to watch. You can't help but laugh at watching some of Hollywood's manly men (at least back then) deal with the daily routines and hardships of raising a baby, especially without a woman around to help. It's fun to watch blue-blooded Tom Selleck, high-spirited Steve Guttenberg, and cheerful Ted Danson attempt to apply their business-know-how to raising a child and then watch as they deal with the consequences.
I did think it odd how they tried to interweave two very separate storylines into one plot and it was almost too much for one movie. You have the "three men and a baby" plot...

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Slam [HD]

One of the most vital films of the 90s
Working in a video store, I've seen "Slam" repeatedly dismissed by white folks as "a black film", or "a movie about rappers". Please, don't let race distinctions turn you away from this film. "Slam" is one of the most noble uses of film I've seen in a long time. It challenges and provokes and creates intense thought. It is a ferociously intellectual movie, though not in a highbrow way. It has the unique ability to present complex and daunting ideas in a way that makes them unusually comprehensible. At the same time, it places a value on the process of writing and personal expression that has been woefully lost in the age of stuff-goes-boom movies. The performances - especially by Saul Williams, Sonja Sohn, and Bonz Malone - are impeccable, and I'm not refering to just their dynamic slam poetry sessions, which are electrifying in a way that few passages of film are. If you see one movie this year, let it be "Slam".

Very raw, leaves its' mark
This was a pretty intense experience. I recently became a fan of Saul Williams, and I had to have this movie. It's a dark, yet learning experience for a man(Raymond Joshua) who gets sent to jail for possession, is hunted for on the inside, gets bailed out but realizes he's going right back. It seems like there are a lot of movies about prison and black folk, but this one was a little different.
I thought Saul did quite a job for this being his first movie role. I think it's based in large part on his real-life self. Some of the acting was an eyesore, like the Chinese guy at the beginning, good God! A few of the other small parts were iffy, but I think the main characters, who are all pretty much unheard of, did fine. The best scenes to me were when Ray was about to get his ass kicked in the prison yard and he busted out with an exhilirating rap, and when Ray and the prisoner in the next cell were rhyming. The latter shows a contrast between two distinct rapping styles. The other...

Powerful Poems and a Marion Barry Cameo... What's Not to Like?
It's a sign of SLAM's verisimilitude that I thought it might be a documentary for its first five minutes or so. (Not surprising, since director Marc Levin is known for his documentary work.) With only a couple of exceptions, the actors in it are amateurs, which actually works to the film's advantage.

Anyway, SLAM is a simple, sometimes dopey, sometimes thrilling story of a guy who winds up in jail, gets out, and might be heading right back in again. But both Saul Williams, the principal actor, and his love interest, Sonja Sohn (of THE WIRE) are real live poets, and man, does it show when they do their poetry readings... or "slams" as they are known.

And I'll tell you what: SLAM has some scenes that will knock your socks off.

There's one in particular where our protagonist avoids a fatal shanking in the prison yard by giving a dramatic reading of his poetry. One of his fellow felons says of the performance, "I still don't know what that nigga did, but...

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Grizzly Man [HD]

Mr. Chocolate is a Carnivore
I liked this movie but I have to agree with all the reviews (who rate it both good and bad) that say Timothy Treadwell is emotionally and mentally ill. It's true: the most amazing thing about his story was that he wasn't killed and eaten any sooner.

I sympathize with the family and friends for their loss, but I can't gloss over what a crazy, grandstanding and ultimately suicidal "mission" this was. He wasn't exactly Diane Fossey, who literally fought poachers off the mountain gorillas in Rwanda--these bears were in a state park.

Absolutely NOTHING in science or life tells Treadway or anyone else that it's safe to live with bears. He ventures into the wild and lives in a constant state of delusion, even as the bears kill and eat each other, his cute little foxes, the adorable little cubs. As Herzog points out, there's nothing to support Treadway's fantasy world of harmony in the bloody Alaskan wilderness.

GRIZZLY MAN is a fascinating story but I...

A work of profound cinematic depth, worthy of repeated viewings
I must admit that my first reaction to this film was not immediately positive; Herzog's presence seemed overbearing and intrusive, and Treadwell himself was a figure so tragic as to be somewhat alienating. And yet I found that, days later, I found I was still thinking about it, still mesmerized by the questions it raised. How truly unsympathetic was Treadwell? Should I be somewhat jealous of him, for all the joy and depth of experience he found in his work? I have, as few have, found little in life so enriching and gratifying as what Treadwell appeared to find in the wilderness; are thirteen summers of that worth an early, terrible end?

So I saw the film again; I recommend that others do the same, if they find themselves at all intrigued after the first viewing. And then I saw the film again, and again. What I found with time -- as I let it develop into an obsession -- was an incredibly complex artwork, capable of provoking rich and sometimes startling meanings...

Interesting and thought-provoking
Before I saw Werner Herzog's documentary, I couldn't understand why the commentary on Timothy Treadwell's grizzly bear project was so negative. After all, he put himself in danger to protect and photograph these creatures whom he obviously loved to obsession. Others will certainly have different reactions, but the film certainly changed my mind about Treadwell. Unfortunately, he comes across, at least as I saw him, as immature, paranoid, self-centered (his girlfriend Amie hardly even figures in his many hours of filming), somewhat psychotic and lacking even the basics of any scientific standards for research. As the movie progresses, skillful editing brings out what I believe to be Herzog's justifiably critical attitude. Treadwell's rants against the Park Service, non-existent poachers (the grizzlys actually have to be "trimmed" down each year), a large "enemies" list, and worst of all, at least aesthically, his romantic sentimentalization of the bears, and giving them cutsey...

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A Lawless Street [HD]

Top notch Scott action flick....
Director Joseph H. Lewis and veteran prodcuer Harry Joe Brownteam up with Randy Scott, a young Angela Lansbury, and some excellentcharacter actors (Wallace Ford, Warner Anderson) to offer a very fine little Western that repays re-viewing. Scott, the outwardly stern but aging Marshall Calem Ware of the Colorado frontier town Medicine Bow, keeps order in his town, "hoping to outlive his times," as he says. Unkown to him two of the town's biggest businessmen are out to get him, open the town, and undo the "march of civilization." The film boasts one of the most remarkable saloon brawls caught on camera and a shoot-out where Scott is "killed" (well, he REALLY isn't dead, but the bad guys don't know that). Add the famous touring chanteuse "Tally Dickenson" [Angela Lansbury]who just happens to be Calem's wife [!], a cattle baron (whose wife is courted by one of the bad guys], and a huge hulk of man (Dooley Bryan)who helps the wounded Scott, despite...

A Lawless Street 1955
Randolph Scott stars as Marshal Coleen Wave , a lawman who moves from town to town in Colorado Territory , ridding each of its outlaws. His dedication to his job cause causes his wife , played by Angela Lansbury (1925- ) to leav him .She will not come back to him until he has hung up his gun for good .But he is determined to clean up one last town , run by bandits , who don?t want to see the territory a state . Marvelous wester with great plot. High Quality digital transfer . Recommended

Decent Randolph Scott Western
A Lawless Street is not on par with the great Westerns he made with Budd Boetticher, but it is decent in its own way.

Scott plays a marshal of a town that is barely holding on to lawfulness. His ex-wife, a traveling performer, comes to town at the same time that the two town bosses hire a killer to take care of Scott with the hope that the town will once again be wide open, and they will benefit by making lots of money.

The killer makes a play on Scott, and the town doctor allows the bad guys to think that they succeeded. The story goes from there. Scott is solid and reliable as always, and Angela Lansbury is beautiful as Scott's past and current love. This is not one of Scott's best, but it is an entertaining, fun western.

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Who the #$&% Is Jackson Pollock? [HD]

Trucker momma proves the emperor has no clothes!
This film just tickled me; delightfully done with a light touch, it pits a down-to-earth dumpster-diving trucker named Teri Horton against a pretentious boatload of art world snobs, and she proves (in the words of a famous author) that they don't know their scrotums from Kentucky-fried-chicken. The film stands up well as a documentary, covering a lot of ground to interview witnesses who knew Pollock, as well as forensic, art, and legal experts. Bottom line is that the fingerprint and other physical evidence pointing to the authenticity of the painting is just overwhelming; if this were a murder case, there would be more than ample evidence to send someone to the electric chair. The only thing standing between Ms. Horton and $50,000,000 (the estimated value of the painting if it were deemed authentic) is a bunch of arrogant blowholes who can't utter a single coherent or persuasive sentence in support of their position that the painting is a fake. If I ever had any doubts about the...

Fair and Real
I am an artist of thirty years and consider myself well-read and aware in regards to artworld issues and painting, my main form of expression. Having grown up with people who became the world's most profound art critics once they got a little alcohol in them and who regularly counseled me that what I was learning in art school was all wrong, I found this DVD quite fun. It was fair to both the experts and the philistines.

I am sure that the experts will seem quite funny to a lot of folks. Yes, it looks weird the way elderly men twist and dance in front of Teri's painting to visually test it for it's possible Pollockness. But, those feelings are ironic in the context of this story. While experts are questioned as to how they know what they know, other experts are touted as being experts, and therefore right. I suppose it is a matter of expert against expert.

This DVD has something for everyone. Beyond its entertainment value, it offers a great lesson in how...

Is the provenance of the film as important as the provenance of the painting?
On the surface of it, 'Who The #$&% Is Jackson Pollock?' is the struggle of 73-year-old Teri Horton, a retired long-haul truck driver, to authenticate her five dollar flea market find as a genuine Jackson Pollock painting. As the film progresses though, the emphasis subtly shifts from recording Teri's authentication efforts to highlighting how the established art world dismissed her claim based solely on her outsider status. From their perspective, she's a kook, one who's wasting their time with a pipe dream of having found a fifty million dollar painting in a thrift store. To her, their refusal even to return her phone calls when she began her quest was tantamount to a declaration of war. So she enlists the help of Peter Paul Biro, a forensic specialist, and Tod Volpe, a former art dealer to Hollywood film stars - who had also served two years in prison for defrauding those same celebrities.

As I watched this film, and as the filmmakers documented the evidence to...

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Dysfunctional Friends

great movie
I loved this movie from the beginning to the end makes me want to call all of my friends that I've lost touch with

Very entertaining
Great movie! Awesome cast and directing! It is wonderful to see an all black movie without drugs and violence. Keep making more of these types of films. Congrats to Terrell Owens on his movie debut.

Bad
Save your money and time and see "The Big Chill" instead. This one seems to want to be a remake, but it comes nowhere NEAR the original in cast, acting, and story lines.

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Mamma Mia! The Movie / It's Complicated Double Feature

LOVE It'S complicated...my favorite movie
Love Meryl streep and alec baldwin ...great duo working together,..must of watched this movie at least 30 times! Must see

Fun Movies
Love both these movies. arrived earllier then expected. love the music in Momma Mia and anything Meryl Streep is usually good.



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Demons Never Die [Blu-ray]

SUICIDE CLUB IS MURDER
Amber Johnson (Tulisa Contostavlos) kills herself because she is pregnant. This inspires some of her classmates to form a suicide pact. Kenny (Jason Maza) is the lead in the group. He just doesn't want to die by taking pills, but wants a glorious death people will remember. He brings on a photographer to record the events. Meanwhile Arch (Robert Sheehan) falls in love with Jasmine (Jennie Jacques) and they become lovers. Both of these individuals have major issues. They are a few more in the gang, but they are minor players.

After a week goes by, the suicide club decides to disband as they have gotten over their teen problems and opt to live instead to the dismay of Kenny. The movie turns into a slasher who-dun-it, with everyone in the story carrying a knife.

I love Jennie Jacques. She was become the new "it" girl for me. I love any movie she is in. I enjoyed the film, but my main problem is that if you are going to have a who-dun-it, you really need to drop a...

South London `Teen' Suicide Pact Backfires Shock!
A group of `virtual' friends, have one of their number commit suicide, she is depressed after having an abortion. This was Amber played by `singer' Tulisa Contostavalos - only on screen a couple of minutes though. The others link up in a web cam chat and quite quickly come to the conclusion that they should all commit suicide as life is a load of cack and ergo not worth living. The not so charismatic Kenny (played by Jason Maza, who I really like, but seriously we can see your bald spot so playing a teenager was one your agent should have turned down) says it all has to be at the same time. This is a date of a party they are all to attend. In order to gain world wide notoriety, he enlists the aid of a hapless journo wannabe to film, mostly him, in the run up to the big show.

Enter two of London's seemingly most inept cops, who warn of copy cat suicides and that they are there for them. Despite a healthy mistrust of `the feds' they still get invited to the party- yeah...



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Medal of Honor - Blu-ray

Great care was taken to be accurate...
There was a clear and consistent effort to be as accurate and authentic as possible in the creation of this DVD series. The historical recreations are intense, layered and detailed with great care in the special effects and historical truth and authenticity along with the powerful voice of narrator Coby Batty and other voice actors help to bring these stories of the Medal of Honor to life for a mass audience - from the Civil War to the War in Afghanistan.

Medal Of Honor, Valor, Gallantry, Devotion...
This just arrived yesterday, and I must admit, I ordered it with some misgivings. I have seen some of the men awarded this Medal on The Military Channel, and most do not think that they were heroes at all. They were simply doing their job when extraordinary circumstances put them in a position that called for sacrifice -- not something you spend time thinking about! This particular documentary is divided into 6 parts: Civil War, World War One, World War II Europe, World War II Pacific, Korea and Vietnam. At the conclusion of the Vietnam segment there is the inclusion of recipients from the Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts as well. This documentary appears to be very up to date (2012) and covers the awards presented by President Obama. There are some speeches made at these presentations by former Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and George W. Bush, as well as by President Obama. Otherwise this film is centered on the backgrounds of the conflicts/wars, giving us an idea of...

Great care was taken to be as authentic as possible...
There was a clear and consistent effort to be as accurate and authentic as possible in the creation of this DVD series. The historical recreations are intense, layered and detailed with great care in the special effects and historical truth and authenticity along with the powerful voice of narrator Coby Batty and other voice actors help to bring these stories of the Medal of Honor to life for a mass audience - from the Civil War to the War in Afghanistan.

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Harlem Grace

Good DVD - True Account
The true life character of the dvd is depicted as exemplary in witnessing for Christ and fulfilling Isaiah 58. Due to street violence and drug-addiction theme, not suitable for children.





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Gilligan's Island: The Complete First Season

Great Set!
All 3 seasons in one package! it doesn't get any better than this. These are complete and unedited unlike some sets that are being released with different music, or edited episodes. season 1 is in black and white as originally aired, seasons 2 and 3 are in color as aired. I have watched reruns for years and when i saw that the complete series was available as one set, i couldn't pass it. Bonus footage includes interviews with Russell Johnson and Sherwood Schwartz, also included is the pilot episode with a different 'professor' 'Ginger' and 'Mary Ann' and different opening and closing music. A great treat for fans and someone that wants it all! Quality is excellent! I don't purchase many tv shows on dvd, but this was a must for me! 5 stars without a doubt!!!

It's funny precisely because it's so incredibly ridiculous
Gilligan's Island has often been an object of ridicule for both professional critics and self-annointed intellectuals alike, most of whom point out the various implausibilities in the show (i.e., the Professor is an "idiot" because he can cause nuclear fission using coconuts but can't build a raft, the unliklihood of the Howells taking a "three hour tour" on an obviously inexpensive charter boat, let alone taking along three season's worth of wardrobe and costumes with them, ad nauseum), but chances are these same critics have also seen many -- if not all -- the show's episodes, and have enjoyed at least a few guilty laughs for their trouble.

One of the reasons why Gilligan's Island is such a great show (it is the most re-run show in the history of television, and that INCLUDES I Love Lucy) is precisely because it is so wacky, nonsensical, and flat-out ridiculous.

In Gilligan's Island -- The Complete First Season, viewers are treated to 34 original episodes,...

Great fun!!!
It's so great to have all of the Gilligan's Island episodes, and the commentary by Sherwood Schwartz on each season. They have taken GI off all my satellite stations, so I had to get the DVD's to see the episodes.
But it was worth it, clear pictures, and no commercial interruptions!!!
I like to laugh, so this series is the perfect medicine for me. Well worth the price!!

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More American Graffiti [HD]

Two great "American Graffiti" films for the price of one!
The AMERICAN GRAFFITI DRIVE-IN DOUBLE FEATURE DVD is absolutely entertaining to watch as only George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola could offer!! This DVD (part of Universal's Franchise Collection of film series made by the studio for affordable prices on DVD) contains the two full-length films AMERICAN GRAFFITI (George Lucas,1973) and its sequel MORE AMERICAN GRAFFITI (B.W.L. Norton,1979) and is actually a double-sided disc,one movie on both sides instead of two discs which is mislabeled.First,AMERICAN GRAFFITI is beautifully presented in its original glorious anamorphic widescreen format (2.35.1) along with Dolby Digital Surround Sound and contains the original theatrical trailer and documentary THE MAKING OF AMERICAN GRAFFITI which runs close to 80 mins.Then,MORE AMERICAN GRAFFITI is presented in a crisp,clear new anamorphic widescreen transfer (1.85.1 to 2.35.1).The second film was shot using different camera processes which explains the differences in aspect ratios.The 1.85.1...

A group of '60s youths in two very different movies
The general take on these movies is that "American Graffiti" is one of the best teen movies ever made and that "More American Graffiti" is a significantly inferior follow-up with a much less entertaining tone to it. And this is true - if laughs are what you're looking for. You'll find lots of them in the first one and few in the second. However, it should be noted that this is a rare instance where a successful comedy was followed by a sequel in which comedy was very obviously not the main aim.

Another way to view this two-movie package, with the films watched one shortly after the other in sequence, is that they together are a good depiction for today's youth of why the `60s are referred to as THE SIXTIES. "American Graffiti" is set in 1962; "More American Graffiti" is set in several periods from 1964 through 1967. With the exception of the absence of Richard Dreyfuss in the second movie, the six main characters and the actors who portray them in the first movie return for...

Great deal.
I would award 5 stars for the American Graffiti movie alone. It is well-presented here, and also includes some special features, including an informative "Making of.." documentary that features interviews with alot of the cast as well as those behind the camera. The movie is a classic, and is required viewing for any lover of fine movies.

But that's not all. The package also included the sequel to American Graffiti.. "More American Graffiti". This movie is not nearly the timeless classic as the original, but it is a great view for anyone who liked the first movie. Save for a few uninteresting plotlines involving the counter-culture in the 60's, the movie holds its own rather well. Milner's last race before his emminent death (this is not a spoiler, trust me) and Toad's tour in Vietnam are particularly worth viewing.

If you're willing to sacrifice not having the "Collector's Edition" of American Graffiti in exchange for having the sequel as well, then this is a...

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An Unfinished Life [HD]

A beautiful thoughtful movie
This is a character driven movie with solid performances from Redford, Lopez, and Freeman. Although it is not a comedy, there are many funny lines and character quirks that make you want to keep watching. Each character is on a journey of healing past wounds and is dependent on the others for guidance and insight. As with the movie 'The Horse Whisper' the beauty of the land is breathtaking. It is a thoughtful movie that doesn't rush anything. I loved this movie and would recommend it if you are willing to be patient with the slow pace of the story.

3 1/2 star drama featuring fine performances, predictable story.
Einar (Robert Redford), a crusty old rancher, does what he can to hold onto his Wyoming ranch. It's been a struggle for years; his son was killed in a car crash, his wife left him, and his longtime friend and helper, Mitch (Morgan Freeman) was recently mauled by a bear. Now, Einar has to care for Mitch, administering morphine, helping him recover. Jean (Jennifer Lopez) and her daughter, Griff (Becca Gardner) have to leave Jean's current abusive boyfriend. The only place they can go is the ranch of Griff's grandfather, Einar, who learns of his granddaughter's existence upon their arrival. He doesn't exactly welcome them.

Lasse Halllstrom's newest film "An Unfinished Life" is being dumped by the studio. The first few weeks of September are always a dumping ground. People are too busy with "Back to School" to get excited about movies, so they stay away. The studios clear out some backlog, usually crap, waiting for attendance to pick up. While "An Unfinished Life" is certainly...

They don't come any better than this!
This is absolutely one of the best films I've ever seen. We almost missed it. Somebody was asleep at the studio when "An Unfinished Life" was released with so little fanfare. The acting is superb, the scenery breath-taking. The story packs a powerful message of forgiveness and redemption. We laughed, we cried. This film has it all. "Brokeback Mountain" pales by comparison. I'm predicting "An Unfinished Life" is going to become a classic.

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Fireman Sam: Rescue on the Water

One boy's favorite DVD
I really love this product! It's the first DVD I ever purchased, the adventures are exciting!

The episodes:
1) Stranded - in this episode a whale is stranded on the beach, and when Fireman Sam comes, he calls Tom Thomas, who pilots the helicopter. It's amazing how the helicopter can lift that baby whale!
2) The One that got Away - in this episode, fisherman Charlie takes the twins and Norman Price fishing, but later, the fishing boat sprung a leak! Fireman Sam saves the day.
3) Pirates of Pontypandy - in this episode, Mandy Flood, Norman Price, and Sara and James Jones (the twins) are playing pirates. Later, Norman and James go in a rowboat, and fall asleep. The rowboat drifts out to sea, but fireman Sam is called, and Tom is also called. The two find the boys, and head back to shore.
4) Norman's ark - in this episode, the whole of Pontypandy is flooded. Fireman Sam rides with Tom in the helicopter, and Sam says that it is the worst high tide Pontypandy...

We watch this everyday
My 2 year old is obsessed with fire trucks, helicopters, and water! These videos have all 3 so needless to say, I have seen the entire video a bazillion times. He watches at least a portion of it daily and he loves it! :) I love that the episodes are in short little 10-12 minute increments so they are perfect for the attention span of a toddler.

Enjoyable with value
Seeing the cover, the first thing out of my toddler's mouth was I want to watch the whale! Jump in and check out this inexpensive DVD with six episodes and nearly an hour of fun. Each story tells examples of nature and knowledge in this port town. Learn about community helpers that come to the rescue and aid when in need. Gain responsibility from character examples and understand not to go off alone into danger. The animation is fun and the characters friendly. While not all the child character voices are pleasing to the ear, the morals herein are worth every minute of watching.

My toddler loves it and I approve.

*Thanks to the publicist for providing a copy for review.*

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The Prophecy Collection: 4 Film Set [Blu-ray]

Christopher Walken as The Angel Of Death...PERFECT casting.
This series of movies details a war in Heaven between opposing factions of angels, those loyal to the Word of God and those loyal to the Archangel Gabriel (played superbly by Christopher Walken), who is jealously unwilling to be placed on a lower shelf than human beings in receiving God's love, being that we humans (or "talking monkeys", as sneeringly referred to by Gabriel and later Zophael throughout the series) were gifted by The Creator with a soul, which the angels lack.

I won't detail each movie in the trilogy in terms of plot specifics (each movie is reviewed separately under its respective title), but I will go so far as to say that this represents a most original Biblical crisis, foretold in an innovative style. Each movie has its own merits as well as detractions, but the main reason for owning the full set is of course Christopher Walken. He's obviously enjoying himself throughout the entire series, and as a result he gives an inspired performance as an...

Bare Bones Assortment... Not Complete, or Warranted (in this manner)
Short & Sweet:
1) According to the back of the box set, there are no bonus features (on any disc).
2) Prophecy II (2/Sequel), is NOT included in this "Collection", despite them all being made & distributed through Miramax (so there's no excuse of, "Don't have the rights", etc.)

Summary:
If all they can give Prophecy fans, is somewhat better picture & audio (and even that is debatable, via Standard DVD w/ 'upscaling')... and none of the extras that were contained on the original DVDs (features, commentaries, etc.)... Not to mention, the 2nd Movie, which is after all, the springboard for the 3rd; & anyone unfamiliar w/ the series will have a huge gaping whole in the story-line as a result... Then why waste your money?
Keep your DVDs... and if you're really itching for an HD Experience - pop the DVDs in your PS3 or Blu-Ray player for the 'upscaling'... I'm sure it's just as good as what this is, considering they clearly didn't spend any time or effort on...

Boxed set the only way to get part 2 now?
I wrote a review for part one and part 3 which were both superb movies, but part 2 I can not find to write a review although I do own the dvd.

Part 2 I do feel helps greatly to understanding part 3 much better although wasnt *as* good as the others, but still in all rights, a great movie!

Enjoy!

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Tyrannosaur

sucked in by the title, and glad !
Seriously... without a doubt... one of the deepest ,suspenseful, suck you into it movies I have ever seen.. This dark drama, is horrifying, sentimental, wonderful and I could go on and on.. A true test of ones emotional extremes.. Short side is I really liked it.. The acting is superb, it is 100 % believable and has NOTHING to do with pre-historic creatures, but centers on good old EMOTION. The strong dialect, is challenging at times to understand, but to me added such a fine quality to the production.. I never watch a movie twice, but the button at h u l u said replay, and I hit it.. The second time around I understood the words alot better..

Bleak but Honest
Very rarely does a film so bleak, so prone to trample over its characters until they might not come back up, manage to avoid the usual melodrama and clichés we have come to expect and instead stay an honest, unflinching and powerful glimpse of two individuals, one too hard and the other too soft for the world, just trying to make it through the day. Peter Mullan gives one of the year's most destructive and powerful performances as Joseph, a widower who spends his time drinking, picking fights and experiencing bouts of anger that tends to come crashing down into paralyzing moments of regret. We understand he wants better for himself and could use a bit of redemption but it isn't an easy thing to achieve. However, he does find some solace in Hannah played by Olivia Colman who also gives one of the year's most devastating performances as a thrift store owner and born again Christian. Joseph feels drawn to her glow and the sort of warmth he has been looking for. Sadly she isn't who...

As real as it gets
Some people (possibly too many of us) do wake up on a daily basis to extremely tormented lives. I appreciate the film's unapologetic realism that life, despite good intentions and best efforts, is simply life. Human beings are strong and frail and perverse. We're naturally offensive, and will break the rules designed to keep us morally and socially controlled. We snap and break under the pressure of our own demons and the insanity of those around us. We love and we hurt even when we claim indifference. We devolve and we evolve, swimming rebelliously and furiously against the strength of life's undercurrents. We go through cycles of progression and regression, climbing and falling over and over again. In our most secretive places, we're simply human. This film is not about animal cruelty, alcoholism, domestic violence, race wars, class wars, or living in a past that is lost in the present. This film is about how we are bound one to the other in the strangeness of oddly-shaped pieces...

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Firing Line with William F. Buckley Jr. "Do We Need Religion or Religious Institutions?"

You feel included
22 Dec 11

I enjoyed Buckley through the years. As a result of his conversations w/Muggeridge, I have read several of Malcolm's books.

This DVD's material [[ASIN:JrB001E52UBC Firing Line with William F. Buckley . "Do We Need Religion or Religious Institutions?"]] is informative and relaxing. Muggeridge is forthcoming--doesn't dodge questions. He had not converted to Catholicism at this juncture; however, he and his wife did convert a few years before he died. I bet he was welcomed to heaven.

An Intelligent Display of the Life of the American Mind
No one illustrated the intelligence of the Amercan spirit in historical and intellectual context than Bill Buckley. If anyone want to learn what TRUE conservatism actually means, then watch and LISTEN (not merely 'hear') to Bukley.

Struggles With The Modernist Hugh
Malcom Muggeridge was of course a frequent guest on firing line throughout it's thirty plus years on the air. The review of questions put to Mr Muggeridge by Mr Buckley revealed a religious earnestness seldom in evidence even, and most especially perhaps among theologians. Muggeridge has an outlook very similar to Fr Ronald Knox just prior to and after his conversion to the Catholic faith. Muggeridge of course never converted to the Catholic faith, preferring instead to remain in the Anglican church. Nevertheless he held pretty much the same essential doctrinal positions that traditional Catholicism has always held and continues to do so today.
He gives interesting reasons for not entering into full communion with the Catholic church, which by the way aren't too different from those held by organizations like the Pius X society. He held to the position that the Catholic church since Vatican II had moved away from it's doctrinal standards that once characterized the Catholic...

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Firing Line with William F. Buckley Jr. "The Avant Garde"

A very interesting period piece
What a fascinating interview. This is from the time when people who disagreed fundamentally on so many levels can discuss civilly their differences. There is no lack of challenge in this discussion and it certainly takes a bizarre turn when Ginsberg chants the Hare Krishna, but their is also a poetic reading in the interview and a discussion on language and it's use. Watch it!

The Avant Garde
Interesting and at the same time very funny. Ginsberg and Buckley make an interesting pair and there life-style differences make for many great moments. This is when Television talk shows were great and not just about selling the latest whatever!

Open your hearts, open your minds.
"THE STATE SHOULD NOT BE INTERFERING WITHIN THE BODIES OF THE CITIZENS."

Ginsberg speaks many truths. We have the power to cease the perpetuation of our ignorance and cyclical suffering by opening our hearts and minds to each other.

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Firing Line with William F. Buckley Jr. "Three vs. William F. Buckley Jr."

Civil discourse
What a delight to hear people discuss, rather than yell, their opposing positions. The era of civil discourse is gone, and Firing Line gives one a chance to see what intelligent discussion can be. There is nothing like it today. So glad these programs have been restored and made available to us!

Three On a Seesaw
This is explained as a semi-annual running-of-the-arrow for William F. Buckley, Jr., as he defends himself against the probing panelists,(lawyers all) Carter Burden(John Davidson looks), Harriet F. Pilpel,(radiantly coifed and well-spoken) and the universal liberal, Allard K. Lowenstein(Mark Lane seriousness).The duelling begins and all participants suffer the blows and parries in good faith. Harriet Pilpel fires away at Buckley on the fairness of attitudes toward the young and capital crime, then weighs in on feminist issues, the Equal Rights Amendment and its societal ramifications. Whenever Mr. Buckley appears wounded, Mr. Burden or Mr. Lowenstein re-centers the discussion, allowing him to slip out of argumentative peril. Ms. Pilpel appears to be personal in her thrust Buckley's way on his defense of the fetus as being a life upheld, as he conveniently withdraws behind the Bible. It is a worthwhile punch-out of wider legislative domains, side-slipping capital punishment, whether it...



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Firing Line with William F. Buckley Jr. "Deep Throat and the First Amendment"

I thought this was going to be about Watergate.
No one knew who W. Mark Felt was in terms of his alter ego. But his influence and revealing of facts to the political world shook the US to its very foundations. And so when I came across this archive of William F. Buckley I pondered for a moment if I wanted to hear anymore diatribes about the Watergate break in. After hemming and hawing I figured it might be interesting to relive those times when Jean Kirkpatrick et al, relentlessly pursuing the malefactors to butress the pillars of American democracy for all time.

But Harry Reems is no Jean Kirkpatrick. Far from it. Aside from being a Real Estate agent in Utah (according to the Internet Movie Database), he was, in fact, an adult film actor; i.e. "star". Imagine my surprise when this man shows up sitting opposite William F. Buckley along with his attorney Alan Dershowitz, and the sparring begins. But it's almost a legal interrogative as opposed to an honest to goodness interview.

Harry Reems seems pretty...





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Angels Crest [HD]

I was born in a small town...
...so I know the all too often disturbing and sad dynamics an event like a missing child can have on locals. Angels Crest is an under-the-radar film about one such event. When a father innocently takes his three year old son into the woods to play in the snow and the child goes missing, we see a small town come together to search for the child - including the alcoholic mother and the father's friends.

It is through this union that small subplots are developed. We see the fragile state of the child's mother as she deals with the news of the missing child and a strained relationship with her own mother.

We see the father, lost and blaming himself, as the local district attorney presses charges against him and the father learns that one of his best friends had been sleeping with the mother.

Other than this, we also catch a glimpse at a lesbian couple in town, one whose own teenage son comes to stay with his pregnant girlfriend, and another woman with...

Perfect storytelling
Thomas Dekker the male lead is perfect in his role, his whole countenance(sic) reaks of laconic, chronic beaten-down-ness but one who loves his son. He is backed by heavy talent like Mira Sorvino and talented no-names. A gem of a movie, authentic, low key, heartfelt, and enriching to watch despite the tradgedy it revolves around. Can't go wrong.

A Quiet and Powerful Movie
This was a very quiet movie. Not much dialogue, but the actors told the story, tragic as it was. The cast choice was perfect and yes, it was a sad movie, but told in a real small town way.

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Firing Line with William F. Buckley Jr. "The Wallace Crusade"

Great tension in this interview
I use to watch all the Buckley Firing Line Shows live. This is CLASSIC Buckley, and George Wallace is NOT giving in at all. They go head to head and Wallace holds his own quite well. I loved this DVD

Battle of 2 Great Minds!
Truly wonderful to watch great minds debate with out the screeching hysteria of today's political shows. Fun to watch the give and take and the subtle and not so subtle insults. It is like watching a heavy weight championship bout. Buckley from the get go attacks and insults Susskind and throughout tries to get Susskind on the ropes, but Susskind takes the punches holds his own and punches back. At the end it was a TKO victory for Susskind, but you have to admire Buckley's wit. Again really fun to watch. Miss the intelligence of these two men.



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Firing Line with William F. Buckley Jr. "The Equal Rights Amendment"

Thought provoking
The debate over the ERA is still occurring though not as much so this episode remains relevant. The debate between his two guests is quite lively and the speaker advocating the ERA dismisses her opponent and her facts out of hand.

Interesting.
You ought to pay people equally for equal work, regardless of who they are. The only qualifier to variance is quality and quantity of whatever labor it is that needs to be executed. The Equal Rights Amendment, at the time, was generated during the massive social changes that were taking place in the 60s and 70s, but had a long history of gestation within our nation's history.

William F. Buckley, a staunch defender of familial convention and ascent by merit, wonders what the ERA is all about, and why it's needed if there are already laws that defend a person's (read that as woman's) rights to equitable treatment under the law. That is why is such a large legislative statement needed when within the minutiae of state constitutions, specific laws already address case specific examples of breach of social contract.

The truth is not all states had laws that would address all scenarios, and, in addition, there was a significant mindset among a certain kind of male...

Listen to this very carefully girls
Every woman needs to watch this (if you weren't there to see it or remember it) and listen very carefully. Learn the truth about equal rights and what women's lib really did. It didn't liberate women; it only liberated men to have free sex, use and exploit women emotionally, sexually and financially. Also read http://www.amazon.com/Feminist-Fantasies-Phyllis-Schlafly/dp/1890626465/ref=pd_sim_b_2 and http://www.amazon.com/Domestic-Tranquility-Brief-Against-Feminism/dp/1890626090/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343334086&sr=1-1&keywords=domestic+tranquility+a+brief+against+feminism as well.

We know today that most of the things the feminists wanted were achieved. Many of the "equal rights" that the ERA would have put into law at the federal level were achieved by the 14th Amendment's "equal protection" clause and there was nothing stopping states from changing their laws to abolish legal sex distinctions. The term "equal rights" is so common and ordinary today that many of...

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Firing Line with William F. Buckley Jr. "Presidential Hopeful: Ronald Reagan"

A Must Purchase For Conservatives!
William F. Buckley Jr. does an excellent job of asking then Former CA Gov. Reagan's response to a series of hypothetical issues that might come up if he were President. For 50 minutes Buckley covers issues across the board from economic policy discussions on inflation, bonds, and ways to strengthen the value of the dollar to how a President Reagan would handle a hypothetical strike of Postal Workers, a hypothetical which later became reality with the 1981 PATCO Strike.

Reagan gives real,substantive answers which is something you did not see in the recent 2008 election debates. During the primary debates candidates were forced to respond to petty issues with yes or no answers and in one ridiculous case, a show of hands. In this DVD you are left knowing Exactly where Reagan stands on the issues. There is no "I meant it this way" or any other BS excuse you hear from current political leaders(Republicans and Democrats).

If the GOP wants to break free of the Bush...

Presidential Candidate Reagan visits William Buckley; and President Elect Obama is Taking Notes
"I am going to talk of controversial things. I make no apology for this."

So began Ronald Reagan's first public address to the nation in the Autumn of 1964. So was the nature of the man: forthright, self-assured and honest to a fault. In 1964, Ronald Reagan (see: In the Face of Evil: Reagan's War in Word and Deed) was merely an actor; and 16 years later, on January 14, 1980, he was on the set of Firing Line - only months from becoming America's 40th president - meeting with the host, William F. Buckley (see: The Reagan I Knew), for one of the most stimulating and enchanting hours of television to date.

Hard as it is to believe, there was a time when Ronald Reagan was best addressed as "Governor Reagan." But there was such a time when Governor Ronald Reagan's ongoing candidacy for the US presidency was thought immeasurably...

The Great William F. Buckley as total sell out, kissing Ronald Reagan's backside.
First, as a Liberal, there are a lot of things I respected and loved about William F. Buckley Jr., not the least of which was his Firing Line program, and his sense of decency, fair play, and the integrity with which he ran that show. There was no fear about going up against opposition individuals or groups, even when he loses the debate he is marvelous and quintessentially American. No conservative announcer of today would ever do what Buckley did fearlessly, let the American form of government work. WFBJr, never shouted down someone on his show, or called them names of referred to the other side as having a mental disorder.

HOWEVER, with the advent of Ronald Reagan, the Conservative movement migrated to the Newt Gingrich admirers of the fascist
form of government and news. This program is the seed of that, and so as much as I'd like to give it 5/5 for Buckley, I have to give it a 1/5 for allowing himself to be used like this, and to Ronald Reagan for allowing...

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Firing Line with William F. Buckley Jr. "Muggeridge Revisited"

More Muggeridge Wisdom
Absolute moral individualism and its implications on Western society are discussed. Rousseau had claimed that his work could not be understood by one reading alone, and the analysis of Muggeridge in this discussion really requires very much the same kind of diligence for the observer in order to fully grasp the discourse.

"The decadence of the few"
becomes spread to the decadence of the many." Almost forty years on, how true those words of Malcolm Muggeridge are. We are unabashedly awash in pornography, sick in mind, body, and soul and unrepentant. Is there even remotely a program as intelligent and prescient as William F. Buckley's Firing Line? God rest their souls.

Great Find!
I saw William F. Buckley, Jr.'s interview of Malcolm Muggeridge when it aired on "Firing Line" years ago. After that show, I eagerly awaited a rerun of this same episode, and watched it with the same focus and rapt attention as I did the first time it aired. This was my fist introduction to Muggeridge, and I found him to be not only cultured and erudite, but also affable, charismatic and witty. I'm so glad to see this is available on Amazon, and can't wait to receive it.

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Cleopatra [Blu-ray]

Corrected Running Times for the Five Star and Awards Series DVDs
There seems to be a great deal of confusion regarding the various running times attributed to "Cleopatra", and which version is available on home video as of early 2012. Let me try to help those readers who have been seeking to purchase the most complete version possible.

When director and editor Joseph L. Mankiewicz first screened the rough cut for Fox executives back in 1963, the film ran approximately 5 and a half hours. Mankiewicz conceived the film being released as two separate features, the first detailing Cleopatra's relationship with Julius Caesar and the second exploring her liaison with Marc Antony. Fox head Darryl F. Zanuck adamantly refused Mankiewicz' plan: Fox had so much money invested in the film that the studio was on the verge of bankruptcy, and Zanuck wanted to rush the film into theatres quickly and recoup as much money as possible while the public was still fascinated by the real-life romantic scandal taking place between Elizabeth Taylor...

AN AMAZING FEAT
That a film as good as CLEOPATRA is was created at all under the madness and panic of it's legendary production is indeed an amazing feat. That CLEOPATRA has been given such loving care in it's restoration in this DVD of the "Road show" print and the attendant bonus materials is a wondrous gift to those who love this film.
The documentary, "Cleopatra: The Film That Changed Hollywood" is in on it's own an engrossing and informative two hour movie. For anyone who knows little of the history of CLEOPATRA, or who was not around at the time, this documentary will give them the feeling of what those last days of old Hollywood were like. And therein one can find the reasons why this intimate epic is indeed the wonder that it is. Much thanks must be given to the Mankiewicz family and the producers of the documentary.
The print and the sound of CLEOPATRA seems now to surpass what I recall it to be in its first presentation nearly forty years ago. The depth of the colors and the...

The Nile's Queen
When I first saw "Cleopatra" (1963) at the theater it was a big let down. I think the public was awaiting something completely "out of the mold" after being bombed by an aggressive publicity campaign. It's my feeling that this was the cause of "Cleopatra" being initially a big flop.

More than thirty years after its release I saw this movie again and was amazed: such a great epoch reconstruction, such historical accurateness, such great performances from the three main characters!

The story is well known. A young and beautiful Egyptian princess seduces and gets protection and support from the mighty Roman general Julius Caesar. A love affair emerges and a boy is born. Cleopatra seeks Caesar to be King of Rome and his son to be his heir. Unfortunately March Ides arrive and Caesar is murdered by his entourage.

Cleopatra flies to Egypt; there she awaits the development of political events. Finally Marc Antony arrives and starts a new love affair. There is...

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Firing Line with William F. Buckley Jr. "Hate America"

Radical Left
An interview with a unconfirmed member of the radical left, who says one thing and then seems to take it back the next. Here is a conversation with a champion of the left that leaves one scratching their head at times.





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Firing Line with William F. Buckley Jr. - "Pull Out of NATO?"

Best talk show ever...
The best talk show of all time. Intelligent political debate with plenty of time allowed to all speakers. Completely Brilliant.





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Firing Line with William F. Buckley Jr. "The Culture of the Left"

Best Defense Is No Offense
I had hoped to find Malcolm Muggeridge more thought-provoking 40 years later and was rewarded. Not only is this the first Firing Line encounter with this formidable defender of Christianity since Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, taped in the Savoy Hotel in England, but one of the most challenging to keep up with. Beginning with liberalism and the Left and the noteable shadings of meaning between Mr. Buckely and Mr. Muggeridge as to their own homelands, they both take off covering good and evil, Anglican church foibles, the relevance of the New Testament gospels etc.; the disillusion and wanderings of youth via transcendentalism, the Beatles and meditation; Harold Wilson, Gladstone, Conrad Adenauer. Unexpectedly into this exploration of spirituality Mr. Buckley uttered one of his startling phrases that I had read in one of his books,"immenatize the eschaton," that caused no pause in the absorbing exchange of information between the devout Mr. Buckley and this illumator from the British Isles...

Incomparable and Engaging
Buckley is without equal, both as a provocative interviewer and as an author. Muggeridge is a truly unique and equally provocative character, whose path the Christianhood was marked by interesting trails, nonetheless the admiration and brotherly love shared by these accomplished men comes to life in this Firing Line video.

Warning, serious thinkers only !!!
The subject matter is just a relevant today as it was 40 years ago. This show is the standard by which
today’s political conversation should be judged. This is serious commentary without the dogma relied upon by politicians today .

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Firing Line with William F. Buckley Jr. - "What Does PEN Have to Offer?"

Contentious but civilized debate
Buckley and Mailer duke it out over Cold War politics, social justice, moral relativism and the ethics of free expression while Vonnegut, in a noble display of statesmanship, quietly attempts to keep the conversation focused on literature and the works of PEN (of which Mailer was president at the time and ostensibly the day's central topic of discussion) on the eve of that organization's assembling in New York (1985). As followers of the show would expect, the lesson one takes away is: be prepared for an intellectual beating when you cross WFB. It is refreshing, however, to note how amicably each man comports himself even when the discourse gets somewhat heated and personal. Not the best of 'Firing Line' match-ups, as Mailer's and Vonnegut's right-brain arguments tend to be an ill fit for Buckley's left, but still an engrossing watch.

Buckely Vs Mailer with PEN being the excuse for the battle.
This features an entertaining debate between WFB Jr and Norman Mailer. It erupts during the discussion of the writer's organization PEN and how far they go in support of writers behind the iron curtain and whether or not they would supply benefits to authors who preach hate with their work.

Kurt Vonnegut appears with Mailer though he is on the sideline for much of the debate. At one point, Vonnegut tries to intervene to bring down the argument but Mailer tells him to not play the peacemaker. If you're looking for a healthy amount of Vonnegut in his own words, you will not find that here.

This is an enjoyable discussion regardless of where you are on the political spectrum.



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Firing Line with William F. Buckley Jr. "The Playboy Philosophy"

The Meeting of The New Kid On the Block
This is a fascinating look at the rising publishing/king, Hugh Hefner, in his fighting trim. Here, host Bill Buckley spars with Hefner with gloves of respect on, for the most part. Yet, he makes some of his wittiest asides, in his attempt to topple Hefner from his thin log of respectability as the darling media/king of faux philosphy. Only once, momentarily does Hefner unconsciously squirm into a defensive posture as Buckley gives the Playboy philosopher an historical lecture. It is a wonderful sharing of viewpoints,pre-dating the subsequent collapse of the Playboy empire due to its own self-importance and excesses,on an explicit magazine wrapped in cellaphane-thin philosphy by two opposing publshers. Very enjoyable.

T.rex versus O.cuniculus
In this early Firing Line filmed in black & white and broadcast without the distinctive Brandenburg Concerto theme music, William F. Buckley engages in a mono-e-mono with Hugh Hefner moderated by a third party. Buckley and Hefner go round and round, with Buckley trying to demonstrate that Hefner is inconsistent, contradictory, or lacking in an acceptable philosophical ground for his ethics, and with Hefner unwilling to concede any points. For example, when Hefner criticizes American sexual mores as unacceptable because arbitrary and rule-driven, Buckley points out that Hefner refuses to let the Playboy Bunnies in his clubs sleep with the customers even in their private lives and on their own time. Hefner's only defense is that this is for the protection of the Bunnies, although he has just critiqued protection (from venereal disease and out of wedlock births) as a control tactic used by religious authorities. Hefner does not acknowledge (or address) the parallel Buckley has set up...



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Firing Line with William F. Buckley Jr. "Firing Line 1966-1986: World Leaders"

Wlliam F Buckley jr is the definitive!
My cd was absolutely awesome. It is a treasure that I will revisit many many many times. I am so grateful that is is offered on Amazon and as such that I can buy it without having to skip a few meals. Thanks! William F. Buckley jr was, is and will be the best resource for values, for clarification of events with historical significance as well and also a great sense of humor and candor, too! Thanks!





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Firing Line with William F. Buckley Jr. "The Warren Report: Fact or Fiction?"

Good for the history books!
I usually do not like to buy these types of serious interview shows, but for historical events, I like to see full interviews from around the time period that it happened. Mark Lane (Moshe Levine) has been a long-time critic of the Warren Commission and William F. Buckley was indeed a CIA contact, so I thought this would be interesting.

I won't go too much into the interview except to say that it is 100% about the JFK assassination and not about anything else. I would have been mad if it were. The quality of the disc was of big concern to me as the last few DVD's (I mainly buy Blu-Ray) I bought were movies that only used a single layer disc. Then I thought, this is only a 1 hour shows so a single layers disc is OK. With that said, the quality is very good and so is that packaging. It is an Amazon manufactured disc, but the quality was great. The only difference in quality between this and a store bought is the blue dye on the bottom. The top side is silk screened so...

The Light and the Shadow
Another "Firing Line" show that I had missed due the exigencies of college, I came to this viewing having a skewed bias against Mark Lane, being the second assassination investigator of my acquaintance. However, this show, will reveal to others similarly biased, that Mark Lane's legwork holds up today. You see him deftly retort Mr. Buckley at every turn, appearing like a bespectacled James Garner with the courtroom chops of Gerry Spence. Despite sparring with Lane courteously and sympathetically at times, Mr. Buckley reveals Mr. Lane's valid competence and uncanny recall of assassination facts to be on sum worth exploration rather than dismissal. One fact alone, the utterance of JFK caught by one trailing secret service agent, " My, God, I've been shot" in the sequence of events, as explained by the bemusedly, pipe-smoking Mr. Lane, lends great substance to his investigative efforts, weighed against the volumes of hidden testimony by the biased, bungling Dallas Police in the service...

Very Informative
This will someday be a good history lesson for the young ones. Not all may agree, but you ought to listen and learn. I was reminded of this event and I love the dialogue between the two. This is something we need more of today.

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