Outpost: Black Sun

A more explosive, gory, violent action filled addition to Outpost!
I'll start by admitting that the plot to the entirety of the "Outpost" series so far is a bit silly but I can't help but admit that the series has some really fantastic original stuff in it. Both cool and gory this series is pretty badass in a multitude of bloody ways. Both Outpost and Outpost Black Sun have been scary, gory and yes even a bit silly from time to time. I mean lets face it, this is the closest thing we are ever going to get to a "quality" nazi zombie film right?

Outpost which was released in '08 was surprisingly a scary film. There were some true moments of terror and fear in the film. Such as the dead body sneaking up behind the solider, the torture scenes and the atmospheric nazi ghosts and settings. It really did scare the shit out of me from time to time. It was an independent horror film that really stood on its own and had some action and horror all mixed up into one package. I mean I enjoyed it alot!

And then here comes Outpost Black Sun...

Outpost: Black Sun......
It's 1945. A German scientist, by the name of Klausener, is working on a new technology that has the power to create a massive army of Zombie Nazi. Present Day, Two investigators team up with a Special Forces Unit to venture deep inside a war that's raging between the military and that massive army of Nazi Zombie Stormtroopers. Their mission? to fight their way behind enemy lines, locate the technology at the source of this growing threat and prevent the inevitable rise of the 4th Reich.

Despite the fact that the plot sounds an awful lot like The Asylum's "Nazis at the Center of the Earth", I decided to give Outpost: Black sun a chance and I'm glad I did. While it might not be as entertaining as "Nazis at the Center of the Earth"(watch that movie & you'll figure out what I'm saying), it certainly is engrossing and intense. More like a war movie than a Zombie Nazi movie. I really liked it and aim on hunting down the first movie.

One of the better zombie movies out...

Pleasant Surprise with Deeper Content
Go rent Outpost before you watch this - it's the first in the series. While Outpost: Black Sun stands alone, the movie's plot and certain scenes make more sense when viewed in sequence. Both these movies are sleepers, and worth the time. The low budget effects worked given the European setting, and the story has depth. Reminds me a bit of Dog Soldiers - but better. In this regard, these aren't your typical "virus" or "evil" curse type zombie flicks. In fact, I'm not sure "zombie" is technically the right nomenclature. At the end of WWII, you've got the Third Reich experimenting with quantum physics and Unified Field Theory to create an unstoppable army of death - they never left the bunker where these horrors originated. Though, that changes with events in the two movies as the "machine" is restarted. For comparatively unknown actors, the character performances were gritty and realistic, even if brief in some circumstances. These movies are not for the kids... there are some truly...

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Cirque Du Soleil - Worlds Away (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo +Digital Copy)

A must see for fans of Cirque's Las Vegas shows!
THIS IS A REVIEW FOR THE 3D BLU-RAY.

I will start this review the way I felt when I first saw it in the movie theater...

1. You have to LOVE Cirque Du Soleil. Not just "like"...you have to love them.

2. Don't spend even one second trying to analyse the plot. It's about a young woman who is mesmerized with a young male aerialist and she tries to find him again when they are separated. Everything else are sections of different Las Vegas Cirque shows and even in their entirety don't always make sense. If you try to understand why this is here or that is there, you will run out screaming. Turn off your brain and just let your eyes enjoy all the spectacular.

3. It helps a lot to have seen at least a few of these shows in Las Vegas because the movie selects some of the best parts from each. This will be sort of a video souvenir book for you.

4. Did I mention you have to LOVE Cirque du Soleil?

The thrilling sequences that the...

FANTASTIC talent, imagination and visuals - STUNNING!
.
WOW! A real VISUAL FEAST. Incredible talent and imagination. (This starts a bit slow but hang in there, you get used to the pace and it's a great show.) I always wanted to see a live performance in Vegas but it's pretty pricey for me and will probably never happen - so I was THRILLED to have the opportunity to see them perform in this movie. I was not disappointed at all!

The acrobatics, the skill, the choreography, the fantastic sets etc. are about impossible NOT to appreciate. The acrobatics, by the way, are somewhat creepy at times but even still you just can't help but appreciate the incredible control and talent of these artists - it's fantastic, sometimes sensual and perhaps erotic (but G rated so it's ok for the kids to watch)

I believe you have to think of this movie like watching a weird dream - a circus kind of dream. And, you don't have to "understand" it to appreciate it. Just enjoy the show, the costumes, the talent, the cool sets, the...

Stunning visuals lack a strong narrative
I had seen the trailer for this movie a couple of times in the theater in recent weeks and couldn't wait to see this movie. Other than the trailer, I had no previous knowledge about what I could expect (I have never been to any Cirque du Soleil show before).

"Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away 3D" (91 min.) brings a very simple story line (girl meet boy (the Aerialist) at a circus, boy disappears into a bottomless pit, girl chases after boy and eventually she finds him) to various scenes from a smorgasbord of Cirque du Soleil shows. There is of course no dialogue, so the visuals and the music are key in any such movie. First as to the music, I thought it was rather bland and uneven, but then midway into the movie we get a huge chunk of Beatles songs (Blackbird; Octopus's Garden; Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds; For the Benefit of Mr. Kite; Get Back; and later also While My Guitar Gently Weeps as the credits start), and immediately the movie perks up for me. As to the performances,...

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E.T., The Extra-Terrestrial [HD]

Great movie, great set
Let me explain something that I feel a lot of people are forgetting. This set doesn't only include the new version, but the old as well. That's a great deal, since you can choose which one you would like to see. If you hate the new effects and CGI, don't watch it. It's that simple.

Now don't get me wrong. I think the newer version is very silly, and I wonder if Spielberg really thought it looked good when he did it. Maybe if he were to do it in around 10 years, it wouldn't look so animated.

I did like the deleted bathroom scene though, even though it was done with CGI. It would have been nice to have seen that in the original, but I guess that would be having my cake and eating it too.

There is nothing flawed about this set, it simply just gives some options that not everyone will want to choose. If you enjoy the movie, you will enjoy this set. It's a classic that hasn't lost it's flavor after all these years.

E.T
Both versions of Steven Spielberg's masterpiece are available on this limited edition DVD of E.T- THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL. The original 1982 and the 2002 re-mastered version are equally impressive. The minor cuts and restored footage doesn't add much. Sure, the CG E.T is impressive and there are some great moments put back in that make the film feel more complete. But the heart of the film stays the same. Differing from Spielberg's more strident films (JAWS, the INDIANA JONES films and JURASSIC PARK), E.T is the simple story of Elliot (Henry Thomas) who finds a friend from space and helps him to find his way home, hence the oft-quoted line "E.T phone home!". The iconic image of Elliot riding past the moon is one of the most memorable movie moments in cinema history, accompanied by John William's whimsical score (Another coup-de-grace par-excellence). The film itself is still emotionally involving and the peformances of the principal actors, especially Henry Thomas and Drew...

... ruined a classic
First, I want to make it clear that I'm reviewing the DVD here, not the original film. I liked the original; it's a good movie. Not as fantastic as it is hyped to be, but good enough to have on DVD for an occasional viewing. I give the film 4 stars.

I have BIG problems with what's behind this DVD, and the "special edition" of ET that's on it.

The 2002 edition of ET is just absurd. As others pointed out, CGI ET looks silly, and isn't consistent with the "old" scenes that include ET. His stiffness was part of his physical character. Making him more "jar-jar" just doesn't make sense. It's an example of "lets do it because we can". There are lots of thing we "can" do that we "should not" do, and this is one of them.

But much worse than this is the digital removal of the guns. Not only was this poorly done (from a technical point of view), but it's an example of Political Correctness(tm) gone mad. Guess what: government agents and cops carry guns, and they point them at...

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Dear Dracula

Adorable, Monsterish Fun for my 3yr old Son..A must Have DVD for any little monster toddler!
Any parent that has a toddler that LUVS monster & scary kid movies, this is a must! The characters are engaging, they hold my son's interest(he is very monster picky also)..he sat through whole movie but last 10min! He smiled & laughed the whole time..I could see him just listening/concentrating so hard while watching this..he then put on his Little Vampire Cape & resumed watching the rest of the movie! Its a Must Have DVD --just buy it..I rented first(bc I was not sure if I should buy, bc sometimes they just aren't that kid cool/fun/monsterish fun)..but this was..so 100%momma promise just buy this, if you have a little monster toddler/child..its a blast & super cute!

IT'S NOT A DOLL, IT'S AN ACTION FIGURE
This is an hour long Halloween cartoon for kids, perhaps 4-9 age group. Sam (Nathan Gamble) lives with his grandmother. He writes Dracula (Ray Liotta) who in turn visits Sam on Halloween. Sam helps Dracula get his scare back while Dracula helps Sam with his shyness involving Emma (Ariel Winter). Sam has a pet spider named Webber which makes him an outcast to his peers which include the stereo typical shallow cheerleaders.

Very boring production for parents and older kids. The jokes lines are old. Film is of course critical of "Twilight" as that has become the fad. I would go watch "Monsters and Aliens" instead.

Cute and original new Halloween movie!
My 3 1/2 year old loves to watch this. Not to scary but fun! Great cast of voices. Worth watching!

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Emmanuelle (1974) [HD]

Remarkable staying power
It is amazing that over a quarter of a century since its original release that Emmanuelle remains in the top three best selling French films on video. But is it so remarkable? Here we have a piece of pure eroticism which has scarcely been matched in all those years. Emmanuelle is not about explicit sexual action - those that buy it will be disappointed if that is what they expect, with the exception of the notorious nightclub smoking scene which I feel sure director Just Jaeckin must now regret including. If it is possible to feel outraged by anything when watching a movie about sex, then this scene provokes that reaction. No, this is a mainstream movie which has the power to move both men and women viewers - not least because of a towering central performance by the gloriously sexy Ms Kristel. She is never self-conscious about her body nor at the same time ever flaunts it. Her nudity is completely natural and her joy in her exploration of her sexuality totally...

The original Emmanuelle, and the best
This boxed set presents the three original Emmanuelle movies, the ones starring Sylvia Kristel. There were lots of imitators, most ranging from bad to worse and beyond. At the time of the first Emmanuelle, though none of that had yet happened - please hold that happy thought. Perhaps these three aren't high art, but they're generally good entertainment for adults. They are also so different from each other that they deserve to be reviewed individually, not as a lump.

* Emmanuelle: Back in the 70s, this was a groundbreaking movie. It was openly erotic, and openly meant for the general public. I'll leave the social commentary to others. For me, it's just a beautiful movie. It's set in beautiful tropical locations. It stars beautiful actresses, back before implants were part of the uniform. Most of all, it shows beautiful (if artificial) exchanges of physical affection between Emmanuelle and just about everyone, man and woman.

Still, there were a few things about...

Emmanuelle Collection is totally cut!
I recently bought the "Emmanuelle Collection" for nearly $100 and what a disappointment! According to the totally false advertising in the "Editorial reviews" these movies are presented complete and uncut. This is so not true. All three movies are cut, but Emmanuelle 2, the Joys of a Woman, generally regarded as the best of the series, is literally butchered! Everything from the keyhole anime sequence to the incredibly beautiful bathouse sequence is cut to shreds. In particular, the bathhouse scene, a masterpiece of gentle sensuality, is completely obliterated in this butcher's cut. Generally speaking, most of the eroticism in all three famous erotic films (and I love these films, and saw them uncut in the theater, and own Emmanuelle 2 uncut on laser disc) has been destroyed by someone who cut the films (and someone who particularly hates sensual scenes of women together). These films are valueless, as their essential appeal as erotic viewing is gone. This is a total ripoff and the...

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Smiley

Could be the worst movie I've ever seen. Seriously.
When I first heard about this movie, I was very excited. The trailer looked scary as hell, and the premise was new and original for the slasher subgenre within horror. The mask was awesome (and still is), plus, Keith David (John Carpenter's The Thing, They Live, There's Something About Mary) was in it, how could it be bad? I was telling people about it, genuinely excited for its release. I even shelled out money to the website that the movie would premiere on, promising behind the scenes looks into the 'Making Of'. I joined their video submission contest to see if it would get into the movie. Independent movies like this, especially horror, are what really give fans things that are new and original, so I am happy to support them.

And then I saw it.

Now, this follows the fact that a week before the movie was set to premiere on VOD, the whole idea was shaken up, and AMC Theaters bought the rights to show the movie in various cities around the country, mine...

I wanted to love this
I wish I could give this movie five stars. I really do. I love the idea of a manifestation of human evil, coming alive through one of our greatest tools. I love the examination of "trolling" behavior and how it looks when people take that attitude into the real world. I love the idea of the extremes we can go through when we have the advantage of anonymity. And I love the idea of humanity being just a step in the evolution of something truly terrifying.

That being said though, the movie itself is a mess. Most of the actors are good, but the script is a jumbled mess. The dialogue is so overly-dramatic and jarring. It sounds to me like the writers spent a lot of time researching the inner-working of internet communities and personalities in a textbook, but never actually bothered to go online.

I enjoyed the reveal towards the end and thought it made for a very good ending, but the actual last couple of minutes were a little disappointing and predictable...

Smiley
I saw this for free on Amazon Prime and I thank Amazon for saving me $10. The movie is basically about a killer that appears after you write something three times on your computer on a chat site kind of like an update of Bloody Mary or Candyman. It does hold my interest but the cast sucks & it dragged on for way too long. The big reveal made me confused & the ending screamed sequel. If you have Amazon Prime then check this out for free but do not pay for this movie. It's not worth the money.

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Pressed

A very good inde-movie that deserves to be seen. Very gritty and real. I am really shocked at how much I enjoyed this. I say B+
"I've got three months before this whole thing blows up in my face." Brian (Goss) is having a bad day. First he gets laid off, then gets in a fight with his wife, then finds out the savings he thought he had isn't as much as he was expecting. He stops at a bar to think and finds an old friend who says he can help. Risking everything Brian gives him all he has. When two young kids interfere with the plans everyone's life is affected. Going in to this I had no idea what to expect. I was very surprised with what I got and really really enjoyed this. The movie is tense and you aren't really sure what character to root for and it stays that way for just about the entire movie. Equal parts drama and action, this a the most realistic movie of this type I have seen. You will see what I mean when you watch this. I just put it in as background while I was doing something else but found myself 100% involved about 20 minutes in. I really enjoyed this. Overall, gritty, real and...

No money, no life.
Quite dissapointed in this movie. I really like Luke Goss, and he does alright here. However, he is not the tough guy you expect or want him to be. Which is quite a let down. This movie could have been so much better and alot more action driven if Goss had been allowed to kick ass and do his thing. So you wait, and wait for something dynamic to happen, and it never does. Goss is a high spender who is down on his luck and can't pay his bills or expensive rent. He makes a bad decission that costs him what little money he has left. He tries to get the money back but is out gunned, out tough guyed, and gets hosed. This movie had great potential but somebody dropped the ball, a shame. It is quite watchable and well made, and if you do not know who Luke Goss is, you will probably enjoy it.

Good Movie
I liked this movie. Good acting and believable storyline. This movie will keep you watching. It's a sleeper and under-rated.

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Storage 24

Worth the look!
This is probably *not* going to get the kind of release that plops it into the multiplex nearest your home; lucky you if it does! It's a forgone conclusion that it wasn't going to be playing here on many screens, for very long, and for some time yet; so we popped for it, having a good home theater.

The movie itself is earnest and very well done, almost as if the filmmakers watched SUPER 8 and said, "Well, that was fun....but let's do one and not muck around with the focus of the story or its tone". Then they got a small budget, a "bottle" location, a good DP (really helps in this sort of production)....and tried very, very hard to invoke the tone of early John Carpenter movies, even down to some of the scoring. Mostly they succeed. There's no reinventing the wheel here, and it doesn't have the bats*** crazy energy of ATTACK THE BLOCK; but it wasn't trying to be that film. Other than some third-act inconsistencies and dialogue-as-exposition, it is a very good movie that...

B-movie-style fun from Noel Clarke and company
(My review originally appeared on ReelFilmNews.com.)

What do you get when you cross Die Hard with Aliens and Shaun of the Dead? Storage 24, a new sci-fi/horror film from the mind of co-writer and star Noel Clarke, promises to be exactly that. Terse and to the point, Storage 24 is an unpretentious modern horror film that doesn't have to rely on pop culture references or jokey sight gags to get its message across. Instead, the film relies on claustrophobia and fear to provide a thick, heady atmosphere of nonstop tension.
Oh, and an enormous, toothsome alien, too.

As with other great low-budget horror films, Storage 24 manages to look like a movie with ten times its bankroll; the special effects are simple and realistic, relying on the cast to sell it, which they do very well. It's an easy premise: a menacing alien threatens the lives of several people trapped inside a storage facility. Of course, there's the requisite love gone bad between Charlie (Clarke) and...

Alien in a storage locker
This low budget British horror flick has been sitting in my DVR for a couple months now and I finally got around to checking it out. Filmed for all but a few seconds inside a 24 hour storage facility in the outskirts of London, the film borrows from many earlier ones and manages to create some suspense here and there.

Shocked by a loud explosion, later determined to be a plane crash near the facility, the electricity becomes erratic eventually locking a handful inside the storage building. When things start to go bump in the night, we start the countdown to grueling deaths, one by one. Evidently the plane that crashed was a military cargo plane carrying some top secret containers. Using their ingenuity and a few "weapons" they find inside the individual storage units, the little group must go to battle with an unknown enemy. Pretty corny and not terribly scary but not that bad either.

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The Hobbit : An Unexpected Journey (2012) [HD]

Wait until Chrismas 2013
Almost clicked the order button, but due to my love of the extended versions of the original trilogy, I decided to do a little research before I made that mistake. in doing so, I discovered that the Blue-Ray/DVD set for release on March 19th will contain only the theatrical version of the movie. Warner Bros is including a teaser trailer containing Dragon Smaug with this version in order to entice people to buy it. The extended version of 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' will be released in time for Christmas 2013. As with the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Warner Bros. is trying to stick it to the consumer again by hoping people will buy both versions. Sorry, WB... I can wait another nine months. In the meantime, I'll rent a copy to satisfy my urge to see it sooner.

The Hobbit Amazon Exclusive Extended Edition
Since Amazon doesn't list the release date (11/05/13) or have the special features detailed, here you go:

-The Filmmakers' Commentary - Director/writer/producer Peter Jackson and writer/co-producer Philippa Boyens provide their perspective and stories on creating the first film.

-New Zealand: Home of Middle-Earth - From Matamata to Queenstown, travel with Peter Jackson and his team across the stunning locations of New Zealand, transformed by the filmmakers into Middle-Earth.

-The Appendices Part 7: A Long-Expected Journey - A 14-part chronological history of the filming of An Unexpected Journey, covering pre-production in the various departments of the film in the months leading up to the start of principal photography, the boot camp training for the main cast, and the work done on set chronologically through the three shooting blocks and in the world of its digital effects. Chapters include:

*The Journey Back to Middle-Earth
*Riddles...

What we can expect in the EXTENDED EDITION.
WHAT WILL WE SEE IN THE EXTENDED EDITION:

1. More of DALE, including the BLACK ARROWS. Director Peter Jackson mentions a previously unseen character: "Girion, who is defending [the city of] Dale using black arrows against Smaug. And the black arrows play a part in an ongoing story, for they are the one thing that can pierce the dragon's hide."

2. More king of the wood elves; THRANDUIL. Peter Jackson: "There are also issues with Thranduil. We get some of the reason why he and the dwarves had a falling out - to do with these white gems..."

3. More of HOBBITON. Producer Phillipa Boyens: "You are going to get more of Hobbiton. We always wanted to wend our way through Hobbiton, but in the end Bilbo has to run out of the door."

4. The OLD TOOK'S PARTY: In which we see a younger Gandalf meet Bilbo Baggins as a young child, convincing the wizard of the young hobbit's bravery and courage. I won't spoil it for you, but it involves a dragon and a bit...

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Motorway

8000RPM, 2km/h.
This movie is SWEET!!!

But honestly, Motorway reflects Hong Kong's infamous street racing and crime. Director Soi Cheang combines his neo-noir photography + voyeur camera angles with high performance. The Chinese(HK) are sophisticated regarding cars, and this film reflects that accurately with BMW E86 Z4 M Coupe, Audi A4 2.6, Honda AP2 S2000, Nissan RS13 180SX, Silvia S15, Audi TTS, Nissan Z32 Fairlady Z, & Nissan R34 Skyline GT-R. Plus, small automotive details are highlighted to show technical sophistication like left foot braking, aftermarket fuel injectors, clutch control, engine management/tuning, side turning, and downhill racing. If you love cars and racing, this film is a privilege.

The plot is not super complex but simply cops and robbers. However, Motorway features a very cool, dark photography/tone of the streets and crime. It makes HK's dim, claustrophobic streets even shadier with Cheung's style of directing. Similar to Nicolas Winding Refn's...

motorway
Motorway is like a 70s car movie, minus any kind of memorable, high stakes, pulse-pounding, well-shot climactic chase scene.

The plot is as simple as they were back then: a veteran cop and a rookie cop are trying to hunt down a seasoned getaway driver who has come back into town after over a decade away to help out a fellow crook in need.

Which is actually quite a lot more than most iconic 70s car movies. However, it lacks both atmosphere and that automotive punch.

First, for the atmosphere -- the film just felt too tame. I was never too involved with the characters, and even a dramatic turning point halfway through the film felt more like a plot point being checked off a list than something meant to shape the characters I was watching. It didn't carry any kind of distinctive flair the whole way through, it felt like a hundred other movies, nothing special.

So, with little story, characters who are failing to engage, what remains is the...

Boys and Their Toys Clutter the MOTORWAY
Anthony Wong has been a part of so many clever and classy action films that it actually hurt watching him play a veteran cop (on the verge of retirement, nonetheless) in this mostly anonymous picture. Still, there's nothing wrong with a harmless diversion, and I suppose you could do a lot worse than a single viewing of MOTORWAY ... though, at the moment, I'm a little hard-pressed to come up with a worse suggestion.

(NOTE: The following review will contain minor spoilers necessary solely for the discussion of plot and characters. If you're the kind of reader who prefers a review entirely spoiler-free, then I'd encourage you to skip down to the last two paragraphs for my final assessment. If, however, you're accepting of a few modest hints at `things to come,' then read on ...)

Cheung (played by Shawn Yue) is a rookie cop too big for his britches. Recruited to serve as part of a stealth police patrol that keeps reckless street racers from doing harm, he finds...

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Rolling

Loved It!!
I loved this movie!! It was a very accurate potrayal of the use and feeling of ecstasy. The unknown actors in this film did a fabulous job in their roles. If one didn't know any better one would think they actually did take ecstasy while shooting each scene. Defenitely the best rave movie I've ever seen!!

well-intentioned but leaden social drama
**1/2

"Rolling" is a low-budget independent film focused on a handful of young Angelenos who have all had experience with the drug Ecstasy. Done in the style of a you-are-there docudrama, the movie alternates between traditional dramatic sequences and staged interviews with the characters who speak directly to the camera about the drug and the effect it's had on their lives. (The term "rolling" refers to the high one gets when tripping on the drug).

The movie certainly means well, and there are definitely some lessons to be learned from the characters' experiences. And, in all fairness, director/co-writer Billy Samoa Saleebey doesn't engage in quite as much melodramatic finger-wagging as the material might have warranted. But the amateurishness of the execution - the jittery, handheld camera, the time-lapse psychedelics, the unconvincing performances, the lackluster writing - robs the movie of much of its impact. Somehow, when all the characters do is party...

An eye-opener!
The film Rolling is a look into a social scene that few have experienced; the Rave and Ecstacy scene in Los Angeles. In a docu-drama format, this films follows the lives of six young people who have relatively normal day-lives, and nights and weekends live the Rave and Ectasy life. The unknown actors do an excellent job of taking us into this lifestyle and are totally believable in their roles. The music and camera work add to the authenticity of this remarkable film. Absolutely outstanding!

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Sholem Aleichem: Laughing in the Darkness

The Power Of Tradition: An Impressive Documentary About The Man Who Brought Us Teyve
Although I am not Jewish, I have a healthy respect and appreciation for the world of theater that is all-encompassing. I grew up with "Fiddler on the Roof" being one of my favorite musicals, and I can't tell you how many interpretations of it that I have seen through the years. Truthfully, though, the writer whose stories inspired Teyve and his cohorts, Sholem Aleichem, was not a household name for me until recently. Last year, the Archive of American Television released two classic Yiddish dramas from David Susskind's Play of the Week anthology with one of them being "The World of Sholom Aleichem." This DVD featured three shorts (one of them not even by Alacheim) that started my fascination with the man and his invaluable cultural and artistic contributions. So when I saw the documentary feature by Jake Dorman, "Sholem Aleichem: Laughing In The Darkness," it helped to round out a more fully developed picture of his place in theater history.

With a wealth of archival...

superb
I have gotten a new found admiration for the life and times of this man.He has gone through a hell on earth and maintained his connection to his life as a jew. He triuphed in his works.

Who we are and Where we came from.
An important document for those of us with Eastern European heritage---and even more important for our children and grandchildren. Much of this was withheld by our parents and grandparents who came from Russia, Poland and Lithuania in their disdain of the "greenhorn" they felt they were, and their commitment to make a new life in the new land.

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An Awkward Sexual Adventure

Profane And Romantic? A Canadian Charmer That Might Thwart Your Expectations
With its provocative DVD cover and its racy title, you might think you know what to expect from the Canadian indie "An Awkward Sexual Adventure." And, in many ways, you'd be right. But using all the conventions that you would anticipate from a bawdy sex romp, the picture subverts them into a wholly unique experience. Can a movie be both in-you-face and gentle? Can it be explicit and sweet? The answer, in my estimation, is yes. "An Awkward Sexual Adventure" is surprisingly adept as a relationship drama, a journey of self-discovery, and as a blossoming romance. Through it all, though, it is also laugh out loud funny giving its audience plenty of raunchy humor and uncomfortable situations. I'll be honest. I saw the cover of the DVD (with a tantalizingly placed melon) and I instantly sized up the picture. Sure to attract a male audience looking for a crude and lewd experience, the movie offers more than its share of pleasures for the female crowd as well. Yes, this is really a...

Excellent movie!
Was a great movie for both my wife and I. Great actors, good plot. Was able to be intelligent and sexy with a little dirty thrown in without going overboard.

Surprised
I usually shy away from independent films, but I was pleasantly surprised with the level if acting, and witty humor of this film. I've recommended to several friends. One last note, is even though the storyline is somewhat outlandish at times the characters portrayed definitely were more human than you see in a lot of movies.

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The Other Son

A Somewhat Contrived Set-Up Leads To An Incredibly Subtle And Satisfying Family Drama
As I settled in to watch the heartfelt drama "The Other Son," I was instantly wary of its contrived set-up and principle plot thread. Like a classic soap opera, the center of this well meaning movie revolves around a switched-at-birth incident. This accident, however, is wrought with political and religious significance. One family is Israeli and one is Palestinian. What happens when the mistake is discovered as the two boys approach adulthood? Such a set-up would allow for plenty of intellectual discussion, teaching moments, and heavy handed drama. I could already see where the movie was heading. Remarkably, though, director Lorraine Levy (working with an incredibly nuanced screenplay) doesn't travel down the expected path. Instead, she takes this situation and turns it into a thoughtful, restrained, and pleasingly subtle experience. Truthfully, I loved "The Other Son." It never attempts to preach at its audience, it allows its characters to discover their own way. Once I...

"Uncanny Family Drama"
Alternately "schmaltzy" and alternately realistic, this film is a subtitled depiction of present-day Middle-East tensions personified by the use of an uncanny family drama. Very good acting and colorful footage of ethnic locales adds to the enjoyment level. There are, however, some elements of the story that seem to stretch rationale belief in their treatment of deep-seated political hatred and religious confrontation. To avoid "spoilers", I won't elaborate. Also be advised that there is some English dialogue, and when it is spoken, the subtitles vanish. Which is a disservice to the hearing impaired.

`We are all human, we can all be family.'
While the world continues to struggle to understand the constant schism between Palestine and Israel and yet permutations of that unsettled hot fire whose coals continue to smolder between aggressive flares, along comes a film such as this one - THE OTHER SON or Le fils de l'autre - and provides some insights that at least for the moment offer a better understanding of a very long struggle. Based on an idea by Noam Fitoussi who wrote the screenplay with Director Lorraine Lévy and Nathalie Saugeon, this is a gentle film about resolution of conflict - at least on the family level. It is a French production filmed in the West Bank and Israel under the sensitive direction of Lorraine Lévy.

It's not uncommon for those who rightly resent being biologically categorized on government questionnaires, to defiantly write in `human' when asked to indicate their race. And the same holds true in its own compelling but curious way for the switched at birth DNA-driven...

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Dark Feed

Great
For a low budget film it still can give you a scare. Good story and not a predictable ending which made it that much better.

Not good!!
Terrible acting. Terrible screenplay. Bad plot. No character development. Cliched!!! It seemed like everyone in the movie had a real bad attitude and/or acted like teenagers! Highly disappointing!!!

not very exciting
it was one of those movies that after i skimmed thru most it, wondered why i just didnt stop watching sooner.

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Alter Egos

Great Alternative Hero Movie!
This was a funny, interesting indie movie. I really enjoyed the quirky dialogue and story line.

I saw this movie, as I really enjoyed the director's other endevour "Rozencrantz and Guildenstern are undead" and found this to be of the same campy, enjoyable calibre.

The casting was great, including Danny Masterson and newcomers like Brooke Nevin. It was all topped off with an unforgetable soundtrack by Sean Lennon.

highly recommend this for some great holiday entertainment.

Alter Super Heroes
I enjoyed this movie. I watched it twice. It literly is the Alter Ego of all the Super Hero Movies, which I generally enjoy but it is nice to see a movie that does not take itself too seriously.

More of a love story with superheros...
I rented this to watch Danny Masterson but was pleasantly surprised with the entire premise. Good story and clever ending.

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Shadow People [HD]

Blu-ray Review: "Shadow People"
Rarely do I come across anything in my viewing of horror movies that makes me jumpy or paranoid after turning the TV off. Most times I enjoy the film and then go on about my business with no worries. However, every once in a while a true gem of fear comes along and leaves its imprint on me as I shut off all the lights in the house and head to bed. Matthew Arnold's "Shadow People" had me searching the walls and windows for ghastly spots of unexplained darkness after watching it.

Participants in an experimental sleep study in the 1970s report seeing strange shadowy figures. They and several hundred other individuals die in their sleep soon after. The phenomenon was given the name SUNDS, which stands for "Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome." Doctors wouldn't talk about the shadows.

In the present, failing radio talk show host Charlie Crowe begins receiving calls from a teenager claiming shadowy intruders are coming for him. At first, Charlie believes the...

True and scary
I thought this was going to be just another independent horror film with bad acting and cheap special effects. Even at the beginning when the "true story" introduction came out I thought "here we go one of those stupid Blare Witch knock offs" (not that I liked Blare Witch). It is not a "Found Footage film" it is a movie with real life footage seamlessly inserted throughout the film and this also made it different than most true story films. I also believe this makes the film better because you are getting to see the real people instead of having to wait till the end like many other true event movies and from the beginning it was interesting. As the movie went on, the mix between real footage and the movie footage that was very well done, the film captivated me. Watching this at home by myself one evening I can't recall another independent film literally at times sending chills throughout my body. I am not a person that is easily scared but I found myself looking around the room even...

One of the most unique horror films I've seen in years
If you've seen one independent horror film, you probably think you've seen them all. The genre is typically defined by a set of rigid features: wooden acting commensurate with your typical community college theatre production, shaky camerawork and cinematography which barely serves to convey the narrative in only its most rudimentary sense, and a plot with more holes than O.J. Simpson's alibi.

Shadow People, however, is not your typical indie horror flick. Dallas Roberts (The Walking Dead) does an exceptional job of playing Charlie Crowe, a small-town talk radio host who gets caught up in the mystery of the shadow people after a late-night call from a disturbed listener. His exploration into the phenomenon makes the film as much mystery or suspense thriller as pure horror and is spliced together with documentary footage. The resulting mode of storytelling is both effective and novel, making suspension of disbelief (a major problem with most horror films) that much...

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Polish Bar

Great film.
I have seen this film several times at festivals and screenings. It is an intense challenging film that has some amazing performances by Judd Hirsch and RIchard Belzer. VIncent Piazza's Reuben is a great role for him and so different than his character on Boardwalk Empire. I hope you all enjoyed Polish Bar as much as I did. It is he kind of film you talk about for days afterwards and is worth seeing more than once.

Touching and powerful
I saw Polish Bar at the Chicago International Film Festival and can't enourage folks to watch it enough. Full disclosure: The director and screenwriter is my brother. Also full disclosure: Most of his films I only watched in their entirety because they were made by my brother. But Polish Bar is the exception to that rule. The casting is great and the narrative is touching and powerful. The movie is a wonderful story, witty in the right places, touching and serious in the right places, and overall a great experience to watch. Rent it now!

Awesome Flick!
This movie was awesome! I am originally from Chicago and I'm polish so what's not to like. I am a huge Meat Loaf fan and it was great to see him in this film. This movie portrayed the daily life struggles that we all deal with day to day! True perfection this film was! I really enjoyed it!!!

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Hemel (Censored Version)

Intense film but Amazon version is censored with obscuring windows.
Hemel is Heaven but Hemel is far from heavenly. She has an issue with intimacy, unable to relate on any level but sexually. This drama tracks her through a number of one night stands and follows her one close relationship, her father. Sadly, Amazon's version has drifting opaque windows to block our view of genitalia. If the director/editor had intended this, a small change in camera angle could have accomplished the same thing. I found it as annoying as the smartphone user sitting in front of me in a dark theater or even as bad as putting a fig leaf on a Rodin sculpture. I've seen a huge number of films but not this form of censorship for about 30 years.

Hemel
I purchased this Video from Amazon, but was so distracted by the pixelated windows blocking the genetalia that I deleted it after 10 minutes.
If Amazon is going to offer altered product for sale they should clearly label it as having been doctored, censored or altered from it's original condition.
I must say however that this is the only instance of dissatisfaction I've had in dealing with Amazon.

Heaven's (Hemel's) Hell" a portrait
There would be much to say about this provocative movie...if I knew its ultimate theme.
And provocative it is!
In the first scene, Hemel (startlingly beautiful, though extremely skinny!), played by Hannah Hoekstra, speaks of "c--ts" and the feminist take on shaving pubic hair.
After a couple of more guys pass through her world in the night, the one man who means the most to her, her father Gijs (Hans Dagelet). enters the picture.
He is always with a woman, and they're all young and beautiful.
(In one scene, a restaurant waiter mistakes Hemel for Gijs's wife!!)
The music, and the general tone of the movie, is somber, sad.
Hemel tells her father she saw a man commit suicide by jumping off a roof.
She wonders if she should have helped....by jumping down after him!
As I said earlier, Hemel (Hoekstra!) is almost anorexically thin!!
(I personally prefer a fleshier woman!)
She is seen peeing three times during the movie.
I mention...

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The Great Magician

Loved it!
I thought this movie was fantastic. Great story, plot twists, ect.

One problem. The description for it, both on amazon and netflix, having nothing to do with the actual film. There is no "eight immortals" mentioned in the movie at all. Ever.

Puzzling.

A Feast for Tony Leung Fans
Since I saw several movies of Wong Kar Wai with Tony Leung years ago, I am a great admirer of this great Actor. So I also like movies that have some weaknesses. The plot of this film suffers from some silliness.

The performance of Tony Leung Chiu Wai is beyond any doubt. Overall I like the movie very much.

Nothing Is Quite What It Seems With THE GREAT MAGICIAN
I've always liked magic. As a kid, I even gave it a go, but I was never the showman I hoped I'd be. Magicians have to be consummate entertainers willing to put themselves out there knowing all the while that the sleight of hand relies entirely on them - no amount of fancy glitter or smoke can salvage a trick gone bad. In their own humble way, films are perhaps the most complete magic act out there - they require an audience to suspend their disbelief long enough to be swept up by the play of light cleverly situated between all of the pieces of the magical puzzle. When it's done right, it quickly becomes the kind of thing you want to share with friends and family. When it's done wrong, it's something you moan and groan at until the credits roll.

THE GREAT MAGICIAN is far from `great,' but it's good enough entertainment for a lazy afternoon or, better, a quiet evening in with the kids.

(NOTE: The following review will contain minor spoilers necessary solely...

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Lost Angels: Skid Row is My Home

"It Makes You Really Wanna Do Something With Your Life Here" - Bam Bam
This self-affirming, award winning and moodily informative documentary, narrated by Catherine Keener, shines a different light on what is referred to as a "low-income housing community" and basically, it is. Skid Row does not exist on any map, and populates over 11,000 people, of whom are: caretakers of others there, the occupants themselves, clean-up people, welldoers, the numerous mentally-ill, sanitation groups, line cooks, Advocates for the community, and all sorts of others having their jobs to do (daily and/or nightly).

Along with the aforementioned groups, the documentary takes a look at several individuals living here who have high hopes for the future: A younger Danny Harris is a 'silver medalist' from the Olympics. Multiple-times diagnosed and suffering mental illness, Bam Bam is the subject of controversies and will permanently be moving on in time. "Detroit" has been mentally-ill since the age of 16 and now is a displaced mother that 'chose' to travel here...

wanting dignity in the ditches
Lost Angels, a beautifully filmed honest look at the Los Angeles homeless - their struggle with increased gentrification and nowhere else to go-, documents the lives of several inhabitants, how they got there and how they got out. It's informative and rich in hope, when hope is laced with understanding, community participation, medical care and reality.

Unexpectedly wonderful
This was a great documentary. I've lived in LA for years, and have always had a different perception of Skid Row. Seeing this changed my mind and helped me understand why people exist there, and that many of those who live there are very protective of their neighborhood. The film is also filled with incredible stories and unlikely characters.

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True Nature [HD]

True Nature
I found the movie to be suspenseful, although I guessed the outcome half way through. It was a movie that could be called "supernatural", but basically it was about the corruption of the soul. Nothing hair raising, just a character study of a well to do family that was bankrupt where it counts the most. Some family members were rather nasty. The acting was pretty good, but I would not actually buy the movie. Renting it was the best choice for me anyway.

A DISH SERVED LUKE WARM
TRUE NATURE ---a really weak title by the way --- is a slow moving tale of retribution that ultimately suffers from its lethargy and predictability.
In a rather condensed nutshell, the plot follows a young girl who vanishes one night and shows uo a year later, not knowing where she's been. Thanks to some early hints, it's fairly obvious where the movie's heading. The sole recognizable actor is Law & Order;s Dr. Olivet (Carolyn McCormick) who plays the victim's over-protective mother. The overall performances are typical of this kind of flick and it does manage to hold your attention although its abrupt predictable ending is disappointing. Rent, don't buy!

THE ART OF THE SLOW BURN
I've commented before about what I call the MTV generation. This is a group of film goers who have no patience when it comes to movies. They want the information thrown at them immediately, they want it NOW! Because of this attitude they don't have time for movies that offer what I call the slow burn. These are films that give you pieces of the story, that take their time in allowing you to absorb what is going on rather than just rush into it in the first 5 minutes of the movie. The best thing about these movies is that when done well they are quite enjoyable.

Consider the films of Hitchcock. Even in a film like PSYCHO, his most popular film, you don't have the true gist of the story until 30 minutes into the film. You get glimpses of what is to come, you get set up for what is going to come, and you get involved with the characters. He did this in most of his films. Alas I don't think today's generation would have the patience to sit through an entire Hitchcock film...

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Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy [HD]

UNRATED- was uncalled for.
I LOVED this movie when I saw it in the theatre over the past summer- so I was pumped to see an "unrated" version come out on DVD.

Whomever was in charge of putting this DVD together yanked a huge chain on this release. I had expected the "unrated" version to be funnier than the theatrical version which I thought was one of the year's funniest movies, because in general, "unrated" cuts have been better than the "regular" release.

This "unrated" version skips a couple really great monents from the theatrical version, one instance is when Carell's character "Brick" utters "I ate a big red candle" during the party hangover sequence and they replace it with a joke that's nowhere near that great non-sequitor. Near the end of the film they edited out Ferrell's lines just before he picks up the phone in the bar (something about "once being an anchorman")which was more in line with the film's plot/angle than the new scene of Burgundy eating cat poop. A TERRIBLY UNFUNNY...

ferrels best comedy
This limited edition version which is only at sale at a certain retail chain and here evidently features a interesting box with a 'diary' of Ron Burgundy and trading cards. The package has two blu ray discs with a unrated version of the movie and a made for dvd flick as well. I don't know if they will release this modern classic comedy on a regular blu ray without the extra film but certainly the packaging will be different after this edition sells out. Making it a collectors edition. This imo is a modern classic comedy, the movie just does everything right , it's funny and has great acting from everyone involved and it features the golden age of news anchorpeople the seventies, that was the decade when women really made inroads into the field and laid the groundwork for all the top anchors that would follow. The seventies too are always a great decade to have a comedy in, it's the predigital age (1980's-) and things were in someways better than today for sure, others not. but at...

I'm.....Ron Burgondy?
Lets be real. This movie is good, and I mean really good. Don't act like your not impressed. Will Ferrell is a genius, honestly. If you disagree with me I will fight you. Simple as that. I will fight you. This movie is rich and compelling. Bottom line. You won't regret watching this movie. Bottom line. I mean who cares if he doesn't speak spanish? He looks really good in this movie. He makes Sinatra look like a Hobo. This movie is also very informative. It could be a documentry. You learn alot about things you probably wouldn't have known before you watched this movie. For instance, did you know diversity was a old old wooden ship that was used in the civil war era? I'll be the first one to say I did not know that. I also was unaware of the meaning behind the name San Diego. I also didn't know that the germans discovered San Diego. Suffice to say, I learned a lot while watching this movie. Go watch it now.

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The Change-Up Unrated [HD]

Best of both worlds
This movie, according to rotten tomatoes and other critics, is supposed to be lousy. In my opinion, this is far from it. It shows the sides of living the opposite lives; living a life of a busy/working man and the life of a down-to-earth/relaxing life. I personally found the movie to be eye-opening. Life's meaning is not to always work but it is also not to always have fun; just need to find the right balance. Great movie with funny moments and also serious and thought-provoking moments. The only negative thing is that they revealed too many of the funny moments in the trailer and left the audience with many predictable scenes. Nevertheless, I will buy the dvd in order to have a physical copy since it is a great movie.

Funniest movie I've seen in a long time
I have no idea why this movie has bad review. It's REALLY hilarious and well-though. The writing is really strong unlike most movies out today. My friend suggested we see this and all 5 people watching this were cracking up. I would definitely rent it. :)

Trite Premise, but a Solid Finish
THE CHANGE-UP is another film by the writers of HANGOVER AND HANGOVER II (Jon Lucas and Scott Moore) and the director of wedding crashers (David Dobkin): that should give a pretty solid clue as the what is in store in this film - potty mouth and gross humor that is so very very popular today! The concept of the story (two disparate characters changing lives in a manner as magical as the fairy tale 'The Three Wishes') is not new and at times it becomes wearing, but the big difference here is that the characters are assigned to two really brilliant comic actors - and so it works in the long run.

Two longtime friends are feeling distance in their relationship: Mitch (Ryan Reynolds) is a womanizing free-spirited life as an actor for commercials and 'lorn movies' (soft porn) who lives in a pigsty of an apartment, grabbing fast food where he can find it, while Dave (Jason Bateman) is a conscientious successful lawyer with a major la firm in Atlanta, and is married to a beautiful...

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Dick Tracy [HD]

Hey Warren, how about the Director's Cut?
I have been a fan of this movie since it came out in 1990. I saw it in the theater, bought it on video tape and finally on DVD.

Imagine my surprise when I read Mr. Beatty was putting together a director's cut of this movie for a propose "Vista Series" release.

I read on various sites, including "Ain't It Cool," that 20-30 minutes would be added and the overall tone of the picture would be darker.

This was a couple of years ago and I haven't seen anything new on it.

I understand Mr. Beatty and Disney have gotten into some legal issues regarding who has rights over the film. I just hope they are resolved quickly and Mr. Beatty can get the Director's Cut out.

I love the first cut of the movie, but felt at times they were holding back on certain themes in order to bring in as many people as possible to make the picture profitable. If you look at the original comic, it was violent.

I loved Beatty as the honest cop, Madonna...

Well, not bad!
The script lives up to its subject, a cartoon strip, but fans of the old Dick Tracy won't be disappointed. Our old favorite characters are all there and the soundtrack, especially Madonna's sexy "Sooner or Later" is fabulous. The production values are great, with a definite comic book feel and appearance, and even if we didn't get all these great items to enjoy, there's the cameo and casting with some of Hollywood's brightest stars. Definitely worth adding to your DVD collection

A Great Movie with Amazing Picture and Sound Quality
The DVD may not be fully loaded with extras or special features, but the outstanding picture and sound quality makes up for all of that..."Dick Tracy" is an incredible movie and can be enjoyed by everyone of all ages...Warren Beatty stars as Tracy; a tough detective who is determined to fight crime at any cost. One of the main bad guys he is trying to get off the streets for good is none other than Big Boy (Al Pacino). But Big Boy isn't going down without a fight, and is willing to put a stop to Tracy's career with his gang of colorful hoodlums... I really did enjoy this movie, and it is a classic. There are still elements of danger and suspence... The actors did a great job. Beatty is awesome as Tracy, but I have to say this; as always, it is Pacino who steals the show. He is so alive and colorful in this movie. Had it not been for his famous voice, you would've never known it was Al...Warren Beatty also directed the movie and did an awesome job at doing so. Everything about...

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Jurassic Park [HD]

The 3D is great with a couple cautions, TIP:deactivate BD-live to avoid BD advertising spam Aaarrgh
***This review really is for the 3D Blu-ray version. I preordered it and it arrived the day before official release :) ***

My wife and I watched it and the 3D is very well done, they clearly did full 3D mapping with curved shapes for faces and pixel infill behind things when you can now see around them. My wife found it as good as 3D gets. As an engineer with image processing background I noticed a few things like artifacts around fast moving stuff and places where (of course) things would not be in focus that were not originally in the plane of focus. I think if you don't go looking for flaws it will just be a great 3D experience, this isn't a cheap cardboard cutout change to 3D, it's the good kind.

The Bluray took a while to start up and then would repeatedly get stuck showing "downloading new attractions from BD-live"; until I turned off BD-live for the Bluray player. .... Update on BD-Live: It would seem that getting stuck at "downloading" was likely due to...

Jurassic Park Is Ageless...and in 3D It Deserves Six Stars!
I am writing this review after having seen the 3D-IMAX version of this movie yesterday at the theater. I can only hope this is the version being released later this month (April 2013).

All I can say is WOW! I and my family were immensely pleased. This is every bit as amazing as I remembered it, and then some.

The 3D was definitely a benefit here, and it heightened my appreciation of the movie. While of course Spielberg had no inclination that this would eventually go 3D, the movie has several sequences that really seem to have been made specifically for it. As anyone who has seen the movie can guess, there are all sorts of scenes that almost literally jumped out at the audience in the original, and they're even more super-charged here.

While this has to be one of the most-watched movies ever, I'm sure there are many who have never seen it -- in fact, I could tell there were a few in the audience nearby me, as they jumped more than a few times at key...

Probably the best 3D Blu-ray Available. Stunning.
My review pertains to the quality of 3D:

As someone who loves home theater 3D, I have probably every major 3D Blu-ray release, and I'm pretty sure this tops them all.

Literally every scene has been remastered for 3D conversion, and it shows. Its a beautiful, fun, and awesomely entertaining 3D showpiece. Exceeded my expectations in every way.

Also, the "Extras" has an overview of how they spent 9 months transferring the source material to 3D. You really can't go wrong with Jurassic Park 3D.. get it now.

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Mr. Jones [HD]

Excellent with many funny, touching moments
I'm M-D so take that into consideration. Gere doesn't get enough credit for his acting because he has his own persona like John Wayne and critics can't get over this. His is an outstanding performance, trust me. Lena is my favorite actress to watch and listen to so factor that in also. There are just so many funny scenes in this movie! (And a few oddities; Gere is no carpenter--you hammer nails with your wrist, not your arm.) Fun moments: Gere quoting from Alice In Wonderland while playfully teasing Olin's stock psychologist demeanor, the dialogue in and around the car ride, the table tennis sequence is priceless, in fact all of the dialogue between these two excellent actors is worth watching. Two outstanding dramatic moments are 1)the point of Gere's discovery of Olin's prying into his past(and catching him in a chilling lie)and 2)the subsequent confrontation in the rain; this is Olin at her--or anyone's--best...economical and searing. The only major misfire in this movie is...

love element took away from Gere's performance!
Gere is great at portraying the extremes of bi-polar disorder, but the film is lacking in two major areas. One is the boring doctor/patient relationship and the other is the fact that bi-polar patients also exhibit weeks, months, and even years of "normal" behavior. I wish the film dealt more with the difficulties of having relationships with family, friends, and lovers. Bi-polar disorder is a serious one and medication is a must in order to balance yourself. The movie should have shown some of the struggles of finding the right medication for it.

Wonderful movie about a fascinating mental disorder
I am a fan of Richard Gere, and I came across this gem a few years ago by word of mouth. This is a wonderful movie that tackles a thorny mental disorder that is receiving much attention today -- bi-polar, manic depressive disorder. It seems that bi-polar sufferers, despite their having a classified "mental disorder", are often exceptionaly creative, brilliant individuals. Many of our great artists, writers, painters, and musicians were (are) manic.

Mr. Gere does a fantastic job of portraying such a brilliant/unstable manic sufferer, and really brings the disorder, with all of its twists and turns, to life. The story is true to the struggles and realities of manic sufferers, and uses wonderful images of planes crashing overhead, tightrope walks, and grandiose symphonies that metaphorize what it must be link to be manic. The story veers only in its hollywood insistence on the highly unlikely patient-therapist romance.

Five stars for a compelling and...

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Easy Money (English Subtitled)

4.5 stars... another hard-charging Scandinavian crime thriller
What is it with those crime dramas and thrillers out of Scandinavia? There is of course the Millenium trilogy out of Sweden a few years ago, and earlier this year an equally enthralling "Headhunters" out of Norway, and now we (finally!) get this movie out of Sweden.

"Easy Money" (2010 release from Sweden; 124 min.) brings the story of JW (played by Joel Kinnaman), an economics university student in Stockholm who is driving a cab on the side to earn extra money. His Serbian boss in the (black market) cab company is also dabbling in the underground drug scene, and soon JW is given the opportunity to make extra money there too. JW needs the money as he really wants to fit in with some of his (upper class) university friends, where he also meet Sophie, whom he talkes a crush on. The movie then takes its time to lay out fractioning Eastern European drug gangs in Stockholm (as small as they are), and at one point JW is approached by the rival drug gang, to snitch on his own. Will...

(4.5 Stars) "Snabba Cash" gets a US DVD release ala "Easy Money". An awesome underworld crime thriller!
In 2006, Swedish criminal defense lawyer and author would write the noel "Snabba Cash", as part of the "Stockholm Noir" trilogy. The novel would become the fourth best selling novel in Sweden in 2007 and it caught the interest of Swedish filmmaker Daniel Espinosa ("Safe House", "The Fighter", "Outside Love").

Because of Espinosa's upbringing in Skogas and his Chilean roots, he understood how it was to hang out with Yugoslavians and also hanging out with the upperclass in Sigtuna. So, he can identify with the story of "Snabba Cash". And the first film adaptation was released in theaters in 2010 and would received critical acclaim and become one of the best selling films in Sweden.

Filmmaker Martin Scorsese helped give the film recognition in America and the film was also part of a major bidding war in which the Weinstein Company acquired the rights to the film but also for a remake which will star Zac Efron.

With a sequel of "Snabba Cash" having been...

Twisty plot worth the subtitles
I had to watch this twice to really understand it. At first I was just interested in Joel Kinnaman after watching "The Killing." He's a fine actor. The story is compelling and I'm looking forward to Snabba Cash II.

It was hard to follow since there is not always transitional material between day/night and Jorge/Mrado storylines in the beginning. I also had trouble distinguishing voices of who was on the other end of a phone call. This might be because I was reading subtitles and don't understand the language of the speaker. There are at least three languages, probably four in this movie: Swedish, Spanish, and English, likely Serbian is the fourth, but I'm guessing.

Subtitles are all in English.

This movie is good for people who enjoy complex story lines with lots of twists. JW's social climbing is subtle and well played through his clothes and on his face.

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Detour [HD]

Do you have...
...what it takes to survive?

Wow! DETOUR will force you to not only take stock in your life, but to take stock in what you've got readily available in your car. Because what may seem like a bizarre circumstance could in fact happen to anyone driving in a mountain region. I swear my shoulders are still a little too close to my ears after viewing this film! I had to keep reminding myself "you're not in the car with Jackson."

Speaking of Jackson, leading man Neil Hopkins provides a tour de force performance as he battles the force that is mother nature.

And don't be surprised, if like me, you jump back into your Amazon account & order a few "supplies" for your car.

A DEFINITE RECOMMEND (DETOUR & the supplies!)

Very good acting... but kind of boring and predictable.
The lead actor (or only actor, really) who I never heard of did a fantastic job and persuaded me to stick it out to the end.

The problem for me is that the entire movie takes place inside of a jeep grand cherokee and I really needed some more in the way of sets and scenery.

I don't think it was a bad ending and I don't feel like it left the viewer hanging but throughout the whole movie you will be yelling at the guy telling him to do what he ultimately does after an hour and 25 minutes.

All in all, it didn't have enough blood, violence, horror or suspense for me.

Detour review
It was ok, but didn't care for the ending. Interesting story of survivial. It is watchable, could have had more of an ending, left the viewer hanging.

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How Do You Write a Joe Schermann Song

King's best film to date
Gary King has had some success with his film career, but this one is by far his best. I saw it for the first time at a film festival in London and the audience loved it. The second time I saw it I like it even more - was able to focus on more of the lyrics and vocals. A low budget film with a lot of heart.

Great indie musical!
I loved everything about this film. It really captures what thousands of aspiring actors and musicians feel when they try to make it in the Big Apple. Joe Schermann's music and lyrics are what really make the movie work - he is one talented guy. The music tells the story, and the plot is anything but predictable.

I DID NOT LIKE IT. BUT I WATCHED IT.
This picture gave some critics a pleasurable experience. The public not so much. It looks like an amateur production shot on 16 mm. I did not like the music, I did not care for the characters, could not always figure out what is going on.

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Sinbad: Legend Of The Seven Seas [HD]

Spectacular Animation!
I am a huge fan of any craft that demands exceptional talent and requires painstaking patience (neither trait exhibited by me, incidentally). Having said that, I don't care all that much for the computer-generated images of "Shrek" or "Nemo"; to me, it doesn't have the look of actual "animation." So you could have knocked me over with a feather when I stumbled across the little jewel SINBAD--LEGEND OF THE SEVEN SEAS, a film that apparently disappointed during its theatrical release, yet a film that delivers jaw-dropping entertainment and crystal-clear, vivid animation.

Granted, the story itself is somewhat shallow and superficial, yet SINBAD succeeds through the skill and artistry of its makers. The film explodes with colorful images--some of them computer-animated, most of them drawn by human hands--that overwhelm the viewer; within seconds, the outside world exits stage left as the viewer is absorbed into delightful aesthetic imagery. Sure,...

Very underrated movie
I love 2D animation movies and this one is a very good one. Too bad, traditional animation doesn't do well in the box office these days. People are now more into 3D animation like Monster Inc., Shrek and Finding Nemo. It doesn't mean that they are not good. I personally prefer this one over most recent Disney movies such Treasure Planet, Atlantis and even Lilo and Stitch. This one is by far the most technically advanced animation movie I have seen lately. The character animations are superb, the 3D CGI effects are well combine with the 2D elements and the story is good enough. Sinbad is a very popular character and the kids love him. The action never stops. The voice acting is excellent in my opinion. If you love 2D animation from Disney or DreamWorks you should definitely buy this movie.

Personally, I think that DreamWorks has now surpassed Disney in 2D animation. The Prince of Egypt, The Road to El Dorado, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron and Sinbad are way better then most...

Swashbuckling fun
I'm confused. Although I'll admit that's a natural state of being most of the time, it isn't regarding this fine film; critics slammed Sinbad when it came out. Is it because the animation, writing or voice performances are bad? No, actually all are exceptional. I personally believe it's something of a Dreamworks backlash of some sort (or, perhaps, a backlash against hand drawn animation after lots of CGI animated features).

Parents need to throw out all expectationst that this has anything to do with the Sinbad films Ray Harryhausen made or that it might have something to do with the Arabian Nights; neither is the case. Instead, what we are given is a very entertaining original film scripted by John Logan (The Time Machine and Star Trek; Nemesis).

Unlike Harryhausen's epic adventures, this Sinbad is a pirate raiding vessels on the Seven Seas. He's intent on stealing the Book of Peace a magical, legendary book that will fetch quite a surprise. What he doesn't intent on discovering...

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Mental [HD]

Tell your problems to whats-her-name!
It's a story too weird to be true -- after his wife is committed to a mental hospital, a neglectful politician hires a hitchhiker to care for his kids.

But it actually was true, and it happened to the family of Australian director P. J. Hogan when he was a child. Years later, he sculpted this too-weird-even-for-sitcoms story into a delightfully peculiar, over-the-top comedy with potty humor, musical numbers and the occasional pickled shark. But it has a bittersweet core about loss, disappointment and mental illness.

Sweet Shirley Moochmoore (Rebecca Gibney) is treated badly by everybody -- her cheating, neglectful husband Barry (Anthony Lapaglia), her snobby neighbor Nancy (Kerry Fox), her doll-obsessed sister Doris (Caroline Goodall) and even the girls at a local coffee shop. So she eventually has a nervous breakdown, and ends up in a mental institution.

Barry demands that his five daughters claim she's "on holiday in Wollongong," mainly because he's...

Absolutely Brilliant!
This movie has it all! Humour, heart,compassion, life lessons and on and on. Toni Colette gives an outstanding performance along with her co-stars.
It had me laughing and crying all at the same time. It will be one I will watch over and over again. Definitely one to buy..a keeper. Highly recommended!

SHE'S NOT HEAVY, SHE'S YOUR SISTER
Shirley (Rebecca Gibney) and her family of girls all think they are crazy. They self-diagnose from the Internet. Barry, their absentee father (Anthony LaPaglia), is also the mayor of the town. He decides to solve the issue by having Shirley committed and provides for the girls by putting Shaz (Toni Collette) in charge of them. He picked her up hitch hiking.

Shaz has her own way of doing things and explains that all of Australia is crazy. Her antics have an ulterior motive which we discover late in the film. Shaz has a refreshing brutal honesty to her approach.

The movie is a bit long. The first hour is zany and will have you laughing out loud. The film then shifts into a more serious mode, imitating a dark comedy up to the heart warming ending that brings it home from the opening. Good one P.J. Hogan.

The film is a must for quirky indie lovers.

Parental Guide: F-bomb, groping, brief nudity (Lily Sullivan, Sam Clark-rear)

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Brother Bear 2 [HD]

Once you love someone...They stay in your heart forever!
I had the opportunity to go to an advance screening of this film and for those who may be skeptical about the quality of sequels to modern animated works, it is hoped that you will give this feature a try. Quality children's programming is rare and this effort tries to impart messages that focus upon the power of friendship and that real strength and beauty comes from within. If you enjoyed the first film, the returning characters of Kenai and Koda are still as engaging and the moose, Rutt and Tuke, effortlessly steal every scene they are in. The new character additions also add great levity to this unique family treat!

Excellent Direct-To-DVD Disney Fare
In the past, Disney has always seemed to have a considerable drop-off in story quality with their direct-to-dvd sequels. "Lion King 2" is a prime example of this. However, Disney's recent DVD sequels such as "Return To Neverland," "Tarzan 2," and "Lion King 1 1/2," have all been very good. Add "Brother Bear 2" to that group.

Love is in the air in this sequel to the underrated "Brother Bear." Joaquin Phoenix' role as Kenai has been gamely taken over by Patrick Dempsey. Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas reprise their roles of Rutt and Tuke, the moose brothers. Jeremy Suarez also returns as Koda and Michael Clarke Duncan makes a brief appearance as his character, Tug, from the original film. Joining the cast in new roles are Mandy Moore as Nita, Wendie Malick as Aunt Siqiniq and the hilarious Wanda Sykes as wise-cracking and wisdom-filled, Innoko.

Kenai and Koda have been together for a long time, and their brotherly love is strong. However, when one of Kenai's...

A great sequel which follows up a nice movie
Most of the reviews have already gone thru the movie's story, so I won't go there again. Just wanted to say that this was a very nice movie, which continues the story of "Brother Bear" in a great way. Not only Melissa Etheridge's songs are nice, but the score for the whole movie is truly enjoyable. All the original characters are back to interact in this story so you won't miss any of them.

After watching this movie, my only question is: why did Disney decided to screen "The wild" in theatres, when they had an excellent movie here which they decided to release in a "straight to DVD" version?

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Water For Elephants [HD]

Sara Gruen's Greatest Show on Earth
I have to admit that Water for Elephants was a decent representation of the book. Take into consideration that a movie is never going to give you 100% of the book. That being said, I was disappointed with the parts of the book the movie left out. There were lots of little details and nuances that just can't come across on the full screen anyway, although you would have liked to have seen how they would have been portrayed. Although too numerous to mention and for those who haven't read the book it wouldn't matter anyway, the biggest (for those who have read it) would be the comedic scenes that play out with Jacob in the nursing home. All of those chapters were completely left out.

We open with an old man (Hal Holbrook) wandering into the parking lot of a circus that is packing up and moving out. A workman comes out to see if he is lost and invites him in out of the rain while the man calls the nursing home. The old man looks at the old black and white circus photos...

GREAT MOVIE!!
Water for Elephants, a dramatic romance novel written by Sarah Gruen, was published in 2006 and has become quite a hit. It was said to be "gorgeous, brilliant, and superbly plotted" by the author Joshilyn Jackson. The book is narrated by a 93 year old, Jacob Jankowski. Jacob is spending his remaining years in a nursing home, reminiscing of his life and experiences in the circus. When he was 23, his life took a drastic turn when his parents died in a car accident. Jacob is left with no money and drops out of Cornell University, as he was studying to be a vet. Heartbroken, he finds himself on a circus train and quickly becomes the vet of the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. This book has become such a success and was made into a movie in 2011, starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson.

Don't worry about the movie ruining the novel. The movie does an excellent job following Gruen's lead. It is common knowledge that the movie can never cover everything...

Better than expected
I had read the reviews of this movie before I went to see it. My expectations were low due to the mixed reviews - but I had an open mind. I really like Reese Witherspoon and when I walked out of the movie, while I thought she did a good job I felt she was miscast in the part. I thought someone more like Scarlett Johannson would have been more in tune to the part - needed someone that was a little "dirty". Reese always plays the angelic, nice girl - so since I felt Marlena had been around the block a bit and was a bit "used" someone that really doesn't fit Reese's nice girl image. I thought Reese and Pattinson did a credible job - Christoph Waltz was really good.

Once I reflected on the movie, I realized that the story is being told from Jacobs eyes - from the age of 23 and again at 92. When he joined the circus and during his life Jacob saw Marlena as innocent,angelic and sweet - I kind of expected to see a light glow around Reese throughout the movie. So, in reality...

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Kill Me Now

Kill me now again and again
A fantastic horror comedy everything I expected from writer Michael Swaim. The laughs are grade A and numerous and the horror will please seasoned and budding horror hounds 5 stars all day and night long :) :) :)

I liked it
I am a big Cracked.com fan and so I had to see this movie. It was enjoyable and I have already found myself quoting various parts of it. Definitely a fun and silly (but in a good way) movie.

A Horror Comedy Great
I saw this at the LA premiere and absolutely loved it. I feel like this is a movie that set out to be something very specific and nailed it - I think it's fantastic, but I get how people could disagree.

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The Kings of Yorktown

Good movie with an awesome twist!
This was a pretty good movie for an indie film, the acting was quite good. The main character Ed played by Matthew Rhode was had some hard decisions to make through the movie; for his first movie it was an outstanding performance. I can't wait to see what we will see from Matthew Rhode in the future.

Indie heist movie an excellent lesson in low-budget filmmaking
Saw this before it was widely available to audiences and it doesn't disappoint. The acting, cinematography and writing all shine in this ultra-low-budget heist movie helmed by Darren Marshall. Do yourself a favor and watch this flick, and that advice goes triple for indie filmmakers looking to make something a cut above most film festival fare.

Definitely worth checking out
I was lucky enough to watch this movie a while ago, and I really do mean lucky. I enjoyed the movie immensely and I know a lot of other people who wholeheartedly agree.
If you think you'd enjoy this type of movie, as in not necessarily blockbuster material, then it's definitely worth checking out.

5/5.

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Awaken

Must see!:)
I thoroughly enjoyed this time traveling love story through dreams:) It is entertaining, moving, intimate and inspirational! Love indeed can change and improve lives in creative ways:)

Deeply moving
This touching movie is an emotional journey that will lead you through love, loss, romance and the courage to follow one's heart. Although there is a tragic element to the story, it is very inspirational at the same time and not a dark or depressing movie. The film is willing to dig deep emotionally to a satisfying end that left a lasting, positive impression with me. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!

Buy this movie!
I saw this film at the Newport Film Festival and I'm so happy to finally find it on DVD! Yay Amazon! I really love this film. Rarely do I write reviews for products, but, I really want people to find this little gem of a film that has a lot of heart and deep meaning to it. It's a bit of mystery, a bit of science fiction and a good dose of romance all rolled in one. My husband even liked it! At the screening, the director had said that this was his homage to Somewhere In Time, which I love. So if you like that film and/or want a film romance that touches your heart, most likely this will be a film for you!

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