The Way We Live Now

Amazon.com

First screened on BBC in 2001, The Way We Live Now will surprise those who know Anthony Trollope through the subtleties of his Barsetshire novels. This story of ambition centers around Augustus Melmotte, an Austrian Jewish financier who takes the London money markets and social scene by storm in his efforts to become an "English country gentleman." His rise and fall is followed with remorseless logic by Trollope, and David Yates's direction keeps this in focus against a wealth of subplots and character interaction.

The cast is a strong one, with David Suchet's Melmotte gripping in his recklessness, climaxing in the theatrical magnificence of his departure in disgrace from the House of Commons. Shirley Henderson is magnetic as his put-upon daughter Marie, courted by the cream-of-society bachelors for her dowry rather than her person. Cheryl Campbell gives a good account of the feckless Lady Carbury, writing vacuous novels to support her family, with Matthew MacFadyen relishing the part of her rakish son, Felix. Paloma Baeza is sympathetic as her daughter, Hetta, whose on-off relationship with entrepreneur Paul Montague, ably taken by Cillian Murphy, provides the main love interest. Douglas Hodge impresses as the loyal and sincere but insipid Roger Carbury.

The series consists of four generous episodes, each lasting 75 minutes. This is an absorbing production of what isn't the most subtle of Victorian novels, but which surely remains among the most relevant. --Richard Whitehouse

Video Description

The Way We Live Now captures the turmoil as the old order is swept aside by the brash new forces of business and finance. Based on the novel by Anthony Trollope, this satire of Victorian society contains all the dynamic elements that made him one of the most celebrated and popular novelists of his day--the trials and tribulations of young love, the pettiness of the upper class life, the raw energy and excitement of the most powerful city the world had ever seen, and the greed and corruption that lay just below its glittering surface.

Episode 1: When infamous financier Augustus Melmotte (David Suchet) mysteriously appears in London, the city's impoverished aristocrats greedily court his favor. Felix Carbury, a charming but lazy young baronet, is one of the many gentlemen swarming around Melmotte's rich heiress daughter, Marie. Meanwhile, Felix's independently minded sister, Hetta, falls in love with a bright young engineer, Paul Montague, who is in town to approach Melmotte with an ambitious business propostion. Complications soon arise in business and love.

Episode 2: While Paul Montague throws himself into the booming railway business with Melmotte, the presence of his mysterious American friend in London threatens to jeopardize his chances with Hetta. Felix is forced to desperate measures to secure his future with Marie when he learns that her father is planning her marriage to a rival suitor.

Episode 3: Paul visits Mexico to have his worst fears about the railway construction confirmed. Returning to London he decides to confront Melmotte and resolve his romantic situation. Melmotte involves himself in increasingly ambitious business schemes while Felix gets himself into further trouble and Hetta recieves some devastating news.

Episode 4: Melmotte reaches the highest echelons of London society but the wolves are beginning to gather at his door. Paul takes his chance to act and Felix comes face to face with some tough opposition, while Hetta contemplates settling for second best. Climaxing in love lost, love gained, a death and some just desserts.

Customer Reviews:

Love is Lovely and Complicated.......2007-08-24

The first rate sets, costumes and acting provide a lovely context for this complex web of love stories. Here are several love triangles that intersect and overlap.

The plot lines took twists and turns like many great novels.

From these hours a fascinating drama the various facets of human love were explored and exposed. Is it any wonder that romance can never fit nicely in any box?

Power, sex and romance are as powerful today as they have been anytime in history. And that makes the title of this movie all the more important.

Good not great........2007-03-17

I love British period films. And am a huge fan of Matthew Macfadyen. But this film did not satisfy the hype. Every bit of detail was paid -- unfortunately making the entire film drag and leaving me wanting something... Although the story is strong, the cinematography beautiful and much of the dialogue clever, some weaknesses were hard to overcome. For example: Paul Montague's ex-fiance from America... Her southern accent is ridiculous and making her an utterly unbelievable character. Augustus Melmotte, although he reminded me of the Danny Devito's Penguine from Batman, was effectively dark and menacing. But because he is in much of the scenes, his character became strangely redundant, predictable. However, the rest of the cast was excellent. Matthew Macfadyen, as Sir Felix, was hilarious and charming as a cad. As good as this movie was, it could have been so much better had the director been more liberal with the editing... as is, it is extremely long and somewhat repetitive. But fans of period films will be forgiving and enjoy it nonetheless.

A period piece delight.......2007-01-01

Set in England in the late 1800's, this delightful series intertwines the lives of the Carbury family and the Melmonts. Mrs. Carbury is on the brink of ruin because her deceased husband did not leave her enough to thrive and her only hope is for her scoundrel of a son to marry a wealthy woman or alternatively for her beautiful daughter to marry her cousin. The Melmont's have just arrived in London from Vienna and purportedly have wealth. The Melmont daughter is attracted to the worthless Carbury son and the story begins to spin its web. The acting in this series is exceptional and the screenplay is tightly woven so that each episode ends on a cliff hanger. It is an enjoyable dvd for light hearted entertainment.

The Way We Live Now is a feast for those loving a good story beautifully acted and filmed in BBC Color!.......2006-09-11

How We Live Now is the 1870s novel written by Anthony Trollope (1815-1882, While Trollope is best known for his Barchester series dealing with the clergy and the Palliser series focusing on Victorian political life this novel of business and family life is considered one of his best novels (and he wrote 47!)
Mr. Melmotte is a European schemer who fleeces several prominent men to invest in a bogus railroad company. David Suchet stars in this role (best known for his Hercule Poirot
portrayal), The stout and middle aged Suchet plays Melmotte with genius and his presence is strong and memorable.
Shirley Henderson playing his abused and lovelorn daugher Marie is very well acted. Her love affair with the cad Felix
Carbury is drawn with superb depth in fine acting.
The love affair between Hettie Carbury and the engineer Paul
Montague (who has an American girfriend Winifred Hurtle who shows up to fight for her man) is very interesting as the triangle love affair is worked out during the course of the 6 hour Masterpiece miniseries.
The BBC production is sumptuous! Beautiful period costumes
and music add to the sheer enjoyment of this series!
Americans are sometimes bored because British programming
moves at a sloweer pace than many of our tv programs. They forget that these novels fulfilled the function of a soap opera as their stories were issued in monthly parts. Trollope is not as well known as George Eliot or the inimitable Dickens but any
of his novels portrayed on the screen is well worth the time to
view it.
Congratulations to the BBC and the outstanding cast of this
fine film!

A Treasure.......2006-07-13

Matthew Macfadyen and David Suchet are great in this series! They are over-the-top in a wonderful, engrossing way. Definitely NOT a boring, period piece.

Average customer rating:

Stallone is a wuss!
Get Carter
Cool Caine
Caine Does A Great Gangster
Exceptional movie !

Get Carter
Starring: Michael Caine , Ian Hendry , Britt Ekland , John Osborne (II) , and Tony Beckley
Director: Mike Hodges
Manufacturer: Turner Home Ent
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ASIN: 0790750716
Release Date: 2000-10-03

Amazon.com essential video

For Get Carter, the able Michael Caine checked in his likable working-class-bloke persona to play a very unlikable working-class bloke, London gangster Jack Carter. Heading "up north" to get to the bottom of the recent death of his brother, he runs afoul of the local color, who don't appreciate his meddling. Not content to accept the police report of suicide, Carter begins investigating. He encounters the local mob boss, his sleazy chauffeur with eyes like "piss holes in the snow," and the lovely town porn star. The film moves along at a leisurely pace, until Carter finds out the grim truth. The final third of the film has Jack Carter on the vengeance path. No one in this film gets a happy ending. When it's over, you feel as though you need to wipe the soot off yourself and go stand under a sun lamp. The British board of tourism would prefer you didn't watch this film. --Kristian St. Clair

Customer Reviews:

Stallone is a wuss!.......2007-09-08

I saw the Stallone version of this movie first. I must say, I didn't hate it and I liked the music and the girl who played his neice. But then I sought out and found the origional with Michael Caine. This movie is far superior to the movie that 'Rocky' did. This has become a personal favorite of mine and I think one of Michael Caines best performances. It definitely holds up even today. It is violent, unapologetic and just a damn good seedy crime revenge movie.

Get Carter.......2007-07-03

Hodges's bleak, slow-burning revenge thriller features Caine in one of his chilliest roles, playing a slimy, working-class London enforcer whose morals are as twisted as the people he seeks to destroy. "Angry young man" playwright John Osborne is particularly good as Carter's nemesis, Kinnear, Britt Ekland has a minor but memorable role as a gorgeous porn star, and the wonderful Ian Hendry gets high marks playing Carter's greaseball chauffeur. With its grimy urban tenements and dun-grey skies, "Get Carter" provides an appropriate backdrop for Carter's violent, cold-blooded reprisals, and opened the door for similarly antiheroic crime films to come. Steer clear of the 2000 remake.

Cool Caine.......2007-05-31

This film along with the "The Long Good Friday" and more recently "Sexy Beast" remains the very best of British thrillers.

Caine is in magnetic form as Jack Carter. It certainly isn't a coincidence that the two main characters in UK TV series The Sweeney took half each of this characters name (Jack Regan/George Carter). Jack travels back up to north to investigate his brothers death and things spiral out of control from there. You will spot many well known faces amongst the cast including, Britt Ekland, Ian Hendry and Glynn Edwards (well known as the barman in the UK TV series Minder).

The film has some classic lines in it such as "you're a big man..." and is blessed with a wonderful music score by the Jazz Pianist Roy Budd. The main theme is a truly haunting piece.

This is highly recommended. The remake with Stallone on the other hand is a film to be avoided!

Caine Does A Great Gangster.......2007-04-09

Among English movies, 1971's "Get Carter" is always cited as near the top gangster/crime movies ever made. Based on Ted Lewis's ferocious book "Jack's Return Home,"it was adapted for the screen, and directed by the British Mike Hodges, who's got a gift for this kind of thing. The British best people the cast: Michael Caine in his prime, as Carter; backed by Terence Rigby, George Sewell, Bernard Hepton, Alun Armstrong, and Ian Hendry. Britt Ekland (Mrs. Peter Sellers to you) played the love interest. And well-known English playwright John Osborne plays Kinnear, an important supporting role.

The movie opens as Carter, enforcer/hit man for a London mob, who's carrying on with his boss's girlfriend (Ekland) learns his brother has died back home in Newcastle in circumstances Carter deems suspicious. Against the wishes of his boss (Rigby), he decides to head north to investigate. He travels upcountry on a very smoky train reading the American hard-boiled author Raymond Chandler's "Farewell My Lovely" as he goes. Once home, nothing and no one will dissuade him from finding the truth -- fast and furiously -- and then taking a very bloody revenge on all concerned.

"Get Carter" packs a lot in its less than two-hour length. It preserves, more accurately than any other movie known to me, a snapshot of the sour swinging England of the 70's. And it makes inspired use of the aging industrial city Newcastle. The rusted chimneys against the sky, the graffiti, the miles of streets lined with traditional 2-up, 2-down cottages, the tear-down-candidate pubs and betting parlors with primitive toilets out back. Add the constant overcast sky/rain; the grey menacing northern sea. The little touches are also important: a knitted purple tea cosy, and a chamber pot under the bed at the boarding house where Carter stays. The clumsy provincial kids at a dance hall. And then there's the just right jazz score.

But it's Caine's movie, of course, and the theory goes that gangster pictures depend totally on the power and energy of their stars: consider James Cagney, Edward G. Robinson, George Raft. Caine almost shoots sparks as a sexual predator in his phone sex scene: he achieves a double seduction; Ekland on the phone, his landlady in the room with him. His feral smile at a pub cat fight, and at the end of the picture, as he moves to avenge his brother's death, is bone-chilling. Yet he's able to cry at an important-to-the-plot porn movie.

As an actor, Caine, who was born a London cockney, has played gangsters as coldly menacing as they come, and maybe we're lucky he's strictly an actor. One of the smaller gangster roles here, Sid Fletcher, is played by a man called John Bindon, who was, in fact, a London gangster. British director Ken Loach first used Bindon to play a London villain in his now little-seen "Poor Cow"(1967). Bindon went on to work in a number of movies and tv shows, always playing a villain, until he decided working as the real thing paid better. After Bindon took part in a bloody Soho shootout, not even his British duchess girlfriend could save him. He died as a guest of Her Majesty: of AIDS in a none-too lovely jail cell. But Sir Michael Caine is still with us, no longer a pretty boy, to be sure; but he still adds something to every picture he makes.

Exceptional movie !.......2007-03-29

The creme de la creme of British gangster flicks encapsulating an undercurrent of evil and excess. Caine is excellent as the jaded Jack Carter travelling north to find out how his brother died , ably supported by a galaxy of great British TV and film actors.

Do not mention this in the same breath as the Stallone version - pure rubbish.

Average customer rating:

One of Sylvester Stallone's Two Best Roles
The ugliness a man must sometimes face
Awful; just plain awful
Seriously Underappreciated - One Of The Better Action Movies Of The 2000s
just missed

Get Carter
Starring: Michael Caine , Alan Cumming , John C. McGinley , Miranda Richardson , and Mickey Rourke
Director: Stephen Kay
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000056PNL
Release Date: 2001-02-13

Amazon.com

The original Get Carter (1971), directed by Croupier's Mike Hodges, stars Michael Caine as Jack Carter, a mob enforcer who returns to his hometown after the suspicious death of his brother. The plot has a breezy, improvised feel and Caine is fantastic, an amoral man who would sleep with any girl or torture any guy to get what he wants. In the American remake, Sylvester Stallone plays a sanitized version of Jack Carter, a guy who is violent but ultimately moral. It doesn't work nearly as well. The whole movie seems like it's been crafted around the Stallone persona, which gives it a manufactured rather than spontaneous feel. Admittedly, that is not helped by the film-school pyrotechnics of director Stephen Kay, who fills the frame with so much unnecessary camera movement that it really feels like he spent more time setting up the camera shots than he did on the script. Moving the story from a small town north of London to Seattle works better because of the subplot concerning Internet porn, of which Seattle is a virtual hotbed. The downside is that it allows for Alan Cumming's portrayal of a Bill Gates-like billionaire as a near-retarded boy-child. Other actors fare better with their roles, particularly Rachel Leigh Cook and Mickey Rourke, though Michael Caine's presence only serves to draw unfair comparisons to the original. That said, if you buy both versions you will learn more about the state of Hollywood at the turn of the millennium than with a year's subscription to Variety. --Andy Spletzer

Customer Reviews:

One of Sylvester Stallone's Two Best Roles.......2007-09-09

Unfortunately, many actors are unfairly type-cast and Sylvester Stallone, due to the enormous popularity of the Rocky and Rambo franchises, is such a victim. Supposed erudite critics salivate at the opportunity to bash him and any movie he plays a role in. Get Carter is one such case.

The [...] editor trashes this remake, pointing out that when compared with the 1971 version starring the brilliant Michael Caine, the movie is a waste of your time and money.

Having seen both versions, I could not disagree more. The Stalloneversio production has a complex and dark Jack Carter seeking to right an injustice and save his estranged family. The Caine version has a more campy hit man type Jack Carter that is dated in the same way that certain 60s British Spy characters appear today.

If you are looking for a "mob enforcer seeking to right a wrong" type movie you will love this version of Get Carter.

BTW - I think that Sly's other great role was as the New Jersey Sheriff in Cop Land...

The ugliness a man must sometimes face.......2007-08-17

The "ugliness" is the world in which Carter finds his fight: the drugs, the porn - and child-porn - industry, the sexual depravity. So depraved that Carter himself, though he's far from an innocent, morally upright fellow, cannot bear it when it touches his own flesh and blood.

His foray into that filth - to do the job that must be done - holds a mirror before his face and shocks him awake. And yet he remains tainted, scarred - much like Shane, unwanted, even after doing the dirty job no one else could or would do.

His brother's widow: "I just don't know where you fit in."

Carter: "Maybe I don't. Maybe I don't."

Awful; just plain awful.......2006-06-03

I LOVE Sly Stallone. Love the man dearly, but wow, is this movie bad. I really couldn't even make it all the way through, it was so bad. As heralded as Stallone is as an actor, he really only made a few good movies. The Rocky movies, Rambo movies, and Cliffhanger was pretty good. Get Carter was an abomination.

Seriously Underappreciated - One Of The Better Action Movies Of The 2000s.......2006-01-06

Easily one of Sylvester Stallone's best movies (and best performances), this remake of "Get Carter" was relentlessly bashed upon its release but seems to be gaining more of a following in the subsequent years. It's a good thing too, because if you pass this one up you're actually missing out on one of the most intense and just plain best action movies of the last several years. Carter (Stallone) is basically a bad guy who doesn't want to be a bad guy, a midlevel mob enforcer who it seems gotten into his current lifestyle and occupation rather unwittingly some years ago and now can't find a way out. It never says that in the movie, but that's what I got right from the beginning. He seems resigned to his role until the death of his brother brings him home to his estranged family for the first time in years, where he becomes suspicious that his brother's death wasn't an accident. When his sister-in-law and niece begin to be terrorized by some unknown assailants, Carter goes on the warpath against whoever's after them and whoever killed his brother, turning his violence loose without reserve. The bond he forms with his niece (played by Rachel Leigh Cook in a big change of pace from her comedic roles) seems to galvanize his courage to not only pursue his current targets but to re-evaluate his whole life and the choices he's made and the position as a common thug he's lived in during recent years. Very effective use of inner drama intermixes with tension and top-of-the-line fight scenes to make this a cut above many similar movies. Was ripe for a sequel but it appears unlikely one will materialze. "Get Carter" is disturbing, sursprisingly realistic, populated with well-constructed characters both good and bad, and kicks Way into full-throttle whenever the plot calls for it. A great choice for action fans and non action fans alike.

just missed.......2005-12-12

This movie just missed greatness. If it weren't for the acting and the script.

Average customer rating:

The Review That Will Die a Lonely Death
Bernie Casey at his best!
Hit Man
A lost classic
I REMEMBER IT WELL

Hit Man

Manufacturer: Blax Film
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000C0P242

Product Description

A reworking of Mike Hodges' "Get Carter" with an American setting and a black cast. A professional killer returns home to avenge his brother's death. A big rubout is the key to this violent crime story. From the novel "Jack's Return Home" by Ted Lewis.

Customer Reviews:

The Review That Will Die a Lonely Death.......2007-08-18

I hate the term blaxploitation to describe the African-American action films of the Seventies. These were action films that empowered African American actors and gave them a forum which they otherwise wouldn't have been afforded. Enough of the soap box. This re-working of "Get Carter", one of the true underrated classics of cinema that I will champion to the grave, is pretty much a paint-by-numbers affair. It sticks close to the story but with an Afro twist. Bernie Casey is more than adequate in the Michael Caine role. Fans of Pam Grier may be disappointed unless you want to see her natural attributes on display because she has an incidental part here. I was expecting a little more artistry here because the director and screenwriter here is George Armitage who later made the minor gems "Miami Blues" and "Grosse Pointe Blank". Not bad but could have been so much better.

Bernie Casey at his best!.......2007-07-23

This was probably Bernie Casey's best film as an actor and he has been in some good ones. This was also one of Pam Grier's early movies before Foxy Brown and Coffy. This movie was straight up gangsta. It's also one of those lost 70's classics that is very difficult to find and if you're lucky enough to come across it, you'd better keep it locked away in your archives. I'm glad i got a hold of it.

Hit Man.......2007-02-21

I just wanted to say that this movie was everything that I thought it would be. I have been trying to get a copy of this movie for 10 years and no one could seem to help. I just want to say thanks and I am having a ball with this movie. I am a Bernie Casey fan!!!!!!!! The quality of the movie was great!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A lost classic.......2006-02-15

One of the better 70's movies. Shouldn't be classified as a blaxplotation movie. Really good. Pam Grier looks amazing and she shows it all. Worth the money

I REMEMBER IT WELL.......2006-01-31

This is the story of a bad brotha from Oakland who comes to L.A. after his brother is murdered. He later finds out that his niece gets "forced" into porno and later murdered. He then sets out to murder everyone directly involved, from a porno actress (Pam Grier) to a theater owner (Ed Cambridge) to a man he looked up to as a child (Rudy Challenger) to a mobster (Don Diamond). Don't be mistaken, the Bernie Casey character is not a nice person. He treats women like crap and kills without conscience. This film is not in the class of "Superfly", "Shaft" or "The Mack", but it's entertaining. I was in high school when this film came out and I saw it on the big screen back then (1972).

Average customer rating:

predator or pray

Get Down
Starring: David Hewlett , Julian Richings , Aaron Ashmore , Kevin Duhaney , and Jessica Greco
Director: William Phillips
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00062IXJC
Release Date: 2004-12-07

Customer Reviews:

predator or pray.......2005-03-12

A very good movie. One of the better films David Hewlett has starred in, right up there with Cube. Definitely worth the price. An intriguing look at the good and bad side of society and human nature. David does an excellent job playing Murray, the advertising executive with dirty little secrets and a dysfunctional family life, forced to take refuge up a tree in a city park when he strikes a gang member intending to rob him. I don't know any of the other actors, but they did an equally great job portraying the vicious gang hell bent on getting Murray (David) down. If you're a fan of David's work, I'd definitely get it.

Aaron Carter - Aaron's Party (Come Get It)

Average customer rating:

Don't waste your $
Cool
30 mins of eye candy!
From Aaron`s Biggest Fan,I Bring Ya Aaron`s Party!
Aaron's Party (Come Get It)

Aaron Carter - Aaron's Party (Come Get It)
Starring: Aaron Carter
Manufacturer: Jive
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00004YKPR
Release Date: 2000-10-10

Amazon.com

"My stuff will never be lame," says Aaron Carter. Thanks, kid, but we'll be the judge of that. Truth be told, the 12-year-old Carter, brother of Backstreet Boy Nick Carter (which might have a little something to do with Aaron's rapid ascent in the world of kid pop), has talent. In this DVD package (essentially a showcase for five videos from his third album, with some behind-the- scenes filler), he displays an appealing personality, a face guaranteed to make the girls swoon, a flotilla of makeup artists, wardrobe people, and other handlers, some nifty dance moves, and a rap style that's... well, it's at least as hip as any other white suburban 12-year-old's. And his repertoire, while not exactly groundbreaking, does take a couple of surprising turns, especially in the form of "Iko Iko," the New Orleans standard (written in the '50s and a hit for the Dixie Cups in the '60s). Also included are "I Want Candy" (the Bo Diddley-beat-heavy Strangeloves hit), and the nursery rhyme-like "Clapping Song" (once covered by the immortal Pia Zadora, among many others).

All in all, it's good clean fun--except for the fact that there's something unsettling, creepy even, about watching a prepubescent kid bust moves, rap about "old school" (kindergarten, maybe?), and throw down the "yo"-speak without a trace of self-consciousness. Sure, Michael Jackson and Donny Osmond were polished youngsters too, but they also had a certain innocence that's almost totally lacking here. Case in point: included in the disc's extra features is a trivia game that tells you not only what Aaron's favorite food, color, and Beanie Baby are, but also what kind of motorcycle he rides as well as the title of his mom's new book. Precocious? That doesn't even begin to cover it. --Sam Graham

Customer Reviews:

Don't waste your $.......2004-07-11

This kid is a piece of garbage and needs a severe beating.

Cool.......2002-12-23

A beautiful picture of li'l Aaron with an american flag backdrop covers this video and his album as well. This tape has all the videos hes done with for the songs on his album, it even shows how he cuts loose with his dirt bike! COOL!!!!!

30 mins of eye candy!.......2002-01-11

Good video! Shows music videos (Iko Iko, Aarons Party, I want candy,Clapping song and Bounce) plus the makings of them and some short interviews, photo shoots 'n more! Great video!

From Aaron`s Biggest Fan,I Bring Ya Aaron`s Party!.......2001-12-01

Aarons` video is the best of the best.Along with his Live In Concert Video,this video will make ya cry!It consists of his first five music videos off his hit CD,Aaron`s Party(Come Get It).Parents:It is a clean video,but you may only feel a little uncomfortable with it because of the old-school(but dirty-word free)raps.You will be twice as satisfied with the DVD edition.
You`ll never want to get off the couch with Aaron`s awesome VHS and DVD!

Aaron's Party (Come Get It).......2001-08-08

I loved this movie! Aaron shows his love for Marine Life and tells everyone "When I'm 16 I'm going to hold back on singing and start collage for Marine Biology" He shows the video Thats How I beat Shac, and u can see theand preformences of Tell me What You Want, and Thats how I beat Shac! Aaron and Angel his twin sister, have there 13th Birthday party with the Olsen twins. Aaron is like a little Nick. Both hot and Great singers!

Get Into Hollywood: Breaking Into Television

Average customer rating:

Get Into Hollywood: Breaking Into Television
Starring: Michael Dorn; Jane Hajduk; Sheldon Pinchuk; John Sacret Young; Aaron Lipstadt; Rob DesHotel; Drew Vaupin; Randy Carter; David Reid; Stephen C. Grossman; Russell Rothberg; Arturo Interian; Monty Degraff; Tony Askins; Janice Cooke-Leonard; Roger Strull; Suzanne Goddard-Smythe; Curtis Chin; Robert Ambrose; Nancy Sprow; David Menteer; Gregg Heschong; Joseph Alvarado; Bruce Ruetlinger; Robert Souders; James Wilcox; Andy Chulack; Starr Parodi; Jeff Eden Fair
Director: PDF Productions
Manufacturer: PDF Productions
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000A702EC
Release Date: 2005-06-09

Description

GET INTO HOLLYWOOD: BREAKING INTO TELEVISION is the source for anyone interested in a career in the entertainment industry. This 90 minute DVD addresses a broad range of careers in television, from directing, screenwriting, and producing; to acting, cinematography, editing and composing music. All from the people responsible for "That 70's Show," "Will & Grace," "The West Wing," "Seinfeld," "Gilmore Girls," "Law & Order: SVU," and many other hit shows. This revealing program gives the kind of career advice that a person could only get by sitting down for one-on-one conversations with the entertainment industries leading talent.

A Bittersweet Life (Standard Edition) DVD

Average customer rating:

Excellent Korean Revenge Film!
Revenge has never looked this good...Director's cut version reviewed (but not compared to Theatrical cut)
Bittersweet Review
Kim Ji-Woon just keeps getting better and better every time!
A Bittersweet Life

A Bittersweet Life (Standard Edition) DVD
Director: Kim Jee Woon
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Features:

1 disc package (region 0 ntsc)

ASIN: B000HAX8ZC

Product Description

"A Bittersweet Life," starring Lee Byung-hun from "Everybody Has a Little Secret" and Shin Mina from "Madeleine," portrays the desperate and brutal revenge of Sun-woo (played by Lee) after he is expelled from his gang and comes close to being killed by his boss. Lee Byung-hun is a hitman who falls for the girlfriend of his boss in the stylishly violent "A Bittersweet Life." Conventional ideas of causation are put into doubt in director Kim Jee-woon's twist on film noire. "A Bittersweet Life (Talkomhan Insaeng)" is what Korean critics are describing as 'Action Noire.' In it, he tweaks the traditional Korean gangster story line, presenting a work with film noire undertones and stylish cinematography.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Korean Revenge Film!.......2007-08-19

I usually buy my own films and then review them later. There are only a couple reviews where I rented the film first. This is one of them, but I plan on buying this particular DVD. After reading several reviews of this film, I decided to rent it at my local video store. Some of the reviewers such as Jenny J.J.I, K. Jones and Woopak have given excellent reviews of this film, and I would recommend others to take a look at those reviews. I have recently run the gamut in viewing different genres of film as of late. From the Korean drama "The Way Home," to the Japanese romantic comedy "Train Man," and now this very violent, but highly recommended revenge film from Korea.

"A Bittersweet Life," was directed by Kim Ji-woon, and stars (Lee Byung-hun) as the character Sun-woo. Sun-woo is one vicious killer, and as the right hand man of a mob boss named Kang, (Kim Yeong-Chul) his job is to make those who displease his boss vanish. And he is very effective as the bosses enforcer. The life of Sun-woo is one of a world of violence. And in this life of violence where Sun-woo lives in there can be no mistakes. There are no second chances. Moreover, the consequences of making one can be fatal. However, we all make mistakes, and as such, so does Sun-woo. I don't wish to spoil this film for you, however, I will write that Lee Byung-hun gives a riveting performance in his role, and this is an excellent film.

Mr. Kang, has sent Sun-woo on an important mission: Find out if his mistress is cheating on him, and if so, take care of things. Does he? I won't give out details of the film that will ruin it for you, however, expect a lot of violence, as Sun-woo refuses to bend to Mr. Kang, and must endure one hell of an ordeal. End of film? No way! Sun-woo's revenge after what he endures at the hands of his Mr. Kang's minions veers the film into one violent crime drama. [But then it already was in the beginning] This is a dark world Sun-woo lives in, and so is his occupation, and as such the film delivers more than its share of violent scenes. I thought the film was great, and especially the cinematography. The ending as pointed out by others is different, but effective I believe. Sun-woo's life truly is bittersweet! This is a very good crime-noir film. Highly recommended. [Stars: 4.5]

Revenge has never looked this good...Director's cut version reviewed (but not compared to Theatrical cut).......2007-07-07

A BITTERSWEET LIFE is a dazzling neo-noir gangster film from director Kim Jae-woon(A Tale of Two Sisters). It is a pretty much a cardboard cutout example of how to make an entertaining gangster film, like the old adage goes: " If it ain't broke, don't fix it". It may not have the most original plot in existence, but believe me; it works. The film is terrific; Revenge has never looked so darned Good!

Sun-woo(Lee Byung Hun, J.S.A.) is an impeccably dressed enforcer for a notorious crimelord called Kang(Kim Yeong-Chul). Sun-woo is instructed to to watch over his mistress Hee-Soo(Sin Min-ah, Volcano High) to find out if she's making whoopee with another man. His orders are crystal clear: if he catches her cheating on Kang with another man, he is to contact Kang at once or finish them off himself.
The plot takes off when Sun-woo does catch her with her boyfriend and he decides to let them both live. This gesture of pity and goodwill brings a world of pain onto Sun-woo as the entire organization sets its goals to punishing him for his "act of betrayal". Beaten, bloodied and kicked out of the gang, Sun-woo survives the brutal ordeal. Hee-soo convinces him that he had made the right choice, and Sun-woo embarks on a brutal, bloody trail of vengeance from which no one is likely to survive. But a strange fact remains; Sun-woo has been a faithful servant to Kang for years, why would he suddenly have a change of heart? (it wasn't something as simple as love or lust, although lust may have played a small part at their meeting )

"A Bittersweet Life" is a beautiful, wholly engaging cinematic masterpiece. It blends the "hardboiled cool" of classic film noir with highly stylized action reminiscient of a John Woo film. (But not overly stylized)
Before Sun-Woo decides to ignore his boss's orders we watch as he slowly comes to an epiphany. However, we're not quite privy to the depth of this realization until the final scene of the film, in which everything that has come before soon makes simple, perfect sense. The film becomes a visceral, wall-to wall action film when Sun-woo goes against Kang; the carnage goes to overdrive. Nice touches, like a quiet moment wherein Sun-woo placidly savors a slice of chocolate cake before `going to work', adds a load of style, at the same time sets a moody atmosphere.

As brutally, violent this film is, it's quite refreshing that the filmmakers didn't lose their sense of humor. Interestingly enough, it contains a variety of comic moments interspersed throughout all the blood and gore. A Bittersweet Life can be oddly funny at times with its share of cleverly paced moments of black humor.

Lee Byung-hun does a convincing job inhabiting the character of Sun-woo. The actor brings a certain depth to his anti-hero role, which is an achievement considering that a fully-realized characterization of Sun-woo hampered by the fact that his motivations must not be revealed until the ending. Even so, Lee conveys a sense of the character's life, even if it isn't something readily apparent by the script. Viewers will have to also take into account that the film is a (Sunwoo's)character study of a person who lived most of his life in the shadow of violence which in turn may make one an empty shell. The things that most people may take forgranted may be considered so "fulfilling" to someone with Sunwoo's life.

I have the (Region-3, Korean release) 2- DISC Director's cut of A Bittersweet Life that clocks in at about 122 minutes. I cannot make a statement how it differs from the Theatrical cut since I haven't seen the "shorter" cut of the film in theaters.
PICTURE: 2.35 Anamorphic Widescreen. The transfer is very decent but not without a few flaws. There is a small amount of grain in some scenes and some heavy edge enhancements. On the plus side, it does have nice colors, accurate skin tones and strong (but detailed)black levels.
AUDIO: Korean 6.1 DTS-ES, 6.1 Dolby Digital, 2.0 surround language mix. If you're equipped, the DTS track is the way to go as it provides intense and immersive listening experience that really brings the action and gunplay to life. The 6.1 Dolby digital is not bad, but it does have a lower bass level. The English subtitles are clean and clear, very easy to read.
EXTRAS; COMMENTARIES/Interviews, Making of feature, Set/production designs, "CANNES Film Festival Footage"..many more.
IN CLOSING:
A Bittersweet Life is a visual and aural feast for its audience. Beautiful as it is, some folks may find it superficial. Thankfully, that actually seems to be based on how the film is constructed, as everything is meant to build towards the film's conclusion in which the TRUE motivation behind Sun-woo's quest for revenge is revealed. Quite visceral, sometimes lyrical and even comical, "A Bittersweet Life" is a complete cinematic experience and contains a climax to bring it to a "bittersweet" close. To sum it up, it is terrific.
HIGHEST Possible RECOMMENDATION!! (4 ½ stars)

Bittersweet Review.......2007-07-04

This was a good movie with good acting. My only draw back was the excessive violence.I also wish the ending was different but for those who enjoy this type of drama go for it you will not be disappointed. As usual Lee Byung Hun was great.

Kim Ji-Woon just keeps getting better and better every time!.......2007-04-04

In the same vein as "Oldboy" comes "A Bittersweet Life," a movie so good it shocked me when watching it for the first time. It's a violent revenge movie with a gripping story with some fantastic actors such as Byung-hun Lee. He stars as Seon-woo, an enforcer for President Kang, a very dangerous man and if he wants to get rid of people, Seon-woo is the one taking care of it. The most interesting thing about this movie besides the story being so great is Seon-woo himself. The way Byung-hun Lee has captured the character sure tells that he's a great actor and what's keeping the movie alive from beginning to end. Seon-woo seem to know nothing about what it's like to have a "normal" life, as the world he lives in is only filled with evil and violence. He has a hard front, can be violent and nasty without remorse, but its fairly easy to see through all that and see that he has a gentle side as well, and that makes him interesting.

For instance with all the violence going on in the movie it sometimes seems like he has no conscience and couldn't care less about what happens to other people. His face is like stone with no expressions to reveal what he really feels, if anything. But at the same time you know that there's something more underneath it all, like when he's around the mistress you really get to see that there's more than one side to him, and that makes him a really likable character. Actually, the further the movie goes, the more likable he becomes and you can't help but feeling sorry for him which is a really effective part of the overall experience.

As reviewer K. Jones has put it, this movie does mixes violence and emotions in an excellent way, and even if the violence is a bit too brutal at times, you still have a lot of "nice" things to fall back on. There are a lot of action elements and the movie is quite stylish to say the least, but the most important thing is that it's not the least bit shallow and while its entertaining eye candy at times; you still really care about the characters and what's going on. This is easily one of the best Korean movies I've seen this year, and a movie that I will probably enjoy watching many times in the future. If you're a fan of "Oldboy," you're most likely to find "A Bittersweet Life" to be pretty sweet, both dealing with the concept of revenge but very different from each other. I also recommend "A Tale of Two Sisters" which is also fantastic.

A Bittersweet Life.......2007-04-01

This was a good movie but I did not like the end, it was maybe alittle confusing and it let open some questions of is this real or a dream.

Average customer rating:

superb psychodrama
Get Down
What's up Murray?
DEFINITELY NOT THE AVERAGE GANG EXPLOITATION MOVIE
Dramatic, yet inspiring

Get Down
Starring: David Hewlett , Aaron Ashmore , Kevin Duhaney , Jessica Greco , and Julian Richings
Director: William Phillips (VIII)
Manufacturer: Velocity / Thinkfilm
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Release Date: 2003-03-25

Customer Reviews:

superb psychodrama.......2006-05-08

The best movie of 2001 by far. A little known Canadian jewel that will leave an impact on you long after the cathode flicker has faded. Superbly layer and texturing psychological thriller which pits a gang of urban thug against a tree-bound wing-tipped marketing executive. It become of war of endurance as wit and psychology pit against each other in a battle of the Minds.

Get Down.......2006-02-22

Thoroughly enjoyed this movie! Love David Hewlett in SGA and really found his performance in this movie to be fantastic! Really would recommend this movie to all David Hewlett fans!

What's up Murray?.......2003-11-15

I happen to see this movie quite by accident, and am glad I did. Its not an action movie, or comedy, although there are some funny parts. There are some serious issues in this movie, and the best part, like real life everything does not get resolved at the end of the movie. It leaves you thinking and pondering both how you would have handled this situation, but it also opens your eyes to look past yourself. Murray learns a lot, about himself and about a group of youth, one guy in particular. The youth learn something as well. Lessons are learned at a great cost. A good movie to watch if you work with young people.

DEFINITELY NOT THE AVERAGE GANG EXPLOITATION MOVIE.......2003-11-05

A WEALTHY WHITE MAN WALKS ONTO A GANG'S TURF. WHEN HE PREVENTS ONE OF THE GANG MEMBERS FROM ROBBING HIM, THE WHOLE GANG TRYS TO GET VENGEANCE ON HIM. TRAPPED IN THE WOODS, HE MUST FIGHT TO ESCAPE THE GANG. THE REAL SUPRISING THING IS THAT MUCH OF THE GANG IS ACTUALLY WHITE. THERE'S ONLY TWO BLACK MEMBERS. ANYWAY, THIS MOVIE IS ACTUALLY PRETTY GOOD DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT MOVES AT A CONSIDERABLY SLOW PACE. THOUGH THE COVER FOR THIS MOVIE LOOKS LIKE A GANGSTA MOVIE, IT'S FAR FROM BEING ONE. IF YOU'RE JUST LOOKING FOR A GANGSTA MOVIE THAT HAS A LOT OF SHOOTING AND KILLING, THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT A MOVIE YOU WANNA RENT. HOWEVER, IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A MOVIE THAT HAS A SIMPLISTIC PLOT, THEN I'D SUGGEST YOU GET TO YOUR LOCAL VIDEOSTORE AND RENT THIS.

Dramatic, yet inspiring.......2003-08-01

When it first started I thought it was gonna be totally different. I thought that the white guy would be caught in the middle of two gangs and see if he survives. Turns out he gets stuck, they hide from the gang, and they live. With all the anticipation to see whether or not cle' bennet and his gang get the man out of the tree is a cliff hanger. But in the end is a twist. You'll have to watch it to find out. Overrall performance, I'd say the loyalty, and then betrayal of words can separate many people...It's the truth everyone is looking for. What's ur truth?

Average customer rating:

Stallone is a wuss!
Get Carter
Cool Caine
Caine Does A Great Gangster
Exceptional movie !

Get Carter [Region 2]
Starring: Michael Caine , Ian Hendry , Britt Ekland , John Osborne (II) , and Tony Beckley
Director: Mike Hodges
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Customer Reviews:

Stallone is a wuss!.......2007-09-08

Get Carter.......2007-07-03

Cool Caine.......2007-05-31

Caine Does A Great Gangster.......2007-04-09

Exceptional movie !.......2007-03-29

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