The Running Man (Special Edition)

Amazon.com

In this action thriller based on an early story by Stephen King, Los Angeles in the year 2017 has become a police state in the wake of the global economy's total collapse. All forms of entertainment are government controlled, and the most popular show on television is an elaborate game show in which convicted criminals are given a chance to escape by running through a gauntlet of brutal killers known as "Stalkers." Anyone who survives is given their freedom and a condominium in Hawaii, so when a wrongly accused citizen (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is chosen as a contestant, all hell breaks loose. Cheesy sets and a slimy role for game-show host Richard Dawson make this violent mess of mayhem a candidate for guilty pleasure; it is the kind of movie that truly devoted Arnold fans will want to watch more than once. And check those credits--choreography by Paula Abdul! --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

When future governors collide.......2007-08-06

If there's another film out there featuring two future governors, I don't know what it could be. Ironically, both future politicians' characters actually reflect their future terms in office to some degree: Arnold is the independent tough guy determined to do what he thinks is right, while Jesse Ventura is a washed-up buffoon who can't be taken seriously. Then, of course, there's Richard Dawson, who funnels all those years of game show hosting into the role of Damon Killian, host of futuristic America's most popular game show, The Running Man.

There's really nothing complicated about The Running Man. Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman) wrote the original short novel over the course of three days and published it pretty much as it was, with little editing to speak of. This is entertainment, not a deep psychological study of tyranny or a cinematic lament of 21st century American society. While the film does deviate from King's original novel (especially in terms of the ending), it does capture the adrenaline and animalistic frenzy that defines King's original vision. In the futuristic plot, America has become one big police state, a totalitarian society that controls the thoughts and actions of all citizens - and keeps them happy through such wildly popular state-run broadcasts as The Running Man. Like the gladiator fights and slaughters of Christians inside the Roman Coliseum of old, this reality show stirs up the blood lust of all members of society, displacing the woes of their everyday life with the thrill of a deadly hunt for hardened criminals. It's The Most Dangerous Game on a societal level - strip the victim of all humanity in your own eyes, give him a head start, hunt him down like an animal, and kill him.

Everyone wants to see Ben Richards (Schwarzenegger) die. Government lies have labeled him the Butcher of Bakersville, the monster responsible for a vicious aerial attack on unarmed protestors at a food riot. In reality, it was the fact that he refused to kill innocent women and children that turned this ex-cop into America's most-wanted criminal in the first place. All the notoriety associated with him makes Richards the perfect contestant for ratings-obsessed Killian - until, that is, Richards starts demonstrating the remarkably annoying habit of staying alive. (It really isn't all that difficult to outwit such over-the-top "stalkers" as an opera-singing dude wearing Christmas tree lights all over his body and a killer who can only do his stalking on an ice hockey surface.)

The Special Edition release comes with two DVDs, featuring newly remastered widescreen and full-screen versions of the film. Frankly, given the lackluster look of the film, I see no evidence of remastering. Then there are two audio commentaries included (which I haven't bothered to listen to) - no Arnold, just director, producer, and executive producer. And then there are the other special features, none of which are at all special. The "Meet the Stalkers" feature is trivial and boring, the "Game Theory" documentary commenting on the state of reality television is tangential and bland, and the documentary on privacy in post-9/11 America is a bad addition any which way you look at it. A ridiculous piece of liberal propaganda, "Lockdown on Main Street" features twenty-five minutes of hysterical liberals bemoaning the fact that our government is actually doing all it can to stop future terrorists before they can kill and maim ordinary citizens such as themselves. Whether you agree with this tripe or not, it's pretty sad that an entertainment DVD should be politicized with such a one-sided diatribe (although it's hardly a surprise, given Hollywood's unabashedly leftist agenda).

Such a Hot Head.......2007-05-21

Excellent film & 6.1 ex surround sound, but passable picture quality. yeah I know it's an old film & very dated, but to state "remastered in HD" and have black spots all over the film is a let down, the soundtrack kicks and the packaging is nice plus all the classic Arnie 1 liners are here and worth the purchse price alone...
Fingers crossed if it's released on Blu-ray it will be remastered correctly...

Been there, done that............2007-02-05

I would have to agree with the person below. I've just finished wathing the movie "The Game" with Michael Douglas & Sean Penn, and it reminds me very much of this movie which I saw back when it first came out.

Let me state that I love Stephen King and this book when I first read it, then I heard of the movie and had to see it for myself. Like "the Game" and most movies these days it was too needlessly graphic and also like "the Game" it had a person trying to run literally for his life in what was basically a reality game show, some sort of twisted "Survivor".

It left me with an empty feeling in the end and all I could think about was the waste of $15.00 to buy the ticket. But most of all it wasn't even a plausable ending, I never did like any of the Arnie movies, perhaps with the only exception being "true lies" with Jamie Lee-Curtis. Though that said truth can be stranger than fiction. Especially in a place where a ex-actor can became both the President of America and the Governor of California.

They couldn't have known how funny this was. . ........2006-11-18

I just read an advance copy of a very funny,
comically gory novel called THE GAME. It's
about a game show that ends up being about
murder. Almost twenty years ago, in this movie,
Arnold Schwarzenegger is the guest of honor
on a game show where the contestants are hunted
down by celebrity killers and dispatched
before your very eyes. This provides the
setting for the stuff that packs 'em in to
Schwarzenegger movies: high-tech special
effects, killing and general mayhem.

It also provides director Paul Michael Glaser
with the chance for a wicked sendup of
television and its place in the moral universe.
He and screenwriter Steven de Souza have
created a burlesque of telehype that is
both marvelously comic and uncomfortably
apt. The movie is a little too long and it's
a pity that the restored version wasn't
trimmed a bit. Some of the dialog is wooden
and predictable, but the calculated excesses
of the game show host (Richard Dawson
who emceed Family Feud) are the perfect
frame for the physical excesses of Arnold
the Giant.

That the same target should be available
after twenty years is a tribute to the
persistence of televised cheap thrills.
I guess we should all be grateful.

--Lynn Hoffman, author of THE NEW SHORT COURSE IN WINE
and the forthcoming novel bang-BANG from Kunati Books.

A true classic!.......2006-07-25

I used to love this movie. This movie is such a great mixture of enormous plot holes, ultraviolence and phenomenally bad Schwarzenegggerjokes, that it is just pure fun to see all actors take things so serious! In the future criminals are being punished live on television during the Running Man game show by sadistic scum (one of Schwarzenegger's quotes during the movie) Of course the big former Austrian is also put on the show as a criminal contester and guess what happens? This truly is a classic! (SARR)

Average customer rating:

The Statement
Pick a side...
Meh.
Exceptional movie
The Statement

The Statement
Starring: Alan Bates , Michael Caine , Matt Craven , Christian Erickson , and Frank Finlay
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
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ASIN: B0001GOH7K
Release Date: 2004-04-27

Amazon.com

Michael Caine's riveting performance is the best reason to see The Statement, a lopsided thriller with conspicuously noble intentions. In crafting a thematic counterpart to his Oscar®-winning script for The Pianist, screenwriter Ronald Harwood draws from another fact-based story set during World War II, adapting Brian Moore's captivating novel about an official French collaborator named Brossard (Caine) who executed seven Jews in 1944, under the Vichy regime of Nazi-occupied France, and eluded justice for decades thereafter. While a passionate French judge (Tilda Swinton) and army colonel (Jeremy Northam) pursue Brossard in 1992, director Norman Jewison smoothly executes a cat-and-mouse plot as Brossard hides in a series of right-wing Catholic sanctuaries. By introducing a conspiracy element not found in Moore's novel, Harwood and Jewison dilute an otherwise riveting story (based on the real-life war crimes of French Milice officer Paul Touvier), resulting in a contradictory portrayal of Caine's sympathetically penitent character. In a film that fails to clarify the maneuvering of its ultimate villains, it's a testament to Caine's skill that The Statement works as well as it does. Charlotte Rampling and the late Alan Bates appear in effective cameo roles. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

The Statement.......2006-08-29

A 2004 thriller that has a distinctly 90s look to it. It was deliberate, since that's the setting, and there's nothing wrong with choosing a 90s look. I did the same with VIGILANTE JUSTICE. They needed to ensure their hero wasn't too old to run, I wanted cynicism tinged with innocence, and both stories would be very different with cell phones and the Internet.

Michael Caine plays a Frenchman who cooperated with the Vichy Government during WWII and killed some Jews, and he's running from that over 40 years later. This feels like a made-for-TV movie. It's a fairly straightforward thriller with gorgeous French scenery and a forgivable number of cliches, elevated just a tad by Caine's fine performance. If it's on your TV, tape it. If you find it in a DVD shop in China, go ahead and grab it. It's good for when you're feeling exhausted. The novel may be different, but I tend to doubt it.

Pick a side..........2006-07-25

This movie was entertaining. However it left me thinking:

Good versus evil?
Who is right and wrong?
How much trust can you have in your friends?

Overall a good couple of hours of entertainment.

Meh........2006-07-19

The Statement (Norman Jewison, 2004)

We'll start with the obligatory (pardon the pun) statement: The Statement, the film, is not as good as The Statement, the Brian Moore novel on which it is based. And while that tends to be true of Brian Moore adaptations, he does tend to get at least decent movies made of his novels (and every once in a while a true winner, like Black Robe); this one certainly qualifies as decent.

Michael Caine stars as Pierre Brossard, a former Vichy operative accused of killing seven Jews in 1944. He has been in hiding for the past forty years, but now two groups are after him-- one that wants him dead, and one that wants to keep him alive and pump him for information on the network that's been hiding him. The former group are operating outside the law; the latter are the law, headed up by Judge Anne-Marie Livi (Constantine's Tilda Swinton).

The action comes fast and furious, and Caine turns in a good, if not great, performance, with a competent supporting cast. This is familiar territory for Jewison, whose Rollerball thirty years ago was the same kind of guilty pleasure. It's a fun little flick, but do yourself a favor and read the book first. ***

Exceptional movie.......2006-01-08

Led by two exceptional actors. The time is today, and Michael Caine is an old man, one who served in WWII. He served on the wrong side, as a French collaborator with the Nazis, and he served up seven Jewish men to the firing squad, just for being Jewish. Since then, he has become a deeply devout and repentant Catholic, just trying to live out his days. Tilda Swinton is war crimes investigator, who will never let the atrocities be forgotten. She is determined to bring him to justice.

Don't be fooled by the simple premise. Others are determined to bring Caine's character to justice, too, with a bullet at close range. Caine, the repentant old man, kills two of the would-be killers - one wonders just how dedicated he is to that apparent life of peace, carrying handguns even when living in retreat in a monastery. Then, it turns out that the monastery and the Catholic church as a whole are more than just a retreat for him. He's just one of the strands in a tightly-woven shroud of silence. And, despite his mouthings of piety, he's not above petty cruelties and manipulations.

Swinton's relatively simple but driven character brings Caine's into sharp contrast. She's intense, blunt, and honest, with a gut-deep revulsion for the hypocrisy the seems to surround her. Nothing could be farther from Caine's character, who lives by lying, even to himself.

I can't agree with calling this movie a "thriller" or "cat and mouse game." It's too quiet and complex for easy tags. The interest comes not from the action, but from the cynical view of political power and the open question of just who the good guys are.

//wiredweird

The Statement.......2005-10-03

Outstanding flic. So good that I searched out through my local library a copy of the novel version by Brian Moore. The film follows it closely.

A bit off-putting is the fact that the movie is British-made with all British-English speaking actors - while the action for the story is set entirely in France.
All the actors, however, are excellent - in particular, Mr. Michael Caine.

This movie repays repeated watching.

Average customer rating:

When future governors collide
Such a Hot Head
Been there, done that.....
They couldn't have known how funny this was. . .
A true classic!

The Running Man
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger , Maria Conchita Alonso , Yaphet Kotto , Jim Brown , and Jesse Ventura
Director: Paul Michael Glaser
Manufacturer: Live / Artisan
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00000JMOJ
Release Date: 2002-08-20

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

When future governors collide.......2007-08-06

Such a Hot Head.......2007-05-21

Been there, done that............2007-02-05

They couldn't have known how funny this was. . ........2006-11-18

A true classic!.......2006-07-25

Average customer rating:

Running out of Time...
A Good Action/Thriller Film From The East!
Great movie, but BEWARE, AUDIO IS IN MONO
An almost perfect Hong Kong movie
Dying Criminal Decides to Go Out in a Crime Spree

Running Out of Time
Starring: Andy Lau , Ching Wan Lau , Shiu Hung Hui , Waise Lee , and Ruby Wong
Director: Johnny To
Manufacturer: Tai Seng
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000056BRW
Release Date: 2001-02-13

Amazon.com

Johnny To, whose cool, precise gangster thriller The Mission is one of the best Hong Kong films since the Chinese takeover, brings a stylish flair to Running Out of Time, an absurdly plotted but compelling cat-and-mouse crime drama that became a box-office smash in Hong Kong. Criminal genius Wah (pop star Andy Lau) is given only a few weeks to live by his doctor, so he embarks on an elaborate heist and strings along hostage negotiator and unconventional supercop Sang (Lau Ching Wan) as part of the fun. "I just want to play a game with you for 72 hours," Wah confesses. "Great," responds Sang's blustery boss, "it's lunatic against lunatic." The elaborate scheme has something to do with a bald badass mobster (an almost unrecognizable Waise Lee, of John Woo's Bullet in the Head and A Better Tomorrow), a priceless gem, and a debt of honor. There's a hint of Woo's warrior bonding as cop and crook develop a respectful adversarial friendship in their running battle of wits: "If you can get me to the police station, you win." It all hinges on some far-fetched twists and the Hong Kong cops are little more than buffoons for most of the film, but To's steely seriousness, sleek style, and runaway pacing keep the film flying through most of the improbabilities. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

Running out of Time..........2007-02-03

You're a burglar, and you have 72 hours to live...what would do? That's the premise of this action movie...I found it decent (story, acting, etc...). Three stars!

A Good Action/Thriller Film From The East!.......2007-01-17

While this film is not as good as "Internal Affairs," [in my opinion], it is above average. And although it is not a brilliant film, it does deliver in that it is highly entertaining. I guess part of my rationale is that there are so many bad American action flicks, that something from the east must somehow be more palattable. Moreover, I have seen quite a number of mindless Hong Kong triad films, and this one was refreshing. [Except the great 'SPL' known as "Kill Zone" here in the west]. Anyway, if you're familiar with director Johnny To, then you'll know what to expect: The bad guys and the cops. In the film, (Cheung) Andy Lau, portrays a man who has only a little time left to live: due to the fact that he is dying from an incurable illness.

Therefore, to take revenge for his father, he decides to rob an insurance company. The hostage negotiator is portrayed by Inspector Ho Sheung-sang (Ching-Wan Lau). The film is a cat-and-mouse type of action/thriller, where the dying Cheung and the Inspector play a sort of game of chess with wits. Ho Sheung-sang is hot on the trail of Cheung, all the while Cheung leaves the Inspector certain types of up clues which the Inspector must follow in order to catch him. This film has been called a departure from the genre of violent triad films, and I agree. It is much more of an intelligent crime drama film than one usually sees in HK cinema. [However, these films are getting much better all the time, and are even better than American action films]

Whatever your opinions are of this film, however, it is a very clever film: With (Andy Lau) as a criminal bent on revenge of certain members of a triad, and his clever use of the Inspector in pursuit. However, he must first convince the Inspector to become a part of his crusade against these criminals. And I liked the way the film showed how Cheung must manuever the Inspector into this plan of his. This is a very clever and tautly directed film from director Johnny To. Which brings me back to the begining of my review. Compared to many of the action films here in America, this one is brilliant. It's a fun film, enjoy it, and moreover, it is well worth your time spent viewing it. I own it.

Great movie, but BEWARE, AUDIO IS IN MONO.......2006-09-23

the movie is great....not quite infernal affairs, but it's still good. however, i just bought the "special edition" (nothing really special about it) and it does have a cantonese, mandarian, and english track. along with the commentary track that's listed in amazon. however the audio is NOT in 5.1. each audio track is presented in glorious MONO!! The video transfer is not clean and the mono track isn't even clear. Try to stay clear of this DVD, i am sure there is a dvd of this movie out there that is better. This is the "special edition" released by tai seng. bar code on the back of the dvd is 01643 85624

An almost perfect Hong Kong movie.......2006-05-09

Running Out of Time is probably as close to a perfect film as you're ever likely to see out of Hong Kong. All the elements click: a terrific script (by French writers Julien Carbon and Laurent Courtiaud) that even manages to subvert the odd clich?, reliably imaginative direction by Johnnie To, and excellent central performances by Andy Lau and Lau Ching Wan, the latter displaying his great comic timing to wonderful effect without ever crossing the line into parody (especially in his exasperated reactions to his superior's abysmal negotiating skills). The supporting cast is fine too, with Yo Yo Mung making a strong impression in a tiny role, and even the often histrionic Waise Lee (looking remarkably, and very aptly, like a bald Andy Lau) reining it in to good effect. It's best not to know too much about the plot going in beyond the basic set-up - with only a few weeks to live, Lau engages in a criminal game with Wan's cop with no easily apparent motive - and just sit back and enjoy the ride: it's certainly worth the fare. It also has one of the most perfect love stories in recent movies, and played in a mere three scenes (the second bus ride is one of the most magical moments of filmmaking I've seen in ages). There's also a fine score by Raymond Wong as well. The most fun playing cat and mouse at the movies in years.

Dying Criminal Decides to Go Out in a Crime Spree.......2005-05-30

1999 Unrated Hong Kong crime thriller. Caution: profanity. Also known as "Aau chin." First in, I believe, 2 movie series. (second one is called "Aau Chin 2," or "Running Out of Time 2").

DVD Features: The DVD contains just the movie (which can be heard in Cantonese, Mandarin or English with or without subtitles), some commentary hidden under the "set-up" feature (which is also the language feature), and some trailers (three trailers for this movie (2 Hong Kong, 1 USA), a trailer for Dragon Inn (remake of classic Kung Fu movie) and one for Armageddon (supernatural thriller, not the Hollywood movie)).

Credits: Staring Andy Lau (Cheung; "Infernal Affairs"), Lau Ching Wan (Inpector Ho Sheung-Sang; also known as Sean Lau; "The Attractive One"), Shiu Hung Hui (Chief Inspector Wong; "Hidden Heroes"), and Yoyo Mung (Leung Yuen Ting; "My Crazy Mother"). Directed by Johnny To ("Election"). Written by Yau Nai Hoi, Laurent Courtiaud & Julien Carbon.

Plot: A criminal mastermind is told that he only has two to four weeks to live (last stages of cancer). This criminal, Cheung, decides to go out in style and goes on a crime spree. He battles the police and a specific police officer (Inspector Ho Sheung-Sang) who is very good at his job.

Review: Interesting music, somewhat scratchy film (might just be the DVD), dubbing is a little off, but only if you pay close attention (though it can be quite bad). Intriguing film, we learn in the very first few moments that the criminal has nothing to lose because he is dying which adds a different layer to the normal police-criminal dynamic.

There's a neat scene where Inspector Sheung-Sang figures out that Cheung will leave the scene in a taxi, and becomes the taxi driver. Cheung gets in the back and the Inspector drives off, toward the nearest police station. The unarmed cop notes that the criminal won't shoot him because then the car will crash. What does Cheung do? He starts firing out the window of the taxi until the cop stops and Cheung flees. I'm not sure how realistic that scenario is, but it is an interesting method (later the roles are reversed, with the cop with a gun in the back and the criminal driving, the method used this time is also good). While the criminal plays with the police, the police fight each other (political in-fighting).

While this "cat and mouse" game is going on, a third criminal group is working the city. This group's connection to the main players is hard, at first, to figure out (but it is directly tied to Cheung's actions).

The movie is somewhat tense, but it is also somewhat harder to care about the action, as the film audience already knows that the main bad guy is dying anyway. Once again, it is harder to determine acting ability when watching a dubbed movie, though the acting seemed to be high quality. The music is good and helps add to the tension. The plot is interesting (what would you do if you were a criminal mastermind and know you are dying?) and solid. There even is some humor. Overall, I would give the movie 4.32 stars.

Science of Triathlon: Triathlon Lecture Series Featuring Joel Friel and Wes Hobson

Average customer rating:

Comprehensive and scientific
Triathlon Theory and Practise DVD

Science of Triathlon: Triathlon Lecture Series Featuring Joel Friel and Wes Hobson

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

ASIN: B000BHUXEK

Product Description

Triathlon is a very complex sport, but it is one that you can improve in if you understand the basic scientific principles of training and methods and techniques used by elite athletes. Now, for the first time, you can benefit from this wealth of knowledge previously only available at exclusive camps and clinics...all within the comfort of your own home. Science of Triathlon, spanning over 9 comprehensive hours, will serve as a pragmatic tool whatever your age or ability. You will not only learn to improve your techniques in swimming, biking and running, but more importantly gain a better understanding of the dynamics of the sport of triathlon and how to best fit it into your busy lifestyle. 2-DISC SET: Over 9 Hours of comprehensive triathlon training. FEATURING: Joe Friel, Wes Hobson, Bruce Gottlieb

Customer Reviews:

Comprehensive and scientific.......2005-10-26

This multiple DVD set was just what I was waiting for. Rather than just a pep talk and a few tricks, this DVD set is made for the serious triathlete. The DVDs really got into the nitty-gritty about how the body performs under stressful situations- and further, how to exploit what our bodies can do in order to reach higher levels of performance. I feel that I can really strive for the next plateau...two thumbs way up.

Triathlon Theory and Practise DVD.......2005-10-16

I found it to be a fairly good DVD.
Aldo I accepted to get more out of 2 DVD's
They just filmed what they teach u at one of there training camps and I expected a little bit more. The info they give u on the other hand is very good (but if your own triathlon bible Joe Friel) your not going to hear al lot of new thing

Average customer rating:

Dated, but Chilling Thriller
Hedy well-showcased in period potboiler
Hedy Lamarr's best performance. Check it out!

The Strange Woman
Starring: Jessie Arnold , Edward Biby , Olive Blakeney , Hillary Brooke , and Louis Hayward
Director: Edgar G. Ulmer
Manufacturer: Alpha Video
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ASIN: B000286RTS
Release Date: 2004-12-21

Customer Reviews:

Dated, but Chilling Thriller.......2006-03-22

I'm a fan of Hedy Lamarr. The actress and the woman. You would not know from most of her vacuous film roles that this was a woman of enough substance to win a Nobel Prize. She was so often cast in blank roles that just skated on the surface of her beauty. This film gives you an inkling of her depth.
This is Hedy's Scarlett O'Hara, a bit melodramatic, a bit dated, but still a fascinating story, setting, and character study of an ice-blooded, selfish-to-the-bone, smart, manipulative, beautiful woman. Her famous Tondeleo in WHITE CARGO gives an idea of this depth... but that character is an outline compared to this full bodied Jenny. She is, of course, completely miscast as a small town frontier girl, but... the rest is a treat.
Rarely does a movie do justice to manipulative female characters, assuming it all relys on looks. This story shows how Jenny wraps everyone slowly around her fingers, men, women, anyone who can be of use. It also deeply explores the dichotomy of self-interest wrapped up in good deeds.
Her icy detachment is reminds me of Alida Valli as the accused murderess in Hitchcock's Paradine Case, another favorite. Every time I watch this DVD, I see more in it, more in her performance. An expansive story, interesting boom town setting, really solid, memorable performances. Heady stuff! ; )

Hedy well-showcased in period potboiler.......2006-01-02

Following a series of badly-received films, M-G-M allowed Hedy Lamarr to set up her own production unit inside the studio where properties could be developed that suited her style and abilities. THE STRANGE WOMAN was one of the films made during this time. This sudsy period melodrama stars Lamarr as Jenny Hager, a young woman whose wanton lusts and desires end up destroying three men - and eventually herself.

In 1800s Maine, Jenny emerges from her white-trash origins to become the wife of wealthy Isaiah Poster (Gene Lockhart), though the marriage is completely devoid of love and affection from Jenny's corner. She soon turns her attentions to her stepson Ephraim (Louis Hayward) and convinces him to kill his father, so that they may be together. But once the dirty deed has been done, Jenny turns her back on Ephraim and begins to zero-in on John Evered (George Sanders), the handsome new foreman. The fact that he is engaged to her supposed best friend (Hillary Brooke) doesn't faze Jenny in the least. It seems nothing will stop ruthless Jenny in her horrifying quest for love.

Hedy Lamarr is ideally-suited in bringing to life the monstrous yet captivating Jenny Hager. The cast surrounding Lamarr is well-appointed and the production design brings the rowdy 1800-era city of Bangor to thrilling life. The print from Alpha DVD is serviceable, with good contrast and clear sound for the most part.

Hedy Lamarr's best performance. Check it out!.......2005-12-02

Hedy Lamarr is frequently referred to as the most beautiful movie star of her era, and I'll certainly go along with that assessment. Yet she has rarely been given enough credit for her acting ability, and is usually dismissed as a limited actress. True, Hedy can't exactly be ranked alongside Bette Davis or Ida Lupino, but she still had a magnetic screen presence and could turn in a fine performance when given the opportunity. Many claim she gave one of her finest performances in THE STRANGE WOMAN (1946). I'd go so far as to say it's her all-time best.

In this melodrama set in 19th century Maine, Hedy (with an accent that hardly sounds like anyone from Maine) plays Jenny Hager, a self-aborbed young woman whose outward beauty belies a background of poverty and abuse. Jenny uses her alluring charms to attract the attention of Isaiah Poster (Gene Lockhart), an elderly merchant. After marrying Isaiah, Jenny seduces her weak-willed stepson Ephraim (Louis Hayward), which sets the stage for a tragic turn of events between father and son. Jenny later sets her sights on John Evered (George Sanders), who is engaged to one of Jenny's so-called close friends (Hillary Brooke). But even the cunning Jenny can't escape the cumulative effects of her past deeds.

While Hedy was excellent in films like H. M. PULHAM, ESQ. (1941), EXPERIMENT PERILOUS (1944), and SAMSON AND DELILAH (1949), I don't think she ever had a better showcase than THE STRANGE WOMAN. Her portrayal of Jenny Hager is more complex than a simple plot synopsis would indicate. Jenny is heartless in her manipulation of men, and ruthless in her drive to acquire wealth and prestige. And yet she can't shake the memories of her impoverished childhood; once she becomes rich, she uses her influence to help the downtrodden. Hedy often complained that the studios saddled her substandard assignments, but here she was able to exert control: she co-produced THE STRANGE WOMAN (based on a novel by Ben Ames Williams) and was responsible for hiring its director, Edgar G. Ulmer. Hedy's active participation in this production no doubt accounts for her strong, vibrant performance in the film. (Hedy wasn't always able to hide her disgust with other studio assignments; in some films, her boredom is palpable.)

THE STRANGE WOMAN is also one of the best efforts of its aforementioned director, Edgar G. Ulmer, who has attracted a cult following thanks to films like THE BLACK CAT (1934), BLUEBEARD (1944), DETOUR (1945), STRANGE ILLUSION (1945), and THE MAN FROM PLANET X (1951). THE STRANGE WOMAN touches upon several Ulmer themes: lust, greed, deception, ruthless ambition, the emptiness of material gain, and the inescapable hand of fate. THE STRANGE WOMAN would make a great double-bill with RUTHLESS (1948; currently unavailable on DVD), another top-notch Ulmer film dealing with a lead character (Zachary Scott this time) who schemes his way to the top. Ulmer also knew how to squeeze the most production value out of every dollar, and brings a far glossier look to THE STRANGE WOMAN than its moderate budget would normally allow.

THE STRANGE WOMAN features a powerhouse supporting cast that includes the always-reliable George Sanders (ALL ABOUT EVE), Louis Hayward (THE HOUSE BY THE RIVER), Gene Lockhart (who was adept at playing everything from mousy clerks to oily blackmailers), and Hillary Brooke (THE WOMAN IN GREEN, THE ABBOTT AND COSTELLO SHOW). Yet, with no disrespect to these fine players, it's Hedy's show all the way.

The print quality of this Alpha Video release is very good, although there's an abrupt scene change around the 81-minute mark. This is evident in other circulating copies of the film, and I don't know if this is the result of a missing transitional fade or if some footage is missing. (Most sources list the running time as 100 minutes; this print runs 99.) Nevertheless, there's no harm done to the storyline, and it shouldn't deter anyone from purchasing a copy of this disc.

If you've never seen Hedy Lamarr, THE STRANGE WOMAN will be the perfect introduction to this lovely and underrated actress. If you've seen Hedy Lamarr and haven't been terribly impressed, THE STRANGE WOMAN will be a revelation.

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Marathon
Starring: Herb Edelman , Anita Gillette , John Hillerman , Lauren Hutton , and Valerie Landsburg
Director: Jackie Cooper
Manufacturer: Direct Source Label
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000FUF70S
Release Date: 2006-07-11

Night of the Running Man [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import - Australia ]

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Night of the Running Man [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import - Australia ]
Director: Mark L. Lester
Manufacturer: Rainbow
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000FVE7LC

Product Description

Australia released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. LANGUAGES: English (Dolby Digital 2.0), SYNOPSIS: A Las Vegas cab driver finds a million dollars of stolen money in his cab after his fare is murdered. Soon after, a ruthless hitman is in persuit; he will stop at nothing to recover the money and dispose of all witnesses. SPECIAL FEATURES: Interactive Menu,

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When future governors collide
Such a Hot Head
Been there, done that.....
They couldn't have known how funny this was. . .
A true classic!

The Running Man
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger , Maria Conchita Alonso , Yaphet Kotto , Jim Brown , and Jesse Ventura
Director: Andrew Davis , and Paul Michael Glaser
Manufacturer: Artisan Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 630467578X
Release Date: 1999-05-25

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Customer Reviews:

When future governors collide.......2007-08-06

Such a Hot Head.......2007-05-21

Been there, done that............2007-02-05

They couldn't have known how funny this was. . ........2006-11-18

A true classic!.......2006-07-25

The Arnold Schwarzenegger Collection (Commando / Predator / The Running Man / Total Recall)

Average customer rating:

you gotta be f kiding
Great stuff...sort of
Buy them individually
A 'must own' for Schwarzenegger film lovers
Every self-respecting action fan MUST own it.

The Arnold Schwarzenegger Collection (Commando / Predator / The Running Man / Total Recall)
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger , Sharon Stone , Rachel Ticotin , Ronny Cox , and Michael Ironside
Director: Paul Verhoeven , John McTiernan , and Paul Michael Glaser
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: 6305508569
Release Date: 1999-08-31

Customer Reviews:

you gotta be f kiding.......2005-02-17

buy arnolds good movies seperately these are his bad ones(Besides predator) these movies blow commando is a rambo wannabe with acting so awful youll think humans made from stone exist and running man is the gayest movie in us history arnold must escape a gameshow were they kill u then some fat opra singer covered in christmas lights chases arnold in a dune buggy lmao its awful total recall blows too arnolds on mars in a colony running out of air youll wish they did the predator is great as arnold fights an unseen alien entity in the jungle its a great movie but you can get it seperately alot cheaper without these other terds besides what arnold collection doesnt have terminator or conan

Great stuff...sort of.......2002-05-23

I'm a big fan of action films and in this pack are two of the all time great action films: Predator and Total Recall. those films are classics. though total recall completely changed Phillip Dick's short story into a bloodfest, the story was still kept rather complex. in the end you still don't know if he was dreaming it or not. and predator is the best jungle film ever made, with some wonderful music creating a creepy atmosphere.

on the other hand, the other two films in this pack are weak and contrived.

Commando is a poorly done film that is just too violent. you can also see how small the budget was in this film when you can see the spring boards launching stunt actors during some bomb scenes.

and i have not been a fan of the Running Man movie at all. i used to like it, but that was before i read the book by Stephen King. Boy what a difference! the book actually felt exciting and full of suspense. boy if someone could make a film out of that, following the book closer, that would be a wonderful film. howerver the arnold version just felt contrived and very weak in both story line and acting.

Buy them individually.......2000-09-19

I don't own any of these, although they are all great flicks. Unfortunately, this collection isn't a great deal compared to buying them individually. It doesn't offer any substance beyond the individual DVDs, only the convenience of buying them all at once.

My suggestion would be to mix and match your own Arnie favorites rather than buying this collection. This collection leaves out the Terminator series, the Conans, Raw Deal, et al.

A 'must own' for Schwarzenegger film lovers.......2000-01-11

The picture quality is photographic and now I can hear the birds chirping at the start of Commando... bliss! Having to rent these classic movies in VHS format has hindered my full appreciation of their outstanding quality. For those like myself who are too young to have seen them on the big screen, watching Commando is a new and delightful experience. Although I am not a huge fan of violent movies, I can assure you that Commando is one of the best 'comedies' of all time with almost enough memorable quotes to rival Fawlty Towers! Running Man is my favorite of this collection only surpassed by True Lies as my favorite Arnie. And with the inclusion of Predator and Total Recall, none of the titles are 'fillers' (unlike other collections), these are all blockbusters. You'll love Commando for the commedy, Running Man for the action, Total Recall for the sci-fi, and Predator for the adrenaline rush. Other great features include: Dolby Pro-Logic sound for all (Total Recall has Dolby Digital) and both widescreen and normal versions of Total Recall. I had high expectations. I was not dissappointed.

Every self-respecting action fan MUST own it........1999-12-13

action, Action, ACTION, and... Yes, thats right, more hard-hitting action. Arnie really knows what his audience wants. I will now review each film individually. TOTAL RECALL. With perfect doses of Action, Sci-fi and Special Effects, this film is a near perfect Action/Sci-fi. Arnie acting is at its best and the supporting cast (including Sharon Stone and Ronny Cox) are all very believable. 5 STARS. PREDATOR. Another Perfect Action/Sci-fi (what would you expect from the director of Die Hard)

Everything in it (the Music, the cast, the sets) all combine to give the film a certain feel (like in the alien films) The sction and violence comes hard and fast and the special effects (by the Brilliant Stan Winston) are State-of-the-art. 5 STARS. THE RUNNING MAN. A chilling view of the world to come. Arnold is back (as he promised to be) and in one of his most violent and exciting movies. The bad guys are also some of the toughest Arnie has faced, (Sub-zero and Buzz-saw to name two) and the sets are frighteningly realistic. Might be a bit rough for some. (as with all of these movies) 5 STARS. COMMANDO. If Rambo had a Daughter, he would be Commando. This has to have one of the highest body counts of any American Movies. Non-stop Action and Laughs. (the laughs come from the classic lines Arnie gives, EG. When he drops a man off a cliff and says "I let him go".)5 STARS.

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