Casino Royale [Blu-ray]

Amazon.com

The most successful invigoration of a cinematic franchise since Batman Begins, Casino Royale offers a new Bond identity. Based on the Ian Fleming novel that introduced Agent 007 into a Cold War world, Casino Royale is the most brutal and viscerally exciting James Bond film since Sean Connery left Her Majesty's Secret Service. Meet the new Bond; not the same as the old Bond. Daniel Craig gives a galvanizing performance as the freshly minted double-0 agent. Suave, yes, but also a "blunt instrument," reckless, and possessed with an ego that compromises his judgment during his first mission to root out the mastermind behind an operation that funds international terrorists. In classic Bond film tradition, his global itinerary takes him to far-flung locales, including Uganda, Madagascar, the Bahamas (that's more like it), and Montenegro, where he is pitted against his nemesis in a poker game, with hundreds of millions in the pot. The stakes get even higher when Bond lets down his "armor" and falls in love with Vesper (Eva Green), the ravishing banker's representative fronting him the money.

For longtime fans of the franchise, Casino Royale offers some retro kicks. Bond wins his iconic Astin-Martin at the gaming table, and when a bartender asks if he wants his martini "shaken or stirred," he disdainfully replies, "Do I look like I give a damn?" There's no Moneypenny or "Q," but Dame Judi Dench is back as the exasperated M, who one senses, admires Bond's "bloody cheek." A Bond film is only as good as its villain, and Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre, who weeps blood, is a sinister dandy. From its punishing violence and virtuoso action sequences to its romance, Casino Royale is a Bond film that, in the words of one character, makes you feel it, particularly during an excruciating torture sequence. Double-0s, Bond observes early on, "have a short life expectancy." But with Craig, there is new life in the old franchise yet, as well as genuine anticipation for the next one when, at last, the signature James Bond theme kicks in following the best last line ever in any Bond film. To quote Goldie Hawn in Private Benjamin, now I know what I've been faking all these years. --Donald Liebenson

Stills from Casino Royale (click for larger image)

Beyond Casino Royale on Amazon.com

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Why We Love Daniel Craig

The Amazon.com James Bond Store
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Bond on Set: Filming Casino Royale Book

Product Description

Casino Royale introduces James BOond before he holds his license to kill. But Bond is no less dangerous, and with two professional assassinations in quick succession, he is elevated to "00" status. "M" (Judi Dench), head of the British Secret Service, sends the newly-promoted 007 on his first mission that takes him to Madagascar, the Bahamas and eventually leads him to Montenegro to face Le Chiffre, a ruthless financier under threat from his terrorist clientele, who is attempting to restore his funds in a high-stakes poker game at the Casino Royale. "M" places Bond under the watchful eye of the Treasury official Vesper Lynd. At first skeptical of what value Vesper can provide, Bond's interest in her deepens as they brave danger together. Le Chiffre's cunning and cruelty come to bear on them both in a way Bond could never imagine, and he learns his most important lesson: Trust no one.

Customer Reviews:

This isn't my idea of Bond.......2007-09-12

When I got this blu-ray disk I had very high expectations. It delivered when it comes to special effects and the outstanding clarity that blu-ray delivers.

However, I was sorely disappointed by the new "Bond". Instead of the incredible charm displayed by previous Bond characters, this guy seems to be more of a cold-hearted killer. I found it hard to care much about what came of him. In my opinion, this is the worst Bond movie I have ever seen.

Perhaps I would have liked it better if the movie had been titled something like "Agent X" since that way I wouldn't have been trying to imagine this guy as being in the same role as the classics starring Sean Connery or Roger Moore.

In a nutshell, I found this to be heartless and generally lacking in class.

Great.......2007-09-10

Great picture quality, and a good movie to boot. The movie has a bit of a dark cast, so still not the optimal test disc for a new system, but still quite good. People say "wow" when they see it.

Bond on bluray!.......2007-09-07

Casino Royale is definitely one of the better Bond films. Part of the wow affect comes from it's awesome bluray video quality. A solid choice for all you Bond fans out there.

Blu-ray is the way to watch this great film!.......2007-08-12

I first watched the 2006 release Casino Royale in the theater. I was very impressed. The movie was unlike any Bond film I had seen before. In fact, the movie is gritty in a way that resembles the very well made Bourne movies. I recently watched the movie again, and found that it was even more enjoyable the second time around. The changes, in my opinion are for the better. I was a fan of Pierce Brosnan in the role of James Bond. I thought that he had been the best Bond since Sean Connery. I thought Roger Moore was okay, while timothy Dalton did nothing for me. Craig made for a very compelling and very human Bond.

The visuals in this film are stunning. The usual opening scenes are - true to form - pretty spectacular. Bond shows little mercy when it comes to resorting to violence. He also gets hurt and bleeds on numerous occasions. He seems ill at ease in a tuxedo, but seems to adapt to the role. The primary setting for the movie is an incredibly picturesque Venice. The film features really stunning scenes with some excellent stunt work. The Blu-ray version is without a dount the version to watch. Clocking in at 144 minutes, the movie seems to fly by with its fast paced story. The only downside to the film is that the villain came across as pretty tame for the most part. There probably could have been a bit more done to make him really evil and dislikable.

Overall this is a strong 4 star movie that is well-worth the price of the movie.

Great Movie.......2007-08-07

This is how you keep a movie franchise going. Great story, great acting and a fast paced movie that almost never slows down(except when James is with the ladies!!)

I have watched it several times now and the more I watch the more I like.

Average customer rating:

'I shot my wife. Prove it.'
Who's the good guy?
Classy, Entertaining Battle-Of-Wits Story
Strong movie, engaging and well-written thriller
Great movie to watch many times

Fracture (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Anthony Hopkins , Ryan Gosling , David Strathairn , Rosamund Pike , and Embeth Davidtz
Director: Gregory Hoblit
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000R4SMCW
Release Date: 2007-08-14

Description

Academy AwardÂ® winner Anthony Hopkins and Academy AwardÂ® nominee Ryan Gosling are brilliant in this "exceptionally suspenseful nail-biter" (Rex Reed) that's so smart it "doesn't let go, even after the final twist" (Gene Shalit, "Today"). Ted Crawford (Hopkins) brutally murders his wife and calmly waits for the police to arrest him. With the weapon and a signed confession in hand, Deputy D.A., Willy Beachum (Gosling), believes a conviction is a slam dunk; that is until the case completely unravels. Now, with little evidence, Beachum goes head to head with the cunning Mr. Crawford in a desperate search for the truth and the answer to one burning question: How is this guy getting away with murder?

Customer Reviews:

'I shot my wife. Prove it.' .......2007-09-13

It has been quite a while since I've seen such a great thriller. This is just a fabulous movie with Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling playing battling characters who engage in a battle of wits. Hopkins plays a husband who discovers his wife having an affair, shoots her, confesses the same night and then has things cleverly arranged where it's almost impossible to convict him. Gosling plays a young, hotshot prosecuting attorney on his way to bigger and better things with a change of scenery to corporate law but gets stuck with this open-and-shut case right before he switches firms. The trouble is, it's a lot more than he figured and he isn't used to losing. Hopkins knows this, of course, and plays on his vanity.

Gosling evolves from a me-only lawyer to someone who really wants justice, even if it costs him. Both characters are cocky and smart and the twists and turns just add to the fun.

I could have watched this story unfold for another two hours and would have been happy to do so, am I'm not one to sit still for long periods these days. That's how good this was. Highly recommended.

Who's the good guy?.......2007-09-06

This film was entertaining, but it was conflicting to see the cat and mouse being played between Gosling and Hopkins. Every time Hopkins was on screen he dominated the dialog, but it was Gosling who managed to portay his own character growth from a disinterested prosecutor with one foot out the door to act like the great lawyer he was supposed to be. My main issue with the movie is that Hopkins is consistently portrayed as a maniacal killer, craftily outsmarting police, and essentially evil incarnate. The fact is that yes, he killed his wife; he killed his cheating wife after having conclusive proof that she was guilty of having an affair. He also managed to ruin the cop who was her lover, and he did so brilliantly. He should have been the hero of this movie, not the villian.

Classy, Entertaining Battle-Of-Wits Story.......2007-09-05

If you like courtroom dramas, appreciate excellent acting and an expertly-filmed movie this is for you. Only once, I think, have I ever proclaimed something "best movie of the year" and all that, because it's all too subjective and also a cliché but that's how I feel about this movie unless something better comes along the last few months of 2007.

This is just a fabulous movie with Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling playing characters who engage in a battle of wits. Hopkins plays a husband who discovers his wife having an affair, shoots her, confesses the same night and then has things cleverly arranged where it's almost impossible to convict him. Gosling plays a young, hotshot prosecuting attorney on his way to bigger and better things with a change of scenery to corporate law but gets stuck with this open-and-shut case right before he switches firms. The trouble is, it's a lot more than he figured and he isn't used to losing. Hopkins knows this, of course, and plays on his vanity.

Gosling evolves from a me-only lawyer to someone who really wants justice, even if it costs him. Both characters are cocky and smart and the twists and turns just add to the fun.

I enjoyed watching all the actors performances and was very impressed. The camera-work by Director Of Photography Kramer Morgenthau should also be recognized, along with director Gregory Hoblit, who seems to direct very entertaining films ("Frequency," "Fallen," etc.)

I could have watched this story unfold for another two hours and would have been happy to do so, am I'm not one to sit still for long periods these days. That's how good this was....just Grade A film-making and storytelling.

Strong movie, engaging and well-written thriller.......2007-09-04

Although the ending may be fairly closely guessed by some, this movie
is well written with good subplots. Hopkins gives a solid (if slightly type-cast) performance. Good supporting performances as well. This is a solid choice for a rental.

Great movie to watch many times.......2007-09-02

This was a great movie. Anthony Hopkins was great in his character as a wealthy and smart engineer. Even though he was the bad guy, I was rooting for him all the way through the movie. After all, his wife had been cheating on him which is why he shot her in the head. Anthony's character gets himself off from the charge of attempted murder (the cheating wife is in a coma) but in the end the smart DA figures out how he had gotten the weapon out of the house and brings him up on new charges. This time it's murder because the cheating wife died in the hospital. The movie ends with Anthony's trial starting so you are left to decide for yourself whether or not he was found guilty. Since I was rooting for him all through the movie, I'm going to assume Anthony's character got the "Dream Team" to represent him and he's now playing golf in Florida.

Average customer rating:

Obscene Violence
Awesome
Its War...
Black Hawk Down-Blu-ray
great movie, stunning pic quality

Black Hawk Down [Blu-ray]
Starring: Josh Hartnett , and Ewan McGregor
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

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ASIN: B000G0O5N2
Release Date: 2006-11-14

Sony

From acclaimed director Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Hannibal) and renowned producer Jerry Bruckheimer (Pearl Harbor, Armageddon) comes a gripping true story about bravery, camaradarie and the complex reality of war. Black Hawk Down stars an exceptional cast including Josh Hartnett (Pearl Harbor), Ewan McGregor (Moulin Rouge!), Tom Sizemore (Saving Private Ryan), Eric Bana (Chopper), William Fichtner (The Perfect Storm), Ewen Bremner (Snatch) and Sam Shepard (All The Pretty Horses). In 1993, an elite group of American Rangers and Delta Force soldiers are sent to Somalia on a critical mission to capture a violent warlord whose corrupt regime has lead to the starvation of hundreds of thousands of Somalis. When the mission goes terribly wrong, the men find themselves outnumbered and literally fighting for their lives.

Customer Reviews:

Obscene Violence.......2007-09-10

A movie like this promotes violence. People ought not watch this stuff at all. Violence only begets more violence. This country has not benefitted from this battle or others. Let's have movies about peaceful places like Switzerland, which hasn't had a war in over 500 years.

Awesome.......2007-08-01

Takes a great movie, add awesome sound and superb video and you get 1 Great Blu-ray! No Regrets, especially on an older movie such as this.

Its War..........2007-06-27

This movie hasnt delivered the story is ok but it doesnt satisfying and deep
like other films the picture quality is great especially the actionscenes with
all that mud and particles flying arround great sound too.

good but not great or perfect movie.

Black Hawk Down-Blu-ray.......2007-05-28

I'm previewing the Blu-ray version of this film.

Video: picture quality was slightly above average with some grain in dark parts opf the movie. In other part of the movie, the picture appeared really sharp and Hi-Definition-like. Overall quality was good, but not very consistent throughout the whole movie. I viewed this movie on Hi definition projector with 101" screen on the new Samsung BD-P1200.

Audio: Slightly above average

Finally, it's worth mentioning that the image froze only once, but still that seems to be a common and annoying problem with Blu-ray discs. Cleaning the BD with a microfiber cloth help sometimes, but it takes away the fun if you have to take out the BD and clean it, then put it back in the machine and wait for it to load and then you have to go to the selection menu and try to figure out where you were before the disc froze.

great movie, stunning pic quality.......2007-05-13

im sure most of us already know the movie but what comes as a pleasant surprise is the sharpness afforded by the HD transfer. every pore on the face and every bead of sweat jumps right out at you! in fact, anything with texture - war ravaged walls and rocks are all brilliant crisp and tactile. the bonus is the behind-the-scenes making of documentary (pretty long) which is very comprehensive and could be a video on its own. highly recommended.

Star Wars - Episode II, Attack of the Clones (Widescreen Edition)

Average customer rating:

Poor Acting and Dialogue Hurt An Otherwise Entertaining Movie
Enjoyable. Even though It's Politic Heavy.
It's not my favorite, but still very enjoyable.
Attack of the Clones is worth seeing (once)
MST3K Fans Rejoice -- Rifftrax is Here!

Star Wars - Episode II, Attack of the Clones (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Ewan McGregor , Natalie Portman , Hayden Christensen , Christopher Lee , and Samuel L. Jackson
Director: George Lucas
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00006HBUJ
Release Date: 2005-03-22

Amazon.com

If The Phantom Menace was the setup, then Attack of the Clones is the plot-progressing payoff, and devoted Star Wars fans are sure to be enthralled. Ten years after Episode I, Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman), now a senator, resists the creation of a Republic Army to combat an evil separatist movement. The brooding Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) is resentful of his stern Jedi mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), tormented by personal loss, and showing his emerging "dark side" while protecting his new love, Amidala, from would-be assassins. Youthful romance and solemn portent foreshadow the events of the original Star Wars as Count Dooku (a.k.a. Darth Tyranus, played by Christopher Lee) forges an alliance with the Dark Lord of the Sith, while lavish set pieces showcase George Lucas's supreme command of all-digital filmmaking. All of this makes Episode II a technological milestone, savaged by some critics as a bloated, storyless spectacle, but still qualifying as a fan-approved precursor to the pivotal events of Episode III. --Jeff Shannon

Description

The STAR WARS saga continues on DVD with Episode II Attack of the Clones. Anakin Skywalker has grown into an accomplished Jedi apprentice, and he faces his most difficult challenge yet as he must choose between his Jedi duty and forbidden love. Relive the adventure the way it was meant to be seen in spectacular digital clarity, including the climactic Clone War battle and Jedi Master Yoda in the ultimate lightsaber duel. Experience this 2-disc set that features over six hours of bonus materials, and see how Episode II unlocks the secrets of the entire STAR WARS saga.

Customer Reviews:

Poor Acting and Dialogue Hurt An Otherwise Entertaining Movie.......2007-09-09

"Star Wars: Episode I- The Phantom Menace" was one of the most hyped movies of the late 1990s, yet managed to disappoint countless Star Wars fans. With the annoying Jar Jar Binks, a child actor who was in over his head, poor pacing, and wooden acting and dialogue, I was less than impressed, despite being a big Star Wars fan. Apparently, so many others were let down that it somehow resulted in "The Matrix" being lauded as the "new hope" of epic sci-fi, despite that movie falling far short of the standards set by Star Wars. When George Lucas promised (or threatened?) that Episode II would be "Titanic in space", my interest waned even more. However, as the promotional media emerged, my interest picked up again as it appeared that there would at least be some good action sequences. So how did the unfortunately named "Attack of the Clones" fare?

First the bad news, and it's not pretty. The dialogue is, for the most part, not good at all, with some terribly blatant exposition that is not needed at all. The acting doesn't fare well either, generally speaking. Anakin Skywalker(who is now 10 years older) is now played by Hayden Christiansen, instead of Jake Lloyd. Unfortunately, while his efforts are commendable, Hayden obviously is ill at ease in this role, and co-star Natalie Portman exhibits zero enthusiasm during the movie. As these two are supposed to be the "romantic leads", the resulting lack of chemistry cripples the emotional core of the movie. Samuel Jackson's performance as Mace Windu is similarly off, and there is some other poor acting by various bit players. Thus, the weight of the movie ends up having to be borne by the acting chops of Ewan McGregor, Temuera Morrison, Ian McDiarmid, and Christopher Lee, who all do manage to perform in a professional manner. (Of particular note is the initial terse face to face meeting between Obi-Wan and Jango Fett). Still, there are also some lingering pacing issues, most notably related to scenes surrounding Anakin and Padme in the middle of the movie.

The good news is that the movie works on a "macro" level, as far as the over-arching Star Wars storyline and universe are concerned. Helping this aspect are several dynamic action and set pieces, which include a "car chase" in the skies of the city planet of Coruscant, a trip to the rain-drenched water planet Kamino, complete with a faceoff between Obi-Wan and bounty hunter Jango Fett, a spaceship chase through the rings of Geonosis, a confrontation between a couple hundred Jedi and an army of droids, and a massive battle sequence between the Separatist droid army and an army of clones. Topping off the movie is a lightsaber battle involving Christopher Lee's Count Dooku and Yoda.

The movie's primary strength is developing the events which lead to the much stronger Episode III. In the 10 years since the Trade Federation's blockade of Naboo was foiled, a Separatist movement has gained traction among hundreds of worlds in the Republic, fueled by the enigmatic Count Dooku. While Chancellor Palpatine presides over a divided Senate, assassination attempts against former Queen (now Senator) Padme Amidala lead the Jedi to assign Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker to protect her. A bounty hunter's failed attempt on Padme's life leads Obi-Wan to the distant world of Kamino, where he finds a surprising development: an army of clones is being raised for the Republic, as per the orders of a now-dead Jedi Council member. Meanwhile, Padme and Anakin head to Naboo, where Anakin's nightmares eventually lead him to take Padme to Tattoine with him to find his mother. Anakin's search leads him to the Lars homestead, where his mother's husband tells him that the Tusken Raiders kidnapped her. When Anakin finds his mother dying after being tortured by the Sandpeople, his anger results in a wanton act of mass murder. Obi-Wan's investigation leads him to the world of Geonosis, where he discovers that Count Dooku has enlisted the forces of an old foe, among others, to help the Separatists prepare for war on the Republic. With this threat looming, the Chancellor is given emergency powers (proposed in the Senate by none other than Jar-Jar Binks, who is mercifully absent for most of the movie), and the available Jedi scramble to Geonosis to try to stop Dooku. The final 40 or so minutes of the movie manage to make up for the shortcomings liberally sprinkled throughout the proceedings.

Visually speaking, this movie is incredible, albeit a bit artificial looking. The live action characters don't always seem to mesh with the computer-generated backdrops, but the color saturation is brilliant, and sets the tone well. The transfer to DVD was done very well, apparently being a direct digital print. The music alternates between magnificently appropriate, and ridiculously purile. The sound effects are fairly standard Star Wars, although there are a couple of really bizarre and out of place sounds. The DVD release itself has the typical wealth of Star Wars extras, including deleted scenes and trailers. The commentary track is remarkably boring, to the point that a friend of mine actually said it literally puts him to sleep.

It does pain me to give this movie only 3 stars, as I enjoyed it, especially when the Battle of Geonosis erupted. The slow unfolding of the plot to turn the Republic into the Empire is an important arc in the Star Wars saga. But objectively speaking, the acting and dialogue were bad enough to cripple the film in a number of ways, and I have to try to be honest with viewers. If you're a Star Wars fan, you probably should get this, if you haven't already. For everyone else, it will be a matter of whether they can deal with bad acting and dialogue in exchange for the excellent visuals and rich universe the film presents.

Enjoyable. Even though It's Politic Heavy........2007-09-05

I did enjoy this movie. I may be the only person who enjoyed the first a little more but I did enjoy this one. Being a fan I was pumped to see this. I even read a book based on the movie beforehand. The movie is faster paced than the first one but the simplistic nature of the first one really intrigued me.

What I did like about this is the action scenes, a definite upgrade from the first, secondly, the characters (except for Hayden Christensen) really matured with this movie. I loved Liam Neeson in the first but the others made up for the loss. The inclusion of shots like the Death Star and Count Dooku really made this special.

The DVD itself is a definite must have. A busy commentary track, deleted scenes just for this release and plenty of featurettes for your liking.

Definite Must Have.

It's not my favorite, but still very enjoyable........2007-08-29

It's not my favorite, but still very enjoyable.

I enjoyed 'Star Wars' (a.k.a. Star Wars IV: A new hope) when it came out and I was 7 yrs old and I still love all the Star Wars Movies today. My son has loved all the Star Wars movies as well

Attack of the Clones is worth seeing (once).......2007-08-23

I'll start off with the positive. This is a significantly better film than Phantom Menace. That's because Jar Jar is what he should have been all along: a minor character that we see very little of and hear even less.

The action sequences are as good as always. My favorite part is, like usual, the big lightsaber fight at the end. Yoda with a lightsaber may seem out of place to some but he was refered to as a "great warrior" in The Empire Strikes Back. Now we get to see why. And the end is enjoyable (save the stupid R2D2/C3PO "losing my head" skit).

Now for the bad stuff. There are parts of this film that are no where near pleasurable to watch (and these parts take up a big junk of the movie). The most painful thing to watch in this film (for all the wrong reasons) is the "love" story between Anakin and Padme. Hayden Kristen is, I believe, the worst actor in the Star Wars movies (old and new). There is basically no chemistry between Anakin and Padme even though they're supposed to be madly in love with each other by the end of the movie. There are some lines between these two characters that are just embarrassing to quote ("your skin is softer than sand").

The banal dialogue, the worst supporting actor "winner" Hayden Kristen, CGI in basically every scene, the botched love story between Anakin and Padme, R2D2/C3PO's "comic relief", and on and on and on. This film is, at best, a mixed bag. Though it's worth seeing at least once (and some parts more than once), my advice is to buy the first trilogy (if you haven't already), pray that someone someday remakes the prequels, or buy The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

MST3K Fans Rejoice -- Rifftrax is Here!.......2007-08-09

It's Binks-ian fun for the whole family as George Lucas empties the contents of his brain onto film one more time! This go around, the part of the annoying kid is explored more deeply by a new annoying kid, Hayden Christensen, in a performance so jaw-droppingly wooden and laughable it's got to make Keanu Reeves feel pretty darned good about himself. Ewan McGregor returns as that one guy who was once played by that other British guy, and he's apparently become comfortable enough with his green screen acting that he no longer even pretends it matters whether he puts in effort or not. And returning for the role of Padme Amidala is Natalie Portman, looking cute but losing her bid to keep her voice from grinding into her audience's skull like a buzz saw.

All of this would be a RiffTrax dream come true - but making it even dream come true-ier is that Mike and Kevin are joined by none other than Chad Vader, brother of Darth and star of his own colossally successful internet series. It is quite simply a RiffTacular RiffStravaganza!

Taxi Driver (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

Average customer rating:

Is Travis Bickle a post-Vietnam Holden Caulfield?
"God's Lonely Man" As Psychopath - Surprisingly Empathetic
A movie that needs to be EXPERIENCED more than just watched
The Special Edition that this film so richly deserves.
The gradual erosion of a human being

Taxi Driver (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Starring: Robert De Niro , Jodie Foster , and Cybill Shepherd
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

ASIN: B000R8YC18
Release Date: 2007-08-14

Product Description

At 26, Vietnam veteran Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro) is slipping slowly into isolation and violence on the streets of New York City. Trying to solve his insomnia by driving a yellow cab on the night shift, he grows increasingly disgusted by the people who hang out at night: "Someday a real rain will come and wash all the scum off the streets." His touching attempts to woo Betsy (Cybill Shepherd), a Senator's campaign worker, turn sour when he takes her to a porn movie on their first date. He even fails in his attempt to persuade child prostitute Iris (Jodie Foster) to desert her pimp Sport (Harvey Keitel) and return to her parents and school. Driven to the edge by powerlessness, he buys four handguns and sets out to assassinate the Senator, heading for the infamy of a `lone crazed gunman'.

DVD BONUS FEATURES INCLUDE:

"Martin Scorsese on Taxi Driver" Featurette

"Producing Taxi Driver" Featurette

"Influence and Appreciation" Documentary

Robert De Niro, Oliver Stone, Roger Corman and others pay tribute to Scorsese and the film

"God's Lonely Man" Documentary

"Travis' New York Locations" Featurette

Storyboard to Film Comparisons with Martin Scorsese Introduction

New Feature-length Commentary by Writer Paul Schrader

New Feature-length Commentary by Professor Robert Kolker

"Taxi Driver Stories" Featurette

"Making Taxi Driver" Documentary

Animated Photo Galleries

"Including Scorsese at Work" Photo Montage

Original Screenplay Read Along

Customer Reviews:

Is Travis Bickle a post-Vietnam Holden Caulfield?.......2007-09-10

Travis Bickle - the "Taxi Driver" in the film - is not so much a psychopath but someone who is mentally ill. He struggles to relate and connect with other people, slowly becomes detached from reality, indulges in inappropriate behaviour, and has a naive sense of what is right and wrong.

The loneliness and disconnection of Bickle has echoes in the character of Holden Caulfield in "The Catcher in the Rye" who likewise drifts around New York City searching for some kind of meaning.

The ending always seemed a little strange until one accepts it as a fantasy of Bickles deranged mind.

"Taxi Driver" remains a powerful and disturbing film even after all these years despite far more graphic films because the characters are so believable.

A great film from the great Martin Scorsese.

"God's Lonely Man" As Psychopath - Surprisingly Empathetic.......2007-09-05

The thing that haunts "Taxi Driver," even after all these years, is how connected a lot of the viewers feel with Travis Bickle, Vietnam veteran and burgeoning psychopath. Is he really as different as we want him to be, or is he closer to who "we" are than we like?

The '70s, for all the talk of it being a cultural wasteland, was a wonderful time if you're a fan of movies. The angst of Vietnam created a lot of worthy dramas and comedies. Most of them were very grim, bitter, angry, and disillusioned, but then these qualities make for some fine reflection on the human condition. As did the setting of the movie, which was New York. I was a boy at the time, but my parents let me watch the news, as well as the TV of the era, and New York was a schizoid wonderland of success, excess, and the multiblock whore-with-a-heart-of-gold known as Times Square. DeNiro's unraveling character is most at-home here, surrounded by people (the "scum" he hates so much, ironically) yet apart from them, without the first clue how to connect with him. Is there anything more scary, with all the examples in the movie of Travis' decent into madness, than his perfectly-reasoned decision to take his "angel" on a date to a porno theater?

Robert DeNiro, already a veteran or soon-to-be-star of many classics of the period, owns Bickles' troubled soul and is thoroughly believable of a failed "hero." Its not so strange that the only time someone else truly connects with him is when they both have a sense of violent helplessness of their own situations, namely the grocer Travis saves by blowing the would-be robber of his store's brains out.

Martin Scorcese is also able to showcase what would be his greatest directorial skill in the low-budget limitation of the movie. He is able to allow us to see the reality of Travis' world with the sensitive eye of a documentarian. The city, the streets, and all who walked them are seen at eye level, at once intimately close and ephermerally fleeting as the cab drives through early-morning Manhattan. He even gets to show up in the film in at least two cameos - once just as a passerby, the other as a passenger in Travis' taxi who himself is slowly unravelling mentally because his wife is cheating on him.

The unsettling tale of one man's collapse into psychosis is made human and connectable to the audience thanks to Paul Shrader's(sp?) wonderful script. None of the events in his life that inspired the story, mentioned extensively in the truly-worthy new and old DVD extras, make it into the movie, but the important issue - the lonliness we all feel and have to deal with - does. Travis may be losing his mind and heading for a nuclear-sized explosion, but we can relate to him by how alone he feels.

Shrader calls the cab in the movie "a rolling metal coffin." It's an appropriate metaphor. Because in the two-perspective ending, we have to wonder if Travis has found the misplaced justification he was looking for when he murders a bunch of lowlives to save a child prostitute - soon after a failed assassination attempt on presidential candidate Pallentine! - from society, or is he simply in his own personal Heaven; we don't see Travis' reflection in the rear-view mirror of his taxi when he adjusts it.

Leonard Maltin's video guide slams this film as excessive, overrated and violent. He needs to give it another look. "Taxi Driver" is truly a masterpiece of talent and craftsmenship.

A movie that needs to be EXPERIENCED more than just watched.......2007-08-18

One of the best movies of all time. There's a short list of movies one needs to experience more than just watch and this is one of them. I'd throw The Godfather DVD Collection (The Godfather/ The Godfather - Part II/ The Godfather - Part III), Citizen Kane, and Vertigo (Collector's Edition) on that list.

A really effective movie that gets you to contemplate your own surroundings. Nothing is it at rest here and Scorsese and De Niro really bring this character to screen, especially De Niro. You can't even consider him a "character" after watching De Niro's brilliant performance as Travis Bickle.

The extras on this disc are amazing also. Two commentaries and plenty of featurettes. Finally, a fit version for this masterpiece of a movie.

One of the best character studies of all time. Highly recommend.

The Special Edition that this film so richly deserves........2007-08-15

The first disc features an audio commentary by Professor Robert Kolker. He analyzes the film's style and themes but tends to describe what we are seeing making obvious statements. He talks about the influence of Alfred Hitchcock's movies on Taxi Driver but in mind-numbingly boring way.

The second commentary is by the film's screenwriter Paul Schrader. He points out Travis' contradictory nature - he talks about purifying his body yet he also takes speed. There are several lulls during this commentary but he more than makes up for it with some excellent observations about the film and the nature of screenwriting.

"Original Screenplay" allows you to read the original shooting script and then go to the corresponding scene in the film.

The second disc starts off with "Martin Scorsese on Taxi Driver." He talks about the genesis of the film and how hard it was to get a studio interested. Scorsese says that visually, everything is from Travis' point-of-view.

"Producing Taxi Driver" features Michael Phillips briefly discussing how he became a producer and how he got the script for Taxi Driver. When he saw Mean Streets, he knew that he wanted Scorsese to direct and Robert De Niro to star.

"God's Lonely Man" examines the theme of loneliness in the film and profiles Schrader, his background and it informed the script.

"Influence and Appreciation: Martin Scorsese Tribute" features fellow filmmakers Roger Corman and Oliver Stone along with actor Robert De Niro and others paying tribute to the man.

"Taxi Driver Stories" includes anecdotes told by actual New York cabbies who worked in the city during the `70s. Some of their stories are wilder than some that are in the film.

"Making Taxi Driver" is the excellent 70 minute retrospective documentary that was included on the previous edition. It takes a fascinating, in-depth look at how the film came together with most of the major cast and crew members returning, including De Niro, Harvey Keitel, Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd and Albert Brooks. This is excellent doc. with loads of information.

"Travis' New York" reflects on New York City of the `70s. The film's director of photography Michael Chapman points out that now the film is a documentary of what the city looked like back then.

"Travis' New York Locations" is a very cool featurette that compares nine locations used in the movie then with what they look like now and not surprisingly most them look very different.

There is a "Storyboard to Film Comparison" with an optional introduction by Scorsese.

Finally, there are several galleries with stills taken on location, for publicity purposes, shots of composer Bernard Herrmann's sheets music for the score and posters.

The gradual erosion of a human being.......2007-08-15

I didn't see this movie until thirty years after it's release, but that's fine by me. I don't think I could have handled it in my teens or even my twenties.

DeNiro is wonderful as Travis Bickle. The world has already worn at him, and we see it wearing at him further at each stage of the movie. When he tells the Presidential Candidate that the whole city needs to be cleaned up, we feel his emotion.

The one bright point of his life seemed to be the character played by Cybill Shepherd. This is the part that got me out of my chair. When he convinced her to go to a movie with him and then took her to a porno film, I said "What was he thinking?" Then it hit me - he isn't thinking the way I think. This man thinks on a parallel plane to the rest of the society he sees. And even that type of thinking devolves into a form of psychosis as the film progresses.

One more point. Other reviewers have seen DeNiro's character as a vigilante who got fed up with the scum pushers and pimps. I will only buy that to a point. Remember, this is a guy who armed himself to the teeth, practiced dry-firing his guns at the television and was set on assasination. There was as much trouble inside him as there was on the streets he loathed so much.

Average customer rating:

Good movie with an unexpected ending
Great at first, then spiraled downward
If you loved the book, skip the film!
Ridiculous movie
Original And, Despite The Ending, I Found It Fascinating

Perfume - The Story Of A Murderer
Starring: Ben Whishaw , Francesc Albiol , Gonzalo Cunill , Roger Salvany , and Andrés Herrera
Director: Tom Tykwer
Manufacturer: Dreamworks Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000QUCNOK
Release Date: 2007-07-24

Amazon.com

Based on Patrick Suskind's novel about a serial killer who hunts victims with his superhuman sense of smell, Perfume: Story of a Murderer is a florid, grisly portrayal of this historical drama set in 18th century France. Jean-Baptiste Grunuis (Ben Whishaw) is born under his mother's table at the fish market, onto a pile of muddy fish guts, establishing from the beginning his repulsion for putrid scents. A childhood of neglect and, later, a job at a tannery, encourage Jean-Baptiste to develop his olfactory sense rather than his verbal skills, so that an opportunity to prove his worth to Parisian perfumist, Giuseppe Baldini (Dustin Hoffman), results in his immediate hire into a promising new career. His successes in perfume mixing are negated by a blinding obsession for capturing the sublime beauty of human soul, which in his twisted logic requires the killing of young women to reduce their body fats to essential oils for the ultimate, cannibalized eau de parfum. An omniscient narrator tells the story with much sympathy for Jean-Baptiste's perverted psychology, making it, often, too obvious that his need for love justifies his murderous desire to capture misguided sexual attractions in a vile. Continuous close-ups of Grunius's nose, countered by close-ups of the places and objects he smells, enhance the viewer's understanding of his sensitivity. Repeated comparisons are made between the killer and dogs who aid, then expose his sick experimentation. The settings are fascinating, especially Baldini's perfumery and some later scenes in enflorage factories outside Provence. Whishaw's and Hoffman's performances are both grand. But Perfume unnecessarily spells out Jean-Baptiste's psychosis, squelching any chance for metaphor. This is unfortunate, considering the story's paradoxical nature. As this crude hunter navigates his way through a world of utmost delicacy, one craves ambiguity rather than explanation. --Trinie Dalton

Stills from Perfume: The Story Of A Murderer (click for larger image)

Customer Reviews:

Good movie with an unexpected ending.......2007-09-14

the ending was really unexpected! i thought it was really clever and i liked it!
i was really surprised with the scenario of the movie, very realistic, i never saw something like that in other movies...
really cool movie

Great at first, then spiraled downward.......2007-09-11

At first I thought this movie was so original and imaginative. It is filmed beautifully. The clothing and scenery. The colors. The music. I enjoyed the narration. But you keep waiting for Ben Wishaw's character Jean-Baptiste to get interesting. He is emotionless. As another reviewer said you almost don't care what happens to any of the characters. (Although I thought Alan Rickman and Dustin Hoffman did a fine job with their smaller roles). Especially Jean-Baptiste. But he's so irritating with his lack of personality or emotion that I really disliked him. Stop reading here is you don't want to read a spoiler. The main plot twist is that Jean-Baptiste wants to get his hands on the beautiful Laura and so since he is the villian of the story you hope that he will, of course, not kill her like all the other girls. And even when he gets into her room you hope, somehow she will escape. You hope that finally one of the girls will be able to defend themselves... but no, that would have actually given the movie a little suspense. He killed any chance of that when he killed her. But I kept thinking that the movie might improve with an interesting twist of an ending. There is a fine line between interesting and just ridiculous. Some people loved this entire movie including the ending. I felt the ending became so bizarre and strange that it was unpleasant to watch. It was so unfufilling and stupid that I have to give this movie 1 star, despite it's promising beginning. Maybe, as another reviewer said, the book is great. I haven't read the book. But I hated this movie. Unless you enjoy period movies, enjoy great costumes or really, really bizarre movies I recommend renting this movie - like if you have Netflix and you won't be wasting $5 to watch it. If you want to see a good movie with interesting characters, suspense and mystery see the Illusionist instead.

If you loved the book, skip the film!.......2007-09-09

The book was fabulous. The film adaptation is horrid. Where to begin? Dustin Hoffman is a fine actor, but nothing of his ability and screen power come thru in this film. Ben Whishaw? Forget it. His performance is bland and boring, his performance lacking any emotion or inspiration. You simply don't care about him as a character. In fact, that is the primary fault of the entire film. Character development is so poor that you simply don't care what happens to anyone in the film.

Alan Rickman, as usual, delivers a strong screen presence, but his role is so small that he cannot possibly save the film. John Hurt with his characteristic voice also does a fine job of narrating the film.

Perfume is an excellent novel - a unique, well-developed story. Definitely read the book! But the film is a real stinker (pun intended).

Ridiculous movie.......2007-09-08

And again, everyone loves the emperor's clothes and how pretty all the colors are. Dustin Hoffman's career is circling down the drain much in the same manner that Robert De Niro's is, by showing up in films like this that are so utterly undeserving of his talent. If this is esteemed as a work of vision and depth, then the fix is truly in and the moviegoing public has been broken on the wheel of mediocrity- happily ingesting any substandard, contemptible feed Hollywood wishes to slop into the entertainment trough. Just because someone can recreate the streets of Paris or can CGI color a few fruits and hairdos to convey beauty and richness of experience doesn't mean that we should all clap and be awestruck. This movie is meaningless and unbelievable, a mockery of the period piece, the detective thriller, the psychosexual drama, the tortured genius expose, or any other genre it unintentionally parodies.

In politics, some say we get the government we deserve. By heaping praise on hollow window dressing like "Perfume", it looks like we will all continue to get the movies we deserve. Giving further life to this box office bomb via rentals or DVD sales is simply irresponsible. I bet the author of the book had to be restrained from going into the lot when this was filming, hoping he could find the screenwriter and sock him(and I say 'him' because I'm having trouble with the idea that an intelligent woman would countenance abetting the creation of such mindless exploitation of the fairer sex) in the jaw.

Original And, Despite The Ending, I Found It Fascinating.......2007-09-05

Wow, this is really a bizarre story with an ending that probably will turn off 98 percent of viewers who stick with this two hours, 147-minute film. I'm not sure what to make of it, other than totally understanding if people are left unsatisfied after watching this movie. As I said, I'm not sure how to interpret it as I just finished it minutes ago. It leaves you almost stunned.

Rather than judging that finale or divulging it, let me just comment on the first two hours of the film, which I found utterly fascinating. If I wasn't such an admirer of photography, art and special-effects, I doubt I would have found the movie so appealing because the story is "not for everyone." However, thanks to stunning French city and countryside scenery, 18th century period and beautiful women it enhanced the story to me. Yet, regardless of the visual treats, the story was so unusual it still would have held my attention.

Ben Wishaw, who plays the lead character "Jean-Baptist Grenouille, has a face that is perfect for this role. His emaciated body, which survived a brutal childhood existence from the moment he was born also makes his character all the more credible. The looks of shock and awe on this man's face throughout the picture also add to his believability. He was mesmerizing with his haunting expressions. Dustin Hoffman and Alan Rickman provide "name" actors the film but it's Wishaw's movie, all the way.

I can only recommend this movie to those who share similar interests in cinematography and who like a "different" story but there are so many things in here - especially the ending - that could offend so many people, I would be hesitant to recommend this to the general viewer.

The Number 23 (Unrated Infinifilm Edition)

Average customer rating:

Intriguing Story
A slow start to a boring film...(How bizarre! The letters to the title of my review add up to 23!!)
edge of your seat
Thankfully I only rented it...
SLOW!! STUPID!! and a total waste of $4.97 at Blockbuster

The Number 23 (Unrated Infinifilm Edition)
Starring: Jim Carrey , Virginia Madsen , Logan Lerman , Danny Huston , and Lynn Collins
Director: Joel Schumacher
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000OYC7BW
Release Date: 2007-07-24

Amazon.com

Jim Carrey as a schizophrenic murderer isn't convincing, in this melodramatic film about a man obsessed by the Number 23. Joel Schumacher (Batman Forever, St. Elmo's Fire) has unintentionally managed to make a comedy of horrors that really is quite humorous in parts. Walter Sparrow (Carrey) becomes engrossed in a homespun novel about Detective Fingerling, whose life degrades into mayhem because of his obsession with 23's esoteric numerical puzzles. Sparrow's preoccupation with the book follows his botched attempt to catch a nasty dog that bites him, leading one to believe that Sparrow's contraction of rabies might be the cause for his mental degradation. As the story progresses, Sparrow retreats further into Fingerling's world, rife with suicidal sexpots and hardboiled detective sleuthing. His wife, Agatha (Virginia Madsen), also plays Fingerling's girlfriend, sex-crazed Fabrizia, who taunts Fingerling until he stabs her. Back in reality, Walter aims to solve the unresolved crimes in the book, taking it as a murderer's diary rather than as an imagined work. The story is half-baked, though Carrey's portrayal of a mentally disturbed person is what makes The Number 23 comedic. Long, contemplative stares, and over-dramatized acting renders Sparrow a clichéd character, rather than one odd enough to engage viewers. For a better version of almost the exact plot but with a terrorist's twist, see Thr3e instead. --Trinie Dalton

Customer Reviews:

Intriguing Story.......2007-09-12

I found this to be a very intriguing and entertaining movie, and I think Jim Carrey did very well in the role, despite the fact that it was such a departure from what he normally does. Generally speaking, I think that this movie would appeal to many booklovers. I saw The Number 23 in the theater and have since gladly added it to my DVD collection.

A slow start to a boring film...(How bizarre! The letters to the title of my review add up to 23!!).......2007-09-08

Unfortunately once again the modern era of complicated movies with twisted endings delivers another disappointing film. I was really geared up for this one when I saw the trailer but this film nearly lost me at the 45 minute mark. I'm glad in a way I decided to stick it out to the end because the film does get a little more interesting from the half way mark to the end, but it's a shame we have to sit through the first 45 minutes to get there. Of course this film does appeal to a certain genre of people out there who do have a fascination with the number 23, Jim Carrey being one of them in real life from when he was a younger man. I think it's only those people who will really benefit from this film.

edge of your seat.......2007-09-06

Great movie--kind you can't miss a second of or you get lost with the plot. I thought Jim Carey did a fine job acting--I like him better to tell the truth when he is not doing comedy. A thinkers movie---but the kind that doesn't leave you hanging in the ending--it gives you an ending.

Thankfully I only rented it..........2007-09-04

Having missed this film in the theaters, I rented it hoping it would be another "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind". However, what I found was quite different....a great idea for a movie that is simply poorly executed.

I wouldn't say the film is necessarily predictable, but it certainly wasn't engaging. Granted, I'm not much of a Jim Carrey fan, but to his credit, he has pulled off some great acting roles in "The Truman Show" and the aforementioned "Spotless Mind". Through most of the film, Mr. Carrey's acting was simply hollow - there was no real passion. In other parts, I felt he was over acting, perhaps to drive the plot. At no point in the film did I buy into the story, despite having such a strong cast and director, and at no point did I feel one way or the other about any of the characters....The ending felt rushed, and was somewhat unfulfilling...basically it felt as though the movie consisted of empty calories...cheese whiz for the big screen.

I'm sorry, but I wouldn't recommend this film for even a rental.

SLOW!! STUPID!! and a total waste of $4.97 at Blockbuster.......2007-09-04

The movie started off slow and stayed on a turtle's trott throughout the movie. I was not surprised when things started happening that resembled his life, nor was I surprised when it turned out to be him that wrote the book. Come on Jim Carey, stay with what you know!

Average customer rating:

awesome movie
Love Death Rebirth Life Love Death Rebirth Life Love
Surprising but not for the reasons you might think
WTF????
THE FOUNTAIN

The Fountain (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Hugh Jackman , Rachel Weisz , Ellen Burstyn , Mark Margolis , and Stephen McHattie
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
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ASIN: B00005JPAR
Release Date: 2007-05-15

Amazon.com

Science fiction and romance collide in The Fountain, the ambitious third feature from director Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream), who labored for four years to complete this epic-sized love story that stretches across centuries and galaxies. Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz (Aronofsky's real-life companion) play lovers in each of the film's three settings--16th century Europe and America (Jackman is a Spanish explorer searching for Incan magic), the present day (Jackman is a doctor attempting to cure his dying wife), and the 26th century (Jackman is a space traveler seeking a gateway to the afterlife)--who struggle mightily to stay united, only to lose each other time and again. Aronofsky may not have chosen the easiest presentation for audiences to absorb his theories on the lasting qualities of life and the transformative powers of death--the final sequence, in particular, with a bald Jackman floating through space in a bubble, harks back uncomfortably to "head movies" of the late '60s--but his leads have considerable chemistry (and look terrific to boot), which goes a long way towards securing viewers' hopes for a happy ending. Critical reception for The Fountain has been nothing short of bloodthirsty, with Cannes audiences booing, but there are elements to enjoy here, even if the premise throws one for a loop. Ellen Burstyn (who earned an Oscar nomination for Requiem) delivers a typically solid performance as Jackman's boss in the present day sequence, and special effects (most done without the benefit of CGI) are also impressive given the film's low budget (spurred by a mid-production shutdown after original stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett ankled the picture). And science-fiction fans whose tastes run towards the metaphysical (Asimov, Le Guin) will appreciate the attempt to present the genre in a serious light. -- Paul Gaita

Description

Yesterday, today, tomorrow. Past, present, future. Through time and space, one man embarks on a bold 1000-year odyssey to defeat humankind's most indomitable foe: Death. Hugh Jackman plays that man, devoted to one woman (Rachel Weisz) and determined to protect her from forces that threaten her existence. His quest leads him to a Tree of Life...and to an adventure into eternity. Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream) directs, continuing his string of imaginative, involving filmmaking with a tale alive with ideas and filled with astonishing vistas. "Not many films can blow your mind and break your heart at the same time, but this one will" (Drew McWeeny, Ain't It Cool News).

Customer Reviews:

awesome movie.......2007-09-09

I love this movie. My only complaint is that the DVD seemed a little dark on my TV. I have never had that kind of problem before, so I assume that there was some sort of adjustment issue. I also recommend buying the movie soundtrack.

Love Death Rebirth Life Love Death Rebirth Life Love.......2007-09-08

Quite a telling image with Hugh Jackman resembling a cross between Timothy Leary and Buddha in the scenes of him as a 26th century explorer. The Fountain is Sci Fi meets epic romance and I'm really glad Hugh Jackman was in this role rather than the original actor cast for the part - Brad Pitt. Jackman is Tomas, Tommy, and Tom in 1500, 2000, and 2500 in a relentless search for a cure to save his love Isabella, Isabelle, Issy. The trio of characters all play into one another but are still distinct. Jackman is an international film star in his own right but his more private relationship with the papparazzi allows his thespian gifts to shine in a more opaque light. Jackman melts into the different personalities that are weaved together in The Fountain. We see his role not his celebrity life clouding a stellar performance. Being a trained actor skilled in singing and dancing makes Jackman a belivable cast of Tomas, Tommy, and Tom in a psychedelic twist of karma and fate across the centuries. He melts into the role with his muse Isabelle/Issy/Isabella whom he spends centuries trying to save. The timing of this film released at the height of Brangelina is poignat because had Brad Pitt stayed in the lead it may have been unbelievable to audiences of the character's mad devotion to stay with his wife. This is what makes the film work.

Jackman emotes well and plays a Spanish conquistador, American medical doctor, and space age explorer all in one without seeming like the same character each time. Cris crossing between three different lifetimes over a millenium to save the woman he loves The Fountain plays on karma, reincarnation, and endless love and its quest to conquer death. The ending is odd because you don't know whether he succeeds or not and it heartbreaking since it isn't clear if the lovers unite. A well done film that blends distinct story lines into a captivating tale that concludes in a unique way. I'm impressed albeit confused. All that said, mark my words, one day movie trailers will promote Academy Award Winner Hugh Jackman in films he stars in. It's evident in The Fountain that, pretty soon, fellow Australian Russell Crowe won't just be sharing the land down under with Jackman, but also an Oscar trophy.

Surprising but not for the reasons you might think.......2007-09-06

I don't think that whether I liked the film or not is particularly important. I definitely don't think it's for everyone, that's for sure. I did enjoy it to a degree but I have to admit that I liked Pi and Requiem For a Dream much better. I know that this little bit that I've written will probably get me incinerated by the Aronofsky purists but hey, I just don't consider it to be a masterpiece. Sorry if this offends anyone.

That being said, I was surprised that this HD-DVD didn't blow me away. The big visual moments in this film don't look so great in all honesty. Not in HD anyway. I was let down by the video transfer of this disc and that's not to say it looks bad but it just didn't wow me like it should've. I thought the Spain sequences looked terrific and other moments as well but I was surprised to find that the movie didn't look absolutely stunning completely throughout. If a movie like Hot Fuzz can have a gorgeous transfer, then there's no excuse here.

The extras are kind of lackluster and a bit tedious in all honesty. I think those looking for something revealing regarding the making of this film will be disappointed.

I'm recommending this one for a rental. This is not a film for everyone and not exactly the kind of HD-DVD that makes you want to invite your friends over and show off your system. And if you love this film through and through, I'd still suggest a rental because the presentation is simply disappointing.

WTF????.......2007-09-05

I had high hopes for this movie, but it just plain sucked the big dog! I tried to follow the plot.....TRIED - NO success with that. I fast forwarded through most of the crap...stopping at parts I THOUGHT would be okay. Nope!

Don't waste your time, don't waste your money, don't waste your brain power.

You would be better off flushing bills down the john while stoned rather than watching this movie.

Hugh and Racheal...shame on you. I bet secretly they didn't even get it. They are still saying to themselves, WTF was that all about?

It was about the paycheck and nothing more, Hugh and Rach!

THE FOUNTAIN.......2007-09-03

Beautiful film, but very bizarre. Jackman and Weitz are fantastic as usual, but the story is very strange. It oscilates between three different story lines that converge. It's a tribute to the director and the talent that this works at all. I had read that Brad Pitt had been slated to star it this film, but that he had to bow out because of the long pre production, though im sure Pitt would have done and interesting turn in this role, I really can't imagine anybody but Jackman making this metaphysical script work: thanks Brad for following Angella all over Africa and letting the role fall by default to the singular Jackman. I recommend this movie, but watch it with an open mind, you may learn something..imagine that.

Average customer rating:

Memento is well thought out.
A Very Original and Highly Entertaining Piece of Cinema
Memento
Memento: My favorite film
It was confusing...

Memento
Starring: Jr. Mark Boone , Russ Fega , Jorja Fox , Joe Pantoliano , and Stephen Tobolowsky
Director: Christopher Nolan
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
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ASIN: B00003CXZ4
Release Date: 2001-09-04

Amazon.com essential video

Guy Pearce (L.A. Confidential) and Joe Pantoliano (The Matrix) shine in this absolute stunner of a movie. Memento combines a bold, mind-bending script with compelling action and virtuoso performances. Pearce plays Leonard Shelby, hunting down the man who raped and murdered his wife. The problem is that "the incident" that robbed Leonard of his wife also stole his ability to make new memories. Unable to retain a location, a face, or a new clue on his own, Leonard continues his search with the help of notes, Polaroids, and even homemade tattoos for vital information.

Because of his condition, Leonard essentially lives his life in short, present-tense segments, with no clear idea of what's just happened to him. That's where Memento gets really interesting; the story begins at the end, and the movie jumps backward in 10-minute segments. The suspense of the movie lies not in discovering what happens, but in finding out why it happened. Amazingly, the movie achieves edge-of-your-seat excitement even as it moves backward in time, and it keeps the mind hopping as cause and effect are pieced together.

Pearce captures Leonard perfectly, conveying both the tragic romance of his quest and his wry humor in dealing with his condition. He is bolstered by several excellent supporting players, and the movie is all but stolen from him by Pantoliano, who delivers an amazing performance as Teddy, the guy who may or may not be on his side. Memento has an intriguing structure and even meditations on the nature of perception and meaning of life if you go looking for them, but it also functions just as well as a completely absorbing thriller. It's rare to find a movie this exciting with so much intelligence behind it. --Ali Davis

Customer Reviews:

Memento is well thought out........2007-09-14

Rarely have I watched a film that demanded that I pay such rapt attention to detail. Its series of segments, progressively reveal more of what happened but in backwards order. I had to expend a lot of mental energy comparing the events in each segment and piecing together what I thought actually happened. This method of filming alone is challenging but especially so given the main character's mental limitations. It is worth energy to figure out though!

For those who don't know, "Memento" is a story of a man who loses his wife in a rape attack inside their home, pledging that he will track down a murderer for revenge and peace of mind. The main problem is that Lenny (Guy Peirce), after the attack, was left with a problem in that he cannot retain any long term memories. Well that's one brief summary of how to look at it, but there are others. Indeed this film is excellent and played with my emotions, emotions of sympathy, anger and questioning my own morals and judgments. Peirce is exceptional as the lead, and the characters that come into contact with him also give fine performances (notably Carrie-Anne Moss and Joe Pantoliano). Focusing on the problem of losing a memory after approximately 15 minutes, we begin to appreciate just how frustrating Lennys plight is.

The film is beautifully shot and the editing and photography is even better. The best part: the film starts at the end and works it way to a middle point. That's because when the film comes to its end you really don't know if it's the beginning since you don't know what Leonard (Guy Pierce) did before arriving at an isolated place. This film can really be seen as reminiscent of the film style of Film Noir. It uses black and white scenes to give that off as well as the characters in the film constantly sucking Leonard further down into this world where he has no idea who and what to believe, including himself and the things he's done. Not only that but all the characters, yes even Leonard who is our protagonist, has a dark side of human nature to them. And that's what Film Noir is, exposing the dark side of human nature. The film has such a great Psychological deepness and by all means breaks the conventional art that goes into filmmaking. It really was a shame this film wasn't nominated for best picture. It greatly deserved that award and Nolan greatly deserved best director for it. Bottom line: Flat-out brilliant film-making and story-telling. One of the best films I've ever seen. I don't throw high ratings around but this one deserves 5 stars.

A Very Original and Highly Entertaining Piece of Cinema.......2007-09-07

Christopher Nolan has amazed me with every movie he releases. From Following to The Prestige but Memento stands out as my favorite. Why? It's not only one of the most original movies in a long time. It's one of the best movies of the 2000's.

Memento is the story of a man trying to find out who killed his wife, although he has more obstacles to face than your average revenge character does. He has a problem with his memory. He can't make new memories and can't retain anything for too long of a time.

This movie is extremely engaging. You don't want to miss a single moment of this film. It's quite good too. The story, although it seems to be told backwards, is actually told in a different non-linear way. It jumps from place to place, although it's still easy to follow. This isn't your normal blockbuster entertainment flick. It's deep.

The Limited Edition DVD release is one of the best releases of all time. It is loaded to the brim with special features. Includind an excellent audio commentary from Christopher Nolan, plenty of features, a trailer, making of featurettes, and some amazing hidden features including a chance to watch the movie chronologically. I haven't yet tried this but it's definitely worth it to better understand the entire movie.

This is a definite Must Have. A thoroughly engaging movie and a DVD that gives it due respect.

Memento.......2007-09-05

My daughter brought this over for us to watch one afternoon. The movie didn't quite click. However we discussed the possible plots of the movie for over an hour. We looked on the main page and found the extra "hints" at the bottom right. Suddenly the whole movie made sense. There were still some items to discuss, but we thoroughly enjoyed the movie and the discussion.

However, it's not the type of movie a person can pick up on a whim and not expect to spend some time really thinking about it. I had been warned.

I'm going to have to watch it another few times!

Memento: My favorite film.......2007-09-05

In this movie, which runs backwards, Guy Pearce stars as Leonard (a man suffering with short term memory loss). Leonard is in search of his wife's killer, but because of his memory loss, Leonard has to rely completely on his notes (which he tatoos on his body).

This movie has everything: interesting characters, great thought provoking plot, and emotional background music ambiance. The best part is that the ending isn't clear cut. Everytime I watch this movie I noticed something new and draw a new conclusion as to what is really going on. This movie leaves me with many questions, but they can all be answered by watching the movie again. However, once one question is answered, others spring up, and that is the true beauty of this film.

I also reccomend Nolan's other film Insomnia. Guy Pearce has also done a few interesting films (Ravenous and The Count of Monte Cristo). both are fantastic

It was confusing..........2007-08-22

The first time I watched this movie, I have to admit that I was MAD! When the movie ended, I felt like I didn't know anymore about the movie than I had when I first put it in the machine. So, I kept watching

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