The Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Set 5

Product Description

Detective Inspector Lynley (Nathaniel Parker) and Detective Sergeant Havers (Sharon Small), Elizabeth George s crime-cracking duo from opposite sides of the track, are back in four intriguing new mysteries. The fifth series begins with Lynley suspended from duty for alleged police brutality, and Havers with a new boss. Can they still function as a team, now that they re apart?

Average customer rating:

Intriguing mysteries!!
Inspector Lynley BBC Series
Excellence Series
INSPECTOR LYNLEY
Lynley and Havers - 4

Inspector Lynley Mysteries - Set 4
Starring: Maggy Sherif , Khalid Laith , Sharon Small , Nathaniel Parker , and Paul Hickey
Director: Julian Simpson , Jeremy Silberston , and Nigel Douglas
Manufacturer: WGBH BOSTON
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000HEWH0U
Release Date: 2006-10-17

Customer Reviews:

Intriguing mysteries!!.......2007-08-28

We are big fans of the Inspector Lynley mysteries, and this set did not let us down! The only problem is having to wait for the next series to come out!! They are intelligently written mysteries with intriguing characters - so much more entertaining than the brainless stuff on television these days.

Inspector Lynley BBC Series.......2007-06-27

Excellent as usual. We enjoyed series 4 more than series 3. Great scenery and camera work.

Excellence Series.......2007-06-09

This was the best series so far. I enjoy Inspector Lynley and his relationship with Barbara Havers.

Sharon Small is perfect for her part. She has to put up with a lot of nonsense from her peers.

I'm waiting anxiously for the next series to see what happens with Inspector Lynley dealing with his own problems and Havers having to work with another partner.

INSPECTOR LYNLEY.......2007-04-20

GREAT WATCHING ON A RAINY SUNDAY AFTERNOON. GOOD STORIES, PLOTS ARE NOT PREDICTABLE

Lynley and Havers - 4.......2007-03-20

These are very good stories...whether the episodes were based on an Elizabeth George novel or not. I am enjoying the later episodes very much. I like the actors and the scripts are well done.

Average customer rating:

Alternate view of the universe
White trash humor at it's best - not for the easily offended
Bring TP
Laughs
redneck in the city

Larry the Cable Guy - Health Inspector
Starring: Larry The Cable Guy , David Koechner , Michael Papajohn , Phyllis Alexion , and Tony Hale
Director: Trent Cooper
Manufacturer: Paramount
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ASIN: B000FSME3S
Release Date: 2006-08-08

Product Description

Larry The Cable Guy plays a big city health inspector who's happy with his usual beat of greasy spoon diners. His easygoing life is turned upside down when he's saddled with a straight arrow rookie partner. When his unorthodox methods cost him his job, Larry has to go undercover to bring the conspirators to justice and "Git-R-Done!"

System Requirements:

Running Time 90 Mins.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

The redneck rube from the Blue Collar Comedy Tour franchise plays a character much like himself in this feature, which balances Larry the Cable Guy's occasional excesses in toilet humor with strong comic performances from the supporting cast. Larry plays a dedicated health inspector who gets in over his head when the city mayor (Joe Pantoliano) personally appoints him to investigate a rash of food poisonings at five-star restaurants. Larry's ignorance of anything cultural that doesn't involve his truck or MoonPies proves a handicap, but his knowledge of vermin and disarmingly unabashed way of interviewing witnesses and suspects slowly gets him where he needs to go. For the most part, the movie gives the comedian plenty of room to indulge his gross-out shtick. But it helps to have some other talent on board, notably Tom Wilson as Larry's exasperated boss, Iris Bahr as a dreary new partner Larry thinks is a man, David Koechner as a halfwit friend, Joanna Cassidy as a restaurant owner, and Megyn Price as Larry's shy but headstrong girlfriend. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Alternate view of the universe.......2007-09-05

The title says it all. Larry just sees things from a bit different viewpoint, which is what makes him funny. That, and his willingness to excite our "don't do that" imperative that our mothers tried to teach us. Dad could fart and scratch his butt, but mom said that was nasty and that we weren't to do that. I think that may be the underlying cause for a bunch of the reviews this movie is receiving. Larry's doing his best to tell you that we all pee and fart and that maybe it's time to get over wishing things were different.

All that aside, I used to be a County Health Inspector. If you think this movie is made up, it's not. This stuff, and more, really happens. Larry's just acting it out. No matter how fancy the restaurant, there are things going on in the kitchen you just don't want to know about. I laughed until I hurt watching this movie. You may not.

White trash humor at it's best - not for the easily offended.......2007-08-05

This movie is rude, crude, and lewd. It offends just about everyone. That's what makes it so funny.

In this politically correct society of ours, we need to let our hair down and have fun occasionally. It's ok to laugh at sophomoric jokes every once in a while. Humor is a great stress reliever. It is good for us emotionally and physically. So, lighten up and have some fun.

If you are too embarrassed or ashamed to admit that this is really funny stuff, watch it alone with the curtains shut. That way the neighbors won't know that you can't help but laugh at this movie and possibly ruin your reputation. :)

Bring TP.......2007-07-28

Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector is a very funny movie if you like the comedy of Larry the Cable Guy himself. The role model of rednecks will have you chuckling from the opening scene throughout most of the movie. Very dignified viewers are sure to be turned off by the generic plot (replace a rebel cop with a rebel health inspector) and the abundance of flatulence and toilet humor. In the end, its funniness outweighs its weaknesses. Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector doesn't disappoint.

Laughs.......2007-07-02

I rented the movie and now I want to buy it because I laughed through the whole thing. It is full of bathroom and redneck humor so if you are PC and a little uptight you might not like it. I found it even more amusing because I know people that are a little bit like the character Larry. I don't care for a lot of comedians these days because their humor is awkward or lame but Larry is easy going and his humor just rolls off and makes me laugh. It's been a long time since a movie has made me laugh this much so I'm looking forward to more movies by Larry. I might even start going to movies at the theater again. If you like to laugh, aren't to uptight in your humor and aren't looking for an in-depth plot....kick back and enjoy Larry.

redneck in the city.......2007-05-20

Very country, if you don't like country you won't care for this one. Hope he makes another with less city and more woods, a good start however.

Average customer rating:

Classic Danny Kaye humor
Weak but pleasant thanks to Kaye
Now I know why I had never heard of this film.....
Funny but typical
One of the Funniest and cleverets films around

The Inspector General
Starring: Danny Kaye , Walter Slezak , Barbara Bates , Elsa Lanchester , and Gene Lockhart
Director: Henry Koster
Manufacturer: Alpha Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0000AGWJ3
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Customer Reviews:

Classic Danny Kaye humor.......2007-09-03

Although not as good as "The Court Jester," "The Inspector General" is classic Danny Kaye. I am going to go with the presumption that pretty much everyone has seen this movie already - it's been released for over 60 years! - so I won't be spoiling it for anyone if I outline the plot; but then again, there is no need to outline the plot because people have seen it. If you have NOT seen it, the basic premise is the typical case of mistaken identity leading the corrupt members of a small-town's government to believe Danny Kaye's character is the Inspector General come to town to conduct a secret inspection. Much hilarity ensues, especially when Kaye's former partner, an amoral gypsy, shows up and decides to take the townsfolk for all they are worth, convincing Kaye to take advantage of this opportunity. And then the real Inspector General arrives . .

Danny Kaye was one of the best comedian/actors the world has ever known, in my opinion. He could play handsome, gentle and still mug for the camera - making silly faces. Plus he could sing! People today compare Jim Carey to Danny Kaye, but Jim Carey couldn't begin to hold a candle to Danny Kaye - not even close. Danny Kaye should live forever in our hearts as one of the best in the business. Don't miss out on this classic piece of his work.

Weak but pleasant thanks to Kaye.......2007-02-25

A weak but pleasant farce based on a play, there's really only one reason to watch this movie, and that is Danny Kaye. The man had a unique talent for making tongue twisting lyrics not only possible but intelligible. This movie is no exception, with a few witty songs, fewer still witty moments, and more than soupcon of gurning along the way.
In terms of content, the style is light and frothy, with the satirical nature of Gogol's play on which the movie is based is sweetened away almost in its entirety. Message filled farce has given way to Danny Kaye vehicle, often way over the top. That said, it does raise a smile with infectious humour. There are a few good lines.. "Oh, I love my family, but I'd give my six kids to get rid of my wife.", and the twisting of the original lyrics to a well known song.. "Drink to me only wi-ith thine eye-eyes / And I will drink with my nose!".
The Gypsy song is probably the highlight, as Kaye gets the crowd participation (zzzum - shtok shtok - hahaha ... watch the movie and you'll know what I am talking about..).
If you're a Danny Kaye fan then you'll likely enjoy, but if you don't care for his style this movie will certainly not win you over.
This DVD version is particularly poor, with a very poor transfer of the original Technicolor. I assume this is the common public domain Eastmancolor 16mm transfer, rather than the superior 35mm Technicolour print which seems rare to find. The sound is also weak and scratchy. Danny Kaye needs larger than life colour and sound to match his larger than life comedy, and I suggest that if you have not seen it before or even want to relive the highlights, wait a bit longer to see if they will finally release a restored remastered version which would do the material better justice.

Now I know why I had never heard of this film............2007-01-16

Though I had never seen nor heard The Inspector General, I thought I would purchase this DVD because I am a Danny Kaye fan. Unfortunately, after the first 15 minutes, I was ready to turn it off. The story was very slow, with Danny Kaye coming off as obnoxious, not witty. The songs were weak. There were a few moments of an occasional snort of laughter, but they were far and few between. This film must have been found in the farthest back shelf of the dusty film archives of forgetable films.

Funny but typical.......2007-01-12

This seems to follow a typical pattern of Danny Kaye movies: a zero turns into a hero. However, you'll also find laughable moments like Kaye's other works. It's funny, but it's not one of his best movies. If you could see this for free, I'd recommend watching it. Otherwise, you might want to watch one of Kaye's other, higher quality movies.

One of the Funniest and cleverets films around.......2005-02-06

I have always loved Danny Kaye and at 55 am still a big kid at heart. I love the theatre too and reckon this to be one of the best and cleverest adaptations of a classic play I have ever seen. Gogol's origuinal play has always been considered a major comic classic and while this adaptation does not follow the play exactly it catches so well the exact targets of pomposity and corruption that Gogol lined up. Along with the Court Jester it is clearly Danny Kayes greatest work and I am so glad it has been rediscovered by yet another generation. I reduced it by one star because it needs to be remastered and rereleased properly.
J

Average customer rating:

Mystery Inspector Lewis
EXCELLENT SHOW
"People do just die, every day, for no good reason."
It isn't Morse but I like what I saw
This is the rare sequel that is as good as the original

Mystery!: Inspector Lewis
Starring: Kevin Whately , Jemma Redgrave , Clare Holman , Jack Ellis (III) , and Laurence Fox
Director: Bill Anderson (III)
Manufacturer: WGBH Boston
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000FNNHZC
Release Date: 2006-09-12

Amazon.com

Inspector Lewis is a very satisfying follow-up to the legacy of Inspector Morse, the late investigator (played by John Thaw, who died in 2002) beloved by many a fan of British television mysteries. Lewis (Kevin Whatley) was Morse's right-hand sergeant. Following the elder sleuth's death, Lewis was promoted but then faced the sudden and unexpected loss of his wife. Inspector Lewis catches up with him upon his jet-lagged return from a two-year assignment in the British Virgin Islands. Destined to be put out to pasture as an instructor at detective school, Lewis instead gets caught up in a murder case that overlaps with an old, strangely yet apparently unresolved investigation by Morse. Joined by a new character, Detective Sergeant James Hathaway (Laurence Fox), Lewis looks into the murder of a brilliant American student at Oxford and her connection to the survivors of a racing legend killed, years before, under questionable circumstances. A coffee-stained, cryptic note in Morse's hand could provide a valuable clue, but fans of Morse holding any doubts about a possible new series built around Lewis will see this determined and hugely likable fellow come into his own. Lewis's emerging partnership with Hathaway is one of the real delights of this drama. The younger man, a former seminarian, and Lewis, who lost religious faith following his family tragedy, manage to find some ground for mutual respect and appreciation. --Tom Keogh

Description

MYSTERY! presents a gripping detective drama featuring echoes of the past, as Kevin Whately returns as Robbie Lewis, former sidekick to the legendary Inspector Morse. Inspector Lewis is an intelligent contemporary crime story set once again against the beautiful backdrop of Oxford, England. Following a family tragedy, Inspector Robert Lewis has been on a two-year assignment in the British Virgin Islands. Now he's back in the familiar territory of the English university city - five years after the death of his long-time police partner Morse. Teamed up with the much younger Detective Sergeant James Hathaway (Laurence Fox; Gosford Park, Island At War), Lewis doesn't even make it home from the airport before he is pulled onto a murder scene. As Lewis and Hathaway join forces to investigate the death of American college student Regan Peverill (Sophie Winkleman), they are led to another student, Danny Griffon (Charlie Cox; Casanova), a man with a family secret whose previous brush with the law was investigated by a certain Inspector Morse.

Customer Reviews:

Mystery Inspector Lewis.......2007-09-10

I liked the movie very much. I hope there will be more Inspector Lewis movies. I also liked Inspector Morse very much.I am a great fan of Lewis.

EXCELLENT SHOW.......2007-07-30

I didn't see this show when it came out, but I certainly hope they made a lot more than one episode. Anybody who was a fan of Morse surely must be interested in the career and life of Morse's long-suffering assistant. This is the promotion Lewis and Kevin Whately deserve -- the leading detective, the star of the show. This mystery is absolutely up to the standard set by Morse, a series I was sorry to see end. Lewis' assistant here is the more intellectual and educated of the two men, whereas Morse was the more sophisticated man in the prior series. Lewis, however, is a clever man; and where cleverness leaves off, hard work and determination take over. Actually, Lewis is more sympathetic than Morse and more approachable. Yes, this one is a keeper, a film to enjoy for years to come. Let's hear it for Detective Lewis!!!

"People do just die, every day, for no good reason.".......2007-06-29

Inspector Robbie Lewis arrives at the Oxford Police Department to a whole new regime when he returns to Oxford after three years in the Caribbean. He has been trying to come to grips with the death of his mentor, Inspector Endeavor Morse (whose series, including specials, ran from 1987 - 2000), and of his wife Valerie, in a London hit-and-run accident. The Chief Superintendent is now Jean Innocent, an abrupt woman who immediately assigns Lewis to a senior training post, though he wants to get back into action. Reluctantly, she allows him to manage a new murder case, but only for three days.

A young math student has been shot in the head at close range while at an Oxford sleep lab to which only a few people have access. The suspect is Danny Griffon, a disturbed but brilliant fellow-student, and the heir to a sports car company which the Japanese are in the process of buying. Lewis (Kevin Whately) and his partner, James Hathaway (Laurence Fox), a former seminarian, investigate this death and several others which occur within the next few days.

Those who loved the Inspector Morse series and who mourned not only the death of Morse, in the final episode, but also of actor John Thaw, in 2002, will be delighted by this spin-off, which gives Morse's sidekick his own series. Actor Kevin Whately continues his self-effacing role, but he also conveys a sense of competence, and his relationship with Hathaway reminds one of Morse's relationship with Lewis. Whately has obviously aged in the seven years since the end of the Morse series, and this serves him in good stead here, providing a sense of gravitas.

The wonderfully intricate plot to this pilot, as good as the best of the Morse series, keeps the viewer totally involved, and the occasional references to Morse, including a poignant visual reminder via a crossword puzzle which retains the outline of his coffee cup, add to the sense of continuity. The photography is outstanding, though not as dramatic here as it was in the Morse series, and Barrington Pheloung, who did the brilliant music for the Morse series, returns for this series. In England, this pilot was followed by three more episodes in February and March, 2007, and one can only hope these will be made available soon to those of us who long for more of the clever mysteries and wonderful characters we enjoyed with the Morse series. n Mary Whipple

It isn't Morse but I like what I saw.......2007-04-08

I didn't even know there had been an "Inspector Lewis" story out until I saw it mentioned in a mail order catalog I get. Amazon had a much better price so I bought my copy here just based on the old Morse stories I'd seen.

Kevin Whately, as Inspector Lewis, might be a smarter man than the old character but he does a good job and I certainly love seeing Oxford again. One or more other reviews write about a different pacing to the show- I didn't really notice that. I did like the way several false leads were given to the viewer, you really have to pay attention to the story.

I saw several links to the old Morse stories starting when the jetlagged Inspector Lewis is almost run down by a Jaguar of the same model and similar color to the car Inspector Morse used to drive, some I didn't pick up on until a day or so later after a llittle thought.

The show is very well done and I'll watch more episodes if PBS ever gets more of them (I think season 1 of the Inspector Lewis series is now out at AmazonUK- if it isn't it will be soon, you'll need something that can play region 2 PAL format to watch those)and I'll buy them somewhere even if there isn't a U.S. market copy available.

This is the rare sequel that is as good as the original.......2007-02-07

This show is extremely well-written and should not be missed by any fan of Morse. I put off watching this for a month because I thought it would be depressing - Morse dead, Inspector Lewis widowed, and now he's been promoted. Would he be turned into a brooding sort of person, or perhaps another Morse? Would the sidekick take on the personality of Lewis? Would they bumble along without leadership? Would it be a sad farce of the Morse series?

Well, not to worry - it is WONDERFUL. They were true to the original characters, with a couple of new ones added that bring forth all sorts of future possibilities. The sidekick is absolutely perfect - intriguing, intelligent, subtle, and with a very understated but devastating wit. As for Lewis, even though he's mourning his departed wife, he never strays from the fundamentally optimistic character that we know and love. He's older, more mature, still wounded, but not bitter.

The subtle references to Morse are delightful: the anonymuosly funded "Endeavor" scholarship, the comment about no one knowing the first name of Morse (ah, but Robbie Lewis actually does, and so do you, if you've watched the one Morse episode where Lewis overheard Morse reveal it), the old crossword filled in by Morse with cryptic comments, the references to Hamlet, the ring of stain from a Morse beer glass, and the sidekick banging on the window of Lewis' house to awaken him. The mystery part is well up to the Morse standard; the characters are very three-dimensional; and the scenery is as gorgeous as ever.

I hope they make more like this one, and I hope they keep the same great combination of writers, actors, and all the rest. You can really tell that this is a winning team, right out of the gate.

The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Vol. 1-4

Average customer rating:

Watchable
WOW
The Inspectorr Lynley Mysteries, Vol. 1 - 4
Inspector Lynley Mysteries
The Best Crime Fighting Duo on the screen

The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Vol. 1-4
Starring: Nathaniel Parker , and Sharon Small
Manufacturer: WGBH BOSTON
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000HEWH0A
Release Date: 2006-11-07

Customer Reviews:

Watchable.......2007-09-08

As a fan of the Elizabeth George novels, I was impressed by the initial quality of the series. As the series moved beyond the novels, the plots became irritatingly predictable. George had the sense to expand the narrowness of a two character lead by adding four other central characters. We are left with Helen, interpreted as so neurotic that one wonders why anyone would spend more than ten minutes with her.

WOW.......2007-07-27

What a great way to spend hot summer evenings, in front of the tv watching good mysteries with great acting and plot lines. Fantastic to watch the character development between Lynley and Havers. The English scenery shots are fantastic, almost feel like I am there.

The Inspectorr Lynley Mysteries, Vol. 1 - 4.......2007-07-11

Considering that the stories on which this series was based were written by an American lady, the programmes are excellent. Both stars are well drawn; particularly Sharon Small, and the scenery alone makes the series worth watching.

Agatha Christie it may be not, but an entertaining, beautifully filmed series it is.

Inspector Lynley Mysteries.......2007-07-03

My husband and I love British mysteries. I read many of the books years ago and was delighted to find them on PBS. We have now started to purchase sets. We really enjoyed this series but found Inspector Lynley to be overly harsh to Havers, his DS. I don't remember him being quite so rude in the books. We were not happy with the abrupt ending of the series - many plot lines left unfinished and we're disappointed to not have answers to our questions. The quality of the series was great - well photographed, great dialogue, good plots. I'd buy it again.

The Best Crime Fighting Duo on the screen.......2007-06-13

I've been a long time fan of the good inspector and the Inspector Lynley Mysteries are a cut above the rest, because it really concentrates on the complex relationship between Lynley and Havers. It's not just who dunnit, but more about how Lynley and Havers go about solving it that makes it compelling viewing.

This dvd set, with 17 dvds ( including a Great Deliverance) is like a big box of chocolates - watching it is an absolute treat. If you watch in order, you can see how their relationship evolves from their first reluctant pairing to the genuine friendship that develops.

The acting is sublime - Nathaniel Parker really shows Lynley to be a complex character ( as is the protagonist in Elizabeth George's books) and he captures Lynley's emotions well. Lynley is unlike other British detectives who seem fairly one dimensional and rather wooden. Sharon Small is also outstanding as Havers - from the ugly duckling early days to the assured, s strong character she becomes. Both characters seem very real, again, unlike other detective series and to get these two fine British actors sparring off each other for over 25 hours is television heaven.

All in all, a great DVD collection to own. Bring on Series 5 and 6 please!

Average customer rating:

Bad Gadget. Bad Gadget.
very good
lots of comedy, a bit of crime
Go-Go Gadget Whatever
Great Cast Wasted In A So-So Movie!

Inspector Gadget (1999)
Starring: Matthew Broderick , Rupert Everett , Joely Fisher , Michelle Trachtenberg , and Andy Dick
Director: David Kellogg
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
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ASIN: B000085EF7
Release Date: 2003-06-03

Amazon.com

Strictly for kids, this 1999 live-action feature version of the popular cartoon series seems long even at 80 minutes. As a video, it's easier to take and appreciate for what works best in the story: the special effects. Matthew Broderick plays the security guard who is physically transformed into a multi-use cyborg with a zillion attachments, from stilts to helicopter blades to skis. A crimefighter in raincoat and fedora, and equipped with a nifty Gadgetmobile, the hero investigates the death of a man linked to the villainous Sanford Scolex (Rupert Everett). Scolex, who blames Gadget for having to wear a prosthetic hand, develops an evil robot twin of the good inspector, causing much mischief and giving Broderick an opportunity to poke fun at his own performance of the virtuous Inspector. The action is shaky, the script plods along, and the effects soon take over; Everett has to go to the extremes of hamminess just to be seen above it. But children of a certain age will almost certainly engage with the more clever stuff and forgive the rest. --Tom Keogh

Description

Wowser! Disney's INSPECTOR GADGET turbocharges to life in a wild and quirky adventure comedy with a thousand moving parts! During a daring rescue attempt, John Brown (Matthew Broderick), a naive and clueless security guard, experiences the wrath of the evil Dr. Claw (Rupert Everett) and is left clinging to life. Jumping at the chance to put her robotics expertise to the test, the brilliant Dr. Brenda Bradford (Joely Fisher) transforms him into Inspector Gadget -- the ultimate crime-fighting tool! And Gadget is going to need every techno-trick up his cyber-sleeve to defeat the ruthless Claw -- before Claw reduces our hero to spare parts and wreaks havoc on the world! Nonstop action, seamless special effects, and a gazillion gizmos make INSPECTOR GADGET a hilarious techno-thrill ride the whole family will watch over and over.

Customer Reviews:

Bad Gadget. Bad Gadget........2007-09-10

Remember growing up and watching this oddly funny, inspirational show that dabbled in both the absurd, the diabolical, and the genius all at the same time. Don Adams of "Get Smart" fame wisely allowed his voice to be our uncanny hero, you know, the guy that couldn't save the day if his life depended on it, but thankfully had Penny and Brain there with him at all times to assist when needed. This was a part of my growing up, thinking that the Chief would, at any time, give me a self-destructing sheet of paper with my mission was always something I was dreaming for. Who else wanted to hold Penny's computer book for just one moment in our lives? Was I the only one hoping to one day catch a glimpse of Dr. Claw's face? If you are chanting "YES. YES. YES" along with me, then you are already aware of my feelings with Disney's debacle of a feature film presentation. Now, this isn't to say that there weren't elements that I found entertaining (gosh, am I saying this...), but overall this seemed to forget the foundation that it was built upon - even the perverse cameo at the end sent shivers up my spine. Where did the creators go wrong? Let's begin by saying that this was a concept, a cartoon, that Disney had no right placing their expensive hands into.

I was hooked at the beginning surprisingly. Why? I wanted to see the birth of Gadget and the reason why Claw and him were always pitted against each other. I wanted to see the creation of good and evil, but after twenty minutes, I saw Disney do what they do best. Matthew Broderick nervously steps into a role that he obviously wasn't ready for. He plays Gadget himself, a bumbling security cop who dreams of being a police officer. Due to Rupert Everett's whining and obvious lack of knowledge of who Dr. Claw is, the two find themselves crossing each others paths at a bio-technology lab where a new form of artificial intelligence is being designed. There is a pretty girl/scientist (played by Joely Fisher) whom John Brown (Broderick, pre-Gadget) pines for, but cannot win because he doesn't have the confidence to win her over. Well, we all know where this is headed next, and Disney lays it on thick as Broderick uses every torturous gadget in his disposal to eliminate ... not Dr. Claw, but a clone that is demolishing the city ... can he win? I can't give it away, though it would make you better film viewers if I just blurted the ending ... who would pay money for this plastic form of entertainment.

Alright, characters - there was no commentary on this film, so I only watched it once (thankfully!), but Broderick was the obvious stand out. He tried, I know I feel bad saying this, but he did try to bring some depth to this character. Gadget is a bumbling idiot - but he has a good heart. I thought Broderick was a good choice personality wise, but he never took Gadget to that next cinematic level. I wanted to have the foundation of the cartoon, but then grow into a feature film that had heart and dedication. In this mere 78 minute short film, there was nothing. So, on one side we have Gadget (Broderick doing his best), then on the other side we have the worst Hollywood idea ever - Rupert Everett as Dr. Claw. This was a hazard. This was Disney thinking they could take a enormously popular villain and give him a soul. This was Rupert needing to ham it up more than Broderick so that there was a share of the screen. There was no evil, there was no corruption, there was nothing that even faintly resembled the "Claw" that we grew up with. The henchman seemed more in tune than Everett. He wasn't funny, he wasn't sinister, he wasn't diabolical in any way. He was fluff, and that wasn't the Dr. Claw that I attempted to pay money to see. His portrayal was a disgrace to anyone that has ever even glanced at the cartoon. Arg, it makes me mad just to mention it in this review. Rupert Everett ruined Dr. Claw. Penny (Michelle Trachtenberg) seemed to follow the Everett style of "Gadet-ing", but not following her character at all. Shouldn't there have been a prerequisite to see the cartoon prior to making the film. Oh, filmmakers, how I shun thee.

I guess if one could literally pull themselves away from the hideous acting by Everett, the rest of the film just seemed raced and pushed. I was happy to see that it only lasted 78 minutes, and they did cover quite a bit of ground, but it just felt like they weren't willing to give the credit due to the cartoon. This was a cult cartoon, and to see Disney play for a younger audience, care nothing for the pre-existing older audience that grew up with Gadget, make jokes that seemed cliché, and bubble the bad guy. It was hard to watch. I was pleased with the script, the director tried to go dark with a really random Broderick attempting to play a darker, more fun character as Gadget's clone - but overall this film just lacked the spunk from the cartoon. I wanted animation, I wanted excitement, I wanted an adventure that would befuddle Adams himself, but instead I had a story that seemed like it would be in the dollar bin within the week of its release.

Overall, this film wasn't horrid. The story itself wasn't anything I could watch again, but their ability to not overextend the plot, made it for simple viewing. It was 78 minutes of filming that I didn't mind, but couldn't get myself to watch it again. I will forever hate Everett for what he did to Dr. Claw, I think Dr. Claw will forever hate Everett as well. His portrayal ruined this film. It knocked it to the ground with no opportunity to pick it up again. Broderick was watchable, but I don't think he was what this film needed. "Inspector Gadget" is a perfect example of what happens when Disney puts their hands into a project and is determined to ensure that children get laughs from semi-crass physical humor. This was a sad attempt of a film, but a part of me is happy that I watched it - now the cartoon seems better than ever!

Grade: ** out of *****

very good.......2006-11-24

it's a funny cool film if you havent seen it you dont know what your missing i havent seen the cartoon so i cant tell you what to expect but if you havent seen the cartoon to i dont think it's that bad to me in fact i think it was relly good i cant say you will like it but i think you shoud give it a try it even has a cool talking car the car even has a candy so my review is olmost over i hope you like it o and by the way it even has a evil villen

lots of comedy, a bit of crime.......2006-09-04

This movie was not as good as the second gadget movie. It was funny, and that was the best part. Claw was a very bad villian, so I was into that. I like villians.

The first time that I wanted to rent it at blockbuster, my Dad thought that it may be inappropriate. Then he changed his mind. We watched it together, and like it very much. It was so good that I know own it on DVD.

Go-Go Gadget Whatever.......2005-12-12

Matthew Broderick was a wonderful Inspector Gadget,I would love to have this on DVD,I have it on VHS. I want to see the music video of I'll be you're everything by Youngstown. Michelle Trachenburg was a wonderful Penny.

Great Cast Wasted In A So-So Movie!.......2005-10-18

I liked the Inspector Gadget cartoon so when I heard they made it into a live-action movie I went to a movie theater to see it and despite having a great cast that includes Matthew Broadrick, Michelle Trachtenberg, Joely Fisher, etc, the plot of this movie was kind of rushed and uneven and just disappointing!

Average customer rating:

Go Gadget Go!
Nostalgia heaven
Susan from Jersey
Coolest 80's toon ever!
Excellent Buy

Inspector Gadget: The Original Series
Starring: Don Adams , Holly Berger , Frank Welker , Louis Nye , and Andy Goldberg
Director: Raymond Jafelice , Ken Stephenson , and Edquard David
Manufacturer: Shout Factory Theatr
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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( I ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000EF5N4Y
Release Date: 2006-04-25

Description

4-DVD Box Set With Tons Of Extras!

The very first 22 episodes of the beloved series Inspector Gadget are now contained in this hilarious, collector-quality box set. Watch as Inspector Gadget takes on the evil Dr. Claw and his henchmen armed with his arsenal of misfiring gadgetry, his brilliant niece Penny and their loyal dog Brain.

In 1983 the lovable bumbling Inspector Gadget (voiced by Get Smart's Don Adams) first hit the TV airwaves, entertaining and inspiring children across the United States. Since then the show's popularity has expanded around the world to 55 countries and has been broadcast in 24 different languages!

SPECIAL FEATURES

• "Wowsers" A Retrospective Look At Inspector Gadget With Andy Heyward (DIC Chairman & CEO) and Mike Maliani (DIC Chief Creative Officer)

• Original Art Gallery

• Inspector Gadget Fan Art Contest Winner

Customer Reviews:

Go Gadget Go!.......2007-08-14

It's great to finally have this classic cartoon on DVD. Don Adams from Get Smart voices the title character and the great voiceover legend, Frank Welker voices Dr. Claw.

Inspector Gadget is like James Bond meets Inspector Cluseau. It's full of fun and adventure, and suitable for people of all ages. If only many of the cartoons today, were this memorable!

This DVD set is a great starting point featuring the first 22 episodes of the show. Here's hoping that we will see a Volume 2 pretty soon. Go Go Gadget, DVD!!!!

Nostalgia heaven.......2007-08-11

When I was a child in the year 1990 or so, I watched replays of Inspector Gadget whenever I could. It was exciting, funny, and the stories were always well written. Inspector Gadget is probably the dumbest person on Earth, but he is a very nice man, so at least he has that going for him. Luckily, his niece and dog come along with him on all of his top secret missions and they end up solving all of the cases. Gadget doesn't notice this of course, but he is always glad to take the credit. There are so many things I love about this show I could never name them all. One of my favorite things is that the evil Dr. Claw always thinks it is Inspector Gadget who defeats him. You have to wonder sometimes if maybe Dr. Claw is even dumber than Inspector Gadget.

The picture quality is acceptable, but is not remastered to great quality. I didn't have any problem with it. There are some scratches and black blotches at times, but nothing too distracting. Sound is good. No subtitles.

This is definitely one of my favorite television shows of all time, so what I want to know is, where are the other Inspector Gadget episodes? Has Shout Factory released the other episodes? If so, I need to know where I can get them!

Susan from Jersey.......2007-08-04

My kids are 3, 4, 12, and 16 and regardless of their age, they really loved the entire set. They watch them daily. It's refreshing to see and oldy-but-goody again and it does not necessitate adult supervision. It's just good watching. A set the whole family can sit and watch together.

Coolest 80's toon ever!.......2007-07-29

This cartoon is the best cartoon I've ever seen in a long time. Most modern cartoons are only so-so. With the exception of the Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, and Samurai Jack and the Powerpuff girls, and Cow and Chicken and Johnny Bravo, Avatar the Last Airbender.

This one takes me back. It was fun and funny not to mention Gadget made this show even Penny actually solved the crimes. But who cares it's a silly cartoon.

Excellent Buy.......2007-05-15

Great DVD! I loved this show as a child and now I can share it with my son. There just aren't good cartoons on TV anymore like this one. Lots of episodes, too!

Average customer rating:

excellent
A great gift
Wrong Actor
Entertaining, but not as good as Morse.
A TOUCH OF CLASS

Inspector Lynley - Set 1
Starring: Samantha Baker , Cherie Lunghi , Nathaniel Parker , Sharon Small , and Tim Pigott-Smith
Director: Richard Laxton , and Kim Flitcroft
Manufacturer: WGBH BOSTON
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Suspense | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0000WN12W
Release Date: 2003-11-25

Amazon.com

As Diana Rigg, the host of Mystery!, the venerable PBS series which premiered these films, observes, Inspector Lynley gives his partner, Barbara Havers, class, while she gives him nothing but grief. That's not quite the case, although by the final episode in this four-part series, they can be heard bantering like David and Maddie from Moonlighting. And what is that tentatively wistful look on Havers' face while Lynley regards his relationship with an unrequited love? The Inspector Lynley Mysteries reunites author Elizabeth George's mismatched partners first introduced onscreen in A Great Deliverance. Nathaniel Parker (Eddie Murphy's ghostly host in The Haunted Mansion) stars as Lynley, Oxford-educated detective, and eighth earl of Asherton. Sharon Small costars as Havers, a working class cop. Their class differences and personal prejudices are well delineated in "Well Schooled in Murder," set at a posh boarding school where a young student has been slain, and "For the Sake of Elena," which investigates the death of a Cambridge Universty professor's deaf daughter.

The other two cases are more intriguingly personal, as Lynley is reunited with lifelong friend Helen Clyde. In "Payment in Blood," she is one of a cast of suspects when a playwright is slaughtered. In "Missing Joseph," she returns as a profiler, who assists Lynley in the case of a poisoned vicar. We also see the softer side of Havers as she deals with her increasingly senile mother. While fans of George's books may regret the abridgements necessary to bring each episode in at 90 minutes, mystery buffs will enjoy the contemporary spin on classic genre conventions, and Lynley and Havers' prickly relationship, which is at the heart of the series. --Donald Liebenson

Description

Love, life and murder. Just a few of Inspector Lynley's mysteries.

The Inspector Lynley Mysteries feature the most celebrated British detective duo in years: Inspector Thomas Lynley (Nathaniel Parker) and Sergeant Barbara Havers (Sharon Small). Over the course of more than 10 intriguing Elizabeth George novels, beginning with A Great Deliverance, Lynley and Havers have won millions of loyal fans. It's no mystery why.

Decidedly uppercrust detective Lynley and his partner Havers endure a marriage made at police headquarters. Lynley is suave, sophisticated, and the eighth Earl of Asherton. Havers is rumpled, resentful, and working class—with an inborn dislike of the highborn. Despite their differences, the sleuths evolve into a potent team, employing their cunning, intuition, and street smarts to unravel some of the most heinous—and suspenseful—crimes.

Well-Schooled In Murder When a student from prestigious Bredgar Hall is found dead under bizarre circumstances, Lynley receives a call from an old school chum asking for help. The Inspector and Havers soon discover hints of impropriety among both masters and students and race to crack the case before more students come into harm's way.

Payment in Blood A playwright is murdered in her sleep on the eve of her new play's debut, forcing Lynley and Havers to select from an entire cast of suspects. The mysterious drama is further complicated by Lynley's deepening feelings for a woman involved with the play's director, who is himself a prime suspect.

For The Sake Of Elena The fog lifts over the green hills of Cambridge, revealing the lifeless body of a prominent professor's daughter, a young woman admired for being fun-loving, popular, daring—and deaf. The mystery is far from academic as Lynley and Havers discover fatal twists that sealed the fate of one dysfunctional family.

Missing Joseph A rural vicar is the victim of hemlock poisoning. Lynley and Havers discover that everyone from the local herbalist and her troubled teenage daughter to the local constable has a motive. The duo combs the countryside sifting for clues, and finally uncovers the secrets behind the murder.

Special DVD features include: virtual tour of the Mystery! studio; Q&A with Nathaniel Parker and Sharon Small; selected cast filmographies; selected cast list; biography for Diana Rigg, host of Mystery!; bibliography for Elizabeth George; selected cast list; link to the Mystery! Web site; scene selections; closed captions; and described video for the visually impaired.

On fourDVD9 discs. Region coding: All regions. Audio: Dolby stereo. Screen format: Letterboxed.

Customer Reviews:

excellent.......2007-03-22

Inspector Lynley mysteries are great!! I can't wait to see them all. I hope that there are more than 4 sets to buy.

A great gift.......2007-01-17

This was a present for family members who enjoy British shows, and they seemed very happy to receive it. They had heard of Inspector Lynley before, when the series was on Mystery! on PBS. It seems like an excellent series and was recommended to me by an acquaintance.

Wrong Actor.......2006-08-08

I haven't viewed any of the DVD's or videos but I can tell by the Inspector depicted on the cover that he is wrong. Where is the beautiful blond hair that is described in so many books of Lynley's looks. If they are going to be put to video they should at least be true to the authour's descriptions.

Entertaining, but not as good as Morse........2005-12-14

I haven't read any of the novels of Elizabeth George, which is probably just as well, since, with very few exceptions, the film versions of novels usually do not do justice to the originals.

The obvious comparison of these dramas is with the Inspector Morse series, which is superior in some ways. Aside from John Thaw's superb acting, Morse was a far more interesting character than Lynley. Lynley is just a bit too perfect to really identify with. Nathaniel Parker is a pretty good actor - it's his character that's the problem. Lynley would be an upper-class "twit" if it weren't that underneath all his good breeding he is basically a decent human being.

Sharon Small does an excellent job as Inspector Sergeant Havers, I think better than Kevin Whately in the Morse series. In fact, the Lynley series gets most of its dramatic strength from the slight lunacy Havers brings to her relationship with Lynley. Havers is highly IMperfect, to the point that no one will work with her but Lynley. Yet she somehow muddles through, sometimes in a big way, which is a big surprise to everyone, including Havers.

Lesley Vickerage does an excellent job as Lynley's love interest, a brilliant and neurotic psychologist and criminal profiler. In the later series she provides additional human complexity to offset Lynley's superb and gentlemanly perfection.

The plots in this first series are not as good as those in the later ones. Still, the view of England and English society is interesting, even if it's just TV. The cultural divergeance between America and England continues, to the point that Havers' accent is often completely incomprehensible, at least to my ear. It's somewhat surprising that an American could write novels about England and English society that are so well-accepted by the English.

Enjoyable viewing for fans of English mysteries.

A TOUCH OF CLASS.......2005-10-20

I'm coming rather late to this series. As they say, "better late than never". I've completely fallen in love with this Murder/Mystery series. Besides being a superbly presented and acted Murder/Mystery, it has the additional appeal of having the two principle characters being of different backgrounds (classes). Nathaniel Parker is superb as the Oxford educated detective Lynley (in other words "Upper Class".) and Sharon Small is wonderful as the working class cop Havers. Their differences of perception of each case adds just the right amount of "spice" to each case and they end up requiring each others input in order to solve each case.
In light of the above, I look forward to purchasing the other episodes in the series!

The Wicker Man (Widescreen Unrated/Rated Edition)

Average customer rating:

Good But Comes in Second
Please listen to me!
All I can think to say is "WHY?! Dear God WHY!?!?"
Pointless. Completely pointless
Let's put Neil LaBute in a Wicker Man!

The Wicker Man (Widescreen Unrated/Rated Edition)
Starring: Nicolas Cage , Ellen Burstyn , Kate Beahan , Frances Conroy , and Molly Parker
Director: Neil LaBute
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000JYW5DW
Release Date: 2006-12-19

Amazon.com

Nicolas Cage stars in The Wicker Man as a traumatized police officer investigating a lost girl on a mysterious, mist-shrouded island of imperious women and dimwitted men. Summoned by his ex-fiancee (Kate Beahan, Flightplan, who seems to have borrowed her lips from Angelina Jolie), Edward Malus (Cage, Adaptation.) blusters his way into a closed religious community by flashing his out-of-state badge around and insulting everyone he meets. To describe The Wicker Man any further would deprive viewers of enjoying the staggering ineptness of this absurd remake of the fairly creepy 1973 original. Despite a talented cast (including Ellen Burstyn, Requiem for a Dream, Molly Parker, Deadwood, and Leelee Sobieski, Joy Ride), the performances are uniformly awful, with Cage leading the pack; his overwrought cries of "How'd it get burned?!?" will provoke barks of laughter. Arbitrary wierdness abounds--ranging from animal masks to a body-stocking of bees--in a flailing effort to distract the audience from the narrative running madly off the rails. Maybe writer/director Neil LaBute (In the Company of Men, The Shape of Things) aspired to create a fever dream of male fears about women, but the result is a deformed hybrid of Invasion of the Bee Girls and The Village. A future camp classic. --Bret Fetzer

Description

Out patrolling a California highway, police officer Edward Malus (Nicolas Cage) stops a station wagon to return a little girl's lost doll. Moments later, a runaway truck slams into the station wagon, igniting it into a fiery wreck with the mother and child trapped inside. Edward fails to save them before the car explodes...and then spends months of his life choking down pills to get the image of their faces out of his head. But Edward is about to get a second chance. A desperate letter from his former girlfriend, Willow (Kate Beahan), arrives at his home with no postmark. Willow came into his life and left just as unexpectedly years before. But now, her daughter Rowan has gone missing, and Edward is the only person she trusts to help locate her. She asks him to come to her home on a private island - Summersisle - a place with its own traditions where people observe a forgotten way of life. Edward seizes the opportunity to make his life right again, and soon finds himself on a seaplane bound for the islands of the Pacific Northwest. But nothing is what it seems on isolated Summersisle, where a culture, dominated by its matriarch Sister Summersisle (Ellen Burstyn), is bound together by arcane traditions and a pagan festival called "the Day of Death and Rebirth." The secretive people of Summersisle only ridicule his investigation, insisting that a child named Rowan never existed there... or if she ever did was no longer alive. But what Edward doesn't know is that Willow's plea for help has invited more into his life than a chance for redemption. In unraveling Summersisle's closely held secrets, Edward is drawn into a web of ancient traditions and murderous deceit, and each step he takes closer to the lost child brings him one step closer to the unspeakable. And one step closer to the Wicker Man.

Customer Reviews:

Good But Comes in Second.......2007-09-04

Nicholas Cage stars in an ambitious re-write of the cult classic. Cage plays a highway patrolman who is unable to save a mother and daughter from a tragic accident. The failure haunts him until a letter from a past love gives him a chance at redemption. She lives on a small island in the Pacific Northwest and her daughter is missing. She has asked Cage to help. Seeing a chance to save a child Cage sets off on the wild adventure.

On the island he meets a strange group of women who don't like him being there. They also don't believe there is a girl missing. Cage knows there must be something going on and bullheadedly continues his investigation. Nothing seems to make sense but something about an upcoming festival seems to be at the heart of things. Eventually we get the shocking surprise ending we all expect.

Although there are Pagan beliefs in this film, it lacks the true Christian/Pagan conflict of the original. We are also missing the Christopher Lee character and the wrinkle about what if it doesn't work (Lee's life was on the line in the original). But still, the film manages to elicit many of the same feelings as the original while also being fresher and newer. This one, while quite good, will never replace the original in the hearts of its fans. Check it out.

Please listen to me!.......2007-09-04

This was Horrible!!! Don't listen to anybody who says this was a good movie. Don't waste bandwidth by downloading via bit torrent.

All I can think to say is "WHY?! Dear God WHY!?!?".......2007-08-28

This was pretty much a straight forward remake of a pretty damn thrilling movie. The original, while as slow moving as this remake, somehow managed to be enthralling and suspenseful. Cage's acting was pretty laughable - and the rest of the cast seemed a bit TOO "spooky" to be believeable.

There were also too many wild goose chases that never fully wrapped up.

I really want to know WHY someone thought it would be a good idea to remake this movie...and WHY this movie needed to be remade?

Pointless. Completely pointless.......2007-08-27

Whenever someone tells you a movie was a cult hit in the 70's, you should be very wary of its entertainment potential. You have to remember lots of people did lots of drugs in the 70's, which made James Taylor, disco and the original The Wicker Man seem much cooler than they are.

Based on the 70's cult hit (I warned you), Nicolas Cage stars as California sheriff Edward Malus. After witnessing a horrific accident and failing to save the victims, he has fallen into a great depression. One day, he receives a letter from his old fiancée, Willow (Kate Beahan), begging for help in finding her lost daughter. Compelled by current circumstances and his desire to help a woman who meant so much to him in the past, he travels to her remote island community in the Puget Sound, and starts an investigation that leads to great peril.

Was Willow's daughter kidnapped? Why? What has become of her?

When he was reading the script, and saw the part of the movie where he is supposed to run through the forest in a bear suit, I hope Cage asked for a huge pay raise. If he didn't, I have lost all respect for him because this movie is a silly piece of junk you should only participate in for a huge sum of money that makes up for the assault on your integrity (I can handle movie fans all across the world laughing at me if it helps buy a Bulgarian castle like the one Cage just purchased).

Writer/director Neil Labute does include some frightful moments, but they are cheap frights that have nothing to do with advancing the story or helping understand the characters better. Then, he takes us through an unacceptably meaningless plot that can be predicted within the first 15 - 20 minutes even if you never knew the movie was a remake. The dialogue is supposed to be mysterious and get us more intrigued, but just ends up mocking the horridness of the movie on the big screen before you.

Meanwhile, Edward is sent running all around the island in a series of uneventful scenes that fail to build any tension partly because they are ill-conceived (based on the original script by Anthony Shaffer) and partly because Labute makes the action move at the speed of a glacier. However, if you fall asleep, Cage will wake you up with his ranting and raving.

While the rest of the characters are all moving through the movie in a haze (you'll understand why when you learn about the story or, God forbid, see this movie), Cage gets ample opportunities to ham it up as Edward gets pushed further and further over the edge. Most of the performance feels forced, which is a shame from someone as talented as Cage, but I think he was trying to compensate for the disaster going on all around him.

The Wicker Man commits the worst sin a serious thriller, action film or horror movie can - it is outright silly and laughable.

Let's put Neil LaBute in a Wicker Man!.......2007-08-27

Ok..so maybe that's a bit harsh, but this is truly shameful and sad. I will say that I much preferred Edward Woodwards deadpan serious performance over Cage's silly, obnoxious and way too familiar over-the-top portrayal of the lead. This "remake " is just too silly to be believed. It is sad that fine actors like Burstyn and and Sobieski wasted their time on this film. Cage can basically have at it with these kinds of unwatchable dreck because he is quite simply a bad actor. Those of you who have not seen the original 1972 classic...RENT IT! It is brilliant!

DVD:

DVD

DVD