Downfall

Amazon.com

The riveting subject of Downfall is nothing less than the disintegration of Adolf Hitler in mind, body, and soul. A 2005 Academy Award nominee for best foreign language film, this German historical drama stars Bruno Ganz (Wings of Desire) as Hitler, whose psychic meltdown is depicted in sobering detail, suggesting a fallen, pathetic dictator on the verge on insanity, resorting to suicide (along with Eva Braun and Joseph and Magda Goebbels) as his Nazi empire burns amidst chaos in mid-1945. While staging most of the film in the claustrophobic bunker where Hitler spent his final days, director Oliver Hirschbiegel (Das Experiment) dares to show the gentler human side of der Fuehrer, as opposed to the pure embodiment of evil so familiar from many other Nazi-era dramas. This balanced portrayal does not inspire sympathy, however: We simply see the complexity of Hitler's character in the greater context of his inevitable downfall, and a more realistic (and therefore more horrifying) biographical portrait of madness on both epic and intimate scales. By ending with a chilling clip from the 2002 documentary Blind Spot: Hitler's Secretary, this unforgettable film gains another dimension of sobering authenticity. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

fascinating.......2007-09-10

This slightly fictionalized docu/drama is amazing. It takes you inside the final command center of Nazi Germany. Most of our story takes place in a bunker, during the last few days of the fighting for Berlin and the surrounding area. It pulls no punches about who knew what and how they did or didn't feel about it. This is more than raw, its soul naked. It makes no attempt to apologize for the actions of anyone, it just shows and tells things as they happened.

This is a must see for _everyone_; history student, world war two aficionado, writer, war hawk, peace dove, everyone.

Seeing Downfall is a Must.......2007-09-09

Rarely are films made of such importance, and in such a quality manner. The acting is fabulous, but the film goes well beyond that. We all sense we have a notion of the last days of Adoph Hitler, Eva Braun, and Hitler's key staff. But this dramatically depicts the details. No one should miss this film, including children attending school.

Gripping portayal of the last days of Hitler and the Third Reich.......2007-09-09

Der Untergang is based on the memoirs of Hitler's secretary, Traudl Junge, Until The Final Hour, and Joachim Fest's Inside The Bunker, and chronicles the last days of Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich, beginning from his 56th birthday to the surrender of Germany to the Russians. However, there is a brief aside in the beginning, in November 1942, chronicling the scene where young doe-eyed Traudl Humpts is hired as der Fuhrer's secretary.

The Third Reich is on the verge of collapse throughout this film. Certain bigshots are positioning themselves, whether to remain in Berlin, loyal to the end (Goebbels, Martin Bormann) or to flee (Heinrich Himmler). Hitler himself is told by his architect Albert Speer that he must be on the stage when the curtain falls. And acts of desperation also take effect on that stage. Josef Goebbels has recruited defenders of the city, many of them in their early teens, who are impressionable enough to want to become heroes. Sadly, most of them end up as shell fodder for the Russians.

As for the Fuhrer, he is out of touch with reality, the divisions on his map existing only in his imagination. He still believes that two divisions can regroup and take the Russians from behind, but alas. And when things don't go his way or he hears reports of lines having fallen, he blames the generals and soldiers, even going out of his way to insult them. It's ironic how his ideology placed the Germans as the superior race, but when the end is near, he dismisses them of being unworthy of survival and deserving to die. Quite an about-face there...

Traudl aside, there are others of honourable mention. Professor Dr. Schenke is concerned with the fate of the civilians during this critical time and is one of the more humane characters involved, as he risks going into Russian held territory to get medical supplies for the wounded. And as for the wounded, the scene of the limbs being dumped into plates, saws used to amputate, and the sight of the injured are pretty grim, but then again, Germany was up the creek without a paddle, so to say.

Eva Braun's life of the party personality boosts flagging morale during those last days, in the impromptu parties she stages, leading to dancing and drinking. She even befriends Traudl, confiding in her at one point how she hated Blondi, Hitler's dog and even kicked it when the dictator wasn't looking.

One debit for Nazi history buffs is the where certain major players aren't clearly identified. Only later in the epilogue, do we realize, "oh, that was supposed to be Goering, Jodl, Martin Bormann etc."

I marveled at Bruno Ganz's performance as the angel Damiel in Himmel Uber Berlin, and he outdoes himself as Hitler in this movie, getting the dictator's nervous twitch in his left hand to a tee. He exhibits bouts of madness, outright callousness, and a man totally out of touch with the reality of the situation. Yet, he is shown to be gentle and caring to certain individuals, such as his secretary and to Eva Braun. When one of his trusted henchmen Albert Speer announces his decision to flee, Hitler is saddened, even heartbroken at this desertion. Ulrich Matthes's portrayal as Josef Goebbels is amazing, as when comparing him to photos of the propaganda minister, there is a striking resemblance.

Alexandra Maria Lara (Traudl) is the other great performer that boosts Der Untergang. Not even a strong National Socialist, she still remains loyal to the Fuhrer, believing in him till it becomes apparent that Germany's defeat is certain. With the real Traudl Junge bookending the movie in two scenes, I have to say she is hard on herself for not realizing the atrocities that went on during the Reich, even though she wasn't an avid Nazi.

But it's Corinna Harfouch as Magda Goebbels, she who believed that there was no future in a world without National Socialism, and coldly poisoned her offspring, making her with someone with more backbone than her husband. The actual scene when she poisons her children is also quite disturbing.

One of the best movies on Hitler, with the best ever portrayal of him in a movie. To accompany this, I also recommend the documentary Death In The Bunker, whose events parallel that of Fest's book and this movie.

Depressing but amazing........2007-09-06

I didn't see this movie until recently. I've been a real WW2 buff since junior high but this aspect of it was something I didn't realize or think about. The only other doc I've seen about this subject is a History Channel doc called "Days That Shook the World" which was basically high quality renactments with Edward Hermann's fantastic narration.

Based on that and other things I've read, I can honestly say that this is the most accurate WW2 film I've seen in a long time. The events that happen in this film are true to what happened, although they did compress things. They created some moments, such as the young boy Peter Granz, that distilled the real situation. More than that, they do a better job than most WW2 films of showing that these Germans, even Hitler and Goebells, as human beings, psychotic human beings, but human none the less.

Amazing cinemtography captures the darkness of the time, when the city was being shelled and attacked by the Russians. It's dirty and never glamourous and clean and even when it is, it looks surreal and almost ridiculous.

There are moments that cause you to look away from the screen, the Goebells' children cheif among them. But it makes it that much more amazing.

The performances make you feel like the cameramen were embedded with the nazi's in the bunker. Bruno Ganz channels Hitler, his seductive qualities as well as his psychotic qualities. Yelling at his officers and staff, calmly talking about suicide, being almost fatherly to Eva and Traudl, all of that add's to his complexity. It's a stunning performance. My other favorite performance comes from Christian Berkel who plays Dr. Schenk.

The fact that this is a German film makes it even better. For once, you see Germans, Nazi's speaking in German. It brings the authenticity to the film.

Amazing piece of work.

Realism at its best.......2007-08-31

Outstanding reality and production value highlight this engrossing film.
Gantz is superior in his turn as Hitler. The subtitles take away from the overall experience--- this needs dubbing or an English version to make it truely outstanding. A 4 1/2 star rating instead of 5 because of the distracting subtitles

Average customer rating:

Evocative But Frustratingly Elliptical Look at Andy Warhol's Factory and the Sad Party Girl in the Middle
Edie
An enchanting movie, a spirited muse
Now I remember why I don't like Andy Warhol
Missing Dylan

Factory Girl (Unrated)
Starring: Colleen Camp , Illeana Douglas , Charles Ferrara , Beth Grant , and Edward Herrmann
Director: George Hickenlooper
Manufacturer: The Weinstein Company
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

ASIN: B000QGDXG6
Release Date: 2007-07-17

Amazon.com

The lovely face of Sienna Miller fills in for luminous but tragic 1960s icon Edie Sedgwick, the child of wealth and privilege who found brief delight but eventual destruction in the fabled Factory of Pop artist Andy Warhol (Guy Pearce). Factory Girl begins with Sedgwick as a naive art student who comes to New York City seeking freedom from her troubled family, just as Warhol was surrounding himself with oddballs, sycophants, and drug addicts. The eager girl briefly becomes Warhol's favorite and the center of the city's attention, but when she falls into an affair with 'The Musician' (the only slightly ambiguous depiction of a certain nasal-voiced rock star, played by Hayden Christensen, Shattered Glass), Warhol is stricken with jealousy. Factory Girl wants to paint Warhol as the villain in this story of innocence corrupted, but the casting undercuts the movie's moral. Miller, though pretty and capable, never takes us under Sedgwick's skin, and Christensen's performance is one-note and clumsy. But Pearce's Warhol fascinates; it's a sneaky, stealthy performance, predatory yet passive, hiding a million neuroses beneath a cunningly vapid facade. Whenever Pearce is on-screen, Factory Girl sparkles; when he's not--despite abundant views of Miller's and Christensen's attractive naked flesh in the "uncut unrated" version--the movie loses its fizz. Also featuring Mena Suvari (American Beauty), Jimmy Fallon (Fever Pitch), and Illeana Douglas (Grace of My Heart). --Bret Fetzer

Description

(Drama) "Factory Girl" tells the story of the rise and fall of the original "IT GIRL" Edie Sedgwick. When Edie meets famed artist Andy Warhol, she is thrust into a life of glamour, parties and ultimately…tragedy.

Customer Reviews:

Evocative But Frustratingly Elliptical Look at Andy Warhol's Factory and the Sad Party Girl in the Middle .......2007-09-06

For the concerted effort Sienna Miller puts into her searing portrayal of Warhol protégé and underground celebrity Edie Sedgwick, it would have been rewarding to experience a film that matches her unbridled dramatic impact. Unfortunately, director George Hickenlooper, primarily a documentary filmmaker, seems more focused on eye-catching cinematic techniques - a deliberately artsy mix of overtly dramatic images, grainy film stock and slow-motion photography - than honest character development in this highly fictionalized 2007 account of her brief life. The result feels energetic but ultimately rather cursory in the way he depicts the Manhattan party scene in the mid-1960's, in particular, the Factory, where Warhol let his coterie of drug-addicted fame-seekers gather to make virtually unwatchable films that reflect their constant state of ennui.

With her big raccoon eyes, pre-punk hairdo and flashing smile, Miller bears such a striking resemblance to the real-life Sedgwick that she carries much of the film by the sheer will of her character's Holly Golightly-like sense of exalted self-worth. But like Holly, Sedgwick lacked talent to sustain a film career, and the script leaves Miller to her own devices in connecting us with her character's tormented psyche amid her escalating drug use. On the upside, Guy Pearce accurately captures the discomfiting public image of Warhol down to the familiar narcissistic indifference and manipulative shyness, but his character gradually recedes into the background. At first, Hayden Christensen comes across as amateurish and unintentionally amusing as a Bob Dylan doppelganger, especially since he makes a feeble attempt at capturing the singer's recognizable speech cadences. Just as he manages to transcend the awkwardness of the character's intrusion into the story, he also disappears making his impact in Sedgwick's life feel rather fleeting.

Even though the cryptic screenplay by Captain Mauzner, Aaron Richard Golub and Simon Monjack conveniently paints Warhol and the faux-Dylan as polarizing figures pulling at Sedgwick's soul, the story really comes down to her own inner demons. The problem is that she remains oddly elliptical throughout, and Hickenlooper seems satisfied with leaving us with an impressionistic view of a person who barely warrants our attention forty years later. Among the supporting players, there are quite a familiar faces - Ileana Douglas as Vogue editor Diana Vreeland, Jimmy Fallon as Sedgwick's confidante Chuck Wein, Tara Summers as fellow Warhol protégé Brigid Berlin, Mena Suvari as Brigid's sister Richie, Edward Herrmann as the family attorney, Mary Kate Olsen as a partygoer. However, none of them are given any opportunity to shine.

The 2007 DVD includes several extras of varying interest, the best being an insightful commentary track from Hickenlooper and a thirty-minute documentary on the life of the real Sedgwick that mimics the main film's stylistic touches. There is also a bland ten-minute making-of featurette, a scene that was understandably excised, audition footage of Miller, the original theatrical trailer, and a twenty-minute behind-the-scenes video diary coordinated by Pearce. Despite strong work from Miller and Pearce, the film is only marginally effective as a dramatic vehicle even as Hickenlooper viscerally evokes a fascinating period of history in the arts scene.

Edie.......2007-09-01

This is a vey well made movie about the rise and fall of Edie Sedgwick. While it may not completely explain or try to explain why Edie did what she did it is a very well done movie. The acting, especially by Sienna Miller is very good (even if you wonder why she got the role when you see some of her screen test passages in the extras).At times the physical resemblance with the real Edie is exceptional, or at least with pictures from that era. Basically Edie was a wealthy New England socialite who left art school to go to New York where she met Andy Warhol- Being spectacularly attractive she became famous for the famous Warholian 15 minutes and then became very involved in drugs and eventually died at 28 years of age. However she has with time becom an icon of the 60's. This was confirmed by a book hat came out a while ago by Jean Stein and which is quite an excellent read.
The extras are rather good since there is a short documentary about the real Edie with interviews of survivors who knew her such as Gerard Malanga and her brother. This series of interviews actually complement the movie quite well. Together with the above mentioned book it increases the fascination one can have for her. Also as stated above there is a short screen test Sienna Miller did for the movie.
The guy who plays Warhol is not that great though.

An enchanting movie, a spirited muse.......2007-08-26

A lot of people gripe about this film, but I side with Edie's bro Johnathan: I think it does a wonderful job evoking her spirit. The acting is great, the sets and costumes and music are fabulous, and the story is heartbreaking. Though it may have some inaccuracies, I've never seen a Hollywood biographical film that didn't. I'm so glad I bought this movie so I can watch it again and again!

Now I remember why I don't like Andy Warhol.......2007-08-26

This is a movie that is a bit tricky for me to review. If you ask: "Was it well done?" The answer is yes. If you ask: "Was the cast good?" The answer is yes. However, it's simply not what I expected, and that's my fault. I did not read the plot of the movie. I read about how it was un-rated & heard that Sienna Miller did some nude scenes in it. Both are true, but neither was able to overcome my lack of interest in the story.

The movie is based on a true story of a woman named Edie Sedgwick. She was part of Andy Warhol's entourage in the 1960s. I'd always figured Warhol to be a quack. If this film is remotely accurate, then Warhol was even more of a quack than I thought!

Sienna Miller gives a terrific performance. Guy Pearce is creepy and whacked-out enough to play Warhol. The problem is, I just couldn't get into the story. I've always had a big problem having sympathy for junkies, as it seems to me that they "make their own beds" insofar as their myriad problems are concerned. The movie reminded me a lot of Angelina Jolie's Gia (Unrated Edition), which was about another troubled young woman / junkie from about a decade later.

I will be, in the end, as fair as I can be here. If you are a big fan of Andy Warhol and / or Edie Sedgwick, then this film certainly belongs on your shelf of DVDs. If you are (like me) mainly drawn to this film due to the fact that it's Un-Rated, then I would recommend you find other, more saucy UR films. That's as diplomatic as I can be.

Missing Dylan.......2007-08-23

Bob Dylan's refusal to allow his name and music ruins a great story. He immortalized Edie, seeing very early on how weak and damaged she was. You can't tell the story of Edie without Bob.

Average customer rating:

Don't Waste Your Money
Great Movie - But Very Sad
Top Ten
one of the best movies ever made
Gladiator - Widescreen Edition review

Gladiator (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Russell Crowe , Joaquin Phoenix , Connie Nielsen , Oliver Reed , and Richard Harris
Director: Ridley Scott
Manufacturer: Dreamworks Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00009ZYBY
Release Date: 2003-08-19

Amazon.com essential video

A big-budget summer epic with money to burn and a scale worthy of its golden Hollywood predecessors, Ridley Scott's Gladiator is a rousing, grisly, action-packed epic that takes moviemaking back to the Roman Empire via computer-generated visual effects. While not as fluid as the computer work done for, say, Titanic, it's an impressive achievement that will leave you marveling at the glory that was Rome, when you're not marveling at the glory that is Russell Crowe. Starring as the heroic general Maximus, Crowe firmly cements his star status both in terms of screen presence and acting chops, carrying the film on his decidedly non-computer-generated shoulders as he goes from brave general to wounded fugitive to stoic slave to gladiator hero. Gladiator's plot is a whirlwind of faux-Shakespearean machinations of death, betrayal, power plays, and secret identities (with lots of faux-Shakespearean dialogue ladled on to keep the proceedings appropriately "classical"), but it's all briskly shot, edited, and paced with a contemporary sensibility. Even the action scenes, somewhat muted but graphic in terms of implied violence and liberal bloodletting, are shot with a veracity that brings to mind--believe it or not--Saving Private Ryan, even if everyone is wearing a toga. As Crowe's nemesis, the evil emperor Commodus, Joaquin Phoenix chews scenery with authority, whether he's damning Maximus's popularity with the Roman mobs or lusting after his sister Lucilla (beautiful but distant Connie Nielsen); Oliver Reed, in his last role, hits the perfect notes of camp and gravitas as the slave owner who rescues Maximus from death and turns him into a coliseum star. Director Scott's visual flair is abundantly in evidence, with breathtaking shots and beautiful (albeit digital) landscapes, but it's Crowe's star power that will keep you in thrall--he's a true gladiator, worthy of his legendary status. Hail the conquering hero! --Mark Englehart

Customer Reviews:

Don't Waste Your Money.......2007-09-10

In one scene early in the movie, General Maximus (Russell Crowe) is a prisoner who is about to be executed. He is kneeling, with his hands securely bound. His executioner stands behind him with his sword-point on his neck, about to sever his spine. The next instant Crowe is on his feet, sword in-hand and with both hands free. What utter nonsense!!! The only reality in Hollywood today is that today's movies have none. This movie, like most today, is annoyingly unrealistic. How can one possibly be "entertained" by such mindless garbage?

In another scene, the Emperor (Joaquin Phoenix) tells Maximus that before his soldiers murdered his wife they raped her repeatedly, and she begged them for more. Today's Hollywood loves to wallow in such filth! I do not, and I sincerely hope you don't either.

In short, this movie insulted my intelligence and assaulted my conscience, which is why I am giving it one star. Frankly, much of it doesn't deserve that.

BTW, I fully expect the negative responses to this review to outnumber positive responses seven to one, which is yet another indication of the serious trouble our culture, and our country, are in today.

Great Movie - But Very Sad.......2007-08-28

Though this is an OUTSTANDING movie it is a tragedy; and will leave you with that tragic feeling. You definitely root for Russell Crowe's character and you want to know what happens to him; which keeps you glued to the story. There are "highs" in the movie. You really want Russell to succeed and be redeemed. There is "Justice". I give it 4 stars even though its a five star movie because it leaves you with that down feeling.

Top Ten.......2007-08-26

One of my favorite movies. Russel Crowe is General Maximus. He battles emperor Commodus in this epic movie. Roman is fascinating and this movie takes you back to its history of internal conflict even though Maximus is a fictional character.

Corey Cotta, Author of All of Yesterdays Tomorrows.

one of the best movies ever made.......2007-08-23

i think this movie is diffeniately of epic porportions and is the epitome of great movie making with a colidoscope of emotions. great movie!!

Gladiator - Widescreen Edition review.......2007-08-14

Ridley Scott did an amazing job here, with an equally amazing effort from cast members Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. If you do not know what it is about maybe you are living under a rock, this was the movie of the year when it was released. Gladiator is a phenomenal film that portrays the Gladiators in all their guts and glory. Within the walls of the coliseum, the final scene plays out with superb, hard-hitting drama. This movie is not just about fighting it has other aspects to enjoy. There is family and loyalty, and also a love interest within the story. Epic, Surreal and Amazing eye candy for any viewer, this film is a modern day classic! Considering how many movies cannot be in that category for judgment to begin with, that is saying something in this day and age.

Average customer rating:

Amazingly Engrossing
Sickening!
The hyper-capitalistic puppet masters of the invisible build Frankenstein's monster
A Disappointment
Entertaining, not thorough & informative

Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
Starring: Peter Coyote , Reverend James Nutter , Bill Clinton , Lou L. Pai , and Colin Whitehead
Director: Alex Gibney
Manufacturer: Magnolia
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000C3L2IO
Release Date: 2006-01-17

Product Description

Based on the best-selling book of the same name by Fortune reporters Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind, a multidimensional study of one of the biggest business scandals in American history. The chronicle takes a look at one of the greatest corporate disasters in history, in which top executives from the 7th largest company in this country walked away with over one billion dollars, leaving investors and employees with nothing. The film features insider accounts and rare corporate audio and video tapes that reveal colossal personal excesses of the Enron hierarchy and the utter moral vacuum that posed as corporate philosophy. The human drama that unfolds within Enron's walls resembles a Greek tragedy and produces a domino effect that could shape the face of our economy and ethical code for years to come.

DVD Features:

Available Audio Tracks: English (Unknown Format)
Commentary by: writer-director Alex Gibney (Unknown Format)
Deleted scenes
"The Making of Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room" featuring research footage and exclusive interviews with writer-director Alex Gibney and investigative journalist Bethany McLean
Enron company skits
Enron commercial
Where are they now?: updates on the executives, traders, and whistleblowers
A gallery of Enron cartoons
The original Fortune magazine articles

System Requirements:

Running Time 110 Mins.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

One of the greatest scandals in American corporate history is chronicled in the riveting documentary Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room. Based on the bestselling book by Fortune magazine reporters Bethany McLean and Peter Elkin, and directed by Alex Gibney (who also produced The Trials of Henry Kissinger), the film is an epic morality tale, drawing upon a wealth of insider interviews and archival material to show how Enron, once the nation's seventh largest corporate entity, essentially faked its bookkeeping to report profits that never existed. The corrupt and closely-guarded mismanagement by Enron executives (including Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling, later placed on criminal trial) is revealed through such heinous concepts as "Hypothetical Future Value" (a way of reaping fortunes based on false profit projections) and the use of offshore "shell" companies to hide the massive losses that eventually toppled the company (along with the venerable Arthur Anderson accounting firm) and left 20,000 employees jobless. As a maddening portrait of hubris and white-collar crime, Enron transcends political and corporate boundaries by showing how smart and powerful men grew blinded by greed and brought ruin upon themselves, along with thousands of otherwise innocent victims. For better and worse, it's a perfect double-feature with eye-opening 2004 documentary The Corporation. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Amazingly Engrossing.......2007-09-09

From the time this documentary starts you are captured. I have never been so engrossed in a story about Corporate America before. The arrogance of business and the manipulation for self gain was astounding. Awesome how the unravelling began with one simple question. I have watched this now several times and I never cease to be amazed. A "must" to watch.

Sickening!.......2007-08-30

I had always wondered how this fiasco could be allowed to happen in the U.S. After watching this movie, I now understand! It is sad that a country such as ours could allow this type of theft, larceny, and destruction to happen to thousands of innocent people!

The hyper-capitalistic puppet masters of the invisible build Frankenstein's monster.......2007-08-21

Imagine starting a company that comes up with the idea of selling potential without actually realizing that potential first. Imagine then without the realization of that potential that loads of people invest in the idea because the CEO's know how to put on a show. Then imagine the idea becoming so big that a whole country invests in the idea. Then imagine that the company selling the idea gets so big that it ends up owning a massive share of that nation's power grid. Then imagine that the company starts telling the power company operators to perform lots of blackouts and downtime so that it can hold the nation to ransom before it turns it back on again by demanding government funds (tax money). Then imagine on top of this that the CEO's just sign themselves big fat paychecks into the tens of millions and decide to head off home when everything is falling apart because someone asked the question... "How does Enron make money?"

While the above schematic might not be the exact way things where actually done, it still is but in a more complex way that this documentary surprising makes simple for everyone to understand. We are dealing with a company that dealt in selling the imagination and then played the evil demigod when it eventually had its way. It is a documentary also about the CEO's and personalities which got too big for a nation to manage. This is when greed becomes hyper-greed and when making millions out of public disasters was considered a normal 9 to 5. Imagine Enron employees just saying `Burn baby burn' while wildfires rage under power lines. Imagine Enron employees finding loopholes in government contracts they designed and calling those ambiguous areas `fat boy' and `death star' to make millions from the gaps. Then stop calling this just imagination. This is the real thing!

Enron is essentially about the abuse of trust. It is about a nation built on freedoms and liberties actually becoming hostage to those freedoms and liberties when extremist capitalists will cash in on anything. This isn't just about cooking the books. This is about cooking independence into slavery so that a few guys could make loads of money.

In a strange sort of way it is hard to actually imagine that these guys did anything wrong in terms of how they developed a very imaginative system of corporation into a business. The tendency for them to exploit a weakness in a deal was bad character, but nothing that is that unusual in today's world. All this is considered somewhat expected in big business except for one thing. They did all this by gambling with the savings of over 20,000 US Citizens (most of them Joe Soap families with kids) while they also played with the national power grid (how many people indirectly died and suffered remains uncertain but real) to either make more money or to get their own backsides off the hook. In a way people everywhere look up to models like this but in the end Disneyland just isn't real and that is what is important to learn (and some former CEOs are learning it hard, like Jeffrey Skillings) who is serving 24 years and 4 months in prison.

A Disappointment.......2007-08-14

Could have been a seminal work on some of the most egregious robber-barons of the 1990's, but succumbed to a ridiculous partisanship characterized by heavy-handed Bush-bashing -- how tiresome (this even tho Kenny-Boy was head of Ann Richards's finance committee when Bush challenged her). Meanwhile, one of the documentary's great moralizers was investigations-target Bill Lerach, and one of the chief complainers was the since-recalled Gray Davis, who was so incompetent he couldn't sell beer on a troopship.

Entertaining, not thorough & informative.......2007-07-23

It was too dramatized, I thought. Also I didn't like the stripper scene because it was too long and too much nudity for my taste... gross. You lose concentration from what they're talking about. They could have just narrated the story about the strippers, why show so much nudity in a corporate scandal documentary???
Better off reading the book called "Conspiracy of Fools"... very good reading material and informative, not too dramatic like this "documentary"

Average customer rating:

Great Film!!!
A bigger than life story that merits the title - Legend
Three brothers and one woman under the Big Sky country.
Love, betrayal, and drama...
One of the best movies ever made.

Legends of the Fall (Special Edition)
Starring: Brad Pitt , Anthony Hopkins , Aidan Quinn , Julia Ormond , and Henry Thomas
Director: Edward Zwick
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00004WG2F
Release Date: 2000-10-17

Product Description

An epic adventure of brotherhood and betrayal, Legends Of The Fall" is a powerful story about a close-knit family which is forever changed when the youngest of three brothers brings home his dazzling bride-to-be, inadvertently sparking passions and creating a rivalry.

System Requirements:
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Brad Pitt, Aidan Quinn, Julia Ormond, and Henry Thomas.
Directed By: Edward Zwick.
Running Time: 134 Min., Color.
This film is presented in "Widescreen" format.
Copyright 2000 Columbia TriStar Home Video.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

A box-office hit when released in 1994, this sprawling, frequently overwrought familial melodrama may get sillier as its plot progresses, but it's the kind of lusty, character-based epic that Hollywood should attempt more often. It's also an unabashedly flattering star vehicle for Brad Pitt as Tristan--the rebellious middle son of a fiercely independent Montana rancher and military veteran (Anthony Hopkins)--who is routinely at odds with his more responsible older brother, Alfred (Aidan Quinn), and younger brother, Samuel (Henry Thomas). From the battlefields of World War I to his adventures as an oceangoing sailor, Tristan's life is full of personal torment, especially when he returns to Montana and finds himself competing with Alfred over Samuel's beautiful widow (Julia Ormond), whose passion for Tristan disrupts the already turbulent Ludlow clan. Under the wide-open canopy of Big Sky country, this operatic tale unfolds with all the bloodlust, tragedy, and scenery-chewing performances you'd expect to find in a hokey bestselling novel (in fact, it's based on the acclaimed novella by Jim Harrison), but it's a potent mix that's highly entertaining. Not surprisingly, John Toll won an Academy Award for his breathtaking outdoor cinematography. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Great Film!!!.......2007-08-20

Touches all levels of emotions, along with enough masculinity to support "not just another chick-flick"

A bigger than life story that merits the title - Legend.......2007-08-15

I never saw this movie until this year when a friend brought the DVD to my place saying how much he liked the movie. I thought it would be more of a sappy melodrama, but I ended up liking it so much that I have added it to my library of favorites. Three brothers, the love of a father and being in love with the same woman mix together in this movie to form a bigger than life story that merits the title - Legend.

The filming is excellent, taking us through some beautiful country and I think Brad Pitt's performance is one of his best. The emotions he goes through to show his character's passion for living and for his family drew me in until I was completely wrapped up in the story. I liked how it is told in the voice of a Native American in the tradition of his people, thus forming the legend of the man who's spirit is kindred to a Grizzly Bear. I would have liked to see the love interest, Susannah be a stronger woman, but then the trials that the family goes through would not have been the same if such were the case.

Anthony Hopkins is one of my favorite actors and this movie shows off his skills well, infusing the character of the father with both humanity and a toughness that provides depth and interest throughout.

Three brothers and one woman under the Big Sky country........2007-06-17

This movie is an epic tale told of three brothers and one woman in Montana in the first part of the twentieth century. The youngest brother comes home from college with a beautiful woman on his side. She falls for the middle brother Brad Pitt, who is not altogether interested. The oldest brother falls hopelessly in love with her. This movies plot does get convoluted and confusing at times. The tortured soul that is the middle brother is a model for narcissistic ego maniac. It does have beautiful cinematography, and the story and the characters are interesting enough to keep your attention. The problem I have with the movie is that it does just get too bogged down with its own story. Overall it is fun to watch and I recommend it.

Love, betrayal, and drama..........2007-05-16

The beauty of the countryside in this movie is magnificent. The Rocky Mountains of Montana in the early 1900s must have offered challenging experiences as people wrestled with the elements.

The movie is the story of a man, played by Anthony Hopkins, who has three sons and is abandoned by his wife. So he sets out to raise these three boys and at some point writes to his wife to say... I know how to guide men through war, but this is much harder...

Anthony Hopkins plays the role of Colonel Ludlow, discharged from the war because he wanted to regain some sanity. Therefore, he hates government, he despises the drive to conquer and fight over land, and is highly protective of Indians.

This family of men lives out in the wilderness, therefore, nature is the chisel that forms the character of the three boys. They are very close and the oldest two, played by Brad Pitt and Aidan Quinn, are extremely caring and protective of their younger brother, played by Henry Thomas.

The younger son goes away to college and there he meets Susanna, played by Julia Ormond [played Princess Guinevere in the movie First Knight]. He falls in love with her and upon returning home, brings her along to meet the family.

As she enters the life of these lonely men, she captures the heart of each and everyone. The father is delighted that a refined lady has joined them because thanks to her they read, sing, and enjoy the feminine side of life. But... the three brothers soon encounter the difficulties of jealousy, envy, betrayal and competition for the same woman.

Brad Pitt, as usual, plays the role of the man who breaks other people's relationships, breaks hearts all around, but his performance is superb as Tristan... the favorite son.

Don't miss it! A 1994 Academy winner for best cinematography, this movie offers the passionate journey into the darkest secrets of love, betrayal, and families.

One of the best movies ever made........2007-03-27

Personally I think this movie is one the best that has ever been made. The acting is all superb and the storyline is so unique that I have never seen another movie like it. It is the story of a legend as the young boys grow into men and strive to find their own way in the world.

Average customer rating:

a good story
THE BEST MOB MOVIE EVER MADE!
three stars for the film, five stars for art direction, cinematography, Brando, Pacino & rest of supporting cast
The Godfather of Mafia Movies
Very Nice

The Godfather (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Marlon Brando , Al Pacino , James Caan , Richard S. Castellano , and Robert Duvall
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Manufacturer: Paramount
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ASIN: B0001NBNB6
Release Date: 2004-05-11

Amazon.com essential video

Generally acknowledged as a bona fide classic, this Francis Ford Coppola film is one of those rare experiences that feels perfectly right from beginning to end--almost as if everyone involved had been born to participate in it. Based on Mario Puzo's bestselling novel about a Mafia dynasty, Coppola's Godfather extracted and enhanced the most universal themes of immigrant experience in America: the plotting-out of hopes and dreams for one's successors, the raising of children to carry on the good work, etc. In the midst of generational strife during the Vietnam years, the film somehow struck a chord with a nation fascinated by the metamorphosis of a rebellious son (Al Pacino) into the keeper of his father's dream. Marlon Brando played against Puzo's own conception of patriarch Vito Corleone, and time has certainly proven the actor correct. The rest of the cast, particularly James Caan, John Cazale, and Robert Duvall as the rest of Vito's male brood--all coping with how to take the mantle of responsibility from their father--is seamless and wonderful. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

a good story.......2007-09-04

This is a great story, though its romanticization and glorification of organized crime gets a little ridiculous. It's a well made movie but it's excellent sequel is better in every way. Much better than the third film though.

Ivan Rorick

THE BEST MOB MOVIE EVER MADE!.......2007-08-26

The Godfather is the best mob movie ever made! Followed closely by The Godfather part 2. This is heads above the rest because it is not just a bunch of mindless killing, but a character study into the family. Being Italian American myself, I can tell you this is the most accurate portrayal of an Italian American family I have ever seen on screen! First rate performances throughout and every attention to detail is impeccable. One of the most amazing performances is Marlon Brando's Don. He isn't on screen very long, but leaves us with one of the most unforgettable and powerful characters in the history of films. The DVD transfer is excellent and the Godfather box set is an essential purchase!

three stars for the film, five stars for art direction, cinematography, Brando, Pacino & rest of supporting cast.......2007-08-14

Art direction is impeccable, camera work is a wonder. The film itself is not bad, although what impressed me was Pacino, Abe Vigoda, John Cazale, Lenny Montana, Richard Castellano, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Alex Rocco (Moe Green)...

Most moviegoers wouldn't even know who most of these actors are--and they might not even care to find out. Well, to me, character actors very often meant more than the leads.

It's not a bad flick about mobsters, even though Mario Puzo has written far better novels (The Fortunate Pilgrim and The Dark Arena--that went nowhere, until he hit the big time with The Godafather.)

But to say that this is one of the greatest films ever made? I don't think so.

The Godfather of Mafia Movies.......2007-07-20

This is the one that started it all as far as I'm concerned. Marlon Brando, James Cann, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton and Talia Shire give outstanding performances in each of their roles. This is the story of Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) and his place as the 'head' of all the families. The alternate plot is how his son Michael Corleone (played by Al Pacino) came into power. 'I never wanted this for my son Michael', Vito expresses with disappointment. This is a movie you have to watch - for if you don't - Vito Corleone will 'make you an offer you can't refuse'.

Very Nice.......2007-07-09

I was a Godfather virgin until last night.

Wow. I see now that Al Pacino is more than just an old blind guy saying "hoowah!"

He was sexy.

Average customer rating:

Racist Film with more MISrepresentations of Native Americans
Which is worse, the historical whitewash, or the fact that it's dead boring?
Overall enjoyable
Great dvd
Pochahontas

Pocahontas (10th Anniversary Edition)
Starring: Irene Bedard , Judy Kuhn , Mel Gibson , David Ogden Stiers , and John Kassir
Director: Mike Gabriel , and Eric Goldberg
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0007KTBIU
Release Date: 2005-05-03

Amazon.com

Disney's take on this historical confrontation between European settlers and Native Americans follows the paths of two future lovers. One is British adventurer John Smith, who travels the Atlantic with the Virginia Company to establish Jamestown. On the shore is Pocahontas, a typical Disney heroine: bright, beautiful, mischievous, and motherless. The two meet in the untamed wilds of America (the first meeting is quite divine), fall in love, and try to ward off the warring factions. It's Disney's version of a Native American West Side Story. Two Disney trademarks do not quite muster up: the villain isn't hissable and the score's only high point is the Oscar-winning "Colors of the Wind." Calling it "historical" is a stretch, but Disney created a very natural look at the two cultures. The Native American characters are handled especially well, and kids should be intrigued by their world; the movie is a far different lesson from the one their parents and grandparents learned. Disney has discovered a few things, though: you don't have to kill to solve your problems, and you can end the film without a happily-ever-after, illustrated by a touching final visual. (Ages 5 and older) --Doug Thomas

Description

All the music, adventure, and colorful fun of Disney's POCAHONTAS come to life like never before in the 10th Anniversary Edition 2-Disc Set. Bursting with all the "Colors Of The Wind," POCAHONTAS tells the story of a free-spirited girl who wonders what adventures await "Just Around The Riverbend." Pocahontas -- along with her playful pals Meeko and Flit -- relies on the guidance of her loving and wise Grandmother Willow when English settlers arrive on the shores of their village. Her chance meeting with the courageous Captain John Smith leads to a beautiful friendship that bridges the gap between two cultures, and changes history. Now fully restored, POCAHONTAS includes the song "If I Never Knew You," and never-before-seen animation seamlessly integrated into the original film. This 2-Disc 10th Anniversary Edition is loaded with spectacular bonus features, all-new games, and soaring Academy Award(R)-winning music (1995 Best Original Musical Score, Best Original Song, "Colors Of The Wind"). Disney's POCAHONTAS is a fun-filled adventure your whole family will enjoy.

Customer Reviews:

Racist Film with more MISrepresentations of Native Americans.......2007-09-02

I really don't have time to write out all the consitencies. Just google "The Real Pocahontas" and you will find many critiques of the film. To begin with...that wasn't even her real NAME!

Which is worse, the historical whitewash, or the fact that it's dead boring?.......2007-08-28

Disney puts a pretty face on its rather ugly retooling of historical and biographical fact by laying on enough textual PC correctives to appease most of the thenthitives out there, and maybe even a few of the people who have some real reason to be offended. (And, yes, they do have reason.) This doesn't help it as a movie, though - and neither does the tiresome and mushy romance angle that slurps up a lot of the screen time. Great pains were reportedly taken with the animation, which I found to be competently uninspired by Disney standards of the period. A key color scheme associated with the character Pocahontas is an unfortunate mash of purples, pinks and golds - a color combination most recognizably associated with Barbie. This Pocahontas is, in fact, something like the genetic offspring of Barbie and a fictionalized historical figure - grown in a medium of touchy-feely new-age sentiment (emphasis on the touchy). I could probably forgive it any faults, though, if it were any good as a movie.

Really, this is material Disney should have left alone. They might have actually had a more entertaining film (albeit a more offensive one) if they had felt free to treat the story LESS respectfully. They might have also had a better movie if they had treated the material with the kind of respect it actually deserves, but is simply way beyond their ken creatively and intellectually. What we get is Disney as a bull trying hard to gingerly tippy-toe around a china shop that it has no business being in in the first place.

A similar schizophrenia plagued their ill-advised adaptation of a famous Victor Hugo novel in the same period, when the studio was evidently nurturing some loftily outsize artistic aspirations, but the result was so grotesquely perverse that it actually ended up being worth seeing - if only for the jaw-dropping 'what were they smoking at Disney' quality. (It also had some truly impressive animation.) 'Pocahantas' is not in nearly poor enough taste to provide entertainment on that level, but it's still in way too poor taste to be accepted or respected on the terms it gropes for. If nothing else, it proves that political correctness doesn't equal real sensitivity - nor does it make for interesting cinema.

Anyway, this one fails pretty miserably. Even if you can get past the inherent offensiveness of Smith and Pocahontas hooking up (according to history, if they ever did it was in what would now be considered a combination of statutory and actual rape), the execution of the romantic element here ranges from excruciatingly dull at best to... {insert puking noises}.

I don't always demand accuracy in portraying people who actually lived. I cringe when ignorant people present as history details of the Marquis de Sade's life that they could only have culled from the highly fictionalized 'Qillls.' I enjoyed that movie, though, (never saw the play) and so I was willing to forgive the fact that it was actually straight-up hogwash as both history and biography - even knowing that the facts of the man's life are actually more dramatic and interesting than than the mostly invented and over-the-top story in 'Quills,' I forgave it. It was an engaging two hours with some fun performances, so I let it go. And when people who have been exposed to it prove repeatedly that they are depressingly given to accepting what they see in a movie as fact if they don't actually know any better, I don't blame the movie, I blame THEM.

My recent experience with the dreadful 'Lonely Hearts' was another story, however. The transformation of lonely, insecure and famously obese serial killer Martha Beck into a sexually confident femme fatale hottie played by Salma Hayek felt like a gross betrayal. Not that a creep like Beck (or Sade, for that matter) deserves anyone's reverence - but the changes were typical Hollywood, they made her less interesting and more banal, and, as a character, she no longer made any sense. (Hayek's man-jumping vamp is clearly NOT the type that would need to look in the lonely hearts pages for a mate - but her presence does allow for loads of photogenic sex scenes that pass for character development. My brother has said, by the way, that he "would DO Pocahontas," but I don't think they drew her that way on purpose, do you? :| ) Making that character conform to a Hollywood standard (stereotype) was symptomatic of the film's overall slick ineptitude and gutlessness. If it had been a better movie, would I have forgiven the inaccuracies? Almost certainly - but after two excellent (non-Hollywood, natch) films that strove to interpret that character faithfully (and were all the more fascinating for it), 'Lonely Hearts' would have had to pull out some serious magic to get by with that. (I don't see it as a possibility, since that particular character interpretation was born of an imaginative bankruptcy that infected every aspect of the script.) Given the dismal situation for actresses in Hollywood who aren't built like Barbie, I would have liked to have seen some outrage over 'Lonely Hearts'' (mis)casting.

'Pocahontas' is another can of beans, entirely. As someone else put it when it came out, imagine a movie in which Anne Frank falls for, and runs off with, a German soldier. That's not overstating it by much. Let's say somebody DID make that movie. Would that be bad? Of course. What if it was actually an exciting and entertaining movie? Personally, I feel it is the responsibility of the viewer to NEVER take what they see in the movies (or on TV, or in the news, etc.) at face value - and if they do, that is a failure of the culture they live in. (F A I L U R E, people.) I have nothing but disgust for parents who use the TV and the computer as a babysitter without instilling any kind of media awareness in their kids (pointy finger: you know who you are... I hope) - but they probably know no better themselves how to evaluate what they absorb. So if the 'Anne Frank in Love' film were real, and if it were actually good, I'd probably recommend it as cinema, but it would be a heavily qualified recommendation. (See my review of 'Cannibal Holocaust' for an example of a VERY heavily qualified recommendation.) I am not the kind of jackass who feels obliged to run down Leni Riefenstahl's remarkable talent just because she made movies for Hitler. Hitler, the monster, at least had some taste to choose her. Now let's say for a moment that the 'Anne Frank in Love' movie got made, and that it's main target audience was CHILDREN...

Hmmmmm...

Well, the one star rating here isn't because I don't respect the movie's approach to history, it's because, first and foremost, THE MOVIE BLOWS... and I don't respect its approach to history, either - particularly given the target audience.

If you show this to kids (not that I can see them being engaged by it, but okay), it demands A LOT of context and explanation. (Or you can just go ahead and BE an irresponsible parent. Most evidently are these days.)

Overall enjoyable.......2007-08-23

I rate this straight down the middle. The music is pretty nice, as well as the animation but the story struck me as mediocre. Perhaps because the writers took great liberties in re-writing history. Still, I did for the most part enjoy watching it. I havent seen it in a while and probably won't but if you love Disney, then definetely watch this.

Great dvd.......2007-03-11

My favorite Disney movie of ALL time and this is a wonderful DVD! It has extras on a second dvd and the scene of Pocahontas and John Smtih singing together was added back in! GREAT DVD!!

Pochahontas.......2007-03-07

great storyline - a bit of history in animation . teach the children while watching a great film. The music is very well done and a great film to watch.

Average customer rating:

Angels Fall - Nora Roberts
Heather Handles Serious Role

Angels Fall
Starring: Heather Locklear , and Johnathon Schaech
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00000F4F3
Release Date: 2007-08-07

Product Description

Reece Gilmore (Locklear) leaves town after surviving a massacre at the Boston restaurant where she was the chef. She ends up accepting a job at a diner in Wyoming and gets to know the locals, especially Brady (Schaech), a dashing mystery writer. Reece is considering settling down there permanently, but when she witnesses a murder while hiking, her past comes flooding back to her. As the police investigation proceeds, there is absolutely no evidence of the crime, and everyone doubts her story - which leads Reece to question her own sanity.

Customer Reviews:

Angels Fall - Nora Roberts.......2007-09-08

I read the book (which was one of my favourites) and I know changes must be made to the script for a shorter version - still it was a good movie. I think that the perfect actors were chosen for each character in the story.. Well done!!

Heather Handles Serious Role.......2007-07-06

Nora Roberts novel offers more depth to the characters than the movie. Duh! What else is new?
Actually, I enjoyed Heather Locklear's performance as the heroine, Reece. I think we may be previewing
Heather Locklear per future roles as she enters middle-age.

Average customer rating:

Howard Hughes - Another Scorsese Biopic Masterpiece
Interesting Portrait of Howard Hughes
Great Story- Fine performances.
Entertaining as far as it goes, but lacks context...and an ending
A film that takes flight and soars above the rest...

The Aviator (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Starring: Alan Alda , Alec Baldwin , Kate Beckinsale , Cate Blanchett , and Frances Conroy
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
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ASIN: B00080ZG10
Release Date: 2005-05-24

Product Description

An epic biopic depicting the early years of legendary director and aviator Howard Hughes' career, from the late 1920's to the mid-1940's.
Running Time: 170 min.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

From Hollywood's legendary Cocoanut Grove to the pioneering conquest of the wild blue yonder, Martin Scorsese's The Aviator celebrates old-school filmmaking at its finest. We say "old school" only because Scorsese's love of golden-age Hollywood is evident in his approach to his subject--Howard Hughes in his prime (played by Leonardo DiCaprio in his)--and especially in his technical mastery of the medium reflecting his love for classical filmmaking of the studio era. Even when he's using state-of-the-art digital trickery for the film's exciting flight scenes (including one of the most spectacular crashes ever filmed), Scorsese's meticulous attention to art direction and costume design suggests an impassioned pursuit of craftsmanship from a bygone era; every frame seems to glow with gilded detail. And while DiCaprio bears little physical resemblance to Hughes during the film's 20-year span (late 1920s to late '40s), he efficiently captures the eccentric millionaire's golden-boy essence, and his tragic descent into obsessive-compulsive seclusion. Bolstered by Cate Blanchett's uncannily accurate portrayal of Katharine Hepburn as Hughes' most beloved lover, The Aviator is easily Scorsese's most accessible film, inviting mainstream popularity without compromising Scorsese's artistic reputation. As compelling crowd-pleasers go, it's a class act from start to finish. --Jeff Shannon

DVD Features
In his commentary track, director Martin Scorsese offers his own impressions of Howard Hughes and rattles off his memories of experiencing Hughes's films. He mentions how he made Cate Blanchett watch every Katharine Hepburn film from the '30s on the big screen, and observes that Kate Beckinsale had "a real sense of the stature of a Hollywood goddess." But in general he doesn't talk much about the craft of making the film. That area is covered better by editor Thelma Schoonmaker, who also appears on the commentary track, and producer Michael Mann makes a few appearances (all were recorded separately). The picture is brilliant, but the 5.1 sound is not as aggressive in the rear speakers and subwoofer as one might expect, other than some nice surround effects in the Hell's Angels flying sequence.

The second disc collects almost three hours of features. There's one unnecessary deleted scene, and an 11-minute making-of featurette that's basically the cast and director heaping praise on each other. More interesting are the short featurettes on visual effects (including the XF-11 scene, of course), production design, costumes, hair and makeup, and score, and Loudon Wainwright discusses his and his children's musical performances. Historical perspective is provided by spotlights on Hughes's role in aviation and his obsessive-compulsive disorder, and a 43-minute Hughes documentary from the History Channel (part of the Modern Marvels series, it focuses on his mechanical innovations and spends less than a minute on his movies). More unusual are DiCaprio and Scorsese's appearance on an OCD panel, and a half-hour interview segment DiCaprio did with Alan Alda. --David Horiuchi

The Personalities of The Aviator
Click the links to explore more movies by these stars.

Leonardo DiCaprio as Howard Hughes
"Sometimes I truly fear that I... am losing my mind. And if I did it... it would be like flying blind."

Cate Blanchett as Katharine Hepburn
Howard Hughes: "You're the tallest woman I have ever met."
Katharine Hepburn: "And all sharp elbows and knees. Beware."

Kate Beckinsale as Ava Gardner
Howard Hughes: "Does that look clean to you?"
Ava Gardner: "Nothing's clean, Howard. But we do our best, right?"

Gwen Stefani as Jean Harlow
Jean Harlow in Hell's Angels: "Would you be shocked if I put on something more comfortable?"

Jude Law as Errol Flynn
Errol Flynn in Captain Blood: "Up the riggings, you monkeys! Break out those sails and watch them fill with the wind that's carrying us all to freedom!"

Director Martin Scorsese
"You get a sense of Howard Hughes being Icarus with the wax wings. Those wings were great for a while, but he flies too close to the sun." --Martin Scorsese

Other Movies by The Aviator's Oscar® Winners

Production Designer Dante Ferretti
Film Editor Thelma Schoonmaker
Costume Designer Sandy Powell
Cinematographer Robert Richardson
See all the Oscar® winners at Oscar Central

The Aviator at Amazon.com

The Aviator soundtrack
The Screenplay
Howard Hughes: The Real Aviator

Howard Hughes movies
Great movies of the 1930s
The films of Martin Scorsese

Customer Reviews:

Howard Hughes - Another Scorsese Biopic Masterpiece.......2007-09-06

Martin Scorsese has a way with biopics. Each one has been a masterpiece. Raging Bull (Special Edition), The Last Temptation of Christ - Criterion Collection, and GoodFellas (Two-Disc Special Edition) are masterpieces and I feel THe Aviator ranks right up there with these.

It's a wonderful movie. Spectacular and grand in its scope. The cast is brilliant and their acting is perfect. Cate Blanchett steals the show as Katharine Hepburn, definitely and Oscar worthy performance. Also are Alan Alda, Alec Baldwin, Kate Beckinsale, Jude Law, Gwen Stefani, and John C. Reilly.

The film itself covers Howard Hughes life for 20 or so years. It features his move to Hollywood, the making of Hell's Angels, and his entagles with both Katharine Hepburn and Ava Gardner.

The DVD features an informative commentary with the man himself, Martin Scorsese, also included is one deleted scene, and a few featurettes, all of which are a must watch.

Although a tad on the lengthy side (170 minutes!), this muvie is a very good movie. I love it. It's one of the best of the year. Definitely recommended.

Highly recommended.

Interesting Portrait of Howard Hughes.......2007-08-25

This portrait of Hughes shows him both as a forward looking genius who took tremendous chances that ended in great success and as a reclusive eccentric with mental problems. Is it accurate? I don't know. I have two problems with this movie. First of all, Leonardo DiCaprio was not convincing as Howard Hughes. He tried very hard, but it just doesn't quite succeed. I think he is still too young and inexperienced to really pull it off. It's not a terrible job of acting, but nothing spectacular either. Perhaps a very difficult role to do. The second problem was the ending. The movie just stopped without any real conclusion. I guess after almost 3 hours, they had to end it at some point. I was disappointed that they didn't follow the story on a little further and make it more of a full biography. It would have been too long then, but some scenes could have been cut and the movie could have completed Hughes life within 3 hours. If nothing else, the movie inspired me to want to read more about Hughes and find out how many liberties they took in the film. Did Hughes really drink only milk from a sealed bottle? Was he a cleanliness freak? Did his mental illness cause him to repeat something over and over again? How much that went on between TWA and Pan Am in the movie actually occurred? Was Hughes a big ladies man and did he and Kate Hepburn have a relationship for quite some time, as the movies suggests? The movie held my interest from start to finish, so for that I give it 4 stars. Is it really a 4-star movie? Perhaps not, but it was very entertaining and that's what movies are supposed to do--entertain you. Hughes was such an interesting man, a true documentary biography might have been actually more far more enjoyable than this fictionalized account.

Great Story- Fine performances........2007-08-24

I can't say I'm a huge Leonardo DeCapprio fan but he really does a fine job in this portrayal of the young Howard Hughes. He gets a lot of support from a great cast and the screenplay is very witty and engaging. A really good movie. It took me a while to get to this one but I'm glad I finally did.

Entertaining as far as it goes, but lacks context...and an ending.......2007-07-22

This is one of those movies which leaves you wondering why exactly it was made in the first place. If you are part of the DiCaprio target demographic, you have no earthly idea who Howard Hughes even was, and fact this a


	Kate Beckinsale as Ava Gardner Howard Hughes: "Does that look clean to you?" Ava Gardner: "Nothing's clean, Howard. But we do our best, right?"