The Last House on the Left

Amazon.com

Future Nightmare creator and Scream weaver Wes Craven's film debut is a primitive little production that rises above its cut-rate production values and hazy, grainy patina via its grimly affecting portrait of human evil infiltrating a middle-class household. The story is adapted from Ingmar Bergman's The Virgin Spring, but the film has more in common with Sam Peckinpah's Straw Dogs as it charts the descent of a harmless married couple into methodical killers. A quartet of criminals--a distorted version of the nuclear family--kidnaps a pair of teenage girls and proceeds to ravage, rape, torture, and finally brutally murder them in the woods, unwittingly within walking distance of their rural home. The killers take refuge in the girls' own home, but when the parents discover just who they are and what they've done, they plot violent retribution.

Along with George Romero's Night of the Living Dead and Tobe Hooper's Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Craven helped redefine American horror with this debut--all three movies portray modern society crumbling into madness and horror. But, unlike his fellow directors, Craven gives his film an uncomfortable verisimilitude, setting it squarely in the heartland of modern America. While at times it's awkward and inconsistent, with distracting comic interludes, his handling of the brutal horror scenes is unsettling, and the death of the daughter is an unexpectedly quiet and lyrical moment. --Sean Axmaker

Description

Bold, powerful and starkly realistic, this chilling cinematic debut of horror master Wes Craven (Scream) is a shocking journey into the heart of evil. Written and directed with almost unbearable dramatic tension (Chicago Sun-Times), The Last House on the Left will make you deadbolt your doors and frantically mutter: It's only a movie it's only a movie it's only a movie! Easy-going Mari Collingwood and her fun-loving friend Phyllis are on their way to a Bloodlust concert to celebrate Mari's 17th birthday when three escaped convicts kidnap and torture them. But Mari and Phyllis are fighters, and although they are drugged and beaten into unconsciousness, stuffed into a car trunk and driven into the woods for even more brutality, they are still alive...but for how long?

Customer Reviews:

Drama not Horror.......2007-09-16

This movie has HORRIBLE acts in it, but it does not belong in the horror genre. It's more of a Drama I give it 3 stars for drama. You know what it is about already based on the hundreds of other reviews. I'm just going to say that it wasn't scary it was kind of just a thriller/drama. Sad kinda really. The music was odd to say the least. I think the movie had a lot of hidden meanings in it, poetic kind of. Don't buy this if you're looking for horror, it's just not in this movie. Yeah there are killings but...that doesn't make it a horror movie by default. This is a dramatic piece of...work.

Not for the faint of heart, but a good film nonetheless.......2007-09-07

Last House on the Left is exploitative. That's one way to put it. It's a bit informative, definitely shocking, and definitely one that needs to be watched.

The movie itself takes a backseat to the content in a couple of its scenes. It's hard to give an accurate review of this movie while still withholding much of what makes this movie a must see.

It's definitely shocking and definitely exploitative to a certian degree, but what really makes this movie is the questions you're left with at the end. It's an intelligent (if that's even the right choice of wording) 70's exploitation flick. The exploitation isn't there to arouse, it's there to cringe, disgust, and move to viewers to an uncomfortable feeling. Most people don't consider this movie to be a masterpiece, or even a good movie. While no masterpiece, the acting is wooden at times, the direction is a little lagging, and the comedy is forced, this is one of the better movies of the wildly entertaining cinema heaven known as trhe 70's.

Last House on the Left packs a whollop that no movies today, not Irreversible or Baise-Moi can ever grasp. And one that I Spit On Your Grave (Millennium Edition) can't certainly get. It's different. It's thought provoking. It's shocking and downright terror inducing, but it's viseral yet intellectual, and dangerously effective. An exploitation with a conscience.

Now, the DVD features a commentary with Wes Craven and Sean Cunnigham. It also includes a 30 minute "Making Of" feauturette's that nearly as must see as the movie itself, and a number of never-before-seen scenes.

Definitely recommeded.

Maybe...........2007-09-05

When I bought this film at my local fye, being a Wes Craven fan, I was instantly interested. But when I read the case, I was kinda leery. I didn't pay that close attention to it... until the end. I have no compassion for rapists, pedophiles and killers, so the conclusion was perfect revenge fantasy for me. In the beginning, I may have judged it too harshly. I also liked I Spit on your Grave, oddly enough, though it too was very disturbing, but by today's standards, both are rather tame-Eye for an Eye with Sally Field was alot more graphic than this, to me. I like various genres-good vs.evil, cartoon, revenge, but I generally won't watch anything that glorifies rape and torture-but these films cover the coping of these savage, sometimes unforgivable actions and the consequences of them, so to speak. I'm not an advocate for taking justice into your own hands, but what about when justice fails, what do you do then? I don't love this film, but I don't hate it either, hence the rating.

Classic porror at its gory best..........2007-08-17

I saw this movie years ago and was totally scared. This time around (I guess nothing haunts me now) I enjoyed the thrill ride, so I must be sick! The movie begins by saying that the events are based on real facts. whether or not that's true, it got me sitting on the edge of my seat. Two friends, fun-loving Phyllis and Mari are on the way to a rock concert. They decide to pick up some pot (bad mistake) and get themselves kidnaped by a couple of escape convicts, a crazy "animal like" woman and the drug-addict son of one of the convicts. They rape, drug and torture these teens. Mari's parents decide to seek revenge on the group. There was plenty of gore---one girl gets stabbed and her guts are pulled out and there's a chainsaw. My favorite part was the revenge scene where Mari's mother bites off something belonging to one of the convicts. There was a little comedy---when the police were trying to investigate, they performed like the Keystone Cops adding a break to a very gory classic 70s horror film. The acting was pretty bad (thus the 3 stars), but this is a low budget film. Overall, very entertaining!

gory.......2007-08-13

take this movie for what it is. a slasher flick that gives you a lot of gore and very little plot. it can't be called a classic but it is not that bad.

Average customer rating:

on the edge
Obsession
Understanding anguish...
jewels in the rough
Cilian Murphy rules

On the Edge
Starring: Cillian Murphy , Tricia Vessey , Stephen Rea , Jonathan Jackson , and Marcella Plunkett
Director: John Carney
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000063RQQ
Release Date: 2002-05-21

Customer Reviews:

on the edge.......2007-02-24

On the edge was a good plot for a movie. But was poorly acted, and over all poorly done, if you are looking for a good drama, as I said the plot was great, but the acting bore me.

Obsession.......2007-02-18

Cullian Murphy is my new obsession. He is a wonderful actor and I love his diversity. What ever role I see him in he makes me forget i'm watching a movie. He's a breath of fresh air to Hollywood and I hope he continues to accept good roles instead of the big budget anyone can play that type role. I never really paid much attention to Jonathan until this movie and Trish either. Both were excellent. I buy very few movies because usually once I watch a movie I never need to see it again. This is one I bought. The acting is top notch and the story really good not your typical hollywood crap. It's well worth the money.

Understanding anguish..........2007-02-06

Cillian Murphy, Tricia Vessey and Jonathan Jackson are very convincing in their roles as tormented souls who have failed to achieve the precarious balance that most humans find that keeps them most of the time away from the brink of desolation that young people find themselves peering over, as shown so well by the lens in the last sequence of "On the Edge". What brings them to this "brink" - and what saves them from it - are the mysteries that those who delve in the dark, murky waters of human depression and mental health find. This movie has explored, and not so deeply as to crush the viewer in morbid thought, these things and provided both tragedy and hope, all in a beautifully written and well-performed script.
While Stephen Rea is anything but dynamic in his role, his seemingly single dimension is actually a statement to the fact that far more often than not, there is nothing that can be done but to give these folks a little time to decide to try to live -- another day.

jewels in the rough.......2005-12-06

At every turn during "On the Edge", you will be delighted and moved and horrified and amused when you discover the sheer jewels of dialogue and facial expressions and quirky but real human responses to the burdens they bear. They - the jewels of acting and writing and cinemetography - came so unexpectedly that each moment was as rich as the last. I'm so surprised both Cillian Murpny and Tricia Vessey aren't more prominent in the USA. They have enormous talent. "On The Edge" - because of the inestimable talent of its actors - is a warm, funny, tragic, lovely jewel in the rough - a rare find. The music is terrific too. Is there a soundtrack CD? I'd buy it tomorrow.

Cilian Murphy rules.......2005-10-17

The movie is only good because of Cilian Murphy. It is funny and mental. Good movie for a boring day.

Just for Laughs - Stand Up, Vol. 2 - On the Edge

Average customer rating:

Some interesting characters

Just for Laughs - Stand Up, Vol. 2 - On the Edge
Starring: Just for Laughs
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000C20VNC
Release Date: 2006-02-07

Description

Live from Just for Laughs' Montreal International Comedy Festival comes the funniest comics to ever take the stage at the world's largest and most prestigious comedy event! With hilarious performances by Mitch Hedberg, Dave Attel, Dane Cook, Lewis Black, Jim Breuer, Maria Bramford, Harland Williams, Mitch Fatel and Sean Cullen!

Customer Reviews:

Some interesting characters.......2006-02-18

Like volume I of this Just for Laughs series, there are no profound social or political insights to be found here. But the comics chosen from the Montreal Comedy Festival's annual stand-up revue provide some good laughs, and above all, they provide a range of memorable comic characters.

Most of the individuals featured here have fashioned interesting on-stage personae for themselves. Without having gone so far as to become branded products on the market, they have nonetheless honed their performances into individual Dickensian idiosyncrasy.

There's Mitch Fatel who plays the simple soul. He can say outrageous things that would give offense if they were spoken by a sophisticate.
There's Mitch Hedberg who endears himself as the mellow wise man, speculating on life's misnomers. (I sleep in a twin bed. I constantly ask myself, "Where is my brother?")
There's Mr. Black known for living in a perpetual state of road rage.
There's Dane Cook who is the Bruce Springsteen of stand-up comedy. He eats up the stage with working class muscularity as he acts out his dilemmas.
There's Sean Cullen who puts his Irish tenor persona to good use as he illustrates how different popular singers such as Neil Young and Bob Dylan might have sounded if they had recorded theme songs for the James Bond movies.

You get the cream of the crop of stand-up comedy from this Series, without having to get dressed up, go out, and spend a lot of money in various Comedy Clubs. The laughs are brought to you. When you've had a hard day at work, I think this tape will
humorously bring home the fact that others have their perplexities too - that we all have PROBLEMS. And you'll feel better, for a little while anyway.

Average customer rating:

house on the edge of the park
Creepy,Sexy,Cheesey & Disturbing All At The Same Time !
Putting the "exploit" into exploitation...
A movie people love to hate,
Horror? Wrong Genre.

The House on the Edge of the Park
Starring: David Hess , Annie Belle , Christian Borromeo , Giovanni Lombardo Radice , and Marie Claude Joseph
Director: Ruggero Deodato
Manufacturer: Shriek Show
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00006IUK2
Release Date: 2002-12-17

Customer Reviews:

house on the edge of the park.......2007-08-20

house on the edge of the park is a well known video nastie in england that id been after for a long time,it was a very nasty film,not nice to watch if u aint into films like i spit on ur grave but dam did i love it,the ending was a bit of a let down and a unbeleaveable twist but it was low budget,its a well made film and a top notch dvd with great sound and picture and some good interviews that tell you lots of behind the scenes stuff,i highly recomend it 2 video nasties collecters and people who like nasty films.

Creepy,Sexy,Cheesey & Disturbing All At The Same Time !.......2006-06-10

Ruggero Deodato's "HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK" is a super softcore p(xxx)n thriller with good acting from most everybody in the film especially madman cult villain David Hess along with a fun little twist ending. This one deserves a spot on any genre collectors shelf. Perfect for a cold rainy day!

Putting the "exploit" into exploitation..........2006-02-20

In the House on the Edge of the Park, a group of decadent rich kids invite two blue collar low lifes (David Hess and Giovanni Lombardo Radice) to a party (which, presumably, is being held at a house on the edge of a park). At first, Hess and Radice are rather cruelly patronized by their hosts. However, it turns out that Hess is also a psychotic sadist and he quickly turns the tables, spending the rest of the night tormenting and raping the upper class. Finally, his victims attempt to strike back and it all leads to a "surprise" ending which is surprising mostly because it seems to have been made up at the last minute when the film's makers realized they didn't have an ending.

Though hardly the crime against humanity that some critics have made it out to be, The House on the Edge of the Park is still a pretty lousy movie. After a strong start (the film has one of the most disturbing openings I've ever seen), director Ruggero Deodato appears to grow bored with the material and shows little of the flair that has distinguished his other films. As well, the film does feature one of the worst (if undeniably catchy) disco soundtracks ever to show up in film. As the film's violence escalates, it starts to display an attitude that comes dangerously close to being blatantly anti-female (a claim that, all hyperbole aside, cannot really be made about most Italian exploitation films no matter how over-the-top their action may be).

If there is a redeeming factor to the House on the Edge of the Park, it is the lead performance of David Hess. Playing a truly depraved character, Hess is actually quite frightening and never less than believable (even when the rest of the film isn't). In this film, Hess creates one of the most memorable screen villians ever and he brings a real element of danger to the film. As his mentally challenged buddy, Giovanni Lombardo Radice also gives a good performance, creating a character who is both sympathetic and scary. Indeed, Hess and Radice give performances that are probably too good for the film they've found themselves stuck in. Though it's hard to recommend the film to anyone, it's very easy to recommend these two excellent performances to anyone who appreciates good acting.

A movie people love to hate,.......2006-02-09

I've never heard of a functioning adult going on to become a crazed rapist after watching a film so I cant bring myself to quite condemn this film outright simply for portraying rape.

I think the horror in this film comes from how you deal with what you're shown on the screen. Hopefully you are repulsed by the violence and feel empathy for the characters suffering. So in that sense the film operates like a tragedy.

Unfortunately the poor and at times illogical script conspires to limit the films beneficial impact, and as some have said the film does at times seem to delve into unredeemably evil areas. It at times feels like the director/writer were only interested in their dark sexuality rather than putting together a sensical, cohesive story.

Like most Italian horror of the time, this film is shot beautifully, but is short in script. Also like many Italian films, the women are beautiful, even if they are put in rotten situations.

This film is not for children or impressionable people, it deals with disturbing themes and people. Parts of the films story is poor, however the film will bring you into it and you will experience something from it. I'm just not convinced theres much to be gained from that experience.

Horror? Wrong Genre........2006-02-09

I rented this movie thinking it was going to be a horror flick. From the description, it doesn't sound too bad. It sounds pretty exciting. The real thing? Kind of a disaster. From the very beginning featuring a rape scene, I began thinking to myself, what am I watching? It definitely didn't get any better from there.

It managed to be somewhat entertaining, but at the expense of unnecessary nudity and fake violence. The only reason I kept watching was to see the ending. They tried to salvage it with this big revelation, that really didn't make much sense at all either way. If interested in this movie, just keep in mind - it's not horror. I don't even know what it is, and I'm still asking myself what I just saw.

Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 14, Episodes 27 & 28: Errand of Mercy/ The City on the Edge of Forever

Average customer rating:

A Keeper! Best Episodes From the First Season!
Time Space Absolute
I would have saved Joan Collins from the car
Great Drama!
Two Essential Episodes

Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 14, Episodes 27 & 28: Errand of Mercy/ The City on the Edge of Forever
Starring: Star Trek Original Series
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: 6305910537
Release Date: 2000-07-11

Amazon.com

Of all the Star Trek original series DVDs, Volume 14 will surely remain one of the most popular, for it offers the first-ever appearance of Klingons (in "Errand of Mercy") and the episode many fans consider the finest of all "classic Trek" adventures.

In "Errand of Mercy," war between the Klingons and the Federation is imminent, and it's up to Captain Kirk (William Shatner) to persuade the peaceful, agrarian planet Organia to sign on with the good guys before the Klingons overwhelm the place. Organia is in a strategically valuable position for whichever warring side claims it first, but the Organians don't seem to care. Kirk and First Officer Spock (Leonard Nimoy) make an awfully good pitch for Federation protection, but Organian leaders reject the offer as a tacit invitation to violence, taking little heed of a Klingon invasion and earning the enmity of both Kirk and Klingon Commander Kor (John Colicos). Essentially a Cold War satire disguised as a Federation-Klingon showdown, "Errand of Mercy" is the brainchild of producer-writer Gene L. Coon, who makes a wonderfully convincing case for the absurdity of each side's claim to moral superiority. Highlights include the Butch-and-Sundance banter between Kirk and Spock as they form a two-man Resistance movement. The episode is directed by John Newland, best known as the host of the supernatural television series, One Step Beyond.

"The City on the Edge of Forever" begins with a medical accident that leaves Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley) a paranoid madman. Leaping through a time portal to Earth's Great Depression of the 1930s, McCoy causes disastrous changes to history, forcing Kirk and Spock to follow him and undo whatever disruptive action he took centuries before. There, Kirk meets a kindly social worker, Edith Keeler (Joan Collins), with whom he falls in love before realizing her fate is the key to a restored future. A shattering drama, "City" brings out the best in the cast and production teams, looking like a feature film that found its way onto television. The background on this show is equally compelling and sometimes hysterically funny, beginning with a highly fanciful script by Harlan Ellison (including a scene with cast members riding a carousel that passes in and out the side of a mountain) that was either rewritten by series creator Gene Roddenberry or producer Gene L. Coon, depending on who's telling the story. Ironically, Ellison's original version won a Writer's Guild award while the revision captured a Hugo, but the real prize is the episode itself. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

A Keeper! Best Episodes From the First Season!.......2006-10-01

If you are picking which volumes to keep from the first season, this has got to be one of them. We get two of the best episodes from the season here and although the believablility factor is stretched quite a bit on "City...", "Errand of Mercy" is an excellent episode too. In the former, we get a Hugo Award winner and in the latter, we get to meet the Klingons for the first time! Both are great reasons to pick up this volume which represent the best of what Star Trek had to offer from its first season. In "Errand ...", superior beings teach representatives from the Klingon Empire and the Federation an important lesson about coexisting and about settling differences non-violently, something we could all still learn from today too. Overall, the plot is very good as well as the acting.

"City..." has become over the years one of the all-time favourite episodes of all Trek fans and I like it too but I have some trouble accepting some of the dramatic licence that this story expects us to take. For example, when Bones makes his unfortunate leap into the past and changes history, I can't understand why the Enterprise as well as the landing party didn't cease to exist as well. In any case, if you can ignore this one point, the rest of the episode is a real gem.

Highly recommended.

Time Space Absolute.......2006-09-10

The enterprise discovers an ancient portal through time. A surge of energy from the portal hits the enterprise injurying Sulu. The shock wave causes Sulu to go into cardiac arrest. Dr. McCoy is about too hypo Sulu with with cordrazine when another wave hits the enterprise leading too an accidently injection. The cordrazine cause Dr McCoy to have excessive paranoia. McCoy thinks Enterprise members are a ship "of murderers and assassins" and assaults transporter personnel, beams down to the planet, and travels back into time. Spock and Jim beam down and discover the Personal Guardian of the time portal and because the guardian can only play the time scenes at one speed, they are prior in time too McCoy's arrival.
Spock and Jim must repair the history damaged by McCoy and return the enterprise back into existence. Jim and Spock arrive in New York City, in the late 1930s during the depression era. They escape a confrontation with a police officer and manage to arrive at the 21st mission and meet a woman name Edith Keeler.

War is evil. War impoverishes countries. The US maintained a policy of isolationism. America did not share Europe's fascination with death. Could America have remained free without participating in WWII? Spock's computer prediction was wrong. America would have remained free without entering the war. The economic loan defaults would take 10 years to stabilize and another 10 for the companies too rebuild. There would be no US war debt. The free market forces of capitalism would create new wealth.

Life, liberty, and private property inevitable rights would set the groundwork for US prosperity. America would prosper and Nazism like Communism would collapse under the weight of its ideology disconnects. Germany had expended all its resources and did not have the resources fight America. The US had the able to protect itself, if attacked; thus avoiding an offensive war. Spock's computer algorithm was simple, the first country too possess a nuclear weapon would an idol of unprecedented super power. The computer predicted that passive movements would result in losing the arms race, the destruction of Europe, and the Rise of a new Rome. History seems to favor Spock; however, his algorithm was designed to make his version of history preferred.

Spock builds a 21st computer by assembling vacuum tubes in a series creating a mnemonic memory device. The crude computer reveals that Social Worker Edith Keeler was killed in a hit and run car homicide. At that moment the computer burns up. Spock redesigns and stabilizes, the computer and learns that history has suddenly changed. Edit Keeler does not die because McCoy intervenes and saves her. Edit Keeler leads a growing pacifist movement and becomes the President of the United States. German would win the arms race, destroy Europe, and control the world. The change in world events over the next six years would destroy the Federation space programs causing the Enterprise too cease to exist. Edit Keelers became the focus point in time changing history. McCoy was the random element.

McCoy appears and lies sick in the street. McCoy is taken to the Mission, but Jim and Kirk are unaware of his arrival. Keeler is impressed with McCoy and nurse him to health. McCoy falls in love with Keeler.

Kirk romantic intentions for Keeler have been increasing. Keeler stumbles on the stairway but Kirk saves her from falling down the stairs. Spock chastises Kirk believing he may have interfered with time allowing his "fascination for death scenero" manifest.

Jim and Spock prevent McCoy from saving Keeler; events unfold as predicted and Keeler dies in the car accident.

The personal Guardian knew that Kirk and Spock would fix history. We know this because they did not cease to exist. Therefore, the guardian was unwilling to provide an advice or assistance. The past could not be changed by visitors, so the visit to the past was harmless.

I would have saved Joan Collins from the car.......2005-07-21

Let the Nazis have the world, it's a small price to pay to bag Joan Collins.

Great Drama!.......2005-03-05

"The City on the Edge of Forever" is great drama presented during Star Trek's phenomenal run in the sixties. The story was genuine and unique for the time and addressed the issue of time travel quite intelligently..Based on an original story by Harlan Ellison, this wonderful episode starred the beautiful Joan Collins in a sensitive and touching role as Edith Keeler..a social worker who's death has an impact upon history.

The chemistry between William Shatner and Joan Collins works well in this episode and Shatner's acting is very subdued but very effective..He conveys his emotions quite effectively in his closeups! I can understand why this particular episode is considered one of the best in the series! Every time I used to run across it as a rerun I would find myself stopping what I was doing to watch it! Now I have it on DVD and still enjoy watching it! One of my favorite scenes is the close up on Joan Collin's face when Spock was trying to explain what he was trying to buid with all the the tubes and antennas chirping in their bungalow..Her expression is priceless! I loved Joan Collins in this role..I wish she would have done more in this vein..

The Guardian of Forever was a unique design and worked very effectively for the show..It must have been quite a feat putting together all of these props for this show..

I would say I am a true Trekkie in that I have read practically every autobiography written by the cast and all the supporting books on the show..I can say honestly that I have seen all 79 episodes at one time or another in my life but now that they are available on DVD I plan on rewatching them and adding my favorites to my collection!

Also DeForest Kelley was superb in this show! DeForest was a brilliant actor who has made such an indelible impression as "Bones" McCoy..In this episode his frenzied state of mind is portrayed convincingly and his scene with Joan Collins is one of the best in the series in my opinion. This show had it all..great writing..great directing..great acting!!

Two Essential Episodes.......2004-12-04

Kirk & Spock go on an ERRAND OF MERCY to save the planet Organia from Klingon conquest, but find the simple Organians are far from defenseless - or exactly what they seem. This episode introduced the Klingons, who are portrayed through sharp characterization and skillful acting rather than with the smoke and make-up that would be used on later Trek incarnations.
After history is catastrophically altered by a deranged McCoy, Kirk & Spock must go to THE CITY ON THE EDGE OF FOREVER (1930's New York) to set things right, but find their mission intertwined with the fate of a woman (Joan Collins) with whom Kirk has fallen in love. Widely acclaimed as the best Trek of all time, and probably Shatner's finest performance.

On the Edge: The Femicide in Ciudad Juarez

Average customer rating:

Disturbing and Haunting

On the Edge: The Femicide in Ciudad Juarez
Starring: Steev Hise
Manufacturer: Illegal Art
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000GEIRLE
Release Date: 2006-08-08

Description

"It's refreshing to see a film from someone who has great politics and is also interested in making it visually appealing." - SAN DIEGO INDEPENDENT MEDIA CENTER

"[On the Edge] is very good ... Steev Hise obviously knows what he is doing." - ALJAZEERA

"A decent selection of experiments in abstract signal processing that take the music so far from its source material as to be unrecognizable..." - THE WIRE

Initiating a new video activism series on Illegal Art, On the Edge is a documentary covering the brutal murders of over 400 poor young women in the border town of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico - murders that have been repeatedly ignored and unresolved by the police and government over the last thirteen years despite the efforts of family members and activists to obtain justice for the victims.

Rather than provide an easy, murder-mystery-style solution to the crimes, the film sets out to explain the social, cultural, and economic factors that have created a situation where these killings can continue, and go unpunished. In addition to explaining the circumstances, On the Edge situates the Juarez killings in the context of wider political and economic trends, showing the audience that this is not just an isolated phenomenon in one far-off city, but a glimpse at a nightmarish future for much of the world unless something is done to prevent it.

Customer Reviews:

Disturbing and Haunting.......2006-11-30

I live in Oklahoma and I had no idea this was going on. How can over 400 young Mexican women be murdered so casually, yet less than three percent of the murders be "solved?" When you add in the fact that another 4000 are missing, presumed dead as well, the numbers get to be staggering. The evils behind this social injustice are even worse. And they're all accepted, to one degree or another.

Steev Hise considers himself to be an artist who digs around in culture, finding old things that interest him and making them new again. I think he's more of a crusader than he's willing to admit. He keeps himself out of his production and lets the facts and the people involved talk about the murders and the casual acceptance of it. It's going to be interesting to see where he goes next.

The DVD is powerful and shocking. Hise evidently found a number of people who have been talking about the murders for years, seeking some kind of justice, and he allows their passion burn on the screen. More than that, he breaks the film into segments that underscore all the social causes, economic causes, and political causes that have contributed to the deaths of so many. The presentation is well thought out, and well argued.

If you don't know about these murders, you will. Either through this DVD or through two Hollywood movies coming out that touch on the subject matter much more lightly than Hise did. One is an upcoming Jennifer Lopez/Antonio Banderas film.

Even more disturbing is the fact that Ciudad-Juarez may be the model for the coming world as corporations continue to run things and benefits for employees continue to disappear. It's easy to think this is just a horrible thing happening to an economically depressed border town, but it's even worse whe you start thinking this may be the blueprint for the future.

Average customer rating:

Sadly disappointed
Why No Pamala?
Where is Pam Grier and why is she gone?
Amazing film...even the edited version...
The Lady Vanishes...a sad hypocrisy

On the Edge
Starring: Bruce Dern , Pam Grier , Bill Bailey (II) , Jim Haynie , and John Marley
Director: Rob Nilsson
Manufacturer: KOCH LORBER FILMS
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0006SSP8K
Release Date: 2005-02-08

Description

A once-promising runner who was unfairly banned from amateur competition twenty years ago sets out to recapture his lost glory and begins to train for one of the toughest races in America, the Cielo Sea.

Customer Reviews:

Sadly disappointed.......2007-08-29

First, service was great! Quick delivery. Courteous, etc.

The product was like a nightmare. The first one sent was like a bootleg copy or something, the movie was all there, just couldn't see it. It was 100% shadow, black, dark, could not see 90% of the scenes. The original is not like this-I have a VHS copy, crisp, clear, bright-I just wanted a DVD of the same movie.
The second copy was a little lighter, viewable, so I just gave up, I kept it because I like the movie. But the quality of this copy is not professional and should not be sold to anyone. Whomever did the copy job should be sent to a lonely, dark island somewhere, forever.

Why No Pamala?.......2007-04-05

Well, during a viewing of the outtake of Bruce and Pam's REAL SEX scenes, the major producer died of a heart attack! It could be that the next-of- kin blamed Oh So HOT Pamala for their relatives demise! I'm the guy at the end of the movie, the "Town Thug", who steals the timeclock and throws it in the ocean. I then raise my arms in victory as The End appears and fades to black. I want this scene to be played at my funeral! The chopped-up rest of the movie sucks, though. The death of the producer really caused serious production problems. It could have been a good movie, otherwise. Pam, you're to die for!

Where is Pam Grier and why is she gone?.......2006-02-25

I have been a distance runner for over 20 years, and have run countless marathons and other races, so I enjoy a good running movie. When I first saw this movie, 20 years ago, I thought it was great. It focused not only on the training and the sacrifices we go through to achieve our goals, but on how it affects other aspects of our lives. It takes a toll on the close relationships we have. It's hard for the ones we love to understand the sacrifices we make for that elusive mistress, the marathon. This movie in its original form explored those issues. What they have now is closer to a documentary, than trying to get to the Soul of running. Why did they have to screw up a good movie. Besides, Pam Grier is beautiful in the original version. Find an old VHS copy with Pam Grier and see the difference.

Amazing film...even the edited version..........2005-12-06

I would contend that the first review on this page misses the boat. This new version is re-edited, but NOT for the reasons mentioned. I can guarantee you that the excising of Pam Greir's character from the film had nothing to do with the provocative nature of an interracial relationship. If they were willing to have Bruce Dern sleep with Pam Greir in 1985 (he's a lucky guy btw), then in today's far more open world, it would certainly not be an issue. Her character was removed from the film for one simple, obvious reason...There was no reason for her to be in the movie. Even back when I was young and watched this film, I always thought to myself, "Pam Greir is HOT, but why is she in this movie? She's a completely pointless character that offers NOTHING to the story?" Thankfully, they have removed her, which only makes this even more of a running movie, which I like. The DVD is grainy, and the audio wasn't synched well with the video, but this is an incredible movie made by runners, for runners. God, what a movie....

The Lady Vanishes...a sad hypocrisy.......2005-07-23

The DVD is grainy, with an out-of-sync audio track, but the story is fine, Bruce Dern does a great job. And where is Pam Grier? Every trace of her has been excised from the original movie; her name is not on the dvd box...and a 95 min loses 10 minutes to what purpose? No reviews have suggested the reason for the release of only the sliced and diced version. What had been an R rated film is now...? A real disappointment to me, having seen the movie in the theaters at the time of its release. For a movie that takes issue with commercialism, the willingness to make a "safe" version without interracial romantic plot points, is sad. Pathetic on several levels.

Average customer rating:

Steve McQueen: Man On the Edge
Starring: James Coburn
Manufacturer: Janson Media
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Biography | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000S3IFQA
Release Date: 2007-07-17

Product Description

Abandoned by his father, he was a reform school kid with nothing going for him and a giant chip on his shoulder. He joined the Marines, but never stayed far from trouble. Then he discovered acting - and the woman who would be with him for most of his meteoric career. He was Steve McQueen, one of Hollywood's highest paid stars - and one of its most difficult, most rebellious and, when he wished, most charming. His story is told with film clips from his greatest performances, including The Magnificent Seven, Love With The Proper Stranger, The Cincinnati Kid, The Reivers, The Great Escape, The Thomas Crown Affair, and Bullitt. Also shown are home movies - and the recollections of those who knew him best, including Steve's first wife, Neile McQueen Toffel and their children, Terri and Chad, fellow actors Chuck Norris, Karl Malden, Don Gordon, as well as directors, producers, agents and the racing buddies who saw it all happen. Narrated by James Coburn.

BattleGround - 21 Days on the Empire's Edge

Average customer rating:

great documentary on the Iraqi war
THE REAL THING
Day to day in Iraq
Good Film!
Finding Context in Chaos

BattleGround - 21 Days on the Empire's Edge
Starring: Sgt. Robert Hollis , Farhan al Bayati , Raed Jarrar , Lt. Col. Nate Sassaman , and May Ying Welsh
Director: Stephen Marshall (III)
Manufacturer: Homevision
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Iraq War | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000BVNS6G
Release Date: 2006-01-10

Product Description

In late 2003, two filmmakers from the Sundance award-winning Guerrilla News Network spent three weeks on the frontlines of the simmering guerrilla war in Iraq, gathering intelligence, dodging bullets, and capturing the untold stories of what has become the world's most covered, and misunderstood, conflict. BattleGround is an irreverent journey that will challenge the orthodoxies of Left and Right, and highlight the humanity of all sides of the conflict. BattleGround will be a critical film for anyone who wants to understand the powerful forces that are sucking America deeper and deeper into a Middle Eastern quagmire. Is Iraq our generation's "Bright Shining Lie," or is it the frontline in a global battle for national survival? Or is to some combination of both?

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Exclusive Interview with Director Stephen Marshall and Producer Anthony Lappe

Lost Scenes

Breakfast at The Al Safeer

Trailer

Liner notes by Chris Chang of Film Comment

System Requirements:

Running Time 82 Mins.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

great documentary on the Iraqi war.......2007-07-31

*Battleground* is one of the few documentaries worth watching in regards to the Iraqi war. Not only is it informative but it's emotional as well.

2 filmmakers from the Guerrilla News Network (GNN) spend 3 weeks in Iraq to get a closer look in Iraq as well as its people. Rana al Aiouby is an opinionated woman who feels that Americans are shoving their culture down the throats of Iraqis. The Iraqi man that she is discussing this particular view doesn't necessarily agree with her. In fact, he feels that Iraq will benefit from America just as Germany and Japan did. In addition, al Aiouby interviews young Iraqi men on their perspectives on Americans. Predictably, Americans aren't among their favorites.

Farhan al Bayati is a well known blogger among Iraqis. Not only does he comes to Iraqi to test radiation levels among discarded military weaponry but he comes with an personal agenda. Years ago, he joined the cause to oppose Saddam Hussein. He was eventually caught, shot and nearly left to bled to death by Saddam. He was rescued by Americans. After more than 10 years, al Bayati returns to see if any of his relatives are still living. If they are, he wonders if they would recognize him. All I can say is that there were a couple of emotional scenes.

I urge you to check out this documentary. You will see various perspectives on the war by Iraqis and by American soldiers. It's interesting to see where they stand on the war. Some of them offer such provoking ponderings. But the bottom line is whether or not this war can be resolved. Can this be a reality or are we from the opposite end of the spectrum from the Iraqis to even meet halfway?

THE REAL THING.......2006-03-07

Battleground is not only great filmmaking, it gets you closer than anything i've seen yet on that so-called war. If you really what to know what's going on in Iraq from the words of the people, get under the skin of the place and begin to FEEL something about it, this is a must-see doc.

Day to day in Iraq.......2006-03-04

If you are new to the 'real' Iraq situation this DVD will be very informative. For those who are 'up to date' on issues like the Bush Administration cutting deals with Iraqi paramilitaries to help stabalise the export of oil - this DVD is old news.

Good Film!.......2006-02-23

This film gives good insight on the feelings of the Iraqi nationals about the war there and the American soldiers that are there.

Finding Context in Chaos.......2006-02-16

The 2003 invasion of Iraq was hailed as the most openly accessible war in history. While embedded journalists traveled with U.S. and British troops on the back of Humvees into battle zones, news audiences received on the ground info in real time. The images and information captured by war journos was remarkable in their proximity to conflict but the context of the information was directly framed by what the Pentagon allowed journalists to cover. You either played by the rules and got access or you were left out in the cold.
Battleground, in contrast, is an exercise in capturing the context of the invasion from a truly independent, sober perspective. Opinions of American soldiers and commanders were presented alongside actual Iraqi voices. Montages of Iraqi street scenes link powerful narratives of homegrown debates on the merits of the invasion, the emotional homecoming of a former anti-Saddam rebel forced into exile, a citizen journalist informing people on the dangers of Depleted Uranium, and the inner-workings of American Military strategies for restructuring Iraqi society. This film captures what really happened on the ground in the aftermath of a massive military campaign- without government influence. The absence of framing and ideology is a breath of fresh air in the documentary genre.
The stories captured in this film are unique and immensely informative- all stemming from the micro level. There are no voice-overs staging the flow of information. The plot is recounted by real people who find themselves in Iraq at the beginning of a new history. "Battleground" never attempts to re-write Iraq's past nor does it predict its future. Instead, the filmmakers offer the audience a lucid depiction of context- a crucial processes that was entirely absent from news coverage of the invasion.
Battleground is a must-see for anyone craving a balanced on-the-ground depiction of what really happened in Iraq in 2003. Rich in visual energy and powerful music, Battleground is not over-stylized. It is however, immensely informative, beautifully spontaneous, and an extraordinary example of bearing witness to world events and placing them in context.

Average customer rating:

On Edge
Terrible! Terrible! ...
Where's the 0 star rating?
Funny Mocumentary
A Figure Skating "Waiting for Guffman"

On Edge
Starring: Ron Geren , Amy Hill , Gia Buonaguro , Wendie Malick , and Eric Slovin
Director: Karl Slovin
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00018YC1O
Release Date: 2004-03-23

Amazon.com

A mock documentary in the fashion of Christopher Guest's Best in Show, On Edge is a sardonic, occasionally insightful look at the surreal world of figure skating. A fictitious film crew follows behind-the-scenes dramas as three girls work their way through an amateur competition circuit toward fame, glory, and, perhaps, Olympic gold. We meet Veda, a miserable blonde dogged by a severe backstage mom (Wendie Malick) and male groupies; the sluttish, chain-smoking, Tonya Harding-esque J.C. Cain (A.J. Langer); and the hefty Wendy Wodinski (Marissa Jaret Winokur of the Hairspray musical), shrugging off insults about her weight. Jason Alexander, as Zamboni Phil, the man who's seen it all, serves as unofficial host and commentator. Kathy Griffin has some good moments as an aging competitor, and actor John Glover, sporting impressive biceps, is very funny as a Russian trainer. Real-life skaters Scott Hamilton (under heavy disguise), Kristi Yamaguchi, and Randy Gardner add to the overall verisimilitude. --Tom Keogh

Description

Three cold-hearted rivals train, toil and plot their way to figure skating fame in his hilarious mockumentary about skating for gloryand knocking the competition out cold! Starring Jason Alexander, Scott Hamilton, A.J. Langer, Wendie Malick and Kathy Griffinand featuring hilarious cameos by Olympic luminaries Kristi Yamaguchi, Peter Carruthers and Tai BabiloniaOn Edge is a raucous, riotous, razor-sharp romp! When it comes to skating, Zamboni Phil (Alexander) has seen it alluntil he sees Veda, a frosty femme fatale with a heart of ice; Wendy, a plus-size performer with an appetite for gold; and J.C., a determined delinquent with a plan to ice the competition. Skating and scheming to glittering glory, the trio must finally face off in a sequined fight to the finishwhere the only thing sharper than their skates is their cutthroat ambition!

Customer Reviews:

On Edge.......2007-01-09

If you know anything about our amateur and professional skaters, you'll get a kick out of the similarities of the cast of characters in this movie. It was kinda funny except for the some of the language.

Terrible! Terrible! ..........2006-03-13

Reviews are pretty accurate with character descriptions. One girl is a classic skating brat with the matching stage mom in the big coat. Another is white trash-going past Tonya or Nicole into beer binges and other over the top activity. The third girl is new- a fat girl. Every joke about all 3 girls rings true, but only the fat ones seem funny. Maybe because she's an EVIL manipulative fat girl, instead of being sympathetic. The only reason to see this movie disappears early on - guest American Open Champion and show skater Chrisha Gossard plays the pretty girl skater. Her character falls victim to the fat girl's scheming. At least we get to see her skate her Spanish style program. Things continue into a guy/girl Japanese are-better-jumpers conflict -not funny. My advice? FAST FORWARD to Chrisha, WATCH, and EJECT. Burn.

Where's the 0 star rating?.......2005-11-20

I tried watching this DVD with a friend last weekend and, almost an hour into it, we decided to eject the disc and go to bed -- and it was only 6 pm!!! We were neither tired, neither in the mood for romance, we were simply bored to tears by this movie with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Even Kathy Griffin couldn't save this yawnfest.

I wonder if the pawn shop would give me anything for the plastic case, as the DVD itself isn't worth crap!

Do yourself a favor and buy Kathy Griffin's "Allegedly" DVD, instead.

Funny Mocumentary.......2005-08-19

I like mockumentaries and thought this one had potential as the ice skating world is ripe for picking, but it was not to be. "On Edge" must've looked good on paper as there are lots of good set-ups for comedic moments but the execution is not quite as good as movies like "Spinal Tap" or "Best in Show." "On Edge" features so much self conscious mugging for the camera that I'd bet it was fun to be on the set at the time of filming but for those of us in the audience it's very hard to sit through. Its kind of a shame because the movie has a good blueprint. It focuses on a number of young ice skaters prepping for the regional competition. There's the fat girl, the twins, the klutz, the bad girl, and the one for whom ice skating isn't her real dream but her stage mother won't let her stop skating because she's a natural. Jason Alexander is sort of an everyman, playing Zamboni Phil, and commenting sagely on the different girls and their managers. I'd like to see this movie remade by Christopher Guest and company.

A Figure Skating "Waiting for Guffman".......2005-08-02

This "mock documentary" comedic slap at the often times pretentious world of "I'll act sweet for the public, but really I'll drive a knife in your back to get ahead" female U. S. Olympic figure skating is HYSTERICAL! Jason Alexander, Wendi Malick and John Glover may be only out performed by Marissa Winokar.

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