Average customer rating:
- The Stories from a Small Town
- Now this is an acting clinic
- Great Movie
- Great cast, good story.....but ?.
- Good, Good, Really
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Empire Falls
Starring:
Monique Jeanine Lycette ,
Ed Harris ,
Philip Seymour Hoffman ,
Helen Hunt , and
Paul Newman
Director:
Fred Schepisi
Manufacturer: Hbo Home Video
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ASIN: B0009W5IMO
Release Date: 2005-09-13 |
Amazon.com
A frame-bursting roster of actors crowds this two-part HBO miniseries, which is nothing less than a look at America through the lens of a small New England town. Richard Russo adapted his own novel, a story of a gently depressed factory town that has always been run by the wealthiest family around (currently lorded over by matriarch Joanne Woodward). Ed Harris plays the central role, a decent, cautious man who runs a local diner and carefully negotiates the political niceties of Empire Falls; Paul Newman is his rapscallion of a father (the son is perpetually picking food out of Dad's beard), Helen Hunt is Harris's ex-wife, Aidan Quinn his feistier brother, and Robin Wright Penn his tragical mother seen in flashbacks.
The goal of Russo and director Fred Schepisi seems to have been fidelity to the novel, which gives the film a pleasingly relaxed pace but also a somewhat literal-minded binding. Even that doesn't explain the general lack of tautness, or why so much of the dialogue has an awkward fit in actors' mouths. Harris and Newman, of course, are younger and older versions of American monuments, and their sheer presence goes a long way toward making the picture work (for the premium Newman-Russo match, see Robert Benton's sublime film of Nobody's Fool). Most of the twists in the final reels are genuinely affecting, and the movie has the courage to end on a mild note rather than strain to tie everything up. It's a fitting finale for an unassuming enterprise. --Robert Horton
Description
Adapted by author Richard Russo from his 2001 Pulitzer Prize winning novel, EMPIRE FALLS is a portrait of the gritty drama and human comedy that make up everyday life in blue-collar America. On a daily basis, goodhearted restaurant manager Miles Roby (Ed Harris "Glengarry Glen Ross") tries to keep his Empire Grill going, even as the wealthy and powerful Mrs. Whiting(Joanne Woodward "Philadelphia"), makes life difficult for him. If that wasn't enough, Miles has to keep tabs on his scoundrel of a dad, Max (Paul Newman "The Color of Money") who is always looking for trouble. But, Miles has something much bigger than just restaurant receipts and a cantankerous father on his mind-he can't shake the ghosts of his past that keep his fate inevitably connected to Empire Falls.
DVD Features:
Audio Commentary
Featurette
Customer Reviews:
The Stories from a Small Town .......2007-08-01
"Empire Falls" (2005) is a screen adaptation of Richard Russo Pulitzer prize winning novel of the same title. It is a multi character drama that takes place in a small town Empire Falls, Maine. In its center if Miles Roby (Ed Harris) who manages the local restaurant, "Empire Grill" that belongs to a wealthy and powerful widow Mrs. Whiting. The film concerns Miles's re-evaluating his life and searching for answers to the difficult questions. In his search, he looks back at his childhood, his relationship with his mother and the connection between her life and Whitings family. Miles also has to deal with the problems of those close to him: his father Max (Paul Newman stole the show with his performance as a prodigal father), his teenage daughter Tick, his ex-wife Janine, and many more. Based on the first-rate writing, the film is masterfully shot and extremely well acted story of a small and forgotten town with no future.
Now this is an acting clinic.......2007-06-12
Ed Harris and Paul Newman are both amazing here. I know Newman won the Emmy and the Golden Globe, but Ed Harris really made this film for me. Not only was this one of his best performances, but I also liked his character the most. Everyone else in the cast is very good as well, especially the almost too cute Danielle Panabaker as the daughter.
The movie took a little time to pull me in, but once that relaxed "small town" pacing got a hold of me, I wasn't able to look away.
Great Movie.......2007-04-10
Excellent movie and well written story to follow. I bought this movie as a present for my girlfriend because she was one of the extras in it.
Great cast, good story.....but ?........2007-03-23
I'm scratching my head, wondering what was lacking in this DVD for me. The cast could not be better---each actor was wonderul, and Ed Harris, the lead certainly held my interest. The story was interesting and worth telling, and it seemed good that they took their time in telling it---not trying to crowd a novel into a two hour movie.
The closest I can come to for an explanation of my lack of real enthusiasm for it is the tone. It really tells a very dark story and although it's nice to enter into it with all the ordinariness of small town life, but it doesn't adequately prepare us for the really terrible revelations that occur later in the film. I left it with the impression of all the nice folks together eating donuts at the Empire grill. Perhaps it was the cinematograpy---just too much light and shots of the pretty New England town. It was too uniformly sunny...for the dark subject matter. The development of the character depended on his digging into the darkness of his past and this was not adequately represented in the style of the film.
The main idea of the film was the development of the emotionally watered down grill owner (Ed Harris) who is obviously an underachiever. We hear he got straight A's in school and went to college, which was unusual in that town, and yet here he is, working for the town Tyrant (Woodward) managing the small restaurant for the last twenty years with no end in sight. He's great looking and charming but his wife left him for an obvious bozo. His daughter begs him to stand up and stop the marriage but he's so nice and easy going that he just makes her promise to be a bridesmaid. Perhaps, as another reviewer suggested, Harris is just too naturally virile and macho to play such a wimpy character. (I loved him in History of Violence)
When he finally breaks out, he's not convincing either. The fight with the cop is good and it's satisfying to hear him tell off the town witch but he still seems rather sappy to me....spending an awful lot of time hugging his daughter. (If the characters in this story spent more time hugging their mates rather than their kids, they might all have been better off.)
The ending was not clear to me. Does he go back to his really drippy ex-wife (Helen Hunt)? and go into business with his mother-in-law? (I'd hoped he would steal the cute blond waitress away from his step-brother.)
Another thought: maybe it was the enormous joy that Paul Newman obviously took in playing his character that sort of spoiled the darkness of the film. Shame on you, Paul!
Good, Good, Really.......2007-03-07
I had waited in great anticipation when this came out on HBO, and I wanted to see it, I waited, and waited, and it finally comes on T.V, and I sat down and watched it. It has an all-star cast, it has a brilliant cinematic view to it. It is brilliant. It runs slow sometimes, some things get lost in it, as it tries to balance the outside world around Ed Harris character. There are scenes that can bring out emotion, scenes that can entertain, scenes that can do a lot of things, and that's what makes it very good.
Average customer rating:
- Down in the Delta will Lift your Spirit
- Excellent and calm movie
- So inspiring!
- Great Movie
- A well-acted family story
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Down in the Delta
Starring:
Alfre Woodard ,
Al Freeman Jr. ,
Esther Rolle ,
Mary Alice , and
Loretta Devine
Director:
Maya Angelou
Manufacturer: Miramax
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ASIN: 6305428336
Release Date: 1999-07-20 |
Amazon.com
This family drama begins in a gritty Chicago neighborhood with a jobless, hopeless mother (Alfre Woodard) pouring her efforts into the bottle and various drugs rather than her troubled daughter and wise-beyond-his-years son. But the movie soon heads south, as the title suggests, when Mom and kids are sent to live with an uncle for the summer. Their lives change, of course, but that's the only predictable aspect of this 107-minute film. First-time director Maya Angelou brings her poetic sense to Myron Goble's elegant script, and the performances are uniformly excellent, most notably the always superb Woodard, Al Freeman Jr. as her uncle, and Mary Alice as her mother. Wesley Snipes takes a break from his action career to do some acting as Freeman's son, and the late Esther Rolle is haunting in the last portrayal of her career. The film's touch of mystery is provided by one of its most devastating characters, a candelabra called Nathan. Rated PG-13, but suitable for ages 8 and older. --Kimberly Heinrichs
Description
DOWN IN THE DELTA brings together an outstanding cast of stars in an uplifting story of family, community, and friendship! In a desperate attempt to change her life, Loretta (Alfre Woodard -- STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT, MUMFORD) -- a troubled single mother from a tough Chicago neighborhood -- is sent to spend a summer in her family's ancestral home in rural Mississippi. In "The Delta," with the support and widsom of her hardworking Uncle Earl, Loretta finally begins to see a way to provide for her young children and reverse the downward slide of her life. A heartwarming, critically acclaimed motion picture also starring Wesley Snipes (BLADE, U.S. MARSHALS) and Loretta Devine (WAITING TO EXHALE) -- share in this remarkable journey to discover the strength of a family's roots and the power of unconditional love!
Customer Reviews:
Down in the Delta will Lift your Spirit.......2006-11-10
I think this film should be required viewing in every school across our nation. Without realizing it, the viewer is slowing given a very personal lesson in slavery and its impact on the African American family, both in the past and as it effects these families today. The film gets its message across without the viewer learning the meaning of the candlestick named "Nathan," but when a family's determination to not allow a pawnbroker to take possession of Nathan is finally revealed, the impact slavery and how its horror echoes through to the present day becomes clear without being preachy or over-dramatic.
The performances of all the actors are exemplary, especially Miss Woodard. It is a film that helps all people, black and white alike, more clearly define race in our country today and how the wounds of the past continue to scar us today, with a message of hope and power for the future.
Excellent and calm movie.......2006-03-31
This is the movie that oughta keep you calm and warm up your heart. PG-13? Just for drug related material? Just one scene that Loretta Sinclair does smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol. But on top of that, it's a heartwarming movie.
So inspiring!.......2006-02-26
This movie shares the real meaning of family and the values that have long since been lost. One of my all time favorite movies!
Great Movie.......2003-07-25
I watched this movie the first time just because of the cast. I've always thought Alfre Woodard was wonderful, and don't get me started about Mary Alice, Al Freeman Jr., and Esther Rolle! I just loved it, and I caught it again when it ran on cable a while back. I've told everyone I know to see it. It's what so-called traditional family values are all about: caring and integrity and your family heritage, and, most of all, LOVE!
It was also good to see Wesley Snipes step out of his usual bada*** roles into something different--he pulls it off pretty well.
A well-acted family story.......2003-03-31
"Down in the Delta," directed by Maya Angelou, tells the story of Loretta (played by Alfre Woodard), a single mother who lives in Chicago and faces economic hardships. She and her kids move to the family's rural ancestral home to live with her uncle (Al Freeman, Jr.). This change of setting has a profound impact on the family.
Those familiar with Angelou's fine books will probably see similar themes explored in this film. Solid performances are turned in by the excellent ensemble cast. I was especially impressed by Mpho Koaho as Loretta's young son. And veteran performer Esther Rolle turns in particularly moving performance as Loretta's Alzheimer's-afflicted aunt.
This film does a good job of exploring a variety of interconnected relationships in this multigenerational context. The film celebrates family ties and family tradition, as well as one's capacity to overcome adversity.
Average customer rating:
- i want to see this bad i cant wait cant wait
- The Killers are Out There
- it's just not good....
- 3 A.M
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3 A.M.
Starring:
Sarita Choudhury ,
Michelle Rodriguez ,
Arjun G. Awtramani ,
Sergej Trifunovic , and
Danny Glover
Director:
Lee Davis (III)
Manufacturer: Showtime Ent.
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ASIN: B00005V9I6
Release Date: 2002-03-26 |
Customer Reviews:
i want to see this bad i cant wait cant wait.......2003-08-26
this looks good i want to see it any thing with vin diesel( hhhooottttttiiieee) and michelle rodriegiez( awesome) ill watch it im ur tipicalyy stalker.
The Killers are Out There.......2003-05-26
A struggling taxi company has struggling taxi drivers with heavy emotional issues, add to this a serial killer who is after the taxi drivers and apparently enjoys killing them at night for sport, and what do you have? An instant movie classic? Perhaps not. But with good acting by Glover, Grier, and Rodriguez, you end up with a fine movie. This movie shows a colorful but desperate world of the working class in a big city. There is everything here: love, childhood trauma, fear of commitment, prostitution, and, of course, murder. There are even stories of Bosnian genocide!
We are introduced to a cab driver from Bosnia who is not only one of the worst natural drivers in the world, but also incredibly distracted. This means that every day he has an accident. He is so accident prone that he ends up having to leave the country and his love (who prostitutes herself at a bathhouse) and go back to Bosnia.
Not to be outdone, Glover's and Rodriguez's characters resort to extreme violence when they feel physically or emotionally pushed. The movie is original, and its host of ethnic characters makes it fun and colorful. The ending is also not your typical happy ending. It is not that unhappy. It is just not typical. I recommend the movie.
it's just not good...........2003-04-16
After seeing Girlfight I was excited about the new young actress Michelle Rodriguez. If anyone needs to see a phenomenal debut film, that would be the one. Girlfight marked Rodriguez as a new talent to watch. Her subsequent films (Fast and the Furious, Resident Evil, and even Blue Crush) have all played on the tough girl theme that was introduced in Girlfight. I was trying to find all of the movies in which she had acted in the hopes that a performance would measure up to her first. While nothing has measured up to her first movie, in my search for her movies, I found something called 3 AM. I had never heard of this movie before, and since it co-starred Danny Glover and Pam Grier, I figured this was some independent movie that slipped under the radar. I gave it a rent and sat down to watch it. When the opening credits rolled, I found out that this was a Showtime movie. It probably never had a theatrical release and until it came out on DVD was likely only shown on Showtime. While there is excellent programming on cable (Band of Brothers, The Sopranos, etc), finding out that it is a made for Showtime movie does not inspire confidence, regardless of the actors involved.
The story follows several cabdrivers in New York City. There is a serial killer out there who is targeting cabbies, and there is a lot of fear amongst the cabbies wondering who is going to be next. As the killings continue, it hits closer to home as a cabdriver friend is killed. Danny Glover plays a cabdriver who is in love with Pam Grier (a waitress). Michelle Rodriguez plays a young cabbie trying to pay her rent, but is haunted by visions of her past. Yes, Rodriguez is still playing to type as her character is the tough girl, somewhat angry. She plays it well, but at some point Michelle is going to have to stop playing variations on the same character.
This is a fairly disappointing movie. Despite being acted by some top line talents and being produced (with a cameo appearance) by Spike Lee, this movie is just not very good. I wanted very much to like this movie, but I just couldn't. Unless you are trying to complete a collection of movies starring your favorite actor, give this one a pass and spend your money on something good,
3 A.M.......2002-04-23
being a die hard michelle rodriguz fan i highly recommed this. i have all three of her movies. she is street tough, sexy. like her other movies girl fight and fast and the ferious this movie is awesome. love live michelle
Average customer rating:
- "Well, I was born overheated. . . beneath a blue/black sky"
|
The Loveless
Starring:
Willem Dafoe ,
Robert Gordon (III) ,
Marin Kanter ,
J. Don Ferguson , and
Tina L'Hotsky
Director:
Monty Montgomery , and
Kathryn Bigelow
Manufacturer: Blue Underground
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ASIN: B00030AZFM
Release Date: 2004-11-16 |
Description
From the director of NEAR DARK and the producer of WILD AT HEART - First time ever on DVD!
Willem Dafoe made his unforgettable movie debut as the leader of a `50s biker gang lost in a world of black leather, bad girls and sudden violence in the independent hit that marked the emergence of one of modern cinema's most important woman directors. Rockabilly icon Robert Gordon co-stars in this evocative drama co-written and co-directed by Kathryn Bigelow (NEAR DARK and POINT BREAK) and Monty Montgomery (producer of WILD AT HEART and TWIN PEAKS) with a too-cool soundtrack featuring original music by Robert Gordon and John Lurie. Hailed as `the thinking man's biker movie,' THE LOVELESS now features a stunning new transfer from original negative materials and an exclusive audio commentary with Bigelow, Montgomery and Willem Dafoe.
EXTRAS INCLUDE:
Audio Commentary with Star Willem Dafoe, Co-Writer/Directors Kathryn Bigelow and Monty Montgomery
Theatrical Trailer
Poster & Still Galleries
Customer Reviews:
"Well, I was born overheated. . . beneath a blue/black sky".......2006-06-09
"The Loveless" marked the feature film debut for co-director/co-writer Kathryn Bigelow ("Near Dark," "Blue Steel"). The movie was actually Bigelow's graduate student film thesis--a stylized and downbeat little film with a neo-noirish undercurrent that showed enough promise to prompt a brief art house circuit theatrical release--after which it achieved a cult following overseas and, to a lesser degree, in the U.S.
Willem Dafoe exudes a surly raw sexuality in his first credited screen role as 'Vance,' a rough and tumble biker traveling the back roads of America with his gang during the 1950's. Vance establishes the duality of his character in the very first scene of the film: He is decent enough to come to the assistance of a lone woman driving along a deserted stretch of road by changing out her flat tire. However, when the woman offers Vance a grudging pittance for his time and trouble, he doesn't hesitate to reach through the car window, grab her purse and rifle through her wallet until he pulls out a more satisfactory sum. He then proceeds to plant a groping kiss on her as a bonus. How you react to this scene is probably a good indication of whether or not you will enjoy this movie. It is pretty over the top.
Vance and his motorcycle gang are on their way to Daytona Beach for the races when one of their motorcycles breaks down--forcing them to spend the day at a little out-of-the-way garage and cafe off U.S. Highway 17 until they complete the repairs. The locals are a mixture of the curious and the openly hostile. The movie tends to drift along rather aimlessly through the first two-thirds of the movie, and then it suddenly takes a rather dark turn, picking up momentum and interest after the introduction of a disturbingly pre-pubescent looking Sportster Debbie (Tina L'Hotsky), a wild child with an instant interest in Vance. Following close behind is Debbie's psychopathic and degenerate father, Tarver (J. Don Ferguson), precipitating a violent showdown with Vance and his gang.
The film was intentionally designed to look like a low budget 1970's biker film (a la Roger Corman), but it manages to transcend the genre. Dafoe does not always look completely comfortable in his first role. He does, however, demonstrate a real screen presence and visually commands whatever scene he is in. (Some of the other actors are not so lucky.)
Most of the sexuality in the film is implied rather than explicit (with two rather brief and slightly creepy sex scenes), and there is a surprising lack of profanity. The dialogue is rather stylized--with a great deal of period slang. Be advised, there is substantial "dead air" time (no one talking). Co-director Monty Montgomery wanted a Sergio Leone ("Once Upon a Time in the West") feel to the film--with the day drifting along in "real time." The camera often focuses on the scenery, watching the actors performing mundane tasks, and spends a lot of time on close-ups of the tattoos on the bikers' anatomy, wardrobe details and the period-authentic motorcycles. This is accompanied by a great deal of male posing and preening, giving the film a sensibility that is closer to Kenneth Anger's homoerotic "Scorpio Rising" than Marlon Brando's "The Wild One."
The cinematography and scorching soundtrack alone are worth the price of the DVD. The music features rockabilly icon Robert Gordon (who also has a small role in the film), John Lurie, and a brilliant but un-credited film score from Eddie Dixon. This is augmented by `50's standards from sultry Brenda Lee and Little Richard playing on the jukebox. (The title line of this review is taken from Gordon's opening credits song.)
Substance may take a back burner to this film's lush and gorgeous style with its `50's mixture of vintage motorcycles, black leather, ducktail haircuts, poodle skirts, roadside diners with Wurlitzer jukeboxes, ribbons of endless highway and, of course, bad boy bikers. "The Loveless" isn't just for gear heads and biker culture enthusiasts. The film had the odd effect of making me feel really nostalgic for a time I didn't live through.
Extras include a blended commentary track with Kathryn Bigelow, Willem Dafoe and Monty Montgomery; a gallery of still photos; the original posters for the film; the theatrical trailer and scene selection.
Average customer rating:
- A Wonderful Film that Makes Me Proud to Be Bicultural....
- Finally a Solution for Satisfying Bilingual Audiences!
- A great movie!
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The Blue Diner
Starring:
Miriam Colon ,
Lisa Vidal ,
Jose Yenque ,
William Marquez , and
Virginia Rambal
Director:
Jan Egleson
Manufacturer: First Look Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
Comedy
| By Genre
| Art House & International
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Drama
| By Genre
| Art House & International
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
General
| Comedy
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
General
| Romantic Comedies
| Comedy
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
General
| Drama
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Colon, Miriam
| ( C )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Mulcahy, Jack
| ( M )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Vidal, Lisa
| ( V )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Egleson, Jan
| ( E )
| Directors
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
4-for-3 Comedy
| 4-for-3 DVD
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
4-for-3 Drama
| 4-for-3 DVD
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
4-for-3 All DVDs
| 4-for-3 DVD
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Comedy
| By Genre
| Foreign & International
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Drama
| By Genre
| Foreign & International
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
General
| Indie & Art House
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Comedy
| By Genre
| Indie & Art House
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Drama
| By Genre
| Indie & Art House
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
( B )
| Titles
| Features
| DVD
| Video
Similar Items:
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The Grandfather
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Things I Left in Havana
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Maria Full of Grace
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Chasing Papi
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Valentin
ASIN: B00008Z46S
Release Date: 2003-06-24 |
Description
The Blue Diner is a film about food, memory, language, and caskets. It is the story of a Puerto Rican mother and daughter living together in Boston and the difficulties they encounter when the daughter, Elena, mysteriously loses her ability to speak Spanish, her first language. Everyone has a theory about the origin of Elena's misfortune, but no one knows for certain what has caused the tragic and absurd event. As Elena's language disappears, her boyfriend's painting inexplicably appears at the Fine Arts Museum where her mother works. In a misguided attempt to obtain an artist's visa, his actions unleash a world of misunderstanding and trouble for Elena and her mother. As the relationship between mother and daughter deteriorates, the two women are forced to confront each other and their murky past. A haunting song, a missing father, and a plate of fried brains help to reunite Elena, her mother, and her language.
Customer Reviews:
A Wonderful Film that Makes Me Proud to Be Bicultural...........2004-09-09
I first saw (and videotaped) La Fonda Azul on PBS about a year ago close to Hispanic Heritage Month. What a treasure of a small, independent film! I am surprised not more people haven't seen it. It has everything--magical realism, humor and tenderness.
Elena is a beautiful young Boricua (Puerto Rican) woman, who cares for her elderly mother (a janitor at the local museum) and helps support the both of them as an interpreter at a funeral home. She must struggle with her identities as a Puerto Rican and as an "American." (Puerto Rico is technically part of the United States) Her bilingual ability is challenged as she must translate for her mother (who speaks no English) and the challenge that comes when she loses her ability to speak Spanish after an argument with her mother.
I loved the combination of beautiful Puerto Rican music, intriguing cinematography, great and engaging actors and the refreshing concept of seeing Latinos as "regular people." Unlike many films out there, this film had no drive by shootings, raunchy and embarressing "hoochie mamas" (i.e. fiery, sin verguenza--"shameless" in Spanish--prostitutes and tarts with no moral values), drug dealers or excessive violence. Instead, it takes a sensitive look at identity and following your heart versus following what is expected of you.
This is a treat on so many levels! An added note: The food scenes near the end are priceless. Wonderfully humorous and warm!
Finally a Solution for Satisfying Bilingual Audiences!.......2004-04-25
As the Hispanic/Latino population grows in the US we are gifted with more and more movies in Spanish from Spain, Argentina, Mexico, and other Latin American countries. Some directors have attempted to maintain one language for these films and present them with subtitles. That always seems like the director doesn't pay attention to the need for bilingual status, especially in such states as California. Thus it is a special pleasure to view THE BLUE DINER, a dandy little film that is honest, deals with issues of immigrant perceptions and problems as well as trials and triumphs, and delivered in a bilingual spoken format. Jan Egleson wrote and directed this well paced story about a Puerto Rican mother (Miriam Colon) who moves to Boston, working proudly in housekeeping at a museum to pay for her daughter Elena's education (Lisa Vidal). Meche (the mother) speaks little English; her daughter has gone to school and has a good job in a mortuary where her skills as being bilingual allow her to climb the 'corporate ladder'. She is dating the owner of the mortuary Brian (John Mulcahy) who is attempting to learn Spanish. Elena's heart secretly belongs to Tito (Jose Yenque), a fellow Puerto Rican, who works as an artisan making caskets to support his real dream of becoming established as a fine artist. Elena's duplicity of response to Brian and to Tito is complicated by her mother's demand that she court only the 'Americano' with all the supposed success that implies. The secret of Elena's father's identity and history begins to play into the love triangle, Tito sneaks one of his paintings into the museum where Meche works the night shift, Meche is blamed for the breech in museum security, the tension produces a 'stroke' in Elena whose only symptom is that she is unable to speak or understand her native tongue of Spanish, and it is only through the loving intervention of Papo (William Marquez) at his home base Blue Diner that all ends well.
The story is delightful, the actors are excellent, but the major pleasure of this film is that it is respectfully half in English and half in Spanish. Subtitles are provided, of course, but the conversations encourage us to try to understand both languages. I think this shows profound respect for the audience and it is to Egleson's credit that this film succeeds so well. A good story, with significant social commentary, and very well acted.
A great movie!.......2003-09-19
This is an excellent film about culture, love and life in general. This film appeals to all people and brings up some great questions about the challenges of losing one's culture to the "American Way."
Average customer rating:
- Not exactly ...
- Who you fool'in ?
- RIP-OFF
- An Interesting Mix
- You can get these much cheaper...
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Dozen DVD Deal - Comedy
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
General
| Comedy
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
( D )
| Titles
| Features
| DVD
| Video
Comedy
| Boxed Sets
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Comedy
| Warner Home Video
| Studio Specials
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
All Titles
| Warner Home Video
| Studio Specials
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
ASIN: B0000C07ZA
Release Date: 2003-09-09 |
Customer Reviews:
Not exactly ..........2006-07-10
While most of these movies are in the bargain bin, Meatballs is very hard to come by. If you find it in a bargain bin, buy it. Buy all they have. Run the search on here, or E-Bay or Half and see what those are going for. It's crazy. It's a great movie, but $30-$75 for Meatballs! Well, I guess ... It just doesn't matter ... It just doesn't matter ... It just doesn't matter ... Dan
Who you fool'in ?.......2006-03-12
All these titles are in the $5.99 ben at walmart,,I could buy all of 'em new at walmart for around $75.00 dollars or less.
RIP-OFF.......2004-09-19
If you were to buy all of these titles from Amazon.com SEPERATELY, you'd only pay $135.22 (look 'em up, I just did). Save yourself some money, and your sanity, don't buy this compilation!
An Interesting Mix.......2003-11-06
This is an interesting collection. There are some very good movies in this set.
Doc Hollywood - This is a "pass" for me. I thought it was very unfunny, and tries much too hard to play off any bit of charm Michael J Fox might possess. Bridget Fonda appears as well.
Singles - This is an okay movie. Its enjoyable and watchable. Matt Dillon and Eric Stoltz star. As does Bridget Fonda once again. Directed by Cameron Crowe (of "Almost Famous" fame), its worth a viewing.
Drop Dead Gorgeous - This film has a very strong female cast. Kirsten Dunst, Ellen Barkin and Allison Janney (CJ Cregg of "West Wing" fame) star.
Don Juan DeMarco - This film is notable only because of a fun performance by the talented Johnny Depp. The script is weak, and to be honest, its not terribly funny.
The Man Who Knew Too Little - A misstep by the usually very funny Bill Murray.
Meatballs - Well, to be honest, this movie is very funny. Its classic Bill Murray in his prime SNL years. Its full of goofy one liners and Chris Makepeace carries a sweet character.
My Blue Heaven - This is a very seldom seen movie and VERY funny. Its one of Steve Martin's best performances. A strong supporting cast of Rick Moranis and Joan Cusack ensure frequent laughs.
My Fellow Americans - Another "pass" in my book. Misused Jack Lemmon and James Garner. Just not very funny.
Diner - A classic film (though I would not necessarily call it a comedy) directed by Barry Levinson. A very strong cast including Kevin Bacon.
Night Shift - A hysterically funny movie starring Michael Keaton (his best role), Henry (the Fonz) Winkler and Shelly Long.
Jerry Seinfeld: I'm Telling You for the Last Time - A 75 minute stand up special. You've likely seen the material many times already.
10 - Famous for its beach scene and introducing Bo Derek, the star here is a very funny Dudley Moore.
There are some real funny and well made films here; Of their own merit, I would recommend "My Blue Heaven", "Diner" and "Night Shift".
You can get these much cheaper..........2003-09-11
I've found most of these movies in the six dollar bin at Wal Mart over the past few months. Pick the ones you want and buy them. Save your money on the others.
By the way, the Jerry Seinfeld one is kind of funny, but not nearly as funny as his shows were. If you expect it be 'rolling on the floor' funny, you will be disappointed.
DVD:
- Entre Monjas Anda el Diablo
- Falling in Love Again
- Famous Rat Pack Movies (Little Moon & Judd McGraw / At War With The Army / Suddenly)
- Finding Nemo (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
- Finding North
- Frat Boy Collection: Porky's/Bachelor Party/PCU
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Widescreen Edition) (Harry Potter 4)
- Hollywood Boulevard
- Hollywood Vice Squad
- Hot Lead & Cold Feet
DVD
DVD