Straight from the Heart
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Straight From the Heart
  • The book on which this movie was based came before "The Horse Whisperer"
  • Hit the spot!
  • An Overall Good Movie
  • 'The Horse Whisperer' Lite
Straight from the Heart
Starring: Teri Polo , Andrew McCarthy , Patricia Kalember , Greg Evigan , and Christine Tucci
Director: David S. Cass Sr.
Manufacturer: Good Times Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000MGBLGY
Release Date: 2007-05-01

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Straight From the Heart.......2007-09-11

This is a great love story. It's clean and decent, and worth having in our movie library. It's another one that I would highly recommend for anyone to own.

5 out of 5 stars The book on which this movie was based came before "The Horse Whisperer".......2007-08-27

This is for those who think that this movie is a slightly-changed version of "The Horse Whisperer": Pamela Wallace published her book "Straight from the Heart," on which this movie was based, in 1996.
Nicholas Evans published "The Horse Whisperer," on which that movie was based, in 1998.

5 out of 5 stars Hit the spot!.......2007-08-07

This was a very nice story. OK, popcorn for the brain, but light, filling, and hits the right spot. There is a nice chemistry between the two leads and a believable story. After renting, I liked it enough to buy it for my DVD collection.

4 out of 5 stars An Overall Good Movie.......2007-07-31

Somehow I never got to see the whole story on the Hallmark channel, so I wanted my own copy as I really liked the story, the actors, and the scenery. I was a bit taken aback by the dialogue between the two main characters when they first met, but the writers had their own ideas, I guess. I'd watch it with my grandchildren.

2 out of 5 stars 'The Horse Whisperer' Lite.......2007-07-23

I was looking forward to this film. Indeed, I made sure it was at the top of my `Netflix' queue. Unfortunately, it was the one that got away. Soon there was a very long wait. People are no doubt drawn to this film because they are longing for simple, good entertainment. Perhaps they first saw it on `The Hallmark Channel' and wanted to see it again. It's not all that great of a film, but it is worthwhile anyway. That needs an explanation, so bear with me. It certainly is easy to watch. I think great film or not, it goes down easily and becomes a casual pleasure. The subject matter is interesting even if the whole affair becomes no better than a lite (or, "light") version of 'The Horse Whisperer'.

The story is the basis for a romantic culture clash. Jordan Donovan (Teri Polo) is a photographer from New York City. She's tired of the typical treadmill of romance. In both aspects of her life she is trying to break through. Her arty exhibits of (literally) garbage fail to spark interest for a sponsor of photography exhibits. Meanwhile, her love interest, Edward, has been dating her for years, but refuses to make a commitment. Her roommate, Carla, (Christine Tucci) is presented like a half-funny, but easily as likable Rhoda. She plays matchmaker by signing her up for `Cowboy Connections,' a magazine with a "Personals" column designed to hook up couples out West.

All too neatly, Carla has taken the liberty of not only putting her friend's name in the magazine, but writing her background and answering any prospects that come to her. On Jordan's birthday, she not only has a man, but a plane ticket for her to join him at his ranch in Wyoming. Cynically, she, nevertheless, does what most people would do at the prospect of adventure: She accepts both as a present.

Even more neatly, Tyler Ross (Andrew McCarthy) has a doting sister named Laurie (Patricia Kalember) who answers his personal ads for him. Jaundiced about dating again, he doesn't think much when she calls to tell him a woman from NYC is coming to his ranch. Something must stir inside him, for we discover earlier it was he who provided the plane ticket.

Her arrival is not a friendly one. Quickly, the resentment pours through: At breakfast he tartly announces that they don't serve "espresso" at the morning table. Later, when she's falls off a horse, he nastily chides, "I don't want some big city lawyer trying to sue me." She understandably doesn't allow herself to be a walking mat. She has some counter resentments to offer: going toe-to-toe she has plenty to say about cholesterol soaked breakfasts and his backward behavior. Yet, she has a background that he doesn't even consider, and as the movie unfolds, she has several opportunities to prove herself more than a typical city slicker.

Across the way former friend, Mr. Jameson, is brazen about trespassing on Tyler's land to capture wild mustangs for his own use. United Tyler and Jordan try to oppose his lawless horse trade while working out some terms of bitterness found in everyone's past.

Some of the appeal of the movie is the scenery. Mustangs rush past with autumnal mountain horizons while the pair take on the work of the land. The old-fashioned Western score by Mader is superb for the laid back adventure, and the tenderness of key scenes works its way incrementally as it goes along.

Pleasant, enjoyable, and easy-going like a trek to Wyoming itself, `Straight from the Heart' may not have the best performances, nor the most original dialogue, but it is still a pleasurable film trek anyway. While I thought throughout the "torn between two lovers" scenario Jordan deserved better choices, who's to judge about taste if a relationship has a chance to work? After all, sometimes even a two-star film is all we really need.
The Story of O
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • soft core
  • real bad
  • The Story of O
  • No Star if it were possible
  • A bit clumsy
The Story of O
Starring: Corinne Clery , Udo Kier , Anthony Steel , Jean Gaven , and Christiane Minazzoli
Director: Just Jaeckin
Manufacturer: Somerville House
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000065RSW
Release Date: 2006-09-20

Amazon.com

A milestone of cinematic eroticism, The Story of O was an art house sensation in 1975, and it's still worthy of intelligent discussion. As with the controversial French novella by Pauline Réage, reactions to Just Jaeckin's sumptuous adaptation range from moral outrage to masturbatory indulgence, yet this remains one of the few sex films that stand the test of time (and a lot of academic study). Championed by practitioners of bondage and discipline and vilified by feminists, this metaphorical "love dream" (as Jaeckin has called it) follows the beautiful fashion photographer "O" (Corrine Clery) as she, like many gorgeously naked women before her, is "trained" for a seemingly satisfying life of love and discipline, her freedom sacrificed to the man (Anthony Steel) whom she willingly obeys. The debate whether Jaeckin's feminine-empowerment ending, which differs from that of the novella, justifies a story of humiliating submission is just one more reason why The Story of O endures. (Note: This DVD presents the 97-minute version of the film, edited by the director to improve pacing and not for purposes of censorship.) --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars soft core.......2007-09-11

Story of O, the movie, is a softish core redo of the Pauline Reage classic novel: Story of O. While it's fairly true to the book, it does make allowances in order to stay out of the XXX rating area. All in all, however, I'd call it a "must have" for serious collectors.

2 out of 5 stars real bad.......2007-08-13

bad acting and a weak plot. they should have thoght twice about turning a great book in to a bad film.

3 out of 5 stars The Story of O.......2007-07-09

Hot in a dominant sort of way. If this is what you want, then this movie is a 10.

1 out of 5 stars No Star if it were possible.......2007-06-08

I was so disappointed by this purchase and this film. Being a fan of the book I was very excited to see how they translated it on to film. What I found out is that they didn't translate it at all. They LOOSELY followed the story line and took the liberty to add and change which in my opinion, changed the story all together. I threw this movie away and would not reccomend it to any true Story of O fan.

3 out of 5 stars A bit clumsy.......2007-05-15

Somehow, I was expecting better acting, knowing this would be a major undertaking based on a controversial book. Sadly, the film just doesn't work. There's no arguing Corrine Clery's beauty but Udo Kier is completely miscast.
13 Going On 30 (Special Edition)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • You know you like this movie.
  • CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR!!
  • A funny, light-hearted romantic comedy
  • Pleasant surprise, for a movie I wouldn't go see at a theater.
  • Kinda of a girly movie, but . . .
13 Going On 30 (Special Edition)
Starring: Jennifer Garner , Mark Ruffalo , Judy Greer , Andy Serkis , and Kathy Baker
Director: Gary Winick
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002C4JI0
Release Date: 2004-08-03

Amazon.com

Jennifer Garner glows like a rising star in 13 Going on 30, a girly version of the Tom Hanks classic Big. Jenna (Garner, Alias, Daredevil), a frustrated teenage girl, just wants to skip past all those annoying adolescent years and arrive at a glamorous adulthood--and thanks to some inexplicable wishing dust, she does. But once she reorients herself to a life as a high-end magazine editor with a sports-star boyfriend, she discovers that in the 17 years she skipped she became a not-so-nice person, including casting aside her best friend Matt (played as an adult by Mark Ruffalo, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). There's no question that Jenna will rediscover her lost innocence, but Garner rises above the lack of suspense. 13 Going on 30 floats along, buoyed by her goofy sweetness. Her lovely looks are made accessible by her unfettered silliness; it's a winning combination. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars You know you like this movie........2007-09-05

I have to admit it, 13 Going on 30 won me over. I know it's just a twist and apparent rip-off of Penny Marshall's classic, Big but this film is sweet and funny thanks to Jennifer Garner. I also think Mark Ruffalo is one of the best new actors to emerge in the last few years, he is so real and vulnerable, I just adore him! This film is fun for the whole family, it's charming and entertaining. Enjoy!

4 out of 5 stars CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR!!.......2007-09-01

jennifer garner plays her role just right. great innocence, great drama, great love. it's like she wishes to be 30, then she is and she doesn't know what to do. she a grown up growing up. then she finds out that the real adult world is cruel and backstabbing, and what you need is true friends, and hers is her true love, but he's getting married. so she wishes she can just go back in time. how ironic, but greatly played out. romantic, laughable, and very entertaining. i do recommend.

4 out of 5 stars A funny, light-hearted romantic comedy.......2007-08-25

Sometimes you just don't want to have to think too much about a movie. This movie is a fantasy meant to be enjoyed, not analyzed. I had a great time watching it and remembering all the '80's music.

3 out of 5 stars Pleasant surprise, for a movie I wouldn't go see at a theater........2007-07-10

I rarely go to see movies in the first theater run. It takes a great movie, or uncontrolable anticipation to get me to the 1 movie a year I average. That's mainly why I got the dish and all the premium movie channels. I tend to ramdomly give movies I'd never dream of watching otherwise at least a look. That's how I tripped over this flick, a retread formula for a plotline that, for better or worse, has an idenity of its own. It's not the best in it's genre, but it's a very sweet movie, and my first viewing of anything Jennifer Garner. So I had no "Alias" bias. She's not why I watched the movie. But she wound up to be the reason I watched it repeatedly. Garner plays an adorable role that I thought she was perfect for. And Judy Greer, whom I hadn't seen since the movie "Jawbreaker," is her usual throw all you got into your role, as she plays Garner's ruthless, pompous friend and co-worker in their adulthood. I'd heard good and bad about Mark Ruffalo as well, but again, this was my first sampling of his work too, and I thought he was perfect for the role. It's a simple, sweet, romantic film that despite a couple variations plays out as expected. And there's also an obligatory archetypical character or two in the supporting cast, but fits in the context of the movie. I don't know what it is about me, but I love the "Thriller" scene. It's contrived, a little hokey (how many people of the age range in that scene actually know the "Thriller" dance, step by step?), but I love it, especially the subtle, blink and you'll miss it piece of that scene where Ruffalo's character tells Garner he's leaving the party, and the camera focusses close-up on their two hands drifting apart and the consequential, gasping look on Garner's face. That little snippet is tell-tale of Garner's predicament the whole movie- how her best friend keeps eluding her for one reason or another, until she grows up mentally just as she has physically. I take pokes for having DVDs like this (Sense & Sensibility/You've Got Mail, etc.) in my collection. But we all have out guilty pleasures. This is one. It ain't perfect, but I liked it.

3 out of 5 stars Kinda of a girly movie, but . . ........2007-05-14

If you grew up in the 80's this movie is for you. All the memories will come rushing back when you watch this.

The love story is better than the one from Big, but otherwise this is a big rip-off of Big. But I enjoyed it and Garner is adorable as a young girl in a woman's body. Is she Tom Hanks quality, maybe not, but she does a fine job and you believe it.

Overall fair movie.
Lost in Translation
Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
  • Not for the dim-witted
  • Excellent......what a beauty of a movie...feel good flick..
  • Tongue Swallowingly Boring
  • An emotionally interactive movie.
  • Need to watch it more than once
Lost in Translation
Starring: Scarlett Johansson , Bill Murray , Akiko Takeshita , Kazuyoshi Minamimagoe , and Kazuko Shibata
Director: Sofia Coppola
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00011RPB0
Release Date: 2004-02-03

Product Description

Bob Harris (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) are two Americans in Tokyo. Bob is a movie star in town to shoot a whiskey commercial, while Charlotte is a young woman tagging along with her workaholic photographer husband (Giovanni Ribisi). Unable to sleep, Bob and Charlotte cross paths one night in the luxury hotel bar. This chance meeting soon becomes a surprising friendship. Charlotte and Bob venture through Tokyo, having often hilarious encounters with its citizens, and ultimately discover a new belief in life's possibilities. Shot entirely on location in Japan, Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation is a valentine to the nature of close friendships and to the city of Tokyo. Ms. Coppola's film, for her original screenplay, contemplates the unexpected connections we make that might not last - yet stay with us forever.

System Requirements:
  • Running Time 102 Min

    Format: DVD MOVIE

    Amazon.com

    Like a good dream, Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation envelops you with an aura of fantastic light, moody sound, head-turning love, and a feeling of déjà vu, even though you've probably never been to this neon-fused version of Tokyo. Certainly Bob Harris has not. The 50-ish actor has signed on for big money shooting whiskey ads instead of doing something good for his career or his long-distance family. Jetlagged, helplessly lost with his Japanese-speaking director, and out of sync with the metropolis, Harris (Bill Murray, never better) befriends the married but lovelorn 25-year-old Charlotte (played with heaps of poise by 18-year-old Scarlett Johansson). Even before her photographer husband all but abandons her, she is adrift like Harris but in a total entrapment of youth. How Charlotte and Bill discover they are soul mates will be cherished for years to come. Written and directed by Coppola (The Virgin Suicides), the film is far more atmospheric than plot-driven: we whiz through Tokyo parties, karaoke bars, and odd nightlife, always ending up in the impossibly posh hotel where the two are staying. The wisps of bittersweet loneliness of Bill and Charlotte are handled smartly and romantically, but unlike modern studio films, this isn't a May-November fling film. Surely and steadily, the film ends on a much-talked-about grace note, which may burn some, yet awards film lovers who "always had Paris" with another cinematic destination of the heart. --Doug Thomas

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Not for the dim-witted.......2007-09-05

    This is one of Bill Murray's finest performances on film.

    Whoever made the decision to shoot in Tokyo (the Director's, one can only assume), it was a brilliant choice. No city in the world can compete with Tokyo in terms of nighttime lights and the fresh sparkly cleanliness of its streets. Add in the language barrier, the Japanese, their cuisine, great photography, great direction, great acting, and finally, a terrific script, and you have a masterpiece.

    Lost In Translation truly makes you feel lost---lost in time really. Sofia Coppola's use of the clock while filming native scenes accompanied only with ambient noise is a mighty tool of provoking deep thought in the viewer. Truly it must take guts to consume precious film with such shots; else more directors would utilize the method.

    No two better suited individuals than Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson could have been lobbied to fulfill the lead roles. Murray has like, somehow, escalated multiple levels here in connecting with an audience. Maybe he had it inside of him all along, I don't know. Regardless, I am nearly brought to tears watching him. Here's a fellow who is nearly 60 years old, and yet, the most amazing inner talent is just now being revealed to us. What a treasure.

    Ms. Johansson plays the perfect newlywed here---being left alone in a strange city by a self-absorbed husband who, apparently, doesn't appreciate what he has. Charlotte and the middle-aged Bob Harris (Johannsson and Murray) happen to fall into each other's path at one of those cosmic moments of doubt when both are unhappy with their home life.

    The gold brick of this entire encounter is cast when they appear together lying on a bed. It must be seen and heard to believe; it is one of the finest performances of its kind ever filmed IMO---Hence the subject line of this review. If you do not connect with this scene, then you are either unable or have yet to experience such a moment in time.

    This is a Fabulous Movie.

    5 out of 5 stars Excellent......what a beauty of a movie...feel good flick.........2007-08-18

    This movie I watched, when no one was at home. It is a piece of art. The purity and open-honestness of Bob's & Charlottes (characters) relationship in the movie is striking, it is deep, without the complications of sex, its even more, they are there for one another when they need someone most. If you've ever just wanted a soul to listen to you and be there and hold you without sex, this movie is it. It makes you appreciate deepest friendships, and like any great movie, the ending makes the movie all worth it.

    1 out of 5 stars Tongue Swallowingly Boring.......2007-08-14

    From start to finish NOTHING HAPPENS! I can't believe some of the reviews i have read praising this movie. I love movies of all genres and when i read so many favorable reviews i was really looking forward to it. Then i watched it again and then once more, but i still thought it was boring and seriously overrated.
    All we see for the duration of the film are two very dull, uninteresting characters moping around Tokyo, feeling sorry for themselves because they both have one thing in common, they are both depressed. A recipe for hilarity.
    I have been accused of being unable to appreciate the subtle beauty of this film. The wonderful chemistry between Scarlet Johanssen and Bill Murray. The comedy, the romance, the artistic genius of Sofia Coppola.
    No matter how hard i look, i still cant see the Emperors new clothes.

    4 out of 5 stars An emotionally interactive movie........2007-08-14

    In most movies we see today, a director shows the movie's characters (whether proactively or reactively) moving the plot forward in such a way that the audience knows at least as much, (usually more,) about what's going on then the characters do. The thing that makes this movie so fascinating (and to many people, frustrating) is that the characters start off knowing WAYY more about what's going on than you do, and you have to spend most of the movie trying to "catch up" by learning about who they are.

    Moreover, the director has no plans to make it any easier for you to get to know these people than you would be able to if you met them in real life. It becomes clear as you move through the movie that they are no more likely to expose the deep, dark secrets of their lives to you, the audience, than they would to strangers in a foreign country (even though this absurdity is what we, as the audience, have been conditioned by Hollywood to expect!) As such, you cannot understand the story of this movie as merely a passive observer, waiting for an explanation to present itself.

    So what's a movie watcher to do? Well, this is the hard part: in order to get to know them, you have to pay close attention to what's NOT happening between the characters; what seems to be missing, or left unsaid? Unless you invest in this exercise, you won't recognize the exquisite tension between the two protagonists as it builds to the movie's climax, and you will likely watch the credits feeling bored and maybe frustrated. However, those who can engage with the impromptu couple emotionally will feel the intensity and depth of the director's vision.

    I only give this movie four stars because the best movies seem to involve the audience in the plot effortlessly, without requiring so much mental energy. However, director Sofia Coppola shows great skill in both crafting an environment through music and cinematography and populating it with characters that feel genuine and true to life.

    5 out of 5 stars Need to watch it more than once.......2007-07-28

    I must say, the first time I watched this movie, I hated it. My husband and I had rented it for the night and were expecting a film that moved along a little more quickly. After all, don't most films do that these days? It's unusual to have a film that unfolds slowly and deliberately, and if you're not in the right mood for that kind of movie at that moment, you're going to hate it. I hated this movie (with a passion) the first time I saw it. My husband and I rolled our eyes at each other when it was done, as if saying, "Can we get those 2 hours back?!"

    The next time this movie was on the movie channel, I watched it again. I began to appreciate the actors' performances, as well as the glimpses into the culture of Tokyo.

    The unspoken romantic feelings between Bob and Charlotte are wonderful, and it was refreshing to have a movie that convincingly portrayed a bond between two characters without having them rip their clothes off. We can see that they're attracted to each other, but they also know that they have other obligations. Heartbreaking, but beautiful.
    Saw - Unrated (Two-Disc Special Edition)
    Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
    • As good as horror gets
    • "Are you going to watch yourself die tonight?"
    • Mind Rot @ Its Most Blatant!
    • SHARP SAW
    • A Gem
    Saw - Unrated (Two-Disc Special Edition)
    Starring: Leigh Whannell , Cary Elwes , Danny Glover , Ken Leung , and Dina Meyer
    Director: James Wan
    Manufacturer: Lions Gate
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

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    ASIN: B000AMWIVM
    Release Date: 2005-10-18

    Amazon.com

    Saw opens with a gruesome scenario: Two men are chained to the walls of a grimy bathroom with a bloody corpse lying on the floor between them. Tape recordings tell them that one of the men has to kill the other, or his wife and child will die. The corpse is holding a gun in one hand, but it's out of reach...but whoever has locked these two up has thoughtfully provided a hacksaw that can't cut through the heavy chain, but might cut through a little flesh and bone. From there, Saw jumps back and forth as the two men slowly unravel how they know each other and that their tormentor is one of those all-knowing, all-capable serial killers (it goes without saying that Saw is hugely influenced by Seven and the movies of Dario Argento), a fellow known as Jigsaw who disguises his voice and lets a creepy puppet (lifted almost directly from the eccentric animations of the Brothers Quay) be his visual representative. But imitation isn't inherently bad; what puts Saw ahead of its horror compatriots is a gleeful enthusiasm that a dozen sequels to Halloween couldn't muster. Saw has problems--it's clumsily overwritten (every detail of what's going on, no matter how visually evident, will be explained by the characters); most of the situations are static and implausible; and though the cast includes talented veterans like Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride) and Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon), the acting has the depth of a puddle. The rapid pace and frequently frenzied camerawork keep things in motion and while the philosophical underpinnings of Jigsaw won't challenge Hegel or Schopenhauer, they do offer more food for thought than most contemporary horror. Discriminating fans of the genre who like their gore with a glimmer of an idea will embrace Saw.

    The Uncut Edition differs only slightly from the theatrical release; it reinserts a little more gore that was cut to get an R rating and tightens up the editing (the uncut version is actually a teensy bit shorter than the theatrical release). The extras are plentiful (if a bit thin): Two audio commentaries (one by director James Wan, screenwriter/actor Leigh Whannel, and Elwes), one by the producers--thankfully, no one takes themselves too seriously. Also included are a trio of typically self-congratulatory making-of featurettes ("He was amazing to work with" etc.), an animated storyboard of a sequence they couldn't afford to shoot, a DVD-ROM game in which you can construct your own puppet, a couple of self-mocking Easter Eggs, and lots of promotional stuff for Saw II. There's a very curious faux-news show purporting to be an investigation of the "real" Jigsaw, which uses clips from the movie as if they were documentary footage--it's hard to say whether this is a misguided attempt to make the movie seem creepier or a bit of flimsy humor. Most fans will find the regular DVD release satisfactory; this special edition is largely for hardcore enthusiasts. --Bret Fetzer

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars As good as horror gets.......2007-09-16

    The horror genre is almost always inherently weak. This movie along with films like Nightmare on Elm street are its best offerings.

    4 out of 5 stars "Are you going to watch yourself die tonight?".......2007-09-09

    A decade ago I used to watch my fair share of horror movies, but at some point I started to have trouble finding good films in this genre. This resulted in a sharp decrease in the number of horror productions I watched each year. I am happy to say that "Saw" was reminiscent of the good old times. This is a movie that has an electrifying pace, plenty of gore, thrills galore and a clever plot.

    It all starts with two men chained on opposite ends of a filthy, rusty and generally disgusting bathroom. Between the two, there is a dead man with a gun in one hand and a tape recorder in the other. The two prisoners are clueless as to what is going on, with Dr. Lawrence Gordon being by far the calmer of the two, and Adam freaking out. Of course, at this point we are asking ourselves, what does the kidnapper want? But we do not have to wait long, and soon enough, the games begin. Adam finds a tape in his pocket, and Lawrence finds not only a tape, but also a key and a bullet. You can probably guess, but just in case, let me tell you that the key does not work on the locks that are keeping them chained.

    The point of the game is that Lawrence has to manage to kill Adam by 6 pm, or the psycho will kill his wife and daughter. At that time, we also find out that Lawrence has been a suspect in previous murders by this killer. We then get a combination of flashbacks to previous events related to this case, and the ordeal the two men are going through.

    The previous cases show us a very creative and twisted individual, who does not really kill his victims, but makes them kill themselves. In these scenes you will get a high dose of gore, so this movie is not for people that are even a little bit squeamish. If you like horror films though, I guarantee that you will be entertained through the duration of this movie and that your nerves are going to be seriously tested. There is only one reason I did not give this movie five stars; the acting. Both, Whannell and Elwes, deliver sub par performances, with exaggerated facial expressions that do not fit the mood of the film. Everything else on this movie is right on target.

    1 out of 5 stars Mind Rot @ Its Most Blatant!.......2007-09-03

    Yes, this is simply nothing more than mind rot at its most blatant! There is no plot, no psychology, no suspense, just gore-gore-gore-and MORE gore just for the sake of showing gore. And to think this film not only is a 'hit', but it has spawned sequels. Now, that to me is psychologically frightening, a lot more scarier than this film (or its sequels) could ever dare to be. If I wanna see someone being tortured, I'll visit youtube and watch some Iraq footage or something, but I really don't prefer to view someone being tortured just for shock value.
    I advise anyone with any common sense of decency to stay as far away from these trash 'snuff-porn for dummies' films as possible. They are a plague on our country, and people are sitting in theaters eating them up as they are eating their popcorn and being told 'this is ok to watch', brainwashed like mindless sheep. Treat this crap like AIDS or Typhoid Mary, for it is liken to a very scary virus that's overtaking theaters in place of what used to be great cinema.
    I just read someone reviewing "Hostel part 2" saying that Hitchcock would love it. HUH??? REALLY???! What drugs are these people on to even remotely try to compare this garbage to anything Hitchcock???! He wouldn't even watch such crap, let alone applaud it. And the same goes for Jonathan Demme (the director of the classic "Silence of the Lambs", another film these 'fans' are comparing this crap to).
    Don't get me wrong, for I believe everybody has the right to form their own opinion, but these type of films were hidden from sight and concidered illegal just 20 years ago, and now they are being paraded from theater to theater with pride. What the h*ll happened to our society???
    If I wanna see someone digging in a toilet, I will watch a plummer working, that would be more entertaining than this trash anyday.
    And, since I prefer my horror films to be psychological, I will steer as far from this as Humanly possible, and I advise the same for any other intelligent/intellectual film goer out there. Thank you.

    4 out of 5 stars SHARP SAW.......2007-08-31

    This is the first and as far as im concerned the best of the Saw movies. This movie is very original and the ways the writter has Jigsaw torture these people is cool and very disturbing. Personally, I didn't see the twist at the end coming and was blown away, I think that is why this is my favorite of the Saw series. Highly recommending, but be forewarned; it's demented.

    5 out of 5 stars A Gem.......2007-08-10

    Definitely one of the smartest and best thriller in history.
    This movie proves that a good story and good script is far more important
    than a good budget (only $1 million).
    All the suspense, gruesome, witty elements are in the highest standard in
    movie standard.
    Truly a must for not-so-easily-fainted.
    Fur - An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus
    Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    • Birth of Artistic Genius
    • [3.5]--Why don't you tell me your secret?
    • Beauty and the beast
    • Emphasis On "Imaginary"
    • Where's Diane?
    Fur - An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus
    Starring: Nicole Kidman , Robert Downey Jr. , Ty Burrell , Harris Yulin , and Jane Alexander
    Director: Steven Shainberg
    Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
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    ASIN: B000NO1XG8
    Release Date: 2007-05-08

    Amazon.com

    Modeled loosely on Patricia Bosworth's 1984 biography, Fur opens with an independent, working Diane Arbus (Nicole Kidman), free of the familial restraints that previously prevented her from making art. Flashing back three months, the viewer comes to learn that she has just left her husband and children to photographically investigate her fetishes through observing the extraordinary. When Lionel (Robert Downey Jr.), a wig-maker who suffers from hypertrichosis, or excessive hair growth, moves into Arbus's apartment building with his entourage and basement full of carnival props, Arbus is seduced by this opportunity to visually feast on freaks. The split with her conventional family becomes inevitable. Confusing love with her desire to make art, Arbus is overwhelmed when Lionel perishes, though its made clear to the viewer that this event provides Arbus necessary artistic impetus. Early scenes establishing Arbus's distaste for society parties, such as the fur fashion show her parents host, her boredom during her husband's dull, ridiculous commercial photo shoots, and her initial fascination with Lionel and his bizarre friends are strange and funny, successfully separating Arbus from the 'average' people surrounding her. But as Lionel and Arbus fall in love, pretentious whispering replaces their regular conversations, and overacting spoils Lionel's death scene, in which they both float dramatically through the ocean, followed by Arbus crying in the surf like a weenie. Arbus desperately huffing air from a life raft Lionel inflated before he died is completely cheesy. The tortured artist myth has, once again, been pushed too far. For a film that has such fine costuming, production design, and cinematography, it's a shame that Fur succumbs to that Hollywood convention of reducing the entire plot to a tragic love story. For a project with so much potential, and with so many Arbus fans eagerly awaiting this tribute to the great photographer, it's unfortunate that Fur falls flat, due mostly to injected sentimental melodrama in scenes where it has no place. If Arbus sought to expel saccharine emotionality from portrait photography, then it's odd that a biopic dedicated to her memory would be so unabashedly corny.--Trinie Dalton

    Description

    From the window of her immaculate New York apartment, lonely housewife Diane Arbus (Kidman) locks eyes with a masked figure on the street, a mysterious new neighbor (Downey, Jr.) whose penetrating gaze strips the veneer off her tidy reality. Mysteriously drawn to the man that intrigues her and determined to take his photograph, Diane ventures to his apartment and embarks on a journey that will unlock her deepest secrets, awaken her remarkable artistic genius, and launches Diane on her path to becoming the artist she is meant to be.

    Customer Reviews:

    3 out of 5 stars Birth of Artistic Genius.......2007-09-17

    Steven Shainberg's Fur:An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus is a puzzling film. On one hand it raises the interesting notion that to be a great artist one needs to break free from one's mundane surroundings. On the other hand it has the ability to bask in its own notion of a rather cheesy love story.

    Nicole Kidman plays Diane Arbus at the turning point of her life. She is a dutiful wife and photography assistant to her husband Allan (Ty Burrell)but she has a wild streak just below the surface that is ready to emerge at any time. Into her existence comes Lionel Sweeney (Rober Downey, Jr.) a new upstairs neighbor who is covered in hair. Instantly facinated Diane decides to take his portrait.

    The film follows her as she enters his world. We are introduced to the people who will be the subjects of her later photographs. We see her break away from her world as she had lived it and enter upon a new life as an artist.

    This premise is great and Shainberg brings an Alice in Wonderland feel to the transformation. Where the story falters however is that it turns into a rather conventional love story between Diane and Lionel.

    The film was very well shot by Bill Pope and convincingly takes its viewers to 1958 New York. then a world of wonders for Ms. Arbus. It must be remembered that this is an imaginary portrait so those looking for information about the photographers life may well be disappointed.

    The disc also contains deleted scenes (2) the usual HBO First Look featurette and an insightful commentary by Shainberg. Well worth a rental.

    4 out of 5 stars [3.5]--Why don't you tell me your secret?.......2007-08-23

    I enjoyed this film for what it is but others won't feel the same. The movie Fur pays essentially no attention to Arbus's career as a photographer. In fact, if you do not already know about her work and its themes, you will leave be upset like a few reviewers in here, other than to realize that she was interested in freaks. The film never really shows the part of her life when her career had blossomed, nor does it not explain how she developed her technical or artistic skills. (It wasn't from her experience in fashion photography with her husband. When she decided what she wanted to do, she studied the art of photography under a master.) What the film does do is to ask a theoretical question, "What set of circumstances could have transformed a Good Housekeeping housewife of 1957 into a kinky fetishist in 1967?" It imagines those circumstances as follows: Arbus meets Lionel, a sideshow freak with a condition that makes him appear to be Michael Landon in that Teenage Werewolf movie. (This is a completely fictional character.) She is immediately fascinated by him, and then attracted to him. Through her Beauty and the Beast affair with the human werewolf, she meets the people who used to be his colleagues on the sideshow circuit, and is transformed by her fascination with their world, and is astounded to find out how essentially normal and mundane it is beneath the sensational exterior. She begins to ponder the nature of normality itself.

    "Fur" was directed by Steven Shainberg, who also directed the kinky Secretary. He seems to have a bit of the Arbus spirit in his own soul. Shainberg does an excellent job at capturing the tension inherent in Arbus's point of view, as she takes her first tentative steps from the mainstream into an under culture which both excites and terrifies her.The presence of Nicole Kidman and Robert Downey provides some real heft to this project, but the film still ultimately fails - for two reasons: First, Downey's wolf man make-up is a bit awkward when it should convey dark mystery and an ominous sense that the forbidden and outré are nearer than they seem. The film works perfectly when Downey is covered by grotesque masks, but falls apart when the teenage werewolf faces the camera squarely and makes you wonder. Second, the film drags on and on as we wait for Diane's transformation and then fails to show us the results after the great awakening finally arrives. It feels as if the Ben Hogan story ended with the car accident and a question about whether he could ever come back. In fact, the film never shows any examples of the art which Diane would develop after her cultural epiphany. "Fur" is Diane Arbus without the photographs, just as the recent Paltrow movie was Sylvia Plath without the poems.

    It might be a better movie if it had committed to being 100% fictional or 100% biographical. With a better make-up job on the Beast, the movie could stand by itself with no reference at all to Diane Arbus as the Beauty, since it treats the biographical details as mere background elements in the dream-tale of how the Arbus metamorphosis might theoretically have happened. As it stands, Fur is an earnest and slick art film with only cult appeal. Most people are reluctant to watch a pretentious real biography of a tortured artist, let alone a make-believe version of same.

    1 out of 5 stars Beauty and the beast.......2007-08-21

    "Beauty and the beast" by a director that wants to be David Lynch. Human beings don't act like human beings. It's all about a sense of weirdness, and any resemblance to the historical Diane Arbus is entirely coincidental. And that's a pity because her life was interesting

    5 out of 5 stars Emphasis On "Imaginary".......2007-07-31

    "Fur" is an exceptional film, yet not everyone will get it. It is not what you might call a "mainstream" film; however, the combination of fantasy, tragedy, and romance is potent enough to make for a particularly exotic viewing experience. The film was not intended to be a straightforward biopic of Diane Arbus. It was intended to answer the question of what pushed Arbus (Nicole Kidman) to break from her traditional role of wife, mother, and photographer's assistant and commence taking photographs of freaks, midgets, giants, albinos, twins, sex workers, corpses, the mentally challenged, etc, etc. The character of Lionel Sweeney (Robert Downey Jr.) serves to give Arbus that push by leading her into his dream-like world of circus performers and human oddities, forming an intensely erotic bond with her that awakens the artist within and allows her to become the photographer that she eventually became. The film has been criticized for delving too far into the tragic and the romantic and for not staying true to the biographical story of Arbus's life, but at the end of the day, who cares? I loved it. I was able to easily see what the filmmakers were trying to do and it made sense to me. I loved the fact that the film took Arbus's story in a completely different direction by attempting to answer the unanswerable, and very creatively at that. I would say that it helps to know something about Diane Arbus and her life prior to viewing the film (I own two or three books of Arbus's photography and I have read the Patricia Bosworth biography, and both greatly contributed to my understanding of the film). "Fur" should appeal to viewers who like fantasy-themed films and who do not mind certain liberties being taken with factual information.

    1 out of 5 stars Where's Diane?.......2007-07-26

    This film made me sad at the squandered opportunity to have shared with a new generation and a larger audience an immense American talent in visual art through the medium of photography. Rather than grapple with a complex woman in a transitional cultural time for both women and the arts, we are given this water color of a woman, dropped in the middle of a Tod Browning carnival of 'Freaks,' trivializing Arbus' groundbreaking sense of vision and boundary-challenging subject matter. What a terrific actress like Nicole Kidman could have done in bringing us the raw, authentic artist and woman had she not signed on to this 'imaginary portrait.'
    Pretty Baby
    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • Brooke's early work...
    • Disturbing Film
    • superb
    • Clásica!
    • Great Movie
    Pretty Baby
    Starring: Brooke Shields , Keith Carradine , Susan Sarandon , Frances Faye , and Antonio Fargas
    Director: Louis Malle
    Manufacturer: Paramount
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    ASIN: B0000AUHQ6
    Release Date: 2003-11-18

    Amazon.com essential video

    A semi-scandal upon its release in 1978, this Louis Malle film is set in a turn-of-the-century, New Orleans bordello and focuses on a girl named Violet (then-child actress Brooke Shields) whose imminent twelfth birthday signals her "readiness" to become a career prostitute. Typical of Malle, the outwardly forbidden nature of the story and relationships within are morally obscured by the immediate experiences and unqualified urges of the characters. The little heroine brings a distinctly youthful and innocent view to the milieu, and the introduction of a photographer (Keith Carradine)--who eventually marries Violet--in the brothel carries the suggestion that there is art and beauty to be explored there. Susan Sarandon is beguiling as Violet's mother, who seems to unfold in the cameraman's presence. The film moves a little stiffly, a little slowly, possibly from a heavy emphasis on period art direction and Sven Nykvist's moody if gorgeous photography. --Tom Keogh

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars Brooke's early work..........2007-08-24

    Let's start by stating, that if you have seen Brooke in either The Blue Lagoon or Endless Love, this is a different Brooke Shields. Brooke is very young in this film, and gives an almost natural, innocent performance, and considering the subject matter, that is very special. The film itself is slow at times, but Susan Sarandon is very good and Brooke alone is worth the watch. I won't give away too much of the story here, but Pretty Baby feels like a more in depth Lolita-type story. This movie also does not leave you feeling strange considering it involves child prostitution. It actually feels like a nice little character study. In closing, this is a must see for Brooke fans, and don't expect this to be some skinflick, because it is all handled tasefully.

    5 out of 5 stars Disturbing Film.......2007-08-09

    I had been hearing about this film for years and finally saw it on late night BBC-tv about five years ago.
    I found it beautiful, thought provoking but also a bit disturbing, being about a 12 year old prostitute. However, there is no denying that was a common occurrence in 1917 (on both sides on the "pond").
    Louise Malle took a real gamble making it in 1977 and it evoked outrage from some quarters when it was released. Here in UK, there was talk of banning it. Luckily, reason pervailed.
    If you are easily shocked, avoid watching it. If not, buy it and enjoy Malle's masterpiece, because in today's "moral" climate you'll never see anything like it made again!

    4 out of 5 stars superb.......2007-08-05

    The year is 1917, during the last months of legal prostitution in New Orleans. Hattie (Susan Sarandon) is a prostitute at the home of Madame Nell. Hattie has just given birth to a boy, and already has a 12-year-old daughter Violet (Brooke Shields). Photographer Ernest Bellocq (Keith Carradine) visits them one day, takes pictures of Hattie and fascinates Violet. Nell arranges for Violet's virginity. Hattie goes off to Missouri to marry and leaves Violet at Nell's. Alone, Violet is uninterested by everything except Bellocq; before long, she seeks refuge at his home and they marry.

    I can't picture any other director than Louis Malle for this movie. Brilliantly directed and acted by a superb cast, this is a lovely film. I can only imagine how much more beautiful the motion picture might have been if the original choice for Director of Photography, Tonino Delli Colli, had accepted to go to America to work with Malle on this picture. Sven Nyquist did a great job though.

    Brooke Shields was simply (and is still to this day) gorgeous. Her emotions are developed all through the film and appear to be genuine. Carradine is a bit weak and unemotional at times. Sarandon is perfect for the role of Hattie.

    A simple masterpiece that shows the world of a mother and her daughter as prostitutes, this film does not show useless nudity and Malle rather gives a fine representation of it.

    This is a work of art, recommended for mature viewers.

    4 out of 5 stars Clásica!.......2007-05-09

    No puede faltarte en la colección.
    No es una película herótica si tomás en cuenta de que actua una niña de 10 años, más bien explora un sub-mundo insólito que es una terrible realidad.

    5 out of 5 stars Great Movie.......2007-01-12

    Is a wonderful movie, great acting, great directing, and interesting era. Brook Shields was stunning.
    The movie portrays a young girl growing up in a brothal in the old days. Its how they lived, and how life was than.Its a little suprising some of the stuff in it, but that was life than. Thats how we use to live. Its very educationl also. All in all it was a great movie.
    Lost in Translation
    Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    • Not for the dim-witted
    • Excellent......what a beauty of a movie...feel good flick..
    • Tongue Swallowingly Boring
    • An emotionally interactive movie.
    • Need to watch it more than once
    Lost in Translation
    Starring: Scarlett Johansson , Bill Murray , Akiko Takeshita , Kazuyoshi Minamimagoe , and Kazuko Shibata
    Director: Sofia Coppola
    Manufacturer: Universal Studios
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    ASIN: B00005JMJ4
    Release Date: 2004-02-03

    Amazon.com

    Like a good dream, Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation envelops you with an aura of fantastic light, moody sound, head-turning love, and a feeling of déjà vu, even though you've probably never been to this neon-fused version of Tokyo. Certainly Bob Harris has not. The 50-ish actor has signed on for big money shooting whiskey ads instead of doing something good for his career or his long-distance family. Jetlagged, helplessly lost with his Japanese-speaking director, and out of sync with the metropolis, Harris (Bill Murray, never better) befriends the married but lovelorn 25-year-old Charlotte (played with heaps of poise by 18-year-old Scarlett Johansson). Even before her photographer husband all but abandons her, she is adrift like Harris but in a total entrapment of youth. How Charlotte and Bill discover they are soul mates will be cherished for years to come. Written and directed by Coppola (The Virgin Suicides), the film is far more atmospheric than plot-driven: we whiz through Tokyo parties, karaoke bars, and odd nightlife, always ending up in the impossibly posh hotel where the two are staying. The wisps of bittersweet loneliness of Bill and Charlotte are handled smartly and romantically, but unlike modern studio films, this isn't a May-November fling film. Surely and steadily, the film ends on a much-talked-about grace note, which may burn some, yet awards film lovers who "always had Paris" with another cinematic destination of the heart. --Doug Thomas

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Not for the dim-witted.......2007-09-05

    This is one of Bill Murray's finest performances on film.

    Whoever made the decision to shoot in Tokyo (the Director's, one can only assume), it was a brilliant choice. No city in the world can compete with Tokyo in terms of nighttime lights and the fresh sparkly cleanliness of its streets. Add in the language barrier, the Japanese, their cuisine, great photography, great direction, great acting, and finally, a terrific script, and you have a masterpiece.

    Lost In Translation truly makes you feel lost---lost in time really. Sofia Coppola's use of the clock while filming native scenes accompanied only with ambient noise is a mighty tool of provoking deep thought in the viewer. Truly it must take guts to consume precious film with such shots; else more directors would utilize the method.

    No two better suited individuals than Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson could have been lobbied to fulfill the lead roles. Murray has like, somehow, escalated multiple levels here in connecting with an audience. Maybe he had it inside of him all along, I don't know. Regardless, I am nearly brought to tears watching him. Here's a fellow who is nearly 60 years old, and yet, the most amazing inner talent is just now being revealed to us. What a treasure.

    Ms. Johansson plays the perfect newlywed here---being left alone in a strange city by a self-absorbed husband who, apparently, doesn't appreciate what he has. Charlotte and the middle-aged Bob Harris (Johannsson and Murray) happen to fall into each other's path at one of those cosmic moments of doubt when both are unhappy with their home life.

    The gold brick of this entire encounter is cast when they appear together lying on a bed. It must be seen and heard to believe; it is one of the finest performances of its kind ever filmed IMO---Hence the subject line of this review. If you do not connect with this scene, then you are either unable or have yet to experience such a moment in time.

    This is a Fabulous Movie.

    5 out of 5 stars Excellent......what a beauty of a movie...feel good flick.........2007-08-18

    This movie I watched, when no one was at home. It is a piece of art. The purity and open-honestness of Bob's & Charlottes (characters) relationship in the movie is striking, it is deep, without the complications of sex, its even more, they are there for one another when they need someone most. If you've ever just wanted a soul to listen to you and be there and hold you without sex, this movie is it. It makes you appreciate deepest friendships, and like any great movie, the ending makes the movie all worth it.

    1 out of 5 stars Tongue Swallowingly Boring.......2007-08-14

    From start to finish NOTHING HAPPENS! I can't believe some of the reviews i have read praising this movie. I love movies of all genres and when i read so many favorable reviews i was really looking forward to it. Then i watched it again and then once more, but i still thought it was boring and seriously overrated.
    All we see for the duration of the film are two very dull, uninteresting characters moping around Tokyo, feeling sorry for themselves because they both have one thing in common, they are both depressed. A recipe for hilarity.
    I have been accused of being unable to appreciate the subtle beauty of this film. The wonderful chemistry between Scarlet Johanssen and Bill Murray. The comedy, the romance, the artistic genius of Sofia Coppola.
    No matter how hard i look, i still cant see the Emperors new clothes.

    4 out of 5 stars An emotionally interactive movie........2007-08-14

    In most movies we see today, a director shows the movie's characters (whether proactively or reactively) moving the plot forward in such a way that the audience knows at least as much, (usually more,) about what's going on then the characters do. The thing that makes this movie so fascinating (and to many people, frustrating) is that the characters start off knowing WAYY more about what's going on than you do, and you have to spend most of the movie trying to "catch up" by learning about who they are.

    Moreover, the director has no plans to make it any easier for you to get to know these people than you would be able to if you met them in real life. It becomes clear as you move through the movie that they are no more likely to expose the deep, dark secrets of their lives to you, the audience, than they would to strangers in a foreign country (even though this absurdity is what we, as the audience, have been conditioned by Hollywood to expect!) As such, you cannot understand the story of this movie as merely a passive observer, waiting for an explanation to present itself.

    So what's a movie watcher to do? Well, this is the hard part: in order to get to know them, you have to pay close attention to what's NOT happening between the characters; what seems to be missing, or left unsaid? Unless you invest in this exercise, you won't recognize the exquisite tension between the two protagonists as it builds to the movie's climax, and you will likely watch the credits feeling bored and maybe frustrated. However, those who can engage with the impromptu couple emotionally will feel the intensity and depth of the director's vision.

    I only give this movie four stars because the best movies seem to involve the audience in the plot effortlessly, without requiring so much mental energy. However, director Sofia Coppola shows great skill in both crafting an environment through music and cinematography and populating it with characters that feel genuine and true to life.

    5 out of 5 stars Need to watch it more than once.......2007-07-28

    I must say, the first time I watched this movie, I hated it. My husband and I had rented it for the night and were expecting a film that moved along a little more quickly. After all, don't most films do that these days? It's unusual to have a film that unfolds slowly and deliberately, and if you're not in the right mood for that kind of movie at that moment, you're going to hate it. I hated this movie (with a passion) the first time I saw it. My husband and I rolled our eyes at each other when it was done, as if saying, "Can we get those 2 hours back?!"

    The next time this movie was on the movie channel, I watched it again. I began to appreciate the actors' performances, as well as the glimpses into the culture of Tokyo.

    The unspoken romantic feelings between Bob and Charlotte are wonderful, and it was refreshing to have a movie that convincingly portrayed a bond between two characters without having them rip their clothes off. We can see that they're attracted to each other, but they also know that they have other obligations. Heartbreaking, but beautiful.
    Austin Powers - International Man of Mystery (New Line Platinum Series)
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • The first film in the Austin Powers trilogy.
    • Groovy, Baby
    • the best Austin Powers there'll probably ever be!
    • One of my favorite comedies
    • Classic Comedy -- But Don't Waste Your Time with the Sequels
    Austin Powers - International Man of Mystery (New Line Platinum Series)
    Starring: Mike Myers , Elizabeth Hurley , Michael York , Mimi Rogers , and Robert Wagner
    Director: Jay Roach
    Manufacturer: New Line Home Entertainment
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

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    Accessories:
    1. Austin Powers: Original Soundtrack

    ASIN: 6304696221
    Release Date: 2004-06-01

    Amazon.com

    If you don't think Austin Powers is one of the funniest movies of the 1990s, maybe you should be packed into a cryogenic time-chamber and sent back to the decade whence you came. Perhaps it was the 1960s--the shag-a-delic decade when London hipster Austin Powers scored with gorgeous chicks as a fashion photographer by day, crime-fighting international man of mystery by night. Yeah, baby, yeah! But when Powers's arch nemesis, Dr. Evil, puts himself into a deep-freeze and travels via time-machine to the late 1990s, Powers must follow him and foil Evil's nefarious scheme of global domination. Mike Myers plays dual roles as Powers and Dr. Evil, with Elizabeth Hurley as his present-day sidekick and karate- kicking paramour. A hilarious spoof of '60s spy movies, this colorful comedy actually gets funnier with successive viewings, making it a perfect home video for gloomy days and randy nights. Oh, behave! --Jeff Shannon

    Description

    It's a smashing shagadelic party as Mike Myers (Wayne's World 1 & 2, So I Married an Axe Murderer) and Elizabeth Hurley (Dangerous Ground) star in a non-stop, hilarious comedy adventure. Frozen in the 60's, secret agent Austin Powers (Myers) is thawed back into action to once again battle his archenemy Dr. Evil. With his sexy sidekick Ms. Kensington (Hurley), Austin must stop Dr. Evil's outrageous plot to control the world. But first, this time-warped swinger must get hip quick and discover that there's no free love in the 90's! An all-star supporting cast including Michael York, Robert Wagner, Mimi Rogers and Carrie Fisher make Austin Powers a wacky, far-out trip you won't forget.

    DVD Features:
    Audio Commentary:Commentary by actor Mike Myers and director M. Jay Roach.
    Deleted Scenes
    Other:An original animated sequence "Music to Shag to". Spy genre retrospective. Star highlights with scenes (all Letterbox 1.85, Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround) from Dangerous Ground (1997), Monkey Trouble (1994), Rapture, The (1991) (qv), and Wide Sargasso Sea (1993).
    Production Notes
    Theatrical Trailer

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars The first film in the Austin Powers trilogy........2007-08-27

    I've seen all three movies in the Austin Powers series and International Man of Mystery, the first movie in the trilogy, certainly developed a new type of funny. With over the top jokes and quirky characters, what's not to love?

    For those who don't know the general storyline of the Austin Powers series, here's a brief synopsis. Austin Powers, played by Mike Myers, is a man stuck in the 60's. He's really not that good looking (in fact, I think I could even say that he's borderline disgusting) but women love him anyway. The reason? His irresistible mojo. In International Man of Mystery, Austin's goal is to stop his nemesis, Dr. Evil, after he stole a nuclear weapon.

    Let's talk about the positives first. As I said above, the jokes are over the top but completely funny. The jokes are childish but that's what makes them funny. Second, each character is funny in their own way. Dr. Evil is my absolute favorite. Dr. Evil tries way too hard to be "evil" but comes off as silly. Lastly, the movie runs rather smoothly and the end of each scene leaves me wondering what the next scene is going to be about.

    And now for the negatives. Two things. First, you have to have a certain sense of humor to enjoy the Austin Power movies. Most jokes will have the average person rolling their eyes. Further, although there is a general storyline, a lot of scenes are thrown in just for laughs, not to aid the storyline. Lastly, this movie is not Oscar-worthy by any means so don't expect much from it.

    Bottom line-If you're looking for an entertaining movie to pass a couple of hours with some friends, be sure to check out this movie.

    4 out of 5 stars Groovy, Baby.......2007-07-21

    I somehow managed to miss this movie when it first came out, and only recently saw it on DVD. For me, it has three great appeals. First of all, it is a wonderfully goofy spoof on the 007 movies. Second, as a baby boomer, I loved going back to the carefree 60s too! And third, Mike Myers is so irresistably corny/cool as Austin Powers. You just have to love him. Groovy, Baby!

    5 out of 5 stars the best Austin Powers there'll probably ever be!.......2007-07-09

    there's nothing like the original...out of the other 2 Powers this is the best one by far. very funny! liz hurley is a good actress in it and beautiful. the whole 60's vibe i like. i also liked the fembots!

    5 out of 5 stars One of my favorite comedies.......2007-04-07

    I Love owning this film because its one of those silly comedies that just gets funnier to me with each watching. just the anticipation of some of the jokes about to happen can make me laugh. Its like an old friend that you share so many private jokes with.you begin to giggle before its even said,even the really stupidest and corny of the lines. Dr. Evil is just so classic and probably my favorite of all of Myers characters.

    Anyway, I think its worth letting it grow on you and watching again every few weeks.

    whenever I might need a lift I know I can pop this movie in and its got me smiling again .

    5 out of 5 stars Classic Comedy -- But Don't Waste Your Time with the Sequels.......2007-04-02

    I actually saw "The Spy Who Shagged Me" first, and was mostly bored throughout. There were maybe two funny scenes. I thought to myself, why do people seem to love "Austin Powers" so much? This was pretty lame.

    Several months later I caught bits and pieces of the original ("International Man of Mystery") on TV, and found myself laughing at almost every scene! This is why people loved "Austin Powers"! Eventually I'd seen enough to know I needed to own the movie. I bought it on VHS about 5 years ago, and just got the DVD today. It is an absolute classic. I have to rate it among the best comedies of all time. If you haven't seen it yet, you just don't know what you're missing. It is extremely well-written, clever, witty, and with great delivery and timing.

    Now, a warning. It is my opinion that the two sequels to this movie amount to a pile of crap. They are cliché, unoriginal, lame movies. If you like the first one, there is absolutely no guarantee you will like the second or third installments. I would recommend you not waste your time with them, period. I personally just try to pretend they don't even exist. That allows me to continue to love "Austin Powers."
    Lost in Translation [HD DVD]
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • A must own movie
    • Lost and confused
    • Sad & pathetic lives
    • Can't wait to get this movie in hi def !
    • I loved it
    Lost in Translation [HD DVD]
    Starring: Scarlett Johansson , Bill Murray , Akiko Takeshita , Kazuyoshi Minamimagoe , and Kazuko Shibata
    Director: Sofia Coppola
    Manufacturer: Universal Studios
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: HD DVD

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    ASIN: B000O179FE
    Release Date: 2007-05-29

    Description

    Bob Harris (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) are two Americans in Tokyo. Bob is a movie star in town to shoot a whiskey commercial, while Charlotte is a young woman tagging along with her workaholic photographer husband (Giovanni Ribisi). Unable to sleep, Bob and Charlotte cross paths one night in the luxury hotel bar. This chance meeting soon becomes a surprising friendship. Charlotte and Bob venture through Tokyo, having often hilarious encounters with its citizens, and ultimately discover a new belief in life's possibilities. Shot entirely on location in Japan, Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation is a valentine to the nature of close friendships and to the city of Tokyo. Ms. Coppola's film, from her original screenplay, contemplates the unexpected connections we make that might not last - yet stay with us forever

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars A must own movie.......2007-07-05

    I highly recommend this title. I saw this film in the theatre back in 2003. It had a limited run in my area and I couldn't wait for the dvd. The dvd had some video issues but was a very solid release. The HD version is definitely a HUGE step up. The video quality is clean and crisp. My only complaint is the extras weren't encoded to HD. But overall a solid release and worthy of being part of any home theatre collection.

    4 out of 5 stars Lost and confused.......2007-06-05

    Loneliness is one of the most basic human emotions; when experiencing it, some people will reach out to others who understand that feeling. That sentiment seems to be at the heart of "Lost in Translation," a film that straddles the line between odd love story and a look at loneliness and isolation.

    Bob Harris (Bill Murray) is a middle-aged actor with a faded career. Currently he's alone in Japan, filming a commercial, and feels lonely and alienated despite the luxurious surroundings and royal treatment. He catches glimpses of a pretty young blonde, Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), who intrigues him.

    She is equally bored and lonely, and at loose ends since her husband is away working. The two finally meet over drinks, and begin to bond and explore the city of Tokyo. Bob is in a downtempo midlife crisis, while Charlotte is unsure what to do with her life. And they both learn that they have things to teach one another...

    A small warning: "Lost in Translation" has very little plot. And yes, it can be pretentious at times, sometimes politically incorrect. Fortunately, Sofia Coppola's second full-length film has qualities to make up for its improvised plot, with the beautiful cinematography, good direction and outstanding acting by its two main leads. It's a movie that requires patience and slow unfolding.

    Loneliness is the theme of this movie. Particularly, it's the loneliness of the soul -- Charlotte and Bob are surrounded by people, yet they feel alone. Hanging out together alleviates their loneliness for a little while, even though their problems won't go away. As a result, some parts of it can feel hollow. But at the same time, it gives the film a more realistic feeling -- often people in such situations DON'T deal with it.

    In keeping with the theme, Coppola keeps the movie slow and pensive, with plenty of beautiful cinematography and exquisite shots of Tokyo. The entire film has a slightly shadowy, glowing look. And the quiet dialogue has a witty, acerbic edge, such as when dizzy blonde Kelly announces "I'm under Evelyn Waugh," only to have Charlotte inform her that, "Evelyn Waugh was a man."

    Bill Murray rules this film, with his understated expressions and world-weary attitude. It's surprising that someone could act so blase, and yet be strangely charming. Scarlett Johansson proves that she is no longer just another child star, with a solid performance that stacks up well beside veteran Murray's.

    Strange, slow and pensive, this is a film that takes some getting used to; it may even take multiple viewings to fully "get." Just soak it in, and see how you like it.

    1 out of 5 stars Sad & pathetic lives.......2007-06-01

    Who wants to see a story of two people with absolutely no purpose?

    Not me. Not again.