The Fifth Element (Remastered) [Blu-ray]

Product Description

New York cab driver Korben Dallas didn't mean to be a hero, but he just picked up the kind of fare that only comes along every five thousand years: A perfect beauty, a perfect being, a perfect weapon. Now, together, they must save the world. Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, and Gary Oldman star in acclaimed director Luc Besson's outrageous sci-fi adventure, an extravagantly styled tale of good against evil set in an unbelievable twenty-third century world.

Customer Reviews:

Great Movie, Great Quality.......2007-09-14

Having been a huge fan of this movie since I first saw it on DVD I was delighted to get a chance to see it in HiDef Blu-ray. I had read an earlier release of The Fifth Element on Blu-ray was lackluster at best, not having seen it myself I can't personally comment. However, this Remastered release on Blu-ray is incredible. The action is certainly not missing in this Bruce Willis flick, but just as much there's the comedy. Chris Tucker plays his character (Ruby Rhod) spot-on. Luc Besson does a phenomenal job putting so many "elements" together in this movie. This movie is not one-dimensional like most Action or Comedy movies. Well worth the time and money.

Excelente!!!.......2007-09-13

Qualidade de imagem e áudio espetaculares! Realmente um Blu-ray autêntico e remasterizado, conduzindo à melhor alta definição disponível no mercado. Parabéns à Sony pela correção do re-lançamento desta versão!

Total let-down.......2007-09-10

The video quality is horrible. The Super Bit release on standard DVD was superior. Sad, as it is one of my favorite movies for picture quality and testing out a new system.

Splendid film, highly recommend.......2007-09-10

Uncompressed audio track is clear, dynamic and and natural. Picture is not the best I've seen in Blu-ray but good nonetheless. The movie is of course one of the best scifi movies ever made. Humor is cracking, main characters deep and the traditional story of all triumphant love is well put out.

WOW.......2007-08-23

They really did work on it! All i can say is AMAZING!!! Love the movie!

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (Collector's Edition)

Average customer rating:

A very good remake; collector's edition is sweet
GREAT COLLECTOR'S EDITION OF THE INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS!
Great New Special Edition of Classis 70's Paranoia
Get INVADED all over again....
DON'T FALL ASLEEP WATCHING THIS MOVIE!!!

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (Collector's Edition)
Starring: Brooke Adams , Maurice Argent , Joe Bellan , Veronica Cartwright , and Tom Dahlgren
Director: Philip Kaufman
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000QQJ3Q0
Release Date: 2007-08-07

Description

When filmy spores fall from space and take root in San Francisco, the city is beautifully transformed by spectacular and exotic flowers. But these lovely extraterrestrial blossoms have gruesome plansfor their earthly admirers: to slowly clone their bodiesand then dispose of the originals! "A first-rate suspense thriller" (Newsday), this sci-fi adventure is a "chilling" (Leonard Maltin), "dazzling" (The New York Times) and "stunning" (Cosmopolitan) thrill ride that will send your pulse rate soaring! From a brilliant screenplay by Academy AwardÂ(r) nominee* W.D. Richter, filmmaker Philip Kaufman directs an all-star cast that includes Donald Sutherland, Jeff Goldblum, Brooke Adams and Leonard Nimoy. With its mesmerizing style and awe-inspiring special effects, Invasion of the Body Snatchers is "a classic of the genre" (New York Post) a terrifying tale that "literally chills the blood" (The Hollywood Reporter)!

Customer Reviews:

A very good remake; collector's edition is sweet.......2007-08-27

As other reviewers have noted, this is an excellent remake of the 1956 original, with superb casting, great performances, excellent direction and cinematography. Veronica Cartwright and Jeff Goldblum (and Spock - Leonard Nimoy!) are very good in supporting roles. Cartwright in particular is just excellent (see her also in "Alien"). And Sutherland and Adams give believable, sympathetic performances in the leads. The scene towards the end when "Amazing Grace" starts playing on bagpipes along the waterfront... well, suffice to say it's tremendously effective and emotional. This film speaks volumes about the evils of social pressure and conformity, while managing to scare the be-jeezus out of most viewers. Definitely worth having in your collection of sci/fi DVDs! I'll leave you with one final line from the film: "It eez a caper!" "No, it's a rat turd!" :-)

GREAT COLLECTOR'S EDITION OF THE INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS!.......2007-08-22

i have recently saw the new movie THE INVASION starring nicole kidman and daniel craig a third remake of the invasion of the body snatchers.i wont spoil this third entry on my thoughts for now for those who havent seen it yet,so lets move on to the 1978 invasion of the body snatchers,directed by philip kaufman and starring donald sutherland,brooke adams,jeff goldblum,veronica cartwright,leonard nimoy.with special appearances of don seigel,kevin mccarthy and robert duvall.an intense remake of the 1956 classic of the same name based on jack finney's novel.while the 1956 version is far more superior the 1978 version runs close behind with added different twists to the story.the new 2007 collector's edition gives this 1978 small gem the red carpet treatment with better sound and crystal clean print better than its previous release in the late 1990's,with added bonuses on the making of the 1978 film.the question is..is it worth the upgrade?........ the answer is yes!everything you want to know about the 1978 version is right here in this worthwhile package 2 disc set.a great addition to any collections of sci fi.now back to the 2007 INVASION film,the third remake is a (im sorry im falling asleep(yawning)let me get some sleep and ill finish this review another time zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Great New Special Edition of Classis 70's Paranoia .......2007-08-16

I loved this Film from teh first time I viewed it about 5 years ago. Everything is perfect the cast the pace the atmosphere. The New Special Edition is very nice with some small little documentaries on the makings of the film. And just to point out that french title on the cover art on the amazon listing is NOT on the package for some odd reason they got a image of the french/multi lingual release not the US release. I can't tell if the new DVD is better looking than the older release but it is a dual layer disc where as the older release was a flipper WS on one side Pan/Scan on the other, so it should be a bit better in the picture dept enhanced for 16:9 displays. SIDE NOTE:This title is currently under distribution from FOX who for some odd reason doesn't distribute their MGM titles very well. Ever since they were releasing the MGM titles such as Fiddler on the Roof and even the more recent S.E. of Showgirls the titles were very hard to find at first even on any store shelves. In fact FOX couldn't even get online sellers to give the correct street date for the Release of Invasion of the Body Snatchers some are still saying it isn't to be release until Spet 11th. FOX is about to release a bunch of MGM Midnite Movies titles coming in the next month or so. Hopefully these titles will not be hard to find and that someone at FOX will get these titles in stores at a faster pace.

Get INVADED all over again...........2007-08-13

People keep asking me, is this movie worth the double dip?? My reply is YES!!!! I have been waiting for months to receive my copy of this rerelease Collectors Edition and it was worth the wait.

The story needs no recap, everyone in the world should know the story by now. However the special effects are awesome (that man/dog hybrid still works today and the space flowers at the beginning look very organic and real) and the acting is top notch. My favorite performance in the movie is Veronica Cartwright as Nancy. The movie also is still very scary and intense once the action gets going.

The picture on the DVD is a lot cleaner and sharper than the old disc. The widescreen framing appears to be correct, the old version seemed more zoomed in and the credits were slightly cropped off on the sides of the screen.

The sound also has more boom and clarity to it. Those pods hatching sound as creepy today as they did in the theater in 1978.

The extras while not excellent, are pretty good. Wish they would find more stuff for the Blu-Ray version, if they ever release one.

As for the Blu-Ray DVD, Yes I would definitely triple dip for that one if the picture is outstanding and true Hi-Def.

DON'T FALL ASLEEP WATCHING THIS MOVIE!!!.......2007-08-13

The 1978 remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a perennial classic that absolutely terrified me as a child and still holds up after nearly 30 years and is one of the best and rare examples where a remake actually surpasses the original ala John Carpenter's The Thing. Director Philip Kaufman crafts a suspenseful science-fiction masterpiece about the dehumanization of humanity by investing in the personalities of very emotional human characters that break the mold of two-dimensional cookie-cutter stereotypes. Donald Sutherland and Brooke Adams have a genuine chemistry with great supporting roles by Jeff Goldblum and Veronica Cartwright. Adding to the eerie atmosphere we also get a very creepy and surreal performance by Leonard Nimoy as a pseudo-intellectual psychologist that will completely alter your perception of Mr. Spock forever.

I had the pleasure of watching this film again late at night after an exhausting day of work which is the perfect state of mind to be in. Struggling to keep myself from nodding off I could relate even better to the characters and their conflict by forcing myself to stay awake, not because the film is dull or boring, heavens no, but because as a child I believed, however irrational it may seem, that if I fell asleep watching this film that I too would be transformed and replaced by a pod. Funny how the innocent superstitions of childhood can resonate in our subconscious after so many years.

The new 2-disc collectors edition DVD is definitely worth replacing the old one if you own it, which seems almost like an analogy of the film itself which is finally presented in anamorphic widescreen with Dolby digital sound and director commentary by Philip Kaufman if you really want to test your insomnia. The second disc contains some nice featurettes like "Re-visitors From Outer Space, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Pod" featuring new interviews with Donald Sutherland, Veronica Cartwright, Phillip Kaufman and screenwriter W.D. Richter who reflect on the lasting appeal of the film and provide some interesting anecdotes about making the film. "Practical Magic: The Special Effects Pod" goes into the the organic photography of the alien spores and "The Man Behind the Scream: The Sound Effects of the Pod" features Lucasfilm's sound guru Ben Burtt who designed and mixed the sound effects after completing Star Wars to create the film's unforgettable and disturbing sound design. "The Invasion Will Be Televised: The Cinematography of the Pod" also goes into the production design and chiaroscuro lighting used to compose the forboding look and mood through light and shadow to invoke dramatic Hitchcockian suspense, and lastly the original theatrical trailer is included as well. There's more than enough material here to keep you awake for hours but should you find yourself feeling a bit tired just remember one thing; no matter what happens... DON'T FALL ASLEEP!

Average customer rating:

An enlightened message of peace or a plug for capital punishment? Many misinterpret this film!
The Day The Earth Stood Still
The Day The Earth Stood Still
Regrets
Corny but fun

The Day the Earth Stood Still
Starring: Frances Bavier , Marshall Bradford , John Burton , Wheaton Chambers , and James Craven
Director: Robert Wise
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005JKFR
Release Date: 2003-03-04

Amazon.com essential video

A hallmark of the science fiction genre as well as a wry commentary on the political climate of the 1950s, The Day the Earth Stood Still is a sci-fi movie less concerned with special effects than with a social parable. A spacecraft lands in Washington, D.C., carrying a humanoid messenger from another world (Michael Rennie) imparting a warning to the people of Earth to cease their violent behavior. But panic ensues as the messenger lands and is shot by a nervous soldier. His large robot companion destroys the Capitol as the messenger escapes the confines of the hospital. He moves in with a family as a boarder and blends into society to observe the full range of the human experience. Director Robert Wise (West Side Story) not only provides one of the most recognizable icons of the science fiction world in his depiction of the massive robot loyal to his master, but he avoids the obvious camp elements of the story to create a quiet and observant story highlighting both the good and the bad in human nature. --Robert Lane

Description

The Day The Earth Stood Still depicts the arrival of an alien dignitary, Klaatu (Michael Rennie), who has come to earth with his deadly robot, Gort (Lock Martin), to deliver the message that earthlings must stop warring among themselves--or else. After being shot at by military guards, Klaatu is brought to a Washington, D.C. hospital, where he begs a sympathetic but frank Major White (Robert Osterloh) to gather all the world's leaders so he can tell them more specifically what he has come to warn them about. Losing patience, Klaatu slips into the human world, adapting a false identity and living at a boarding house where he meets a smart woman with a conscience and her inquisitive son. Both mother and son soon find themselves embroiled in the complex mystery of Klaatu, his message and the government's witch hunt for the alien.

Customer Reviews:

An enlightened message of peace or a plug for capital punishment? Many misinterpret this film!.......2007-09-09

The Day the Earth Stood Still always appears on any list of "the best sci fi films of all time." It's easy to see why. First, it's more serious and less campy than most 50s sci fi, as well as more intelligent than most sci fi films in general. Second, Robert Wise's direction is masterful. Wise also gave us The Haunting (about the best horror film ever made), The Andromeda Strain and Star Trek the Motion Picture (both sci fi masterpieces in their own right). Casting unknowns in the leads was a pivotal decision. Had Klaatu been played by Spencer Tracy (as was actually considered) rather than British actor Michael Rennie the film would have been far less convincing. Patricia Neal, another relative unknown, was also a good choice. The mood and ambiance of the film would not have been as effective without Bernard Hermann's score, which is one of his all-time best (second only to his score for Vertigo in my opinion). Other little touches came together nicely to polish this gem off, such as hiring a real scientist and mathematician to lend credence to the science and math appearing in the film (a move other sci fi films would do well to follow!--by the way, the equations on the blackboard are real, not gobbledygook) as well as hiring a real giant to play Gort. Interestingly, those with giantism in real life are often extremely weak. When Gort was supposed to lift Patricia Neal and carry her into the saucer the actor who played him could not lift her; this is why you can see all the black cables around Neal--she was actually supported by a crane. Also deserving of mention is the screenplay--it crackles with excellent dialogue and many memorable lines. Examples include (paraphrasing here): "It's terrible when people substitute fear for reason," "Nothing is strange about Washington!" and "They're not people, they're Democrats!"

With all this said it must be added that a great many people misinterpret this film! Yes, the film has a message of peace, but think, just how did the aliens erect their peace? This film is NOT about non-violent, enlightened aliens who come to show us the error of our ways. Far from it!! What does Klaatu actually say when he explains himself to the scientists? He says basically that the rule of law is imperative AND that a law is ONLY AS GOOD as the ability to enforce it. That's it. As any behaviorist knows, he says that punishment works only when punishment is swift, harsh (the "punishee" has to fear the punishment, else it isn't punishment at all!) and invariable. People ignore laws in the US because they know they'll probably get away with it. (Think about it. If you KNEW you'd get a ticket every time you sped, would you ever drive over the speed limit?) What Klaatu says--and this is what so many people amazingly miss--is that THEY TOO were violent, but that they created a race of robot police agents, of which Gort is only one, and that if any of them commit a violent act one of these robots comes and immediately annihilates them. Since no one wants to be disintegrated by a Gort, no one commits violent crimes. What this film is actually about is the effectiveness of law--that any law is only as effective as the threat that backs it up. (I don't want to get too political here--though people have been politicizing this film for years--but contrary to the liberal backing of the film, this is a very conservative message!) What Klaatu ACTUALLY says is that we need to set up an effective system of capital punishment! That's what he actually says before leaving. Think about it.

The Day The Earth Stood Still.......2007-09-05

What can I say? This is one of the greatest Sci-Fi movies in movie history. Take an enjoyable look if you haven't seen this classic!!

The Day The Earth Stood Still.......2007-09-02

One of the greatest classic scifi movies ever made. It is old, but still good.

Regrets.......2007-09-02

Une leçon de vie dans ce film mythique montrant d'un côté le savoir vivre et le bon goût des gens de l'époque et d'un autre côté la bêtise humaine déjà à l'oeuvre...

Corny but fun.......2007-08-17

Just like most of the 1950's classic black and white "monster" movies, this one is just as corny and "mild" compared to todays standards, but it's great fun. The acting is really pretty good - you find yourself drawn right into that boarding house where Bobby and his mother live (ok now her character name escapes me, but it's Patricia Neal)....and of course Gort standing guard at the spaceship does a tremendous job of making you feel like there is no way under the sun you're walking up that ramp towards the spaceship! (and he doesn't speak one single word) One blink of his super-duper evaporating x-ray and that's all it would take to convince me to get out of Dodge. Great fun - great for the family, and a must for your classic movie collection.

Average customer rating:

Not as scary.
The Best Of 50' Sci-Fi !
classic!
A Story About One Man`s Resistance To Collectivism
A great Cold War classic

Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Starring: Kevin McCarthy , Dana Wynter , Larry Gates , King Donovan , and Carolyn Jones
Director: Don Siegel
Manufacturer: Republic Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 0782009980
Release Date: 1998-07-01

Amazon.com

Something's wrong in the town of Santa Mira, California. At first, Dr. Miles Bennell (Kevin McCarthy) is unconcerned when the townsfolk accuse their loved ones of acting like emotionless imposters. But soon the evidence is overwhelming--Santa Mira has been invaded by alien "pods" that are capable of replicating humans and taking possession of their identities. It's up to McCarthy to spread the word of warning, battling the alien invasion at the risk of his own life. Considered one of the best science fiction films of the 1950s and '60s, this classic paranoid thriller was widely interpreted as a criticism of the McCarthy era (that's Senator Joseph, not actor Kevin), which was characterized by anticommunist witch-hunts and fear of the dreaded blacklist. Some hailed it as an attack on the oppressive power of government as Big Brother. However viewers interpret it, this original 1956 version of Invaders of the Body Snatchers (based on Jack Finney's serialized novel The Body Snatchers) remains a milestone movie in its genre, directed by Don Siegel with an inventive intensity that continues to pack an entertaining wallop. Look closely and you'll find future director Sam Peckinpah (an uncredited cowriter of this film) making a cameo appearance as a meter reader! The DVD release includes an interview with Kevin McCarthy, and for the first time on home video the film is presented in its original 2.35:1 widescreen aspect ratio. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Not as scary........2007-09-09

After seeing that another remake of this story was being filmed I had to get my own copy of the original. I had seen this film when it first came out many, many years ago. At that time I was terrified. This time around I found it not as scary as I remembered. The story line is the same as the remake with Donald Sutherland. It is fun viewing these older films and seeing the way film making has changed over the years.

The Best Of 50' Sci-Fi !.......2007-08-28

When I first watched this movie I was a teenager. I knew nothing about the Mcarthey era. I didn't live through the early post cold war paranoia. There were no outside influences aside from my love of movies.

I have seen the film over 2 dozen times and believe it to be the best of the 50's generation, and one of the top 3 or 4 science fiction films of all time. With or without the prologue and epilogue.

All things are not what they seem. What if you woke up from a nightmare to find that you are still in it, and can't get out. The message is clear. A home, a car, and a career are all great to strive for in one's life. But love, compassion and emotion are the true gifts to keep living in the first place. Imagine a home without love or any emotion what so ever. None. Good or bad.

One by one, Kevin Mcarthy and Dana Wynter are confronted by the loss of neighbors, associates, and friends. The horror of the loss of everything they new. Early on, when a boy thinks his mother isn't his mother, and a friend doubt's her uncle is who he says he is. Doctor Miles is confused and doesn't know what to believe. So he goes with common sense. His eyes see there is no problem. But The evidence piles slowly and precisely. Soon it is not only what to believe, but who to trust.

Kevin Mcarthy is outstanding. Dana Wynter is absolutely gorgeous and the chemistry between the two seems real. The film will keep you glued from beginning 'til end. Simply one of the best!

classic!.......2007-08-17

You can't get much better if you like SciFi. The remake wasn't very good. Kevin was at his best. Loved the ending. There must always be hope or it is depressing.No matter how bad it gets there is hope.

A Story About One Man`s Resistance To Collectivism.......2007-06-16

The original version of The Invasion Of The Body Snatchers is an absolutely wonderful tale of how one man first tries to save his community from falling into a collectivist society. When this fails he tries save the individual identity of himself and the woman that he loves. Then when she joins the collectivist community he is left with no other alternative but to escape from this community and try to warn those living in other communities.

This is a terrific story that very much captures the political and social environment of the time that this movie was made. I highly recommend The Invasion Of The Body Snatchers. Also if you enjoy this movie you might want to considering reading 1984 by George Orwell.

A great Cold War classic.......2007-05-16

I bought this DVD intending to teach it in a community college film class, but they didn't have the funds so the class didn't get approved. However, I'm pleased as punch at the chance to own this gem of 50's SF film. To watch this film is to fully understand Cold War paranoia, and the mood of the US during that time. Also, it's one of the few 50's SF films that don't descend into VERY silly "special" effects. Worth watching repeatedly.

Final Fantasy - The Spirits Within [Blu-ray]

Average customer rating:

Great title and mind blowing graphics
Most underrated movie of the NEW millennium...
Amazing CG for it's release...
One of the Best CG Movies Ever Comes to HD
wmschmitz

Final Fantasy - The Spirits Within [Blu-ray]
Starring: Alec Baldwin , Steve Buscemi , Keith David , Matt McKenzie , and Ving Rhames
Director: Hironobu Sakaguchi , and Motonori Sakakibara
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

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ASIN: B000QXDFQM
Release Date: 2007-08-07

Product Description

The year is 2065 AD. The Earth is infested with alien spirits, and mankind faces total extinction. Led by a strange dream and guided by her mentor, Dr. Sid, scientist Aki Ross struggles to collect eight spirits in the hope of creating a force powerful enough to destroy the alien presence and pure enough to protect the planet. With the aid of the Deep Eyes Squadron, Aki must save the Earth from its darkest hate and unleash the final spirit. Final Fantasy is the groundbreaking new CGI film from the creators of the Final Fantasy Video Game Franchise.

Customer Reviews:

Great title and mind blowing graphics.......2007-09-13

I've seen the title before but never in Blu-ray, and let me tell you its a whole new experience. The detail is something else and sound is great!! I can't wait for the second installment.

Most underrated movie of the NEW millennium..........2007-09-10

I'll keep this short. Have you ever cried because a movie you loved was hated or ignored by everyone else? And that movie was obviously a work of art that took teams of artists years to create?

Well, that's how I felt when "Final Fantasy TSW" came out and died within a couple of weeks. I went to the premiere of this fine film. The theater was half-empty. I went again two weeks later, just before the movie disappeared from cineplexes. Would you believe I was THE ONLY person in the room?! When the eagle at the end soared away over the mountain range, I had to choke back angry tears. (The beautiful ending itself had caused the first upswell of tears.) Why was nobody else enjoying the show with me? And what a show it was! Great "acting" by the digitally created cast, especially the leads, restrained but believable dialogue, breath-taking visuals, and tight editing of a logical storyline that is so perfectly steamlined and simple it should never cause confusion. So why this tragedy of an empty theater after just two weeks?

First, many critics panned it, complained of wooden acting and a convoluted plot. They claimed the story was unoriginal; well, what other movie does it plagiarize? Apart from the stereotyped way the marines sometimes talk, what is unoriginal here? Second, the trailer was misleading; this is a moving love story, set against the spooky, solemn backdrop of a last-ditch attempt to repel an alien invasion and restore the Earth to humanity. The love is between Aki and Gray, who ultimately must love their planet enough to sacrifice their lives to save it. There is also credible caring between Dr. Sid and Aki, and Gray and his Deep-Eyes. But the trailer presented "Final Fantasy TSW" as a kind of juiced-up videogame. A rollercoaster thrill ride, which it is at times, but the human quality of the story is paramount. It's the only reason I would have seen this movie so many times, bought TWO copies on DVD, and now proudly own TWO copies of the Blu-ray release. It's definitely worth it.

Unfortunately, that will not bring back Square Pictures (closed up shop after the movie flopped) or reunite the gifted animators who brought the characters to life so memorably. I'm just doing my part to support one of my favourite movies, while thumbing my nose at certain small-minded critics and at the moviegoers who left me all alone in the theater (not that I really minded having the whole place to myself).

Lovers of this movie, UNITE! (And if you haven't seen it yet, by all means DO!)

Amazing CG for it's release..........2007-08-28

But not so now... Ah, the progress of technology! "Sky Captain.." showed me that the CG bomb still lives on. I'm a nostalgic geek for past CG failures and so I Re-bought this on the BR format. I am one of the few who actually watched this in the theaters so it was a pleasure to experience it again in all it's hi-def sorta glory on my little theater back home. Pass the cheese please.

One of the Best CG Movies Ever Comes to HD.......2007-08-13

It has been six years since thhis movie's release and it still stands as the benchmark for human CG animation. People hate on this movie, but I think it is a work of art, directed by a true genius (Hironobu Sakaguchi) one of the greatest game designers ever. It is sad this film bankrupted Square Pictures, but they did rise from the ashes to produce Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children so all was not lost. Besides the amazing animation, I love the story and characters, and the space sequences (especially the opening scene) are stunning in hi-def. Who knows when this movie will be topped technically, although Beowulf looks like it might give FF a run for its money.

wmschmitz.......2007-07-25

This is a great movie !!!!
The cgi work is amazing !!
If you like cgi art this is the movie for you.
All other cgi movies should take notice of the work done in this movie.

Average customer rating:

ALIEN VS. AMERICAN SCIENTISTS
THE THINGS ARE AMONG US!!
Class from Carpenter
"I know I'm human and some of you are human or you'd all jump me right now" McReady(Kurt Russell)
Grotesque, violent, and repulsive horror at its best.

The Thing (Collector's Edition)
Starring: Wilford Brimley , T.K. Carter , David Clennon , Keith David , and Richard A. Dysart
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002CHK1S
Release Date: 2004-10-26

Amazon.com

Director John Carpenter and special makeup effects master Rob Bottin teamed up for this 1982 remake of the 1951 science fiction classic The Thing from Another World, and the result is a mixed blessing. It's got moments of highly effective terror and spine-tingling suspense, but it's mostly a showcase for some of the goriest and most horrifically grotesque makeup effects ever created for a movie. With such highlights as a dog that splits open and blossoms into something indescribably gruesome, this is the kind of movie for die-hard horror fans and anyone who slows down to stare at fatal traffic accidents. On those terms, however, it's hard not to be impressed by the movie's wild and wacky freak show. It all begins when scientists at an arctic research station discover an alien spacecraft under the thick ice, and thaw out the alien body found aboard. What they don't know is that the alien can assume any human form, and before long the scientists can't tell who's real and who's a deadly alien threat. Kurt Russell leads the battle against the terrifying intruder, and the supporting cast includes Richard Masur, Richard Dysart, Donald Moffat, and Wilford Brimley. They're all playing standard characters who are neglected by the mechanistic screenplay (based on the classic sci-fi story "Who Goes There?" by John W. Campbell), but Carpenter's emphasis is clearly on the gross-out effects and escalating tension. If you've got the stomach for it (and let's face it, there's a big audience for eerie gore), this is a thrill ride you won't want to miss. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

ALIEN VS. AMERICAN SCIENTISTS.......2007-09-14

I have watched this movie numerous of times and I find that I love it more each time. Yesterday I let my eleven year old son watch it. When I told him what year that it came out he said, "Ahhh, come on, I hate it when you make me watch those old, stupid movies!" Within ten minutes he was engrossed. When the movie was over he told me that The Thing is now his favorite horror movie and that he was going to have nightmares. My point is that The Thing is such an incredible movie that every person, no matter what generation, is going to love it.

THE THINGS ARE AMONG US!!.......2007-09-01

they sure didn't give this movie the credit it deserved. i'm telling you john carpenter did it again. man, this movie was extra good. the actors did a phenomenal job, the whole idea was brilliant, and the setting...what better place. who's who. the aliens really do exist among us, but as humans. this one was just plain evil. for it's time the effects were great, personally one of the best. total isolation, the thing, paranoia sets in, distrust, and nowhere to go. all you have is to fight back, whether you're the last man standing. the ending was good, he leaves it all up to you. if they don't kill each other the weather surely will. i do recommend this mind blowing classic.

Class from Carpenter.......2007-09-01

I saw this at the Cinema in 1982 and on occasions had to watch through my fingers!

This film and Aliens were the last two great Sci-fi/horror films that did not have digital special effects. The effects in this film are astounding. For the younger people reading this (those born after the late 60's) you have to realise that what you see on the screen was actually created in the studio and not on a computer. They still look good compared with todays CGI and remain the pinnacle of animatronic special effects. Full credit to Rob Bottin the special effects wizard on The Thing.

The film itself is a claustraphobic affair once The Thing is loose in the camp, and you continally have doubts about which character is still human. The suspense is helped immensely by a intense music soundtrack by Ennio Morricone, who had obviously listened to some of Carpenters own soundtrack music.

Kurt Russell in the leading role does a great job as MacReady, and the supporting cast which includes Keith David (Platoon, Pitch Black) and Richard Dysart all give good performances.

This film was a high point for John Carpenters career, since whilst he has made some good films since (They Live for example) most of them have been very poor in comparison compared with this film.

The DVD has digital 5.1 sound.

"I know I'm human and some of you are human or you'd all jump me right now" McReady(Kurt Russell).......2007-08-30

I saw this one when it came out and have this one on my top 10 list of favorite horror movie. While it is true the effects are stunning and have yet to be matched, it is with repeat viewing that the better parts of the movie rise to the top.
This is a more accurate telling of the short story classic"Who Goes There?" which was the used to make the original "Thing". In that one we had a monster from outer space that was described as a "Carrot", while here we go back to the idea that the alien can assume the shape of anything it touches. This is where the movie gets it's scariest scenes from, you never know who is on your side or who is an alien.
The cast is great and once again Kurt Russell shows that he is a very fine actor and carry's this film. This is one that stays with you long after the movie is over.

Grotesque, violent, and repulsive horror at its best........2007-08-25

Years ago I saw this movie on television and I did not understand why this movie was considered a horror classic. On television most everything exciting was edited out and the plot was butchered due to the tv editing.

So I eventually watched it on DVD after a friend suggested I watch it again. I was very impressed. The Thing is not only a grotesque and ultra violent movie, especially for 1982, but it has a steady build up of suspence and twists and turns within the plot. Now, just because I said the movie was super gross especially for 1982 doesn't mean that The Thing doesn't stand strong against modern horror films. In fact The Thing creature is the sickest and most freaky alien I've ever seen in a movie. It would be awesome to see a sequel by the title of Alien VS. The Thing. I wonder who would win and what sort of mutants would form out of their battles.

This movie is highly recommended if you like horror, sci-fi and gore.

Average customer rating:

One of the 'Best of the Best'.
something about the thing
It just kept mewing like a cat!
Even Better In The Winter!
Great product quality and great shipping service.

The Thing from Another World
Starring: Margaret Sheridan , Kenneth Tobey , Robert Cornthwaite , Douglas Spencer , and James R. Young
Director: Howard Hawks , and Christian Nyby
Manufacturer: Turner Home Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00009NHC0
Release Date: 2003-08-05

Amazon.com essential video

With its modest special effects, lean plot, and small cast of lesser stars, this 1951 thriller remains a sturdy blueprint for fusing horror and science fiction. The formula has been employed countless times since, fleshed out with more extensive and elaborate production values, and manned by higher profiled marquee names, but the results have yet to improve on The Thing from Another World, Howard Hawks's lone foray into sci-fi.

The story begins as military airmen are dispatched to a remote Arctic research station where scientists have detected the crash of a spacecraft. An effort to retrieve the saucer-shaped vehicle fails, but the team returns to the station with the frozen body of its sole occupant. When the extraterrestrial pilot is accidentally thawed, the crew, headed by a tough-talking pilot (Kenneth Tobey), grapples with a massive, chlorophyll-based humanoid (James Arness) thirsty for blood and in no mood for galactic diplomacy.

Hawks takes only a production credit for this low-budget exercise, but his filmmaking style transcends Christian Nyby's nominal direction: rapid-fire, overlapping dialogue, an ensemble of comrades whose professionalism is tempered by wisecracks, and unsentimental female characters (embodied by feisty romantic interest Margaret Sheridan) recall Hawks's signature works, while propelling the plot over any potential gaps in credibility. It's hardly surprising, then, that The Thing from Another World remains among the most influential science fiction movies ever shot, or that it remains exciting entertainment a half century later. --Sam Sutherland

Description

Members of an Antarctic research team are killed off by a frozen alien they uncover.

Customer Reviews:

One of the 'Best of the Best'........2007-09-12

'The Thing' (from another world) will always be considered one of the finest sci-fi flicks ever produced. It's just too bad that it was not made in color, but black & white. But, then again, the 'purest' will always use that medium, as variations in 'contrast' and 'tone' are more readily apparent. The story line is 'plausible', the acting pretty good, the special effects VERY good, and the 'message' to the world...? The only question I would have with this film is: If the 'Thing' was so intelligent, why did 'it' regard another 'alien' life-form (humans) so inferior? I know that if I ever met a 'walking carrot or cabbage', I'd certainly would want to know more about it, and not just think of it as a part of my evening's meal salad! But, considering the era it was produced, it certainly is, and will remain, a classic motion picture. And of course, two of the actors 'continued' their careers, one BIG TIME; James Arness of 'Gunsmoke' fame. The other actor who 'popped up' a year or two later was 'Scotty', the newsman who appeared as 'The Monitor' in the Sci-fi classic 'This Island Earth'.

something about the thing.......2007-09-10

Most movie buffs nowadays argue about who really directed this movie. Who cares? He did a marvellous job, creating the first great alien invasion movie. Right from the famous opening with the radioactive titles, the sudden appearance of a figure lurching in the snow, the music,everything. The tight writing, close interaction of the cast (they never seem to be merely acting" and great black & white photography combine. Yes, the aircrew are too flip in the face of a monster invader, but it has allready been made clear that they have faced death many times before in air raids over Germany. Keneth Tobey is entirely believable as the captain responsible for his crews and everyone elses survival. And yes, I would fly to the north pole to meet Margaret Sheridan. Her character is allmost unique in sf, she doesn't screm once, and even assists the men in their fight. The only - is that there are no special features on the dvd, and there must be fantastic material out there to make one!

It just kept mewing like a cat!.......2007-09-08

The Thing is one of the all-time great sci fi films. It's also one of the greatest horror films! Watch in awe of the fast-paced, overlapped dialogue that Howard Hawks made famous and that Steven Spielberg emulates. This is how real people talk--butting in, talking over each other, lots of people talking at the same time--not fake "movie talk" where everyone politely waits their turn to deliver an obviously memorized line. Though The Thing has Howard Hawks' fingerprints all over it, it is not actually directed by Howard Hawks, contrary to what many believe (he was the producer). The look and feel of this film is amazing. It's uncanny how well the film holds up, as well as how creepy it still is. I love the sounds the "Thing" makes: "I was shooting it and it just kept mewing like a cat!" Famous scenes from this film appear in both John Carpenter's Halloween (characters are watching it on TV) and in Rob Zombie's (horrendous) remake. Carpenter of course later remade The Thing, providing one of the best horror remakes in history (though the original is still much better). In this original the scene where they try to burn the "Thing" is one of the most effective in movie history. Carpenter tried to match it with his famous "blood testing" scene, which is also very creepy stuff. Incidentally, Carpenter's is a more faithful adaptation of the story the movie is based on (called "Who Goes There?"), which was also used in Horror Express starring horror greats Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee as well as in an X Files episode. This film is a masterpiece all around and is as good as it gets folks. The characters are great and the banter and humor are flawless. Think Stalag 17 as horror/sci fi and you'll have an idea as to what the amazing quality of this production is. Watch and enjoy! This belongs in any self-respecting sci fi fan's collection right next to The Day the Earth Stood Still and Forbidden Planet.

Even Better In The Winter!.......2007-09-03

The only times I will watch this great flick is in Winter. And I try to pick a bitter cold day (or night), open a window or two, and keep the coffee flowing ("...anyone for some coffee?"). This plus the realistic,
overlapping dialogue that Mr Hawks is known for, only adds to the great viewing of this excellent film.

Great product quality and great shipping service........2007-08-27

The DVD is of superb quality. An original theme at the time it was made, just a few years after the Roswell espisode, it's a great sci-fi horror movie. A truely historical post-war time piece that paved the way for many UFO and alien movies to come.

Independence Day (Single Disc Widescreen Edition)

Average customer rating:

one of the great sci-fimovies of all time
Ignore Naysayers. GR8 FLICK!!
The Fight For Survival Has Begun...
What is the backlash?
MST3K Fans Rejoice -- Rifftrax is Here!

Independence Day (Single Disc Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Will Smith , Bill Pullman , Jeff Goldblum , Mary McDonnell , and Judd Hirsch
Director: Roland Emmerich
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005V9IK
Release Date: 2003-02-11

Product Description

On July 2nd, communications systems worldwide are sent into chaos. A number of enormous objects are on a collision course with Earth that are revealed to be gigantic alien spacecraft. After attempts to communicate with the aliens go nowhere an ex-scientist turned cable technician discovers that the aliens are going to attack. On July 3rd, the aliens destroy New York, Los Angeles and Washington. The survivors devise a plan to fight back and July 4th becomes the day humanity will fight for its freedom. July 4th is their Independence Day...

System Requirements:

Running Time 153 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com essential video

In Independence Day, a scientist played by Jeff Goldblum once actually had a fistfight with a man (Bill Pullman) who is now president of the United States. That same president, late in the film, personally flies a jet fighter to deliver a payload of missiles against an attack by extraterrestrials. Independence Day is the kind of movie so giddy with its own outrageousness that one doesn't even blink at such howlers in the plot. Directed by Roland Emmerich, Independence Day is a pastiche of conventions from flying-saucer movies from the 1940s and 1950s, replete with icky monsters and bizarre coincidences that create convenient shortcuts in the story. (Such as the way the girlfriend of one of the film's heroes--played by Will Smith--just happens to run across the president's injured wife, who are then both rescued by Smith's character who somehow runs across them in alien-ravaged Los Angeles County.) The movie is just sheer fun, aided by a cast that knows how to balance the retro requirements of the genre with a more contemporary feel. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

one of the great sci-fimovies of all time.......2007-09-14

well judging by the the other reviewers. im in complete agreement...this generations classic science fiction motion picture. from start to finish ....well made , great, ahead of its time for yes its special effects and to a degree .....like some of the explosions of goverment buildings yet to be surpassed even by todays standards. you cant get a more exiting movie than this.....yes some of it is old fashioned and yes some of it is far fetched .....but thats fine....their should more like it. i was grateful enough to meet dean devlin in hollywood a few years ago and you could not meet a more graceful and kind gentleman ...it is not be chance this wonderful movie was one the great worldwide box office success.. the people will let you know . you cant help but cheer for it in spite of its self. in closing this generations ...classic science fiction movies. an all time great that will stand the test of time. thank you dean devlin and rolland emerich.

Ignore Naysayers. GR8 FLICK!!.......2007-09-12

How could anybody give this movie a low rating. The special effects were great. The action was fast moving from the very beginning to the very end. The plot was quite good with many twists. The acting was great. This is a 5 star movie all the way. One you will want to own and watch over and over.

Anybody that gave this a low rating does not know what a good movie is. This has everything and then some. A must see.

Of all the "Aliens Attack Earth" movies, I cant think of many as good as this one.

The Fight For Survival Has Begun..........2007-09-09

The existence of life outside of our planet is an idea that has long captured the minds of many people. The thought that maybe their might be some other forms of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe is a concept that is both alluring and somewhat frightening at the same time, mostly because no one knows what the aliens (if they exist, which I don't believe they do) would be like. In the movies there are a few instances where aliens are depicted in a benevolent manner; examples would be films like, "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial", "Men in Black" (the good aliens), and even the 'Star Trek' series at times. However, the majority of the time when aliens are featured in movies they are malevolent creatures bent on our destruction, such as; "Men in Black" (the bad aliens), "War of the Worlds", and "Mars Attacks". One of the most successful entries into the alien invasion sub-genre of science fiction would be the visual effects blockbuster "Independence Day" starring Will Smith, Bill Pullman, and Jeff Goldblum.

"Independence Day" begins on a day when all seemed to be normal in the world and another run-of-the-mill 4th of July weekend was upon us. However, when giant saucers begin to fill the skies above numerous big cities across the globe, everything quickly shifts from average to extraordinary. As humanity attempts to contact what is believed to be aliens residing in these giant ships, one former scientist turned cable repairman (Jeff Goldblum) discovers that these aliens are anything but peaceful, and as he warns the President of the United States (Bill Pullman), the aliens strike with deadly force. Now, with the attempted annihilation of the human race in full swing, our last hope rests upon humanity's ability to work together in the face of adversity, and on a daring mission led by a cocky pilot (Will Smith).

Here is a movie that beyond a shadow of a doubt, absolutely lives up to the term 'summer blockbuster'. What makes "Independence Day" such a great movie is not the fact that it is one of the best alien invasion movies ever made, of course that helps, but the mass appeal it has to such a wide audience. The film contains something for everyone; there's action, drama, romance, comedy, and of course, what would an alien invasion movie be without the prerequisite element of science fiction. All of those components when mixed together leaves audiences with an out of this world movie experience that they will undoubtedly want to enjoy time and again.

The acting for "Independence Day" was completely solid throughout, which was a pleasant surprise given the material of the movie and the fact that some of the actors aren't exactly known for their high-quality skills. Two actors that really surprised me by how good they were here were Bill Pullman as the President and Randy Quaid as a former alien abductee who's a little off in the head. Pullman surprised me because I hadn't really seen him do a whole lot of dramatic work, which was primarily his job in this film. All I'd seen of him were comedies, one was the Mel Brooks spoof "Spaceballs" and the other was "Casper", neither really tested him as an actor though, so I was surprised with how good he was in the role. And Randy Quaid, well he's done plenty of screwball comedies as wacky characters, so I knew that he could handle that aspect easily enough, but my fear was that he would ruin the movie by taking it too far into the stupid direction. Surprisingly, Randy played things with just the right amount of crazy without going overboard, and he even handled the dramatic aspects of his character, that appear later into the movie, with an earnest sincerity that was refreshing to see. Probably the biggest surprise in the movie was Will Smith's performance, though he was but one part of an ensemble cast, whenever he was on screen he made the movie his own with relative ease. I wasn't convinced that Will could truly handle a somewhat lead actor role for a big blockbuster film, since his previous movie was the highly successful actioner "Bad Boys" with Martin Lawrence carrying half the load. But once things got going, Will proved that he definitely had what it took to solidify his place among Hollywood's A-list stars, and his continuing success within the film industry is evidence of that.

Now on to the one thing that all reviews of science fiction movies require, the critique on the special effects work within the film. Top-notch special effects work is a key component to making any good science fiction movie, if you don't get the effects right and just wow the crowd, the audiences will turn on you in an instant. But for the folks that worked on "Independence Day" this turned out to not be a concern for them. The effects in this film were so top-of-the-line at the time the film was made, that most hold up very well to this day, a little over 10 years later. There are a couple of scenes that don't look so hot though, one would be the scene in which Vivica A. Fox's dog must jump into the hallway to avoid being burned alive, when the fire passes behind the dog it's a really obvious green-screen effect, of course there was no other way to do the scene, but I've seen better work done in plenty of other movies. Secondly, the scene where the alien attacks the doctors that are examining it within Area 51, the alien's movements look a little too hokey. Too much like stop-motion animation with all the tendrils whipping around, the movements felt choppy, kind of like when you watch some of the old Christmas TV shows that use stop-motion animation, the movements are fluid for the most part, but there's a slight choppiness that makes them feel somewhat awkward. But, other than those two times, I really can't come up with much else that hasn't held up from the special effects department, which is why this movie is still a favorite for many movie fans, and continues to hold its place as one of the best alien invasion movies ever made.

"Independence Day" is rated PG-13 for violence, language, and brief sensuality.

What is the backlash?.......2007-09-08

What is with all the one stars?

This doesn't pretend to be a Sundance entry...it's just one heck of a good time. Lighten up, appreciate it for what it is and is meant to be, and enjoy.

MST3K Fans Rejoice -- Rifftrax is Here!.......2007-08-24

In every single one of the 900 million aliens-come-to-earth movies that had come before it the aliens were malevolent, bent on man's destruction, but Independence Day changed all that. Yes, the alien's were once again malevolent, but this time Judd Hirsch was in the movie! Never before had this even been dreamt of, putting Judd Hirsch in a film. It was a brazen move, one almost as stunning as casting Bill Pullman as the president of the United States as opposed to taking the obvious path and casting him as a guy at a Rapid Oil Change who says, "Ahead. Little more. Little more. Okay, stop." And never before in screen history had a person named "Vivica" done anything let alone attempt to act credibly in a movie role.

Not only that, Independence Day dares to feature one of the most ineffective inspirational speeches since those delivered in a bunker in Berlin in late April 1945.

For ID4, Mike is joined by both Bill Corbett and Kevin Murphy, so in the words of Captain Jimmy Wilder, Kick the tires and light the fires!*

*If it wouldn't be too much trouble. And we'd like to thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in our tire kicking, fire lighting scheme.**

**RiffTrax is to be held blameless for any damaged tires, bruised tarsals or burnt property as a result of any tire kicking or fire lighting engaged in by the customer.

Average customer rating:

Excelent series...but with a hoaxy title...
It Can Happen Anytime Anywhere
Sci-fi classic
TV's Best Miniseries
Visitatori

V - The Original TV Miniseries
Starring: Jane Badler , Michael Durrell , Faye Grant , Peter Nelson , and David Packer
Director: Kenneth Johnson , Victor Lobl , and Earl Bellamy
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
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ASIN: B00005B8UD
Release Date: 2001-07-03

Amazon.com

In its day, V was a monumental event that for one generation remains a pop-culture touchstone. Close Encounters of the Third Kind may have reassured us that perhaps we have nothing to fear from alien visitors and E.T. introduced us to a benign extraterrestrial who only wanted to go home, but Kenneth Johnson's 1983 television miniseries knew better. Visitors who claim to come in peace are revealed to be nothing but human-looking reptilians on human conversion and conquest. As in the dark days of fascism, some collaborate with the enemy; others form the resistance.

At the time, the epic scale of this production was unprecedented. Those 50 motherships that hover over Earth's major cities anticipate Independence Day by more than a decade. The special effects and makeup are still awesome. Less so is the often-hackneyed dialogue. But thanks to their signature roles, the mostly no-star cast, most of whom would be reunited for a sequel and subsequent television series, have ensured themselves standing invitations to sci-fi conventions. Marc Singer is cameraman-turned-freedom-fighter Mike Donovan. Julie Parrish is a medical student-turned-rebel. Richard Herd is the aliens' supreme commander. Jane Bradler is Diana, the ravishing but ruthlessly ambitious alien science officer. Leonardo Cimino lends dignity to his heavy-handed allegorical role as a Holocaust survivor. Look for a pre-Freddy Krueger Robert Englund as one of the aliens.

The DVD is presented for the first time in widescreen format. Supplemental features include an amiable and enlightening director's commentary and a brief "making of" segment. --Donald Liebenson

Description

Aliens pretending to be friendly come to Earth and are received openly. The aliens have masqueraded themselves to look just like humans. When it is discovered that the aliens' planet is dying and that they have come to rape the Earth of its natural resources, the war for Earth begins. An important key to the humans' success is distinguishing the their own from the aliens.

Customer Reviews:

Excelent series...but with a hoaxy title..........2007-08-03

I love the V miniseries, but this dvd's should specify that they do not comprehend the hole seasons or every chapter. This one is just the beggining of it. But it's great to have it in my collection

It Can Happen Anytime Anywhere.......2007-07-19

A Nazi allegory for the 1980s. Instead of Jews, it is scientists, intellectuals, reporters and any other truth seekers who are peresecuted. For a species that comes in peace, the Visitors sure brought a lot of guns and stormtroopers. Scientists like Julie (Faye Grant) and intrepid reporters like Mike (Marc Singer) start to smell a rat after their perfectly normal curiousities about the Visitors are harshly rebuffed. Why all the secrecy and paranoia? Scientists start disappearing and the networks and papers are turned into Visitor propaganda machines. The writing is intelligent. Many interesting ideas about freedom of thought, dissent and information are raised. Also, the many mindsets of those who invade, join, collaborate or resist are explored. The 3 1/2 hour series moves at a breakneck pace. This helps tremendously in covering the subpar acting and occasional plot hole or leap in logic. The ships arrive in the first few minutes and "contact" is made within twenty minutes. The original series ends with V having established control over the world and the resistance firmly established with Mike and Julie as the leaders.

Sci-fi classic.......2007-03-09

If you have never watched "V" hit "purchase with one click." If you have, its the same thing you watched on TV 20 some odd years ago without the commercials, no extras.

TV's Best Miniseries.......2007-03-08

The title just represents my opinion, but this is without a doubt, one of the best if not the best of the TV mini-series. This was followed by the all-too-short regular weekly series (also available on dvd) and V - The Final Battle. And that's the order you want to watch them in - that way everything ties together and you aren't wondering what went on and why something in The Final Battle is happening.

The original though, is still the best. "Friendly" aliens come to Earth in need of water (supposedly)and we find out they aren't what they seem and it makes for gripping viewing even if you've seen it before. It even features a young Robert Englund (Freddy Kreuger in Nighmare On Elm Street 1- 102)as a "good" alien.

There are shades of Nazi Germany and the persecution of the Jews running rampant through the series - showing perhaps that what happened once can happen again and it doesn't have to be a madman who's responsible for the genocide taking place.

While it came out over 20 years ago (1983), V is just as gripping and exciting today as it was when it first came out.

Visitatori.......2007-02-04

There are four kinds of sci-fi:
(1) People go to the stars (Star Trek etc)
(2) Aliens come to earth (V etc)
(3) Aliens interact with other aliens (Dune etc)
(4) Earth of the near (Mad Max) or distant future (Time Machine).
The V mythology developed the second category in important ways that impacted both kids and big people, too. Without V would we have had Independence Day? Or Men in Black?
V also made an impact overseas. In September 1985 in Florence, I heard a street vendor who was fatigued with the surge of tourists sigh: "Visitatori!" His analogy was very well taken.
V-Fans hope for another sequel. The projected "V the Second Generation" sounds a lot like Star Trek TNG. There are other possible names: V-Files, V-Men, V-Hur (aliens attack ancient Rome in a prequel), V-zilla (aliens attack Japan), V-Ventura (aliens abduct rich Italians on a desert island but nobody cares).
One star was taken away because the DVD producers have masked the top and bottom of the image, but the director commentary is a big plus.

The War of the Worlds (Special Collector's Edition)

Average customer rating:

Nostalgia
the best
Top of the line movie