Posts Tagged ‘Videos On Demand’
Fight Club Lowest Price!
 |
Fight Club
Product: Fight Club Lowest Price! List Price: —- Amazon Price: $2.99 Add to cart to see low price@ Availability: In Stock Usually ships in 24 Hours Free Shipping Available |
- Amazon Sales Rank: #520 in Movie
- Released on: 2009-11-25
- Rating: R (Restricted)
- Running time: 140 minutes
The most underrated film of the last year
When I’m looking at the Top Ten list’s of America’s critics and the nominations of the DGA,WGA and all the other guilds and press associations, I terribly miss David Fincher’s outstanding film “Fight Club”, which is possibly the best film of 1999.
Not only is the film visualy stunning, it is also very thought-provoking, wickedly funny and, above all, extremely entertaining. Only few films managed to be so many things at once. David Fincher, in my opinion one of the most exciting directors of the decade, fills his movie with so many ideas that it would be sufficient for three more movies, and they are not just gimmicks for their own sake, they all mean something. Edward Norton and Brad Pitt are brilliant in the leads and the soundtrack by the Dust Brothers fits perfectly to the images.
Many reviewers thought the film was fascist. I think you can only call this ridiculous, since that assumes Fincher sympathizes with Tyler Durden’s project mayhem. In fact, he invites us to form our own opinion, like Stanley Kubrick did in “A Clockwork Orange”. “Fight Club” hands over the resposibility to the viewer. This may be uncomfortable to some, others (like myself) will embrace this.
The year’s best satire
FIGHT CLUB arrived in the US with a blaze of publicity stressing its violence and nihilism; some critics (and those close to the production) countered this with the suggestion that it was an anti-materialist jeremiad. On a second viewing, it seems like neither — it’s easier to see it as a smart, committed and complex piece of filmmaking. David Fincher once again dazzles with his direction, which is as intelligently energetic as the acting of Brad Pitt and, especially, Edward Norton. What’s really impressive, however, is the way that the film manages to flirt with an anti-materialist, hyper-masculine primitivism even as it suggests that we’re all a little too sophisticated to buy it (as it were).
FIGHT CLUB may hold that we’re not the clothes we wear, or the credit cards in our wallet, but it’s savvy enough to realise that our paths of thought and modes of organisation are almost entirely contaminated by the world we’ve created. Is the solution to destroy that world? Well, that’s an option — but watch closely in the movie’s second half and see how subtly and hilariously Fincher undermines this: the anarchists begin to chant management-speak, to dissolve into a collective identity, and to form franchises as if they were selling frappucino rather than revolution. Norton is especially horrified at all this, and his wonderful reactions to the disintegration of ‘Project Mayhem’ are the calm (and moral) centre of the film. Rather like ANIMAL FARM, Fincher tells us that we can have our revolution, but it’s going to cost us dear; perhaps even the individuality and reason which we’d hoped to gain from our actions.
This Movie is Why “Professional” Critics Must Go
I didn’t see this movie in the theaters because it had gotten very mixed reviews from the so-called professional movie reviewers. But, when it hit the local vidoe store, I thought I would give it a try. WOW, what a kick in the teeth, interesting, and fast moving journey into one man’s mind. The path this movie takes is fantastic.
Norton and Pitt are perfectly cast, and supported by a crew of fight club members that make for a well-acted show. Meatloaf, Ed Gil, Jared Leto, et. al. are great in support as the members/followers of the leads. Helena Bonham Carter has the only real female role in this film and is perfectly cast. But as much as the acting, this movie is made by the story. Unconventional, with a great twist at the end, the whole movie kept me on the edge of my seat. As with many great movies, it is hard to classify the genre (action, comedy, drama), as there is a sampling of all in this film. In the end, I would just classify this as a great film.
Much was made of the violence of this movie when it first hit the theaters. Those critics overstated the case. There is blood and violence in the movie, but it is not excessive and it serves the plot well.
If you missed this in the theater, see it now. If you saw it once, see it again. I will.
The Matrix Review.
|
|
The Matrix Review.
Compare & Purchase The Matrix at Amazon by clicking here! List Price: —- Amazon Price: $2.99 |
The Matrix Description:
- Amazon Sales Rank: #539 in Movie
- Released on: 2009-01-01
- Rating: R (Restricted)
- Running time: 137 minutes
Customer Reviews:
Movie’s Great…This Package, Not So
The Matrix is an excellent movie that combines science fiction, shoot-em-up action, and philosophical questions about the nature of Reality. If you are plugged in to a computer, and that computer presents you with a reality that is completely indistinguishable from your own, is it any less real?
This movie has exceptional special effects, beautiful cinematography, an excellent soundtrack, well-crafted dialogue, and respectable acting. Keanu Reeves may be a lousy actor, but I think that the Matrix is probably his best performance to date.
The Platinum Limited Edition isn’t really worth the extra money unless you’re an absolute, die-hard, take the red pill, freak. I wish I had known that before ordering this product. It comes in a box about as thick as an encyclopedia, and is fairly large, so it won’t fit on the shelf with the rest of your DVDs. Opening it up, I was rather disappointed — most of the volume is filled with a cheap plastic tray that contains a celluloid clip of the film with a blown-up photo (decent, but nothing fantastic), a few postcard-sized stills from the movie, and a copy of the normal DVD in a normal case. Nothing fantastic. For this money, I was expecting a DVD with DTS sound, alternate angles, deleted scenes, etc., but just got the same old Matrix disc. A major drag.
Do yourself a favor. Buy the basic copy.
This is what Hi-Def systems were made for…
If you’ve seen The Matrix you know why the film community heralds it as a benchmark achievement in filmmaking. Just as 2001: A Space Odyssey and Star Wars set the bar for film special effects, The Matrix came along and made us re-examine everything we thought a movie could do. Revolutionary, groundbreaking, mindblowing – these are all terms people use to describe The Matrix. It’s certainly all true, but up until now, what I’d appreciated most about The Matrix was this: it packaged a Philosophy 101 course into a digestible Sci-Fi flick with a raging techno/rock/orchestral score and jaw-dropping action sequences. The Blu-ray release of The Matrix turns this scale on its head bringing the action scenes to the level they were always meant to reach – now the film is superb all the way around.
Andy and Larry Wachowski invited us to follow the white rabbit down the hole into an exploration of perception versus reality. If the entire world we live in – the air, the terrain and the other people – is nothing but a computer program, what is our reality? Do we consider the magenta-hued egg which sustains us while sapping our bioelectricity to be our reality? Or is the manufactured existence within a computer the truest one? Neo chooses the red pill and plunges into the terrifying truth of what reality has become. Amidst a group of ragtag survivors in c. 2199, Neo (Keanu Reeves) discovers the truth behind the Matrix under the guidance of Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss).
Despite The Matrix being stuffed with heaping spoonfuls of rudimentary philosophical musings, the plot is remarkably simple in structure. The entire second and third acts stem from Neo’s attempting to verify his place in his new reality. He does so by diving back into the fictional world of the Matrix to confront the Oracle and in the process Morpheus is taken captive and the remaining members of the team mount a plan to rescue him. That’s The Matrix at its most barebones level. What that description fails to impart are all the aspects that make The Matrix so memorable. Attached to that frame is a traitorous monad who longs to once again lose himself in the Matrix (Joe Pantoliano), a tireless Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) seeking to end Neo and the omnipresent question of whether a true reality or an altered perception thereof is preferable. The latter might make you comfortable, but are you really living?
But I already own The Matrix on DVD, should I double dip? Is it worth the second purchase? There are two types of movies where high-definition makes a difference. The first is animation: the colors are crisper, the edges smoother and everything has vibrancy unparalleled in the DVD format. The second is balls to the wall action films with special effects that break all the rules: like The Matrix. Watching a helicopter spiral out of control and plummet into the side of a skyscraper which then ripples like a puddle is cool. Watching it in high-definition – it’s like seeing the face of a special effects god for the first time. Yes, it’s worth the second purchase. Buy it on Blu-ray, give your DVD copy to a friend…and just laugh at what they’re missing.
Blu-Ray Extra Features:
Normally, I just plow through the trailers and audio commentary section, but in the case of The Matrix on Blu-ray special consideration is deserved. Your first audio commentary choice is a virtual Philosophy 101 lecture about the ideas presented in The Matrix taught by Dr. Cornel West and Ken Wilber – it’s really interesting for newcomers but not quite meaty enough for anyone more versed in deep thinking. The second commentary comes from film critics Todd McCarthy, John Powers and David Thomson – this is somewhat obnoxious. It’s an audio track of them praising The Matrix with a few snippets of legitimate criticism thrown in as if to validate their presence in commentary form. Thirdly, a cast and crew commentary features Carrie-Anne Moss, Zach Staenberg (editor) and John Gaeta (visual effects supervisor) discussing all the usual facets: working with the big names in the cast, the stunt work, the direction, etc. Finally, not so much a commentary but audio track, there’s the option to play the film with no sound (diagetic or non) besides the score. It’s a surreal experience and one of my favorite ways to watch the action sequences.
Finally, there’s another commentary of sorts which is the “In-Movie Experience” which is really the icing on the commentary cake. Featuring a picture-in-picture box in the lower corners, virtually everyone involved in the film gets their moment in the sun talking about every conceivable part of the film from auditions, to stunt work, to personal relationships and what they took away from the film. Brilliantly laid in, it’s worth your time.
As was offered previously, “The Matrix Revisited”, a feature-length documentary on the making of the original film, comes with the main feature. Definitely interesting for fans and film geeks who want to understand every technological wonder that made this landmark film possible; but for non-Matrix enthusiasts you’ll probably find yourself distracted after 20 to 30 minutes. It’s interesting as all get out, but you do need to have the initial level of interest to commit to the two hour duration.
We have a healthy smattering of production diary featurettes chronicling things like the injuries suffered by Hugo Weaving while filming and Keanu’s obsession over physical motion in specific scenes. Fun to watch and these are essentially the more palatable versions of “The Matrix Revisited” for the less devoted among us.
The last batch of features is a virtual jukebox of the music from The Matrix and includes a music video of Marilyn Manson’s “Rock is Dead”. The Music Revisited is a terrific addition and helps track down some of the great tracks from the film that you might not have known the names of.
Blu-Ray Transfer Is Fantastic!
With over 2,000 reviews, there is no sense discussing the movie so I will just address this to readers wondering if the Blu-Ray transfer is as good as they, perhaps, have heard.
Yes, it is – it’s incredble. I am not a particular fan of the film, especially the sequels, so I say these remarks with no bias. I just rented this first “Matrix” to see how it looked. Well, it Blu (pun intended) me away!! At this point, I’ve seen around 50 Blu-Ray DVDs and this is as good as it gets. I can’t imagine how you could make it any better. It’s so sharp, I just sat there mesmerized by it. The sound also is outstanding….another upgrade. I’ve seen this movie three times now and I swear I heard a lot of background talk and stuff I never heard before.
So….if you read that the audio and visuals are 5-star caliber – believe it; it’s true.
Ba’al Sale-$4.99!
|
|
Ba’al Sale-$4.99!
Compare & Purchase Ba’al at Amazon by clicking here! List Price: —- Amazon Price: $4.99 |
Ba’al Description:
- Amazon Sales Rank: #18984 in Movie
- Released on: 2010-01-12
- Rating: NR (Not Rated)
- Running time: 98 minutes
Customer Reviews:
Interesting
Pretty good little movie here with some not too bad special effects. The story
is interesting, the acting passes and the story flows without too many dull moments. But as the movies is ending…one can feel that they are running out of
money as the movie ends pretty quick..but at least has a ending and does not
pretend to be ready for a millions sequels…
Worth watching ..
Four stars, but I LIKE bad movies, and Sumerian codes…
This is a dopey movie. Take the hokiest supernatural movie you’ve seen and combine it with the most ridiculous disaster movie you’ve seen, and you get a pretty good picture of what’s going on with “Ba’al: The Storm God.” The thing that made me enjoy the stupid thing is that the writers actually spent a little effort trying to understand Sumerian mythology. It’s almost but not quite “The Da Vinci Code” with even more ancient mythology. I see now the DVD costs less than $5. That’s about what it’s worth. But if you’re a few dollars shy of getting free shipping, you could do worse than to tack this breezy, diverting confection onto your order. Keep your expectations suitably low and the story is pretty much a hoot. And the special effects aren’t too bad, either. Harkens back to the days of cheesy drive-in movies and matinee specials. It’s not great cinema by any stretch, but it’s pretty fun, and you might even learn a little about why some archeologists are so intrigued by Sumerian culture, which might, in some ways, have contributed to the Hebrew mythology that lies at the bedrock of much that is Western civilization.
Ba’al the storm god
I was stunned by the obvious amount of Sumerian research incorporated into the very literate script of this excellent movie. Though Ba’al’s father’s identity remains controversial, the movie father, El, is definitely one of the “candidates.” The quality of the various actor’s performance is generally quite high and, incorporating as it does, a “mystery” as to the identity of one of the main characters, the entertainment value was engrossing throughout. I tend to sell three-fourths of the movies ordered from Amazon. This one is a “keeper!”
Arsenic and Old Lace Review.
|
|
Arsenic and Old Lace Review.
Compare & Purchase Arsenic and Old Lace at Amazon by clicking here! List Price: —- Amazon Price: $2.99 |
Arsenic and Old Lace Description:
- Amazon Sales Rank: #3937 in Movie
- Released on: 2008-08-04
- Rating: NR (Not Rated)
- Running time: 119 minutes
Customer Reviews:
Non-stop dark comedy–for everyone
Arsenic and Old Lace has been a family Halloween tradition for years. In some ways it might be called the original horror spoof: Two sweet old ladies poison lonely old men as a “charity” and bury them in the cellar, and no sooner does their stable nephew find out about this (while preparing to leave for his honeymoon) than his long-lost homicidal brother returns with a face like Frankenstein’s monster.
Cary Grant knew his way around a comedy, so it’s easy to believe when his character Mortimer grows more and more frazzled throughout the night, jumping from one problem to the next so quickly that he can’t even remember he’s just been married that day. In his place, juggling four insane relatives (three of them killers), a handful of cops, and two dead bodies, we’d all feel the worse for wear. The pace is quick, almost frantic at times; complications and plot twists come faster than anyone in the movie can handle them. The only characters who aren’t perturbed and thrown completely out of their elements by the affair are the rest of the Brewster family, who are all crazy anyway.
The dark comedy genre is full of films that are a little too graphic or disturbing for kids (and even some adults), but this one’s not quite so dark, and wildly funny enough to entertain all ages. And no matter how young or old you are, no matter how normal a family you have, you won’t be able to help but chuckle when the harried Mortimer takes a breather to explain to his new wife: “Insanity runs in my family…. It practically gallops.”
The DVD transfer is flawless; the clarity is wonderful. Pop some popcorn and watch it with the whole family.
Grant, 2 Old Ladies & Elderberry wine=hilarity now on DVD!!
Frank Capra delivers a great film adaptation of Joseph Kesselring’s Broadway hit, “Arsenic and Old Lace”. Originally filmed in 1941 just prior to WWII, but not released until 1944 because of the contract agreement to allow the play to complete its Broadway run. (The play ran for 1,444 performances.)
Cary Grant in the leading role as nephew, Mortimer Brewster is at his comedic best in this black comedy of wine, family & insanity. His 2 fabulous Aunts played by Josephine Hull & Jean Adair were encored to the screen and are perfect in their roles. Boris Karloff’s obligations prevented him from doing the movie and was replaced by Raymond Massey in the movie version as Grant madcap brother. The great ensemble cast also included Peter Lorre, Edward Everett Horton, Priscilla Lane & John Alexander as a delightful zany crazy, thinking he is President “Teddy Roosevelt”.
Summary: It is Halloween, Mortimers wedding day & his life is about to change forever. Visiting his 2 Aunts (Hull & Adair) with his wife (Lane – Ministers daughter!) on their way to their honeymoon to Niagara Falls discovers a body in the window seat. Thinking his crazy cousin, (Alexander) has committed the crime approaches his Aunts. They not only know about the body, but they know who he was & how he died. Their elderberry wine laced with a mixture of arsenic. Oh by the way, he is the 12th to be buried in the cellar. What is Mortimer to do & is his entire family insane? We began a very entertaining & hilarious journey to answering these & many more questions.
This DVD is an excellent Black & White Full Screen (before WideScreen) transfer. Extras include Production notes.
“Arsenic and Old Lace” film adaptation is very close to the actual Broadway play & is a great classic to have in your DVD library. Enjoy.
Arsenic & Old Lace
Plot: Mortimer, a drama critic, has just got married and is about to go on his honeymoon when he discovers insanity runs in his family. His sweet maiden aunts poison lonely old men and have a number of corpses buried in the cellar…..
A film adaptation of the popular stage play, Arsenic and Old Lace is a hilarious movie perfect for people of all ages. The story of Mortimer Brewster (Cary Grant), the youngest of three brothers who were raised by two dear, but eccentric, spinster aunts, who have a nasty little habit of “putting poor souls” out of their misery with a little arsenic-laced elderberry wine.
It is delightful to watch Mortimer go from a nice, normal, newlywed to a nervous, neurotic mess as he tries to figure a way out of the predicament his well-meaning aunts have placed them all in. Throw in one brother who thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt, another who is a psychopathic killer fashioned after Boris Karloff, and Peter Lorre as Dr. Einstein, a slightly intoxicated make-shift plastic surgeon, and you’ll be laughing the entire way through.
All of the performances were wonderful, but Cary Grant’s facial expressions, double takes, and hilarious body language are a joy to watch. A truly classic, funny movie.
“No, I’m not drunk, madame…….but you’ve given me an idea!” – Mortimer, seething in frustration as he tries to get past the operator, so that he can get his family committed into the HappyDale Sanitarium.
“Insanity runs in my family. It practically gallops!” – Mortimer, trying to explain to his new bride why it would be best for her to leave him and never look back.
Alcatraz Escape Review.
 |
Alcatraz Escape
Product: Alcatraz Escape Review. List Price: —- Amazon Price: $1.99 Add to cart to see low price@ Availability: In Stock Usually ships in 24 Hours Free Shipping Available |
Compare Prices on Alcatraz Escape
- Amazon Sales Rank: #20333 in TV Series Episode Video on Demand
- Released on: 2006-08-28
- Running time: 50 minutes
Henry VIII and His Six Wives 1972 Review.
|
|
Henry VIII and His Six Wives 1972 Review.
Compare & Purchase Henry VIII and His Six Wives 1972 at Amazon by clicking here! List Price: —- Amazon Price: $2.99 |
Henry VIII and His Six Wives 1972 Description:
- Amazon Sales Rank: #14194 in Movie
- Released on: 2007-12-12
- Running time: 125 minutes
Customer Reviews:
Riveting
If you know the history then you will enjoy this interpretation. If not you can take this as your history and learn of the reasoning and lack of behind this great time in history.
Riveting is to say the least as you expect this to be a documentary. Upon viewing you find that it is anything but. As with all BBC productions there is no equivalent. A few liberties were taken with history but you just do not care because you are too busy kibitzing.
The Six Wives of Henry VIII can not be told in less than six programs. Each program or play has an appropriate title that explains the next queen. If the quality of the writing varies that is because they have different writers and it shows. When I first say that the episode “Catherine of Aragon” was written by Rosemary Ann Sission I knew we had a winner as she was also the screen writer for “Strong Poison” in the Lord Peter Wimsey (1987) (TV) series. So you can image how amazed I was to find that the episode “Anne Boleyn” was written even stronger.
The unifying element is Keith Michell who plays a spoiled brat oops I mean Henry VIII. He starts out clean shaven in his pageboy hairstyle and ends up as scruffy as his personality by the last play. It helps to have some background information of the time and place. Yet they fill it in well as they describe the current events and how they were influences by Henry VIII and his Six Wives.
That Thing You Do!-Retail —-! Sale Only $2.99!
 |
That Thing You Do!
Product: That Thing You Do!-Retail —-! Sale Only $2.99! List Price: —- Amazon Price: $2.99 Add to cart to see low price@ Availability: In Stock Usually ships in 24 Hours Free Shipping Available |
Compare Prices on That Thing You Do!
- Amazon Sales Rank: #18000 in Movie
- Released on: 2009-08-25
- Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
- Running time: 108 minutes
A Mini-Masterpiece
Last week, I saw “That Thing You Do!” on one of the cable movie channels. I had not seen it for a while and had a couple of hours staring me down, so I sat back and watched it. The film itself is a nice piece of work by Mr. Hanks. He did himself proud. And that song! What a catchy, get-under-your-skin-in-your-brain pop tune!
Then, two days later, I was in Best Buy (humming That Thing You Do, by the way) and this new edition DVD appears before me unexpectedly, on sale. Without thinking, I bought it, took it home and I have watched it three times since (the theatrical release, once and the extended version, twice) and I will watch many times more.
This new release of That Thing You Do! underscores why “The Director’s Cut” genre in DVD releases has become so invaluable to film aficionados like myself.
The theatrical version is priceless (still), but the “Director’s Cut” is incredible and a major revelation. So many gaps in the plot have been filled in (gaps that I wasn’t even aware of, so well put-together was the original version). This newer version has made the film a mini-masterpiece.
As in the original, the cast is excellent, the plot is believable and charming, the performances are funny, vibrant, true-to-life, and in this version, quite poignant.
Charlize Theron’s character, Tina, and her relationship with Guy, in particular, suddenly become crucial elements to the early plot development (she is a minor character in the original version). Her character is fleshed-out, and she has one HYSTERICAL scene (in the dentist’s chair) that caught me so off-guard with its humour, that I nearly choked to death with laughter!!
Even Tom Hanks character as the group’s manager, Mr. White, becomes more developed and there is an interesting scene and dialogue when the group is in Los Angeles at “the same hotel Lucy and Ricky stayed at” between Guy (who is gently drunk), Mr. White and a guy named Lloyd.
Even The Bass Player (the Wonder’s bass player who is never given a name), played by the adorable Ethan Embry, has a scene or two not in the original film that adds to the sweetness of his character (as well as some sly sexiness).
Liv Tyler’s role as Jimmy’s girlfriend, Faye, becomes even more developed and she is such a marvelous actress in this film. She really is the heart and soul of the movie, and the newer version only adds to her wonderful mystique in this film.
And of course, Steve Zahn as Lenny, is still as funny as ever and is the one band member who has no fear to “push the envelope” and ride the roller-coaster of success to wherever it takes them.
I recommend this new version of “That Thing You Do!” whole-heartedly. Whether it is the original or the extended-cut, it is a lively, spirited, upbeat and thoroughly delightful viewing experience.
And, I am STILL humming “That Thing You Do!”
Refreshing and charming.
This is a delightful movie, probably unlike any you’ve ever seen. All the characters are so well balanced and adorable, and their story is so well told that it makes you feel it’s a true story about real people. It’s refreshing, sweet, entertaining and charming.
A group of friends puts together a music band and they record a song. The song gets on the radio and quickly climbs the music charts, making them an overnight success. Their unexpected and speedily growing fame puts their relationships, as well as individual integrity and self-respect, to the test. Troubles arise, and with them the characters show their true natures, good and bad, making their musical career as a rock group as brief and ephemeral as lightning.
But despite the obstacles the characters face, a few good things derive from them, new relationships are formed, old ones are strengthened, and all the characters make the choices that allow them to successfully follow their dreams after having lived through a life-changing, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The score of the film is great and the songs are true to the style and the music of the sixties, which is the period in which the movie takes place. The clothing and sets are accurate and the characters are wonderfully adapted to the fads of the time. The writing, plot and dialogues are superbly well done (by Tom Hanks) and makes each and every character come alive, even those with just a few minutes of screen time. The cast is exquisitely chosen, including Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler and Tom Hanks, and their performances are natural and enjoyable.
This movie is a delight to watch time and again; each time you’ll discover new details from the richly layered, yet realistic and simple personality of each character. A must-buy for anyone who likes a movie that tells a high-quality story through the eyes of interesting and refreshing characters.
–Reviewed by Maritza Volmar
A fun movie, like the old Tom Hanks films.
Apparently the very-talented Tom Hanks is even more talented that we previously knew. Hanks has shown for some time that he is the closest modern actor to the late, great Jimmy Stewart in the superb naturalness of his acting in every movie genre from comedies to drama. But with this film he shows himself also to be a talented writer and director as well. The movie chronicles the rise and dissolution of a 1960′s rock band which writes and records a single top-ten hit. Personally I’ve always wondered why so many early rock groups were one-hit-wonders. If a band is good enough to make one hit record, why isn’t it capable of making several — or at least a few — more? The answer presented in this movie is that the one-hit Wonders self detruct due to a combination of ego conflicts, the pressures of success, and just the vagaries of circumstance. This movie could have been a mildly entertaining quasi-documentary. Instead, as written and directed by Hanks and played by the talented young cast he assembled — the most outstanding of whom is Tom Everett Scott and Liv Tyler (who recently played the beautiful elf Arwen in The Lord of the Rings) — this is a fun film from beginning to end. Frankly, I’m not much of a rock fan, but I loved this film. If you haven’t seen it yet, please give yourself a treat and get this DVD.
Buy X-Files At Amazon!
 |
X-Files
Product: Buy X-Files At Amazon! List Price: —- Amazon Price: $2.99 Add to cart to see low price@ Availability: In Stock Usually ships in 24 Hours Free Shipping Available |
- Amazon Sales Rank: #2140 in Movie
- Released on: 2009-08-25
- Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
- Running time: 122 minutes
Aliens and bees and corn fields, oh my!
“The X-Files: Fight the Future” is an endlessly fascinating and complicated movie that ties together all the mythology pieces from the popular series upon which it’s based. Although I think that people who never watch the show can enjoy this movie, I doubt they can understand it very well. Heck, I watch the show religiously and I still don’t think I understand everything.
However, it succeeds in introducing the audience to the characters of Agents Mulder and Scully, without rehashing the things that are familiar to the fans of the show. When we are first introduced to our favorite duo, their conversation on their cell phones is enjoyable to both old audiences and new ones alike.
The film also makes clear the deep affection and love Mulder and Scully feel for each other–something regular viewers already know–which comes to a head in the famous hallway scene outside of Mulder’s apartment.
The film is top quality, as we’ve come to expect no less from “The X-Files,” with an intelligent story-line, great action sequences and special effects, and plenty of aliens to satisfy the sci-fi junkie in all of us. But don’t get me wrong–you don’t have to be a sci-fi junkie to enjoy this film. You have to like a good suspense/thriller, with some action, intelligent story-telling, and yes, a little bit of hinted-at romance. I mean, for “The X-Files,” any ‘Shipper will tell you that this is a pretty romantic movie. As one of those so-called ‘Shippers, I was very angry at that darn bee, which was my biggest disappointment.
The DVD itself is nicely presented, with all the theatrical trailers, an informative commentary track by Rob Bowman and Chris Carter, and an interesting behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film. Best of all, it has added footage not originally in the theatrical version.
This DVD is sure to please all forms of movie-goers. =)
Fight The Powers That Be
I wouldn’t pretend to be one who regularly watches the television series on which this film is based. However, I’ve often watched and have always marveled at how life is played out in the head of creator Chris Carter. To base a motion picture on a television series, you have to give a regular viewer more than you would normally and yet still make the movie comprehensible to the viewer of happenstance. I think Mr. Carter succeeded.
The movie opens in the past. Quite a ways past, in fact. 30,000 B.C. in a place we now know as North Texas. At this point in time, North Texas is a cold and barren place but something happens which sets the stage for what is about to come.
After this incident, we move to “present-day” Dallas, Texas where the FBI is investigating a terrorist bomb threat in the Federal Building. We shortly meet our two heroes, agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and agent Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson). In short order, we’re told that the X-Files have been closed but that Mulder and Scully are still partnered. Scully is somewhat exasperated because her partner is again being unorthodox and searching another building across the street from the one the rest of the Bureau is searching. Finding nothing, Scully and Mulder prepare to leave the building when Mulder decides to buy a soda from a nearby vending machine. Instead, what he finds is the vending machine unplugged and a bomb — a very big bomb — inside it. And Mulder is locked in the room with it. This being the 90s, Mulder calls Scully on his cellular phone and she arranges to have the building cleared and the FBI team brought to the building to get Mulder out and defuse the bomb. One part of the plan works.
This is brilliant screenwriting because once you accept that agent Mulder is a tad unorthodox and has an uncanny knack for stumbling into the truth, it’s completely believable to believe a scenario that would have a terrorist call in a threat to one building and blow up a different one. The resulting explosion evokes memories of the Oklahoma City bombing quite chillingly. However, instead of Scully and Mulder being hailed as heroes, they’re hauled in front of an inquiry to explain why five people died instead of the countless number that would have died had the bomb not been discovered.
As Mr. Carter points out in a short “Making Of…” presentation before the movie begins, the truth is not always the truth and things are not always as they seem. The Dallas bombing sets off a chain of events which takes us not only through the Southwest, but to England, Antarctica, and Tunisia.
This really is an excellent piece of filmmaking and there’s lots of credit to go around. First, there’s a solid, finely nuanced story by creator/screenwriter Carter and collaborator Frank Spotnitz. This is a piece of work that stands completely on its own. You don’t have to be a fan of the television series to enjoy the film; however, the movie is almost completely consistent with the series and fits like a puzzle piece with it. The acting is really quite superb. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson are fresh and lively in their portrayals of Mulder and Scully. There is a guest appearance by Martin Landau as a conspiracy theorist doctor who, in shadowy fashion, guides Mulder toward the truth. Blythe Danner appears as the chief investigator of an inquiry where the outcome seems already determined. Series regulars are much in evidence as well. Mitch Pileggi as Assistant Director Walter Skinner and, especially, William B. Davis as the Cigarette-Smoking Man keep the action moving throughout the film.
Regardless of whether you’re a fan of the series or not, this film will make a fine evening’s entertainment.
[Originally written 18 October 1998]
The X-Files – Fight the Future A silver screen beauty!
At the end of the outstanding fifth season, Chris Carters genius found a new canvas via the silver screen in this, the culmination of five years of superb episodic television. On the silver screen; The X-Files, David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson are in every way movie stars and the genre in this format are visually stunning. Chris Carters genius shines through as this film was made prior to shooting the fifth season of the episode and therefore they had to design the entire fifth season around the film. In no uncertain terms, Chris Carter and the other producers of the series proved that they could exceed even their own high standards and take the genre to the silver screen. The only real question is, now that the series is over after nine years, are or when are they going to film a second movie?
The premise: MINOR SPOILERS
At the conclusion of the fifth season, The X-Files have been closed as those who have been conspiring with the alien forces have desired to do, since Mulder and Scully were getting a little too close to their flame.
The movie opens with a stunning scene taking the viewers back thirty five thousand years where we witness an encounter between cavemen and an alien. We’re then taken to the present day where Mulder and Scully are in Dallas, TX. The X-Files are closed and they’re working as normal agents, searching for a bomb on a hot Texas day. Unfortunately for them, although Mulder discovers the location of the bomb, it still goes off, killing a senior agent and supposedly three other people in the building. This leads to the FBI needing scapegoats and directing the separation of Mulder and Scully. Of course, Mulder can’t sit still for this and in the only way he and Scully know how, they begin to uncover the conspirators’ plots.
What follows is simply a silver screen masterpiece as we are finally, after five wonderful years of questions, given some answers. Unfortunately along with these long awaited answers we find that there are more questions. As the producers of the show have stated all along, they’ve been making television movies all along and were ready for the big screen, so right they were.
Exceptional performances by David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, William B. Davis and Mitch Pileggi. Nods to Chris Carter and director Rob Bowman for casting Martin Landau. Mark Snow who has done the score for every episode is, of course, given the opportunity to exceed his own high standards in the film, as the score is beautifully played out. Highlighting the score is the film being digitally THX mastered.
Bonus Features:
The Making of “The X-Files;” Audio Commentary; Extra Footage and Theatrical Trailers. Included in the DVD case is a special eight page booklet giving a short synopsis of several of “The X-Files” key players and a small card displaying one of the many wonderful paintings done of Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny.
I would highly recommend this film, even for the casual viewer or somebody new to the genre as the filmmakers ensured to make it accessible to even those who’d never once seen an episode.
Episode 1 Sale-$1.99!
|
|
Episode 1 Sale-$1.99!
Compare & Purchase Episode 1 at Amazon by clicking here! List Price: —- Amazon Price: $1.99 |
Episode 1 Description:
- Amazon Sales Rank: #5507 in TV Series Episode Video on Demand
- Released on: 2010-03-26
- Running time: 23 minutes
Customer Reviews:
Crocodile Dundee II Review.
|
|
Crocodile Dundee II Review.
Compare & Purchase Crocodile Dundee II at Amazon by clicking here! List Price: —- Amazon Price: $2.99 |
Crocodile Dundee II Description:
- Amazon Sales Rank: #20686 in Movie
- Released on: 2009-12-29
- Running time: 112 minutes
Customer Reviews:
Good Movies and case
I have always been a huge Crocodile Dundee fan. This DVD set was just the ticket. They were all good quality, and I was especially impressed with the case. Most DVD sets come with each DVD being individually cased. This set came with just one normal size case, but it was able to accommodate all three DVD and I was able to fit it in my DVD rack. A real room saver. The delivery time was good as well.
A Must for any Crocodile Dundee Fan
If you love the character, or got a thing for Paul Hogan (as my gf does), you need this boxset. I grew up watching this movie so it holds a special place in my heart. Great comedy contrasts with fun, family feel. The sequels were OK (very few trilogies get the third one right), but frankly, this isn’t going to win an oscar. It’s all about the absurdity of Dundee’s antics and Hogan is on point throughout.
not a bad bundle
I hadn’t seen the third one. It was pretty bad as I guessed it would be. Fortunately the first 2 still hold up to the memories I had of them.