Ghostbusters
by Bill Murray Dan Aykroyd Sigourney Weaver
Director: Ivan Reitman
Average Customer Review:
VHS Tape (26 March, 2002)
list price: $9.95
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Editorial Review

Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis wrote the script, but Bill Murray gets all the best lines and moments in this 1984 comedy directed by Ivan Reitman (Meatballs). The three comics, plus Ernie Hudson, play the New York City-based team that provides supernatural pest control, and Sigourney Weaver is the love interest possessed by an ancient demon. Reitman and company are full of original ideas about hobgoblins--who knew they could "slime" people with green plasma goo?--but hovering above the plot is Murray's patented ironic view of all the action. Still a lot of fun, and an obvious model for sci-fi comedies such as Men in Black. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

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• Color
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• Special Edition
• NTSC

Reviews (228)

Who Ya Gonna Call?
Ah. The paranormal. Just when you think its safe to write such things off for good, along comes a movie that will make you laugh at them.

Drs. Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Raymond Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), and Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) work for the parapsychology department at Columbia University in New York. While Dr. Venkman doesn't really believe in the paranormal (he's really only in it for the chicks), the other two do. And just when the three do find proof that ghosts exist, the University revokes their funding and kicks the three off the campus.

Not to be held back, the three open their own business and call it, what else, Ghostbusters. Although business is slow at first, soon the three are up to their knees in ghosts. And before long, our ghostbusters are not only fighting ghosts, but also the EPA.

"Ghostbusters" was an immediate hit when released in the summer of 1984. It eventually went on to gross over $220 million and land at #7 on the all-time box office charts (at the time of this review, it is currently ranked at #40 with over $230 million). In addition, the movie has gone on to gross over $112 million in movie rentals.

There are many reasons why this movie has become a cult favorite with its fans. Some of the funniest lines in the movie were not written, but actually ad-libbed during filming. This is a testament to the comedic genius of Murray, Aykroyd, and Ramis. The Oscar Nominated song "Ghostbuster" by Ray Parker, Jr., is still one of the best movie songs of all time. In addition, there is the always eating, green ghost who slimed his past Dr. Venkman and into our televisions sets as Slimer in the 1988 animated cartoon series of the same name. And who can forget the giant Stay Puff Marshmallow Man? Not before or since has there been a movie monster as great as this guy.

The DVD carries the standard extras that have become common over the years. What's missing are some of the outtakes that had to have happen during filming. There is no way you can convince me that these three comedians didn't find ways to crack themselves and each other up.

The best extra on this DVD is the commentary by Ivan Reitman, Harold Ramis, and one other person (sorry, I forget who). You have a choice of either listening to the audio commentary during the film or watching the "video" commentary. This "video" commentary is a lot like the old "Mystery Science Theater 3000" series, in which you can see black silhouettes of our three commentators sitting in front of the movie talking about it.

If you have never seen this movie before, you should watch it at least once. Chances are that you will become a fan of it.

THE MARSHMALLOW MAN
I haven't eaten or seen a marshmallow since 1984 that didn't remind me of the climax of this classic comedy.GHOSTBUSTERS still holds up twenty years later as a marvelous takeoff on ghost movies and the prime of the SNL's cast therein.Bill Murray is as droll as ever, interpreting his character and delivering his lines as only Murray can.Sigourney Weaver was a comic revelation in a slightly underdeveloped role, but who can forget that sexy demonness?Dan Aykroyd is perfect as the brilliant, if somewhat dotty, paranormal expert.And don't hash on Harold Ramis---his stone faced delivery is a perfect compliment to the other actors.Ernie Hudson is appropriately cast as the new recruit.And let's not forget Rick Moranis as the nerdy neighbor and the delightfully nasty William Atherton as the EPA man, nor the hilarious Annie Potts as the ghostbusters secretary.
The special effects are cheesy, but they are what makes this movie so delightful.And remember, 1984 didn't have CGI effects.All in all, GHOSTBUSTERS remains one of our finest film spoofs and set the trend for more such seriocomic thrillers of the future.

The best comedy of all time.
"Ghostbusters" is my favorite movie of all time. I'd also rate it as the best comedy of all time.

There are no negatives here. I've seen it 60+ times, it holds up as well today as it did on that fateful day in May, 1984.

This is also one of the best DVD packages of all time. Well worth the money, even if you already own the VHS version. Check out that extra features list!

If you like comedies, if you like science-fiction, heck, if you like MOVIES, you have to own this one. ... Read more

Asin: 0767825411
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-comedy   

Clerks
by Brian O'Halloran Jeff Anderson
Director: Kevin Smith
Average Customer Review:
VHS Tape (02 April, 2002)
list price: $9.99 -- our price: $9.49
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Before Kevin Smith became a Hollywood darling with Chasing Amy, a film he wrote and directed, he made this $27,000 comedy about real-life experiences working for chump change at a New Jersey convenience store. A rude, foul-mouthed collection of anecdotes about the responsibilities that go with being on the wrong side of the till, the film is also a relationship story that takes some hilarious turns once the lovers start revealing their sexual histories to one another. In the best tradition of first-time, ultra-low budget independent films, Smith uses Clerks as an audition piece, demonstrating that he not only can handle two-character comedy but also has an eye for action--as proven in a smoothly handled rooftop hockey scene. Smith himself appears as a silent figure who hangs out on the fringes of the store's property. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

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• Black & White
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• Dolby
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Reviews (404)

Kevin Smith's first film, and is considered to be his best!
The movie is about these two guys, Dante and Randall, that work at these dead end retail stores, and the movie pretty much films what they do throughout the day. In addition to that, however, Dante is trying to get back with his old high school sweet heart, but Dante is dating someone else. Despite a few irrelevant scenes and excessive foul language for this film, the movie is actually hilarious. The film takes you on some epic questions we all go through during relationships and life while entertaining you with comedy. One moment, the film will have you laughing at some of Randall's antics throughout the film while saddened at Dante's huge catastrophic mistake. Overall, "Clerks" is definitely one of the most original and witty comedies to ever grace the big screen.

My life as a clerk to the "T"
As someone who spent most of his younger years working in a convenience store, I must say that Kevin Smith hits home with this one!Some of the situations that happen in this movie were true to life for me.Definitely a funny movie and one of my all time favorites!

Great antidote to overblown pretention
Basically Kevin Smith made two crappy films (Mallrats,Dogma),two good (Jay&Silent Bob,Chasing Amy),and one great film,Clerks.This film is my most seen of all time.It blends uniquely lowbrow and highbrow theories with a nuance of 5:00AM-3:00AM shift at a convenience store, easily the most anyone has done with a 27,000 budget,and creates the funniest film of the last twenty years.This 3-disc collection is great also,with a booklet of the hisory of Clerks and the original cut,along with the cut scene,hard to find Clerks short The Flying Car,Snowball Effect documentary of Clerks and Mae Day student film by Kevin Smith. ... Read more

Asin: 6303430570
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-comedy   

Mystery Science Theater 3000 - I Accuse My Parents
by Michael J. Nelson Joel Hodgson Trace Beaulieu Kevin Murphy (II)
Director: Michael J. Nelson, Joel Hodgson, Vince Rodriguez, Trace Beaulieu, Kevin Murphy (II), Jim Mallon
Average Customer Review:
VHS Tape (21 October, 1997)
list price: $9.95
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Editorial Review

A strong contender for inclusion in a compilation of MST3K'sgreatest hits, this roasting of a 1945 morality tale demonstrates how funnyMST3K can be when Joel, Tom Servo, and Crow are matched against a blandlywell-meaning melodrama. The target for derision is I Accuse My Parents, atypically tacky dose of cautionary "authority" from the poverty-row auteurs atProducers Releasing Corp. (PRC), in which the errant son of alcoholic parentsfalls for the torch-singer flame of a cut-rate mobster. Since the dialogue is soperfectly atrocious, Joel & Co. provide a steady feast of ad-libs, lineextensions, and couch-potato counterpoint, and this time their material isfrequently laugh-out-loud hilarious. Pointless out of context but impressivelyhip against the film's riotous moralizing, the MST3K ripostes (which arealso aimed at a vintage grade-school short, "The Truck Farmer") are especiallyrefined for movie buffs, who will benefit most from the rambling retorts ofcomedy's savviest cinephiles. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

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Reviews (57)

The most glorious episode ever!!!
Omigod, glory be to Amazon.com for selling this episode ... this was me and my sister's FAVORITE episode of all time ... the short has some of the BEST quips that STILL make me laugh to this day ...

From the short on truck farming -
Narration: "Some carrots are harvested."
Servo: "Some carrots are humiliated publicly."

(Showing a scene of Mexican workers)
"These select few are being paid 3 cents a day"

From I ACCUSE MY PARENTS:

"It's my birthday!"
"Hi, it's essay boy!Essay's the name!"

"She's drunk -- It's funny!"

"I accuse her HAIR."

And of course the classic song -

"Are you happy ... "

Oh, jeez.Only MST is the kind of show you can watch one evening with your sister and its so funny that you're still laughing out loud at the very thought of it 7 years later.I just found my sister's birthday present.

One the funniest, most charming episodes with Joel as host
This DVD from Rhino offers up one the funniest -- and most charming -- episodes of the legendary TV show "Mystery Science Theater 3000," where they take on a 1944 drama/gangster movie/message flick called, "I Accuse My Parents." There are few episodes of the show I recommended higher for all-around quality.

For those of you unfamiliar with "Mystery Science Theater 3000," (MST3K for short) it is a ninety-minute show featuring a silhouette of a man and two robots (Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot) in movie theater seats projected in front of a bad movie. The hosts provide hysterical, satiric, and culturally-savvy wisecracks to accompany the movie. The episodes also includes sketches and songs and adds up to some of the most hilarious comedy you will ever see.

"I Accuse My Parents" is episode #507, from the last days of Joel Hodgson's run as host. Although the movie itself is actually not that bad, this episode comes at point in the show's development when the writers and performers were at the peak of the powers, and the result is one of the most hilarious episodes, and one that really grows on you with its sense of warm parody. It's a good episode for newcomers as well, since the film is average enough so that its awfulness doesn't distract from the wisecracks. (I've noticed that when I show an episode of the show to a friend who has never seen it before, the worse the movie being parodied is, the more my friend focuses on the movie instead of the hosts. This, therefore, is a good "training" episode.)

The camaraderie between the cast is quite wonderful here, and the warm, jocular style of the Joel years is at its strongest. After Mike Nelson took over as host (a few episodes later), the comedy style became more satiric and antagonistic toward the film. I love both hosts, but there is something rather magical and pleasant about the comedy of Joel's stint as host, and this episode displays that style perfectly. It is one of quintessential Joel Hodgson episodes.

The movie is a competently shot `B' programmer from low-budget studio PRC. Our hero is Jimmy, a really stupid high school graduate who has to get a job at a shoe store despite his skills at essay writing (he won an essay content and mentions it endlessly). While lying to impress a girl, Jimmy idiotically ends up getting into debt and having to go to work as a courier for a gangster, while he also romances the gangster's girl Kitty (played by actress Mary Beth Hughes, who also appears in another MST3K episode, "Last of the Wild Horses.") Well, pretty soon our poor fool is in trouble with the law and the mob and on the run. And when it all explodes in his face, whom does he accuse? Yep, the title gives it away: His Parents! And why? Because they drink and argue. See, it's all their fault.

What makes this episode so dang funny is not that the film is particularly rotten looking or the acting is awful, but because the film's premise and main character are so stupid. The hosts lance into the characters at every point: Jimmy's incessant lying ("I liberated France while you were out dancing"), Jimmy's constant bragging about winning an essay constant ("Welcome to the Annual Essay Awards Ceremony!") his alcoholic parents who keep throwing money at him ("I'm up here with the D.T.s, honey! Would you get the yellow lizard out of the bathroom?"), Jimmy's rank stupidity ("Sir, I just don't get the holy spirit. Is it a bird?"), and the extremely obvious gangster organization ("Organized crime, please hold...organized crime, please hold...). This is a very `character'-driven episode, and it's hilarious. There's also some great sketches between movie watching. In one sketch, Joel and the Robots psychoanalyze Jimmy to show that more than just `drunk folks' are behind his problems. (Crow, or course, determines that Jimmy is just stupid.)

This DVD is a laugh riot, and a quintessential Joel episode. It feels like plunking down on the couch and watching a film with your best buddies; I think that's the main charm of the Joel years of the show. Newcomers and old fans alike will want this classic. (There are absolutely no extras on the DVD, however, but the episode is such a gem, it doesn't matter.)

Joel and the 'bots save another lame movie from obscurity
Sometimes I think the greatest contribution "Mystery Science Theater 3000" made to society was reintroducing hundreds of terrible movies that most people would never have watched again and warned us all how not to tell a story. Case in point -- "I Accuse My Parents." A young man, ignored by his parents, falls into a life of crime by becoming a courier for a mobster, is blissfully stupid enough not to NOTICE he has become a courier for a mobster, falls for the mobster's girlfriend and then lays the whole thing at his parents' feet when he winds up in court. And all this from a kid who actually won an essay contest.

The movie, naturally, was meant to preach a point about parental responsibility, and does it in such a heavy-handed, "beating you over the head" sort of way that even the title seems like a sermon. Thank Heavens for Joel and the 'bots. As always, they tear this terrible flick apart with their usual wit, savvy and sheer zaniness. From a hysterical spoof of the nightclub scene in the movie to the fastest one-liners ("Do you think he'd ever accuse us?"), they make yet another turkey bearable.

As with most MST3K solo DVDs, this one is pretty sparce in the special features department. On the other hand, what is there to really add to something like this? Sure, it'll most likely appeal to fans of the show only, but if you're not a fan of the show, you don't know what you're missing anyway. ... Read more

Asin: 6304612680
Subjects:  1. Television   

Hurricane Streets
by Brendan Sexton III Shawn Elliott
Director: Morgan J. Freeman
Average Customer Review:
VHS Tape (17 November, 1998)
list price: $6.94
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• Color
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Reviews (21)

Wow...
Considering the fact that i had never heard of it, this was an awesome movie! i can't wait to get my hands on a copy of it... This movie gave me a bad case of insomnia (which, generally, is actually a good thing) and really made me think... it is brutally honest and powerful... geez, i was kinda choked up by the end! Any movie that can do that to ME is a good movie! nuff said...

not bad at all
i loved this movie. it's very true to life and it has an great story. always a plus.

A Rare Movie
A Movie Like This Gritty Powerful Urban Drama ie 8 Mile Is Hard To Find. I've Looked All Over For It. I Watched It On Sundance When There Was Norhing Else On Expecting A Bad Time Killer. Nope. ... Read more

Asin: 0792838696
Sales Rank: 8583
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-drama   

Fight Club
by Edward Norton Brad Pitt
Director: David Fincher
Average Customer Review:
VHS Tape (31 October, 2000)
list price: $9.98
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Editorial Review

All films take a certain suspension of disbelief. Fight Club takes perhaps more than others, but if you're willing to let yourself get caught up in the anarchy, this film, based on the novel by Chuck Palahniuk, isa modern-day morality play warning ofthe decay of society. Edward Norton is the unnamed protagonist, a man going through life on cruise control, feeling nothing. To fill his hours, he begins attending support groups and 12-step meetings. True, he isn't actually afflicted with the problems, but he finds solace in the groups. This is destroyed, however, when he meets Marla (Helena Bonham Carter), also faking her way through groups. Spiraling back into insomnia, Norton finds his life is changed once again, by a chance encounter with Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), whose forthright style and no-nonsense way of taking what he wants appeal to our narrator. Tyler and the protagonist find a new way to feel release: they fight. They fight each other, and then as others are attracted to their ways, they fight the men who come to join their newly formed Fight Club. Marla begins a destructive affair with Tyler, and things fly out of control, as Fight Club grows into a nationwide fascist group that escapes the protagonist's control.

Fight Club, directed by David Fincher (Seven), is notfor the faint of heart; the violence is no holds barred. But the film is captivating and beautifully shot, with some thought-provoking ideas. Pitt and Norton are an unbeatable duo, and the film has some surprisingly humorous moments. The film leaves you with a sense of profound discomfort and a desire to see it again, if for no other reason than to just to take it all in. --Jenny Brown ... Read more

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• Color
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Reviews (1268)

I am Jack's feeling of awe...
I believe that movies are made to entertain. I basically enjoy all kinds of movies...action, comedy, romance, sci-fi, thrillers etc. and I rarely criticize a movie because I know the effort put in to make a movie. But every once in a while, a movie comes out that does more than entertain, it makes you think, it makes you question and it changes your perception about various things. Well, Fight Club is one of those movies. I have watched this movie many many many times and it never fails to astound me. This is in my opinion, one of the best movies to come out of Hollywood.

It is basically about this guy, only known as the Narrator who is a white collar employee, working a 9 to 5 job, has his own apartment and his own collection of branded items. Sounds familiar? It's not surprising many of us can relate to this guy. Anyhow, even with all these material items, he finds his life unsatisfying, he feels that something is lacking. Because of this problem, he suffers from insomnia. He finds solace in attending those self-help sessions but soon meets another faker, Marla. The presence of another faker makes him uncomfortable and the sessions don't work for him anymore. It is then that he meets Tyler Durden, this cool, smart talking dude in a plane. This guy intrigued him and when the Narrator returns to find his apartment burnt, he turns to Tyler for help. From there on, this movie spirals to dizzying heights, with the creation of Fight Club by the Narrator and Tyler, and later what seems to be a takeover of Fight Club by Tyler leaving the Narrator clueless about what's going on.

I really have to say this movie really fascinated me so much with it's intelligent ideas and dialogue, partly because deep in my heart, on some level...I can relate to the character, and although I don't agree with everything that is said, it does make me think and how many movies can do that? Fight Club to me, represents our lives in a twisted way. It challenges us to think about things in life, for example our view of success. Does working a boring job to pay for things we don't need a success? Do you experience fulfillment or do you think you're wasting your life away? "Self improvement is masturbation, now self destruction...is the answer," Tyler says.

Everybody involved in this movie did a fantastic job but extra credit has to go to the director, writer and the actors. David Fincher has come a long way from directing music videos for Madonna. I am a huge fan and I've seen all his work, Aliens 3, Se7en, The Game and more recently Panic Room. No one but him can create an environment of decay and desperation in this movie that just grabs you. Kudos to the actors involved too. Everyone was perfectly cast. The talented Edward Norton was excellent in his role as the Narrator. He so accurately resembled the average guy that it was scary. His voice has a perfect tone for narrating the story and he reminds me of a young Kevin Spacey. If only he gets better roles, he could be a very well respected actor in Hollywood. Brad Pitt has always acted in likeable hero roles as well as "feel good" movies and he has managed to pull it off but in many of those roles, there was nothing special or extraordinary. In this movie, he was fantastic. I consider this to be his finest work together with his role as Det. Mills in Se7en. No one but him could've pulled of Tyler Durden. When he spoke, it just doesn't sound written, it sounds authentic, the words come alive...like he really lives his life that way and it's what he truly believes. Any other person might have made it less exciting but I'm glad they got Pitt to take this role. And last but not least Helena Bonham Carter as Marla was also a really good choice. She did not have much screen time, but the times she does appear..she delivers with a fine performance.

There was a lot of bad publicity about this movie and although I admit this movie may not be for everyone, I loved it and so did most of my friends. I HIGHLY recommend this movie. This movie is not a renter, it's a keeper. It's movies like this that sets the bar higher for American cinema...seriously. And finally, as Tyler said "It's only after you've lost everything that you're free to do anything".

oh man, i am so deep and such a nonconformist
i hate this movie.

yeah, there's nothing cooler than having someone like brad pitt tell me that major corporations are a bad thing.

and let's not forget that this movie was kind of, you know, distributed by a........UH OH, major corporation!

sure, Seven was awesome, and the Fight Club book was good, but this is just trash for whiney suburban kids to connect with, i loved when this movie came out back in 2000 and all the jocks were hyped up about "OH MAN, DID YOU SEE WHEN THEY BLEW STUFF UP AND HIT PEOPLE, THAT WAS AWESOME."

if anyone doubts that man evolved from apes, just talk to a devoted fight club fan.

A Multi-faceted Semi-precious Gem
This movie is anti-capitalist, fascist, Marxist, anarchist, libertarian, anti-State and anti-society. How can it be all those? Because what it's really about is alienation -- our protagonist is alienated from work, society, the government, and most of all, himself. It's about emotionally dead people who can't feel anything except through violence, and it's also about the desire for community, which can lead to fascism. It's not great, but it is very, very good. ... Read more

Asin: B00004W5UA
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-action/Adventure   

Pulp Fiction (Special Collector's Edition)
by John Travolta Samuel L. Jackson Bruce Willis
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Average Customer Review:
VHS Tape (18 March, 1997)
list price: $14.99
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Editorial Review

With the knockout one-two punch of 1992's Reservoir Dogs and 1994's Pulp Fiction writer-director Quentin Tarantino stunned the filmmaking world, exploding into prominence as a cinematic heavyweight contender. But Pulp Fiction was more than just the follow-up to an impressive first feature, or the winner of the Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival, or a script stuffed with the sort of juicy bubblegum dialogue actors just love to chew, or the vehicle that reestablished John Travolta on the A-list, or the relatively low-budget ($8 million) independent showcase for an ultrahip mixture of established marquee names and rising stars from the indie scene (among them Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames, Harvey Keitel, Christopher Walken, Tim Roth, Amanda Plummer, Julia Sweeney, Kathy Griffin, and Phil Lamar). It was more, even, than an unprecedented $100-million-plus hit for indie distributor Miramax. Pulp Fiction was a sensation. No, it was not the Second Coming (I actually think Reservoir Dogs is a more substantial film; and P.T. Anderson outdid Tarantino in 1997 by making his directorial debut with two even more mature and accomplished pictures, Hard Eight and Boogie Nights). But Pulp Fiction packs so much energy and invention into telling its nonchronologically interwoven short stories (all about temptation, corruption, and redemption amongst modern criminals, large and small) it leaves viewers both exhilarated and exhausted--hearts racing and knuckles white from the ride. (Oh, and the infectious, surf-guitar-based soundtrack is tastier than a Royale with Cheese.) --Jim Emerson ... Read more

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Reviews (630)

Hamburgers! the cornerstone of any nutritional breakfast!
This movie is my favorite movie.It's long, but it's still good to watch over and over again.This is Tarantino's best work.Here is sort of what happens:

Two gangster loansharks, Jules and Vincent, wake up one morning, and they have to regain possession of their boss's suitcase.The great part is we never learn what's inside of this magical suitcase.They drop buy this apartment, and then Samuel L. Jackson proceeds to business, after firing off possibly his best lines ever.Then they have to go clean up their car accidentally shooting somebody in it.Then they go have breakfast, where their venue gets held up.They have a busy day, and that's just part of the story.

Samuel L. Jackson does possibly his best acting in this movie.He is uproariously funny.From his burger line to his "****, man, what'd you do to this towel?!"John Travolta doesn't end up with as much to do during the Jules-Vincent scenes, but gets his chance when he must entertain his boss's daughter, Mrs. Mia Wallace.THis scene is great, especially because we know that, if he screws up, his boss will kill him.Bruce Willis does a good job as Butch, as well.

Tarantino shows all of his trademarks, from Uma Thurman's bare feet, to his extra-long shots.This movie outshines his others in terms of funniness, but isn't erm quite as gross as some of his others (I'm still getting over that ear thing in Reservoir Dogs), although it earns its R rating in almost every way possible.

This DVD set is loaded with special features.I spent one morning watching most of them, and some of them were great.There are about 6 deleted scenes.All in all, this is a great movie with a good director's thing.

Tarantino In A Nutshell
"Pulp Fiction" is an American icon, epitomizing the feelings of the nineties and pointing the Gen-Y generation in the direction it has ended up in now. Is the film entertaining? Absolutely. Tarantino is a master of witty repartee, his characters engaging in a number of entertaining conversations. However, many of these serve merely as entertainment, and don't reveal much in the way of character or story. Much has been made of the "royale with cheese" conversation, but there's really not much to it if you're looking to dive deep into the characters.

Many of these are fascinating, however, in the way they reveal small truths about life to which we can relate. My favorite is Travolta and Thurman's conversation about how people should just sometimes "shut the f**k up". However, this proves to be a reflexive move, as many times I found myself thinking the same thing when the characters rambled on far too long.

Much has also been made about the broken narrative structure of the film. It works here mainly because of Tarantino's objective: to tell stories like the pulp dimestore novels he read as a kid. However, the fragmented narrative doesn't really further the story any.

The performances are fun to watch, particularly Samuel L. Jackson. This is HIS movie, and his dialogue and mannerisms are so in tune with Tarantino's writing, you wonder if this is how Jackson really is in life (hope not). Travolta, Thurman, Willis and all are entertaining as well.

Here are the reasons why I dislike this film, and most of Tarantino's films. First, his characters have little depth. Jules (Jackson) has a great moral arc, as does Travolta. The other characters don't really amount to much. I still wonder why Uma Thurman's character is in this movie, as it seems merely to serve as a slick, hip bit of cinematic cotton candy: fun to watch but not particularly gripping, moving or profound.

The same feeling applies to Tarantino's dialogue. They all spout hipster wisdom: the royale with cheese in France, the bit about Madonna in Reservoir Dogs by Tarantino himself. I enjoy it, but it's kind of like listening to that kid you knew in high school who thought he knew everything about everything, and couldn't stop telling you about it. You get sick of it after awhile.

Still, for all it's faults, "Pulp Fiction" is a lot of bloody, coarse-mouthed fun. Tarantino isn't for everyone: his penchant for profanity, over-the-top violence and quirky narrative structure either annoys or astounds.

I'm in the middle. Personally, I think directors like Scorsese and Coppola pull off the crime genre with greater maturity, grace and depth of character.

Tarantino is ultimately the cinematic version of some trendy nightclub. Everyone looks cool, talks cool and does hip things, but the pathos, or the "why" never really comes out.

Was okish... not as big as hype...
Maybe it is that I just dont like Quintent Teritino... wow... I cant spell his name.
It wasnt bad though... if it wasnt for all the hype my friends made of it, I might have loved it...
there were like, 4 or 5 scenes that were totally awesome, but then there were alot of boring or just stupid parts.
Worth a watch to see all the hype, and for the several awesome scenes... but be careful when you fast-forward... some of the good scenes sneak up on you... and are dialouge... ... Read more

Asin: 630395345X
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-action/Adventure   

Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels
by Jason Flemyng Dexter Fletcher
Director: Guy Ritchie
Average Customer Review:
VHS Tape (08 February, 2000)
list price: $14.95
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Editorial Review

Cockney boys Tom, Soap, Eddie, and Bacon are in a bind; they owe seedy criminal and porn king "Hatchet" Harry a sizable amount of cash after Eddie loses half a million in a rigged game of poker. Hot on their tails is a thug named Big Chris who intends to send them all to the hospital if they don't come up with the cash in the allotted time. Add into the mix an incompetent set of ganja cultivators, two dimwitted robbers, a "madman" with an afro, and a ruthless band of drug dealers and you have an astonishing movie called Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Before the boys can blink, they are caught up in a labyrinth of double-crosses that lead to a multitude of dead bodies, copious amounts of drugs, and two antique rifles.

Written and directed by talented newcomer Guy Ritchie, this is one of those movies that was destined to become an instant cult classic à la Reservoir Dogs. Although some comparisons were drawn between Ritchie and Quentin Tarantino, it would be unfair to discount the brilliant wit of the story and the innovative camerawork that the director brings to his debut feature. Not since The Krays has there been such an accurate depiction of the East End and its more colorful characters. Indicative of the social stratosphere in London, Ritchie's movie is a hilarious and at times touching account of friendships and loyalty. The director and his mates (who make up most of the cast) clearly are enjoying themselves here. This comes across in some shining performances, in particular from ex-footballer Vinnie Jones (Big Chris) and an over-the-top Vas Blackwood (as Rory Breaker), who very nearly steals the show. Full of quirky vernacular and clever tension-packed action sequences, Lock, Stock and TwoSmoking Barrels is a triumph--a perfect blend of intelligence, humor, and suspense. --Jeremy Storey ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Dolby
• NTSC

Reviews (230)

We grow copious amounts of ganja, yeah?
The second best Brit movie following Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It's dark, it's violent, but Oh My God is it funny. The plot, in a nutshell, is about a group of friends who own one very dangerous man a bunch of money and need to get it to him in one week if they want to keep their fingers intact. In the week, they plot, they steal, and almost get screwed in the process by three other groups wanting the same bag of money. It's like a heist movie, except with out the cool gizmos of today and the main characters using only their brains (which isn't saying much as it is). Highly recommendable and funny, and has so many one-liners you'll be quoting for days over.

Homebrewer
Four lesser thieves from the East End of London find themselves dangerously in debt to a local smut peddler - the result of a fixed poker game. The consequence being that until they repay the money owed, each one will lose a finger for each day the payment is late.

While trying to figure their desperate predicament, they overhear their gangster neighbors setting up a score from some slumberous marijuana dealers and decide that knocking over the neighbours is their only way out.

After the triumphant thievery, they discover that the pot belongs to the same menacing individual they want to fence it through - a black psychopath whose history reads like the Anti-Christ's resume. Enter a miscellany of desperadoes and hoodlums who target our four lads.

For the first time since 'Pulp Fiction', a movie comes along that breaks the shackles of tedious cloning. This film is entertaining and moves along at a cracking pace. Guy Ritchie's script is a tapestry of well-written characters, sharp dialogue that says what needs to be said and leaves the unsaid as food for thought, and a mesh of sub-plots that interlace together with imagination and expertise.

His direction is crisp and inventive allowing the cast of eccentric characters to move about freely while maintaining that erratic edge. In this slick piece of film making, Guy Ritchie denies hackneyed Hollywood trends by scripting no true good-guys just varying degrees of bad ones.

This is a terrific movie. It is violent but not extreme considering the subject matter and cast of cut-throat characters. The language is strong and the humor is black where you'll find yourself belly laughing at the brutal misfortune of others. If this makes you uncomfortable, then this film is not for you. It is also not for those who have been trained by television sit-coms to laugh on cue.

Broadminds are required to enjoy this fine British film where it will definitely add some zing to your day. So stick your tongues firmly in your cheeks and hop on the thrill a minute ride that is 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels'.

Just Watch It
I am going to keep this review short and sweet and focus only on what I feel must be mentioned.With that said, I thought this movie was fantastic!It was one of the funniest movies I have seen in a long time and it is also extremely fun to watch.You find yourself completely emersed in the goings on and can't help but get caught up in the creative, clever, altogether wacky story line unravelling before your eyes.Also, I loved the ending; in my opinion there really could not have been a much better way to end this movie.

I highly enjoyed this movie and I have recommended it to all my friends and many members of my family, and now ... I am recommmending it to you.Buy it, rent it - either way just make sure you watch this movie. ... Read more

Asin: 6305492247
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-comedy   

Mystery Science Theater 3000 -Manos: Hands of Fate
by Michael J. Nelson Joel Hodgson Trace Beaulieu Kevin Murphy (II)
Director: Michael J. Nelson, Joel Hodgson, Vince Rodriguez, Trace Beaulieu, Kevin Murphy (II), Jim Mallon
Average Customer Review:
VHS Tape (17 February, 1998)
list price: $9.95 -- our price: $9.45
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Editorial Review

Arguably the worst movie that our lovable pals Joel, Crow, and Tom Servo have ever had the pain ofwatching, Manos: Hands of Fate is destined to be an MST3K classic for this very reason. Not only isthere a sparse, illogical plot, but the cinematography is nonsensical (note Servo's point about the endless countrysideride in Texas). That said, Manos must be watched, and cringed at, and commented on by its viewers because ofthe director's amazingly awful vision of what a horror film should be. What plot there is involves a vacationing familybeing trapped in a remote ranch house in the desert that's "managed" by a greasy, what looks to be stoned, oversizebow-legged keeper named "Torgo." As the movie goes on, and one finds the "master" and his harem of semi-deadwomen clad in see-through white dresses, one wonders more and more what the hell this movie was supposed to beabout. Even Dr. Forrester and Frank feel a little sorry for Joel and the boys' being forced to watch this one. Still,you'll find yourself spiraling into hysterics when the women get into a big catty brawl while Joel and the boys likentheir antics to a Ladies Guild performing A Midsummer Night's Dream or female dirt-wrestling. An episodeyou'll love to suffer through. --Karen Karleski ... Read more

Features

• Color
• HiFi Sound
• NTSC

Reviews (187)

I'll always have Torgo...
This is HILARIOUS.The worst movie ever made and the MST3K guys made it one of the most quotable. Get this... I did it and I don't regret it.

Best MST3K Episode
"Manos: The Hands of Fate" is by far the best episode of "Mystery Science Theater 3000" ever. The film itself, about a family who stay in a sort-of motel run by satanists, is also coincidentally the worst in MST3K history. The pacing is horrible beyond belief, the acting is atrocious, and the script is underdeveloped, to say the least. The MST3K riffing is constantly hilarious, with barely a dry patch in sight. The host segments, while not among the series' best, are acceptable.
The host segments on DVD looks perfectly fine, slightly better than the VHS tape and certainly better than old bootlegs. The colours are vibrant and the image is sharp. The movie itself looks absolutely horrible, but really, what does one expect? I doubt that "Manos: The Hands of Fate" looked particularly good when it was first released. The menus are played to Torgo's theme music, for those who just want to hear it again and again and again. As a special feature, an MST3K blooper reel ("Poopie!") is included. Clocking at about 30 minutes, it's fairly funny, although certainly not for the casual MST3K fan.

"You Know, It's Been Two Hours, But It's Still Pretty Warm."
"Manos, The Hands of Fate" is considered by many to be the single greatest episode of MST3K in history, and I find it difficult to disagree. "Manos" is one of the worst movies ever made, appropriately by fertilizer salesman (really) Harold P. Warren. (Is he perhaps a distant relative of "Batwoman" director Jerry Warren?) The film is a tale of a family caught in the snare of pure evil, symbolized largely by Torgo, a caretaker with big knees. ("Uh, that's not how you wear your Depends, Torgo.") Everything about this movie is the worst in class; those people who believe that Ed Wood is the worst director of all time have clearly never seen "Manos." On a genuinely somber note, the experience of making "Manos" evidently took a serious emotional toll on several of the cast members, several of whom (including John Reynolds, "Torgo") committed suicide after the film was released to horrible reviews.

As if "Manos" weren't enough, the same episode features an otherworldly short ("Hired, Part Two") featuring a man on a porch in a rocking chair swatting at flies, and demonstrating that it is possible to look demonically possessed with a handkerchief on your head. ("Ah! Flying elves are back!") This is truly a wonderful short.

The DVD also contains a reel of outtakes ("poopie") which range from amusing to hilarious. For my money the best of the bunch is the attempted "Torgo's Pizza" sketch. ("Let me just get your complimentary crazy bread." "No!") I would guess that I have seen "Manos" probably thirty-plus times over the years, and it still endures as the pinnacle of MST3K as a concept. Besides, who can forget the haunting "Torgo Theme"?



... Read more

Asin: 1566053978
Subjects:  1. Television   

Army of Darkness
by Bruce Campbell
Director: Sam Raimi
Average Customer Review:
VHS Tape (12 October, 1999)
list price: $9.99 -- our price: $9.49
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Editorial Review

A movie that only true horror buffs could love, Army of Darkness is officially part 3 in the wild and wacky Evil Dead trilogy masterminded by the perversely inventive director Sam Raimi, who would later serve as executive producer of the popular syndicated TV series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. Raimi's favorite actor, Bruce Campbell, returns as Ash (hero of the first two Evil Dead flicks), a hardware-store clerk who is magically transported--along with his beat-up Oldsmobile and a chainsaw attachment for his severed left forearm--to the brutal battlefields of the 14th century. He quickly assumes power (who else in the Middle Ages packs a shotgun and a chainsaw?), and unites his band of medieval knights against the dreaded Army of the Dead. Raimi gleefully subverts almost every horror-movie cliché as he serves up a nonstop parade of blood, gore, and vicious sword-bearing skeletons--an affectionate homage to animator Ray Harryhausen's classic Jason and the Argonauts. The frantic action is fun while it lasts, but even at 80 minutes Army of Darkness nearly wears out its welcome. You know that Raimi can maintain the mayhem for only so long before it grows tiresome, and fortunately this madcap movie quits while it's ahead. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Features

• Color
• THX
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Reviews (508)

0 STARS:Talk about stupid, this thing is ridiculous.
When I watched "Army of Darkness", I tried really hard to keep an open mind, but much to my dismay, I had to admit that this movie is utter trash and completely boring.I actually liked "The Evil Dead"...a pretty good movie, so I thought I should check out this sequel...boy was I wrong!!I couldn't believe that I had heard so many good things about this movie and it was jst incredibly terrible.I guess this movie appeals to a very limited auction or as they say has a small "cult following".I must admit this whole Medieval theme is extremely lame...it definitely gets stupid and very boring, very fast."Army of Darkness" falls more into the category of a cheesey sci-fi comedy rather than a horror flick.As a horror movie, it fails miserably.Therefore, I cannot recommend this trash to anyone who is a true horror movie fan...avoid this garbage at all costs.Some people call "Army of Darkness" a horror movie...I just call it "rubbish".

Genuine and Original!
This is one of my all time favorite zombie, horror movie and at the same time it's one of those movies that made me laugh also the most. No, this is not another zombie cheap flick (when I say cheap I mean horrible) it's one of those films that will give you the chills and will make you spill your drink, if you're having any, due to the laughter that will be inevitable.

If you have seen 'The Evil Dead' then you're on the right track to start this one since it is the sequal. Bruce Campell's character goes to the midieval age to try to find a way back to the present, modern time. But in order to do that he must go into a journey fighting the dead itself. You will see how the can guy can screw up and will make you laugh alot and also how he kicks zombie ass in this movie, which all scenes showing are truly original.

Most entertaining undead movie ever
I don't know about the specific special release or bonus packages for this movie (so maybe I should be careful how I rate this), but the movie itself is top notch. Unless you're a hardcore afficonado, I'd recommend buying one copy of this movie and leaving it at that. ... Read more

Asin: B00001ODHF
Subjects:  1. Horror   

Cannibal! The Musical
by Trey Parker
Director: Trey Parker
Average Customer Review:
VHS Tape (29 February, 2000)
list price: $14.95
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Editorial Review

Alferd Packer was the only man in the United States ever convicted of cannibalism--what better hero for fellow Coloradan and future South Park creator Trey Parker to celebrate in music? Blue-eyed and boyish Parker was still in college when he wrote, directed, composed the songs for, and took the starring role as the innocent young Packer in this film, giving a gee- whiz performance as an ambitious pioneer who joins an ill-fated trek west that ends up stranded in the mountains. At times resembling a perverse community theater parody of Rodgers and Hammerstein ("My heart's as full as a baked po-ta-to!"), Parker bounces back and forth between cheery production numbers and goony songs ("Let's build a snowman," sings one starving-mad hiker) and grotesque gore (bloody body parts, festering sores, human hors d'oeuvres). It lacks in style and consistency and the juvenile gags and fart jokes wear thin over the course of a feature film, but Parker's sheer energy and inventiveness carry the overlong picture to a rousing conclusion. Regular Parker collaborators Matt Stone and Dian Bachar costar in this tuneful barbecue. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

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Reviews (175)

Amazing and funny
Wow!My friend brought this movie over and I watched it for the first time.It might be the funniest movie I have ever seen.I loved it and the soundtrack is hilarious!If you're looking for a good laugh with some blood this movie is for you!
*LET'S BUILD A SNOWMAN!*

Oh my God! It sounds horrible!
I must say that I am very open to new film, bold styles of filmmaking, and the opportunity to see the obscure, but I am not open to a lack of excitement.I thought that this was an interesting first film for Trey Parker to create while in film school, but I think the hype behind this movie and one of the reasons that it is referred to as a "cult" film is because of the South Park fame that has subsequently followed this team.Personally, I didn't see the value in this picture at all.The actors seemed unexcited to be in the picture, the story seemed flimsy at best, and the songs had the feeling of third-gradery to them.Don't get me wrong, I am always excited about seeing student films and how powerful a fresh mind can be, but in this film I just felt that Parker was trying to press certain buttons, but failed miserably.His comedy was not funny, his scenes of gore can be credited towards Troma, and the references to South Park continued to boost my impression that this film became popular after their South Park inheritance.Parker had no control over this film, no control over his actors, and most importantly, no control over himself.It is difficult for me to watch a film where the main character is only giving 15% at best.

Again, I would like to stress that I am not against this type of filmmaking ... when it is done right.In the case of Cannibal! The Musical I didn't feel that there were any elements that stood out, seemed creative, or were original.Parker seemed to be going for the shock value more than creating a decent piece of cinema.To begin, the characters were all one-dimensional.I cared nothing for the band of men stuck in the Colorado area without any food.If they died or if they survived, I could have cared less.I didn't know them, I didn't get to know them, and Parker wasn't allowing me to see them as three-dimensional people, so my sympathy towards them further plummeted this film.Everyone in this film was silly and stupid instead of funny and independent.I went into this film wanting to see a sharp, independent film that would surprise me and make me laugh.The characters of this film brought that concept to a complete halt.Packer was the worst, providing no emotion at all to his character and simply whispering all of his words.It was pathetic and a very sad sight to see.Then, as if the other actors were following suit, they brought nothing emotional or comedic to the table, but instead went through their lines and did the bare minimum that they had to.I would have to say that the failure of this film began with the actors poorly giving us any decent characters.

Another failed element was the story, which seemed to jump around all over the place like a scratched CD.The film technique of making us believe that this was a "true" story by using pseudo-documentary moments just hurt this film more than helping it.It made the overall production seem cheap and uninformative.There was no consistency or excitement to get from one scene to the next, and I think a reason for this was the poor choice of songs.This was to be a musical, and I have seen Matt and Trey write songs (see South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut) that were both humorous and powerful, but in this film, they just felt like eight year olds created them.You could tell that they were dubbed over and that some of the actors didn't even know all the lines to the songs.These are elements that need to be addressed during production because it could either make or break a film ... and in this case it broke it.The only song that I found myself breaking a smile was the "Let's Build a Snowman!" ditty that at least showcased some originality.Outside of that, I don't believe that I broke a smile once during this film, and this was to be a comedy?

Finally, I would like to say that you can not create a film with the idea that it will become a "cult" film over time.I could see this pompous nature in Parker as he was creating this film.During his performance as Packer, you could see that glimmer in his eye that screamed, "This will be bigger than we imagined because smart people that love South Park will love this later in life."It nearly made me wretch.These actors knew what they were doing, and I think Troma did as well, since all are now cashing in on this film since the popularity of South Park.There just seemed to be this aura of arrogance while I watched the film that hampered my enjoyment.

Overall, I was very unimpressed.I was expecting bigger, bolder, and much more creativity behind this feature than what was presented.As I watch what these boys can create now, I cannot help but think that they have a much smarter head on their shoulders than Cannibal! The Musical presented.This could have been a very lucrative and intelligent film, but instead they seemed to make it just a cheap production with a catchy name and simplistic songs.I do not recommend this film, unless you are in desperate need of more sleep at night and desire to see the boys of South Park finally fail!

Grade: * out of *****

Starring Juan Schwartz!
"Cannibal! The Musical" is a wonderfully macabre offering from Trey Parker.It contains alot of Parker's trademark touches that informed his later work in "South Park" and "Team America" such as it's outrageous humor and goofy songs.The film is conventional in some ways in relaying the story of Alfred Packer and his doomed expedition into the Colorado Territories in the late 19th century and at heart there is a certain innocence in this endeavor.It's definitely a low-budget affair but it is compensated with the high spirited stylings of Parker's direction.Those turned off by the film's title fear not.Yes, there are a few instances of gore here that are brief and are leavened by the laughs.Highly recommended to anybody with an offbeat sensibility. ... Read more

Asin: B000007TKT
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-comedy   

Weezer
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (10 May, 1994)
list price: $13.98 -- our price: $9.99
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Editorial Review

There's a classic episode of The Little Rascals where one of the gang can't join everybody else on the ballfield because he has to stay home with his younger brother, who has the croup. "I can't come out and play," he whines. "I've got to stay home and grease Wheezer!" Nobody at Geffen Records knows whether this was the inspiration in naming Weezer, but it makes sense. Like many of their peers, the members of the Los Angeles quartet seem to have spent their formative years in front of the TV; when they were a little older, they were just as entranced by college rock. Finally, ala the Rascals, one of the gang said, "Hey, kids, let's put on a show!," and the result is Weezer's uplifting, unpretentious, and extremely endearing debut.

The self-titled Weezer is lean and mean at 10 short, punchy tunes, but nearly every one is powered by a larger-than-life chorus or a simple but effective lyric. "Undone-The Sweater Song" uses an unraveling sweater as a metaphor for a relationship on the rocks; "Buddy Holly" pays heartfelt tribute to the '50s rocker, and "In the Garage" paints a scene of suburban teens jamming while surrounded by posters of Kiss. Producer Ric Ocasek of Cars fame pushes the vocals and rhythm guitars, and this bare-bones approach may earn comparisons to fellow garage-pop band Green Day. But Weezer has more in common with the late, lamented Big Dipper, another group of slacker wiseguys that you just had to love. --Jim DeRogatis ... Read more

Reviews (444)

Great Album
People think Weezer's a bunch of emo kids trying to be rock, but thats not true. Just because the lead singer has glasses doesnt make him emo. I remember when I 1st heard this album from my friend Ashley. She was obessed with Weezer, I only liked a few songs but then again I really wasnt paying very much attetion to it. Then later on as I got older(now 15), I was making a radio station on yahoo, and when I played it Weezer was on. I listened to and loved it right away, then I went out and brought the CD when I was at the races. I loved every song on this album. This would have to be one of the best Weezer albums ever. "Buddy Holly", "The World Has Turned and Left Me Here", "Sweater Song", "Surf Wax City" are there best songs ever. You should check them out if you havent heard much of this band.

not a kid
I had a gift certificate to a record store, and with Beverly Hills on the radio now, i decided to score myself some weezer cds.

In the time of Dookie, this sounds so much more professional and comunicatative(is that even a word?) then that time. But the fact remains, Weezer don't comunicate and don't even like each other, but it doesn't show here.

My name is Jonas starts the album so innocently and well done.
Buddy Holly is probably the next great track, Undone, Say it aint so, in th e garage, and holiday are probably the best. But where green day passed weezer was when green day made albums where every song is good. Weezer never does that. But what do I know?

WWW!
This is so terrible! These guys make poor music...I they are just ne*ds!!!! And try to make rock music! No,,,no!!!! It's just like long haired and black leathered guy tried to make pop music! ... Read more

Asin: B000003TAW
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock    3. Rock/Pop   

Factory Showroom
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (08 October, 1996)
list price: $9.98 -- our price: $9.98
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Editorial Review

Factory Showroom is the second They Might Be Giants album to feature the Brooklyn duo backed by a full band. The band allows John Linnell and John Flansburgh to parody the pop music of their late '70s and early '80s youth more accurately, and thus, more wittily. On the disco parody, "S-E-X-X-Y," for example, Iggy Pop bassist Hal Cragin supplies a vintage funk bottom, while arranger Kurt Hoffman contributes a Chic-like string chart. When they follow with the new-wave parody, "Till My Head Falls Off," Graham Maby's staccato bass line, Eric Schermerhorn's jittery guitar chords, and Linnell's bleating organ sound just like the Cars. Of course, this raises the question of whether we really need parodies of Chic and the Cars at this late date, especially when the satires resemble the targets too much to be irreverent, but not enough to be their equal. --Geoffrey Himes ... Read more

Reviews (50)

Only one will survive. Out of one.
This CD has its share of ups and downs, but mostly ups. Till My Head Falls Off, Metal Detector, New York City (originally from Cub), and Spiraling Shape are easily the best songs on here, but it's a shame only NYC made it onto Dial-A-Song. S-E-X-X-Y is an alright song - it's not great, but you'll get a craving for it once in a while. XTC Vs. Adam Ant is pretty good - the guitar riffs from Flans absolutely rule. James K. Polk is not as high caliber as TMBG's other educational songs (Why Does the Sun Shine? Live, especially), but it's still catchy. I absolutely can't stand How Can I Sing Like a Girl? or Exquisite Dead Guy.

Overall, it's a good album, however short. There's also a hidden track - I won't spoil it, but use the backwards skip in a CD player to find it.

Widely considered their worst album
.....and I concur.It's always interesting to listen to a TMBG album, but this one just seems a little forced.The playlist is shorter than John Henry, but it's a little bit odder as well and it seems a bit downtrodden at times, as well.I still enjoy it and revel in listening to S-E-X-X-Y and the song they recorded at the Edison Museum, but it just seems to be missing something and I'm not sure that I'll ever be able to put my finger on it.

My Metal Detector Is With Me All Of The Time...
"Factory Showroom" is TMBG's 6th album, and it's quite... different than the others. In fact, one of the songs on the album, "Pet Name", is not one of my favorites. In fact, one of my favorites is... well, the name of this review should tip you off.

Anyways, a great album. ... Read more

Asin: B000002HKS
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Pop    3. Pop Underground    4. Rock   

Ben Folds Five
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 July, 1995)
list price: $15.98 -- our price: $13.99
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Editorial Review

Like the best guitar heroes, Ben Folds, pianist and leader of a guitarless trio called the Ben Folds Five, commands and fuels his small, tightly wound ensemble with an authoritative, nearly virtuosic style. Folds, based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, borrows from everywhere but lends new inspiration and insight to the instrument's possibilities--he's the Jimi Hendrix of the baby grand. His frenetic keypounding eclipses old-time styles from honky-tonk to Jerry Lee Lewis rag, and he outplinks megastars such as Elton John and Billy Joel while sifting them both through the mondo hammerings of classic pop-loving alternative keyboard bashers like Todd Rundgren and Squeeze's Jools Holland.To complement Folds-the-pianist's clean and bright ivory tinkerings, Folds-the-singer's clear and dynamic tenor swirls through Folds-the-songwriter's very capably crafted, sugary pop gems. "Philosophy" starts with a rolling Joel-like intro, slips into a Rundgrenish verse and chorus--complete with the perfect Beatlesque harmonies of bassist Robert Sledge and drummer Darren Jessee--and then breaks out in an overdriven piano quote from Gershwin in the climactic solo. "Underground" Sgt. Peppers us with faux theatrics and then plunges into a soul-gospel groove about the joys of the alternative rock scene. "Uncle Walter" is a character sketch Ray Davies wishes he wrote but couldn't; "Boxing" is an imagined confab between Muhammad Ali and Howard Cosell that Tom Waits wishes he wrote but wouldn't. The rest of Ben Folds Five's debut achievement just does what any other timeless summer record should: it makes you feel sunny enough inside to last all through the year. --Roni Sarig ... Read more

Reviews (108)

The voice of a generation
I haven't really come across many artists or a paticular style that could define the current teens through early twenties generation, but Ben Folds can. He takes his listeners through the problems and challenges of growing up in a fun and creative way. Break up's, drunken mistakes, getting stuck with the uncle who tells BS stories, all can be found here. Lyrically there's always something for you. He keeps the album fun.

By the way, don't forget that this guy is absolutely ridiculous on the piano. I discovered Ben about 2 years ago, and he still never ceases to amaze me on how well he plays. He can play at insane speeds with catchy tunes. It's a completely different sound from the guitar dominated pop/rock scene. It's a cool sound.

This is the first album from Ben Folds Five, and while thier hit cd is "Whatever and Ever Amen" this cd i believe is equally as good. This is also the most raw album from BBF , and that's why it is my current favorite. I think now that Ben Folds is a solo artist he lost some of the lightheartedness that he has in this album. "Rocking the Suburbs" is also a great album that has a beautiful sound ,but it's a heavier sound.

Some highlights: Jackson Cannery (a great opener)
Philosophy
Julianne (funny and prolly the best song)
Best imitation of myself
Uncle Walter
Boxing ( a commentary between Mohammed Ali and Howard Cosell, which brings the cd to a proper ending)

Ben Folds is the perfect combination of lyrical, brillance and writing talent, combined with a great musical ability. He's one of the current best.

20-Somethinghood
Ben Folds Five's first self-titled album is a homage to what seems to be a new stage in life: 20-Somethinghood, the period between adolescence and "real life."Many albums have covered adolescence, dating, cliques, fashions, finding yourself amid changes.But Ben Folds attacks the period after when all these questions are supposed to be dealt with, but in today's world a lot still go unanswered.

You think you have a secure identity, but you find the people around you changing until you second guess yourself.It's a time when you have your closest friends, but they always seem to slip in and out of your life as everyone tries to make their path.Everyone keeps moving, including yourself.You chase "the" relationship.You pass from crappy job to crappy job.You try to finally conquer the demons of High School. You try to regain your lost childhood.

Many of Ben Folds's lyrics read like letters, especially the brilliant "Alice Childress" and "Where's Summer B?" songs so intimate you think you've opened someone's mail.Ben sprinkles his songs with delicious humor as on "Juliane," a celebration of a mistake of a one-night stand, and "Uncle Walter," a song about a tongue scolding Ben receives from an absent girlfriend's drunken uncle.Ben assaults the trends of the mid-90's, the Grunge Era in "Underground" and Yuppie Psuedo-sophisticates in "Sports and Wine." Ben has a wonderful flair for making the little things people take seriously seem absolutely ridiculous and the tiny minutiae seem incredibly profound and intimate.All this culminates in "Best Imitation of Myself," where he simultaneously proves and debunks his own genius.

All this set to vitruoso piano refreshingly devoid of pretension with Robert Sledge serving as both Bass and Guitar with the same instrument to amazing effect.Darren Jesse completes the groove (Whither the other two?) of a trio that, in the day, was one of the 90's most captivating, rocking live acts.Folds caresses, attacks, seduces and kerplunks his 88 mistresses into Sonata, Honky-Tonk, Pinball Wizard, Sunday School Sing-A-Long, Wrecking Ball, Lounge Lizard and Kiddy Toy Piano often all within the same song.

"Ben Folds Five" is nearly to post-Adolescence what "Quadrophenia" was to adolescence.It captures the Mid-90's 20-Something experience without getting mired in its clichés, like a bad episode of "Friends."Its sardonic time capsule should stand the test of time.Even when the particulars of Grunge and Sports Bars are as dead as Zoot Suits and Leapers, you can still feel the timeless emotions of the period through them.There will always be the stupid trends you follow for no reason.The Cool Guys you can't ever believe you thought were cool.The endless routines and rituals you go through waiting for that one minute of connectedness that will show you your real path.

Lovin It
If you haven't heard this album you don't know Ben Folds as a musician, simply because you can't start in the middle.I knew of this album when it was first released, can we say hooked.I am writing this because i just read some over-pretentious reveiw by some guy who thinks he knows this album.EVERY SINGLE SONG is excellent, one of the only albums i can put in my car and not take it out for a week.It covers the gambit of feeling, good times, somber times, bad times(though not a lot), and just plain fun. Whatever you do HEAR this album. Don't just listen, HEAR IT!!!! There is a difference and if you don't know the difference you don't deserve this album.Or maybe you should buy this album and learn what hearing music really is. To close, in my personal opinion Ben Folds is one of the best artists i have ever heard(not open for discussion).Buy as much of his music as you possibly can.Buy it all. ... Read more

Asin: B000000IDJ
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Experiment Zero
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (16 April, 1996)
list price: $13.98 -- our price: $13.98
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Reviews (9)

Irradiance overdrive
Where have I been? This album has been out for 9 years (yikes!) and my eyes have only just been opened to the ionization that is Man or Astro-Man(MoAM). MoAM is generally brilliant, but this album is the manifestation of their fullest scintillation. These guys are way ahead of their neo-retro timelessness. Let their electromagnetic radiation wash over you.

Sleeper band of the 90s
Look, simply put, MOAM was a band that was always ahead of the curve.They played traditional surf WAY before Pulp Fiction came out and popularized it.Many of the (now) signature sounds in a lot of emo and (dare I say it?) "hardcore" were pioneered by MOAM in their last three albums.
Experiment Zero was the nice middle ground between these periods.
Personally, I consider it to be their best work.

Definitive astroman
I remember the first track I heard off this album -- King of the Monsters -- and my reaction at the time: "Holy [expicitive]!This is the best thing I've ever heard!"I ordered the album at that moment and waited anxiously for its arrival.

When it finally came, I popped it into the changer with reckless abandon.A track called "Television Fission" came on, and it was the aural equivalent of losing one's virginity -- it's that damn good.I cannot even describe these tracks in words, for it would never do them justice.Listen to the sound clips and hear it for yourself.This is _the_ definitive Man or Astroman album.

I consider this album to be one of the best out of any that uses a guitar, and it has made me an Astroman fan for life. ... Read more

Asin: B0000019LG
Sales Rank: 117013
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Grow Up
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (08 April, 1994)
list price: $7.98 -- our price: $7.98
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Reviews (3)

thank god for queers!
This album is a lot like "A Day Late And A Dollar Short" or "Beyond The Valley". Hard punk, less pop. Loud, fast and lacking of smooth studio polish. The way punk should be. I can't make out one word in "Junk Freak", but it's one of my favorite Queer's songs ever. And "Boobarella" and "Gay Boy" give this album the strong abbrasive political incorrectness that Joe King is the master of. BUY THIS ALBUM!

THE BEAT GOES ON!
This CD is the best!It has Great lyrics and is defenitly worth buying! Where else could you find lyrics like " I met her at the rat"? This CD deserves to be bought and played over and over, even ifyour not a big punk,ska,oi fan this CD will convince you to be one!

AAGGGHHH!!!
Should be a part of every punk rock record collection. A perfect combination of surfy pop, Ramones-in-your-face punk rock and lyrics about girls, girls and Burger King. This and "Love Songs..." are thequintessential Queers albums! ... Read more

Asin: B00004YTS6
Sales Rank: 94844
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Gay    3. Indie Rock    4. Pop    5. Punk Revival    6. Rock   

Go Simpsonic With The Simpsons: Original Music From The Television Series
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (02 November, 1999)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $18.98
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Editorial Review

When champions of The Simpsons contend that the animated TV show is the best-written show on the small screen, they're referring as much to the songs that pop up in most episodes as the dialogue. Well, here's a springboard to the Springfield Sound that Simpsons supporters will find irresistible. The musical hotbed of indeterminate locale has drawn everyone from Sonic Youth to Tony Bennett, both of whom contribute original material to Go Simpsonic. But with a cast that includes the inimitable likes of Krusty the Klown ("Like Father, Like Clown"), Waylon Smithers ("Happy Birthday, Mr. Burns"), and Patty and Selma Bouvier ("We Love to Smoke"), who needs pampered VIPs? Toss in the spirited "Everyone Loves Ned Flanders," Kirk VanHouten's wrenching "Can I Borrow a Feeling?" and the Brothers Four (!?) parody "The Ballad of Jebediah Springfield," and you have a singin' and dancin' hullabaloo to last a lunchtime! --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (58)

Simply the Best.
Music plays an integral part of THE SIMPSONS. In fact, Alf Clausen has created so much original music for the series, most of it will never be available to own.Fortunately, a very small collection has been rounded up onto GO SIMPSONIC WITH THE SIMPSONS.In my opinion, of the four Simpsons album currently available, GO SIMPSONIC WITH THE SIMPSONS is the best. Unlike THE SIMPSONS SING THE BLUES and THE YELLOW ALBUM, GO SIMPSONIC is a collection of original music that was actually performed on THE SIMPSONS. It's most like SONGS IN THE KEY OF SPRINGFIELD. However, as a wonderful collection that SONGS IN THE KEY OF SPRINGFIELD is, GO SIMPSONIC is a better collection. Most of the music on GO SIMPSONIC comes from shows performed in later seasons of the show. THE SIMPSONS have always been an original show, but after the first five or six seasons, the series hit a rut and wasn't producing very much original material. After about a two year slump the show came back into its own for a few more years and most of the music on GO SIMPSONIC comes from that period.Interlaced throughout the tracks are also snippets of dialogue that accompany the music.

My favorite pieces on the album include:

"All Singing, All Dancing (Medley)"--a group of songs that parodies musicals.

"Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(annoyed grunt)cious"--a group of songs that parodies Mary Poppins. A few other songs from this same episode that are just as entertaining are "Cut Every Corner", "A Boozehound Named Barney", and "Happy Just the Way We Are."

"Meet the Flintstones" -- the theme song that was seen on the episode when The Simpsons broke The Flintstones record for longest running prime time animation series.

"Trash of the Titans (Medley)"--a group of songs parodying WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY.

"Chief Wiggum, P.I." --the theme song from a "spin-off" Simpsons show that parodies MAGNUM, P.I.

"Rappin Ronnie Reagan"-- a (Simpsons) homage to former President Reagan.

"Canyonero"-- a song that pokes fun at many Americans foolish love for SUVs.

"Presidents' Song"-- learn more about America's least known Presidents than you ever thought possible.

There's a lot of other great music on the album, but these are my favorites.There are several Simpsons albums on the market, but if you're going to buy a Simpsons album, GO SIMPSONICE is the one you want.

DOWN CANYONERO!!!
Beware. If you buy this CD you'll be singing everything on it and driving everyone mad. Why? Because the songs on it are just so damn good with the maddest lyrics. It's really impossible to decide which one is best because they're all great. How can I possiblely compare Rappin' Ronnie Regan (it always makes the trip go faster) to Canyonero.

Forget the cheap 'Simpsons Sing The Blues' CD. This one and 'Songs in the key of Springfield' (both from Rhino) make a great twosome and make for great collectors items. There's loads (perhaps a little too much) of Simpsons merchandise out there and sometimes it's hard to tell what's worth it. Getting this CD is a wise choice.

A Must-Have for Any Simpson Fan!
My brother bought me this CD a while back, and as of today, I still can't stop singing along to it.It has over 50 selections of songs from some of the greatest moments or episodes of the Simpsons.If you're a die-hard Simpson fan, this album is a must! ... Read more

Asin: B00001WRKM
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Lincoln
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (01 July, 1993)
list price: $15.98 -- our price: $13.99
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Reviews (33)

Many consider this to be their best
.....and I concur.It is their best work because it is just as scattered and separate, track for track, but here they really rock out on a few numbers and stretch out their sonic palette the best(at least in the early recording).This also has their best real life and scathing satire of rich businessmen in "Kiss me, Son of God.They fully portray the disgusting pomposity and it makes crack up so hard knowing that they get away it because of such a catchy melody. Just plain quirky goodness

Arguably TMBG's quirkiest and best effort
This album contains one of TMBG's greatest songs ever, Ana Ng,as well as a host of other material that will keep you guessing with their bizarre lyrics and eclectic sounds. Each of these songs is vastly different, but all have something distinctly memorable about them-Ana Ng, with Flansburgh's stacato guitar line and a wonderful Linnell vocal (great video too), the jazzy Lie Still, Little Bottle (check out the live performance of it featured on the "Gigantic" DVD), the absolutely bizarre lyrics of Cage and Aquarium and Pencil Rain, and of course, They'll Need A Crane, the song which pretty much epitomises the oft referred to 'TMBG song with happy orchestration coupled with sad lyrics' (the formula is also used on songs like "Meet James Ensor" and "Don't Let's Start"). In conclusion, if you liked the band's debut you are pretty much certain to enjoy this follow-up, as both were recorded before the days when the pair had their "band of Dans" backing them up, and are similar in their appeal. Those who are used to the sound of TMBG with the full backing band however might want to listen to this album before they buy it, as it is a bit of a different sound to their later work, though it is easy enough to get over that and see that this is one of TMBG's best and most memorable works.

Lincoln great cd...
Lincoln is one of the best Tmbg albums. When you listen to this cd youll listen to it all day. and youll say "this is the most fabintastic cd everrr... ... Read more

Asin: B000003BIP
Sales Rank: 12132
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. College Rock    3. Indie Rock    4. Pop    5. Pop Underground    6. Post-Punk    7. Rock   

Short Music for Short People
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (01 June, 1999)
list price: $9.98 -- our price: $9.98
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Editorial Review

Punk rock has long been known for its short, loud, and snotty anthems, but this is taking things to extremes. None of the songs found here reaches the one-minute mark. Some are among punk's most esteemed anthems, while others are casual additions to the canon. In either case, even if you don't like one tune, well, there's another one coming in just a few seconds. This isn't the best introduction to these bands. The Descendents, for example, are punk-pop titans who and not at their best when aping the hardcore set. However, where else can you find Less Than Jake, Nerf Herder, Blink 182, Green Day, the Mr. T. Experience, Gwar, the Circle Jerks,D.O.A., Agnostic Front, and the Muffs all on one CD? There's no shortage of top-shelf names here, and more than a few surprises will keep you hopping. --Rob O'Connor ... Read more

Reviews (72)

Essential Punk Comp.
It might not be the best punk compilation (check out the Peace/War double album or the Dischord box-set or the Punk-O-rama series for some alternatives) but its definitely an essentaial one. And not just for minutemen fans either, anyone who likes fast, loud punk should take a look at this.
Obviously, its good for anyone with a short attention span, but some of the songs are good enough for you to put them on 'repeat' and listen to them 14 times. It's got huge variety (blink and Black Flag, GWAR and The Descendents, AFI and Wizo....) so theres gotta be something you'll like. Even if you hate some of it ( I still don't know what to think about the Real McKenzies's track) it'll be over in 24 seconds.
Obviously the huge variety is an incentive to check this out, but theres also a whole lot more quality than you'd expect of an album with 101 songs (99 tracks, ... punk fans......). How many albums do you own that can claim to have 74 great tracks?

best compilation of all time
Jesus christ, this is amazing(except for that ballsuckingly bad spazz song).Fat Mike is a genius for thinking this up!
However, it is Missing a few key contributions (in order of importance):

dropkick murphys
millencolin
propagandhi
mighty mighty bosstones
face to face
mxpx
distillers
hot water music

great idea and great music
This cd has tons of essential bands (the famous ones) and tons that have music just as good. If not for the music, then buy this CD because it makes for excellent drinking games. Just take a swig every time a new song comes on and you'll be smashed within the hour. ... Read more

Asin: B00000J631
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. American Underground    3. Hardcore Punk    4. Heavy Metal    5. Indie Rock    6. L.A. Punk    7. Pop    8. Post-Grunge    9. Punk    10. Punk Revival    11. Punk-Pop    12. Rock    13. Ska-Punk    14. Skatepunk    15. Third Wave Ska Revival    16. Thrash