Lara Croft - Tomb Raider (Special Collector's Edition)
Director: Simon West
Average Customer Review:
DVD (29 December, 2004)
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Editorial Review

Like the video game series it's based on, Tomb Raider is best enjoyed for its physical strategies, since even casual scrutiny of story details will induce a headache. It's more concerned with puzzles than plot, populated with characters that don't have personalities so much as attitudes. It's silly and somber at the same time, but as a franchise vehicle for Angelina Jolie in the title role of relic hunter Lara Croft, this is packaged entertainment at its most agreeable, ambitious in scope and scale, and filled with the kind of globetrotting adventure that could make Jolie the best thing that's happened to action movies since Indiana Jones. Could being the operative word here, because Tomb Raider can't match any of Steven Spielberg's celebrated joyrides, but the ingredients are there for an exquisitely cinematic meal.

Perhaps to distance himself from Lara Croft's video game origins, director Simon West takes things a bit too seriously; Tomb Raider handles its plot (involving a planetary alignment, the nefarious Illuminati, and coveted relics that hold the key to controlling the flow of time) with all the gravity of a championship chess match... minus the tension. If the movie had lightened up and been truly suspenseful (instead of being suffused with been-there, done-that familiarity), it would have been an instant popcorn classic. As it is, however, this is an elegantly mounted adventure featuring exotic locations (in Cambodia and Iceland) and an exotic star born for her role. Even without her padded bra, Jolie would be the living embodiment of Lara Croft, and that's enough to bode well for inevitable sequels. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Features

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• Special Edition
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Reviews (602)

Fun film
Yes, many people are bashing this movie but I think they are all wrong. That is why there is a sequel since it was a good flick, right?

This movie is a very good adaptation from a game, since I also love the games. Angelina was a good Lara Croft not just in the physical aspect but also in the attitude. She is as confident as the one in the games.

The movie also circles in a great plot line. The plot is very well served and not draggy, unlike other movies. It doesn't aim to much to inform people a lot about the Illuminati but supplies what the viewers need, not over or under that. The whole plot makes sense in a not so draggy way.

The adventure aspect is also well done. The exotic locations were mesmerizing as well as the action sequences. The stunts were very realistic, unlike the ones in movies like Charlie's Angels were people leap like animals. Here, Lara is very human but athletic, doing stunts that are actually possible to do and done very nice cinematically.

The movie overall is very enjoyable. its a fun action flick. It may lack depth or may fail to satisfy one but its an action flick. Let go and enjoy.

Film Needs A Vial of Billy Bob's LIfe Blood
Lara Croft (Angelina Jolie) is entering a tomb, trying to get to a jewel placed on a pedestal. As she makes her way towards the jewel, a large metal creature unsurfaces and she has to fight it to the death. After she does disable the creature, she retrieves the jewel which is actually a computer chip containing 'Lara's Party Mix', which she plays on the sound system in her mansion. The tomb was actually a training room built in her large English mansion. Soon, Lara discovers a clock hidden under a staircase by her deceased father (Jon Voight, Jolie's real father). The clock started ticking exactly one week before a complete solar eclipse is scheduled to happen. Inside the clock, she finds a dial, which when combined with a mythical triangle (which has, incidentally, been broken in half), gives the holder power over time. The holder can move back and forth within history, changing things. Naturally, a mysterious society, the Illuminata, headquartered in Venice, Italy, wants the device and hires Manfred Powell (Iain Glen) to retrieve it. Manfred hires Alex Marrs (Daniel Craig), Croft's former nemesis and fellow Tomb Raider to help him. Lara can't let the Illuminata gain control of the device.

"Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" is the latest example of why Hollywood should not adapt video games into films. No more successful than "Super Mario Brothers", "Tomb Raider" will probably gross more than $100 million dollars because it caters so brilliantly to the pre-teen boy audience that loves the video game.

The film is filled with action set pieces, which look incredibly like set pieces. Each of the scenes is shot on a set. Each begins with the characters entering a room, tomb, cave, etc. and then, voila, they start fighting something, someone, each other. This creates a very claustrophobic feel which does not translate well to the big screen.

The film was reportedly shot on location in Greenland and a sacred temple in Thailand (?). If this is the case, the filmmakers did a very bad job of taking advantage of the natural scenery.

Jolie certainly fits the physical description of Lara Croft. She has the same voluptuous curves that the video game vixen uses to make grown men addicts of her adventures. I have never played the video game, so I am unsure whether Lara Croft is supposed to look so bored throughout. Jolie smirks and does little else to make the character seem believable. It appears as though the vial of Billy Bob's blood that she reportedly carries around her neck was missing most days when she shot her part. Where would they hide it? Jolie wears a series of skin tight t-shirts and short-shorts to reveal all of her assets.

It was no suprise to see that the filmmaker's managed to include a shower scene. After all, Croft is an archaeologist and needs to be squeaky clean for all of that roughhousing. I only wish they had managed to get a couple of shower scenes into the Indiana Jones films. NOT. As the film is PG, they only show Jolie from the neck up. Boy that water cascading down her hair and lips and neck looks sexy. Strangely, a little later in the film, Alex Marrs gets equal treatment. His shower scene is virtually identical to Croft's. Thank goodness for equal opportunity. I'm sure all of the little 12 year old boys in the audience will love to see a half naked man showering and then walking around his hotel room.

The other big problem with "Tomb Raider" is that we never actually see Croft engaging in any archaeology or tomb raiding, until the climax. Why is she so famous? What special skills does she have? Apparently, she can jump around on bungee cords and kill metal beasts quite well, but what about archaeology draws her into it? Apparently, nothing.

Oh, wait, there is another big problem. After the device is assembled (big surprise, I'm sure), Croft is told that she can't use it for a personal reason and then does any way. Huh? I wasn't even aware that she liked the person she uses it for.

Oh, oh, another problem... Oh, enough. "Tomb Raider" is a sloppy mess of an excuse for filmmaking. Will certainly join "Pearl Harbor" as one of the worst films of the summer if not the year.

Greatfun!!!
This film is brilliant,a combination of very cool action scenes with a gripping storyline.Also,the character of Lara is amazingly transfered to the movie,being tough and good-hearted at the same time,not the usual tough-looking idiot that we're sick of watching on action-films as the leading character.
I really don't get the mixed opinions by the critics,this film is(at least for me)a 100& classic(for now,four years have passed already!).
... Read more

Asin: B00003CXZ1
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-action/Adventure   

Moulin Rouge (Double Digipack)
Director: Baz Luhrmann
Average Customer Review:
DVD (14 October, 2003)
list price: $26.98 -- our price: $20.23
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Editorial Review

A dazzling and yet frequently maddening bid to bring the moviemusical kicking and screaming into the 21st century, Baz Luhrmann's MoulinRouge bears no relation to the many previous films set in the famousParisian nightclub. This may appear to be Paris in the 1890s, with can-candancers, bohemian denizens like Toulouse-Lautrec (John Leguizamo), and ribaldryat every turn, but it's really Luhrmann's pop-cultural wonderland. Everyone and everything is encouraged to shatter boundaries of time and texture, colliding and careening in a fast-cutting frenzy that thinks nothing of casting Elton John's "Your Song" 80 years before its time. Nothing is original in this kaleidoscopic, absinthe-inspired love tragedy--the words, the music, it's allbeen heard before. But when filtered through Luhrmann's love for pop songs and timeless showmanship, you're reminded of the cinema's power to renew itself while paying homage to its past.

Luhrmann's overall success with his third "red-curtain"extravaganza (following Strictly Ballroom and William Shakespeare'sRomeo & Juliet) is wildly debatable: the scenario is simple to the point of silliness, and how can you appreciate choreography when it's beendiced into hash by attention-deficit editing? Still, there's something genuinebrewing between costars Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman (as, respectively, apoor writer and his unobtainable object of desire), and their vocal talents are impressive enough to match Luhrmann's orgy of extraordinary sets, costumes, and digital wizardry. The movie's novelty may wear thin, along with its shallowindulgence of a marketablesoundtrack, but Luhrmann's inventiveness yields moments that border onecstasy, when sound and vision point the way to a moribund genre's joyouslywelcomed revival. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Features

• Color
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Reviews (1800)

A very amazing movie
This movie is a masterpiece of cinematography and technical skill. This movie makes love, truth beauty and freedom come alive and jump off the screen into the heart.

I especially love Ewan McGregor as Christian and that Duke character is played perfectly. He's just horrible. But love wins out in the end when Satine reclaims Christian's heart.

Good points
I really enjoy these discussions and this wondeful film. It is totally about love. It's such a magical film like some people have written.

I'm a Lesbian but this movie makes sense even to me. Nicole is so beautiful and Ewan is so charming.

I love this film.

I'm in heaven
I live the typical big city life and the work days just blend into each other. I have had three breakups in three months.

This movie I saw for the first time over the weekend. Even though it's really a chick flick I find it to be so powerful and magical. I remember what true love is like even in ups downs and arounds. Nicole and Ewan are perfect together.

This is a great old kind of Hollywood movie with new visuals and sounds. ... Read more

Asin: B00005QZ7U
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-drama   

Final Fantasy - The Spirits Within (Special Edition)
Director: Hironobu Sakaguchi, Moto Sakakibara
Average Customer Review:
DVD (23 October, 2001)
list price: $29.95 -- our price: $23.96
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Editorial Review

Earth is a desolate wasteland in Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. Humanity has been decimated by an invasion of Phantoms, insubstantial aliens that extract and devour the spirits of living things. The few remaining humans have retreated to a handful of cities that are protected by massive bio-energy shields. The beautiful Dr. Aki Ross (voiced by Ming-Na) and her mentor Dr. Sid (Donald Sutherland) have discovered that the energy signatures of eight key Earth spirits can cancel out and destroy the Phantoms. With the help of Captain Edwards (Alec Baldwin) and his band of marines, they must scour the globe for the last two remaining spirits before General Hein (James Woods) manipulates the refugee government into attacking the aliens with an orbital laser that may also destroy the Earth.

Hironobu Sakaguchi's film is taken from the popular Final Fantasy video game franchise, which is particularly well suited to film adaptation with its series of original stories, but the movie features entirely new characters and settings. And like Toy Story and Shrek, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within is completely computer generated. Unlike those cartoon comedies, though, The Spirits Within is a serious science fiction drama with astonishingly human digital actors. Aki, the female lead, appeared in a full-page spread in Maxim magazine's Hot 100 list--and was indistinguishable from the real-life models. The setting and conflict make for incredible action, but it's the larger issues, character interaction, and human elements that really make the movie shine. The Spirits Within is not simply a science fiction movie, in the same way that Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not simply a kung fu flick. The result is a fantastic summer movie with better action and more emotion than Pearl Harbor, and actors more lifelike than those in that other video game movie, Tomb Raider. --Mike Fehlauer ... Read more

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Reviews (659)

Still impressive after all these years
I watched this movie again after several years, and still found it delightful, even awesome, despite animation having moved on as far as the recent The Incredibles.

The plot is surprisingly intricate at the character and emotional level, as well as the sci-fi level.

The heroes need to save the world, and seek to do so non-violently through "science" that identifies "spirits" and gaia.In contrast, the villain, consumed by hate, can only focus on violence.

The story is sombre (given the subject matter, of earth at risk of destruction), yet never depressing--you would call this serious sci-fi.

There is probably less than 3% of scenes or dialogue that you won't like, which is a very good result compared to most movies.

Some of the sci-fi aspects aren't entirely logical (but then neither is Star Wars), but if you can avoid letting that bother you, you'll be able to enjoy the overall feeling better.

Still today, the artistic and technical achievements of this filmare a joy to watch.You keep staring in amazement at the main characters, impressed at how "human" (lifelike) they are.

This film didn't do well at the box office, so there may not be another like it for quite some time.Perhaps it was too complex, too different, too "fantastic" (some non-logical aspects), or too Japanese for the mass market that would prefer to see Hollywood blockbusters.None of that bothered me. I liked it then, and still do now.

It Rocks!
I really liked this movie. Of course it could be better if there was some familiar characters in it but nothing's perfect. the graphics are really good and it is an interesting storyline. I advise you to watch this movie.

By Holly Hudson

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Please read this
The thing is people who say this is not really final fantasy have clearly never played ff7 or do not understand what final fantasy is. For those of you who do not understand let me explain, First of all it shared some similar themes with ff7, you know with the fact that the whole earth is alive; thus it is a final fantasy. Second it gave you an unbelievable world full of surreal thoughts and dreams; thus it is a final fantasy. And third just because it doesn't have a roman numeral doesn't mean it's not a final fantasy; thus it's final fantasy.
A lot of people seemed to have something against the story, which I think I know why, It's the gaia thing isn't it? you could get The Force, but you can't grasp the fact that the earths alive. Ok bottem line: if you like great adventures and new worlds by almeans buy this, but if you never liked new ideas nor seemed intrested in imaganitive things then steer clear.
NOTE: this doesn't have anything to do with former final fantasys main story lines just some of the principles which i mentioned above.
... Read more

Asin: B00003CY5D
Subjects:  1. Science Fiction   

The Art of Monsters, Inc.
by Pete Docter John Lasseter
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (01 November, 2001)
list price: $40.00 -- our price: $25.20
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Reviews (6)

A wonderful addition to a Pixar classic
This book is full of wonderful, imaginative illustrations that show the time and effort that was placed into Monsters Inc. The numerous different illustrators that have provided work make this collection of images a delight. There is very little text and explanation to go along with the images, but this is exactly what I was looking for. Its interesting to see how many changes the characters appearances went through to reach the final animated film. A definite buy for any fan of Pixar.

Excellent book for any animator.
What's surprising is that in this book there is hardly any screenshots or CG graphic art.But that's what makes the book great!It really proves that computer does not dominate in the animation industry; everything is still from sketches and traditional works.The book filled with great works from Eggleton (director of "For the Bird") and many other amazing script illustrators.The only thing that is disappointing is that most of the images are already available in the Monsters Inc. DVD.Overall, no animator should miss this book!Don't want to miss those amazing prints!

Awesome visuals but lacking in details
Being a longtime fan of Disney & Pixar films I found myself particularly touched by Monsters, Inc and was eagerly looking forward to learning more about the how this film came about.Previous "Art of" books from Disney and Pixar were rich sources of information on how the story and characters developed from initial inspiration to big screen. As such I was dissapointed to find this book contains primarily concept art.Rich and vivid imagery but very little commentary. ... Read more

Isbn: 0811833887
Sales Rank: 55856
Subjects:  1. Animated films    2. Animation    3. Computer Animation    4. Film & Video - General    5. Film & Video - History & Criticism    6. Illustrations    7. Monsters, Inc. (Motion picture    8. Monsters, Inc. (Motion picture)    9. Performing Arts    10. Performing Arts/Dance    11. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    12. United States    13. Walt Disney Company   

Time and Tide
Director: Hark Tsui
Average Customer Review:
DVD (07 August, 2001)
list price: $24.95 -- our price: $22.46
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Editorial Review

Every time you think you've seen everything action movies have to offer, along comes one that makes your jaw drop. Tsui Hark's Time and Tide is one of those movies. The plot careens all over the place like a drunken driver: it starts out when a bartender in Hong Kong named Tyler (Nicholas Tse) sleeps with a lesbian undercover cop and gets her pregnant. To make money to give her to help support the baby, he takes a job with a bodyguard firm run by a loan shark--all of the other bodyguards are men who owe the loan shark money and are trying to work off their debt. The firm gets an assignment protecting a wealthy executive, who has a daughter who's married to a butcher named Juan (Wu Bai) who's actually a former mercenary--OK, this is where things really go off the rails, but never fear: you will not be bothered by the story. You will find yourself caring about these characters, even though you're not entirely sure who they are. You will not be bored for a single moment of this movie, and when you get to the sequence where the mercenary and the head of the heist gang (who are former partners--maybe) are having a shootout while rapelling down the walls of a gigantic Hong Kong tenement, time will suspend and you will gaze in rapt astonishment, unable to understand how anyone could have conceived of these astonishing action sequences, let alone brought them to delirious, stunningly graceful life. Time and Tide is amazing, and Tsui Hark (Peking Opera Blues, Once upon a Time in China, Green Snake) is one of the geniuses of contemporary cinema. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

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Reviews (44)

Don't waste your time
The movie tried but it failed in my eyes. I gave it a chance, tried to follow what was going on and I couldn't take it anymore. I had to turn it off not baring to watch the last 30 minutes of this movie. It started off pretty good but then it get so choppy you have no clue what is going on and I missed the connection with the characters over all because the movie was taking me down a path I didn't enjoy. What was missing is WHY were all these people here? What was up with the one guy speaking english and spanish? Who was he and what was the point of him being there? Now I tend not to think during movies and enjoy them for what they are, just to let myself get swept away into a different place for a great experience but this movie failed to do it for me.

Don't get me wrong, I love movies like this, I loved such brilliant movies as Eat Drink Man Woman, Bangkok Dangerous (2000), The Road Home to name a few. I'm a sucker for asian/foreign films. If I was choosing a movie just based on how beautiful everyone was, then yeah the only reason I'd chose this film, that is all it has to offer anyone. Disapointed. Just seemed a lot of things were cut out and should have been explained so to keep people hooked and wanting to find out what happens. Just this didn't do it for me and is one I wouldn't recomend to anyone. Looking for a better movie? Check out Bangkok Dangerous (2000), the guys are hot, the plot is great and the action is sizzling. I'm still looking for films that will woo me, this one just didn't do it.

In final thoughts, I would have given this movie 1 star, but I gave this film an extra star for its effort in trying to be good.

A totally amazing film with a myriad of new things
I had to watch this twice to follow the plot, but it is an amazing film. Most directors put in some one new thing in a film (the amazing car chasing an el train in The French Connection, the first going the wrong way on a freeway chase in To Live and Die in LA, and so on), but Tsui Hark puts in some half a dozen new things in this one film instead of parceling them out over several films. A really great film.

Sad, very sad!
What a disapointment! Hark Tsui used to be my favorite HK movie maker. Both the script & the visual part are negligible here. How comea movie made in 2000 is worse than those made 20 years ago? I am giving up Hark Tsui and HK action movies.
Sad, very sad. Farewell, Hark Tsui! ... Read more

Asin: B00005LK99
Subjects:  1. Foreign Film - Chinese   

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (20 November, 2001)
list price: $19.98 -- our price: $14.99
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Editorial Review

Score composer Howard Shore has informed this first installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy with his distinctly modern sensibilities. Revolving loosely around a brief, heroic brass theme, this epic is infused with a powerful rhythmic thrust and a musical range that encompasses centuries (from the Renaissance pastoralism of "Concerning Hobbits" to the fiery, Prokofiev-influenced drama of "A Knife in the Dark"). Key to the score's sense of mystery and magical place are the rich choral passages that are interspersed throughout, some so ominously gothic they make The Phantom Menace's "Duel of the Fates" sound almost sunny by comparison. Enya's contributions ("The Council of Elrond" and the song "May It Be") add a sense of organic tranquility, but it's Shore's Wagnerian-scaled orchestral score that should long be cherished by admirers of film music and hobbits alike. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Features

• Enhanced
• Soundtrack

Reviews (406)

One of the Best
After a lot of careful consideration I have chosen to rank this soundtrack as the second greatest that I have ever heard.(Second only to the Return of the King.)Many, many people have commented that Howard Shore is one of the greatest composers ever, possibly second only to John Williams.I however, must disagree.Howard Shore has proven in the soundtracks for all three Lord of the Rings films that his talents can far outshine even those of John Williams.(Williams fans don't get me wrong. He is my second favorite composer, I love his music and think that he has produced some of the greatest theme songs ever.) However, what makes Shore stand out to me is the fact that every song on this cd is a SONG!What do I mean?Well, if you ever have the chance, listen to the soundtracks to Jurassic Park or Star Wars and you will see that all too often John Williams composes music that has no real emotional value; the music is nothing more a few horn toots or string slurs that do little more than irritate.The theme songs that Williams writes arehauntingly beautiful and easily recognizable but they only appear on a few of the tracks on the cd with the rest of the cd consisting of what I like to call "the orchestra is warming up now" music.Shore manages to tell a story in his music and I have found that as I to listen to not only a few, but every song on this track I think WOW! Williams is great when he's composing a movie's main theme(s) but Shore takes the cake for all around movie music masterpiece.

Wonderful, if you accept the Celtic themes.
Listeners will either love it or not be moved by it.Since I really love Celtic music, I found the music relaxing and stimulating.I like that it follows the music of the film; I can recreate the pace of the movie by listening to the music.I wish other soundtracks would do the same.

brilliant and perfectly arranged
often uplifting and powerful, this soundtrack and the others will knock you over at how brilliant they are.my favorite part is the hobbit music, it is just so beautiful and happy and perfect.I never get tired of this cd or any of the others, and make it a point to alternate through these paramount orchestra triumphs that we call the LOTR soundtracks.Don't even think of the music in terms of the movie (though it is hard to separate the two, the music is just such a huge part of the movies) enjoy it for its own sake if you can.It is beautiful and perfect, and should be considered a classic!! ... Read more

Asin: B00005QZWI
Subjects:  1. Film    2. Original Score    3. Pop    4. Soundtracks & Film Scores    5. Vocal   

The Road Home
Director: Yimou Zhang
Average Customer Review:
DVD (27 November, 2001)
list price: $29.95 -- our price: $23.96
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Editorial Review

At the start of the most recent film from Chinese director Zhang Yimou (Raise the Red Lantern, Ju Dou, Shanghai Triad), a young man returns to his native village after the death of his father, the village's schoolteacher, who died while trying to raise money for a new schoolhouse. His body is in a neighboring town; the young man's mother insists that it be brought back on foot, lest his spirit not find his way home. From this starting point, the young man recounts the tale of his parents' courtship, which involved a red banner, mushroom dumplings, a colorful barrette, and a broken bowl. The Road Home is beautifully filmed, particularly the luminous face of Zhang Ziyi (from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), whose performance is a heartrending portrait of hope and yearning. A simple but deeply emotional film. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

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• Color
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Reviews (103)

A simple and beautiful story

This is a simple plot well rendered. "The Road Home" consists of a frame story, filmed in black and white, and an embedded story (a story within the story), filmed in vivid colour. It is a love story between an illiterate young woman and a village teacher, set in a superbly filmed background - it really makes you want to travel to China. It is a story of great love and rare devotion of a woman to a man. Though only a simple village girl, the heroine achieves her goal through sheer dedication and perseverance. Despite the straightforward plot line, the film is full of symbols, such as a food bowl, a hair pin, a grandmother who wept when her husband died until she became blind, and the road home itself. I found the many references to popular Chinese beliefs and superstitions fascinating, I've learnt a few things about Chinese culture, and I was left with a desire to explore more about it. The film also has a political dimension, not letting us forget that the love story is set in the years of the Cultural Revolution in China, and as a result we get a poignant reminder of how political issues can interefere with normal everyday life.

The cinematography is superb - the fields, the heroine's clothes, the food, the bowl, are filmed in vibrant, eye-pleasing colours, and enchant the eye.

This film is a gem, and I wholeheartedly recommend it!

A different kind of romance, Zhang Ziyi does well in it.
The movie starts with a man arriving back in his home village in China after being informed of the death of his father. He meets with his Uncle and the Mayor, they inform him that his father died after becoming ill while out in a storm trying to raise money for a new school. He also learns that his mother insists that her husband be brought home by men walking down the road from the city to the village as was the old custom. Much of the movie then reverts to his narrating the story of how his parents met and fell in love before ending with the father's former students and others bringing him home, just as the old woman requested.
This film was different in many ways for me. The present day scenes were Black & White while the flashback segment was in Color, the reverse of what I expected to see.
The village had a primitive look like things hadn't changed much in centuries but the man's childhood home had a couple of movie posters for "Titanic" on the walls. I found the details of daily life very interesting, some of them I hadn't seen before.
No sex, no violence (except for Zhang Ziyi taking an accidental tumble down a hillside), no kissing or any close affection but a lot of shy smiles.
I probably learned of the movie because of some Amazon "people who bought this also bought-" recommendation, I don't remember. It has no action and often seems to move slowly but there are a lot of interesting details if you'll sit and wait for them.
I thought Zhang Ziyi did a good job, this is I think the only film of hers in which she hasn't been in something with a lot of action, if you want action you don't want this movie.

The film will make you want to visit China.
Beautiful cinematography and nice use of black/white versus color.The main themes of this film are innocence, loyalty and the importance of relationship.No, it's not reality but it is simply lovely.Gong Li's fresh beautiful face combined with her wonderful colorful clothing and backdrop make for a soothing and well done film. If you want action, this isn't it.If you want to feel like you just had a mind massage, see this film. ... Read more

Asin: B00005QFE5
Subjects:  1. Foreign Film - Chinese   

The Fast and the Furious
Director: Rob Cohen
Average Customer Review:
DVD (02 January, 2002)
list price: $26.98
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Editorial Review

A guilty pleasure with excess horsepower, The Fast and the Furious efficiently combines time-honored male fantasies (hot cars, hot women, hot action) into a vacuous plot of crystalline purity. It's trash, but it's fun trash, in which a hotshot Los Angeles cop named Brian (Paul Walker) infiltrates a gang of street racers suspected of fencing stolen goods from hijacked trucks. The gang leader is Dom (Vin Diesel), ex-con and reigning king of the street racers, who lives for those 10 seconds of freedom when his high-performance "rice rocket" (a highly modified Asian import) hurtles toward another quarter-mile victory. Racing is street theater for a lawless youth subculture, and Dom is a star behind the wheel--charismatic, dangerous, and protective toward his sister Mia (Jordana Brewster), who's attracted to Brian as the newest member of Dom's car-crazy team.

Director Rob Cohen treats this like Roman tragedy for MTV junkies, pushing every scene to adrenaline-pumping extremes; when his camera isn't caressing a spectrum of nitrous oxide-enhanced dream machines, it's ogling countless slim 'n' sexy race babes. The undercover-cop scenario cheaply borrows the split-loyalty theme perfected in Donnie Brasco; a rival Asian gang adds mystery and menace; and digital trickery is cleverly employed to explore the fuel-injected innards of the day-glo racecars. It's about as substantial as a perfume ad, but just as alluring, and for heavy-metal maniacs of any age, Diesel's superblown '69 Charger proves that Detroit muscle never goes out of style. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

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Reviews (675)

great movie
wow

i reallly like this moive .i know its cheesy but i love it.its fun to watch thats it.love it or don't watch.

this movie really appeals to spics and gooks who races these cars.a real multicultural film.watch it and buy the dvd.

Punto de Quiebra
Abróchense el cinturón y prepárense para la aventura de su vida.

Son en la noche, son veloces, rápidas, furiosas e ilegales. Las carreras de autos en las calles de Los Angeles. Las pandillas locales se reunen con sus automóviles especialmente diseñados y ensamblados para aumentar la adrenalina, ganar apuestas y el respeto de los asistentes. A este mundo intoxicante llega Brian, que pierde su primera carrera, pero gana el respeto de su contrincante, Dominic, uno de los reyes del peligroso deporte. Poco a poco, Brian se sumerge en el mundo de las carreras de autos y se gana la confianza de Dominic y su hermana Mia, sin que éstos sospechen que es un policía undercover tratando de buscar pistas para desenmascarar a una banda de ladrones sobre ruedas.

Rápido y Furioso es un film que entrega todo lo que su título promete. Cargado de acción, emoción, música y escapismo. Hecho para todos aquellos con un nivel alto de tetosterona y sin más pretensiones que ser un sueño hecho realidad para hombres con fantasías autoeróticas.

La trama de la cinta tiene poco que ofrecer. Con una temática parecida a Punto de Quiebra, pero en un escenario diferente, Paul Walker asume el rol del héroe seducido por la amistad y el amor a los autos, mientras Vin Diesel es el chico malo que llegamos a apreciar tanto como para que no querer que lo atrapen.

Los autos son objetos de deseo y los verdaderos protagonistas de la cinta. El director, Rob Cohen, nos describe las máquinas y la subcultura que los rodea con mucho detalle.

La cinta abre con una explosión de motores y nunca desacelera el ritmo. Esuna orgía de combustible, pistones e inyectores revelando un mundo en el que para ganarse el respeto de los otros, debes cuidar tus palabras y dejar que tu carro sea quien tenga la última palabra. La narrativa no va a ningún lado, pero estos increíbles autos van volando a millones de kilómetros por hora.

WEAK, plot given up to please japanese car enthusiasts!
For one, the whole sub-culture with the cars like this is stupid.I mean, back in the day you had good old american iron that was rolling out of the factory ready to rip up the road...
The Chargers, the Novas, a Barracuda, Mustangs....

..NOW I'M SUPPOSED TO BE IMPRESSED when some kid who does not have a job buys a honda civic, and then dumps 15 GRAND into it to make it look cool and go fast?Hey kiddies, you can customize that crap with the 300 percent markup parts that you buy for it allllll you want.....ITS STILL JUST A HONDA CIVIC!

I'm sure 50 years from now these cars will be in car shows around the world, and sought after by collectors...NNNNK!! Wrong again !ITS STILL JUST A HONDA CIVIC!

Okay..with the movie anyways, Vin Deisel...c'mon...he tries to act so bad-azzzz...like he thinks he's the ROCK or something."I live my life one quarter mile at a time"...OH PLEASE!Could it get any cornier?Paul Walker will come into his own one day but he has to be able to get past the cool-guy 20 year old acting image or otherwise he'll just fade away and 10 years from now noone will remember him or the movie.

CAR GANGS?ASIANS ON CROTCH ROCKETS with UZI's?No wonder southern California is going to hell, what happened to the time when kids actually did something productive, like serve there country, go to college, or work a job?Oh wait that was the good old days now we have people who think their fast car is cool and the engine whines like a bird...remember...ITS JUST A HONDA CIVIC!

This movie has actually been linked with 18 deaths since it's release.That's just great...knowing there are actually kids out there stupid enough to go over 100 miles an hour in residential neighborhoods.Boy when god handed out brains he sure did miss most of these guys!

Just to light, film could have been done better, but my god, the acting, the machismo of Vin...it was sooooo fake!I've never seen anything so stupid in my life! This is my 200th amazon review and over half of those are movies and this one is definitley in a room all it's own!How can anyone with intelligence watch this?How can anyone who knows something about AMERICAN street racing watch this?

The funny thing is, I'll get the last laugh, because these cars and this movie are less than a fad, Disco tops it and Max Headrooms popularity will out-live it.Enjoy your days of plastic parts and "mods" and all the bad movies that represent them, for your days are numbered!Before you know it you'll be broke, your car won't be cool anymore, and you won't be able to go to the next movie that is showcasing some crappy hobby with no depth and little substance!

... Read more

Asin: B00005R87Q
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-action/Adventure   

The Others: Original Motion Picture Score
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (07 August, 2001)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $18.98
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Editorial Review

For his English-language filmmaking debut, Spanish director Alejandro Amenábar found himself dealing not only with the dissolving marriage of his megawatt-star/producer team (Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise), but his own multihyphenate ambitions on the project. As he did for Thesis and Open Your Eyes, Amenábar not only wrote and directed, but composed the film score as well, joining a very select company of director-composers that counts John Carpenter and Mike Figgis in its ranks. But with this accomplished orchestral score, the young Spaniard may well have leapfrogged into the first tier of film composers, period. Claiming his inspiration from a childhood spent listening to film soundtracks and emulating what he'd learned as a boy, Amenábar has produced a rich, dynamic work that trades on influences from delicate French impressionism to shrill, late-20th-century modernism. Given the film's horror-genre concerns, there is a certain bowing to occasionally jolting sonic clichés, but it's the compelling way the director-composer sets them up that imparts a sense of distinct originality to his score as a whole. Amenábar is unafraid to let his longing string passages and percussive flourishes sometimes hang hauntingly for an extra bar or two, milking as much emotional resonance from the effectively eerie spaces between the notes. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (11)

a wonderful movie and soundtrack
i love this soundrack.it gives me goosebumps.it's creepy but suits the movie so well.i thought the movie was fantastic!this soundtrack is great and i would recommend it to anyone who loves creepy music that sends a chill up their spine!

Haunt me, baby!
This macabre and classically-driven soundtrack is so freakin' cool that you'll want to grab a Polaroid and take one of those post-mortem snapshots to show all your friends. They make great greeting cards.
Just go buy it already.

creepy!
the most amazing thing about this score was that not only did amenabar compose it, but he also wrote the script and directed the film as well.kicking back to the old traditions of robert wise, amenabar uses fear and atmosphere instead of the gore and special effects seen in such movies as "house on haunted hill".The music shows it - each lingering passage, the "space between the notes" as amazon puts it, really grabs you in.And there's a contrast too, between the old-time classic horror genre score with the violins and the "stingers" or dramatic placement of music just prior to the event, and the new wave ambience of jarring, dissonant sound.

Something to be said about the "stingers", however - the thing that Amenabar does, and does so well, is placing them.First, one sees the event, in the movie, and then hears the music, which only serves to heighten the paranoia .. and further influence the music.The only reason I do not give this score five stars is because, upon listening, it gets slightly repetitive.It's not something I can just pop in the CD player and listen to for an hour - I have to be in just the right mood.It seems only congruent to the film structure, and in places feels too minimalist for pleasure listening.But if you're an enthusiast of the film, by all means, snatch it up! ... Read more

Asin: B00005NBYS
Subjects:  1. Film    2. Pop    3. Soundtracks    4. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Akira (Special Edition)
Director: Katsuhiro Ôtomo
Average Customer Review:
DVD (24 July, 2001)
list price: $39.98 -- our price: $29.99
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Editorial Review

Artist-writer Katsuhiro Ôtomo began telling the story of Akira as a comic book series in 1982 but took a break from 1986 to 1988 to write, direct, supervise, and design this animated film version. Set in 2019, the film richly imagines the new metropolis of Neo-Tokyo, which is designed from huge buildings down to the smallest details of passing vehicles or police uniforms. Two disaffected orphan teenagers--slight, resentful Tetsuo and confident, breezy Kanada--run with a biker gang, but trouble grows when Tetsuo start to resent the way Kanada always has to rescue him. Meanwhile, a group of scientists, military men, and politicians wonder what to do with a collection of withered children who possess enormous psychic powers, especially the mysterious, rarely seen Akira, whose awakening might well have caused the end of the old world. Tetsuo is visited by the children, who trigger the growth of psychic and physical powers that might make him a superman or a supermonster. As befits a distillation of 1,318 pages of the story so far, Akira is overstuffed with character, incident, and detail. However, it piles up astonishing set pieces: the chases and shootouts (amazingly kinetic, amazingly bloody) benefit from minute cartoon detail that extends to the surprised or shocked faces of the tiniest extra; the Tetsuo monster alternately looks like a billion-gallon scrotal sac or a Tex Avery mutation of the monster from The Quatermass Experiment; and the finale--which combines flashbacks to more innocent days with a destruction of Neo City and the creation of a new universe--is one of the most mind-bending in all sci-fi cinema. --Kim Newman ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Widescreen

Reviews (591)

art film
I would definitely consider this an art film.Why?It's simple, the story is so complex I had to watch this 3 times. I still don't understand some parts of the story.The fellow who was shot by the politician.He was also part of the Akira terrorist organization?How come they were laying off bombs?And why was he tied to the government?At the same time, why is the general allowing experiments on Tetsuo?What they are creating is what the terrorists are believing in?So in essence the government is creating their own enemy?It still gets me confused.I like the clean stories like Star Blazers and Macross Saga.

But for what it is, Akira is a great art film.It really takes on its own life and interpretation of the nuclear age.Obviously this movie was inspired by the atom bomb.The entire movie starts with a mushroom cloud. I highly recommend this film for those who just enjoy art films.And for those that love complex stories, this is your film.

The best anime ever
Rating:A+
Katsuhiro Otoma is quite possibly one of the greatest writers/artists ever in the field of anime and moviemaking, and Akira shows that even the most epic of ideas can be fully accomplished with devoted time, as well as effort. Though the movie only scratches the surface, of what the comics delve into so much more deeply, the movie itself is not flawed in any aspect, and is truly the epitome of animated movies that not only has withstood the test of time, but still eclipses modern moviemaking as well. Telling the story of a biker gang that is run by the leader Kaneda, as he is accompanied by his friends, most notably Tetsuo, his best friend, who strives throughout the movie to not be treated like an inferior individual, the movie pushes you mind and imagination into areas where your emotions are grabbed from your soul and wrung out like a damp towel. As these two friends are drug through the war that is raging in Neo-Tokyo in a post-apocalyptic world in 2019, after the effects and destruction of World War 3, strong dominant politicians, and government agents emerge to fuel the fire of this amazingly multifaceted storyline.
After an accident on the outskirts of Neo-Tokyo, Tetsuo is left in shambles and taken to a hospital, where his friends are unable to get into contact with him. Tetsuo emerges with newfound "abilities" that tap into his inner psyche, and show us the true power of the human mind. Saying too much about the story would spoil too much, as truly whether you are a fan of animated movies or not, this is one movie that must be seen to be believed. Friends of mine that bashed this movie for so long, actually sat down and watched it, and came away understanding why myself and others hyped it up so much. Though it might require multiple viewings to truly understand, the emotional afteraffects, of friends torn apart at the seems, can connect with each and every one of us. However, this movie is definitely not aimed at a younger audience, and is highly recommended for mature audiences, even teenagers, who have an open mind and are willing to sit down for two and a half hours, and have their mind twisted and contorted. After walking away from the movie I dare you to say that this movie did not strike an emotional cord, as truly it is and will always remain one of the finest accomplishments in all of moviemaking, period.

I don't understand any of this stuff at all!
OMG I don't what the hell this stuff is!! This storyline is a load of crap that is silly and means nothing, something about how the world blows up and there's this akira guy who's meant to be some kind of force. Apparently it's meant to show how humans will never learn from their mistakes or something (I don't understand). This isn't cool at all! Only pozer lozers will like this junk. Get Disney instead. ... Read more

Asin: B00005MAM2

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (30 October, 2001)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $9.99
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Editorial Review

You needn't see the film of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone to appreciate the wonder, magic, and fearful chills of J.K. Rowling's phenomenal bestseller in John Williams's outstanding score. Williams typically avoids the source material for the films he scores, but he reportedly derived great pleasure and inspiration from Rowling's first Harry Potter adventure, and created a perfect motif (fully expressed in "Hedwig's Theme") to dominate his score. It's first heard as a dreamy celesta waltz and embellished through myriad incarnations and moods, often with a sinister edge befitting the darker tones of Chris Columbus's direction. Evident are fantastical allusions to Saint-Saëns and Tchaikovsky (among others), and Williams's epic track is "Quidditch Match," a breathtaking frenzy to accompany the film's dazzling highlight. And while Williams occasionally flirts with self-plagiarism (with inevitable variants of his Hook and Star Wars themes), this is nevertheless a richly regal score that brilliantly evokes the mystery and magic of Harry Potter's world. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (220)

A brilliant piece of work, one of John Williams's best
John Williams, easily one of today's top scorewriters, continues to impress with his work on the Harry Potter franchise. The score to the first film is incredible from start to finish, and shows he knows just what he's doing when scoring a film. From the frantic intensity of the regimental drums during The Chess Game to the soaring melodies of Harry's Wondrous World, this soundtrack captures the magic and feel of not only the film it belongs with, but the book it was inspired by. This is easily some of Williams's best work to date, and Hedwig's Theme will linger as one of the most memorable film themes of all time.

Hogwarts forever!!!
This is a magical album. Mr. Williams reflects a pretty atmosphere to this story of magic and sorcery. The music is very delightful and pleasant. Some of the tracks are: PROLOGUE opens the album with a mysterious sound; HARRY'S WONDROUS WORLD the close theme, one of the most popular themes, a masterpiece of magic; THE ARRIVAL OF BABY HARRY, the open theme introduces our mind to this magic world, a really good track and one of my favorites; DIAGON ALLEY AND GRINGOTTS VAULT, a colorful melody with a magnificent finale; MR. LONGBOTTOM FLIES, one of my favorites tracks, a masterpiece that combines a wide number of variations, as the track 2, this is a very popular track; THE QUIDDITCH MATCH, a long track that transports the people to a really match of this game, very popular and masterpiece; FLUFFY'S HARP, one of the most harmonic and melodic tracks of the album, this is very relaxing, one of my favorites; LEAVING HOGWARTS, a really beautiful song, very melodic; HEDWIG'S THEME, the best track of the album, the masterpiece of Harry, the most artistic and beautiful track, combines Harry's wondrous world, Arrival of baby Harry, and Prologue. This track is the really theme of the movie.
In conclusion, the album is a magical box. It is a really good album. The fans and no fans of Harry will love this CD. I love it.

Magical Power From Williams
I was listening to this work the past days and really enjoyed.Williams effectively uses the larger strings Cello/double bass with the contra bassoon in these works.Some of the tunes he has the tenor horn and trombone in the forefront(very powerful).He does have a way of setting moods and emotions.I like his works. The best tunes are the Quiddich Match, Chess Match and Fluffy's harp.I was looking at the cover and nowhere does it say which orchestra he was conducting.Perhaps it was a pickup orchestra? ... Read more

Asin: B00005OWIU
Subjects:  1. Film    2. Halloween    3. Original Score    4. Pop    5. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Amelie: Original Soundtrack Recording
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (06 November, 2001)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $13.99
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Editorial Review

This sunny comic fable from idiosyncratic director Jean-Pierre Jeunet (City of Lost Children, Alien Resurrection, Delicatessen) boasts any number of intimate charms, not the least of which is Yann Tiersen's warmly inviting score. Composer and multi-instrumentalist Tiersen's work and training may have masterfully encompassed classical, pop, and rock, but his delightful Amélie music proves he is slave to none. In this, his fourth soundtrack, Tiersen displays an impressive command of idiom and melodic subtlety that's rightfully drawn comparisons to the great Nino Rota. With a Paris-set story driven by blossoming love, the composer frequently leans on the familiar Parisian street accordion motif as a starting point. If that sounds clichéd, it's anything but; Tiersen's delicate touch incorporates Gypsy flourishes, classical string ensembles, electronics, stark and lovely solo piano, and even minimalist technique--often in the same charming cue. The result is music that manages to sound variously breezy, fresh, and contemporary, yet somehow comfortably familiar. Amélie is a warm, postmodernist score that never forgets where its heart lies. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (105)

bon, meme tres bon
c tout simplement du plaisir sur disque... un peu de joie, sans etre le disque a reecouter des million de fois:)

Un hymne à la joie de vivre!
This magnificient music delivers a powerful message of hope, love and joy for life, all through a whirlwind of emotions, from melancholy to joy and extasy.

Yann Tiersen displays an impressive command of melodic subtlety. He heavily leans on the familiar parisian street accordion leitmotifs as a starting point. His touch incorporates gypsy violin flourishes, classical string ensembles, electronics, piano solos, etc. His music sounds incredibly fresh, breezy and somehow familiar.

Accordion has never been one of my favorite musical instruments before. Now, after Thiersen's works, I have to say it kind of slowly grew on me.

Apparently Thiersen was given complete freedom to recycle some of his old tunes that perfectly fit the mood of most of the scenes in this movie. Of course he did more than that, since he added a number of new compositions which are so quirky and majestic you never know what musical twist is about to come next.

Piano and accordion obviously play a pivotal role, balanced out by banjos, basses, guitars, hapsichords and vibraphones, all of them played by Tiersen himself, just like M. Oldfield, although their musical styles are completely different.

Yann Tiersen has very often been compared to Eric Satié or Nino Rota. As difficult as it is to imagine Fellini's films without Rota's music, I keep wondering what "Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain" would have been without Tiersen's music. Different. Maybe not better, maybe not worse, but somewhat different.

If you've already been to the "l'île de la cité" in the spring and have taken long strolls in Montmartre or near the "Canal Saint Martin", chances are you are going to love Tiersen's music even more, if that were possible.

A little piece of advice though: don't forget to put the headphones on before pushing the play button, otherwise you'll be missing on some sound effects like a typewriter clicking at the beginning of "Pas si simple" and later beautifully blending with the percussion of an ensuing waltz, the sound of a bicycle wheel rolling at the end of "Soir de fête", the birds chirping and the like. Trust me, it really makes a difference...oh, yes, I almost forgot: don't be ashamed if you feel a few tears rolling down your cheeks now and then. They say a piece of beautiful music can do that to you sometimes.

Uniquely captivating music
I know I'm piling on here, but this soundtrack is a true gem--it's rocketed up to the top of my all time favorite CD's.Accordions: it sounds Paris, it sounds eastern European, it sounds ecstatic, it sounds melancoly.Don't underestimate the accordions, this album is a densely layered amazingly complex work.The sounds are totally unique yet readily accessible.It's one of those rare CD's the more you listen to it the more you like it.

The album is also superbly produced, subtle and nuanced.Tiersen defies genres.It doesn't matter what kind of music you like, if you have any brain at all, you'll like this album.

Besides that it ROCKS.I get so into it I almost drive my car off the road.Dangerous.Really, I can't say enough--bite the bullet, bring this CD home.Revel. ... Read more

Asin: B00005O6PA
Subjects:  1. France    2. Pop    3. Soundtracks    4. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

The Royal Tenenbaums (The Criterion Collection)
Director: Wes Anderson
Average Customer Review:
DVD (07 September, 2004)
list price: $19.99 -- our price: $14.99
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Editorial Review

In a fitting follow-up to Rushmore, writer-director Wes Anderson and cowriter-actor Owen Wilson have crafted another comedic masterwork that ripples with inventive, richly emotional substance. Because of the all-star cast, hilarious dialogue, and oddball characters existing in their own, wholly original universe, it's easy to miss the depth and complexity of Anderson's brand of comedy. Here, it revolves around Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman), the errant patriarch of a dysfunctional family of geniuses, including precocious playwright Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow), boyish financier and grieving widower Chas (Ben Stiller), and has-been tennis pro Richie (Luke Wilson). All were raised with supportive detachment by mother Etheline (Anjelica Huston), and all ache profoundly for a togetherness they never really had. The Tenenbaums reconcile somehow, but only after Anderson and Wilson (who costars as a loopy literary celebrity) put them through a compassionate series of quirky confrontations and rekindled affections. Not for every taste, but this is brilliant work from any perspective. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Widescreen
• DTS Surround Sound

Reviews (630)

How long have you been smoking?
The fact that The Royal Tenenbaums wasn't a major success is baffling.The fact that it is a great movie is not.Wes Anderson is a sly genius when it comes to deadpan, dry, somehow dark-lit humor.The cast is great, the humor is sublte and stifflingly funny.Definitely one of those great flicks that you have to watch more than once to get all the nuances in place.The Criterion double disc set is packed with all kinds of kewel stuff.So sit back, take a breath, and meet Royal and the rest of the Tenenbaums.You won't regret it.

Best Film of the Last Decade.
It's taken me a few viewings of this modern classic to conclude that The Royal Tenenbaums has to be the greatest film of the last ten years.I cannot imagine a better performance than the one that Gene Hackman gives in this movie.He moves the plot along as if he's an Escalade.Every single actor is superb and we can thank the director for that as this was the first time that I ever loved Gwyneth Paltrow on the silver screen. She's never impressed me in this way before or since.Wes Anderson hit Valhalla with this one.It is unquestionably his highest achievement and, if The Life Acquatic is any indication, he may never ascend to this level again.Bill Murray is only a minor character but is quite memorable in his role. The same can be said about Owen Wilson and Danny Glover.The humor, the flow, and the art of The Royal Tenenbaums cannot be improved upon.If amazon would let me do it, I'd give it 10 stars.

Too unfunny
This was the most boring movie i've ever seen. Such a waste of funny comedians. The Life Aquatic sucked, too. ... Read more

Asin: B0000640VJ
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-comedy   

Ghost World
Director: Terry Zwigoff
Average Customer Review:
DVD (04 May, 2004)
list price: $14.95 -- our price: $11.96
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Editorial Review

If you've ever felt alienated by the world around you, Ghost World will offer laughter, tears, and reassurance that you are definitely not alone. Adapted by Daniel Clowes and Crumb director Terry Zwigoff from Clowes's acclaimed graphic novel, the movie spends summer vacation with high school graduates Enid (Thora Birch) and Rebecca (Scarlet Johansson). They inflict little tortures on the denizens of urban sprawl, wielding scathing irony as a defense against a "ghost world" full of pop-cultural lemmings and uncertain futures. But when Enid picks a 40-ish vintage-record collector (Steve Buscemi) as the target of her latest cruel prank, she finds herself unexpectedly attracted to him ("he's the opposite of everything I completely hate") and is forced to confront her own crushing loneliness. This combination of deadpan sarcasm and deeply compassionate humanity makes Ghost World a rare and delicate comedy, with an ambiguous ending that suggests tragedy or hope, depending on your own point of view. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Widescreen
• Dolby

Reviews (300)

Zwigoff and Clowe's worm's eye world
Only two underground graphic novels have succesfuly made it to the live action screen - "American Splendor" and "Ghost World.""Ghost World" made it first, and is largely true to the spirit of the Daniel Clowe's detailed book.In making the film, Zwigoff manages to channel the social commentary and essential quirkiness of both Clowe and the godfather of American underground comics, Robert Crumb.

The essence of "Ghost World" and "American Splendor" is their ability to view urban existence from the sub-worm's eye view - all of us, essentially, all aberrant in one way or another.Both the Enid ("Ghost World") and Pekar ("Splendor") characters, in the process of observing and critquing their fellow inmates in the social asylum, ultimately damage the people they try to reach out to.

The central victim of Enid's pathology is Seymour, which is by leaps and bounds, with his small-town psychopath consigned to the woodchipper in "Fargo", Steve Buscemi's best role.Buscemi is a "dork" (Enid's initial description) but she is drawn in by his appreciation of early twentieth century culture as a reaction to the bogus plastic of the present.Borrowing from his collection, Enid horrifies her remedial summer art class with a reprise of a poster which also makes its appearance in Spike Lee's "Bamboozled."My only critique of the screen version of "Ghost World" is that it necessarily is less subtle than the graphic novel - Enid is more overtly destructive toward the end of the film without proper explanation, but this probably could not be helped.

This is one of Scarlett Johansson's first films, who later made it big in Sofia Coppola's "Lost in Transalation."

The quirky soundtrack is worth searching for, especially for the haunting blues tracks - or ragtime - or whatever Seymour says they are supposed to be.

Ghost World Made Me Go "BOO!!!"
A film adaptation needn't be a carbon-copy of its source material, but it should capture its essence, or why bother? On this count, "Ghost World" is an almost complete failure. The crucial difference between the comic and the movie is that while the comic is deliberately anti-dramatic, the film strains to generate drama and fails.
The film's tone goes most markedly awry with the enlargement of the role of Seymour. The attention he steals away from the girls' friendship negates the theme of the original: Enid and Rebecca against the world, then, sadly, not even that.

Thora Birch could scarcely be less Enid-like. Even her stabs at cool affectlessness are arch, and Enid would never, ever guffaw at her own jokes. In the comic, Enid is a bundle of insecurities, but still has a convincing way with a put-down. Birch's version couldn't psych out a tub of coleslaw. This uncharismatic actress has been endowed by the Lord Almighty, or a very ambitious plastic surgeon, with physical attributes that effortlessly upstage her in every shot in which they appear.

Scarlett Johansson does a much better job capturing the ennui that is the center of Rebecca's relationship with Enid. Why couldn't they have dyed this great young actress' hair black and put Enid in capable hands?

The scene that most accurately captures the feel of the Daniel Clowes universe- the Bollywood musical extravaganza that opens the film- is lifted wholesale from someone else's film. There's something very wrong with that.

I'm hooked
I love this movie. The sarcasm, the music, the clothes etc...I purchased cds by Memphis Minnie and Skip James because of this movie, which are both enjoyable.In a wierd way I feel like I relate to Thora Birch's character;in fact, I'm sure we all can because everyone feels like an outsider at least once in their lives. ... Read more

Asin: B00005T30L
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-comedy   

The Fast Runner (Atanarjuat)
Director: Zacharias Kunuk
Average Customer Review:
DVD (11 February, 2003)
list price: $27.96 -- our price: $25.16
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Editorial Review

The Fast Runner turns the frozen landscape of northern Canada into the stage for an adventure as sweeping as The Odyssey or Beowulf. Adapted from an Inuit legend, The Fast Runner centers on Atanarjuat, a charismatic young hunter struggling for the affections of Atuat, who has already been promised to Oki, the son of the camp's leader. When Atuat chooses Atanarjuat, Oki seems to accept it, but later events turn his anger and hatred into a murderous spite. This story, as passionate and primal as any film noir, is framed by the daily lives of the Inuit--a struggle for survival that is both simple and vivid, foreign yet immediately understandable. No one in the cast is a professional actor, but the performances are direct and compelling, telling a story that is both epic and intimate. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

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Reviews (60)

The Fast Runner challenges our world view.
The Fast Runner satisfies our need to be taken to faraway places and experience what life is like for people very different from ourselves.With that said, we will not be surpised when we don't completely understand the motivation and behavior of the various characters in the story.The Inuit people of the far north live in a harsh and desolate world.Their survival depends on their ability to work cooperatively with one another for the good of the tribe.To be cast out from the group is tantamount to a sentence of death.

For many of us in the United States spirit and nature are separate realities and we are uncomfortable when spirituality is spoken of as something real.In The Fast Runner it is immediately apparent that the spirit is a living entity for the Inuit in this story and we are challenged to suspend our prejudices and disbelief and allow the story to unfold on its own terms, not ours.

For the Inuit, evil is not an abstract concept, but a living reality, and the tribe in our story must confront and overcome dark forces which threaten their survival.

Once we have let go of our prejudices, the long story of Atanarjuat's struggle to escape from the killers who murder his brother and chase him out of his camp over the frozen landscape makes sense.Atanarjuat does escape from his persuers and hides with an elderly man, his wife, and daughter.Atanarjuat, the fast runner, has injured his feet badly in his escape and needs time for his wounds to heal.Eventually, he is ready to return to his wife and child and when the elderly man receives a spiritual summons, the group breaks camp and returns to confront the evil men who threaten to destroy the tribe.

When the DVD was over I went back and viewed it again to see what I had missed in my understanding of the story.I replayed the introductory twenty minutes several times trying to force Inuit thinking and behaving into my logical American world view.Finally I let go of my need to make the Inuit think like me and instead accepted the fact that I was out of my depths in my attempts to understand people so unlike me living in a world I could scarely imagine without the help of the filmmakers. I enjoyed the experience of being taken to faraway places and experience different realities and I think that those viewerswho want to meet the Inuit tribe of the fast runner on their own terms are going to love this film.

Fast Runner
Excellant Film Awsomely Done A Must Own On DVD This One Is Right Next To My Smoke Signals Movie

Beautiful and Unprecedented.
I saw this movie last night and made it all the way to bedtime without words. After having a chance to sleep on it, it is now starting to sink in how truly amazing this movie is. You will be first blown away by the fact that this movie even exists. It is truly unprecedented in every sense of the word. I don't remember seeing anything like it.the only movie remotely close is "Nanook of the North", which is a huge stretch. Unlike "Nanook", this movie is shot from the Inuit perspective, by the Inuit themselves (90% of the participants in this production were full-blooded Inuit. This is a first), and the characters are not looked upon as anthropological specimens. They are real people living in a fragile existence, where any wrong move could mean sure death.

The actors are astonishing, and it must have been so terribly cold up there. You know this must have been a huge labor of love for the production team.(According to the end credits, two crewmen died making this movie) The scenery is astonishing. It is a beautiful story based on an Inuit legend that exists on many different levels and subplots, etc. All told on the frozen tundra without ANY indication given about the timeframe, or even the century, in which it was set.

I am just astonished at the painstaking attention to historical detail. I have read many books on Inuit culture, and most everything I have read was visualized in this movie, the social structure, the power of the patriarch, the constant looming of starvation, the role of the hunter/husband, the insubordination of women (pre-arranged marriages), the obsession with taboo and curses, the fine art of building igloos and staying warm in -60 temps, and yet, through all the hardships, there was so much happiness. They even showed how the dogs were handled and treated, even down to the way the Inuit would slicken their sledge rails by spitting small amounts of water on them until a layer of slick frozen ice formed, which makes the sledges slide easier over the pack ice.

One aspect I noticed was how the movie was TOTALLY devoid of the influence of the white man. Their knives were made from caribou horns; they had no metal tools or metal cookware, which indicates that the movie was purposely based on a time before the Inuit's first contact with the white man.

It has a slow start, it's only fault. You will be a bit confused at first, trying to understand the characters and what exactly is happening, but then it starts to really suck you in, you begin to love the protagonists, who are physically beautiful people, and then you will grow to hate the antagonists, who are mean and undesirable.Afterwards, you will realize again that almost all of these people, cast and crew, were full-blooded Inuit. You will then want to immediately see it again and demand a documentary on the making of this film. You will want to know who these people are, what they do in their normal lives, because most of these actors are making their big screen debut. The end of the movie gives you a quick behind-the-scenes peek, but it serves as only a small appetizer to a bigger feast. Most importantly, your respect for their pride and perseverance of their culture will increase ten-fold. This movie is worth owning and watching repeatedly and recommending it to a good friend or two.I don't know the people who made this film, but I am proud of them for pulling this off, and doing it so astonishingly well.There is nothing else like it. ... Read more

Asin: B00007L4ON
Subjects:  1. Foreign Film - Other   

Musa - The Warrior
Director: Sung-su Kim (II)
Average Customer Review:
DVD (11 November, 2003)
list price: $19.95 -- our price: $14.96
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• DTS Surround Sound

Reviews (47)

Another Asian Great
I can't beleive this one made it under my radar. I am an avid fan of Asian cinema whether its Akira Kurasowa's classics or Hero and Crouching Tiger the stories of honor and death cannot be topped.

Subtitles and languages held no barrier, I was attached to the characters in this movie within the first twenty minutes and captivated by the story within thirty.

The cinematography is gorgeous, the costumes near perfect. The music pretty good, though it sounded a bit synthesised, and could have used more Asian overtones.

I can't get enough of the self sacrifice and honor these movies portray. I can't recommend this one highly enough. This is a straight foward war/epic with a great storyline. If this had been released stateside I am sure it would have gone down with the greats.

oh yea baby
this was a excellant movie with a plethora of blood and violence. any movie that has a character stick a spear into another characters head is a good movie to me. anyone who is a action film fan needs this movie. i loved it and so will you. unless your funny!!!!!

very nice, now pass the spice...
pretty good. okay bloody great! this flick is verging on the edge of being called an epic. it reminds of heaps of other asian flicks, but the action scenes are better than most. Unlike most action flicks, this one actally has a plot, and it's historical aspect isn't far from the truth. better get your hands on it, before holloywood ruins it with it's own version! I did see this movies ages ago, so i can't remember a lot of it, but i do remember, there's a bunch of crazy koreans running around getting themselves into all kinds of troble! they do an unbelievable standoff at the end! Not for the kiddies, unless you live in texas..

Blood and Gore - 5/5
Acting - 3/5
good looking chicks - 3/5
Nudie scenes involving chicks - 0/5
Time to go to the toilet half way - 1/5
Plot - 5/5
Funny scenes involving corpses - 4/5


total - 4/5
... Read more

Asin: B0000CBY1J
Sales Rank: 847
Subjects:  1. Foreign Film - Chinese   

Donnie Darko
Director: Richard Kelly (II)
Average Customer Review:
DVD (04 February, 2003)
list price: $14.98 -- our price: $11.24
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Editorial Review

This unclassifiable but stunningly original film obliterates the walls between teen comedy, science fiction, family drama, horror, and cultural satire--and remains wildly entertaining throughout. Jake Gyllenhaal (October Sky) stars as Donnie, a borderline-schizophrenic adolescent for whom there is no difference between the signs and wonders of reality (a plane crash that decimates his house) and hallucination (a man-sized, reptilian rabbit who talks to him). Obsessed with the science of time travel and acutely aware of the world around him, Donnie is isolated by his powers of analysis and the apocalyptic visions that no one else seems to share. The debut feature of writer-director Richard Kelly, Donnie Darko is a shattering, hypnotic work that sets its own terms and gambles--rightfully so, as it turns out--that a viewer will stay aboard for the full ride. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

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Reviews (836)

the cult classic of our generation
Where to begin? I thought about writing a summary of the movie, as others have attempted to do, but have realized that I would ultimatly fail in my atempt to explain a movie such as this (as other reviewers have before me). Insted I can only say that this is quite possibly the most unique and original film you may ever hope to experience. It is not only unique in the story, and subject matter, but also in the artistic way the film is shot, and in that the meaning of this film appears to be different for every individual who views it. I can only recomend it to you and hope that you will take the time to view the movie. There are only a handful of people who may ever truly enjoy this film, and perhaps you may be one of them. If not, you could at the very least brag to your friends that you have seen the strangest movie in history. If this is your first viewing, I highly recomend the Director's Cut over the original version.

Donnie Darko Is An Allegory
Donnie Darko is an allegory. Not only that, but it is one of the finest movies ever made. Jake Gyllenhaal gives an excellent performance in the title role. His body language - the curving shoulders, freaky smiles and brooding eyes - reveals an instinctual knowing without the benefit of a complete revelation. His acting is truly outstanding. I'm not saying that anyone else's acting is particularly great or that the special effects are the bomb (they are quite good for a low budget film). What I am saying is that this movie is a multi-dimensional rollercoaster ride that you don't even realize that you are on until it's too late to get off. The closest thing I can relate it to is Twelve Monkeys. But Donnie Darko goes farther and deeper and asks more questions. It is haunting and humorous and even a little scary. If you are a person given to flights of philosophical fancy or theological speculation, (or even if you like reading Stephen Hawking and Michio Kaku), you will love this movie. But be prepared! You will have to watch the movie over and over again, and each time you do the allegory becomes fuller and fuller as the revelation opens.

Now, my interpretation of the allegory may not be anyone else's. I would be quite interested in hearing other points of view. But here is my idea in a nutshell...

The wrinkle in time is this present world

Donnie Darko is the Christ figure (hence, his mother = Mary; father = Joseph)

Jim Cunnigham is the devil (Or is Frank the devil and Jim the Antichrist?)

Gretchen Ross is the Church

Kittie Farmer is Self-righteous churchianity (as opposed to The Two Teachers, below)

Roberta Sparrow/Grandma Death is the Bible (by way of her book The Philosophy of Time Travel)

The Two Teachers (Noah Wyle and Drew Barrymore) represent conscientious but silenced clergy - the prophetic voice

The wrinkle in time in which the story takes place is the world as we know it. Donnie gives up his life so that his beloved might live, but in the process he changes everyone and everything. Even Jim Cunningham - the evil molester who, because of the death of Donnie may not even be found out - is reduced to tears, perhaps knowing that everything has changed. The world as a whole will never be the same again.

Okay, you philosophers and movie wizards... what does the fat man in the jogging suit represent? What about Frank? What is he really? Or the psychiatrist? Or Sparkle Magic? What does Donnie's older sister represent? Frank is her boyfriend! Frank also is the oracle that cause Donnie to act. Lots of stuff I just haven't figured out yet!!!!

First time writer/director Richard Kelly has created a real gem here. The film already has a hardy cult following and will become, I think, the theologian's and philosopher's Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Brilliant fim, superfluous cut
This is a difficult DVD to review, because while the original film is brilliant, and I'm certain this cut would impress a newcomer, it's simply shameful to call it a Director's Cut. The twenty minutes of added footage are vaguely interesting, but add nothing to the film. New intertitles are evidently meant to explain the plot to any six-year-olds who might be in the audience. The Commodore 64 "special effects" added to the time travel sequence are ridiculous and bewildering. This is not a Director's Cut -- it's a double dip and a dumbing down.If anything, it detracts from the original film.

That said, there are some fun extras on the DVD. The "Darkomentary" is hilarious, and the commentary enlightening. Nonetheless, it's difficult to classify this as anything but a disappointment.

Donnie Darko is a beautiful and multitextured film featuring stellar acting and a thought-provoking story. This cut offers those same things, but in slightly diluted form. More damningly, it brings nothing new to the table, and seems little more than an attempt to wring a bit more cash from the film's initial cult success. Whether you're new to the phenomenon or a longtime fan, I heartily suggest that you opt for the original DVD. ... Read more

Asin: B00005V3Z4
Subjects:  1. Mystery / Suspense