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joltjohn
Reviews
Dirty Dancing (1987)
great movie even better dvd
You Dirty Dancer, You! Dirty Dirty dancing Worth watching, even for one line "Nobody puts Baby in a corner!" C'mon, this movie is the reason the concept romance/music was invented!
Heartwarming, wonderful movie about growing up. A great movie about young love in the sixties ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just wow Inspirational An accomplishment, amazing very entertaining Totally awesome... Absolutely fabulous! An excellent movie! Amazing Dancing! A guilty pleasure Just plain entertaining Great fun! FANTASTIC! Wonderful Terrific
Takes Your Breath Away Awesome Kick ass Dancing Techniques
I love this movie ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My favorite romance film of all time One of the best movies that i have seen! What Most Other 1980s Films Wanted to Be. The ultimate in 1980's film classics! fantastic no matter how many times you see it A winner, anyway you look at it... finding the song in our soul Maybe a predictable story of girl gets man of her dreams but this film is still brilliant!!!! the one movie i can watch over and over and over again... One of the all time great feel good-movies Great Music I sang, I laughed, I cried, and most importantly - I DANCED!!
The film that changed everything ================================================Just something about that soundtrack... Excellent! Don't back off! Have the time of your life while watching Dirty Dancing. Has something to offer Female Sexual Desire - On Screen! A brilliant romantic drama with a moving soundtrack.A timeless love story... The dancing brought them together....the years haven't suceeded in tearing them apart
Enjoyable but Frustrating Pro-Abortion Propaganda Take it for what it is.... Cheesy Romance. . . It's Not Necessarily a Bad Thing Dirty Dancing is a FUN, sweet, romantic movie! Girl meets boy. Boy teaches girl to dance. Girl teaches boy to trust Oh so hammy, but sweet a story about a "good" girl and a "bad" boy who eventually fall in love I absolutely love this movie!! THIS is the holiday romance I never had.
It is the time of your life Dirty makes you want to Dance If I could dance like that....
An upbeat romance that will keep you begging for more! Guys who don't understand this movie are those that don't get many dates.... Just because it's not art doesn't mean it's not fantastic Not just immature females love this movie Great movie, deserves a 10 on a 1-10 scale with 10 being the best. Great Flick! Want more!
The Getaway (1994)
In the end The Getaway is an OK action movie.
The Getaway is a remake of the action classic that stared Steve McQueen and Ali MacGraw. Now I haven't seen the original so I can't compare the two but by it self this is an OK action thriller. It goes old school with its desert/western setting, bad criminals and finale stand off. When I watched this movie I had no idea what kind of movie it is. The story is simple Doc McCoy (Alec Baldwin), his wife (Kim Basinger) and his partner (Michael Madsen) are hired to get a man out of prison. When the job goes sour, McCoy is locked up for a year in a Mexican prison. With the help of his wife and a Phoenix crime boss Jack Benyon (James Woods), he released and hired to do one more job. This job goes semi good but after it has been done many people end up dead and the McCoys are on the run from many different people all with their eyes on the large amount of cash they have. The performances are OK. Basinger is tough yet still has that soft side and she very good with guns. Madsen is a good mix with Baldwin and Basinger, he add the funny but villainous third part of the gang. The cast is bigger than normal for an action film but since this was made in the early 90's some of the actors hadn't hit it big yet. Jennifer Tilly, Phillip Seymore Hoffman and David Morse round out the cast. They all have small parts but they do the best with what they have. The action is not really original and there are a few Woo slow-motion shots thrown in for good measure. There's only one explosion but a lot of guns. The protagonists aren't very likeable, though. In fact, no one in this film is, with the possible exception of Richard Farnsworth's character at the end. Jennifer Tilly threw herself into her role, and both Michael Madsen and James Woods, do their usual creepily evil personas with aplomb.
THE GETAWAY works because the chemistry of sex and violence between the characters played by BALDWIN and BASINGER works. It's not cheesy or contrived. This film is a tale of moral love betrayal and the classic analogy of there being no honor among thieves. The remake follows pretty much the same plot as the STEVE MCQUEEN classic yet takes a few different turns. Fans of the original will like this version as well, one nice aspect is that it maintains a similar look to the original. This film matches the tone of the original and succeeds as a modren film for contemporary audiences.
A major problem with The Getaway is the way the McCoys are seemingly able to sense danger when there is not even the slightest indication of it. Carter, for example, has the incredible ability enabling him to know a gunman is just outside his door as soon as he finishes another bedroom scene with his wife! This serves as an example of how unimaginative things get. the infamous sex scenes are really undeserving of the attention. They are gratuitous in the extreme as they don't serve the story whatsoever. You can't believe the characters like each other that much, having spent most of their time in bitter argument. Believe me, you won't like these characters either.
Slap Shot (1977)
I've seen this movie too many times, but it still makes one laugh. Some of the humor is dated, goes back to the 70's, but its still enjoyable too watch.
Slapshot is my favorite sports movie for a lot of reasons, but the one that sticks out the most is this: it is not like every other run-of-the-mill sports films. Unlike Major League or Unnecessary Roughness [both of which I like], it isn't about a bunch of misfits who stink but then find the will and way to win. Slapshot is about a bunch of guys who have the talent to win but can't, but eventually find the way. In the first game, we see that Ned Braden is the league's leading scorer. A few guys speak little English, which would add to their troubles. The team had some hope. Yes, it wasn't until the Hansens showed up that the team started to win, but the Hansens brought in a whole new aspect to the movie: to play fairly and lose, or to play the dirtiest hockey ever and win the whole thing? Another thing that makes it great is that its not a pro team, instead its a minor league in some part of America, we don't know where. Another great thing about Slapshot is that the only person you've ever heard of or seen before or after is Paul Newman, who isn't even the most popular character!
Slap Shot is without a doubt, the greatest hockey movie ever made. If profanity and violence are your thing, that this is your movie! If you are a major hockey buff, this is your film! If you like to laugh, this is your moving picture! It seems like massive beatings are handed out by the second! Enough blood to fill a small swimming pool... not to mention enough profanity to last for the rest of your life... but hey, that's hockey! Any hockey fan will tell you that this movie is the best in the genre, so why should I tell you different? Also Slap Shot" takes the time to investigate an array of pro sports themes: sadistic player violence; boorish sexuality; fan behavior; fan loyalty to athletes and vice-versa (or total absence thereof); the bloodless, detached world of athletic club ownership. But the film is better than the snide satire it has been portrayed to be, and in its own manic way, it conveys much of the joy of sports. That was what made some of the films of the 70's great. They weren't the predictable fare we see today. Big stars weren't above making character movies or just having some plain old, goofy fun. What other decade gave you Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now and Superman? "Slap Shot" is a movie that is more than the foul language or the violence. It's about a hockey team's last ditch effort to save itself. Reggie Dunlop may con and manipulate his way to the championship, but that's what is great about his character and this movie, and that is the psychology within. There's something in all of us that is like Dunlop and his players...we're all underdogs, we fight for what we believe in and may even be a little underhanded to get to where we need to get. More important, Dunlop has something to prove...that he can be a winner, and he can be successful. It's what he wants for himself, and for his players. Also the characters and the subplots still have me laughing out loud: Dunlop putting a bounty on a competing player's head, the rug-wearing radio announcer (wonderfully played by Andrew Duncan), the French Canadian goaltender (Yvon Barrette) , the underhanded general manager (the late, great Strother Martin), the unexpected striptease by the Chiefs leading scorer Ned Braden (Michael Ontkean) which catches many players, who were beating each other on the ice, totally off guard. I love the line by Ogle Oglethorpe (Ned Dowd, Nancy's brother) after beating up a Chief player and then seeing Braden taking his uniform off: "This is disgusting...." How about that for irony! The only thing that could improve this movie is for their to be more Hansons arrive and to see them do funny things like beat people up in creative ways Paul Newman sees the "Boys" playing with their slot cars and comments that they "brought their TOYS with them!" on the road trip. This is funny and should have been explored more, but it isn't. As a matter of fact, the Hanson's and their background are not explored at all, and they have a small amount of total screen time. This is too bad because they are the best part of the movie. . But if you are like me and want to see cool hockey footage of guys playing without helmets, wacky stuff happening at the rink, the Hanson brothers doing their thing, etc. , there just isn't enough of it there. If this movie was made today, there would be less social commentary, less human interest, more Hansons, and more hockey. And, sadly, it would probably be a better movie because of it.
Michael Jackson: HIStory on Film - Volume II (1997)
some of his best and worst videos
I will do this review on a video by video basis,
First of all I really didn't like the "teaser" because it made MJ look like a demigod and there was no real purpose to it except an ego trip 0/10.
video 1: BILLIE JEAN (from Motown 25h show) good performance of MJ being MJ 10/10
video 2: BEAT IT good video not enough MJ dancing 6/10
video 3: LIBERIAN GIRL what's this all about huh? MJ friends 4/10
video 4: SMOOTH CRIMINAL very good video. MJ at his very best 13/10
video 5: 1995 MTV AWARDS couldn't get into first part of it but after guitar solo it got much better 8/10
video 6: THRILLER MJ classic video and second best ever 12/10
video 7: SCREAM (With Janet Jackson) strange video 5/10
video 8: CHILDHOOD okay song worse video 2/10
video 9: YOU ARE NOT ALONE can MJ become any whiter 6/10
video 10: EARTH SONG a okay song but a silly video a better one with a simular message is MAN IN THE MIRROR 4/10
video 11: THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT US (BRAZILIAN VERSION) 7/10
video 12: STRANGER IN MOSCOW sad video 8/10
video 13. BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR (refugee mix) bad song/video 0/10
extro: BRACE YOURSELF CLIPS MJ concerts and things
video grade 85/130 or 7/10
Titan A.E. (2000)
dazzling visuals sub par plot
This movie has been designed for those who like sci fi alot and also those who like to look at pretty pictures, but for those who want a good story line and those who want to be able to get involved and also feel good about a movie, i suggest u look to another sci fi movie. Unfortunately, the makers of Titan A.E. didn't go far enough when developing their "mature" animated epic. I enjoyed Titan A.E. mind you (I own the DVD), but it to often got stuck in a rut of a story that's been done ten times over. Sadly, most of the supporting characters are stock and pretty predictable. Not even 20 minutes into the film, I had already figured out who was going to double cross who, and what the final outcome of the story would be.The script and music are juvenile. the "secret" discovery is somewhat unbelievable. The action scenes missed something, I don't know what it was, but they were simply not very interesting.
The Drej. OK, they are bad, and blew up the planet. But exactly what are they afraid of? Several references to the Drej fearing "what humanity could become." There is no indication of what this fear is. Did the Drej think humanity bred too much and would overwhelm the universe? Would humanity evolve into energy beings and threaten the Drej? How come no one else seems to be threatened by humanity? And do the Drej blow up other planets because they fear something?
If it sounds like I'm being to harsh on Titan A.E. (especially after I stated I liked and own the movie), it's only because I haven't gotten to the positive parts of the movie, which outweigh the negative. FACT: Titan AE is one of the few sci-fi films that does not bore us to death with futuristic technobabble. It instead focuses on keeping the audience entertained with every scene rather than make them scratch their heads thinking "what the heck is a graviton deflector pulse?" This movie keeps it real, and at the same time, maintains a fantasy element. FACT: Titan AE is an animated film without songs or talking cartoon animals. It is a movie that full grown adults can go see minus their kids without feeling out-of-place. Even better is that you can go see it with your kids because they'll enjoy it just aswell.. FACT: The animation in this movie is ground breaking. Don Bluth and Gary Goldman mix traditional hand-drawn art with background computer animation to create an immersive environment that really pulls the audience into the world. The space vistas are colorful, interesting and just plain gorgeous. The interactions between Cale and Akima (Drew Barrymore) are good, and the film moves along quickly. I also liked how the Drej remained mysterious and spoke in their own language.
As I said at the beginning, Titan A.E. is an animated film geared towards those who are looking for something a little less traditional, and there are numerous scenes that point out that that attempt was made. The one memorable sequence is a game of cat-and-mouse played out in a field of giant, free-floating ice shards. Also I cant see the beginning of this movie enough... When planet earth gets blown up, it literally is spectacular!! This one scene just about makes the movie. This is what the whole film should've been.
FINAL FACT: One of my good friends describes Titan AE as the most beautiful movie ever made. In a way, it's true. If you were to freeze the movie at any point and frame the image on your wall, you would have a masterpiece in your den.
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
A good fun movie not oscar quality
First the good points.
The only animated movie to receive a Best Picture Oscar nomination, and it didn't deserved it.
let's look at how well the movie works. You have a monster who's more human than the movie's man villain; you have a heroine who's PC but engaging with it; you have a supporting cast of magic utensils who wisely never upstage the couple at the centre of this love story (and despite the Disney animated trappings, it IS a love story); and you have " A TALE AS OLD AS TIME"captivatLY and beautifully told.
The movie's also got wonderful design of its French setting and characters, with the ballroom scene a standout by the sight of the Beast and Belle in their evening wear; and Alan Menken's score is his finest work with matchless lyrics from the late and much lamented Howard Ashman the songs themselves are good,but rather the way they are presented - for example, the opening song with Belle - personally I didn't really get why the WHOLE TOWN was singing about Belle. I know it's called "suspension of disbelief", but I still wasn't that fond of that scene.
"Like Gaston" was the best tune, and the scene of course was great followed by "kill the beast" for it's fun lyrics. Humor here is fun (the final battle scene between the servants-cum-appliances/whatever and Gaston's mob - such as when the one guy is eaten by a closet and comes out dressed in a bikini with Marge Simpson hair). Also the way that Lamier and Cogsworth are towards each other is quite funny at times.
Gaston, one of my all time favorite Disney villains. Gaston is so complex. One minute, he's just an arrogant, stuck-up bum that is reminisicent of someone we all know and find irritating. Yet, he manages to add a little humor in his attempts to woo Belle. Then, he turns into a real jerk, willing to lock Maurice up to get Belle. And finally, he becomes pure evil, ready to kill the Beast to win Belle. That mocking laugh and look he gives the Beast when he says, "What's the matter? Too kind and gentle to fight back?" is one of the greatest scenes in Disney villainry history. A rare few scenes rank up with the amount of evil emotion that this scene has, such as Scar giving Mufasa an incredibly horrifying look before murdering him, or Jafar laughing like an insane lunatic after banishing Aladdin, Abu, and Carpet to the Ends of the Earth. Great moments that illustrate just how dark a villain can be.
Now the not soo good points or FLAWS THAT ARE TOLABLE Plot holes: When the enchantress shows up disguised as an old beggar woman, the prince answers the door. Why is he doing this, when he has servants to answer the door for him? Also here he looks like an older teenager when according to the story he was 11 years old when this happened.
How can Bell's father build such a complicated machine (wood cutter) if doesn't know what tools to use on it. Why does it seem the horse is smarter than Bell's father when they get lost in the woods. The horse wants to go down the less scary path but Bell's father chooses the scarier path (go figure).
I like the homage to "sound of Music" when Bell runs up the green hill singing after she rejectes Gaston's proposal' That horse of Bell's must be part hound dog to know where Bell's father ended up in the castle. (remember the horse took off before Bell's father made it to the castle). Lumier (the candlestick) must be extra magical by the way he can ignite himself anytime he wants.
The musical number "Be our Guest" is way to "disney" in that it's style and presentation has been done in too many other movies. Although the song "Human Again' musical sequence was excellently done and a most welcome addition for the movie's special edition release it was done to Disney" for my liking also.
VERY BIG FLAWS THAT TAKE AWAY FROM THIS BEING A 10/10 MOVIE
Bell must be "super woman" by the way lifts up the Beast onto the horse to take him back to the castle, even though he must weigh about 300 pounds (after wolf pack battle). And again later when she holds the beast so he doesn't fall off the roof at the end of his battle with Gastou.
How did chip figure out how to work the "wood cutter" and start the fire and control the direction it went when it was parked on top of the hill. (huh?)
THEORY: when Bell goes into the west wing and into the Beast's private room, she does notice his human picture (she pulls up the torn sections) So she knows that the Beast is really human. So that is why she falls in love with him. She knows from all the fiction books she read that there must be a way to turn him back into a man. That is why she acts the way she does toward him.
Why isn't Bell or her father or the towns people spooked by all the "living" items they encounters in the castle.
Continuity: The seasons change several times throughout the movie. When Maurice is thrown out of the pub, he lands in a pile of snow. When others leave, the pile is not there. Gaston and others are wearing short-sleeved shirts in the snow. When Belle and the beast go outside (in the winter) after dancing, they are in shirt sleeves and crickets are heard. Also in the final act Bell arrives home (it's still winter) Then later that night apparently, during the climatic scene between The Beast and Gastou (it's starts raining).
Continuity: At the beggining, the Beast scratches his own painting from top-left to bottom-right, later Belle discovers the paint and it's scratched from top-right to bottom-left.
Continuity: After the Gaston song, the bear rug moves from behind the chair to under the chair.
FINAL VERDICT
I see "Beauty and the Beast" as one of those movies that you watch over and over again if you are in the right frame of mind like "leaving your brain at the door" and ignoring all the continuity problems and pot holes that show up. then you can relive the magic and atmosphere of the film and be taken in by the movie's very real heart that makes it a keeper. 8/10
Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982)
There is really nothing like it. it is totally uncomparable to anything
Everything works in this movie, the twisted live action, the animation that probably is what being insane is like, and, most of all, the music. This picture is a one-of-a-kind experience. No other rock opera, or most movies in general, can top the insanity that is this movie. Viewing it now, I find myself getting nauseous especially with the gorily, disturbing animation. Most of the film is shot in the style of a music video, which some people have put down but I think this is one of those instances where it works. There is very little dialogue but a story is still told by Water's meloncholy songs and Gerald Scarfe's amazing and potent animation. There are some intense and violent metaphors in both the animation and live action sequences that illustrate not only personal illnesses, but social as well. This movie takes you on a wild journey through the world of a rock star named Pink. The movie takes you through so many emotions that you really have to watch it again to get the full effect. It shifts in time and space (not to mention live action and cartoon) With no warning. There is no real dialogue, no real character development, and to a first time viewer no real plot and Only the central Character, Pink, has a name. there is violence, suffering and insanity mixed in with strange beauty and art. This movie is not your mama's musical with nazis, giant talking ass's and some other wild creations this is not a family film. The music is truly the star of this film the sounds evoke great images and the animation realizes these dreams/nightmares. ---------------------------------------------- Much of this is autobiographical material married of two members of the original band: Syd Barrett and Roger Waters. The results are a compelling story that peers into the mind of an over protected, reclusive, and sometimes violent rock star named Pink, who's father left him one morning in black 44', and who's mother was so protective she smothered him with her love and all of her fears; who's wife tried so hard to open his heart, but found that nobody was home; and who eventually built a wall so high that he could not break free, and eventually his seclusion from the outside world brought out a side of Pink that he, nor the rest of the world, would wish to ever see. Soon his sadistic, Hitler-esc side takes control of the world, with help from his zombie like fans who follow any command that is thrown at them.
But by the time the dictator is mentally faded away by Pink, and he is able to see that shielding himself from the world with his now endless wall is only driving him crazier, it could be too late. So goes the quote above, taken from "The Trial", which is the end of the Wall, and Pink's last chance for freedom from his Wall. The tone is depressing and downbeat throughout - which is strange, I thought rock music should be an escape from boredom and reality?All in all The Wall is a great movie.
Shania Twain: Live (1998)
This is a great concertfor ShaNIA FANS
Shania Twain Live may benefit from plenty of polish and more than a little calculation in its staging, but the singer-songwriter's long apprenticeship in lounge bands and resort revues north of the border is apparent. Whether one loves or loathes her songs, Twain herself comes across as a seasoned performer who knows how to work the audience. Equally apparent, and equally unlikely to resolve the division between fans and foes, is Twain's crossover agenda. Scaled for the arenas that Twain and her handlers targeted early on, the concert is closer in pace and power-chords to a mainstream rock show than most country acts, an orientation that aligns the star with Garth Brooks's swaggering attack rather than most country songstresses. Her band may boast three fiddlers, but their slashing attack emulates the kilowatt buzz of the rock guitarists that share the scrim, who pull off familiar string-bending flourishes.
The set list is a generous one, reproducing most of Twain's back-to-back platinum albums, and illustrates her skill at mixing melting ballads, flirtatious rockers that enable her to strut her physical beauty, and songs testifying to her self-reliance.
Songs: Man! I Feel Like a Woman! Honey I'm Home, You Win My Love, Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?, You're Still the One, I Won't Leave You Lonely, Come on Over, Love Gets Me Every Time, I'm Holdin' on to Love, When, Medlay: Home Ain't Where His Hear Is (Anymore)/The Woman in Me (Needs the Man in You)/You've Got a Way, That Don't Impress Me much, If It Don't Take Two, Black Eyes, Blue Tears, God Bless the Child, To Daddy, What Made You Say That, No One Needs to Know, Any Man of Mine, Don't Be Stupid (You Know I Love You), From This Moment On, (If You're Not in It for Love) I'm Outta Here!, Any Man of Mine (Reprise), Rock This Country!.
Final thoughs weather you like this concert dependsif like Shania's songs and the way she looks. If You doo than this is 10/10 if not than it won't be. For me i gave it 8/10.
Mariah #1's (1999)
Mariah at her best and sexiest
Everybody should have this excellent home video. It is definately Mariah Carey's best home video. All of the songs are sooooo AWESOME! Mariah shows her maturity, strength of voice and heart, and she even appears between breaks of the songs to talk about other things related with her! This is a great video collection..This DVD Is Great It Has Mariah's Best Video's & Live Performances....
The Videos 1. program start... 2. Heartbreaker (Feat. Jay Z) (good song, very sexy, good catfight scene is hilarious ) (fav) 3. My All (good song, sexy, best scene Mariah up in light tower getting caressed) (okay) 4. Honey (good song, sexy, a video with a storyline, sexiest when she is on the ship)(good) 5. Always Be My Baby (good song, looks nice, best scene at campfire)(okay) 6. One Sweet Day (Feat. Boyz 2 Men) (very good song, sexy in white t-shirt)(fav) 7. Fantasy (Feat. O.D.B.) (good song, sexy, best scene her rolling skating) (okay) 9. Dreamlover (very good song, sexy flopping in the hay field) (good) 11. Emotions (good song, looks okay, scenes too rainbowish and busy) (worst video) 12. I Don't Wanna Cry (good song, very sexy, ) (fav) bonus video:. Heartbreaker Remix (Feat. Missy Elliot & Da Brat) (good song, very sexy)fav All The Videos Come With Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound & PCM Stereo... Except Heartbreaker Remix It Only Comes In 2.0 Surround Sound...
The Performances... 08. Hero(performance taken from "Mariah Carey" home video) (very good song, sexy) (good) 10. I'll Be There (Feat. Trey Lorenz)(performance taken from "MTV Unplugged" home video) ( very good sonng, looks nice, ) (good) 13. Someday (performance taken from "MTV Unplugged" home video)(good song, nice)(good 14. Love Takes Time (performance taken "Mariah Carey" home video)(vgood sng,nice)( fav 15. Vision Of Love (performance taken from "Fantasy: Mariah Carey at Madison Square Garden" home video) (good song, very sexy, )(fav) The Performances Also Come With 5.1 Sound & PCM Stereo... And It Comes With A Biography And It Has Most Of The Awards She Has Got.... And It Dosen't Come With Subtitles So Thats The Only Bad Thing... This is a really great DVD, I reccomend it to anyone! Enjoy. If you liked this DVD, you whould check out the DVD "Around The World" (also by Mariah) which includes the videos for "The Roof," "Butterfly," and "Breakdown".
Driven (2001)
aa good dvd to showcase your 5.1 sound system
Sylvester Stallone simply can't seem to catch a break. Judge Dredd caused the star to be something of a joke with lines like "I am the law!". An attempt at an independent comeback in "Copland" actually offered quite a good performance, but the film went largely unnoticed. "Driven" was another film that was written by the star (as was "Rocky" and "Cliffhanger"), but reviews and word of mouth kept audiences away. While not quite as poor as many made the film out to be (mainly thanks to flashy, entertaining direction by Renny Harlin), the film relies on cliches instead of bringing anything new to the table. Not that anyone's really brought anything new to the racing genre - "Days of Thunder" wasn't terrible, but it wasn't exactly much of a success, either. "Driven" plays like the racing version of Oliver Stone's football film "Any Given Sunday". This picture has the same sort of flash and striking cinematography, but it forgets the character development that the previous film at least was partially successful with. In fact, the cars remain the real stars of the movie here.
Stallone plays Joe Tanto, a former ace race car driver who's been out of the business for years, but asked to return by old friend Carl Henry (Burt Reynolds), who wants the old pro to ride alongside the new rookie, Jimmy Blye (Kip Pardue). Their competition is Beau Brandenburg (Til Schweiger). There's even a romantic triangle shoehorned into the plot, as Sophia (Estella Warren) moves back and forth between the two young racers.
There's several factors that make "Driven" suffer, though. Besides the lackluster nature of the screenplay, the performances are not particularly good, especially the two newcomers who play the competing racers. The only performance that really manages to shine is Warren. The former swimmer and Sports Illustrated model really does have a terrific presence and, impressively, is able to make the stereotypical lines of dialogue sound genuine. Hopefully, after performances here and in "Planet of the Apes", she'll move on to bigger and better things. Gina Gershon is stuck playing the Stallone character's ex-wife in a shrill subplot that goes nowhere. As for Stallone, he doesn't do a great deal here, nor does he seem to want to as he mostly appears content to set in the background and let the younger stars have their moment.7/10
Britney Spears Live from Las Vegas (2001)
A good concert minus the in between things
From what I've seen, a Spears concert is not only simply singing, but a theatrical production of sorts. Props, sets, the occasional special effects and background videos, not to mention Spears trying on a new costume with nearly every song. With her HBO broadcast from Las Vegas, it was obvious that Spears and company were going to try to take this all to another level. While Spears looks terrific in costumes that continue to cover less-and-less as the concert continues, there are some decisions that are just plain strange: for no apparent reason, Jon Voight turns up about halfway through to read a poem. The between-songs chatter is often corny and occasionally unintentionally funny (I think Britney even started a conversation with the audience with "Can we talk?" I'm suprised I didn't hear, "No! Sing, dammit!" from the crowd noise in the surrounds in the 5.1 audio mix). A "Behind The Music" skit about halfway through is terribly unfunny, which is dissapointing, given the fact that Spears has shown that she has solid comedic timing on "Saturday Night Live". In fact, the skit comes off like the worst of SNL. She opens with former No.1 single "OOPS I DID IT AGAIN", tied to a spinning wheel she rotates for the first verse, before coming on to the large stage to finish. She follows it up with (YOU DRIVE ME) CRAZY,.... OVERPROTECTED follows. Dressed in a very ... catsuit-type attire she puts plenty of oomph into one of the freshest and funkiest tunes of the show. Next is the enjoyable medley of BORN TO MAKE YOU HAPPY / LUCKY / SOMETIMES. She is dressed quite scantily, and that's always appreciated. BOYS, one of her more different sounding tunes, allows Spears to put her ... to good use, as she writhes around on stage and interacts, quite intimately, with her dancers. STRONGER and NOT A GIRL, NOT YET A WOMAN come after this. I LOVE ROCK 'N' ROLL is one of the more energetic performances as she pips away on a raised platform, before she hangs from the ceiling mid-air, in a stunt you could see the Backstreet Boys or NSync pulling off. Her urban influenced track WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE ME has plenty of synchronized dancing and energy. LONELY would have to be one of the better performances as she interacts with a computer generated version of herself, seen on a big screen. The song is almost like a duet. Very cool. Ballad DON'T LET ME BE THE LAST TO KNOW gives Britney time to breathe in a rather uninspired performance which is very lifeless and in this she sounds like a drag queen. Sorry Ms Spears, this was the shows' downfall. She picks up the pace with the cheery pop tune ANTICIPATING. Plenty of colour, this peformance is vibrant and very much for the young. She incorporates the audience into this one, by asking them to sing along and clap their hands to the chorus. This all changes when she strips off to a tiny, shimmery skirt and green bra top,for the pumped up performance of I'M A SLAVE 4 U. This is an awesome performance with plenty of heat and no doubt her male fans will have a field day, thanks to Spears' bust and her attire. You'll see what I mean. After thanking everyone for coming out, she appears back on for an alternative take on her biggest hit to date, BABY ONE MORE TIME. This is where she is drenched in a shower of rain for the performance which is not the ...BABY, we remember hearing. But seeing a wet Spears is satisfactory enough. I strongly recommend this to any Britney fan. You'll have fun. Top of Form 1 "Britney Spears - Live from Las Vegas" is a feast for the eyes and ears. 8/10
Céline Dion: All the Way... A Decade of Song & Video (2001)
ACTUALLY THIS IS A REVIEW OF THE DVD AAND A GREAT ONE AT THAT
It's clear from the live performances on All the Way... A Decade of Song & Video that Celine Dion's audiences adore her. And what's not to adore? She's beautiful, talented, and--corny as it sounds--seems really nice. This 90-minute compilation features 12 videos and five live songs illustrating the French-Canadian singer's transformation from a perky teen to a sophisticated international star. In the early '90s, Dion sang boppy tunes such as "Mislead" and "Love Can Move Mountains." The mid-decade Dion (decidedly sexier) is represented by "Because You Loved Me," "The Power of Love," and "It's All Coming Back to Me Now." Her soaring voice is powerful and poignant, reminding us why Titanic's "My Heart Will Go On" became such a huge hit. The compilation is ballad-heavy, but her last video of the decade, "That's the Way It Is," marks a welcome return to her earlier, sassier manner. -- THE COMPLETE LIST IS AS FOLLOWS 1. Program start 2. The Power of Love 3. If You Asked Me To 4. Misled 5. Beauty and the Beast (duet with Terry Bradford) (taken from the Falling Into You concert in Memphis, Tennessee) 6. Because You Loved Me (Theme from Up Close and Personal) (taken from the Falling Into You concert in Memphis, Tennessee) 7. It's All Coming Back to Me Now (single version) 8. Love Can Move Mountains 9. To Love You More (featuring Taro Hakase) (taken from the Falling Into You concert in Memphis, Tennessee) 10. My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme from Titanic) 11. I'm Your Angel (duet with R. Kelly) 12. That's the Way It Is 13. If Walls Could Talk 14. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (taken from the All the Way... A Decade of Song 1999 CBS-TV special) 15. All the Way (duet with Frank Sinatra) (taken from the All the Way... A Decade of Song 1999 CBS-TV special) 16. Then You Look at Me 17. I Want You to Need Me 18. Live for the One I Love 19. Bonus video: It's All Coming Back to Me Now (stereo mix - long version)
She's top on my list of vocal performers. Those who like Celine Dion will enjoy this collection! Celine Dion's videos are touching, and her chameleonic style has followed her down the well travelled road of success. The duet "To love you more" is and will always be my fave. Celine sings this song with her famous on-key wailing, showing her lung power and talent. You can watch it again and again and agian and you'll never get bored. Also I have to mention here that the DVD qality is superb. 9/10 FOR LACK OF ANY GOOD EXTRA FEATURES
Janet: The Velvet Rope (1998)
a slow start good middle section slow end
As captured during this Madison Square Garden presentation of her Velvet Rope tour this lavish two-hour concert special, originally produced for HBO, offers ample proof of Janet Jackson's fierce ambitions. Whitney, Celine, and Mariah can run circles around her small, sweet voice, but Janet brings a tough, muscular power to her live performances that none of those peers can approach, storming through myriad set and costume changes, and sustaining an aerobic pace through elaborate dance routines. .. This is a spectacular production of lights, dance, energy, and of course Janet's total control of the stage. Janet brings her distinctive vocals, sweet melodies and harder-edged dance rhythms to these songs: Velvet Rope, If, You, Let's Wait Awhile/Again, Control medley: Control/The Pleasure Principle/What Have You Done For Me Lately/Nasty/Throb, Escapade medley: Escapade/When I Think of You/Miss You Much/Runaway/Love Will Never Do [Without You], Alright, I Get Lonely, Anytime Anyplace, Rope Burn, Black Cat, What About, Rhythm Nation, Special, That's the Way Love Goes, Got 'Til It's Gone, Go Deep, Together Again. This show also has Jackson's own flavor of soft-core erotica(the "Rope Burn" sequence, in which an ecstatic male fan is lashed to a chair and gets to watch his favorite sex object pole-dance). and she fronts a formidable battalion of dancers, singers, and musicians to make her points. While it's obvious that the musical performances have been nipped, tucked, and polished to an acceptable sheen, Janet earns her props through sheer willpower. . However as I think Janet Jackson has alot of Energy on stage but I found this show was Borderline on Good&Badl ( i didn't get into the concert until the Jester segment started and it lost me during the final part which started with the song SPECIAL). I Applaud the Energy and Drive She has but Her Vocals don't Hold up for long and Certain Songs work while others don't. Janet's performance was glitzy... but sadly something was missing that final sparkle, ...my advice is puchase Janet's later DVDS... 7/10
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Not to scarey not to sweet the perfect mix
Nightmare Before Christmas" is the remarkable production from the mind of Tim Burton and the skills of director Henry Selick. Working together to wrap the package up perfectly is the wonderful score from composer Danny Elfman. The film is so many things; it's a smart kids film, it's got wonderful animation and so much imagination in every detail of its presentation of this amazing world that's been created. The stop-motion animation is absolutely stunning - you look at every frame and ponder how long it took to prepare even that second of the picture.
"The Nightmare Before Christmas" finds Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king of Halloween town. Year after year, he's tired of everything scary and Halloween in general. One day, he takes a far walk into a magical forest, where doors with symbols of holidays are on trees. Jack doesn't seen anything too interesting - except the tree with the shiny ornaments and decorations. He opens the door and is transported into a magical place - Christmastown. Jack soon becomes obsessed with Christmas and plans to bring Christmas to Halloweentown, and all over. However, Jack's plans to kidnap Santa Claws go awry, and so do a lot of things, creating an enjoyable and warm movie. This is one of the best movies I have ever seen, and each time I watch it I always find something new. This is a movie which everyone can enjoy and should be in everyone's library. 10/10
Scrooged (1988)
If Dickens wrote his book as a comedy in the 1980's it would be like this
I have read the other users comments on Scrooged and I think that a lot of those viewers are to negative about Bill Murray and his version of Scrooged. This picture is funny and it gives the people a happy ending.
This movie makes me laugh every time I see it. as with all Christmas Movies, it is best seen around Christmas time, of coarse. The story is based on A christmas Carol, but the main character played by Bill Murrey is the president of a television broadcast company. The story is like the Christmas Carol, loosely, but the ending has one extra elemant that makes it an even better ending than any other Christmas Carol Movie. This film is one of Bill Murrey's best, and definately takes it's place alongside "It's a wonderful life" and "Christmas Vacation" as a true Christmas Classic 8/10
Rave un2 the Year 2000 (2000)
prince being prince
What Can I say? This DVD showcases the still growing talent of Prince. He continues to prove himself as an artist and performer. This DVD captures the guitar solos up close with amazing footage. The special guests/performers just add to the awesome event. Prince digs deep for some obscure and rare songs not performed in years. This is the funkiest Prince concert ever!! This DVD serves as a musical reminerd to what a genius we have amongst us.
Even if you don't watch the excellent quality video and just turn off the TV and listen, it's a fantastic audio experience. Almost 2 hours in length, Prince continually rocks and jams the whole way through.
Let me get my one criticism out of the way, it's the crowd, at times they act like they aren't in to the music and Prince has to pursuade them to participate!! I couldn't understand this reaction because Prince and his band play some of the funkiest music you could ever want to hear!! Highlights: The concert opened with momentum. Let's get Crazy got Crazy quick and flowed nicely into a guitar-driven Always in my hair ( with bumpy, exploding bass). The purple confetti falling on the guitar solo added to the energetic introduction. The Hornz were delicious, but no one here could shine like Eric Leeds ( former Prince sexaphonist). Still, it's nice to see and hear a woman on sax. Prince is a great guitarist! the Blues Guitar solo is just amazing! Kravitz section was fun. It was nice to see them both on stage. Prince added slammin guitar! ... Greatest Romance with the music video intro was cool. That was an unexpected surprise( breaking the live footage) and the live version that completed the song sounded sexy! The version of Purple Rain was absolutely beautiful, and the Christ was superb ( love the gospel chior addition...added an interesting new layer to the song). The Modern Dancers were fun, and an effective addition. I especially like the female dancer in " She's Always in My Hair" Very subtle and original movements! Nice moves again on Purple Rain intro. Also 1999...I've heard better renditions of this song on live bootleg recordings. It was a basic funky delivery, more of a James Brown meets Las Vegas style than a wicked new version. Lacked any element of surprise. It even seemed to drag in places, and seemed to have more to do with balloons and confetti falling than serious music. IN conclusion, throughout his career, The Man has demonstrated time and again that he is not only the greatest multi-instrument talented musician living today, but he is also one of the greatest stage performers of his generation. This DVD allows fams like myself, who have never been able to see him live, to get a taste of The Man on stage. Bouncing from instrument to instrument, and showing that his amazing voice is as vibrant and striking as ever, Prince serves up a full plate of funk, rock, R&B, blues, hip-hop, and even a dash of techno. What you are seeing on this disc is not a pay-per view special so much as it is a concert that Prince felt like putting on television. I was also thankful for the guestspots granted to Lenny Kravitz, Maceo Parker, and the bonus track that features George Clinton doin' his thang. Also interesting is the addition of Kip Blackshire to the NPG. However, I have to say that I am disappointed :( I was very exited to hear that "Prince" was doing some of his old material for this project. However the songs just did not sound the same, the whole show was very weird. Prince clowned around too much and did not concentrate in sounding good. Honestly, I would return the DVD it if I could. I think that a great opportunity was wasted. while Prince is one of my all time favorites this Show didn't do it for me.the band wasn't happening&Prince just wasn't with the Groove.even my Jam She's Always in My Hair was boring.it was cool with him&Lenny doing there thing.Larry Graham was alright.The Band was not happening&the Greatest hits just didn't move me this time.6/10
Purple Rain (1984)
Four words sum it all up: bad acting, good music
"Purple Rain" is pure 1980s. which stars who in 1984 was at the top of his game, a musical genius who (at a time when black and white music were incredibly segregated) was bringing together everything from punk to funk to heavy metal in a singular fusion that pointed the way to a race-blind future. Of course the plot is hackneyed and has a paper-thin screenplay, low production values, dark cinematography, and the acting awkward.which stars Prince as a small-time nightclub star in Minnesota who dreams of making it big, but there always seems to be something standing in his way. That is about it for the plot. Morris Day steals every scene as Prince's greatest rival and Apollonia Kotero just looks good, but little else, as the love interest. What was good-'Let's Go Crazy/'Purple Rain' very well done, dynamic concert sequences, certainly Prince knew the stage/concert scene in Minn very well. Morris Day/Time/Jerome-and-the-Mirror schtick was kinda fun too-the Time's music pretty dated but fun, sure. Day had that Zoot Suit look from the 40's going If you want a quality piece of work, go see something else. If you want a good time, go see this. Just don't take it seriously, or you'll be very disappointed. Oh ya Forget everything else but enjoy this wonderful music, which still stands after all these years.6/10
Alabama: 41 Number One Hits Live (1998)
The best Country Band ever
This is my favorite country band. This is a very good DVD to listen to on a 5.1 audio system because with the crowd noise you feel like you were there at the concert. The concert itself is okay to watch. 8/10
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
A Good start to the series but Not a great Movie onn its own
I was eagerly awaiting the DVD release of any Star Wars movie, even The Phantom Menace. Then when it was released on DVD it was hammered by fans of the original three Star Wars adventures, but I think we all know why that is. Most of the rabid fans saw Star Wars as youths and as they grew older, they held on to the magic of the movies. This is great, I think and I like the original films too, but when The Phantom Menace rolled around, these fans were no longer youths, but adults instead. Just as the original films were aimed at a younger audience, so is The Phantom Menace and as such, the grown up fans were displeased. Yes, this is a silly, wild ride through the Star Wars realm, with annoying characters and tons of merchandising potential. But come on, so were the original three movies and while an argument could be made for Empire, A New Hope and Return of the Jedi are clearly aimed toward the younger folks. And while the fans ignore the countless plot holes and annoying characters in the original trilogy, they lambaste The Phantom Menace, simply because it wasn't "how they remembered Star Wars to be," what a joke. This installment has some classic scenes and some bad ones, just like the original films, period.
Also this film seamlessly merged animation and live action, and ought to be considered one of the most important, dazzling, ground-breaking movies ever made. This 1999 production, which brought director George Lucas out of a quasi retirement, revealed that some of his skills had rusted, particularly his feel for dialog and his feel for casting. His subsequent shepherding of that dialog through that cast leaves much to be desired . . Then you have the introductory nature of the story itself and the political stuff. This slower pacing turned off people expecting a major epic like stuff found in the Galactic Civil War that was chronicled in Episodes IV, V, and VI. Also, a lot of the time the movie seems disjointed. You go from fast action to long periods of slow scenes before getting back into anything else.
On a positive note this is a perfect example of what a DVD film can and should be, the new 2-disc Fox release of the 4th "Star Wars" film (though it is the first episode of the epic story) is impressive indeed. Well, this isn't the same Phantom Menace you saw in the theater. Including about three minutes of new footage, this transfer has been struck from the same high-definition master created for the video and broadcast releases over a year ago, albeit with the new additions. The 5.1-channel Dolby Digital sound, which has EX enhancements, whips up the film's excitements at every turn. The bass is aggressive, the surround effects are distinctive and plentiful, and the film's sound mix is as creative and pervasive as its special effects. Presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, and THX-certified to boot, Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace boasts a generally stunning, though not quite perfect transfer.
Another way to look at this movie is that on it's own, for non-or casual Star Wars fans it's a rather cruddy movie with one or two cool sequences. As for regular Star Wars fans, they see the movie as the introductory chapter of a six-chapter book that is just meant to show where the major players come from and set up the next two chapters in the prequel trilogy. Again, the movie is just the beginning and some people weren't expecting that. Personally seeing how Palpatine rose to power is kind of cool, but for non-fans it's a bore.
*************spoiler alert*************************** Two Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his young Padawan learner Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) have been sent to settle the dispute, but things don't quite go as planned. This opening scene is one of the first things that caused people to question the continuity of the prequel. Obi-Wan told Luke that Yoda trained him, but the first time you see him in Episode I, he is with Qui-Gon. Young Ben mentions in this scene that Yoda tells him to be mindful of the future, and in the audio commentary George Lucas explains that a Jedi would be trained in the temple (where Yoda is) until about eight or nine and then he will become a padawan to a Jedi Knight. So all is well so far in the continuity department.
As the negotiations go sour, the two Jedi sneak onto a droid army invasion force landing craft and go down to Naboo where Qui-Gon runs into the completely CGI created character Jar Jar Binks . Ok, Jar Jar. As with almost everyone else I cringed when he first opened his mouth, and yes I do think that he is too much of a clumsy presence in the movie and is way overdone. The Pod Race sequence as it was in the original version was a ride that many thought was worth the price of admission alone. From the incredible sound featuring specific engine sounds for each pod, to the ultra fast CGI effects, the race was very fun.
Before that happens, the dreaded Midichlorian explanation rears its ugly head. So instead of being just an energy field that binds the galaxy together that some people are able to sense, the Force is drawn to people by microscopic life forms called Midichlorians. This revelation p***ed off fans even more than Jar Jar (if that is possible...) and it looks like it isn't going anywhere. In the audio commentary Lucas addresses the Midichlorians and basically says that he always wanted to explain why some people could use the Force and others couldn't and the Midichorians were the way. That doesn't help the matter as it changed one of the central things of the Star Wars Mythos and that along with Jar Jar are the two gaping wounds on the movie for me.
Obviously the best one of the four scenes is the dual. It's exactly what people were expecting in a new Star Wars movie and it is my absolute favorite scene in the movie. You have two Jedi from the time when the Jedi were in their prime fighting off an expertly trained Sith Lord. It's the ultimate Star Wars fanboy scene.
On the other hand, the Gungan battle with the Battle Droids is the ultimate Jar Jar haters' nightmare as it is basically nothing but Jar Jar accidentally killing a bunch of droids. It is a great effects scene as it is pretty much 100% CGI, but still. By the time you get to this scene in the movie, you are absolutely sick of Jar Jar and you just want him to go away.
The same thing could almost be said about the space battle as Anakin accidentally crash lands inside the Droid Control Ship and then accidentally fires off two torpedoes into the main reactor to blow it up. Sure, Anakin is a great pilot, and yes the Force is extremely strong with him, but that all is just a little two convenient even for a fully trained Jedi Knight much less an eight year old boy.
In the final analysis The Phantom Menace is a fun, but brisk and light romp, one that the entire family can take time and again. This two disc edition from Fox is more than up to task, so if you're at all interested, The Phantom Menace is recommended.even though it's the worst of the four current movies but still very enjoyable Also both the Star Wars fan and DVD fan in me were not disappointed. The disc has plenty of great extras and an absolutely fantastic presentation that fits with the theme of the movie perfectly. I gave it an 8/10.
A Bug's Life (1998)
a great movie for bugs and people everywhere
Everything that was great about Toy Story, Pixar's first feature (and the first-ever all-computer animated movie), is even greater in A Bug's Life. Visually, this movie is leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessor. Its environments are far more ambitious than Toy Story's, and they deliver with far more nuance and texture. There are more characters in this movie, and they're a little better played. And the story is cute-- it deals with Flik, an outcast ant (Dave Foley) who is sent away by the colony's princess (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) to find some "tough bugs" to fight off the oppressive grasshoppers, led by Hopper (Kevin Spacey), who steal the ants' food. Flik finds a bunch of circus-performer bugs, and mistakes them for fighters, and takes them back to the colony to save the bugs from the grasshoppers. Humor follows. Humor for the whole family. This film has great moments, like when the ants can't figure out how to get around a leaf that has fallen in front of them(although I didn't quite get that, since I would think the ants could see over the leaf, but I guess I was putting too much thought into it.) As many great visual moments as the film has, I just couldn't help feel that it's trapped by the Disney formula of one unlikely hero rising above "it all" to save the day. Again, the animation is wonderful and, to be honest, although it's more safe feeling than "Antz", "A Bug's Life" does do a better job at providing the scope of this miniature world, from the leaves and grass to the stones and ant tunnels. I did like the fact that the film is in the wide 2.35:1 ratio, making the wide spaces of the grassy colony and the insect city more fascinating to watch. High marks once again. The Dolby 5.1 soundtrack never misses a beat. All of the dialogue comes from the position of its speaker on screen. Sometimes stereo effects are very hot or cold-- they're either all the way right, all the way left, or straight center. Not the case here. If a character so much as turns his or her head while speaking, it's reflected in the sound field. Excellent. And the score by Randy Newman sounds great and never overpowers the dialogue or sound. Above all, this movie is visually stunning. STUNNING. It is amazing to watch. 9 out of 10
Flashdance (1983)
a good date night movie (you can make out between the songs)
I just watched "Flashdance" for the first time and it is a film so lame, inconsequential and annoyingly dumb that it actually made the comparably silly "Footloose" look like "Singing in the Rain" by comparison. Actually, I'm being too hard on "Footloose," since it actually had a plot, some interesting characters, and a point-of-view (to say nothing of a POINT), as opposed to the pointless and silly "Flashdance." which was like "Rocky" with a dance motif and female star.
I hope you don't take my "critique" the wrong way... Honestly, I don't think the movie is really all that good, but the message, and the feeling, and the spirit of this movie, are all very wonderful and infectious indeed and should NOT be discounted. It makes it a wonderful movie. It is a story of energy, of feeling and of life The story seems utterly predictable and rather contrived, and the characters are weak. The music (which I *do* remember well from that time) is still excellent, and some of the dance routines are inventive. Others were pretty bad. like the closing dance routine which is as bad a dance scene as you'll ever see in any movie. The final dance scene In "Footloose" was much better. also did you know a man was actually doing that twirly move and that Jennifer Beals didn't dance at all, actually they used about four stunt doubles). For a dance movie, Flashdance doesn't show that much dancing. Even the gorgeous Jennifer Beals (and her dance doubles doing all those dance numbers.( I wonder if she has that huge curly perm -although fashionable at 1983 - only to shadow the face of her double. ) couldn't hold my interest. As short as Flashdance was, I was looking at my watch about halfway through.
The best parts of this movie are the "music videos" and the soundtrack in the film is fantastic, it makes you the feel, the passion come alive as it drives the story and gives it a soul. It is that fantastic soundtrack that makes that, and the whole film for that matter, simply come alive. Beals is one of the few reasons to watch this movie. She is not bad at all as an actress! And she is sexy, cute and pretty. She has a very attractive smile and shows sometimes a very sexy body language. The worst parts are the dance performances which destroys the whole movie. Also the dialogs wasn't really good or interesting. Unfortunately, there are some really ungainly jokes in the film(re: 'honkies', small penises, Polish jokes, a gross lesbian joke, and a real stinker about cockroaches in hamburgers--this is funny??), but the basic outline of the picture, corny though it may be, still works a little magic.
SPOILERS, BEWARE!!! Some things I really don't like about this movie: It seems that she is the only female working at the mill. Also if a female co-worker started dating the male boss a lot of people would think she was doing it to get ahead and not cheer them on like in the movie. Why would any reasonable "male" go to a club just to see women dance in skimpy clothes. I can see that going to any regular nite-club.When she first dances to the song "maniac" and they cut to shot of her dog it looks like he is getting "excited" watching her. That scene with the traffic cop, what what that all about? Some things do confuse me about it (e.g. Jeanie asks Alex how long it took for her to get so good at dancing; Alex replies "About 25 years," isn't Alex supposed to be 18?) Also, if Alex is a welder during the day, wouldn't she be tired after a hard day's work? When she doesn't go to work for nearly a week, wouldn't she be laid off? Living in a warehouse-I can almost see it, but not quite. It doesn't seem right that she's a welder, owns a warehouse house, AND is trying to get into ballet. None of it really makes sense.
To summerize, Flashdance will never make the AFI's Top 100, but it has an infectious charm. Jennifer Beals is really only so-so in the leading role, and her leading man Michael Nouri is no better off, but it doesn't matter. What does matter here is the great music, especially that title track that may be the most inspirational show .tune since the theme from Rocky. Really, the whole film is played like a 90-minute ad for MTV! Laugh at the dopey plot and listen to the great tunes. Great film to earmark the 80s. Short on plot, but big on rock and roll and performance, especially by Beals, who excels as a welder (and semi-erotic dancer) who has dreams of ballet. I guess I'm recommending the film. I still find myself humming the title song.
Schoolhouse Rock! (1973)
Very good classic edu=videos
I enjoyed watching these videos. This was one of the reasons I got up early on Saturdays. The thing is that they made alot more of these than i thought. NOw that I am older I also enjoyed the extras and background information these videos. Of course some videos are better than others but over all it gets 10/10 because "ZERO IS MY HERO".
Tron (1982)
A classic and a first for computer animation that is a little funny after 20 years of computer technology advancement
After 20 years of advancement in the world of computers (both in terms of technology and effects), Tron is quite interesting to revisit and is applauded for it's ground-breaking computer generated animation. It also holds it's place in history as the first massive effort in computer animation. The film had a damn cool story that is even a bit funny now looking back on it. It is basically one man a computer programmer named Flynn (Jeff Bridges) out to save the world from the evil Master Control Program (or MCP). But this time he has to do it from inside the "computer world" and he has to do while playing the games he created in the real world. But he does get help from a security program called Tron (Bruce Boxleitner) to overthrow the tyrannical MCP. I really liked the light cycle scene, and those glowing blue and red suits still look damn cool. And for those who are computer literate, the little in-jokes are still funny. Flynn's program named "Clu", the insurance program "Ram", and the Bit that will only answer "Yes" or "No", etc.
If you want the best-looking edition of Tron, you must get this DVD.Even though it says that it is 5.1 it doesn't sound like it. However, it does take advantage of the .1 channel to give you some rumbling bass in addition to the clearer sound.
Gold Rush 2002 (2002)
The 50 year wait is over
This was an excellent look into the background workings of Team CANADA 2002 GOLD MEDAL CHAMPIONS. WE got see how decisions were made and and some of the obstacles the management team faced putting together this team. Of course Wayne Gretzky proved again why he will forever be known as the GREATEST HOCKEY LEADER EVER after his wonderful press conference after the Czech game where he said it like is. One minor quibble I have is that I wish the game hi-lites were better showcasing some saves and other game affecting moments. But still It is great 10/10
Bee Gees: One Night Only (1997)
And What a Night it Was
This Bee Gees' concert is an excellent showcase of all their hits as well songs made into hits by other performers. The songs are: "Massachusetts" and "I Started a Joke" , "Words", "To Love Somebody", and "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart", "Night Fever", "You Should be Dancing", "Stayin' Alive", and "Grease", "Alone", "Still Waters", "Closer than Close", "I Gotta get a message to You", "Islands in the Stream", "One", "Lonely Days", "Morning of My Life", "New York Mining Disaster 1941", Too Much Heaven", "I can't see nobody", "Run To Me" "And the Sun Will Shine", "Nights On Broadway", "Heartbreaker", "guilty", "tragedy", "Jive Talking", and "how deep is your Love". Included is a very moving tribute/duet to/with brother Andy done to the song "Our Love", and other artists are recognized--Frankie Valli, Olivia Newton-John, John Travolta. Celine Dion is the special guest who does a duet on the song "immortality".
Their voices and harmonies are still exquisite; Robin, with that hauntingly beautiful sound, and Barry's voice, what can you say, is wonderful while Maurice seems to be the personality(good natured and funny) who deftly handles all the accompanying instruments. All three have given us FOUR decades of terrific music and have condensed it into ONE night's performance showcasing their unmistakable, and recognizable as ever Bee Gees' "sound". this rates 9/10.