5 comments about The War Wagon.

1. One of the older movies but still John Wayne at his best



2. This is a typical John Wayne western from the era when he had some control over what he starred in, and its content. As a result, he plays essentially the same character over and over again (he seems to wear the same red shirt, faded to a washed out pink, in half of the movies) and is just confronted with a different situation each time. In this instance, his character, Taw Jackson, has had his land stolen from him. He wasn't able to stop it because a hired gun shot him and put him in the hospital. The ranch he owned turned out to have gold on it, and the local rich guy, having had him shot, took over the ranch and has become even richer.
   
   So Taw has to return from jail to take back what's his. The twist is that he hires the hired guy, Lomax (nicely played by Kirk Douglas), to help in his plot. Since the rich guy (his name is Pierce) transports the gold out of the territory in an iron-plated wagon called "The War Wagon" Wayne has to come up with a sophisticated scheme to upend said wagon and get his hands on the gold.
   
   While the plot's interesting and the action is reasonably fun, the movie's also very predictable. When one of Wayne's partners is particularly negatively portrayed, you know he's the one who will be killed somewhere towards the end. And I had one big disappointment with this movie. Usually, with one of these old westerns, there's a rousing soundtrack, if nothing else, but here you get this very strange choral thing with silly words about the war wagon and who's following it and so forth. It's one of the most dated soundtracks I've ever heard, embarrassing even to listen to. That aside, this is a fun movie.



3. "Mine hit the ground first."
   "Mine was taller."
   John Wayne & Kirk Douglas team up a second time, this time in a western. Not the best movie that either one of them did but it's entertaining.
   
   Taw Jackson (John Wayne) has just returned from prison to Emmett, N.M. where he had once resided. He had lost his ranch to Pierce who had gotten it, apparently, after Jackson had been sent to prison. Lomax (Kirk Douglas) has been hired a second time to kill Jackson after failing a time in the past. But this time Jackson makes offer to Lomax that's impossible to turn down: 500.000 dollars. It's being shipped by Pierce's War Wagon that's steel plated & has a Gatling gun mounted on a turret, not to mention 33 outriders tagging along.
   
   The character interplay between Wayne & Douglas is fun to watch. For a while you're not sure if Lomax is going to help Jackson or kill him. Their plan to steal the half million is an elaborate one but the film doesn't dwell on this so it keeps moving at a good pace. Burt Kennedy directed & he had a natural flair for pacing & action, he also had a unique talent of combining westerns with comedy. The casting coup of the sixties was placing Howard Keel as the Indian. Keel had been known mostly for roles in musicals, he was an excellent baritone. Much of the film's comedy stems from his portrayal which could've been a very bad case of miscasting. This casting coup was one of Hollywood's greatest successful reaches.
   
   The film, for its day, has a twist for an ending, but, as is usually the case, Wayne does come out on top. Hollywood would still make a few more good westerns, but not many were better than this. In some ways, The War Wagon signals the end of the Hollywood classic western.
   
   Enjoy.



4. The War Wagon is perhaps my favorite western and favorite Duke movie. There is plenty of action, some good humor, and an interesting, believable plot. Taw Jackson (Wayne) is a rancher just released from prison. He wants revenge on the man named Mr. Pierce, who sent him there and stole his ranch because it had gold on it. Wayne teams up with Lomax (Kirk Douglas) who plays a gunfighting womanizer. Together they team up with other misfits and an Indian tribe in an attempt to rob an old western version of an armored car, The War Wagon.
   
   The other characters are Levi Walking Bear, a crazy Indian who has learned to live in a White Man's world. Billy, a drunk who is an expert with dynomite and nitro glycerine, and a crazy old man who drives Mr. Pierces flour wagons. I say he is crazy because anyone who would pull a knife with a rifle pointed at him is a little off his rocker. He 'owns' a pretty hot blonde too, he got her for 20 dollars and a horse.
   
   Well they get the wagon, but not all the booty. You;ll have to watch and see who gets the majority of the gold, and maybe deservedly so.
   
   Great moments are as follows, and always remember, in a tight spot, offer an enraged Indian a swig of nitro glycerine.
   
   Lomax :"Mine hit the ground first"
   Taw: "Mine was taller"
   
   Taw "The shells belong to him. You tell him he can come get them anytime"
   
   Lomax "You've been working saloons too long"
   
   Taw "Me neither, prescious!"
   
   Mr. Pierce "INDIANS DON'T BLOW BRIDGES!!!"
   
   Billy "I'm gonna buy this place!"



5. The War Wagon was a hit when it was first released and is still a great film today. John Wayne and Kirk Douglas have just enough tension to really wonder if they will end up shooting each other or doing the hold up. Excellent addition to any family home film library.

5 comments about Best of Jack Benny.

1. Jack Benny, America's greatest radio comedian, dipped his toes into the television waters in 1949 for his new bosses at CBS. He must have liked the medium because he stayed until 1965. While never the top television comic, his legendary status as both a performer and a human being helped CBS to gain stature as the top network in TV's early days.
   Unlike his friend Lucille Ball, his television shows were only sporadically recorded and not always in the best quality. They tend to be similar to the "Honeymooners' Lost Episodes" kinoscope recordings in video quality. The shows that did have a better look remain under copy write to NBC by way of MCA, ironic for a CBS show, eh? So what we are left with in this collection are unrestored kinoscope to vhs quality recordings whose rights were allowed to lapse because the rights holders figured they were unsaleable. If you get the idea they don't look like a lovingly retouched HD-DVD set of "Heroes", then you are on the right track.
   The set has two major redeeming qualities. The first is value. At 5 to 8 bucks depending on where you shop its hard to argue the price on a 4 DVD box set. The second is the show. Jack Benny was a master of comic timing whose much ballyhooed cheapness and vanity were a wink wink, nudge nudge disguise for one of the best loved men in the country. Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, while playing the somewhat demeaning role of valet, was a virtual costar for much of the shows run. His amazing voice, at once gravelly and expressive, and tremendous chemistry with Benny made him the best second banana in early television. Rotund announcer Don Wilson appeared in most every show, while other Benny radio vets like Mary Livingstone, Dennis Day and Mel Blanc made sporadic visits to the show. With a stripped down cast that no longer included Phil Harris and only occasionally Mary and Dennis, Jack began to feature a plethora of guest stars. Because of his friendship with many Hollywood stars, big names from Bob Hope to Jimmy Stewart to Humphrey Bogart were seen on the Jack Benny shows across the years.
   While not as strong as his radio shows and despite the video quality, getting sixteen plus hours of Jack Benny is definitely a bargain at this price. See the inspiration for all the great comedians from Cosby to Seinfeld in quite often watchable grainy black and white, its the most fun you will ever have courting eye strain.



2. Granted, the quality of the prints in this release aren't stellar and in fact, the final frames of a few shows are missing. But they're not all that bad either, and given that we're provided with a whopping 1,260 minutes of entertainment on four disks for <$10, I think some perspective is in order. We're treated to some of the earliest shows--from the short-lived days of the single sponsor--which include Lucky Strike commercials that are actually incorporated into the episodes themselves (earlier than I remember, and I grew up watching this show from infancy). There are also some specials, plus an installment of the Burns & Allen show in which Jack was the guest star. It's a nice mix.
   I've already loaned this to one of my professors who also happens to be a fan. In fact, it turns out that several of my buddies in academia are J.B. fans, so this will be passed around a lot. This is REALLY funny stuff and we're lucky that at least some original film stock has survived. I'd love to see an all-out restoration project but until such time, this will more than suffice. I tend to be fussy about quality, but given the age of the source material and the price, I'm very happy that I made this purchase. It might not be everyone's cup of tea (i.e., it's not for liver-lipped, pretentious, Finnish ugly-boy stalker trolls), but if genuine wit without profanity, bathroom humor, and graphic sexuality appeals to you, this is likely to keep you laughing for the better part of 21 hours.
   A small caveat: Disk 2 wouldn't track in my PowerBook but was fine in my DVD player, so I didn't bother to try to exchange it.



3. This is the most entertainment I have gotten for under ten dollars in a long time - four discs of complete episodes of The Jack Benny Program and various other shows in which Jack appeared, including that of George Burns and Gracie Allen. Just about every star of the 50's and 60's shows up on Jack's show, and the show is presented complete with commercials in most cases. This is most interesting since Lucky Strike cigarettes sponsored Benny's show for much of its tenure. How ironic to see Humphrey Bogart plugging cigarettes during an episode in which he appears just a few years before the same product takes his life.
   
   Especially fun are the guest appearances by Mel Blanc and Bob Hope - Benny just can't resist breaking up during their routines. Then there is an episode entitled "Jam Session" in which a number of stars including Kirk Douglas, Fred MacMurray, Dan Dailey, and Dick Powell join Jack in his living room for an impromptu musical session. The group, in need of refreshment, find a number of vending machines placed throughout the room to dispense cold apples and soft drinks at a price, of course. They've obviously been to Jack's house before.
   
   There is a running gag through the shows about the failure of Jacks's 1940's film "The Horn Blows at Midnight". I don't know if it failed in the 40's, but if you ever get a chance to catch it on TV, give it a try - it really is pretty good.
   
   As for the controversy over Rochester, I'd say his role in TV was groundbreaking. Benny treats Rochester more as a member of the family than a servant, and several times Rochester's ingenuity and wisdom save Benny from himself. More importantly, Rochester's ingenuity saves himself from Benny's cheapskate ways more than once, and when that's not possible at least Rochester gets off a wisecrack at Benny's expense. It's not at all the painful portrayal of racial stereotypes you see in some of the 1940's Charlie Chan films.
   
   Some people have criticized the video quality of this pack. The quality is definitely "unrestored", but I would put it on par with the best quality that you find in some of those public domain 50 movie packs. Sure there are some scratches in the video here and there, but the audio is quite clear. Highly recommended.



4. There were funnier shows in the 1950's, "Abbott and Costello," "I Love Lucy" (from 1952-1955), "Milton Berle," "Honeymooners" and "I Married Joan," but these only lasted, or were funny, for two or three years, "The Jack Benny Show" lasted amazingly from 1950 till 1965. From this collection, a good selection from many of these years, it is clear that the Jack Benny show was consistently funny for all those years.
   
   This is the best collection on the market. Even the ones that are no longer very funny (about 1/4 of the episodes) are fascinating to watch for what they tell us about the times.
   
   Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the show today is the relationship between Eddie Anderson (Rochester) and Jack Benny. There is a genuine affection between the two performers that made for a silent but clear anti-racist message for the time.
   
   One should be warned that there are a lot of Luck Strike commercials included (about 20). They are incredibly effective and even today can have you wanting to run out and buy a pack for the "great taste."
   
   Hopefully, someone will put out a complete year by year collection some day. Until then, this collection is the best we have.



5. I was/am a fan of Jack Benny. But I didn't find these shows as compelling as I anticipated. Humor back then was much more casual than today; it was interesting to see the various guest stars, but the skits lack the boffo laughs I was expecting. It's a pleasant trip down memory lane, but not much more than that...I smiled and chuckled occasionally, but don't expect humor on the scale of "Cheers", "Will & Grace", etc.

5 comments about Two-Lane Blacktop - Criterion Collection.

1. A painlessly quick FYI by a longtime Amazonian on his biggest pet peeve of Amazon reviews: No matter how many DVD releases there are for a particular film, Amazon lumps them all together.
   
   As such, the first 84 reviews are for the *initial* (and now waaaaaaaaay OOP) DVD release of this seminal film by Anchor Bay. The reviews for the *Criterion* release begin with the one on November 24, 2007, which is entitled, "Two-Lane Blacktop: an existential road movie."
   
   Ok, I'm stepping off my titanium soapbox now.... d'oh!!!!



2. Of all the movies in the late 60s-early 70s, this one haunted me the most. It's not about dialog or action in this one... it's what's going on in the periphery.



3. Call it an existentialist movie. Call it a character study. "Two-Lane Blacktop" is probably both. Probably. To say that it's about three guys, two cars and one girl is almost an exaggeration of a plot description. Two of the three guys - The Driver (played by James Taylor) and The Mechanic (Dennis Wilson)- seem to exist only to drive in their souped-up, primer grey Chevy. Their sum of their lives is this: one drives, one fixes the car, they race for money so they can continue driving and fixing their car. They may cruise into and out of the lives of others, but, really, nobody has any effect on them. This changes only when The Girl (willowy, spacey Laurie Bird) joins them, unannounced and uninvited, on their long trip to nowhere.
   
   It changes a little more when they meet up with a GTO-driving blowhard played by Warren Oates. He doesn't care much for these young punks, and he lets `em know it. They challenge him to a cross-country race, their respective pink slips hanging in the balance. GTO accepts. They all drive some more.
   
   And so it goes for the four main characters. The Girl may switch allegiances among the three men. The Mechanic may offer to drive. The Driver may turn him down. GTO may tell an all-new whopper to one of the many hitchhikers he picks up. But unlike the similarly themed "Easy Rider" which made riding motorcycles cross-country look like the ultimate freedom, "Two-Lane Black Top" offers up its version of alienation with no sanctuary. There's no counterculture to belong to. No hip lingo or clothing to sport. No sex, no drugs or anything else to give the characters entrance into some sort of elitist, antiestablishment clique. Sure, the guys in "Easy Rider" had run away from the Establishment...but they had all the commune-dwellers, hippie chicks and weird lawyers they needed to be part of a different, even more exclusive club. No such luck for the Driver, the Mechanic and GTO.
   
   For the folks in this movie, there's no scene to be a part of, nowhere to call home, nobody to call a friend, really. The men may muster up the smallest bit of jealousy over the Girl. But mostly, they all just drive, disconnected from pretty much anything or anyone. Oddly, the one character who seems to crave some measure of human contact - GTO - is the most abrasive. But are his lies an attempt to impress, to make himself more attractive? Or are they just a shield he uses to keep anyone from getting too close? Hard to say.
   
   To the casual viewer, this could all be pretty boring stuff. And it's hard to imagine that the early 70s drive-in crowd on whom this movie was dropped could have been anything other than confused by it. For a movie named "Two Lane Blacktop," there ain't a whole lot of racing. And there sure as hell ain't much plot. But it's also a movie that grows on you. A movie that makes you wonder about the characters and want to fill in the blanks. It may not live up to your expectations on a first viewing, but give it a chance. Like a top-shelf Scotch or a premium cigar, the good parts become more and more apparent the more you get to know it.
   
   The real benefit of a release like this, of course, is that it represents the rescue of an obscure little gem. And it's practically worth the price of admission just to see Dennis Wilson and James Taylor onscreen with not a drum kit or guitar in sight. But, as they have with so many other films, the Criterion folks have done this movie up right! There are lots of great extras and info that are sure to please committed fans and converts alike. So hats off to director Monte Hellman for making one of the most perfect examples of arthouse/drive-in cinema. And big thanks to the people at Criterion who got this baby off the ground for our home viewing pleasure.



4. This is not a review of the film itself - there are numerous sources of critiques and distillations of the plot (such as it is). Rather, this review is concerned with the presentation of the Criterion Collection dvd release.
   
   The packaging is in a paper sleeve and similar to other recent double disc Criterion releases, such as The Double Life of Veronique - Criterion Collection. This release is one of the most extravagant releases Criterion has helmed, including not one - but two - informative booklets. One contains various essays and production photos and the other contains the entire screenplay.
   
   A copy of the screenplay would be a delight with such Criterion releases as This Sporting Life - Criterion Collection and Kind Hearts and Coronets - both of which contain highly intelligent dialogue. However, with a film like Two-Lane Blacktop, it remains a dull, tepid read. I submit an example:
   
   75. Interior. Car. Driver and Mechanic.
   They can see only a hundred feet of road from the headlights.
   The Girl is not visible.
   GIRL'S VOICE: I'm hungry.
   
   Still, it's icing on the cake for a wonderful release filled with interviews, photos, and outtakes - in addition to a fine print of the film itself. A bargain at nearly any price!



5. If you love old muscle cars and want to glimse a long gone era in the good ole USA this movie is for you. Solid performances from the actors make this a really watchable movie.

5 comments about Them!.

1. The menacing insects in this fine sci-fi from 1954 can't hold a candle to what they would look like with the benefit of today's sophisiticated special effects. But with a script this tight (thanks to Ted Sherdeman and Russell Hughes), sharp, no-nonsense direction by Gordon Douglas, plenty of atmosphere, and characters this engaging, the old-fashioned look of the terrorizing mutants doesn't matter.
   
   THEM! was based on a story by George Worthing Yates, and made in the apocalyptic mode of the atomic post-war era, when the memory of Hiroshima and the birth of the atomic age was very much to the fore. THEM! is the best of a group of films made during this period, in which humanity is warned, through the rise of mutant species resulting from atomic radiation, of the dangers lurking behind the door that science has just opened.
   
   THEM! opens in the deserts of New Mexico (not too far from White Sands, where the first atomic test bombs were exploded), as Sergeant Ben Peterson, a state trooper (James Whitmore, in an affecting portrayal of what could have been a stock character) picks up a little girl wandering through the scrub in shock, clutching a doll with a broken head. She is unable to speak and tell Ben and his partner, Ed Blackburn, who she is or where she came from, but they quickly come upon a trailer where they find the other piece of the doll's head on the floor. The trailer has been badly damaged and there is no sign of the child's family. They also find an unidentifiable print in the sand not far from the trailer, and make a cast of it. When Ben and Ed visit the nearby store of a local old-timer, Gramps Johnson, to find out if he has seen anything unusual, they find the store pulled apart in the same way as the trailer, and Gramps dead at the bottom of his cellar. Ben leaves Ed at the store to explore further - but when he returns, Ed has also disappeared.
   
   As it turns out, the trailer belongs to an FBI agent on vacation with his family, and, assuming that his and his family's disappearance is a violent crime, the FBI sends agent Bob Graham (James Arness, in the second of his classic sci-fi appearances, only this time he's recognizable) to investigate. Ben is distraught, as he feels responsible for leaving Ed alone in Gramps's store. As he and Bob are introduced, the coroner comes in with the report on Gramps's body, and tells them that there was "enough formic acid in him to kill twenty men." Nonplussed and with no leads, Bob sends the cast of the strange print off to his FBI office in Washington, in case anyone there can identify it.
   
   Someone does: Dr. Medford, a specialist in myrmicology (the study of ants, the term taken, for the classically-minded out there, from the Greek "myrmidos": in Homer's "Iliad", Achilles's troops were called the "Myrmidons" because out on the field they looked like a swarm of black ants). Unable to believe their eyes, Dr. Medford and his daughter, Pat, who has followed her father into his scientific specialty, catch the first plane out to New Mexico to find out whether the print is real or a hoax.
   
   Of course, it's not a hoax, as the doctors Medford, Bob, and Ben quickly find out. As the four search the desert the same day for more prints, in a rising sandstorm, they meet their first specimen of the new breed of giant ant that has evolved in the desert in the aftermath of the atomic tests. The team barely escapes from the encounter, and as they do so, the two myrmicologists remind Ben and Bob that ants live in colonies, and that their problems are just beginning.
   
   From then on, the film follows the team as it tries to locate the nests of the giant ants, and discover whether queen ants have hatched from these, flown away, and established new nests in other locations. The government and the military are brought in, and, with the four main characters spearheading the search and destroy mission, this first-class sci-fi races to its finish in the underground sewer tunnels of Los Angeles.
   
   The crisp pace of the film is due to a terrific script that moves forward with locomotive speed, and that provides its characters with snappy, adult, engaging dialogue. The scenes inside the ants' nests, where the characters must go in order to find out whether queen ants have hatched and left, are genuinely frightening. There are also some touching human moments, as the haggard mother of two children trapped inside the tunnels waits outside, her husband already killed by the ants, as Ben battles inside to save the children's lives.
   
   The actors give colorful yet believable performances, not least Edmund Gwenn (Mr. Claus from "Miracle on 34th Street") as the eccentric senior Dr. Medford, James Arness as the stalwart Agent Graham, James Whitmore as the gruff yet tender-hearted Sgt. Ben Peterson, and stage actress Joan Weldon as the junior Dr. Medford. The attractive Weldon was not happy in Hollywood and returned to the stage after this film. Her height, unusual for the era, makes her a nice match for the rangy, 6'6" Arness, and they both do a creditable job navigating some 1950s moments surrounding the unusual scenario of a brainy career woman as the romantic interest of a not-that-brainy hero. Arness to Weldon soon after they meet: "Look, Miss, um, Dr., er . . ."; Weldon to Arness: "Well, if the "doctor" bothers you, why don't you just call me Pat?". In a similar echt-1950s moment, Weldon gets off the plane in southern New Mexico, in the 110-degree heat, in a wool suit, hat, gloves, and high heels - the same outfit she wears later to visit the desert in a sandstorm. A small cameo by Fess Parker as a Texas pilot who encounters the ants while airborne, and gets sent to a mental institution when he reports it, won Parker the role of Davy Crockett after Walt Disney saw the movie. Also, viewers of a certain age should see if they can identify the actor playing a junior naval officer who appears onscreen only for a few seconds, as he hands a "top secret report" to a typist. This was Arness's second foray into this genre - his first was as the giant blood-drinking vegetable/man in Howard Hawks's original (and far superior to John Carpenter's overblown remake), "The Thing". The future Marshall Matt Dillon is to be congratulated on wandering into not one, but two of the best early science fiction films ever made.
   
   Mention must also go to Bronislau Kapers' eerie, tingly score, with its now famous whistling signature sound for the ants, and the excellent black and white production. Note the overlay of color, though, faintly visible on the opening titles, the only remnant of the initial efforts to shoot the film in color. Looking at it today, it is hard to imagine that the clean, black and white look of the film could have been improved upon.
   
   THEM! shows its age in a couple of places, but for the most part holds up wonderfully, and deserves its high rank in the canons of this particular science-fiction genre.



2. I remember seeing this movie as a little kid and it scared the devil out of me, especially because it was partially filmed in Victorville, CA and I lived in nearby Palmdale at the time. This movie was a turning point for me as I used to be scared to death of monster movies but after being initially scared, this became one of my all time favorites.
   
   I don't know if they've ever colorized it, but I don't think it needs to be in color and would probably ruin my experience with it. This film should stay black and white. After all, that's part of the charm.
   
   For the technology of the time, the ants are very well done and especially for a little kid, totally believable. No strings, and no puppeteer's hand flashing on camera. The story is classic too, just the way I like my icky bug. The pseudo-chauvinist pig comments are typical for the era and don't detract from the story. In fact, I believe the director didn't want any romance and the actress playing the woman scientist was kind of disappointed there was no substantial love sub-plot.
   
   The plot is typical atomic-mutation-creates-monster-bugs, but it is also one of the first, and surely the best done. The anti-nuke message is clear.
   
   This movie hit home in so many ways, especially because of the Joshua trees. It also hit home because of the scenes in the flood control channels in downtown LA, some of which I used to play in when I was a littler kid living in Lakewood and Playa Del Rey before we moved to Palmdale.
   
   This is the ultimate in great icky bug. Highly recommended.



3. 
   I am very surprised about the many positive reviews here.
   
   Of course: the movie itself is a classic, and should not be missed in any "best of" ranking.
   
   But we should rather assess, what the buyer of the product - the DVD - get's for their money. And this is from my point of view extremely disappointing. We are withheld a mere 24 % of the cinema movie - with no explanation or apology at all!
   
   According to IMBD the original cinema film format was 1.75 : 1. This is quite the same as a modern TV-screen with it's 16:9 format.
   
   On the DVD however the film comes in good old 4:3 format. That means, they have cut on each side 12 % of the original picture, leaving us just three quarters of what was shown in the cinemas!
   
   Thus the judgment can only be: one star for Warner Home Video!



4. Films of this quality should never die, and I hope they will always be available. I only wish I could see this film in a theater, although the DVD provides many extras the theater can't. Even though many viewers may consider it a B movie, it was and still is a great Sci Fi story with good solid acting. The sound effects are definitely chilling. I've only ever had a problem with the artwork in the "movie poster" used on the cover. The scenes depicted by the artist actually never happen. There isn't any scantily clad woman snatched up by any of the ants.



5. I make the comparison to Charlie Wilson's War (Widescreen) only conceptually. The Gov. experiments with the A-bomb have led to giant radiation mutated ants and now they have to fix a problem they created. This isn't The Blob - Criterion Collection or The Thing from Another World that is threatening man kind but man. It's our bad basically.
   Them is a horror film that's basic premise could have been the influence for countless others in the genre, for example Wes Craven's The Hills Have Eyes (2-Disc Edition).
   Ranking 72nd on Bravo's Scariest Movie Moments list (good special, the 30 scarier movie moments not so much) and mentioned in Stephen King's Stephen King's Danse Macabre as one of the best horror films between 1950-1980. Them is a must see for Sci-Fi horror fans. Besides searching for deeper meanings and making a mountain out of an ant hill Them is an all around fun time which doesn't hesitate to push the limits for it's time. Also worth mentioning is Edmund Gwenn who won an Oscar for his role as Kris Kringle in Miracle on 34th Street (Special Edition). Gwenn provides the Sci Fi angle and some humor as Dr. Harold Medford while stealing the scenes he is in.
   [4.5]
   
   DVD FEATURES:
   Has a great old school horror/ comic dvd menu worth noting.
   Behind the scenes archive footage montage on the design and operation of giant ants
   Interactive menus - case film highlights - theatrical trailer - scene access

5 comments about Absence of Malice.

1. When this movie came out, I was a reporter at a daily newspaper. I went to "Absence of Malice" fully prepared to hate it. Instead, I came away thinking that it was an accurate and believable portrayal of what happens in a newsroom. To this day, I am bothered that journalists too often fail to understand the impact their words have on people's lives. Most journalists I've known prefer to insulate themselves from the public and never hear about the negative effects of the stories they write. I highly recommend this movie to anyone interested in how reporters and editors operate.



2. How unbelievable is it that Paul and Sally would end up in bed after Newman's friend, (played by Melinda Dillon), commits suicide because of the news story Sally's character writes. The dialog between Gallagher, (Newman), and Carter, (Field), is pointed, dynamic and, frankly, brilliant, but it shouldn't be happening in the bedroom. It doesn't make any sense. The quirky Elliot Rosen, (played brilliantly by Bob Balaban) is the engine driving this bus off a cliff. To Wit:
   
   FBI Agent Eddie Frost (Arnie Ross): What the hell's going on?
   
   Elliott Rosen (Balaban): Good question. You oughta join the FBI. I don't know either.
   
   Frost: It doesn't make any sense.
   
   Rosen: Got any ideas?
   
   Frost: Sure, early retirement.
   
   Rosen: I got a couple. I want 24 hour surveillance on Gallagher, not close. And I want taps on three phones; Gallagher's warehouse, Gallagher @ home..., Quinn's house.
   
   Frost: Wait a minute. Where are we going to find a judge who'll let us tap Quinn?
   
   Rosen: I'm not gonna ask a judge.
   
   Frost: It's no good in court.
   
   Rosen: I'm not in court. Not yet.
   
   Frost: You really think Gallagher bought him.
   
   Rosen: I don't know. You think he's for sale?
   
   During the entire conversation Rosen is animatedly chewing gum and spinning a rubber band between his hands. What a performance.
   
   Of course the curtain finally comes down when Asst. U.S. Attorney General James A. Wells (portrayed masterfully by Wilford Brimley) hits town with a U.S. Marshall and a stenographer in tow and puts an end to the whole charade and Elliot Rosen's career. If you haven't seen this film or haven't seen it in a while, see it now.



3. Paul Newman is cast as a businessman whose only links to organised crime are tenuous at best -via an uncle (Luther Adler -excellent as ever)-but because he is the son of a long dead mobster ,is believed by a hotheaded Federal prosecutor (Bob Balaban)to possibly be able to help them crack an ongoing investigation that has stalled .This investigation revolves around the disappearance of a prominent mobster in Miami where the action takes place .
   
   Seeing an opportunity and untramelled by such niceites as ethics he leaks the news of Gallagher's possible "complicity"to an ambitious journalist ,Megan (Sally Field).She swallows the bait and writes a story full of iron clad innuendo implicating Gallagher ,a tale splashed all across the front pages .The story comes close to destroying his life and tragedy follows in its wake.With a contrite Megan as ally -she and Gallagher having become romantically involved-he decides to strike back at the people who have so cavalierly treated him and his family .
   
   The work raises key questions of media responsibility ,and sadly ,fudges them at key points but the movie is still poilished ,literate entertainment which would work well on a double bill with All The President's Men as it is a counterpart to that movie in some ways While the Bernstein/Woodward movie amounted to a hagiographic portrait of journalists this tends towards a more jaundiced viewpoint and is for my money the more interesting piece as a result
   
   Performances are uniformly excellent with Balaban especially outstanding .This repays watching if only for the way it asks us to look at issues of media ethics and mores .It sharply portrays the downside to irresponsible investigative reporting and corrects the glib Hollywood l notion that journalists are heroes-sometimes ,sure ,but they can do a lot of harm and this movie entertainingly ecposes this aspect to the fourth estate.



4. I enjoyed this movie immensely. It points up the contrast between human beings as they are and as they are portrayed in newspapers when they become newsworthy. Great performances by Newman and Field.



5. I can't improve on the first sentence from W.Corse's excellent 2/3/05 review:
   
   "Absence of Malice is one of my all-time favorites, and the first "older" movie that I grabbed when it was finally released on DVD. In my opinion this is one film that should be required viewing for every journalism major in the USA. "
   
   Some of other reviewers' comments make my eyes cross.
   (1) The movie is "slow"? (Not if you're paying attention to Paul Newman's brick-by-brick implementation of an utterly brilliant revenge.)
   (2) Sally Fields doesn't look too good? (I think she looks better in this film than she's ever looked.)
   (3) The "attraction" between Newman/Field is silly/implausible/the film's weak spot? (I throw up my hands in despair. The scenes with these two are some of the best written/best acted you'll ever see: the uneasy tentativeness, attraction sparring with distrust. Is Newman using Fields? Fields using Newman? Both? Neither? I'm still not sure.)
   
   One reviewer called it the ultimate "get even" story, and--along w/The Shawshank Redemption- it is just that. The scenes of the final hearing, Wilfred Brimley presiding, belong on the short list of Great Movie Denouements.
   
   The media pretty much ignored it when it came out (go figure :o). It was a little before its time, but it will outlast them all.

5 comments about Bull Durham.

1. Before I begin the review, I should take time to mention that I am a huge baseball fan. I rarely miss a game, follow it as if my life depends on it, and see more baseball games at the ballyard every year than I do movies. I also played when I was younger and have worked on baseball-related projects for my alma mater.
   
   I had heard that Bull Durham was one of the best, if not the best, baseball movies ever made. As a fan of Field of Dreams and The Natural, I decided to go and rent this one. Figuring that it was about baseball I thought I couldn't go wrong, so I didn't check the ratings on any of the sites as I normally do for a movie. Big mistake on my part there.
   
   I couldn't even make it through a half hour of this movie. There was a little bit of baseball but nothing else worth mentioning. The entire thing was about sex, and I had to look away from the TV for some time. I was hoping it would get better but it never did, and after all the sex and foul language I stopped the movie, never bothering to finish it.
   
   I was surprised that so many people gave this vulgar excuse for a baseball film such high ratings. Looking at the summaries of the ending of the movie, it looks as if there is some baseball action later on but the female characters, who I did not like at all, seemed to persist. Unfortunately this movie is filled with sex, and I feel that it was far too inappropriate for any release.
   
   I'm not some kid writing this, I am a mature conservative Christian. This movie should offend anyone who believes in Him. Don't believe the hype from some of the sportswriters about this one. Go and watch a real baseball game--always a much safer bet for good clean family entertainment, plus it's very unpredictable and you never know what the results will be.



2. I was a huge baseball fan when I worked in radio in the Kansas City area during the 70s and 80s when the Royals were a great team to watch. Part of the joy of watching them play was team leaders like George Brett and Frank White who were so passionate and honest about their love for the game, you couldn't help but enjoy watching them play. What does this have to do with a romantic comedy about minor leaguers and the absurdities of their team's misadventures in the Carolina league? Because ultimately, that's what Bull Durham is about - pure passion for baseball. You see it when Skip and Larry watch Crash Davis rant about being demoted to Class A and threaten to quit, only to turn and ask when batting practice starts. They're all hooked and no amount of misfortune or indignity will ever separate them from this game and they all know it. You see it in Annie Savoy whose passion for men and spirituality, as great as they are, are clearly second to her passion for baseball. You see it in Max Patkin, the 'Clown Prince' who joyously proclaims, "I love this game" when talking about his work in a bar. And you see them all trying to teach it to bonus baby, Nuke LaLoosh. Yes, the movie has foul language, sex, absurd pranks, and lots of other non-baseball stuff throughout. But what the movie is actually ABOUT is a pure passion for the game of baseball. And therein lies its charm. Bull Durham's essential message is this: whether you're in the bigs or in pee-wee ball, whether you get laid or not, whether you succeed or not, whether you have a crowd watching or not, the game is always there for you.
   
   Twice if it's a Sunday double-header.



3. Annie Savoy (Susan Sarandon), a groupie who has affairs with a minor-league baseball player each season, meets two men, LaLoosh (Tim Robbins) and Crash (Kevin Costner), the experienced catched assigned to LaLoosh. A comical story about baseball and sex. After all, "what else is there?"
   
   Great roles for Sarandon, Robbins and Costner. Can't imagine anyone else playing these roles. Robbins is excellent as the dim "Nuke" LaLoosh.
   
   Even if you don't know anything about baseball (like me), this drama is still decent, enjoyable... and pretty much a classic.



4. Bull Duram is one of the top Baseball Movies out there. But it's not just a baseball movie. The development of the love triangle between Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins and Kevin Costner gives the movie a nice story line. There is also a good bit of humor thrown into the mix. Bull Duram is a winner



5. a fun and exiting movie. but i would'nt recommend it for the whole family because of it's rating......

5 comments about Bottle Rocket.

1. Wes Anderson is probably one of my favorite quirky directors. With films such as The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, The Royal Tenenbaums, and Rushmore in his repertoire, I feel the "quirky" title to be appropriate. Best known for Rushmore (1998), Anderson's films have a unique edge to them. Definitely not in-your-face comedy, their impact is much dryer and subtler (I remember the nude gal in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou just being there because some nudity was needed. And I remember Bill Murray driving back and forth over his enemy's bicycle in Rushmore then placing it back in its bike rack and how I knew this would influence the battle yet-to-come).
   
   I'd never heard of BOTTLE ROCKET until somebody pointed it out to me. Having enjoyed Rushmore tremendously, it came highly recommended. And after watching it, I can see why.
   
   This is early Anderson, and a film that helped launch his inimitable movie style. Released in 1996 and starring the newly found Wilson brothers (Luke and Owen), it goes to show that Anderson knew how to pick a good script and good actors to round out a chuckle-fest.
   
   Luke Wilson (My Super Ex-Girlfriend) is no stranger to Anderson films now, having been given the lead role here and later strong supporting roles in The Royal Tenenbaums and Rushmore, Luke can celebrate his strong Anderson film trifecta and proudly point back to his roots in this film. Brother Owen (Cars) is one up on Luke in that he has performed in all of those, plus The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.
   
   Mental health issues abound for Anthony (Luke Wilson) and his buddy Dignan (Owen). In fact, Anthony has just been released from a voluntary psychiatric facility where he was resting after a nervous breakdown. Waiting for him in the bushes (literally) is Dignan, who believes Anthony is escaping from the psych ward instead via his own free will.
   
   The two quickly go back to their old ways. They decide to return to a life of petty thieving and even do dry-runs by "robbing" Anthony's family's home in order to see if they still have their robbing edge. They also decide to take on the strangest heists (from meat packing plants to bookstores). Since neither of them own a car, though, they have to get a driver and they pick Bob Mapplethorpe (Robert Musgrave) simply because ...well ...he has a car. Their first felony occurs at the aforementioned bookstore and they make quick their getaway, leaving town and scurrying across the state. They end up at a motel in the middle of nowheresville and decide to hold up. But the trio quickly turns sour when a pretty young hotel maid name Inez (Lumi Cavazos) catches Anthony's eye. Speaking no English, the Central American goddess fails to realize how messed up yet in love Anthony is with her (partly due to the language barrier and partly do to Anthony's fumbling ways).
   
   Word eventually comes to Bob (the driver) that a family member is in trouble and he has to return to town. Since he has the only car, Anthony and (more importantly) Dignan, flip out, telling him he can't leave. But he does and leaves Anthony and Dignan stranded at the hotel (which is fine with the love-struck Anthony). But Dignan wants to get out of there, so he devises a plan to steal a car and return to their lives of thievery. Not wanting to leave without his newfound love interest, Anthony tries to convince Inez to come with them. A misunderstanding ensues and he and Dignan are back on their debauched road. Eventually they take on a robbery at a meat packing plant and it goes horribly. Risking everything, eventually a choice has to be made about who stays behind -- and takes the risk of capture -- and who goes free.
   
   It is the strange and quirky (there's that word again) that drives this film. Owen Wilson's character (Dignan) is obviously an extreme case of an excessive-compulsive. He plans out items to the nth degree, ensuring that everything is okay decades later. Anthony (Luke) struggles to regain some sense of normalcy in his life but keeps getting dragged back down by his bond with Dignan while being tugged the other direction by Inez.
   
   In the end, all turns out bizarrely well. Dignan ends up where he belongs, Owen gets what he needs, and even Inez finds what she's looking for.
   
   Certainly one of the less known Anderson films, this one still comes highly recommended, just not as highly as his more recent works.



2. "Bottle Rocket (1996), the first feature by Wes Anderson has become a cult favorite, and made the names of Anderson and Wilson's (three brothers, Owen, Luke, and Andrew acted in the picture, and Owen, the self-proclaimed troublemaker co-wrote the script with Anderson) popular, and their fans waiting for more. BR is an offbeat crime/comedy about three friends, Dignan (Owen), Anthony (Luke), and Bob (Robert Musgrave) who tried to pursue the career of the professional criminals. If ever three screw-up characters were less suited for becoming tough guys, thieves or bank robbers, I am yet to see them on the screen. Of all three, Dignan takes the cake - his brazenness, ineptitude, clumsiness and lack of any sense of reality in the combination with the true belief that he was born to become a "made man" (or something like that) and that the local "godfather" Mr. Henry (James Caan in a very funny cameo) would take him and his friends seriously are absolutely adorable. Andrew Wilson, the oldest of three brothers has a small role as Bob's obnoxious older brother. I personally don't think that "Bottle Rocket" is a masterpiece and the best movie of that year but it certainly has got some very funny moments, especially in the beginning (Dignan helps Anthony to run from a mental hospital and soon they pull a job of robbing the local book store; Dignan interviews Bob for a position of a runaway driver) and in the end when three friends are sent by Mr. Henry to the biggest (and the most hilarious) heist that would be the apotheosis of their careers. Owen Wilson's Dignan is a reason enough to see the movie - so hilariously deadly serious about his absurd plans, schemes, and ideas he is.



3. It's a movie about 3 loonies (people who have had mental problems and have been in and out of asylums) trying to be super thieves. They hatch out a plan to rob a store, end up stealing some petty cash and a bunch of books. They behave like they are big criminals and think its best for them to be on the run as they must be wanted by the police when the truth is no one cares about them. So the fun and joke is in that. Its kind of a situational comedy but it could have been a such a blast out comedy if the comedy angle had been taken up full swing. Instead of that the movie tries to be a sad love story, and a poignant character portrait in between the comedy bits. And also the directors and screen writes try to underplay the movie. They underplay the comedy - which is the very essential that this movie could have done a lot with. The movie makes makes try to be so understated and controlled when they could have gone all out at the comedy angle and it would have been hilarious. Instead we get a hotch potch part comedy, part poignant, and part love story. Luke Wilson stars in this film. He went on to star in the hilarious ultra laugh riot film "Idiocracy" a comedy by director Mike Judge - of "office space" fame.
   
   regards, Vikram



4. "Why is that tape on your nose?" "Exactly!" Bottle Rocket seems to be a love it or hate it flick based on all the folks I've discussed the film with. This is a simple movie and a very funny one as long as you can appreciate humor delivered in the dialouge. To summarize it in one word, I go with "refreshing".
   
   I love this movie so much that I actually use it as an experiment with new acquaintances. I'll let them borrow it and await their feedback. If they love it, I know there's a mutual appreciation for top-notch humor. If they don't, well I just don't understand their train of thought. I'm embarrassed to say how many times I've watched this but I ALWAYS catch something I had not noticed before! Martin Scorsese listed Bottle Rocket as the 7th best film of the 1990's. That's the decade, folks, not the year. Need I say more?



5. A little rough around the edges - not as refined or clever as some recent Anderson movies, but definitely a Anderson film. I recommend it for any fans...

5 comments about Picnic.

1. Some people are saying that this is only released in Full Screen. I rented it and it certainly was in 2:35 Widescreen. I rented this because I wanted to see another early William Holden film, and I heard that this was a "classic". Plus I wanted to see some films that I actually know the main song more than just the film. The song "Moonglow" and the Theme from Picnic" was a classic favorite of mine in my many instrumental classics collections. It's funny how much of my favorite music was popular before I was even born.
   
   Well anyway, I like William Holden's "The World of Suzie Wong" and "Love is a Many-Splendered Thing" better than this less-than-energetic "Smalltown Sunday at the Park" yawner. Kim Novak was gorgeous, of course, and it was great to see an early film of Cliff Robertson (better known to me as in "Falcon Crest", "Class", and also for promoting AT&T about 20 years back.
   
   I wish William Holden didn't keep calling Kim Novak "baby" in the film. That's so lame, but I guess that was of its time. This movie was worth watching once, but it's certainly no keeper.



2. Picnic is one of the best films to come out of mid '50's Hollywood. Taken from William Inge's play, it is unique in that the entire film takes place in exactly 24 hours. Yet, by the end, you KNOW each and every character. William Holden heads a stellar cast. Excellent summer viewing.



3. Having seen Picnic on television years ago and then having it disappear not to be shown again I wanted to find a copy of it. I was happy to see that it had been reissued! Even though the film is not in widescreen format(a big disappointment)it is a trip through some very simple and nostalgic times. Loaded with wonderful character acters and soon to be big stars it almost makes you want to relive the 50's. I could relate to many of the characters as being people that I had grown up around. Verna Felton was wonderful, but then so was William Holden and Rosalind Russell. If you want to escape from our complicated world and have a few hours of nostalgia I highly recommend Picnic.



4. I love this movie, it's one of my favorites. I am a fan of William Holden. He was handsome, charismatic, a great actor. Known for his popular films, such as World of Suzie Wong, Love is a many splendored thing, Sabrina, Bridge on the river kwai, and others. I loved him in this movie as Hal the drifter, who catches a freight to Kansas to see an old college friend of his, whose father owns the grain mill in town. Hal ends up falling in love with Madge, his college friend's girlfriend, which breaks up the friendship. I think the best part of the movie is when Hal and Madge dance to "Moonglow" at the picnic, and it seems like that is the moment when they first fall in love. Hal has to run out of town and catch a freight train again, because his ex-friend is furious, because he suspects that Madge and Hal have fallen for each other. Madge's mom who doesn't believe in marrying for love, since the man she loved, Madge's father, left them after she had Madge's sister. She wants Madge to marry Hal's friend, because the friend is a rich boy, and member of the country club. She wants Madge to be treated like a queen, and live the good life. She wants Madge to always be adored by everyone for her looks. Madge is the prettiest girl at the picnic and wins the beauty contest there. Madge just wants to be loved for who she is, not for the way she looks, and of course Hal is attracted to her looks at first, but loves her for who she is. In reality though, it isn't realistic usually for people to fall deeply in love instantly. But if you love romance, Bill Holden, a beautifully made film, good acting, and a good cast, you will love "Picnic." And if you love the song "Moonglow", you will definitely enjoy watching William Holden and Kim Novak dancing together to it. The only question is will Hal and Madge end up together? Will she marry Hal's rich ex-friend? Will she go with Hal or follow him out of town to be with him, "the man she loves", or will she stay and make her mother happy? You will find the answer of course, if you buy "Picnic." I think this is a movie one will not regret purchasing, as long as you love old romantic films, William Holden, and of course, "Moonglow." This truly is one of my very favorite films. Also I wrote a review on Marie Antoinette, which I also love. I love most of William Holden's films, such as Love is a many splendored thing, World of Suzie Wong, and Sabrina. So check out these other films, if you haven't seen them already, I don't think you will be disappointed. I believe you will love them as I do, and they will be your top favorite films too!



5. I like the movie so well on TCM I'm going to order a copy to watch again. This is a rarity for me.

4 comments about Bull Durham (20th Anniversary Edition).

1. If you've never seen "Bull Durham" before, and are tempted to write it off as another sports flick, I beg you to rethink your position. Let me tell you my all-time favorite sports movie: "Hoop Dreams". What about it resonates with me so strongly? It's not a basketball movie --- instead, it is a character drama that just happens to exist within a basketball court. In other words, where the story takes place is irrelevant; what dominates the picture is how the story (or real-life events) affects the characters (documentary subjects).
   
   "Bull Durham" might not belong in the realm of that classic, but skeptics shouldn't dismiss it simply because it involves baseball. Overlookers won't realize that it's a funny exploration of how people discover their own ambition; the dirt diamond & ball are circumstantial.
   
   The story begins when a minor league team is joined by veteran catcher Crash Davis (Kevin Costner). Crash has been given the unenviable task of mentoring an immature pitcher whose deadly fastball "couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat". Tim Robbins plays the pitcher, Eddie Laloosh. Eddie soon takes the nickname "Nuke"; Crash decides "Meat" is a better way to condescend the undisciplined rookie.
   
   Let me pause there, because this sound like we're going to get a fairy tale of how a cynical teacher and hotshot student will become better humans by the end of their journey. Thankfully, writer-director Ron Shelton was much smarter than this, and doesn't treat his story like a whimsical children's book. Crash and Nuke engage in some of the harshest (and funniest) banter in the history of comedies; the only times either learns anything from each other is because one just can't deal with the tension and submits. I won't give anything away, but if you've never seen this movie before, you'll thank me later when Nuke shakes off Crash's pitching calls --- twice! If for whatever reason you don't like Costner or Robbins, their perfect chemistry will change your mind. It's been 20 years since "Bull Durham", and both actors have rarely been better.
   
   When this unbearable pairing of Crash & Nuke begins, they soon meet Annie Savoy (Susan Sarandon). Annie is a strange blend of sexual creature and muse. She takes one player per season, and selects that player as her mate and student. In the hands of another actress or director, this would come off as sleazy & trashy. But once Annie begins to make her new choice stimulate his mind with poetry BEFORE satisfying his primal urges, it becomes clear that eroticism is not even a factor. You know, when I think of Sarandon, "sexy" is not the first word to come to my mind. But "Bull Durham" convinced me otherwise. Just look at the boxart! But then wait until you watch the performance: it's a treasure from her opening monologue to the emotional finale!
   
   What results from the Crash/Nuke bickering, Annie's sensual tutoring, their bizarre triangle, and the adventurous Durham Bulls season is a movie that is achingly funny...but then Shelton gently pulls the curtain back to reveal some more layers.
   
   I forgot the mention the Durham Bulls team name earlier because they're not the primary focus. I haven't revealed many plot points because the plot's mostly in the background. I can't recall any 'BIG GAMES' or 'TWISTS'. Hell, there's hardly any baseball for the last 30 minutes of the picture! What "Bull Durham" leaves with viewers are the characters & the little details. We don't care which games the Bulls won, but we remember the teammates' weird superstitions & conversations. Annie's teachings are incredibly silly, but she eventually acknowledges how ridiculous some of her behavior is. The three principals do discover their dreams, but in a most unlikely way. The romance is sweet, patient, and believable offbeat. Best of all, "Bull Durham" works on all paces --- it speeds up to make us laugh, and still keeps our attention when it slows down for reflection.
   
   "Bull Durham" is a hard movie to describe because there's really nothing else like it. Ron Shelton has created a small-town comedy that resembles something from Frank Capra's mind. It's as much a celebration of life as it is a parody of it. There are no grossout gags; just strong acting and intelligent writing. The game of baseball is merely a catalyst of more meaningful ideas. But have no fear: there's plenty of baseball comedy for sports buffs.
   
   "Bull Durham" includes the good times of a "movie", but earns its place as a "film" --- the perfect balance of entertainment and genius!
   
   EXTRAS
   This new DVD won't come out until March 18th. Here's what's been advertised:
   * Audio Commentary from director Ron Shelton
   * Audio Commentary from Kevin Costner and Tim Robbins
   * "The Greatest Show On Dirt" featurette - Twenty years later the cast, crew and fans remember Bull Durham
   * "Diamonds In The Rough" featurette - Explores minor league baseball
   * "Between The Lines: The Making Of Bull Durham" featurette
   * "Kevin Costner Profile"
   
   I'll come back and review these special features. Just looking at these Extras convinces me that the earlier DVD release will soon be obsolete.



2. Bull Durham is still one of the best baseball movies made and a lot of that has to do with a cast that is unforgettable. They each customized their role and everything fit perfectlly.



3. This is a great movie. Even though you may not be a fan of baseball I think you will enjoy it.



4. Kevin Costner is one of the greatest actor's of our time, he can play any kind of part and make it totally believable, this is just on of his best.

5 comments about Planet of the Apes - The Legacy Collection (Planet of the Apes [1968] / Beneath the / Escape from the / Conquest of the / Battle for the).

1. If your a apeamaniac this is a good set. DVD is a great invention and this set is just about as good as watching the original on screen.



2. I had never seen any planet of the apes movies before i got this. The set is that flashy but it gets the job done.



3. The DVD's are great , but don't ever try to get a Amazon billing error credited to your bank account or you are in for a real hassle including canceling you credit card just to get the problem resolved.....(Amazon...take a look at this is a big time problem..more to come on this..its not over)....never again...BK



4. I was very satisfied with the product I purchased. It was exactly as described. I received it in good condition and in a timely manner.



5. After years of my partner telling me how much he loved the Planet of the Apes movies, I decided that I needed to see them too. I'm sure that I had seen portions of them, but didn't remember them. I ordered them as a surprise for him. THESE ARE GREAT. The stories are interesting and the quality of these discs are hard to beat. And now I know what he likes about them. Worth every penny to take the step back in time...the clothes, the simple story lines, Charlton Heston. Haven't regretted this purchase at all.