5 comments about The Grass Harp.

1. I loved this film adaptation of Truman Capote's classic novel. Even if you haven't read the book, the movie stands on its own and conveys the wit, humor and depth of the characters as intended by the author.



2. "The Grass Harp" (1995) will remind a lot of viewers of "To Kill a Mockingbird". Not a huge surprise given that both stories involve Truman Capote's childhood (Harper Lee based the Dill Harris character on Capote). Both films also use small Alabama towns for their locations.
   
   Capote loosely based his 1951 "The Glass Harp" novella on the eccentric maiden cousins of his childhood. For the film Piper Laurie plays good Aunt Dolly and Sissy Spacek bad Aunt Verena (who is even less likable than Pollyanna's Aunt Polly). Spacek gets to do something out of character and nicely underplays this one. Laurie gets to have even more fun and turns in a joyful performance. She is a little too good to be true but Laurie manages to sell the character with a remarkable performance. In the 1950's Laurie was an extremely pretty (and hot) young starlet but it is obvious from this and her performance in "Carrie" (playing Spacek's mother) that there was a lot of substance in that pretty package.
   
   Edward Furlong (best know as John Conner in "Terminator 2") avoids the "Pollyanna" trap and is pretty easy to take. The coming-of-age side of the story works quite well.
   
   "The Grass Harp" is a bit underrated, probably because the screenplay fails to capture the lyrical quality of Capote's storytelling, giving the viewer a surfeit of sentimentality compounded by a too sweet score. The title is a reference to the musical sound of blowing grass, a metaphor about intergenerational connections and the primary theme of the story.
   
   The film would have benefited from a little more restraint. This is not a fatal flaw but the film would have been more powerful with Mockingbird's toned down production design and less colorful characters; maybe even going so far as to release it in black and white.
   
   Those looking for action adventure and hot romance should look elsewhere. But there are a lot of "Mockingbird" fans out there who should really enjoy "The Grass Harp".
   
   Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.



3. I adore this movie. I saw it quite awhile ago, so I can't give many specifics, but you can read the other reviews for commentary on the performances. An ensemble cast rather than a real star turn for anyone, with the exception of Piper Laurie. Laurie is always wonderful in her varied roles, and this is a very sweet and graceful conception of a child-like character. She never plays it for laughs, and the portrayal does not indicate that childlike here is equivalent to childish or emotionally disturbed. Poor Sissy Spacek is cast as a typical "old maid/prude", unfortunately; the writer(s) might have made the two women's roles less extreme in their behavior, but it does contribute to the reconciliation at the end. I think I will put this movie on my wishlist. By the way, I came across this movie on an [...] list that gave a rundown of all the movies the very interesting Mia Kirshner has been in. I don't remember her being in the movie, and apparently she had a small role, but it makes me even more eager to see the movie again. She's hot, and I love her on "The L Word". One more note--I have never particularly liked
   Walter Matthau, but he does an amazing job with his role. It's worth it to see the very elderly Matthau wrap up his career with an attractive acting job. The title of the movie aptly reflects the airy tone of the story--there is a kind of windy music flowing throughout the performance.
   See it at least once!



4. Excellent movie...well written, directed and acted. Superior cast and of course its' Truman Capote at his best!



5. If you like movies like "Fried Green Tomatoes" and "Crimes of the Heart", or "Practical Magic" then you'll love this Southern tale. The story is told through the eyes of a young boy recently orphaned by his mother and a seemingly uncaring, grieving father. Sent to live with a mis-matched pair of spinster Aunts, the boy learns that love is not always what it seems and can be found in the most unlikely characters.

5 comments about End of the Line.

1. End of the line opened in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1987 with Wilford Brimley heading an All Star cast: Kevin Bacon, Levon Helm, et. al. I can not believe that this movie was put on film. The Director, Jay Russell, was filming his first feature film. The reason this movie was made in and around Little Rock Arkansas was because of the Director and Mary Steenbergon. Both are from Arkansas. It is a horrible story, with an awesome cast. I do not know the politics of movie making, and I don't want to....this movie stinks.



2. The picture quality is the worst I have seen yet on a DVD. It is worse then a fifth generation VHS. The image is so bad that I don't know why they bothered releasing the DVD.



3. This was a very good movie if your into train movies. Although if you know your stuff about railroads you'll find that it has a lot of Hollywood in it. It did have a lot of good railroad shots in it.



4. I believe Wilford Brimley is a great actor because he seems to just be himself. He plays a brakeman on the "Southland Railroad". The railroad is being reorganized and the small town he lives in will be devastated so some rich folks in Chicago can roll in more "dough". He and another worker take a locomotive to Chicago to try and convince the "powers that be" to think twice about the reorganization. Instead the company clones try to use them in an advertising campaign to make the changes go smoother. Brimley won't have it. You watch the rest. You have the sad and inevitable conflict of young and old, rich and poor played out in the heartland. Great film.



5. This a great "feel good" film. This film isn't often remembered, but is one that will bring a smile to your face. Wilford Brimley is terrific.

5 comments about Knight Moves.

1. A very good movie, Knight Moves, sheds light on a series of horrendous murders committed on an island off the state of Washington during a major chess tournament.
   There are slight hints of Seven, The Bone Collector, Resurrection, and The Silence of the Lambs so the movie falls into the action/adventure/mystery/thriller/horror type of category.
   Christopher Lambert, Diane Lane, and the rest of the cast (with the exception of Daniel Baldwin) carry out their performances very well!
   The only major setbacks are in relation to:
   1) Daniel Baldwin's character, Detective Andy Wagner, who was overly disruptive, thus useless and annoying, and
   2) Daniel Baldwin's acting, which in one word was... sad.
   School plays (and pre-school for that matter) have better acting! Somebody get this guy some acting lessons!
   
   Overall, though not a masterpiece it is definitely a movie worth watching, as it will provide for an evening's entertainment.



2. Republic Pictures present "OKLAHOMA BADLANDS" (1948) (59 mins/B&W) (Dolby digitally remastered) --- relive those thrilling days when Allan Rocky Lane took us down the dusty trails with hard riding and straight shooting hitting the bull's eye with excitement every time ... the Allan Rocky Lane series of B-Westerns were a staple of Saturday matinees in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s ... Lane's best known and most popular series, a total of thirty eight Allan 'Rocky' Lane features, all but six of which co-starred Eddy Waller as old timer 'Nugget Clark' ... The "Rocky Lane Series" would open with Rocky riding his horse Black Jack as their names appear on the screen, then moving on to the rest of the cast, director, screenwriter and cinematographer and other credits ... don't miss any of the Allan Rocky Lane features loaded with action that will leave you wanting more of his B-Western adventures.
   
   Under Yakima Canutt (Director), Gordon Kay (Producer), Bob Williams (Screenwriter), John MacBurnie (Cinematographer), Mort Glickman (Musical Direction/Supervision), Arthur Roberts (Editor) ------ the cast includes Allan Lane (Rocky Lane), Black Jack (Black Jack (Rocky Lane's stallion), Eddy Waller (Nugget Clark), Mildred Coles (Leslie Rawlins), Roy Barcroft (Henchman Sanders), Gene Roth (Oliver Budge (as Gene Stutenroth), Earle Hodgins (Jonathan Walpole, posing as George Black), Dale Van Sickel (Henchman Sharkey), Jay Kirby (Ken Rawlins), Claire Whitney (Agatha Scragg), Terry Frost (Sheriff), Hank Patterson (Postmaster Fred), House Peters Jr. (Stage Passenger), Jack Kirk (Stagecoach Driver) ------ take note "Oklahoma Badlands" was the 3rd feature in The 'Rocky Lane' Series at Republic, with quality in screenplay and direction .... the plot line has Rocky Lane impersonating the owner of the Rawlins Ranch, as the real owner is a woman named Leslie (Mildred Coles) ... knowing that the baddies Roy Barcroft and associates are looking for a man, Rocky takes on the task ... Eddy Waller (Nugget Clark) is the foreman and hires the real Leslie Rawlins as a cook and cleaning woman, giving her what for during the entire 59 minutes of this feature ... some hilarious scenes when Nugget provides lessons in shooting and riding to Rocky who pretends to be a dude ... director Yakima Canutt keeps Bob Williams screenplay moving in a triumphant gallop ... there's plenty of action and fancy stunt work to entertain the fans with a protracted fisticuffs near the end between Rocky and the boss outlaw ... Rocky astride his stallion, Black Jack, chasing the outlaws was always a high point of the Allan Rocky Lane features ---- they just don't make 'em like this anymore and Republic Pictures was one of the leaders of exciting B-Westerns and Serials.
   
   Special Footnote, actor Allan Lane looked to better roles, he signed with Republic in 1940 ... after struggling a bit in his initial films, hit pay dirt after teaming with Linda Stirling in the popular serial "The Tiger Woman" (1944) ... his own serials with "Daredevils of the Red Circle" (1939) and "King of the Royal Mounted" (1940), Mountie Dave King proved popular and, around this time, he started gaining added attention as a photogenic and very personable cowboy star, with his trusty steed "Blackjack," ... Lane managed to churn out a bucketful of oaters every year beginning with "Silver City Kid" (1944)), for nearly a decade, trading blows with the bad guy Roy Barcroft and seeing justice prevail ... best remembered these days for his dashing good looks and saddle appeal on film ... it's no small wonder that Allan Rocky Lane's name was at the top of the list, working with the top directors of the day Howard P. Bretherton, Spencer Gordon Bennett, Joseph Kane, Wallace A. Grissell, Leslie Selander and R.G. Springsteen all under Republic Pictures banner.
   
   BIOS:
   1. Allan Lane (aka: Harry Leonard Albershart)
   Date of birth: 22 September 1909 - Mishawaka, Indiana
   Date of death: 27 October 1973 - Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California
   
   Great job releasing "Oklahoma Badlands (1948) - Allan Rocky Lane, the digital transfere with a clean, clear and crisp print...looking forward to more high quality releases from the vintage serial era of the '20s, '30s & '40s and B-Westerns ... order your copy now from Amazon where there are plenty of copies available on VHS, stay tuned once again for top notch action mixed with deadly adventure --- if you enjoyed this title, why not check out VCI Entertainment where they are experts in releasing B-Westerns and Serials ---Western Classics, all my heroes have been cowboys!
   
   Total Time: 59 min on VHS ~ Republic Video ~ (1/01/1999)



3. I'm giving this movie a high rating, not because it's a great movie, but because it has sentimental value to me. My father rented this soon after it came out back in '93, and I was about 9 or 10 years old at that time. It's sentimental to me because this is the movie that inspired me to learn chess, and I'm more in love with the game today than ever before.
   
   I haven't seen this movie since, until I recently purchased it from Amazon Marketplace.
   
   A few notes:
   
   1. Unless the product I purchased is bootleg, and I've been assured it's not, the quality is not exactly what you expect from a DVD that's supposedly digitally re-mastered. The jacket's back cover looks like it was produced by a Xerox machine; the quality of the picture is very grainy at times, even for a movie made 15 years ago; NO SUBTITLES (very disappointing); oh, and the ending is horrible - way too sudden.
   
   2. Just in case anyone's interested, in the movie, Chris Lambert's character mentioned a chess master by the name of Anton Berger who supposedly wrote one of the most famous books on chess, titled "Principles & Tactics." In the first chapter, Berger lists the 3 cardinal rules of playing chess: 1. carefully; 2. carefully; 3. carefully. I Yahooed, Googled and Wikipediaed: there's no such master and no such book.



4. I obtained this movie many years ago but got around to watching it only recently. Being a chess player myself, I figured it would be interesting. I have to say however, it's more a murder mystery than about chess. If you're hoping for some insights into the game itself, there is little. The movie is about a chess grandmaster (Lambert) who is being taunted by a serial killer that goes after young women and ritually murders them. The killer wants to "play a game" with Lambert and has him (and the police) running around the island they are on based on ambiguous clues (in the form of words and poems) he leaves behind.
   
   The possible suspects are numerous and just when you think you have it figured out, you find out you were wrong. They don't really make murder mysteries like this anymore. I suppose the style is simply out of date. There are a couple of steamy sex scenes that didn't seem necessary to the film (but welcomed nonetheless) so I would caution watching this in the presence of children or the elderly. There is nothing really "inspiring" about the movie but overall good entertainment.



5. This review contains some spoilers.
   
   While this is a good film, it is not for the kiddies. There are disturbing images, adult situations, and some bloody scenes.
   
   The film was well done from the opening shots of the boy stabbing another boy to the someday serial killer watching while his mother dies. The director writer team did an excellent job of drawing the audience into the movie and dropping enough hints that you could figure out "who-done-it," but you probably won't. In my circle of the fifteen folks who have watched the film with us only one of them figured out who the killer was in the first 2/3 of the movie.
   
   Your opinion of who the killer might be shifts throughout the movie. None of the characters are paragons of virtue in the film. As an audience member, there is enough circumstantial evidence and potential motives for you to implicate most of the principals in the film.
   
   The music and sound effects are well integrated into the film and help to build and dispel suspense. Actually some of the sounds are critical for solving the mystery.
   
   The acting by the ensemble cast was exceptional. Even the bit roles were done by credible character actors. The characters were well written and believable, and the cast did a good job of bringing them to life.
   
   As an interesting trivia point, Christopher Lambert was married to Diane Lane, his romantic interest, when the movie was being filmed.

5 comments about Eight Legged Freaks.

1. The biggest problem with this film is that it doesn't know what it wants to be. Is it a horror movie? Is it a comedy? Is it a campy spoof? It is all three,but not enough of any one of them. If they would have changed the spider sound effects to be more threatening, rather than sounding like Gizmo from Gremlins, this would have been a very scary and good movie. It seems to me the action didn't fit the sound effects and really sank this one for me. Too bad as it had a lot of potential. The short that inspired this movie "Larger than Life" is included on the DVD and is way better than the feature film because it takes itself a little more seriously.



2. In 2002 there came a film in the tail end of that year's summer blockbuster film season which took me by surprise. The movie I'm talking about is Eight-Legged Freaks. It was from Kiwi-born director Ellory Elkayem and he did a wonderful job of bringing back just a small peek at those fun 1950's giant monster and insect movies like Them! and a host of others.
   
   The movie pretty much follows the same conventions as those old-time monster movies. It has the smart and bookish teenage boy whose love for all things spiders will come in handy as the movie moves along. Then there's the eccentric and creepy loner who collects spiders and learns that the water he has been giving them has now been tainted by toxic chemicals from a drum container that has fallen into a nearby river during transport. This river and the creek it feeds is right next to a down-and-out mining Arizona town, ironically named Prosperity. The movie wouldn't be complete without the arrival of its prodigal son, Chris McCormick (played with quite a bit of understatement by the usual over-the-top David Arquette) whose father used to own the gold mines which the town relied on for its economy.
   
   With a reluctant hero comes the woman he left behind and pined for years ago, but now much older and with kids of her own from a previous marriage. Kari Wuhrer --- of MTV and B-movie fame --- plays Samantha Parker. McCormick's love interest who also happens to be Prosperity's current town sheriff and single mother to the aforementioned teenage boy with the thing for spiders and nubile teen daughter Ashley (played by pre-superstardom Scarlett Johansson). Then there's Wade, the town mayor whose failing Ostrich farm and unused megamall is leading him to sell the town wholesale to some nameless giant corporation.
   
   With the basic plot set and characters introduced all hell breakloose as toxic-mutated spiders grow to giant proportions and begin to terrorize and devour the townspeople. At first, it's isolated attacks until their numbers grown in size and they attack the town itself en masse. This may be a B-movie but it sure had great CGI-effects when it came to the giant arachnids and how they behaved on the screen. The many different types of giant spiders ended up having distinct personalities to distinguish themselves from each other. From the tank-like tarantula to the agile Jumping Spiders and the cunning trapdoor spiders. In fact, these spiders were also given some sort of voice which sounded like chipmunks on helium as they screeched, yipped and screamed their way around the screen.
   
   Eight-Legged Freaks is not something great to write mom home about, but it is a fun movie to sit through, especially one full of teenagers who seem to scream and shout the loudest. This is a type of movie that actually needs a rowdy audience to really entertain. There's really no need to follow the dialogue since most of it is quite forgettable. The action on the screen from the giant spiders chasing motocross-riding teens and their attack on the townspeople at the megamall does well without the need of extraneous dialogue.
   
   Ellory Elkayem did a great job in making Eight-Legged Freaks not just a fun movie but also a throwback to the 50's monster movies that we see now on syndication. This movie showed Elkayem had great potential as a genre filmmaker. It's a shame he had to follow up Eight-Legged Freaks with two very awful and forgettable sequels to the Return of the Living Dead franchise. I'm still hoping that he can rebound from that double-debacle and make more fun monster movies.



3. Hands down, this is the best spider movie out there to this day. Its funny, sometimes scray, and action pack, and along for the ride are terrific special effects. Believe or not, the spiders 'talk'. Well, they don't really talk, all they really make are squeaky voices, which are supposed to be their 'talking' voice. Anyway, the film doesn't take its self seriously. And thank god it doesn't. If it had, it would have sucked balls. Check this creature feature, you won't be disapponted.
   
   PS: I'm over 13, but I figured this was easier. Oh and by the way, I'm beggining to write the sequel.
   
   MR.JAWSBITEME
   Wish me luck!



4. This movie is so intense and pulse pounding I almost cried. It is filled with suspense and horror scenes that you will have nightmares for nights. When I saw the spider in the pop-tent, I threw my shoes across the theater in glee.



5. Creepy, fun, edge-of-the-seat movie that I would never part with! I've watched it several times already. This movie made me fond of David Arquette, who I couldn't stand before I saw this movie. The characters are fun and endearing, and I love when David yells the title line of the movie out! Funny every time. Buy it if you like good, clean spookiness. It's a must have!

5 comments about Don Quixote.

1. I bought this movie on VHS a few years back, and was hoping that it would eventually be released on DVD. I was in Spain, and saw the DVD version there. The DVD version has scenes that are not on the VHS version and not to mention the option of watching the movie in Spanish!! I really would like to buy the DVD version of this movie that can be played in North America! This movie is very faithful to the spirit of the original book it came from. People who are familiar with this masterpiece of Cervantes and anyone who just likes a good story will be happy with this movie. I highly recommend it!



2. I agree with Merlino. I keep looking for this in DVD (and I already have the video). It is outstanding--too classic not to be on DVD.



3. This movie completely misses the mark. Notwithstanding the assurances of other reviewers, it does not adhere to Cervantes' story. The instances of deviation are far too numerous to mention in spite of the fact that I was unable to watch beyond the 32nd minute. (The speeding automobile in the background almost forced me to stop even sooner.) It is apparent that these reviewers have either not read the book or have forgotten the details.
   
   To begin with, John Lithgow's performance is condescending and farcical. He behaves like a buffoon. A close reading of Cervantes suggests that Alonso Quijano is respected and taken seriously by his friends, niece, servant, and neighbors. Even though errant knighthood is a thing of the past in his time, deference - however grudging - toward the nobility is not. In this movie, though he is addressed with respect by those he encounters, he is too readily taken for a fool. The book makes it clear that Don Quixote, in spite of his delusions, preserves his characteristic gravity and noble bearing. His interlocutors are, for the most part, inclined to believe and respect him until his excesses refute their initial bemusement. This sequence of reflexive trust followed by sudden realization is part of what makes the book so funny. On the other hand, the erudition that is the cause of the gentleman's mental and physical divagations makes possible his beautiful "Golden Age" speech, delivered to goatherds who are perhaps too pastoral to conclude that something is terribly wrong with their guest. Similarly, his madness does not keep him from discerning the essential truth of Marcela's defense, unlike his simple companions who continue to berate her. Lithgow is unable to bring any of this complexity to life. The role called for someone like the late Richard Harris, who could have provided the seriousness, capriciousness, and labored determination it requires.
   
   As for Cervantes' Sancho Panza, he is so in awe of his master's self-professed greatness that he allows ambition and admiration to subvert clear evidence of the nobleman's insanity. To use an example that few readers seem to proceed beyond - though it takes place very early on - Sancho's faith allows him to dismiss Don Quixote's attack on the windmills as failed perception, not delusion. His goal of seeing himself governor of an island has hardly been dealt a blow. Bob Hoskins' rendition, on the other hand, does not convince us that any of this is going on in the squire's mind. He seems too sly for the role of a faithful rustic.
   
   I wish I could say that this is at least harmless entertainment, but it's not. If you watch this without having first read the book, you are likely to come away wondering what all the fuss is about, and believing that notions of what constitutes humor invariably go out of style - so Chaplinesque is Lithgow's performance. I have not been able to make up my mind as to whether Don Quixote or Hamlet is the greatest story ever told, but had I not read either, Zeffirelli's Hamlet would have encouraged me to read the play, whereas this production, which is barely an improvement on Three Amigos, would persuade me that my time could be better spent.



4. This film does an amazingly good job of balancing the humor (or should I write "humour"?) of the novel with the serious themes. The settings seem very authentic, and the English phrasing of the lines is impeccable. It takes a mature viewer to appreciate the film throughout, as just viewing it for entertainment value (instead of for reflection) will have you tiring of the theme at several spots. I think that if Cervantes were a film-maker, this is what he would have given us!



5. The movie is reasonably made and it somewhat sticks to the original story. However, the casting of Vanessa Williams as Dulcinea is wrong. Dulcinea was a Spaniard from La Mancha in the city of El Toboso. 99.9% of Spaniards are white, mostly with dark hair but light to olive skin and fine facial features. Vanessa Williams is a mulata (a mix of white and african black). The Cervantes story originates in the 15th century (around the time of Christopher Columbus' Discovery). The mulatos did not come into being until the 17th century and much more in the 19th century and later. This was when the Black African slaves mixed with the European (French, British, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese) whites. Therefore, this is like picking Tom Hanks to play Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his biographical movie.Anglos need to stop inproperly labeling "hispanics" and learn a little bit of history, anthropology and sociology.

5 comments about Uptown Saturday Night.

1. This movie is great. Action and funny all at the same time. Even though its a little lengthy it keeps your attention to the end.



2. I grew up watching this movie and it reminded me of the good old days. I am now able to share this with my children. Good old fashion fun. Buy this movie, you won't be disappointed.



3. If you are stuck in the 70's as I am, this movie will take you back to where you want to be. The funny wardrobe, the out of sight lingo. It is all hilarious. Funny to see Bill Cosby in his younger days too.



4. This is a kind of film that people like to keep around. It's not Shakespeare but it's fun and light and it features some pretty wonderful performances. In here we have Steve Jackson (Sidney Poitier) and Wardell Franklin (Bill Cosby) are two working stiffs looking to have a good time uptown. They tip out on wives Sarah Jackson (Rosalind Cash) and Irma Franklin (Ketty Lester) and go to Zenobia's, a joint - named after Madame Zenobia (Lee Chamberlin) - where the high fallutin' high rollers hang out for a little casino action.
   
   Unfortunately, they lose their shirts (literally) when robbers force them and everyone else to strip and give up their valuables. Thugs Zenobia's not only take all the patron's money and jewels, but also Steve's wallet, which he later discovers held something more valuable than he ever imagined. Steve and Wardell seek the help of numerous neighborhood characters - including "Don" Geechie Dan Beauford (Harry Belafonte), The Don's rival Silky Slim (Calvin Lockhart), local hood Little Seymour (Harold Nicholas), inept private investigator Sharp Eye Washington (Richard Pryor), and a corrupt Congress-critter (Roscoe Lee Browne) - in retrieving the wallet.
   
   Uptown Saturday Night is a special movie, capable of striking that delicate balance between not funny and not interesting. It is, however, not to be dismissed out-of-hand. The film is a visual treat, to be sure. Cosby parting his hair and his moustache for a big night out on the town is truly a sight to behold, as is the red piping on his dinner jacket. He's also pretty tough in this movie. Cosby's Wardell is a little less refined than his I Spy guy, and a lot less refined than his ugly sweater Huxtable. Comedic co-star, Sidney Poitier looked to be out of his field, especially compared to Bill "Shave And A Haircut?" Cosby and the rest of the crew. Much of the time, Poitier seemed to be barely hanging in there, trying to keep up with Cosby's antics, with a look of terror in his eyes whenever Cosby tore loose (though admittedly, that may have been Director Poitier, panicking over losing control of Cosby). But even Cosby himself took a back seat to Paula Kelly, Richard Pryor, and Roscoe Lee Browne. Kelly, who I loved in "Sweet Charity", was Large as Leggy Peggy without being unnecessarily Loud; Pryor was understated (for him), and had one of the best, spot-on, lines in the movie; and Browne wore his two-faced Afro [when it suited him]-American [when it didn't] politician role like a shining coat of armor. The real surprise for me was discovering that Harry Belafonte was one of the bad guys ("Geechie Dan"). One hopes he was wearing alot of makeup, because otherwise, he looks close to death. Overall it's a goo/decent film that I recommended to all Bill Cosby/Sidney Poitier fans, or anyone looking for a decent classic movie to watch, may want to pick "Uptown Saturday Night."



5. Is such a movie as this one. Bill and Sydney have always starred well as a duo. They're about the only two guys I know that can pull off roles as crooks, turn it into comedy and get away with it. But that takes nothing away from Calvin Lockhart and Harry Bellafonte. Everyone in this movie will have you busting your gut laughing. Bunch of fools (but in a funny way). I guess when you lose a lotto ticket, you go thru a lot trying to get it back. But if these clowns had been where they were supposed to be, instead of partying up at Zenobia's, they wouldn't have found themselves in such a mess. I guess they thought the wives wouldn't know they'd been up to no good.
   
   They went from getting robbed, to get beaten up by a 4 foot 10 guy, to getting hooked up with some gangsters to ending up jumping into the river all because they were hard-headed. But it was all good. Nice clean comedy. Own this one. It's well worth being in your collection!

5 comments about Ultimate Fighting Championship Classics, Vol. 7.

1. UFC 7 held in Buffalo saw the return of several past combatants. Some really good fights. Mostly still street fighting level for a lot of the participants, but the seeds of true MMA are planted. The final is a classic David vs. Goliath battle. The let down for this event was the superfight. 33 minutes of nothing happening. Ken and Oleg really don't do much for the fans in this one.



2. U.F.C 7
   Ultimate Fighting rarely surpases it's early days and this fight card is absolutely no exception with the event introducing both new competitors and old favourites. Like all U.F.C cards there are some memorable moments and contests that shock as much then as they do now.
   The highly action packed event features the return of the massive Paul Varelans of previous U.F.C competition and Harold Howard whom had been a popular fan favourite.
   Big names inlude Ken Shamrock and Olec Taktarov who engage in a classic Superfight match, and the introduction of Marco Ruas the Brazilian Martial Artist who is now a familar name with a loyal following.
   The special features of U.F.C Classics number 7 are in line with the usual calibre of previous "Classics" titles as the disc features rare and recent interviews with the fighters themselves, Marco Ruas and Oleg Taktarov.
   A very welcome addition to any U.F.C collection, highly recommended.



3. This was an okay DVD, Ken Shamrock is okay, just not one of my favorites. Still some great fights though :)



4. I love watching UFC events. However, it's a shame UFC has taken them over and not bothered to schedule any traditional Pride bouts in Japan. :(



5. UFC 7 is a great event to get for any classic UFC fan. Its a standard 8 man tournament with a superfight. You get to see the Marco Ruas come out and live up to the hype. The superfight is a good tactical match, even though it runs the entire allotted time there are some high points but oleg makes the fight a drag only trying to finish the fight on like two occasions with some punching. Ken seems to want it a little more throwing a couple haymakers and some solid head butts. Anyone looking for a good classic UFC, Youve found one.

5 comments about Platinum Blonde.

1. Robert Williams doesn't even get any billing n the DVD cover or on other promotions of this film, but he IS the star of the film....and he is outstanding.
   
   Williams could have been a major star, a very well-known actor, had he not died four days after this picture was released with a ruptured appendix. The man simply puts on an acting clinic here. I wonder if young aspiring actors are ever shown this film and told to study Williams? If is wasn't for this film, I assume nobody would ever know about this guy.
   
   Anyway, the movie is really dated but its interesting thanks to some great dialog, mainly, once again, by Williams. Jean Harlow gets the billing but a young Loretta Young has the real beauty and charm here. Too bad her role was so minor and bland. She looked absolutely gorgeous.
   
   The storyline is one of Hollywood's favorite themes: the average Joe beating up on the snobby rich people. Harlow's "mother" in here (Louise Closser Hale) plays that snob role perfectly.
   
   Even though I just gave it only three stars, there are lots of laughs in this film and it was a lot better than I thought it would be. Watching Williams' acting performance is worth the price of the disc, and then some.



2. Platinum Blonde is the story of a newspaper reporter (Robert Williams), one of the best. His job is to investigate a scandal with one of the best known families, the Schuylers. He's so clever, he gets them to admit to a story against their will, but in the process is captured by the eye of beautiful daugher Anne (Jean Harlow). Although he scoops them, he also helps them out of the mess and makes his way into the family by eloping with Anne. This hurts his pal Gallagher (Loretta Young) who has loved him for years, but he's in his own world. He doesn't quite realize what he's getting himself into as a poor man wedding a rich family. Cracks from his friends ensue and day by day his wife does all that she can to change him.
   
   Unfortunately, people have high expectations for this film, and it doesn't necessarily measure up. First of all, this is not typical Capra. There are not heartfelt messages of hope at the end. The characters do not signify what the average man strives to be or the pitfalls he faces. Secondly, Harlow does not play a seductress here; in fact, she's quite classy. Last, Williams is an unknown, and alongside an all star cast, he's the leading man. This can be startling because we have never seen him before and are therefore less likely to like him right off. The first time I saw this film, I was incredibly disappointed and what upset me even more was that this was Harlow's first DVD release. Although the title became her nickname, this is an awful way to experience typical Harlow, but it is a wonderful way for fans to see her in a new light.
   
   If you can find a way to judge this film not based on expectations but on its own merits, you'll find it to be quite enjoyable. Each player is fantastic, namely Williams whose naturalness and easy humor makes the film breezy and fun to watch. Harlow is regal and intelligent, not the least bit green despite this being one of her first big films (before the eyebrow makeover). Young is fresh and exciting, quite thin, but absolutely gorgeous.



3. Platinum Blonde remains a fine example of an early screwball comedy about very different people trying to coexist with each under stressful situations with plenty of silly lines and good laughs on the side. The script is certainly not the best you'll ever find but the actors do a superlative job with what they are given. The direction by Frank Capra reflects forethought and the camera angles help dramatize scenes in the movie as the plot unfolds.
   
   The story starts with newspaper reporter Stew Smith, played by the very talented Robert Williams, going to get a story on a rich society scandal. He gets it; but he also gets the heart of the daughter of the wealthy Schuyler family, Anne, played by the beautiful Jean Harlow. Stew and Anne become romantically involved and the problems begin right along with the romance. Stew comes from a working class background and he wants to support his wife; but Anne has very different plans for him. This constant tug of war for control of their relationship dominates the rest of the movie plot.
   
   In addition, look for Loretta Young playing Gallagher. Gallagher and Stew are friends; but to make matters even more complicated Gallagher wants more from Stew than friendship. Anne's mother and the family attorney spice up the plot even further with their histrionics about the tragedy of Anne's "funeral" relationship with Stew. Wow!
   
   Will Anne and Stew stay together? Will Anne's family ultimately accept and love Stew as one of their own? Will Stew become "a bird in a gilded cage? "How will Gallagher fit into this plot? No spoilers here, folks: you'll have to watch the movie to find out the answers to these questions! SMILE
   
   The cinematography impressed me; in 1931 it was still difficult for pictures to be shot without the camera staying still because microphones could not yet be moved about above the cameras. Nevertheless, in Platinum Blonde Capra manages to get both the cameras and the microphones moving as the actors move about the set. Excellent! The sound wobbles at times but this is to be expected from an older movie like this one.
   
   I agree with the reviewers who write that somehow the title of this movie, Platinum Blonde, gives you the sense that Jean Harlow is the big star--but she doesn't quite get that honor when the credits roll. In fact, she gets second billing below Loretta Young! I agree with others who believe that the movie studio was indeed trying to play up the fact that Jean Harlow was in the movie.
   
   The DVD comes with few extras; you merely get a couple of movie trailers. That irks me but in those days excess footage was not necessarily kept.
   
   What a tragedy that poor Robert Williams died so soon after this picture was finished. He would have been a huge star had he lived longer
   
   Overall, Platinum Blonde is a cross between a serious story and a purely comedic romp through relationships that become challenged when two people from very different backgrounds try to stay in love. Jean Harlow fans will treasure this movie; she never looked lovelier and her very convincing acting shines all the way through the picture. Fans of older movie classics will also enjoy watching Platinum Blonde.



4. This is not the best work of director Frank Capra who is known for one of the greatest classics ever made in Hollywood, "It's a Wonderful Life." Nevertheless this movie is played out to the desire of Columbia studios to promote Jean Harlow. No one ever complains about the casting, but the theme of the movie, set in depression era (1931) is lame. Jean Harlow plays the only daughter of upper-class socialite, Ann Schuyler who marries a shrewd newspaper reporter Stew (Robert Williams), and then tries to control his life in the confinements of her palatial home as a house husband, but without success. He invites his friends to his home to party, and his female friend Gallagher (Loretta Young) with whom he collaborates to write a play. At the end, Ann and Stew get separated and he later marries Gallagher. This is somewhat an unrealistic story, and a very strange way to poke at the wealthy for the ills of depression era. However Jean Harlow is stunning and offers a great performance as a spoiled wealthy girl. Loretta Young, one of her performances early in the career, is sweet and adorable as she always is. The untimely and sad deaths of Jean Harlow (at the age of 26) due to Influenza and kidney failure, and Robert Williams due to Peritonitis (died three days after the release of the movie) leaves this movie as a tribute to the work of these young artists.
   
   1. It's a Wonderful Life (60th Anniversary Edition)
   2. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington



5. A very amusing tale of role reversal. A wealthy woman involved with an "average joe" who still wants the
   independence to live his life without the yoke of high society's false "airs."

4 comments about Dragon Ball GT: Lost Episodes Box Set.

1. Man, I hate this series with a passion. DBZ is not a masterpiece but it's still a fun action show. GT is nothing more than a total waste of time. This is a prequel setting up the GT storyline which was atrocious at best. If you're new to Dragonball and interested in checking it out. Don't start here. There is truly nothing good about out this show. Dragonball Z is more a guilty pleasure to me then anything else. New anime fans really shouldn't start here. One because it's too long and two because there is far superior anime out there. This contains five DVD's of a completely crappy show. I've owned this for years and only watched it once. And I'll never watch it again.



2. Dragon Ball GT: Lost Episodes Box Set
   
   Dragon Ball GT: Lost Episodes is awesome and takes Dragon Ball Z to the final level of power!!!
   
   This is the first part of a wonderful, action packed, humorous series, & no matter what negative things are said about it when compared to Dragon Ball Z, people should be thankful it least there are more episodes to watch and you get to see Super Saiyan 4!!!
   
   Krillian has hair, Goku is a little kid again, Vegeta has a mustache, Gohan is a business man, trunks is a genius & Emperor Pilaf finally gets a wish!!!
   
   Volumes included here are 1 through 5:
   1.Reaction
   2 Rejection
   3.Ruination
   4.Conviction
   5.Activation.
   
   Number of Discs: 5
   
   Running Time: 320 minutes
   
   Episode: 1-16
   
   Not only do I own and cherish Dragon Ball GT Lost Episodes, I also own
   Dragon Ball GT Volume 1-5 Box Set
   Dragon Ball GT Volume 6-10 Box Set
   Dragon Ball GT Volume 11-15 Box Set
   Dragon Ball Z: Broly Triple Threat (3 pack)
   
   Check it out and I promise Funimation has tried to keep the series just as good as the original creator Akira Toriyama!!! Enjoy!!!!
   
   -DVD Dreamer



3. As the title states the Lost Episodes set of the DBGT saga, is only of worth if you are a true diehard DBZ/DBGT fan. i am such a fan. the animation itself is very poor, the fighting is very little, and the story is very draged out. I am very dissapointed with the Whole DBGT saga. This set does not help. Again purchase only if a true diehard fan.



4. I agree that most of the episodes are not like the ones from DBZ but there is something that I like about them.

4 comments about Saturday Night Live - The Best of Chris Rock.

1. I'm writing this review in response to another reviewer (so far there is only one so HI!).
   
   THIS GUYS HAS NO IDEA ABOUT WHAT THE HELL HE IS TALKING ABOUT!
   First off, Chris Rock is funny. Anybody who's seen and actually paid attention to his standup and sketches should know that. Which is probably why he managed to make it to #5 on Comedy Central's "100 Greatest Standups of All-Time". His social commentaries and life stories are hilarious. Period.
   
   Now, for the juicy "your a dumb@$$ part!" The way you said Chris Rock wasn't funny at the Oscars, Dude! Is this Sean Penn I'm talking to?!? If so I'd just like to say SPICOLI!
   
   When you said that SNL will never topple MADtv and In Living Color's minority humor, SNL is the godfather of minority humor, starting a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away with a little Richard Pryor & Chevy Chase sketch in which they threw racial slang terms at each other.
   
   Eddie Murphy is annoying? I find that very weird to say considering you praised Aries Spears, who spends more than half of the time given to him on MADtv doing impressions of Eddie Murphy doing impressions. Watch any episode and it's always there!
   
   "Sorry but SNL will never beat Laugh-In, In Living Color (which had Jim Carrey and J Lo before they were FAMOUS) or MadTV!!"
   That doesn't make a bit of sense! So I made a list of people on SNL who were not so famous before their big breaks on SNL:
   
   Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Billy Crystal, Martin Short, Jon Lovitz, Dennis Miller, Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, Kevin Nealon, Mike Myers, Ben Stiller, Chris Farley, Tim Meadows, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Robert Smigel, Norm Macdonald, Jay Mohr, Molly Shannon, Janeane Garofalo, Sarah Silverman, Jim Breuer, Chris Kattan, Cheri Oteri, Colin Quinn, Will Ferrell, Tracy Morgan, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey. And that's just the cream of the crop! Plus, as you can tell, they just keep comin'! By the way, Jennifer Lopez only danced.
   
   *Drops The Mic*



2. I bought this dvd thinking it was hillarious. I was very dissapointed. Didn't have the funnies you think.



3. First off, Chris Rock is funny. Really funny! I haven't seen him on SNL (I lost interest in that show a long time ago) but I was really looking forward to this DVD.
   
   The best parts is when Chris Rock is NOT doing comedy sketches. The comedy was not funny at all. The only parts worth laughing at were lines not spoken by Chris Rock. If this was the best Chris Rock did on SNL then I'd had to see what didn't make the cut.
   
   But what was funny was his social commentaries and correspondent reports. Chris Rock is the master at commenting on what is wrong with what goes on in this country.
   
   If you rent or buy this then expect to not be entertained through most of the show. But the rare funny moments are worth hanging out for.



4. I Am 11-Years Old, and Proud To Say I Love S.N.L.'s Chris Rock, his 4 Years on The Show Provide laughter, Comedy and Music: Especially, The Biggest Sketches of Him: Chris Rock's Guide To Surviving The Apollo (If You Are White), Nat X, and 2-Live Crew's Luther Campbell, Chris Rock was The 90's Eddie Murphy, and Eddie Murphy even Discovered him in 1987, and got him a Place in The 1990-1991' Season of The Show. I Love Chris Rock, and He Makes Spoofs off of Everybody and was a Popular and the Still on The Track (never a hasbeen), Comedian.