5 comments about Rank.

1. This IFC documentary portrays the life of professional bull riders by focusing on three of the best - Justin McBride, Adriano Moraes, and Mike Lee - all competing in the 2004 Professional Bull Riders final in Las Vegas. The film does not glamorize these men; nor does it find particular fault with them. But it does heighten the viewer's awareness of the sport's risk of physical injury and the riders' almost incomprehensible disregard of it. The camera follows McBride as he hobbles everywhere on an ankle held together with pins. Moraes strips down to shorts to show the scars of all his injuries, and the camera captures his winces of pain after rides that tear further at the damaged bicep of his left arm. A long, jagged scar shows along the right side of Lee's head from surgery following a concussion.
   
   There is little talk of the million-dollar prize money, for these men are driven by a love of the sport that defies logic. Meanwhile, we learn something of their personal lives. Two are married - one of them has two children - and we get to meet the women in their lives. One of the men is a born-again Christian, with a fatalistic belief in a God who has given him athletic gifts and may one day take his life in the arena. Another represents a beer-drinking, cussing cowboy stereotype at a considerable distance from anything resembling piety. The film also takes some time to introduce viewers to the professional bullfighters whose job is to keep the bulls distracted after riders have been thrown or have dismounted. The film begins and ends with the Oklahoma stock growers who provide the bulls for the events. For anyone with even the remotest curiosity about this death-defying sport, this well-made film is illuminating and riveting. Also recommended: a fictional film about bull riding, "Cowboy Up."



2. This was a very interesting movie and at the same it was funny in parts. It is neat to see how the bull riders are in person and in the arena!



3. Howdy folks,
   I am an ex-rodeo cowboy for the PRCA back in 1990-92.I did three events and even won an title.When I seen this flick,I was thinking, "this is going to put butterflies in my tummy." and i was wrong, yeah it was good for as the bulls go but the riders, well, this flick made me ashame of how they presented themselves on here.In the PRCA there is a set of rules we have to live by and we have to be professional at all times. there is no room for mistakes, either you make it or you dont.Over the years rodeos have gotten easy, i guess now you can say, City Fi Rodeos now. They have helmets and vest and so many other items as for the bullfighters they have new pads on and new uniforms, in the PRCA we still wear the old ways of bullfighting and other events, seen here in the PBR, it seems to be more Glam Crap and no brainers in this sport.There is only a few who is up the the PRCA code of life.The rest is pretty much a fith grade mind of bullriders.I was hurt when i seen this doc and when some of the cowboys spoke, they had no respect for their Organazations and live up to the code.When the file was letting the cowboys speak on their own terms away from the rodeos and at home, the subjects they spoke of, they spoke like they did not know what the heck to say and their ideals on certain subjects were very little info. like for example, "why people like to hunt? well i think people like to hunt just cause, well they like to hunt." we could bring a caveman to this sport and ask the same question about hunting and i am sure the caveman would give more details on why they hunt and a better ideal in philosophy in hunting. the way the cowboy said this on the film makes us true hard core hard working cowboys look dumb and no brains. People if you see this dont judge all cowboys by what these few men act and say. many of us is wise to life, i guess rodeo is getting men with no brainers in the sport and it is very sad. I miss ty and tuff and jim sharp and cody custer, men like them is top of the line men and cowboys and back in them days, we were damn good at what we did and what we know of the sport and in life. now days, it looks like the modern day cowboy is killing the old west codes and soonthere will be just DQ cowboys left in this nation which is sad to see and know. god help us cowboys if this is going on.one more thing i did not like about this flick, they cut the sound offf from the real cowboys when riden', when you see some of the special features they show that there were stunt men maken' the noise maken' you think you really hear the hits and poundings from the cowboys and it is not real, it was special effects who made the sounds of the rodeo and not the real sounds of a real fall or sound when hit hard by the bull or ground.this made me really think this is a rip off from what is real and not real. so if your a fan of the PBR and you dont care about if the sound of a cowboy falling is not them and was made by special effects sounds then you will be happy, but if you want to real thing 100% then you wont be happy but if you like to collect rodeo films then go ahead and get this just to collect but dont judge us by this film thanks.



4. Fascinating world of the PBR brought to life through the eyes of three top contenders for the million dollar Championship held yearly.



5. I am a fan of bullriding and watch PBR each week when it is on television. I had vaguely heard of "Rank", and after reading some reviews, I wanted to watch it. It is not available to rent in my area, so decided to buy it through Amazon. I was not disappointed. The movie is presented documentary style and focuses on 3 riders pursuing the PBR World Championship as well as a father & son who hope to earn the honor of stock contractor of the year. There are many facets of the sport of bullriding, and the director manages to give the viewer a glimpse of most of them. I felt some of the segments on the featured riders were a little skimpy at times and would have liked to have seen more detail about each of them, and for that reason I rated this movie 4 stars. The cinemaphotography is very good, and the viewer is kind of taken on a journey while watching it, (I know that may sound corny), but the documentary does shift gears throughout - calm and peaceful ranch life in the opening sequence, roaring crowds and loud buzzers during the tournament, camaraderie amongst the riders, the agony of injuries, endearing moments with riders and their families - I was pleasantly surprised. It is worth the purchase.

2 comments about Adrenaline Cowboys: Eight Seconds to Glory.

1. I really like this movie. Every bull rider at heart is a cowboy, Bo Derek announces as she hosts this intimate, and often heart-warming, inside look at a truly rare breed of men. They are both athletes and cowboys, competing in one of the most extreme and brutal of all sports, professional bull riding. From the rookies struggling to make it through the challenger ranks, all the way to some of the biggest stars of the sport competing on the PBR Cup Tour, Adrenaline Cowboys is an in-depth look into the heart's and mind's of men who have the courage to chase their dreams no matter what the cost. Featuring personal stories and behind-the-scenes footage along with some of the most bone-crushing extreme ride entertainment ever - guaranteed to take you into the arena and straight to the heart of the action.



2. this movie was for my husband and he love the movie sinc he is a bull rider

No comments about Professional Bull Riders: The Toughest Sport on Earth.

5 comments about Black Cloud.

1. When I read customer reviews about this film, I had mixed feelings about whether I should take the time to even watch it. So when I made up my mind to order it, I had to rent it to see if I'd made the right choice. I'm glad I did, because this film touched me.
   Here's this young twenty-something year old Black Cloud who is trying to live a good life. He's a up and coming boxer who has this great girl and tries to make a honest and meaningful perspective on his life. Then he finds out that his veins flow the blood of white men who, from his point view, are the bain of existence because of what his people have suffered under the white man's reign. That's where self-destruction takes Black Cloud on an emotional rollercoaster, and he begins to make decisions that he'll eventually regret.
   Losing himself in what he has learned to be his doomed heritage, Black Cloud turns his back on everything that he once stood for. He quits boxing, breaks up with the love of his life, Sammie, and hangs with the crowd that were once losers in his eyes.
   With a drunk for a father, and noone else to turn to, he finally seeks advice about his mixed blood heritage from his grandfather who spiritually and emotionally guides him to the truth.
   As Black Cloud comes to terms with who he really is and accepts it, he begins to slowly pull his life back together.
   It definitelely wasn't what I expected. This film is much more to the eye when really studied. You'd definitely have to watch it more than once to get where its coming from. For a film that had a budget of just under a million dollars, I thought it was brilliant. The cinematography just made me want to be in the film myself. It was capturing and cast a new light on Native American acting.
   Good job, Mr. Schroeder!
   P.S. I'm hoping there will be a Black Cloud 2. I would like to know more about how Black Cloud copes with obstacles in the boxing world and what effects it may have on his relationship with Sammie. And they never really said if Jimmy died or not, only that he was touch and go (didn't look like he was going to make it).
   Eddie Spears is an actor who brings grave emotion to his character and can't wait to see more of his work.



2. My entire family is passing this video through their homes. My children and I enjoyed it upon its arrival to our home as well =)



3. wish it had more interaction with the wonderful characters beautiful landscapes less fighting.but that is what the movie was about.........



4. This was an AMAZING movie. I love how Black Cloud struggles and then finally overcomes his problems. All the actors are amazing. I love Eddie Spears and Nathaniel Arcand, they are amazing. Russel Means, Tim McGraw, and Rick have all done a wonderful job. I love everything about this movie. Amazing simply Amazing.



5. I hate to say this because I support and love indian films. But, this one was a bit of a disappointment. The acting wasn't very good. Russel Means did the best he could with the script. It was kind of a rip off of Rocky Balboa set in Native American culture.
   
   It's worth watching once, but don't expect A+ quality.

5 comments about A Lady Takes a Chance.

1. It's an OK movie. Not great but worth watching. No heavy plot or anything thought provoking here. It's a fun light hearted comedy. It's always fun to watch the "Duke" on the big screen. He plays a traveling rodeo star and Jean Arthur is the sweet city gal that falls for the hunk. Phil Silvers is great as the comic bus driver. He spices things up a quite a bit. To me it's a period piece and fun to listen to the dialog, look at the cars, and watch the old actors do their thing.
   The movie nut in Idaho



2. The problem with this film is that although both are good actors, Jean Artur and John Wayne just seems to have no chemistry even in the clinches. I don't think they much liked each other and it showed? She comes off a minor eastern type and he seems to be cast as an insensitive brute of a cowboy who cares for his horse more than his girl friend ( pretty much like the modern guy who spends all his time working on his car instead of keeping his wife and kids happy). They say opposites attract, but it doesn't show up here on film! Interesting that Clark Gable could make one of these romantic comedies and it would become a classic, John Wayne should fall flat in the same type of movie? I think what results is like having two straight men and no comic.



3. This is a real forgotten gem from the golden days of Hollywood romances. Jean Arthur, as always, is delightful as a city gal that decides to escape her three annoying suitors by taking a bus trip out West. There she accidentally meets John Wayne while taking pictures at a rodeo. Wayne is very low-key but effective in his role as an old fashioned western rodeo rider who eventually falls for Jean Arthur though he keeps telling himself that he's not cut out for marriage. The romantic chemistry bewteen Wayne and Arthur, though not as magical as that with Jimmy Stewart in the Frank Capra classics Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and You Can't Take it With You, is nonetheless very nice.
   
   Phil Silvers, in a very early role, adds some nice comedy as the overbearing tour guide on the bus.
   
   Overall, a very entertaining romantic comedy that works well and is another reminder of how Hollywood used to make movies before immorality and profanity took hold in the late 1950's and 60's. They just don't make-em like this anymore



4. Great Movie. Innocent, funny, shows how life was (and is truly missed). A treasure to watch with your kids and grandkids.



5. Good film but not Wayne's best. Quality of print is somewhat lacking. Always enjoy Jean Arthur.

5 comments about Junior Bonner.

1. This is a superb movie with excellent performances. I lived in Pendleton, Oregon, the home of the famous Pendleton Roundup, for nine years, and I think that this is the best rodeo movie ever made. The actors all give true to life performances, and it seems so real that one can smell the dust of the arena. There is no sparkling, brittle dialogue, because rodeo men don't talk that way; but a great deal is said in a few words.



2. After completing two of my favorite Peckinpah films, The Wild Bunch in 1969 and Straw Dogs in 1971, Sam Peckinpah turned his attention to Junior Bonner in 1972, before going on to make other great films like The Getaway, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid and Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia. Although I am a fan of Peckinpah's films, Junior Bonner is not among my Peckinpah favorites. Still, it is a worthwhile experience. Filmed in Prescott, Arizona, the film chronicles a week in the life of veteran rodeo rider Junior "JR" Bonner (Steve McQueen), who returns to his hometown to compete in the annual Independence Day parade and rodeo competition, and to reunite with his brother and estranged parents. Upon his arrival in Prescott, he finds his family home being bulldozed by his younger brother Curly (Joe Don Baker), a sleazy real-estate developer. His hard-drinking father Ace (Robert Preston) dreams of moving to Australia to raise sheep and mine gold. Junior bribes rodeo entrepreneur Buck Roan (Ben Johnson) to ride Sunshine, the same bull that just threw him in a previous rodeo, promising to give Roan half the prize money. Sunshine proves to be the last ride of Junior's career. The film is an elegy for aging rodeo riders in a changing world (symbolized by bulldozers and earth-moving equipment). Steve McQueen brings an engaging performance to the film, and his scenes with Robert Preston during which they drink and despair over modern times and the state of the world are especially memorable. Junior Bonner could have been titled No Country for Old Cowboys.
   
   G. Merritt



3. This is an exceptional film. great script, superb acting, and as they say in the commentary, "not just good editing, perfect editing." Peckinpah was a great director. Unlike most, I am not a huge fan of The Wild Bunch. My favorite Peckinpah films are Junior Bonner and the The Ballad of Cable Hogue. Both are character studies show that Peckinpah could do drama, as well as action/violence.
   
   Junior Bonner shares a characteristic with Downhill Racer starring Robert Redford -- both sport films seem more realistic than a documentary. They capture the truth about a sport and the athletes that compete to win. Redford and McQueen also never had better roles or acted with more subtlety. Even if you don't care about rodeo or skiing, these films bring you into a fascinating world very unlike the way most of us live.
   
   The DVD also has an excellent commentary that ought to be listened to by every film student or film enthusiast.



4. This is an exceptional film. great script, superb acting, and as they say in the commentary, "not just good editing, perfect editing." Peckinpah was a great director. Unlike most, I am not a huge fan of The Wild Bunch - The Original Director's Cut (Two-Disc Special Edition). My favorite Peckinpah films are Junior Bonner and the The Ballad of Cable Hogue. Both character studies show that Peckinpah could do drama, as well as action/violence.
   
   Junior Bonner shares a characteristic with Downhill Racer starring Robert Redford. Both of these sport films seem more realistic than a documentary. They capture the truth about a sport and the athletes that compete to win. Redford and McQueen also never had better roles or acted with more subtlety. Even if you don't care about rodeo or skiing, these films bring you into a fascinating world very unlike the way most of us live. If the film does get you interested in the real thing, try a documentary about the sport Professsional Bull Riders: 8 Second Heroes - Legendary Bulls
   
   The DVD also has an excellent commentary that ought to be listened to by every film student or film enthusiast.



5. I can't believe nobody prominently mentioned that this dvd is a cheat! Why the weasels put out a film with no mention that it's shrunk to half size on your plasma is beyond me.
   Why can't Obama do something good and require federal legislation to put warning labels on movies that are cheaters?

5 comments about Hell on Wheels.

1. Best film I ve found for conveying the expierence
   of ultra endurance sports. Wonderfull movie for training
   motivation and a great depiction of one of the worlds
   great sporting events.



2. I have watch every world comp cycle film I can get my hands on
   and this is the best . Great 2hr trainer.



3. This is one of the best cycling documentaries I have ever watched. A beautiful combination of great camerawork, a stunning setting, great soundtrack and engaging subjects. It goes beyond the highlight reel and goes into the day to day life and musings during the tour. It delves into the deep friendship between Erik Zabel (6 time green jersey winner) and one of his trusted helpers on the team, Rolf Aldag. The frankness, humility and emotion displayed by the racers is a welcome contrast to the typical journalists take from an interview that one would read on the mass media. A must watch for any cycling fan.



4. Hell on Wheels is a docudrama about the Tour de France. It doesn't show the actual competion and the heroism. It's focussing about what real life for professional cyclists means. It appears that the profession is very tough and that "le grand boucle" completely wears you out. Also remarkable are all the fysical problems that can occur. Further the movie shows lots of "behind the scenes" shots from the mecaniciens and supporting personnel of the cyclists.
   The quality of the photography is superb and also the quality of the surround sound. You actually hear al the noise that cycling generates and that you never will hear viewing the Tour de France stages. In this particular Tour Lance Armstrong takes the win, but that doesn't play an important role in the movie.
   I really liked this movie and it's a must for all cyclist who enjoy watching cylcing.



5. Among the most beautiful films on cycling. The film has great cinematography, and it is a rare look into the world of elite professional road cycling.

5 comments about Cowboy Up.

1. Well, it's a fictious story about a bull rider and his familiy. The story is not an effort of imagination but the film depictes very well the life in a ranch and the cowboy way of life.



2. this movie is terrible !! if you are a rodeo person dont waste your money.



3. Cowboy Up, was the good movie and I will tell my friends about it too.



4. I love this movie. It is very good. I originally thought it was going to be like 8 Seconds, but I was wrong.



5. I am a huge Kiefer Sutherland fan and I loved this movie. It is older and kind of sappy but he was great in it and looked great in his cowboy gear. I even liked him in the clown makeup. Another great used DVD also.

5 comments about The Misfits.

1. The Movie that I bought came in very fast & in great condition. Thank You.



2. This (2001) is a remake of a 1961 movie of the same title. The image is wrong, it is for the 1961 movie!



3. I didn't know that this was the last movie for Marilyn and Gable. It was interesting. I'm not a huge fan of Marilyn Monroe's. I think Marilyn was, incidentally, one of the sources of the problems in movies today where there is too much of a prominence placed on symbolism over substance. Having said that, Marilyn did a pretty good job in this movie. I saw more substance in this movie than all the others I've seen combined. The scene in the desert, where she screams at the brutality of the misfits, was top notch. In that scene, and a few others in the movie, she displayed some acting talent that is missing in most of today's top starlets. She evoked a lot of power in some scenes without saying a word. In other scenes, she over acted a little.
   
   Gable played Gable throughout most of the movie, but the scene when he cried out to children was an odd scene for him to take part in. It showed more weakness in the few minutes it occurred than I've seen in most of the few Gable movies I've seen.
   
   Clift was good, but I've seen him better in other movies. He tended to play the same character in many of his movies, and that character was in this movie too. He may have been a good actor, but I never saw too much range from him.
   
   The movie itself was uneven and inconsistent. The lead to the arc was very interesting. I can see why it was considered an off movie for it's era. It kind of lost itself in the arc, however, and I found myself wavering a little in the midst of the overdrawn characterization and setting. There were interesting scenes, and I can see why some of the scenes were important, but they were a little too long. Other scenes seemed irrelevant to me. The close of the movie, from the point where they reach the desert on, was excellent. All of the characters--even the Eli Wallach character--were rounded out here. The close of the movie provided an explanation for why some of the scenes that I considered irrelevant were in fact relevant. Overall, I considered this a really good movie. It had problems sure, but I would definitely recommend it.



4. I don't know why, but I never even really considered watching `The Misfits'. Even when I was watching a lot of Marilyn Monroe films, I never really thought about watching this one. A friend told me that it was coming on TCM and that she was going to be watching it, and so we decided to get together and see it together. While I cannot say that the overall experience was what I hoped for, I must tell you that there are parts of this film that work marvelously. Overall I was entertained and even delighted (especially during the films finale) but there are huge chunks of this film that don't work as well as they intended to.
   
   The film tells of a lonely cowboy and a young divorcee who fall in love over mutual sadness and a longing for belonging.
   
   Okay, so lets start with the good. The acting across the board is very well done. Both leads handle their performances with a strength that is surprising (beings that neither are brilliant actors) as well as very welcomed. This is not the best performance by either star (look at Monroe in `Some Like It Hot' or Gable in `It Happened One Night' for that) but it is definitely at the top of their heap. Monroe's early scenes convey a breathy sense of maturity that she often forgot to lend her vixens, and Gable has so much natural girth that you just can't help but see him as a real man, no actorly symptoms in sight. The deaths of both actors (which came very shortly after this film was released) is a sad yet poignant facet of the film. When one watches the film with the knowledge of the eventual demise of the stars we can see a layer of profound realism in the character's desperate plea for some sort of purpose.
   
   It makes so much sense.
   
   As good as the leads were, the supporting cast is even better. Eli Wallach delivers one of my favorite supporting performances of all time as Guido, the lovelorn pilot who fails to impress Roslyn as much as he hoped to. His dire need for a woman's touch is so stunningly conveyed that he takes the cake as the most impressive performer in the cast (it's no wonder Monroe wanted his scenes shorted so that he wouldn't steal her limelight). Thelma Ritter is also stunningly capable of carrying her scenes, with a spunk and cheery light that emanates and illuminates. Montgomery Clift really excels in the films final scenes, where his moral dilemmas are made prominent. It's a beautifully complete performance.
   
   But, where there is good there is also some bad. My biggest issue with `The Misfits' is that there is a huge chunk of film in the middle of the movie that just doesn't fit right. The beginning is spot on and really engaging, and the ending is nothing short of stunning (that final conversation between Monroe and Wallach is just brilliant) but the middle, that budding romance, is just awkward and unnecessary. It just doesn't hold up and I found my interest fading. John Huston is a very capable director (see `Fat City' RIGHT NOW) but he loses his reigns on this one a bit and delivers a less than perfect final product. The thing is, this could have been remarkable on all fronts, but it just isn't.
   
   See it, for it is the final film projects for two very beloved motion picture icons, but don't expect it to be all that it could have been.



5. I had to return this video and the seller was very kind about refunding my money.

5 comments about 8 Seconds.

1. I have not watched this movie but the seller did a great job of getting it here in a timely manner.



2. Wonderful movie for the tender-hearted or the bull riding fans out there. I first watched this movie as a teenager and it is still as good now as it was then. Even my husband enjoyed it! The realities of fame and the hardship that marriage can sometimes be is acurately portrayed in this film. This is not just a western or a movie for "cowboys."



3. I always enjoy a film or book that is based on a true story-- especially when it's well done! HA! I actually saw real footage of Lane and Tuff long before I ever watched the movie. Worth watching!!! Great acting, as well. Perfect flick for both guys and gals.



4. This movie is incredible! Heart wrenching, especially because it is based on real life events. Too bad they didn't portray his father more accurately!



5. This is a show worth watching! It really doesn't matter what age you are, you relate and understand without prejudice as to the real life issues that happen. It's the hard truth, but it is the truth!