C Movie Reviews

Wow. Spongebob is the greatest cartoon ever. I mean, EVERYONE loves it. It's the best thing I've ever had for starting conversations and friendships. It's like, "Reminds me of this one Spongebob episode..." "Oh, you like Spongebob?" "Yeah, I love it!" "Me too!" "Oh, did you see the one..." And whamo. Friends. Yo. Cool. Anyway, this DVD rocks. The 10 episodes (including new "Graveyard Shift" and "Club Spongebob") are hilarious. The special features are awesome. The Violent Femmes sing the theme song, as seen on Nick. There are a whole bunch of interviews with lots and lots of people who make the show possible. The best thing is to watch Rodger Bumpass (Squidward), Tom Kenny (Sponge), Carolyn Lawrence (Sandy) and Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick) do the voice acting. It is SO funny and weird to hear the voices come from them. Most of them aren't what you'd picture they look like. When you set on "Backstage Pants," you click enter when you see the little Sponge onscreen during the show. More interviews come up dealing with the particular episode. Spongebob is for everyone. You'll be able to tell if you're dead by watching this DVD: if you enjoy it, you're alive.

SpongeBob is good for all ages. He's entertaining for the kiddies, and there is a lot going on that you have to be an adult to understand. SpongeBob is just the latest of many great cartoons. But unlike South Park (which you should never show your kids), and Ren & Stimpy (another cartoon I loved, but I really don't think it was fit for children), this is a cartoon the children can enjoy (like The Simpsons, but easier for them to understand). And this dvd contains over two hours of SpongeBob and his friends. There are 10 episodes, including some of SpongeBob's best: 'Ripped Pants,' 'Something Smells,' 'Jellyfishing,' 'Wormy,' and 'F.U.N.' (with Plakton). And also on this dvd is 'Texas,' which is not only the funniest SpongeBob episode, but one of the funniest things I've seen. And you can watch this with the Backstage Pants featurette, where you can branch out and watch some behind-the-scenes footage while viewing the episodes. There is also the Violent Femmes singing Sponge Bob and all kinds of extra behind-the-scene footage. 2 hours of SpngeBob and Patrick. How can you pass this up? Especially with the classic 'Texas' alone worth the price of the dvd.

Wow! Now people without cable can see some episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants! This DVD contains some popular episodes, such as "Texas" with the song "I Want To Wake Up In Texas", and the episode, "F.U.N." with the FUN song. The DVD also has the episode, "The Graveyard Shift" which would have been good for the next DVD, "Halloween."

The Blue Collar Comedy Tour isn't just for rednecks or blue collar workers- this is fun and laughter for everyone. There are no cusswords or adult content to cut out so even teenagers can watch this. Funny comedian Ron White is like a 21st century country-style Dean Martin. The other 3 comedians ( Ron White included ) along with Jeff Foxworthy also serve up their fair share of comic lines and laughs. Most people have only heard of Jeff Foxworthy due to his name & longetivity( including me until this ) but once you've seen & heard this you will want to enjoy it over & over.Great that these four comedians decided to tour together,film it & release it on video & dvd for us to enjoy.
Even you are alone you may be laughing out loud.The Blue Collar Comedy Tour was recommended to me by an African-American so it wasn't offensive to him either as he thought it funny-This is definitely not just for rednecks but for everyone.This is not just southern humor-the comedy is universally appealing. Buy it,rent it,don't miss out.You don't have to have a job with a nametag on it to enjoy this one.It doesn't matter who you are- this one's funny.It't not covered in moles.No one will literally throw you out of a place.There's your sign-You might be a redneck but you don't have to be one to laugh at this comedy.

I just watched this DVD, and I still can't stop laughing! I too was unfamiliar with Larry the Cable Guy and Ron White, but I had no idea what I was missing! These four have great on-stage chemistry! The ending of the DVD is the best, where they are all onstage together tellng their stories. You can see how well they get along, and how much of a riot they must be to hang out with! Larry's backwoods, none-too-bright act is a side-splitter, and Ron White defenitely fullfills his role as the "bad boy" of the bunch. Bill Engvall delivers with some of his hilarious trademark "Here's Your Sign" jokes, and the others get in on the act too. Though we all love Jeff Foxworthy, I think we are all getting a little tired of the Redneck jokes, but Jeff comes through with some absolutely terrific new material that will leave you wiping tears of laughter for hours! Absolutely the best comedy DVD I have seen to date. There are plenty of laughs for the adults, but not so much that the kids can't get in on the fun too. Defenitely worth the time and money.

This is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen.

The Blue Collar Comedy Tour isn't just for rednecks or blue collar workers- this is fun and laughter for everyone. There are no cusswords or adult content to cut out so even teenagers can watch this. Funny comedian Ron White is like a 21st century country-style Dean Martin. The other 3 comedians ( Ron White included ) along with Jeff Foxworthy also serve up their fair share of comic lines and laughs. Most people have only heard of Jeff Foxworthy due to his name & longetivity( including me until this ) but once you've seen & heard this you will want to enjoy it over & over.Great that these four comedians decided to tour together,film it & release it on video & dvd for us to enjoy.
Even you are alone you may be laughing out loud.The Blue Collar Comedy Tour was recommended to me by an African-American so it wasn't offensive to him either as he thought it funny-This is definitely not just for rednecks but for everyone.This is not just southern humor-the comedy is universally appealing. Buy it,rent it,don't miss out.You don't have to have a job with a nametag on it to enjoy this one.It doesn't matter who you are- this one's funny.It't not covered in moles.No one will literally throw you out of a place.There's your sign-You might be a redneck but you don't have to be one to laugh at this comedy.

I just watched this DVD, and I still can't stop laughing! I too was unfamiliar with Larry the Cable Guy and Ron White, but I had no idea what I was missing! These four have great on-stage chemistry! The ending of the DVD is the best, where they are all onstage together tellng their stories. You can see how well they get along, and how much of a riot they must be to hang out with! Larry's backwoods, none-too-bright act is a side-splitter, and Ron White defenitely fullfills his role as the "bad boy" of the bunch. Bill Engvall delivers with some of his hilarious trademark "Here's Your Sign" jokes, and the others get in on the act too. Though we all love Jeff Foxworthy, I think we are all getting a little tired of the Redneck jokes, but Jeff comes through with some absolutely terrific new material that will leave you wiping tears of laughter for hours! Absolutely the best comedy DVD I have seen to date. There are plenty of laughs for the adults, but not so much that the kids can't get in on the fun too. Defenitely worth the time and money.

Every time I watch this movie I still laugh. You just cant get enough of it. Bill Engvall, Ron White, Jeff Foxworthy, and Larry the Cable Guy are hilarious together. If I was to reccommend a great stocking present this would be it. I give it 10 stars.

In the early stages of the movie, the boy and his sister stay with relatives since their house has been destroyed in a bombing, relatives who obviously resent their presence.

However, despite the boy's refusal to work or do anything but play with his sister (this is the relative's only reason for resenting having to feed and house them) it's made to seem tragic when he decides to leave the house rather than help support himself.

Later in the movie, when his sister becomes sick from malnutrition - this is the supposed saddest part and turning point of the story - the effect is ruined by the fact that the boy could simply have apologized to his relatives, who may not have been happy to take him back, but certainly would have. A farmer even tells the boy this, yet he refuses to return. What follows is no one's fault but his own.

The only emotion this movie inspired in me was a growing frustration at the boy's inablilty to swallow his pride and save his sister's life. There's nothing tragic in a movie about a character who could save his life at any time, but refuses to do so.

What can I say? This is the *Braveheart*, the *Titanic*, the *Schindler's List* of anime - *Grave of the Fireflies* is a tear-jerker with three-hanky ending. You WILL cry. I promise. However, it's worth seeing. This masterpiece shows us that there is nothing noble or glorious about war. The "enemy" has a face. As Americans, we didn't have to watch our homes be destroyed by air raids; we didn't see our love ones charred to a crisp in fires started by fighter planes. With the exception of Pearl Harbor, the war was fought overseas and far away from our homes. *Everyone* is affected in a total war. This two children are orphaned and their struggle to survive is heart-wrenching. This isn't a war movie about soldiers like one would expect-- this is a war movie about what happens to ordinary people. I don't understand how anyone could want to fight a war after seeing *Grave of the Fireflies*. I think the director is showing us something about ourselves and our society. I've tried my best, but I can't describe this movie in words. You have to see to believe. Also, young children should not watch this movie- war and death are graphic. I've had the image of little Sasuko burying the fireflies in my head all day and the image of her mother being thrown into a mass grave (what Seta sees when he sees his sister burying the insects). Please, watch this movie. Watching Miyazaki's *My Neighbor Totoro* afterward with the kids is a great idea since it's a happy movie.

Any teacher searching for a way to expose their students to history, coming-of-age stories, Japanese culture, and/or the implications of war needs to view and show this film in his or her classroom. I discovered this anime while in college, and I could not do anything until I had researched it thoroughly. According to Ebert's review and other reviews published about the film, this story about two children trying to survive the American firebombings of Japan in the last days of World War II is based on a true story. Seita, a 14 year old boy, has to become both brother and parent to his little sister Setsuko when their mother is badly injured in the first bombing of the film. They spend the rest of the film searching for food and shelter. They learn what happens to a world in need, a world at war, and a world that can so easily swallow up little lives like their own. The animation incredible. Like many animes, the characters do not appear at first to be entirely lifelike; their eyes are too huge to be real, and many of the movements are overly exaggerated. However, the grace, the patience, the intense attention to details as small as the lice in Setsuko's hair make the characters all the more real. The scenary is also fantastic, and looks a lot like paintings by famous Japanese artists (see Hiroshige). For teachers of high school students, this film provides endless opportunities; kids become completely absorbed in the technical aspects of war (see Ebert's review), the loveable characters, and the injustices they see. In my own classroom, this film sparked heated debate and prompted my students to write professional-sounding reviews. Please see this film, and talk to your students about the two sides to every war, and the two sides to every story.

This adaptation can be seen now as purely a product of its era: the Materialistic Reagan Eighties. Critics at the time (mostly the TV sort) did handstands over this one, some even saying it was better than any other version.
I WILL come out and say the one good thing about this film is that it sent me back to reading the original book (I'd endured two adaptations that year--this, and the first Muppet version, from '92 with Michael Caine). But the script for this one simply PRETENDS to be a faithful adaptation: it's told primarily from Scrooge's perspective.....we're supposed to "bah" to his every "humbug" and vice versa. And Scott's performance is worthy of a Nicholson in "The Shining"--all high camp, with the star sparing no opportunity to chew the scenery and mug shamelessly at every close-up. Needless to say, the Great Scott's done better elsewhere. There's no real RANGE to this performance--even at the climactic meeting with the Ghost-Of-Christmas-Yet-To-Come, he seems unfazed. Scott's Scrooge doesn't seem to be a changed man in the end--I'm fully expecting him to FIRE Bob Cratchit Dec. 26!!
The lesson to be learned here? Ebenezer Scrooge isn't Wile E. Coyote.

George C. Scott brings his formidable acting ability fully to bear on the characterization of Ebenezer Scrooge, the world's most ill-regarded miser. When Scrooge says "Bah humbug!"
there's no smirking from the sidelines.This is a businessman who would try to get "blood out of rock" for profit.Even on Christmas Day. The 1984 version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL is stellar and the supporting cast(David Warner; Susannah York; Frank Finley)work to make this ghost story one of the greatest morality tales ever penned, while combining its Tiny Tim heart-string-pulling ambience to make most viewers, indeed, want to carol "JOY TO THE WORLD!" at the end.
The Christmas Ghosts who come to serve Scrooge his moral warrant are played straight without self-deprecating irony or pseudo-hipness. When Scooge climactically faces the grim Wraith of Christmas Future to peer at the damning judgment to be rendered on his selfish, emotionally barren life, most viewers will breathe an empathetic sigh of relief when he's granted a SECOND CHANCE.

This is a handsome, high production values version of Dicken's classic. It is brought to the screen again with enough class and verve to drive-out the bad Scrooge, and bring-out the good Scrooge in us all.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Christmas just isn't Christmas unless you watch at least one version of A Christmas Carol, and this is by far my favorite. George C. Scott gives one of the greatest performances I have ever seen an actor give; he truly becomes Ebenezer Scrooge to the fullest degree possible. Scott can say more with just the slightest hint of a facial movement than many actors can say during the course of an entire movie. All of the performers here are excellent, bringing to life adored characters such as Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, and Scrooge's nephew Fred. All four spirits are remarkable, none more so than Scrooge's old partner Jacob Marley; having Marley's jaw drop after untying the burial cloth holding his mouth closed is an important aspect of the story and certainly does make an impression on the viewer. This is just one example of the moviemakers' faithfulness to Charles Dickens' original story; another would be the inclusion of the two miserable children, Ignorance and Want, beneath the robes of the Ghost of Christmas Present.

This timeless tale works extremely well on its own, but the unsurpassed acting skills of Scott make it almost more than real. The change wrought in him during the course of the night, as he changes from a man of crass materialism and unkindness to a repentant soul pleading for a chance to change his ways, is powerfully presented and really touches the viewer emotionally. The simple happiness revealed in the lives of Bob Cratchit and others are as heart-warming as the forgotten mistakes and pains of a younger Scrooge are agonizing. If there is any heart out there that is not touched by the goodness and courage of Tiny Tim, I don't even want to know about it. No matter how many times you watch this movie, it proves itself capable of bringing a tear to your eye, a lump in your throat, and ultimately the very spirit of true holiday cheer and Christian charity that Dickens intended it to convey.

I cannot say I have seen every adaptation of A Christmas Carol, but I really cannot believe any other version could exceed the quality and emotional impact of this one. No matter how many times I read the story or watch the movie, it remains a source of eternal joy to me. This is more than a movie for me; it is an important and necessary part of each and every Christmas holiday season.

I don't claim be a movie expert, but this is the best film I have ever seen. I already owned a VHS copy, but on buying a DVD player I paid good money to have this disc shipped to me in England - and boy was it worth it! The picture quality is as good as you will find anywhere and the sound is superb too. The DVD is also jam-packed with extra features. The film's commentary is provided by Frank Capra Jr. He has a wonderfully relaxed style and doesn't just sound as if he's reading from a prepared script. Along with Ron Howard's commentary for Apollo 13, this is the best DVD commentary I have heard to date. A special feature unique amongst DVDs must be the radio version of 'It Happened One Night', first broadcast in 1939, again starring Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable. Whoever had the idea of including this on the DVD deserves a salary rise. The disc also includes trailers, cast lists, some beautifully illustrated posters and also a Frank Capra Jr introduction. This really is an extremely impressive package of Frank Capra's masterpiece.

It Happened One Night has aged very well, and it remains as funny and sexy as when it first premiered in 1934. Claudette Colbert stars as an heiress on the run, trying to get away from her controlling father who does not approve of the man she has quickly married. While on a bus to New York to return to her new husband, she becomes entangled with news reporter Clark Gable, a man who feels only contempt for her (at first), but who won't pass up a good story. Colbert and especially Gable are in top form, displaying a terrific chemistry in Frank Capra's comedy. The scenes I enjoyed are the same as everyone else - the walls of Jericho and Colbert's method for hitch-hiking. But my favourite scene is in the cabin when they pretend to be a bickering married couple to throw off investigators looking for her. Their "improv" is hysterical. I can't believe that after almost seventy years, this film has not dated. Give credit to Capra, writer Robert Riskin, and of course, the star combination. Watch this video when you get a chance!

I have loved this movie forever. It is the simple story of a poor little rich girl (Colbert)who runs away from her tycoon father in hopes of making it to New York to wed her playboy fiance. A newspaper reporter (Gable) is on her trail and hopes to get the scoop of the season by cozying up to her and getting the inside story of her surprise wedding. When their night bus breaks down, the bickering couple hitchike to New York. Of course, sparks fly between the two of them as they fall in love.

This is a terrifically funny movie that tells a great story. Along the way, the movie offers up a snapshot of 1934 American life that is true and vanished.

Everyone loves this movie. People who hate black and white movies love this movie. Even cool 19 year old boys who only relate to the Sopranos love this movie. I have never known anyone who watched this movie who didn't also love it.

I readily admit it. Kurt Russell is one of my favorite actors. That being said, I love Captain Ron. And if you're looking for some good family fun, I'm sure you will too.

This dvd is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and is pretty decent. Don't expect reference quality but it pretty good for this flick.

It features a 2.0 Dolby surround standard issue sound mix. Dialogue is clear and crisp and surrounds are next to none.

No bonus features included. :(

While some bonuses would have been nice (even just the trailer!)I can still recommend this one for the movie alone. If you're looking to have 90 minutes of fun, pick this up.

For a Wildly hilarious re-watchable comedy, this is your film. My review is of the movie as this is written pre-DVD. This film has the family of Martain Short, beautiful independent decorator wife and 8 year old son and 16 going on 25 yr old daughter all thrown together on an inherited sailboat they must sail back from the Caribe! They get the aid of one-eyed Captn Ron, a patch eyed Kurt Russel who seems to have no credentials, but to perturb Martain Short when against logic, he comes through time after time when the chips are down in the most humorous ways possible. Scene after scene has so much humor you can't pick it all up in one showing. Kurt Russell and Martian Short as Captn Ron and the father/ships owner are perfectly cast. You will not regret this film and if you are like a lot of folks will end up knowing many of the lines and jokes, the recollection of which will brighten your day with a smile long after the movie. Has a happy heart warming ending, some suspense, and a generally upbeat tone more movies should have. It's many sailors' favorite. I personally loved Steve Martain in The Jerk and to me they both rank one and two in terms of modern comedy movies. Suitable for a whole family and with a gut splitting ending.

Even Captain Ron! Finally, on DVD!!! This is my family's favorite movie. We know all the lines and recite them along with the movie, and we still laugh so hard it hurts. Plus, the wisdom of Captain Ron helps bring humor into MANY real-life events. Something goes wrong at work? Just say, "That's okay, Boss, it could happen to anyone" and make everyone else wonder why you're smirking. Having trouble merging onto the freeway? Just say, "They'll get out of the way, they always do. Learned that driving the Saratoga." MUST HAVE DVD!!! CAN'T WAIT!!! Planning to buy several copies of the DVD. (rating the VHS version) (FYI, boaters, especially sailors, will probably find this movie more funny than land-lubbers.)

A very impressive movie with great characterizations and wonderful performances. Highly recommended.

The DVD:
Picture and sound are perfect. The menu is nicely done, with animated stills from the movie. The comments by Mike Massey and the display of shots from the film are somewhat interesting but you can't really call it an explanation of the shots. Various camera perspectives or slow motion would have been more helpful. The trailers are interesting, the picture gallery is very very short. The featurette gives some insights, but doesn't go very deep.

Now the main criticism, the (as it says on the box) "Various audio commentaries": You can't do audio commentaries worse. An interviewer asks one of the commentators a question, eg What was your impression of Robert Rossen? or How was it working with ...? After the question has been answered by that person, the next one is asked the same question. This becomes boring pretty fast, especially because some of the answers are not worth to listen to. Stefan Gierasch, Richard Schickel and Jeff Young give only short statements, making you wonder why they're there anyway. Carol Rossen tells some interesting stories, but you get the impression she has a very subjective point of view that doesn't tell everything. Ulu Grosbard delivers a lot of informations. Paul Newman is the biggest disappointment, because he is rarely asked and all in all says about 10 sentences. This is beaten by Dede Allen, the editor, who most of the time ignores the questions and starts to tell all kinds of stories about herself and her experiences in the movie and editing business. This is definitely the best and most interesting part of the commentary, if you're interested in insider stories about movie making and editing. The bad thing about the commentary is that it never relates to the movie which is running in the background. The commentators don't commentate because they don't see the film. They're simply answering questions, which definitely is not the purpose of such a commentary. You have to ask yourself if complete interviews with the persons would not have been better (since they're obviously done as interviews and are also part of comments in the featurette).

In the end you get to know some facts about the movie, basically nothing about Robert Rossen and a lot about Dede Allen. This could have been really better.

1961's "The Hustler" is a picture that will truly "suck you in". It totally absorbed my attention throughout. Making this in black-and-white was a wise choice by the movie-makers too. It sets the mood of the drab surroundings we experience during the film.

A perfect cast has been assembled here, with Paul Newman a knockout in the lead role of pool shark "Fast Eddie" Felson. Piper Laurie, George C. Scott, Murray Hamilton, and Myron McCormick give strong support to Newman. And there's a very controlled and somewhat subdued Jackie Gleason as "Minnesota Fats". Jackie doesn't have a huge part here, but he pulls off his role as "Fats" with style.

There are a lot of quiet moments in this picture ... when just visuals propel the story. I like that in movies! Sometimes there's too much dialogue in a film, in places where nothing needs to be said at all. It just seemed to me that the producer/director (Robert Rossen) knew when to keep the actors quiet here.

The Hustler will forever remain a Classic to me!!

Some Hustler stats:
-------------------------------------
Running Time: 135 minutes.
Debut in theatres: September 25, 1961.
Nominated for Best Picture of 1961. (Beaten out by "West Side Story".)
Paul Newman nominated for Best Actor of 1961. (Beaten out by Maximilian Schell--Judgment at Nuremburg.)
Both George C. Scott and Jackie Gleason were nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 1961 for this film. (Both beaten out by George Chakiris--West Side Story.)
Piper Laurie nominated for Best Actress in '61. (Beaten out by Sophia Loren--Two Women.)
Film won two 1961 Oscars --- Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction/Set Decoration (B&W).
Billiard champ Willie Mosconi, 14-time world champion from 1941-1957, was a key technical adviser on the set of The Hustler, literally teaching Mr. Newman how to play the game of pocket billiards, right down to his grip on the cue stick. Newman became quite proficient by the end of the shooting of the picture.
Newman reprised his role as Fast Eddie in 1986's sequel, "The Color of Money", co-starring Tom Cruise. Newman DID win the Oscar for Best Actor that year.

The Hustler spotlights one of Paul Newman's finest performances in his portrayal of Fast Eddie Felson, an arrogant, amoral pool hustler who's determined to be the greatest pool player in the country by beating the legendary Minnesota Fats (played flawlessly by Jackie Gleason).

The film is a gritty, uncompromising character study and tragic love story that is set in the world of pool hustlers. Piper Laurie; as an alcoholic floozy who falls hard for Fast Eddie; and George C. Scott as the cold hearted manipulative gambler, Bert Gordon,-- contribute two additional flawless supporting performances. It was directed by the controversial Robert (All the King's Men) Rossen (he resisted but eventually named names during the infamous blacklist of the 50's).

The film focuses on the arrogant, unsympathetic exploits of a con man as he uses his charm, looks and pool playing skills to hustle enough money to challenge Minnesota Fats, only to be humiliated in defeat. As 'Fast Eddie' attempts to raise money for a re-match, he meets and almost falls in love with Sarah a fellow alcoholic. At first Fast Eddie refuses to be managed by Bert Gordon, but after a pool hall hustle ends up with Fast Eddie having his thumbs broken, he reconsiders. Before the re-match with Minnesota Fats, a warm up high stakes game in Louisville has tragic consequences.

The film dares to focus on a-typical anti-hero characters who live by amoral codes. Very little Hollywood style gloss is to be found anywhere in this stylistic gritty masterpiece which wound up being nominated for 10 Academy Awards (West Side Story won most of them that year). Cinematographer Eugene Shufftan deservedly won an Oscar for his moodily lit, beautiful black and white images. Harry Horner's and Gene Callahan's intricately art direction, production design and set decoration were also awarded with Oscars. Pool legend Willie Mosconi taught Newman how to look and act the part of a pool hustler and also made Newman's trick shots in the film. Jackie Gleason was already an excellent pool player. There really was an Aames pool hall in New York City and it is used for the film's most riveting scenes. Boxer Jake LaMotta (of 'Raging Bull' fame) plays a bartender in the film.

Director Rossen who began his career as a screenwriter made only one other film (1964's Lilith) after 'The Hustler'. Rossen died in 1966. Martin Scorcese directed the 1986 sequel Color of Money, with Newman reprising his Fast Eddie role (and this time Newman won a best Actor Oscar for his efforts) as he teaches an up and coming hustler (Tom Cruise) the ropes. The sequel doesn't come close to being as good as the original (despite its stylistic flourishes, cast and director).

Interesting to note that the characters in The Hustler were fictitious and an above average pool player legally changed his name to Minnesota Fats AFTER the film was released. The real life 'Minnesota Fats' eventually played a nationally televised (hosted by Howard Cosell) pool exhibition with William Mosconi in the 1970's more than 10 years after this 1961 film.

DVD IMAGE AND SOUND

The film has been digitally re-mastered in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. The films looks to be in excellent shape with very little print damage observed. The look of the film is smoky and gritty and the shadow details are rich indicating strong black levels present. This is a very sharp looking black and white film. The sound will not impress but the dialogue, sound effects and occasional music is crisp and usually centered..

DVD EXTRA'S

In addition to two trailers for the film, there are a few interesting featurettes some production stills and the superb commentary track.

Richard Schickel hosts the too short documentary The Hustler: The Inside Story which gives us some details on how the film came to be made, and delivers some we were there stories from some of the film-makers and a few surprise guests.

"How to Make the Shot," and "Trick Shot Analysis by World Artistic Champion, Mike Massey"
are two shorts demonstrating and showing viewers how to make some trick shots on the pool table.

There is a superb commentary track which features the reminisces, and perspectives from actors: Paul Newman, and Stefan Gierash (Preacher), Dede Allen (film editor), Ulu Grosbard (assistant director), Carol Rossen (the director's daughter), Richard Schickel (film critic, Time), and Jeff Young (film historian). The comments cover all aspects of the making of the film. Newman's comments as one might expect are few.

The film looks and sounds great, the extras compliment the classic film very well. Along with Hud, and Nobody's Fool, The Hustler has, what for me, is one of the three best Newman performances on film. Considering the supporting cast are superb, there's little for anyone to fault with this film.

Christopher J. Jarmick, is the author of The Glass Cocoon with Serena F. Holder a critically acclaimed, steamy suspense thriller...

I dont know if anyone really cares about the opinion of a 16 year old obsessor of Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp but in this movie, they are absolutely AMAZING. Along with Geoffrey Rush and Keira Knightley of course. The whole cast of this movie was WONDERFUL. So wonderful, in fact, i went back to see it 4 more times. This movie is a PERFECT blend of action, drama, comedy, and romance. I was constantly laughing at the amazing character that Johnny Depp put together, and at the same time swooning at the beauty and bravosity of Orlando Bloom. Though the DVD is not out yet, i anticipate its coming and know it will not disappoint me. What more could a john and orlando lover WANT with BLOOPERS, and DELETED SCENES to see more of the men i so openly desire.
In this movie, I thought keira knightley did an exellent job as elizabeth. At first i was soo green with envy that she got to KISS orlando and dance drunkedly around a fire with johnny, but she was so good at playing the governors daughter who isnt your ordinary damsel in distress -- i had to admire her. It is her idea to go back and save the man that she truly loves from the undead pirates of the caribbean. She was an exellent addition to this film.
I also think geoffrey rush was the IDEAL man for the part of captain barbossa. He was so good at bringing out the essential evilness of the pirate that even hell couldnt handle. He as well brought a fair share of comedy to the movie, and i really enjoyed the swordfight between him and johnny depp.
I would recommend this movie to ANYONE without a second thought. Its a wonderful piece of art that deserves many, many awards. I hope everyone that gets this DVD is as pleased and as overjoyed as i will be.

.. a side note .. this is the first review ive ever done .. so if its like totally not what im supposed to do .. uhh .. im really sorry. Hope you enjoy what i wrote though.

HAVE FUN WITH PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN !!

I originally went to see this movie with my friend soley for the purpose of gawking at Orlando Bloom. I actually hated the "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride at Disney Land, because my parents forced me to go on it numerous times-and singing pirates just really aren't my thing. But after seeing this movie, I am now just another one of the millions of fans who are obsessed with Johnny Depp. He is irresistible as Jack Sparrow and plays him perfectly. Every one in the theater loved him. And who could blame them? If you haven't seen this movie yet, you don't know what you're missing. Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp make the perfect pirate pair. This is the best movie I've seen for awhile, its full of laughs and action, plus it's a Disney-so everyone can enjoy it.

johnny depp gives one of the most convincing performances i have ever seen from any actor. don't even try to understand him; his charm lies in the fact that no one can. i can promise you his roguishness and style entertains endlessly.

but credit also goes to the scriptwriters for maintaining the authenticity of the 18th century Caribbean. The dialogue is witty and the action sequences well thought out for the best dramatic effect to get your pulse racing

i went into the cinema anticipating a repeat of Orlando Bloom's fantastic work in Lord of the Rings but came out amazed at how swaggering Depp outdoes everyone in this highly enjoyable flick

I saw it in theaters, of course, so I have no idea as to extras on the DVD, but it is a very funny, good movie. I went since my daughter is a fan of Orlando Bloom & he is not hard on the eyes for me either. The movie, itself, was very entertaining. Johnny Depp was hilarious & I am not a huge fan of his, since his films are so inconsitent, in my mind. My only complaint would be the soundtrack @ times overwhelmed but in home you can always turn it down. My other complaint is that @ times there was too much going on on screen. It could have used more close-up then cut to action (like LOTR) as in fight scenes but that was minimal. I took my 4 yr old to see it, telling her 1st that it might get scary but she was scared for only a second.Wait after credits!

Now this film I really love. The story is superb, even though I had not expected it from a film adaptation of a theme-park ride. The special effects are amazing, the acting is fabulous, an overall thrill ride which takes you back to all the films you grew up with, repeated again and again. This is a pirate film with a twist, but still quite reminiscent of the Errol Flynn movies.

The two stand-out performances of this film are undoubtedly Johny Depp, who has made it a career of selecting roles for himself which are not only very suitable, but in which he shines and steals the show. This time, however, he has heavy competition in that department. Orlando Bloom, known for his role as Legolas in the Lord of the Ring movies, dazzles the movie-goer with his acting capabilities, looks and fighting skills. It seems a romantic hero is born in this movie...lets hope Mr. Bloom can keep shining and outperforming his co-stars.

The verdict? The only reason I wouldn't give this movie 5 stars is that I have seen a few better movies, in terms of story and other things. However, it is certainly one of the best movies I have seen this year! And well, as you can oly give full stars on Amazon, I'll give it all five...as I did truly love it...

I originally went to see this movie with my friend soley for the purpose of gawking at Orlando Bloom. I actually hated the "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride at Disney Land, because my parents forced me to go on it numerous times-and singing pirates just really aren't my thing. But after seeing this movie, I am now just another one of the millions of fans who are obsessed with Johnny Depp. He is irresistible as Jack Sparrow and plays him perfectly. Every one in the theater loved him. And who could blame them? If you haven't seen this movie yet, you don't know what you're missing. Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp make the perfect pirate pair. This is the best movie I've seen for awhile, its full of laughs and action, plus it's a Disney-so everyone can enjoy it.