Exam Preparation Movie Reviews

This is an excellent follow-up to a set of three movies entitled "Triumph of the Nerds", which details the development and successes of Microsoft, Apple, the Internet, IBM PCs, Altair, etc, but which came out in the mid-1990s, and doesn't mention much about Linux. Also, the mood of all these movies is similar. They belong together for a great summary of the development of personal computing since the 1970s, and all are full of interviews with the key players.

Being a geek, I bought this assuming it was going to be a dry documentary on the history of Linux, but I would enjoy it anyway. I was amazed at how well done this movie is. Not only does it document the general history of Open Source and Free Software issues, but it provides a great story of conflict between 'good' (Free Software and Open Source) and 'evil' (Proprietary Software). I watched this with my girlfriend who is a non-geek and she was able to follow along very easily and enjoyed the movie as much as I did. She even wanted to make the switch to Linux after watching.

The pace is quick, and one of the best aspects of the movie is the music. It helps keep the movie fun and light-hearted, yet provides an intelligent 'edge' at the same time. All of the interviewees have very unique and dynamic personalities; they are the type of thinkers you don't generally meet everyday. Richard Stallman in particular has some of the most convincing comments in the film, and by the end, I was quick to pop in the second disc to see the bonus interviews with him.

Overall, I think this is a film which anyone who uses a computer on a regular basis should watch. We need to not take Microsoft for granted and realize there are alternatives that don't try to control what we do.

This is one of the best movies I've seen.

It is not often when you find a truly amazing and intriguing documentary but this is it! True, it is about Linux and it's history, but that does not mean you have to be a computer "geek" to enjoy it, although I'll admit it would help you understand it more. Everything is so well done, from the interviews, to the cinematography, and even to the research that went into the movie. I had know idea that Linux was even that big or part of this phenomenal computer movement, but know I feel completely versed about it! This is a must see for anyone, especially if you have an interest in computers.

A real funny movie, Kelly Randall was beautiful in the movie

A real funny movie, Kelly Randall was beautiful in the movie

the second collection of the second sight series. I told you that theres episodes where a building explodes and he cant sleep . this collection has it and its great. for Owen fans

I got my hands on an advance of this DVD, and it is really good. Full of behind the scenes footage, slide show photos, trivia, etc etc, this is really a DVD created with the fans in mind. Cool alternative angles and stuff on Dashboard Confessional's video, odd & cool deleted scenes on Freakish (Saves the Day's puppet video), and a boatload more. Packed full of good stuff, and for 9.99 you can't go wrong. Raises the bar on punk/music DVDs.

Everybody has some miniseries they have to watch every now and then. "The Thornbirds" maybe? Or perhaps it's "The Manions of America". For me and my sister, it's Barbara Taylor Bradford's "A Woman of Substance". Emma Harte (the older version played by "The King and I"'s Deborah Kerr)is a multimillionare and head of her own corporation. Four of her 5 children are greedy little buggers, and Emma becomes aware of a plot they've hatched to render her incompitent and declare themselves the legal heirs of her massive fortune. As Emma contemplates this, she falls asleep in her armchair, and through her dreams, we're transported back in time when young Emma (Jenny Seagrove) is a scullery maid for the Fairley family in their posh mansion. Emma meets Blackie O'Neal (played by the yummy Liam Neeson, who alone is worth watching this)and strikes up a lifelong friendship with him. Blackie is the first person to help Emma see that she, too, can be the head of her own fortune with careful planning and saving. Meanwhile, Emma falls in love with Edwin, the youngest Fairely son, and he loves her as well. When Emma becomes pregnant with Edwin's child, however, he withdraws and offers no support. So, Emma packs her bags and, with Blackie's help, finds a woman to stay with until her baby is born. This is just the first in a series of difficult events that begin to shape the woman Emma is to become. Her hatred for the Fairley family evolves into a lifelong goal to ruin them. She eventually marries a man named Joe and opens her first store (in which she is confronted by Adam Fairley, Edwins bully older brother, who, unsuccessfully, attempts to rape her. It is here that we first hear Emma's designs: "Here this now", she says to Adam, "I mean to ruin you...the whole Fairley family."). When Joe is killed in the war, Emma plunges herself in her stores, now a successful chain, but tends to neglect her children. Through it all, Emma survives- from losing her parents, to watching her brother have his leg amputated after a war injury, to meeting and losing the love of her life, Paul McGill (played by a very tan Barry Bostwick of "Spin City", who is meant to be Australian, but could have used some help w/ that poor on again/off again accent). Through it all, Emma conquers her enemies and her demons, sometimes at the expense of others. But, as she says, the secret of life is "to endure", and she does. It's a bit cheesy, but I fall for it every time. The book is wonderful, too, but VERY LONG. This miniseries is a decent adaptation from novel to screenplay. Also check out the sequel "Hold the Dream".

A very good and entertaining story. Great acting by Jenny Seagrove and Deborah Kerr.

I must however, remain skeptical of how such things could actually place in conservative Victorian Britain, before WWI.

After all, in more liberal U.S., the women's lib movement didn't take place until 1960s and 1970s

The protrayal of Emma Harte in the movie A Woman of Substance, shows the viewer the struggle of a young teenage girl and the trials of growing up, the events of struggling to make a stand as a young business woman and mother and the endurance over the years to the become the pinnacle of greatness. This was an excellent movie. It helped me regain inner strength that my trials and struggles can be conquered. The only thing I wish was brought out more, was the different ages Emma was throughout the movie. It would help the viewer know at what age Emma was at during different segments of her life.

As much as I like Disney's animated movies it is really nice and a refreshing change to watch a Disney movie that isn't a cartoon and I think that Pollyanna is one of Disney's best live action movies, ranking right up there with The Parent Trap, That Darn Cat and several others. Pollyanna is a sweet and charming story about a cheerful young girl who goes to live with her aunt, an unhappy woman who has forgotten what it's like to be young and optimistic and Pollyanna spreads her joy throughout the town even befriending the town grouch played by Agnes Moorehead but soon Pollyanna will need some cheering herself during a time of tragedy. I recommend this movie it's a real charmer. When I first saw this movie I liked it but thought it was a bit long so younger kids might get a little restless but older kids who can sit through a movie that is longer than 80 minutes should like it and also adults. I recommend this movie to ages 5 and older.

This movie is a very touching movie about a young girl who shines light on everyone around her. Pollyanna (Hayley Mills) is an orphan who comes to live with her aunt Polly Harrington (Jane Wyman). But her aunt is too concerned with other matters than with her little niece. Her aunt doesn't notice that Pollyanna goes around, playing the "Glad Game", and brightening up everyone around her, including the old town snob (Agnes Moorehead). Only until she has a bad accident does she realize how many people she's touched! I would highly reccomend this movie!!!

I remember for Christmas one year My Parents got me the following DISNEY MOVIES.

One And Only Genuine Origional Family Band
Follow Me Boys!
BON VOYAGE!
Pollyanna

And I love all of them but my ultimate top favorite was Pollyanna I got the same edition as pictured above the Old white clamshell release with A Little Mickey Mouse at the Top. Well My Favorite Seen was when Pollyanna (Haley Mills) and Jimmy Bean (Kevin "Moochie" Corcoran) went to Mr. Pendergast and Jimmy was trying to climb the tree. My Favorite Actoress in this classic Disney film though was Jane Wyman as Aunt Polly. I also liked Richard Egan as Dr. Chilton. But one of the best roles other than Aunt Polly, and Pollyanna was played by Nancy Olson (SMITH!, Absent Minded Professor, Snowball Express) as Nancy. I still remember sitting by the television set. With the Video case in my hand watching in awe. At this classic Disney Film. This movie has never gone out of circulation with Disney. It is one of the few that hasn't. Those films are what started me collecting Disney. I still have those 4. And I have alot more of the old white clamshell releases of The Old Disney Films. Well Disney did a great thing when they put this classic film on Disney. I know that there has been a debate that They shouldn't have had Haley Mills sing America The Beautiful. But why don't people grow up. She did a great job and she put feeling into it. She wasn't one of those stuped singers that sings it without meaning. She sang it with meaning. This Is A Movie To Remember. If the had a 10 star rating on here. I would give it 10 stars. Other Tha Follow Me Boys! This Is the best Disney Film ever created.

It is World War II and 3 people (a young girl and a British and American soldier on leave) are making a modern day pilgrimage to Canterbury. Each has their own reason and problem to resolve on the way. All that is interupted at a sleepy English village when the "Glueman" attacks. Not as serious as it sounds but it is the catalyst for Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger to have our characters open up while giving us a slice of English countryside life that is mostly vanished. Simple things as the GI and village lumberman discussing wood or the village children enacting an elaborate game of war. There is much that is quite funny and very touching about this film that despite its being set at a particular time makes it timeless. In the end 4 wind up in Canterbury. Our original 3 and the "Glueman". As always with Powell and Pressburger the script is literate and whimsical and the overal production superbly handled. With a fine ensemble cast of actors this film is a treasure that will hopefully be restored to video.

A strange, numinous little gem of a movie, shot in and around a luftwaffe-devastated Canterbury in the run-up to D Day, 1945. Renowned director Michael Powell returns to his beloved home City to update the Canterbury Tales - 3 modern-day "pilgrims" - a Land Girl, US GI & British soldier, brought together by their hunt for the mysterious "glue man" who pours glue on local girls who date soldiers - all receive their "blessings", as indeed does the glue man. The fantastic cloudscapes & vast skies of East Kent are stunning backdrops to crucial scenes & the amazing & typical Powell/Pressburger/Renoir use of light throughout adds to the air of magical realism. A must-buy!!!

Haunting, troubling, hilarious, and saddening. Eric Portman was England's greatest actor, and he and the rest of the cast shine in this underrated gem about the nature of truth.

I can think of ever so many aspects of this which could stand improvement, but when the dust has settled, this is still a show which is great fun to watch, and which is a document of Flatley as a performer. He may have his shortcomings as a choreographer, as a set designer, as a costumer, as an autocratic impresario; but the fellow could dance, even on the eve of what was a very sensibly-timed retirement.

Even if we see in him a charismatic PR man for his own product, as much as we see a fine dancer, we may bemoan that the aim was not higher and nobler; but we still can't take the dancing away from him.

So it is that, even with all the shortcomings, we give this one four stars.

On the whole, this was a great improvement on the original 'Lord of the Dance'; one significant way in which it is a disappointment, though, in comparison to the original 'LOTD' is, originally, Flatley defeated the 'Dark Lord' (almost painful to type things like 'Dark Lord' and try to keep a straight face, but it must be attempted) by outdancing him. In this show, he blows him away with pyrotechnics; the show has flash enough, thank you, and it was sad to see a great 'dancing moment' done away with, with so little to show for its absence.

Many of the costumes, especially, were an advance ' but there were still the goofy moments, like the 'defiant' stripping-down of the ladies of the company to undergarments. In general, of course, Flatley would be the first beneficiary, if there were such a thing as booster-shots of Good Taste. This, generally, is the most important respect in which Flatley's work was finer with Riverdance: there was someone else more or less in charge, and Flatley had to work on stage with other dancers of experience and talent. With 'LOTD' and 'Feet of Flames,' Flatley surrounded himself with young talent; partly, this does indeed make for part of the impressiveness of the accomplishment; but it also means that Flatley is The Guru ' and there are aspects of the show which would have benefited, if Flatley had had to listen to sense ....

The music ' well, the music for dancing works well enough as accompaniment, although it falls a little short as music on its own. The 'rock star violin' sequence, the goofy pseudo-monks, and Michael's flute solo, to my taste, could have been done without, quite nicely.

This was a show which could have been raised to the level of ballet, and which instead paid a little too much homage to the ghost of Busby Berkeley, and made too much of a pilgrimage to Vegas. But it is nonetheless quite an impressive achievement; and on the whole, great fun to watch.

On July 25, 1998, in Hyde Park, history was made. Performing on the largest stage ever built, Michael Flatley with over 100 dancers performed Feet of Flames in front of an audience of 50,000 people.

With the plan of it being his last performance, Michael Flatley decided to do one last, huge, triumphant and expanded version of Lord of the Dance. He called it after his solo: Feet of Flames. The entire show is Michael performing at his best. Compared with the original Lord of the Dance, Michael and all the dancers have become much more free, and they relate to the audience at an incredible level. With all new costumes, added dances and songs, Feet of Flames is truly a masterpiece.

Michael's flute solo Whispering Wind, is a touching traditional air. He is a world champion flautist and his playing is beautiful. Celtic Fire (a new number with the band) showcases the often neglected talents of the musicians. It is traditional Irish music played in very untraditional way, and it is absolutely fantastic. The new Siamasa number is simply a joy to watch. The dancers look happy, and are so energetic one just wants to get up and dance with them. But the most incredible part of the entire show is Michael's new solo. With no music and no other dancers, it shows just what he does. From slower, variated rhythm patterns, to blazingly fast footwork, and everything in between, this is Michael Flatley's masterpiece.

I have watched Feet of Flames 30+ times since I got it this past October, and I absolutely love it. The 'Making of FOF: Into the Fire' is almost a full length film in and of itself, and gives a fantastic day by day report of the two weeks leading up to the show. Feet of Flames is Michael Flatley at his best.

I'll try my best to do this production as much justice as I can. This performance, titled "Feet Of Flames" is billed as Michael Flatley's last performance in the role of the "Lord Of The Dance" and I think he does an excellent job here! It is a fitting send-off, very grand and epic in scope and scale. I did get to see the original Lord Of The Dance show live on stage in Philadelphia in 1997 and was totally blown away by the experience. The dancing, the beautiful music and the celestial and haunting singing of Anne Buckley remain in my heart to this very day. There is just something about hearing that music live and feeling the vibrations course through your body with every step the dancers make. It gives new meaning to the saying that you just HAVE to be there. There is NOTHING like the energy of a live stage dancing performance. Particularly not one like this one, with sure fire and energy and passion.
Do not be fooled into thinking that is is just an out-of doors version of the original Lord Of The Dance show. It IS in a sense, and yet in many ways it is not. This show takes the original Lord Of The Dance production and kicks it into high gear. All of the original music and dances are back, but the dance routines look different a bit and more elaborate. They are longer and feature quite a bitof more complicated step work and more character interaction. There are also many new dances and more original musical pieces that make this a totally new experience.
I loved the fact that Bernadette Flynn (the "good" girl in the show) got to do her own solo dance in the middle of this. It really gave her a chance to shine. The new numbers played by the dueling violinists were lively and lovely at the same time. The costumes and sets for this show were much bigger and elaborate than those for the original show. I would EASILY say that for me, the combination of old music and new numbers with more elaborate and totally new dance sequences was wonderful to watch. It made certain that I did not feel I was watching "the same old show" done over again. There were just so many new things to see and to hear and to take in. I loved Michael Flatley's solo flute performance near the beginning of act two. Very lovely stuff. I must say though that for me the highlight was another chance to hear Anne Buckley sing. What a GOLDEN voice. So beautiful and tender, yet rich and deep and passionate. The three songs she did here were even better to me than the ones she sang in the original Lord Of The Dance show. Her version of "Marble Halls" to me was even better than Enya's rendition, which I had previously loved. Ms. Buckley introduced me to the haunting love ballad "Carrickfergus" that had me reaching for my Kleenex even as I was wide-eyed and smiling from ear to ear. And the Gaelic piece she did (An Maigdean Mhara, if my memory serves correctly) was so beautiful that mere seconds after Ms. Buckley began to sing this number, my floodgates FLEW open and did not close for the full 3+ minutes of this song. Also I loved the fact that in this show instead of having just the green hooded cape for all three of her numbers, this time Anne got to wear three diffferent and very beautiful dresses, one for each song that she did (green, white, and gold). Exquisite costumes to fit with a stunning voice and an incredible beauty with great stage prescence. I for one cannot wait for her solo debut album.
In short, this was an unforgettable experience. I have loved Celtic music and dance for years now and this performance only made my fires burn all the hotter with enthusiasm. The music, the dancing, the lighting, the story of a noble warrior saving his land from a dark knight's conquest...they combined to take my breath away and give me one of the greatest entertainment experiences of my life. If you get to see this I hope you get to enjoy it and even love it as much as I did. I still love this show today, more than two years after I got to see it, and I know I always will. Peace.

Adapted from Robin Moore's fact-based novel, THE FRENCH CONNECTION was the breakthrough film for both direction William Friedkin, who later went on to direct THE EXORCIST, and Gene Hackman. Hackman stars in his Academy Award-winning role as "Popeye" Doyle, a New York City cop who, along with partner "Cloudy" Russo (Roy Scheider), stumbles upon a drug ring headed by a Frenchman (Fernando Rey) who uses an innocent-seeming actor (Frederic de Pasquale) to cover the operation. Along with Hackman's forementioned award for "Best Actor", the film also took in Best Director for Friedkin; Best Film Editing; Best Writing (Ernest Tidyman) and a deserved Best Picture. The chase scenes are outstanding and some of the best ever filmed; Hackman is excellent in one of his greatest roles. Action fans won't want to pass this one by; followed by FRENCH CONNECTION II and a floppish TV movie.

William Friedkin is really underrated in terms of direction. This movie, The French Connection, has a great documentary feel to it, and is very realistic. Gene Hackman's performance as Popeye Doyle was one of the best roles I've seen in an action movie. Roy Scheider was awesome too. Favorite line from him: Shove it up your a$$. The movie has the best car chase ever, even if most of it was an accident. Friedkin said that there were supposed to be no crashes in that chase. Just near-misses. I think the crashes help the movie. The French Connection is just a great action movie. I loved it.

To a significant extent, this film is based on a real-world situation in which hundreds of law enforcement officials worked for many months to locate and eliminate the connection between the source of heroin in France and its underworld contacts in the United States. As examined in Robin Moore's book, 112 pounds of heroin (with a then street value of about $90-million) were scheduled to arrived in the United States. Narcotics detectives Eddie ("Popeye") Egan and Sonny Grosso completed a lengthy investigation to learn who, when, where, how, etc. In the film, Hackman plays re-named Jimmy ("Popeye") Doyle and Roy Scheider plays his re-named partner Buddy Russo. (Both Eddie Eagan and Sonny Grosso have small parts in the film.) Other variations from the book are relatively insignificant. The situation remains essentially the same. The film carefully follows the extended and tedious period of surveillance which reveals the NYC source; preparations are then completed in anticipation of the shipment's arrival; finally, the connection is consummated and....

Under William Friedkin's brilliant direction (which resulted in an Academy Award for him), this film weaves several separate but related plot threads, both within and beyond the United States, which involve criminal activities in meticulous coordination with efforts by law enforcement officials to respond to them. I was fascinated by the juxtaposition of elegance and luxury in affluent (albeit criminal) society with the squalor and decay of the world within which the heroin will ultimately be distributed. I was also fascinated by the style and temperament of Alain Charnier (Fernando Rey) who supervises the shipment in striking contrast with his principal adversary, Doyle, who resembles an enraged bear wearing ill-fitting hand-me-down men's clothing. (FYI, Hackman received an Academy Award for his performance.) Doyle becomes obsessed with destroying the French connection, no matter what. This is most evident during a car chase through the streets of New York which remains the most harrowing ever included in a film. (Even better than the car chase in Bullitt three years earlier? Yes.) All of the acting is outstanding as are the cinematography and editing. The Academy Award for best film was one of five received and each was well-deserved. It is probably impossible to measure accurately the nature and extent of this film's impact on subsequent films as well as on programs produced for television. Seeing it again recently, I was again struck by the fact that it has lost none of its "edge" and that Hackman's performance has even more power now than it did in 1971.