Directories Movie Reviews

If you ever wanted to know more about one of the best, creative directors ever, get this video. His work is summed up beautifuly! Great man on a great tape!

Steven Spielberg today is the best director in the industry. Every movie he has done has his magic woven into the story. You can always tell when he has done a movie, because all of his movies are excellent, and contain his magic touch. As an aspiring director, producer, and writer, this dvd was an excellent learning tool, which taght me about Steven Spielberg's movies, how they were done, his opinions, his views, just hearing him speak is captivating. He is a genius, there is no other way to put it, almost all the movies he has done, everyone has seen, and they never "flopped" at the box office. He has done some of the greatest, and most popular movies of all time like Jurassic Park, E.T., Jaws, Close Encounters, and Schindler's List, all of which everyone has seen. If you want to learn from a pro, and if you want to get into the mind of the most ingenious director in hollywood, buy this dvd from Amazon.com. Amazon has the greatest deals around!

This sound similar to the more focused documentary included with the Criterion edition of Brazil. And anyone interested in his works would benefit greatly from that as well. (More so mayhap since it includes an actual film)

I suspect that if one appreciates Gilliam's work enough to want this disc, (like me) they probably already own all his movies anyway. And since most of his DVDs have an abundance of info included, you'll probably discover (like me) that you knew all this stuff already. Like buying a "best of" album, when you already own a group's entire collection. But if nothing else, it sure looks cool to have this DVD in my rack - it sort of "announces" the collection of Gilliam films stored beneath it.

I own 5 of the titles in this collection and find them all really interesting from a film history and entertainment point of view. My favorite is Spielberg. That said, I recently needed a gift for someone who is a major major film buff, and I got this for him and he loves it. Not only do the DVD's make him smile, but the box itself is stupendous and looks amazing on his shelf (impresses the visitors:)

Sure wish someone would spend this kind of money on me:)

This series is fascinating for filmmakers as well as people that simply enjoy movies. It takes you on an indepth journey with 22 feature film directors as viewed through their eyes as well as famous actors that they have worked with. As in any documentary setting, the editions vary in quality, but the good ones make the purchase well worth while. In particular I enjoyed the interviews with: Ron Howard, John McTiernan, Steven Speilberg, Milos Foreman, and Joel Schumacher. These interviews expand the viewers horizons and allow them to get an inside look at the successes and failures that each feature director has experienced. Well worth the purchase...

This sound similar to the more focused documentary included with the Criterion edition of Brazil. And anyone interested in his works would benefit greatly from that as well. (More so mayhap since it includes an actual film)

I suspect that if one appreciates Gilliam's work enough to want this disc, (like me) they probably already own all his movies anyway. And since most of his DVDs have an abundance of info included, you'll probably discover (like me) that you knew all this stuff already. Like buying a "best of" album, when you already own a group's entire collection. But if nothing else, it sure looks cool to have this DVD in my rack - it sort of "announces" the collection of Gilliam films stored beneath it.

There is no denying the importance of the films of Gualtiero Jacopetti and Franco Prosperi as they have influenced everything from hardcore horror films ie Cannibal Holocaust to broadcast news and the reality TV craze of today. Blue Underground in an ambitious move have put out this great 8 disc box set (limited to 10,000 copies) which should more than satisfy any mondo fan.

The first two discs are Mondo Cane and Mondo Cane 2. Mondo Cane is certainly a milestone and in fact this entire genre of "shocking documentaries" which where made by Euro filmmakers is better known as the 'mondo' genre. Essentially Mondo Cane is a strange journey into some of the more bizarre and macabre places with the camera voyeuristically witnessing all kinds of oddities and bringing them back for the curious viewer. Mondo Cane 2 continues this tradition. The third disc Women of the World is similar but all the footage is tied together by a common theme of the varied roles women play in different parts of the world.

The next 2 discs are the cut English language version of Africa Addio and the Italian language uncut version. Considered by many to be the greatest mondo doco of all time, the crew head of into Africa during it's transition from colonial control. While the majority of this focuses on the interactions of white and black and some long sequences on the fate of wildlife with laws protecting them diminished (countless animals are gunned down and speared in these scenes and hippos are dismembered) what sets this apart is the aftermath of several massacres caught on film. Later the crew hook up with a group of mercenaries (these nuts look as though they just walked of col. Kurtz's compound in 'Apocalypse Now') and go on a mission, filming a couple of executions.

After the English language print was recut to exclude much political commentary and the censored version was released the film makers came under fire and accused of exploitation, racism and some even called them murders (accusing them of paying for the executions). Being labeled racists must have really angered Jacopetti and Prosperi resulting in them making Addio Zio Tom (Goodbye Uncle Tom) in order to prove that they are not racist.

The next 2 discs are Goodbye Uncle Tom in the cut English version and Italian Language directors cut (this disc alone in worth the price of the set). The butchered English version done little to mend their reputations as in order to have it released alternate versions of scenes were shot and some extreme (but easily justified) politics were omitted. In essence it became a different movie.

The director's cut of Goodbye Uncle Tom is one of the most amazing films I have ever seen. While some scenes are mondo filmed modern 70's events in America, the majority of this film is a departure of the mondo formula as they have made a regular motion picture with actors and sets under the pretense of them traveling back in time to shoot a mondo doco on the slave trade in America pre civil war. All these scenes are set up based on factual accounts and are unsparingly brutal and authentic, literally using 1000s of extras. The sweeping photography and epic scale of this film as we are taken into various aspects of slavery make for a simply breathtaking motion picture experience.

Some people have claimed these scenes are a false representation, by pointing out silly little things like "there probably wouldn't be so many slaves in the house" and "they wouldn't be allowed to jump on the bed like that" as well as others who are infuriated by this film claiming that "it was never as depraved as this" but once again this film is clearly well researched quoting writers of the time and besides how could any people who kept slaves not be "depraved" anyway? Gone With the Wind this certainly is not. Roots, while well made and genuinely heartfelt, is pure sacarine by comparison. Steven Speilberg made the typically cowardly film 'Amistaad'. How can this courtroom drama depicting Europeans as being cruel to slaves and Americans liberating them via the righteous legal system be hailed as "tackling slavery head on" when it completely ignores the 200 years of slavery in America? Goodbye Uncle Tom is clearly a one of a kind spectacle and in my humble opinion the best disc in the set.

The final disc is a doco on the filmmakers themselves, rounding out what is an awesome boxset!

When MONDO CANE first came out it was the "adults only" film every kid like me wanted to see. Needless to say, what was considered shocking and adult in the 60s all seems rather quaint in retrospect. Yet, it's a short distance from the Mondo craze of yore to the "shocking reality TV" we are saddled with today. With all that in mind, I ordered the Mondo Collection and figured $127 was a small price to pay for a little trip down memory lane. To my surprise and delight, the 8-disc set is a primo package. (Think Criterion Collection in terms of quality and restoration but from a company called Blue Underground.) All the shockumentaries are in the package, not to mention "The Godfathers of Mondo" documentary about the guys---the trailblazers---who gave us these films. Soon every schlock filmmaker would crank out a Mondo-this and Mondo-that shockumentary, hoping to out-Mondo everybody else. But, again, this collection gives us the real thing from the guys who put the word Mondo on the map. And, lest we forget, every time we hear a lounge singer do "More," we'll fondly think back to its origin: Mondo Cane. Buy this set and enjoy!

This review refers to "The Directors - Clint Eastwood" VHS (Winstar Home Entertainment)

Winstar and the AFI have put together a collection of documenteries depicting the films of some of the greatest directors. Naturally being a film lover I was interested in these film makers who do such a wonderful job of bringing the films to us. And even more naturally, my first view was to be the one of Clint Eastwood. I am a huge fan of his(if you have seen my review pages you already know this about me), not only of the films he starred in, but of his acclaimed direction as well.

So this tape deals exactly with that..the films Eastwood has directed. If you are looking for more of a biography or a complete filmography of Clint, you won't find that here. Although it begins with a short bio of how he started in the film world, most of this tape that runs close to an hour delves into his films including "Play Misty For Me","High Plains Drifter", "The Outlaw Josey Wales", 'Sudden Impact"(The only Dirty Harry he directed), "Bird", "Unforgiven", "True Crime,"Space Cowboys" and more.

Awesome stars are awed by working with Clint. Meryl Streep,Ed Harris, Morgan Freeman(who made me smile when he described his feelings at just being asked to work on one of Clint's films) and Laura Dern, are among those who have nothing but praise when it comes to talking about working with Eastwood. Clint himself devotes alot of time to this documentary, talking about his views on not just the films, but about how he is able to seperate himself from acting when he is also directing. Most of the actors describe this Hollywood Icon as "just a regular guy" who makes working on the set a pleasure.

I very much enjoyed this entertaining tape that kept me interested for the entire length, with all the interviews and film clips. I also enjoyed hearing Allison Eastwood describe her dad as sometimes being a "goofball". It really showed what a down to earth person he is.

For years Clint Eastwood has given us the gifts of his talents and it was a joy to see him speak about them on film. He seems as enthusiastic and energetic as ever and I'll be looking foward to more of his work in the future. If you are a fan of his work, you will find this documentary well worth the view.

enjoy...Laurie

AFI did a great job here on giving brief bio's and other pertinent information on the great modern day directors working in America. This AFI effort on Martin Scorsese is a well put together DVD on Scorsese's influence and effect on modern day motion pictures.

Scorsese was once bedridden for a long period of time in his youth with a severe case of asthma. You can see with the time he had on his hands that filmmaking and cinema history became his passion. Although, most of his films have a rugged, hyperkinetic, and fragmented look to them; Scorsese, in my opinion, has a more thorough vocabulary of shot selection than any director working today. His shot selection in any film he shoots comes from years and years of studying the masters in their past films.

I strongly recommend this DVD. It is a great buy. Also, Buy it as soon as possible. I could not find this DVD anywhere!

Shelton Jackson Lee, better known to us as Spike Lee is the most provocative and controversial African-American film maker of our time. In this one hour video we get an opportunity to hear Spike's philosophy of his craft as he looks through his entire body of work. Actors such as Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Wesley Snipes and others also give comments and share their insights about this remarkable young man.

Who is this Spike Lee? Although this video is a profile it doesn't go into the details of Spike's life. Its focus is on his works and how he views it through the course of time. He was born in Atlanta, GA but grew up in Brooklyn, NY. He of course went to college and then went onto acquire a MFA in film in New York.

Spike won a prize for a film he produced in graduate school and thought Hollywood would come knocking at his door because of his brilliance. It never happened and Spike learned how to become an independant film maker. "She's Gotta Have It" was Spike's first commercial success which garnered him notice and from there he turned film making upside down.

You will see scenes from his works where he shattered the myths regarding race, sexuality and class in all of his films. No topic was too sacred for Spike to explore and expose it for what it was worth even when the mainstream film industry said he was making a mistake.

Spike exudes an aura of confidence (some would say arrogance), takes risks, and is at the top of his game in his craft. Listening to this man critique his films and sharing what he perceives to be their impact on culture is great. Spike is determined for African-American film makers to have a voice in how they are portrayed in the media. Enjoy this profile of one of the greatest African-American film makers of our time.

This is the best. This DVD has 9 Motocross video's. Terrafirma 0-6, Fly, Airraid and Wrath Child. This shows Fox the motocross giant at an early trade show back in the 80's. The footage is a little bad but awesome to see what they have grown to become.
If you had to buy one video this is it. You get everything. Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart and Travis Pastrana when they are like 10 or so in Terrafirma 1. Awesome to see that also.... Highly recommed this. 2 disc set also.

For someone whose films are so coveted by film buffs, so little has been visually documented about the making of them and the person responsible for them. This DVD, part of The Directors series, does a good job at providing the first step to showcasing Michael Mann and his work.

All of his feature films are covered and many of the actors he's worked with over the years, from Jon Voight to Christopher Plummer, are interviewed. My only complaint is that it's too short! Clocking in at just under an hour, this documentary barely scratches the surface -- I mean, an entire hour could have been spent on The Insider alone!

That aside, this documentary is a solid introduction to the films of Michael Mann, definitely worth purchasing for the fans and worth a look for people interested in getting into his movies.

Martin Scorsese said a few years back that Michael Mann was one of America's great film directors. While having immense respect and admiration for Scorsese, I was elated to hear one of my movie icons saying pretty much what I've been saying for many years. I was a fan of Michael Mann before I knew who he was and what he was capable of. My first exposure was THE JERICHO MILE on TV - a made for TV movie starring Peter Strauss of RICH MAN, POOR MAN fame. One thing that caught and mesmerized me was the music (I believe it was Jack Nitzsche who blended incredible instrumental versions of the Rolling Stones' SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL & NO EXPECTATIONS). But the acting, writing, etc. was so far above normal television that I couldn't stop talking about that show for years. Then came THIEF (music by Tangerine Dream - also used for the film score of THE KEEP - an underrated and brilliant piece of work, as are all of Mann's gifts to the cinema)followed by MIAMI VICE, and with its success more TV: CRIME STORY & PRIVATE EYE (the latter an incredible show reminiscent of PETER GUNN of the 1950's but was not seen or appreciated by many). I could write and rave 20,000 words without blinking an eye in regards to Mr. Mann. He seems to only make a film every 2 or 3 years - but when he does, I pay box office dollars - partly to support his genius and partly to be totally entertained. LAST OF THE MOHICANS/HEAT/THE INSIDER & ALI have all laid proof to his talents. THE DIRECTORS is a series paying homage & respect to major and gifted directors. I have seen each episodic look into our filmmakers' lives and works and, I just saw the one on Michael today and am speechless! If you haven't followed his career like I have, I highly recommend seeing this one hour extravaganza. You will see and hear some of the actors he has hand-picked for his movies, and upon completion of this too short hour, you will want to see and experience everything this gifted man has bestowed upon us, the lucky recipients of his sheer, bravado and infectious magic. To requote Martin Scorsese: Michael Mann is one of America's great directors!

This DVD is excellent value for money and the 60 minutes fly by when you're watching it.

I was particularly pleased to see that Manhunter was given detailed analysis (including an interview with William L Petersen, who is clearly a BIG fan of Mann's work)

I was disappointed however, that perhaps Mann's most interesting movie - "The Keep" - is hardly discussed at all. Whilst it's true that this movie is somewhat obscure and unknown, it would have been useful if they had researched into that particular time in Mann's career in more detail.

Mind you, at this price I should not ask too much, and the coverage of all of his other work is excellent. ALI is not mentioned though really, because I suspect this DVD was in production before ALI filming was complete.

Overall, this DVD product is an essential purchase for any fans of Michael Mann or his movies and despite cutting a couple of corners here and there, it thoroughly deserves the 5 star rating at this bargain price.