Carpets and Rugs Movie Reviews

The Long Ships is an excellent example of Eurocentric cinema. This film has to rank right up there with "Gunga Din" for unabashed western notions of white superiority. Although not nearly the motion picture Gunga Din is, the tone is just as racist. The Vikings, a historical scourge in Europe are actually presented as the heroes vis-a-vis "the evil Moors", which in reality contributed more to medieval western civilization than any of the other great empires. The mere fact that the Vikings were a white, blond people qualified them as heroes to the audiences of 1964, athwart the Moors who are presented as dark, cruel and of all things MUSLIM! This is white, Christian hysteria at its worst! The fact that it is historically inacurate and comical is not important, (in reality the best known battle between Moors and Vikings was off the coast of modern-day Galicia, Spain in the 10th century where the Moorish empire of al-andalus under Aderahman III's reign, routed a contingency of Viking warriors) the real value of the film is in presenting the most egregious example of Eurocentrism in the popular culture of the west. If anyone wanted to know how western popular culture was informed by colonialism and empire, one need only to watch films like this or read the great works of Kipling and Conrad. We must also note that the film opened in 1964 as the decolonization process was well under way in Africa. Who do you think the villains were for western audiences watching the evening news back then? I dare say not possibly the dashing blond Europeans as portrayed in "The Long Ships"?

I think that this DVD (super transfer)proves a point that there is still a market for this form of entertaiment and without a doubt is far superior to most of the trash we get nowadays in the cinema. Its not that often one can say that this is a Family Movie and a very good one at that. I cant wait for more titles like this

This is one of my all-time favorite fun films, and far and away the best Viking film around. I originally bought it in VHS format because that was all that was available. However, I just got the DVD version, and it is just great! They did a fabulous job remastering it--the video is very crisp and bright, doing justice to a wonderful and fun story. As I noted in the review of the VHS version, this is an unpretentious, ripping adventure film with plenty of action, good acting, and no dreary political axes to grind. Widmark, Portier and cast do a fine job.

This is the story of a gang of Vikings who steal the King's funeral ship and go on a raiding party to seize "the Mother of Voices" -- a huge golden bell "as tall as three tall men" which contains "half the gold in all the world in one place..." The Moors, led by Sidney Portier, are also after the bell, and therein lies a fine and fun tale of adventure. This is a film the whole family can watch and enjoy more than once.

First off, I love this movie. Sure, it's a bit ridiculous, but I like the characters, and the skiing footage is great. I'd probably give the movie itself 4 stars, but the DVD production deserves 2 stars, at best.

Issue 1: The video transfer is not very good. I did a side-by-side comparison with my VHS version, and the DVD image isn't much of an improvement. The colors are a little brighter, but the image isn't any sharper, and there is even dust evident on the DVD transfer. But what's worse is the letterboxing. I prefer to see all my movies in the original aspect ratio, so I was excited to finally see a widescreen version of Aspen Extreme. However, I was incredibly disappointed to discover that the 1.85-to-1 aspect ratio was achieved by cropping the top and bottom of the VHS image, rather than restoring the sides of the frame.

Issue 2: There is no Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. As you would expect from a not-so-popular catalog title, it didn't receive any special sound treatment. All you get is the Dolby 2.0 surround.

Issue 3: And finally, as you would expect, this title received no extra treatment in the special features department. Granted, with the ...price tag, you probably weren't expecting much, but if you didn't already know, this is the movie only. There's not even a theatrical trailer.

In short, if you already have the VHS version of this movie, don't bother to buy the DVD version. It's not offering you anything you don't already have.

I don't exactly know why, but I love this movie. Yes, the storyline has been done before - but this movie pulls it off by combining some great scenery, skiing, and music. This movie makes you want to quit what you are doing and go to Colorado for an adventure of your own.

I have seen this movie before.but unlike in the past,I didnt have to sit thru endless commercials..The DVD format is much better!And it brings you up close as if you are there experience the RUSHof the snow and powder

Frist off, That Girl is a fun retro television show.My complaint lies within this DVD pressing.There is a problem as others complained about soon after the 5th (Chicken) episode starts. They're is a bad layer change durning this show that may cause your dvd player to act crazy.Mine (Panasonic) was a problem where the picture started to jerk for the rest of the episode.I am surprized that this disc wasn't recalled by Anchor Bay!It's been out since 2001!Then again i haven't been able to locate this DVD in any stores in New York, so maybe it was...The people who say that they aren't having problems may have either haven't noticed this or have players that just didn't get affected by it.Something wasn't coded right at the pressing plaint.I love the dual layer format as long as they are encoded correctly.Also it has been a long time since this release of "That Girl - Vol. 1" doesn't look like it did too well since there is no mention of a second disc being made.

Because of the other reviews knocking the DVD, I put off purchasing this one. I finally did it though, and I'll never regret it. I spent a wonderful day sharing some of my past with my daughter. I found absolutely NO glitches in the DVD. The picture was clear and so was the sound. It was as innocent and entertaining as I remember. It's hard to pick which episode I liked best, because they were ALL truely good, But I guess if pressed, I'd have to say that the best was the one at the end where Marlo's father makes his appearance and sings with Marlo. But all the shows they picked for this disc were very good. I smiled and laughed all afternoon. I know that my daughter and I will watch this disc MANY times.

You have to give Marlo Thomas, daughter of television legend Danny Thomas ("Make Room for Daddy"), for starting a definite trend in situation comedies with "That Girl," which aired on ABC from 1966 to 1971; a lot of us remember the show from when ABC showed reruns during the day from 1969 to 1972). In the wake of "That Girl" came other comedies about Independent Women such as "The Doris Day Show," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," and "Rhoda." Marlo Thomas played Ann Marie, a perky young actress who left the home of her father (Lew Parker) and mother (Rosemary DeCamp) in Brewster, New York, to make it on her own in New York City. Since all she could find where roles in television commercials and small parts in plays here and there, she had to support herself with a lot of odd jobs around town. This provided ample opportunity for new venues for comic encounters between new characters and "That Girl." Along for the ride was Donald Hollinger (Ted Bessell), a junior executive at "Newsview" magazine who spent all five seasons trying to get "That Girl" down the aisle.

This first DVD gives us nine choice episodes from the show's entire run:

(1) The pilot episode "Don't Just Do Something, Stand There" (September 8, 1966) begins our saga as Ann is working as a candy clerk and meets Donald. When he sees her again she is doing a perfume commercial where she gets kidnapped by two robbers. Donald thinks this is real and comes to her rescue with predictable results.

(2) "Anatomy of a Blunder" (Episode 5, October 6, 1966), has Ann bringing Donald home to meet her parents but making the mistake of stopping for a nice little picnic along the way.

(3) "Counter Proposal" (Episode 113, Season premier for Season 5, September 25, 1970) completes the informal "Donald Trilogy" that opens this disc with the moment when Donald finally asks Ann to marry him. That is the good news; the bad news is that his co-worker Bob Howard (Ronnie Schell) talks Donald into buying an engagement ring second hand from Mr. Franklin (Avery Schreiber). Note: This is the first episode to feature lyrics for the "That Girl" theme song.

(4) "Call of the Wild" (Episode 50, January 25, 1968) has Ann insulted when she is hired to be the Creamy Soap Girl because the producer (Jesse White) sees her as having the sort of face that will not make housewives jealous. Consequently, Ann is convinced she has no sex appeal, and that is not something for "That Girl" to take without a fight.

(5) "Nobody Here But Us Chickens" (Episode 90, October 9, 1969) continues the bad commercial gigs as Ann is hired by Major Culpepper (Slim Pickens) to be the Dancing Chicken for his friend chicken chain. When the Major tries to hit on her in his car, Ann hits the road (guess how she is dressed).

(6) "The Snow Must Go On" (Episode 93, October 30, 1969) finds Ann and Donald stuck with her parents at Kennedy Airport during a blizzard. Of course Ann has a Broadway audition to go to and nothing short of complete and total disaster will stop her.

(7) "This Little Piggy Had a Ball" (Episode 28, March 23, 1967),
has Ann enduring one the peculiar tribulations of sit com stars, getting something stuck in something at the wrong time. Just cross Lucy's bowling ball with Laura Petrie's toe, and you get the idea. Rob Reiner plays Carl and Teri Garr is Estelle in this episode.

(8) "Pass the Potatoes, Ethel Merman" (Episode 31, season premier for 2nd season, September 7,1 967) has the legendary Broadway star herself picking Ann for a walk on role in "Gypsy." You know this sounded like a good idea at the time. Merman would return later that season and become "The Other Woman" for Ann's father.

(9) "Those Friars" (Episode 127, January 8, 1971) features not only Danny Thomas but also "Mr. Television" himself, Milton Berle as guest stars. Strangely enough, the two television legends play themselves. It seems that Ann's uncle, an old vaudevillian has died, and the two pop out to try and buy the old trunk left to her in Uncle Harry's will.

I am not particularly enamored of the "That Girl" television series and its ability to end each and every teaser with the title phrase, but whoever selected these nine episodes did a pretty good job. There is no special "wedding" episode of the series because Donald only got as far as a stage party (plus Thomas did not want to send the wrong message to young women by making that the end of the series), but these episodes are certainly representative of what this show was about. You also have an impressive set of guest stars and it was a nice touch saving daddy for the last one. Yes, your favorite might not be included in these nine episodes--mine was "I Ain't Got Nobody," when Ann's face was put on someone else's body in the centerfold of "Playpen" magazine--but there is not a bad episode in this bunch.

FATHER OF THE BRIDE is a comedy mostly about the preparations for a young bride's wedding.Spencer Tracy plays the part of the father. Elizabeth Taylor is the bride and Joan bennett is the mother. The cast also includes Leo G. Carroll, Don Taylor and Billie Burke. Tracy is excellent as the flusterred dad and Elizabeth Taylor is a delightful picture of innocence as the bride. The relationship between father and daughter is the glue which keeps everybody together during the hectic period before the wedding.

The movie received Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor (Spencer Tracy) and Best Screenplay ( Francis Goodrich and Albert Hackett). The sequel was called FATHER'S LITTLE DIVIDEND and it was released in 1951.

Vincente Minnelli received an Academy Award for his direction of GIGI in 1958.

"Father of the Bride", is a total delight from beginning to end blessed as it is with one of the most splendid performances delivered by veteran actor Spencer Tracy in a career littered with fine work. It has quite rightfully earned the status of "classic" and despite it's firm place in 1950's America, it's quite simple premise of one families experience with the nightmare of a wedding "out of control", is one which still can be identified with even in the present day. It was the first of two wonderful teamings that Spencer Tracy had with his favourite "screen daughter" Elizabeth Taylor and their warm professional and personal regard for each other translates into some terrific screen chemistry in their roles of in-love daughter planning her dream wedding, and harassed father becoming totally traumatised by the expense and size of the affair as it grows bigger by the minute.

MGM studios pulled out all the stops to make this film one of their major productions for 1950 and being by tradition the "family Studio" they were ideally suited to bring this story of the ideal family wedding to the screen. Based on a very popular novel of the same title by Edward Streeter it does indeed tell a simple story but laces the proceedings with many highly amusing incidents that most people who have experienced planning a wedding can identify with. Spencer Tracy plays Stanley Banks a prosperous Lawyer who finally it seems has every thing he wants in life, a lovely wife, house fully paid for, a beautiful daughter in college and two young sons. Suddenly he finds his whole cosy existence turned upside down when one evening his cherished daughter Kay (Elizabeth Taylor, never more lovely), announces that she is to be married and immediately Stanley finds himself swept into a whirlpool of wedding preparations designed to drive even the most sane individual into madness. As the date of the wedding approaches the original plans for a "quiet family wedding with just a few friends", balloons out into a major production and Stanley finds his sanity put to the extreme test as he has to deal with huge bills, snobby wedding consultants, irrate removalists, bills for invitations, bridemaids gifts,and reluctantly a new tuxedo. He has to share his house with a mounting pile of wedding gifts, some in questionnable taste like Aunt Hattie's Venus de Milo Clock and faces the chore of deciding who can actually be cut out of the invitation list to save costs without some offense being taken. Naturally along the way there are fights, disputes over the mounting costs and the absolute fright when suddenly Kay calls off the whole show when her fiance Buckley Dunstan fails to say he loves her often enough! The dreaded occasion of actually having to meet the "in laws" also causes poor Stanley no end of grief and the meeting ends with him getting totally drunk relating stories of Kay as a young girl to her propective in- laws. When everything is finally in place after months of wedding plans, engagement parties and rehearsals for the big day, followed by the giant wedding that Ellie (Joan Bennett) had always wanted herself but never had, Stanley finally realises that he is being robbed of the one thing that he cherishes most in life, his beloved daughter Kay, the apple of his eye, and realises that things will never be the same for he and Ellie again.

With a narration delivered by Spencer Tracy which makes wry observations about the proceedings at hand, "Father of the Bride", is a highly amusing showcase for his supreme talents as a comic actor which often are forgotten in the light of his countless power house dramatic performances. Nominated for an Academy Award for his wonderful performance as was the film for Best Picture Tracy has never been better than here as we witness with an almost horrified amusement how Stanley's existence spins out of control. Joan Bennett, a frequent co star of Tracy's back at Fox in the 1930's here makes a belated MGM debut as Stanley's wife who gets caught up in all the arrangements for the wedding. Her work with Tracy is magical and it's one of her best later day performances. Her scene dealing with cutting down the invitation list but still wanting to include her Garden Club members as she is due for re-election is priceless. Elizabeth Taylor absolutely shines in the role of Kay and was there ever a more lovely bride seen on screen? Made just prior to her first real life wedding Elizabeth is wonderfully alive as the excited young girl facing marriage and her terrific screen chemistry with Spencer Tracy is a joy and contributes greatly to the more emotional points in the story. A sterling supporting cast so typical of MGM is gathered here, from the "in-laws",Billie Burke and Moroni Olsen, through to the stuffy disapproving wedding planner Leo G. Carroll in a superb performance who succeeds in a number of highly amusing scenes to ruffle Stanley's already quite tattered feathers. Directed with gusto by famed director Vincente Minnelli during his golden period at MGM the film was a huge success at the Box Office aided as it was by Elizabeth Taylor's real life nuptials a few months later. Being a major production for that year there is great expertise in every department from Pandro S. Berman producing, art direction by veteran Cedric Gibbons and stunning costume design, in particular for Elizabeth Taylor's beautiful wedding gown created by designer Helen Rose.

Remade in the 1990's, the 1950 version of "Father of the Bride",is still unsurpassed and preserves forever Spencer Tracy's classic performance which could not be equalled. Passed off by many as now being dated I feel the humour and the situations still ring very true to anyone who has gone through planning a wedding. This terrific film was followed by an enjoyable sequel the following year "Father's Little Dividend" which continued on the trials and tribulations of Stanley Banks now facing the prospect of becoming a Grandfather with amusing results. Both make great classic viewing but this film is the gem of the two and should not be missed.

A sweet, sincere class with lots of interesting and insightful observations about weddings that are every bit as relevant today as when the film was made.

Somewhat dated, MAGNUM FORCE is mostly a curiosity of sorts because you have future tv/movie stars (the late)Robert Urich (VEGAS,S.W.A.T), David Soul(STARSKY AND HUTCH), and Tim Matheson (ANIMAL HOUSE, 1941, WEST WING) in the villian roles (actor Kip Niven is the odd man out here who has went on to play mostly character support roles). The four play a quartet of vigilante mototcycle cops taking over when criminals buck the system and can't get convicted. Somehow, one wants to root for these guys, but when Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) refuses to support their cause and even join their crusade, it becomes a whole new ballgame. They begin to kill off members of their own police department who may get in their way and their toughest adversary, Harry Callahan is next on their list. As in the first DIRTY HARRY, the rule that everyone is protected by the law and have the right to exercise their rights as citizens is again explored with a twist. Eastwood again is great as the no nonsense Harry Callahan playing with him cool and tough. Again, as in all the 'Dirty Harry' films there is a classic line to be quoted. In this film, hands down, it's "A man's got to know his limitations!" Great villian role by Hal Holbrook as Lt. Briggs, good support role by unsung character actor Felton Perry (HOOPERMAN, ROBOCOP) as Smith..another one of Harry Callahan's luckless partners (in this reviewer's opinion, the film was a real downer when the character was 'oft' as a result of a letter bomb), and John Mitchum (brother of Robert Mitchum, F-TROOP, DIRTY HARRY, ENFORCER) as DiGorgio.

Who can forget that line from Magnum Force? It has more than one meaning here and definitely sets the theme. Dirty Harry says it a few times in the film but it has the most impact right after Hal Holbrook meets with an unfortunate accident in his car...priceless scene. This is my favorite line Eastwood says to Holbrook in the movie, with the second being when he throws a shell casing from evidence at him saying "eat it!". Magnum Force (1973) is the sequel to Dirty Harry (1971) and this time Harry is still an outsider with his own brand of justice, but he's got nothing on the 4 young motorcycle patrol cops who don't even bother with arrests and paperwork (the criminals don't make it that far!). In Dirty Harry, Callahan chased Scorpio, the mad sniper, but in Magnum Force he doesn't have to go far to find the criminals...they work with him! Action packed and stylish, Magnum Force is essential in the Dirty Harry/Eastwood Collection. The film is directed by television director, Tim Post (Baretta, Combat!) and written by Michael Cimino (director: The Deer Hunter, Thunderbolt & Lightfoot). The cast is great: Felton Perry plays Harry's unfortunate partner who just had to open his mailbox. Look for several familiar faces before they made it big: David "Hutch" Soul, Robert Urich, & Tim Matheson. Also look for a topless Suzanne Somers (uncredited) getting blown away in a swimming pool! I can imagine Joyce DeWitt from Three's Company laughing maniacally when she saw that scene.

Are we defined by what we watch or review? Given my politics, putting out my two cents on Magnum Force is like Walter Mondale going to a Republican Party Convention. However, let me state quite clearly that I'm putting this movie in the context of the times it represented, i.e. the perceived sense of the justice system's failure in the 1970's.

Following his acquittal of murdering a labour reformer and his family on a legal technicality, i.e. lack of admissible evidence, labor leader Carmine Ricca and three of his associates are gunned down by a police officer. As the outcome of his trial led to wild mobs downtown, his death leads one man to say, "maybe there's hope for the world yet." Other criminals become victims, including one in a very violent swimming pool massacre. Did anyone notice Suzanne Somers in that scene? Maybe I'll look more carefully next time. Note: Ricca and the murder of the labour reformer has overtones of Tony Boyle and Jock Yablonski, who with his wife and daughter were murdered in 1970 under Boyle's orders.

The frustration police officers felt in the 1970's is felt here. Charlie McCoy, one of Harry's friends, angrily says, "A hood can kill a cop, but a cop kill a hood?" Charlie's gone a bit mental, to the point that he and his wife are separated.

Harry locks horns with the obnoxious and waspish Lieutenant Briggs (Hal Holbrook), a desk jockey-type whose jealousy extends to taking Harry off homicide and putting him on stakeout. Not so much with the captain, who realizes that "someone's trying to put the courts out of business" and puts Harry back on homicide. The crimes have a distinct pattern, no witnesses despite the fact there was an officer right on top of the crime scene.

This movie is longer than Dirty Harry, but it further explores the "then the law is crazy" motif introduced in that movie. This time, the concept of vigilanteism. And there are two moments that show Harry effectively defusing crises, especially a plane hijacking. In the first movie, Harry seems to be powerful only with his gun, but here, he proves he's resourceful even without it.

The main idea of this movie is defined by the title of my review. Not only is it man, but the law has to know its limitations as well. As Harry says to his boss, he hates the system, but unless there are effective changes, the system is all he has to go by. And as for vigilanteism, consider what one of the vigilantes say. "We're the first generation [of heroes] that's learned to fight. We're simply ridding society of killers that would be caught and sentenced anyway if our courts worked properly." Well, where do you draw the line? One day, it's killers, drug dealers, pimps, rapists, etc. Fair enough, but what about the next day? Is it jaywalkers, litterbugs, people who double park? The police are the guards of the law, but as Roman satirist Juvenal said, "Who guards the guards?" Someone needs to, obviously, to make sure they don't get too much power. The courts? But look what happens in the beginning. As the prosecutor for the Ricca trial says, "This has happened before and it will probably happen again." Compare that with what one of the vigilante cops say, "It's just not a question of whether or not to use violence. There simply is no other way." Talk about CHIPs gone bad! That, my fellow readers, is downright frightening, because there has GOT to be another way.

Lalo Schifrin's back with his moody but melodic score. Of the other players, Adele Yoshioka has a small but nice role as Sunny, an Asian American neighbor of Harry's. Felton Perry is Early, Harry's partner, and he's a reserved kind of guy with that period 70's Afro. And it's interesting to see David Soul (Starsky and Hutch's Hutch) playing Officer Davis.

There is the standard violent shooting scenes, but the issue here should get people thinking--what are the limitations of man and the law?

An interesting film, respectful and with a touch of humour. Not a "must see" material but nothing I felt sorry after buying it.

First of all, for those of you out who like straight-forward plot lines with twists and turns throughout, object to male nudity and get bored if something doesn't blow up in the first 15 minutes - then do not watch this movie.

As for the rest of us, who can appreciate intelligent mock-u-mentory styled films, "BeefCake" is a fabulous way to spend a Sunday evening. Through flashback sequences, photo clips and interiews with ex-hustlers/models from the 1950's, we receive the story of Robert Henry Mizer and his Athletic Model Guild. The movie jumps around a bit between Mizer's history with his pulp art magazine, his legal troubles for running escorts as well as the interviews, which makes one wonder how scatterbrained director Thom Fitzgerald really is. But the acting is good, the scenes are funny/interesting and there's plenty of male nudity to go around. Where can you go wrong?

...you don't expect Shakespeare! But what you do get is an incredibly entertaining look at the birth of gay society's fascination with the male form. If the viewer can tear his attention away from the bountiful eye-candy he/she will also get a glimpse into the hardships and very real dangers that these seemingly cheesey photographers and publishers went through just to give us a glimpse of the body beautiful. Part movie, part documentary...all delightfully delicious!

I recently watched DIRTY HARRY and it's a masterpiece. After having seen a list of all of the other Dirty Harry flicks I decided to go with what's probably the most famous sequel, SUDDEN IMPACT.

"Nice job, meathead."

SUDDEN IMPACT is a disappointing sequel to Don Siegel's legendary film. It puts "Dirty" Harry Callahan (Eastwood) chasing after a female rape victim whom he just happens to fall in love with while, at the same time, bumping into her continuosly and never guessing she's the woman who has been murdering the people who raped her.

This film is a disgrace to the original classic. It changes Callahan's image of a justice-bringing tough guy (and hero) to a lazy, cranky old man who runs with his dog (who then urinates everywhere it goes). It's really pretty bad - even Lalo Schifrin's usually great score is forgettable. Could have been better - much better.

Unless you're a real Eastwood fan, you won't really care for SUDDEN IMPACT, which is foolish but watchable for one big reason:

To hear Eastwood say the legendary line, "Make my day."

OVERALL: *** (3) out of ***** (5) [Almost Above Average)

Actual rating : 3.5 stars .

Background .
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From the beginning of the Dirty Harry series it was clear that Harry Callahan is a different kind of a cop . He is known for his unorthodox methods in pursuing justice , and is the role model of a cop that is interested in making the villains pay by all means necessary . Naturally , these facts have made him notorious and a very controversial character in and out of the silver screen .

Harry Callahan represents the dissatisfaction of the common people from the law enforcements' limitations . This figure became so popular from day one owning to its ability to do or express what the crowds would have wanted to do on their own but could not and should not do : Give all the bad guys exactly what they deserve , regardless of due process , lawful rights , the proof burden and the red tape .

Eastwood as Harry has always managed to step between the lines and has been on the verge of really breaking the law many times mainly due to frequently dealing with criminals the law can't catch or touch . The harsh relation of Harry to legal responsibilities such as 'telling the rights' to the suspect or pronouncing 'drop your weapon!' before shooting the desperado embodies the bitterness of many from the legal restrictions and limitations mentioned above .

The plot .
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The movie starts with the usual Callahan stunts that come to remind the viewers who he is and what he stands for . Then the story develops into an investigation of a series of murders that Harry conducts pretty much on his own . Throughout the movie the resentment from his actions of every superior officer is emphasized to the absurd and the tendency of people to die around him is virtually comical . These recurring motives are the bases of the theatrical Harry series and are expected and even welcomed .

...

Significance .
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In a much stronger manner , at least in my money , compared to its predecessors , the movie takes matters I pointed out before further and regards even the suitability and rightness of legal punishment for rape : The writers of the script imply that no punishment but death is what rapists deserve .

The strongest scene in the movie confronts one of the rapists with the victim that has come to get even . In a desperate attempt , while facing his doom , the rapist begs for his life and tries to convince the .../executioner that he does not deserve to die for his crime . Moreover , he says that he had been young , drunk and hadn't known what he was doing . At this point you stop to think real hard : What punishment does a crime like this call for ? To find out about the answer of the film you will have watch it .

This issue was then , as it is today , of grave implications to our society . With constant rise in the rate of rape cases and in the brutality and viciousness in which they are executed , the thoughts about this subject seem to favor much more serious punishments as means of revenge and intimidation than the ones the legal system carries out . This question is extremely controversial and divisive as is the question of the death penalty . I don't know the answers myself . All I know is that to rape a woman is like to murder her soul - and that it is unforgiven .

Final note .
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This is a violent and dark film with an extra value to it . The producers should be commended for being brave enough to deal with this extremely hard and conflict-ridden subject . You will have to see it for yourself realize what final conclusion and moral they suggest .

There is only one Dirty Harry movie for me, and that is the first one, the Don Siegel's version. The mixture of the first Dirty Harry is just too well (the charismatic Harry Callahan, the dangerous Scorpio, intense relationship between Scorpio and Callahan), that the other four only practically try to borrow Harry Callahan "tough-attitude" in a different background. I'm not saying this to say that the other sequels are bad, is just that i've seen those sequels more as a 'separate, different action' movie from the original Dirty Harry. Because i'm not expecting another Dirty Harry movie, but just merely a good action movie, then i'm not dissapointed nor feel betrayed when watching Sudden Impact. It has just the right thing that make this movie as a 'better movie' if compared to the previous Enforcer or Magnum Force...a good story, something that is rarely found in the present day action movie.

It told a story of a woman who avenge her sister by killing her sister's rapers...and here's where Harry Callahan steps in, not as Harry Callahan that we know in the good old 'Dirty Harry', but as a detective who have to face his inner morale question on the right of that woman to avenge her sister, and his obligation to arrest a murderer.

So to all of you who really want to see Dirty Harry, well go directly to the real thing..the first Dirty Harry. To all of you who want to see more action...well you have to see Magnum Force or The Enforcer....but for those who wish to see an action movie with a touch of good story, well here it is. Of course the action is there...and its a good one too (particularly the finalle shoot out in fun park near the beach)..there is also some mob issue that Callahan wanted to nailto add up more possibility for action sequence....and you can still have some good one liner's from Eastwood such as 'Go ahead make my day'..but all of those were not as 'heavy' as its two predecessor. But then again, the action and the story is balanced prety well, thus makes Sudden Impact is very enjoyable. Eastwood directing is moderate but sufficient...i'm in the opinion that this movie is far much better then Eastwood recent work, 'Blood Work'.

Recomended for those of you who like action movie with a better plot and deeper character, unrecomended for those of you who wish a 'total shoot out' .

Normally I would give a disc with absolutely no extras (except for 3 trailers for other Corman movies) 2 stars but I gave it an extra one since the price is so right. J.J. North is a babe beyond belief in this ripoff...er uh, I mean tribute to 50's sci-fi flicks such as 50 Foot Woman. REALLY bad special effects mixed with mostly forced perspective shots make for a fun flick with cameos by other favorites of mine like Nikki Fritz and Michelle Bauer. The catfight between the two female giants through downtown LA is a hoot and gives us the best line from the movie: "My God! Look at the size of those T*TS!!"

J.J. North stars as Angel Grace, a drop dead gorgeous model who is insecure about her looks. She goes to a doctor who has developed a formula that will enhance her natural beauty. She drinks a certain amount every day, to help give her an edge over her competitors for centerfold of the year. This comedy is a thinly veiled cautionary tale about the dangers of drugs. As the effects of the beauty formula wear off quicker, Angel increases the dosage. By taking an overdose, her body grows to gigantic proportions. Jay Richardson as the humorous Hugh Hefner-like magazine publisher, and Tim Abell as the photographer, conspire to keep her from getting an antidote. They figure they can make millions off her as a colossal centerfold. This comedy is also a thinly veiled indictment of the way men exploit women. The luscious Tammy Parks plays Betty, Angel's main rival for centerfold of the year. When she finds out about Angel's beauty enhancement, she consumes a massive amount of the formula and also grows to massive proportions. The catfight between these two gorgeous giants is the highlight of the movie. This comedy is really a thinly veiled guilty pleasure!

This movie in my view is great. JJ North is a babe. Especially when she is 60 feet tall. Not only do we see her at 60 feet tall, we see Tammy Parks as well. I like two big women and I mean BIG women get it on. This movie in my book is a must see. Especially if you like to see two big and beautiful women get it on.

I'm sorry, I haven't seen the DVD of this movie.
I just remember seeing two movies, back to back, back in the late '70s in a Drive-In: "The Hills Have Eyes" and "Don't Go Into The Woods".
This became an Indie-joke between my friends and myself to refer to movies that were supposed to be cheap and scary. I seem to remember a subliminal flash of a skull a few times during the "Don't..." movie also. Some of us found the movies scary, some of us were dying to leave. We who were dying to leave suddenly perked up and tried to spot more of the subliminal frames. The other guys never saw them. They weren't subtle either: In the middle of a very dark woods scene suddenly is one frame of full white with just a black skull in the middle, enough to blind you in a dark parking lot. Even more puzzling that only two of us saw it.
Anyway, maybe "The Hills..." has some subliminals in it also so if you buy this movie try to keep your eyes peeled open watching for them. There were only three or so in the other movie.
It would be a chuckle if they made it into this.

Yes, all right, we've all seen the slasher film where the innocents becomes stranded in the back woods, and prey to a family of cannibals.

This film is a little different though. A Michael Myers or a Jason Vorhees keeps coming through onslaughts of cutlery, bullets, various blunt objects, falls from great heights, and trips underwater. They must be somehow supernatural not to be be really killed this time. I know, I know, they need to set up the sequel. But it really gets tiring after awhile, because you know the point of view characters can't ever ultimately win, despite the obligatory single surviver for the sequel. They are relentlessly pursued by these invincible monsters.

There's no sequel to The Hills Have Eyes. Even though the appearances of the slashers suggest a bit of the not-so-natural, they are, in fact, vulnerable, and beatable. This makes for real tension in this film; you really don't know how it's going to turn out. Will the beast family be destroyed, or just dented? Will even one of the victims survive to tell the tale? It's a real unknown, and it makes for some edge-of-the-seat moments that most slasher films can't deliver.

I am a horror movie fan and this is one of my all time favorite horror films. I love Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but it never creeped me out as much as this film did. I has all the elements I look for in a horror flick.

you can read the summary above to get what the movie is about so i'll just wrap it up to say that, yes, it does not have some of the best acting i've seen, but it certainly is not the worst...the characters are just right....you feel sympathy for the ones you should and you wanna beat the heck out of the ones who need it, and not because of their acting skills, but because of the characters they portray....

great characters, great story, well executed, and still remains a very convincing and possible reality....even to this day....
5 stars...bravo bravo

This excursion into silliness is hardly worth your time. I'm a HUGE fan of Chris Elliot's fantastic TV series "Get A Life," but this idiotic film is far too moronic for even my jaded system. I'd like to give it zero stars but, alas, Amazon does not provide for such a low rating. Chris, what were you thinking? For that matter, what was the studio thinking that financed this turkey?

Chris Elliot follows the classic path of the hero. There is not much room for improvement.

"Cabin Boy" combines the best elements of "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad," "Bluebeard" and "Gilligan's Island." Chris Elliott stars as Nathanial Mayweather, a rich, fancy lad with a sharp tongue. On his way to board his father's yacht to sail to Hawaii, he accidentally ends up at a fishing village. He first encounters an old salt, played by David Letterman, who asks him the one question that has perplexed mankind throughout the ages. "Do you want to buy a monkey?" Out of spite, Dave directs the fancy lad to the Dirty Whore. That's not a woman, it's an old fishing ship. Nathanial falls asleep in the Captain's quarters, while the crew returns and sets sail. They soon encounter a terrible storm and, after a crew member is washed overboard, the Captain decides to make Nathanial the new Cabin Boy.

Along the way they meet Chocki, a half man/half shark creature, and a feisty female swimmer named Trina. Nathanial is smitten with Trina, but she spurns his advances. Being blown off course, they land on Hell's Bucket, a strange island with an evil curse on it. Once ashore, Nathanial sets off to learn the ways of love from a mythical creature called Calli. Calli is a blue skinned, six armed Goddess that demonstrates to Nathanial the ways to pleasure a woman. When Mulligan, Calli's huge giant of a husband, returns and learns that Calli has been unfaithful to him, he sets off to destroy Nathanial's ship. Nathanial, with the help of Chocki, slays the giant and triumphantly returns to the Dirty Whore and her crusty crew. Trina now returns Nathanial's love, since he has matured into a Cabin Man! The picture quality of the DVD is breathtaking, allowing the viewer to enjoy every detail of the incredible special effects. However, the DVD does not include the theatrical trailer or any other bonus features.