Don Movie Reviews

This was as wholesome as films can get. Coming off of the hits " Sister Act " and " Sister Act II " Whoopi Goldberg decided to target the clean audience that enjoyed both of the films. I saw this movie when it first came out in 94 and I don't remember if it was a huge box office draw or not. To me it's just one of those nice Sunday afternoon movies that allow you to enjoy the film without having to think about an intensive plot. The little girl was terrific and Ray Liotta played the bruised, suffering father to a T. It was impressive to see such a change from the man who usually plays psychopaths in his other movies. Don Ameche was touching in his last role and I enjoyed the family aspect most of all.

The only thing I didn't agree with was the pairing of Ray Liotta and Whoopi because it didn't make sense. The two were going along like friends, trying to help Molly cope with her mother's death. All of a sudden the two are kissing one another on the father's lawn. Whoopi and Ray had better chemistry before the romance factor. Then again no movie is perfect.

That aside this is still a wonderful film. I have it on DVD and I still watch it when it comes on regular television. This is one movie that explores racism and death positively and negatively and how kids handle the attitudes of the adults around them. I found it fascinating that Molly grew so attached to Corrina she began to think of herself as black and Corrina became the mother she longed for.

It's a beautiful movie without sex, violence and profanity. Many movies can't hold your interest without these elements, but Corrina, Corrina will. See it at least once.

This was a great movie, but one I think I have to ask is just how many times do they have to feature someone dropping and breaking stuff? We're talking like 4 or so time! That's almost enough for a subplot. :)

About half way through the film I was thinking, wait a second, this is 1959 Los Angeles. We're talking pre-civil rights movement. Corrina was being treated as an equal and I felt like the past was being whitewashed like looking through rose colored glasses from current viewpoints. Then all of a sudden they started playing the race card in the latter part of the film and it became evident once Ray Liotta's character became romantically interested in Corrina. I can understand on a dramatic pacing reason why it works well that way, but from a realism point of view it seems like some foreshadowing might have been in order to remind us that it's not a modern tale.

The film pulls the heart strings in the right places and the initial focus on the mother who has passed is a real emotional hook. Carrina opening Molly back up after her retreat from life shows the kind of person Carrina is and her zest for life helps bring Molly back out of her shell.

This has to be the best Whoopie Goldberg movie ever. She usually acts in "rough" movies which we don't let our children watch, but this was more for the whole family. She plays a nanny for a little girl who has lost a mother, and comes into the family with the idea of just being the "maid and babysitter", but soon falls for the little girl she's caring for, and her father. Ray Liota does a great job in this movie also. This movie will tug at your heart strings, and make you laugh. It also shows us how prejuduce some people are, and were back in those days, when it was socialy unexceptable for people of color to be with white people. It's a sweet movie that you will enjoy with your children without fear that sex or violence with ruin the movie for your children.

Having been both appalled and amused by Robert Crumb's work over the years, one can truly say the same for this film. On one end, Crumb comes off as an amusing and likeable eccentric (you almost want to break out in laughter at his appearance when he first comes onscreen, but he kind of grows on you as the film proceeds). Much has been said about his family in this film and I have nothing new to add to that. But as we get into the outrageously crude racism of Crumb's work (I for one have never been fond of his depiction of Blacks) and the outlandish sexism of his work and personality, he begins to turn you off. One can only wonder how his wife Aline (who comes across as rather appealing) tolerated the scenes where he cavorts with the Leg Show models. We also get a bit TOO MUCH INFORMATION in regards to he and his brohters' sex fantasies. But in either case, it's an interesting portrait on a controversial artist that will certainly provoke thought and discussion.

some people find r.crumb weird, strange and a sicko, but I relate to the guy, from his taste in music to his disgust of money grubbing modern culture. i first saw his art in high school in the early 90's and have been a fan ever since, though a lot of people do, I don't find it offensive, then again I don't find anything offensive. that's what art is for, when i'm pissed at someone i draw a really violent drawing, i don't hurt people. same with crumb, he expresses his urges and feelings though his art. he spills out everything, something that very few artists do. crumb says in the movie that when he listens to old music it's one of the few times he has an actual love for humanity, I feel the same way, about that, and about crumb and his art. plus, any movie with a geeshie wiley tune in it can't be all that bad can it?

p.s.- there it is, my first and last review i've ever written, what a waste of time...and no crumb's not a racist.

R. Crumb, comic artist and weirdo, laid bare in a documentary about his life and very dysfunctional family. At one point his brother is describing his affinity for 'body flossing' where he swallows a very long strip of fabric that goes all the way through his body. Wow. Yeah, these people are so out there and I was facinated by the film. The man is racist, sexist, pathetic and warped, but I found the film highly entertaining.

You talk about a classic adventure with outstanding special effects (for the time produced)...One word sums it up -FANTASTIC!...A fantasy adventure for the whole family to enjoy!

We refer to Star Wars as a John Lucas film, ET as a Steven Spielberg film, and Terminator as a James Cameron film. It's always "a [director's name] film."

Unless it's a Ray Harryhausen film. Because Harryhausen's spellbinding creations are always the real stars of his films, his name just has to come ahead of the director's. And nobody, but nobody wil ever question that departure from protocol.

For the uninitiated, one viewing of Jason and the Argonauts will help you understand just what I mean. Employing the painstakingly difficult, low-technology method of stop-motion animation, Harryhausen delivers a fantasy-adventure that's absolutely breathtaking. Jason, leading an intrepid group that includes Hercules himself, encounters the seven-headed Hydra, the winged Harpies, the metallic 200-foot-tall Talos, the Merman Demigod Triton, a band of sword-wielding skeletons, and a gargantuan reptilian beast. Not only are the creatures brought to life, they interact with the humans with seamless, eye-popping realism. And remember, this is a 1963 film.

How difficult is stop-motion animation? To give you an idea, Harryhausen took four and a half months to complete the skeleton battle scene, which lasted just over three minutes in the final edit. As for the Hydra, Jason had it easy. All he had to do was slay it. The really difficult task was Harryhausen's: he had to bring it to life, keeping all seven heads in constant, menacing motion.

The difficulty of this method naturally brings about the temptation to take short-cuts, moving the creature a centimeter here and there instead of the needed two millimeters. But Harryhausen worked hard at his craft, spending long nights in his studio to achieve the most realistic movements possible. And get this: he worked ALONE. Throughout his career, he NEVER had a staff or even an assistant.

So it was only fitting that in 1992, Harryhausen was honored by the Film Academy with a Lifetime Achievement Award. It was, to my mind, a long-delayed recognition. After the awarding, the emcee paid his own tribute: "Some say Citizen Kane, some say Casablanca, I say Jason and the Argonauts is the greatest film of all time."

The emcee: a guy named Tom Hanks.

Jason and the Argonauts was a favourite of mine as a child. Back then, I didn't have the same discriminating tastes and scepticisms towards special effects. Even today I find that special effect work of Ray Harryhausen stands up remarkably well.
The classic story of the Golden Fleece is aided greatly by Harrynhausen's monsters, such as the Giant Talos or the horrible Harpies. But nothing beats the final skeleton battle. This sequence remains an astonishing work. It is a seamless battle between humans and special effects skeletons.
The acting is the old-hollywood style, but for the subject matter it is perfect. Heroes seem like Heroes, villains like villains, Hercules like Hercules. The pace is quick and the locations are excellent and always very authentic.
Jason and the Argonauts may not impress everyone. Many of today's kids will merely exclaim "that's so fake looking!". But those with more imagination and a greater appreciation for classic story-telling will dig Jason and the Argonauts.
Also, anyone who is growing tired of the over-used CGI, which often looks too much like a video game, this is a refreshing change.

I remember watching this movie way back when it first came out. I loved it! My two year old son told me that he wanted a Santa Claus movie. This movie was the first one that came to my mind. I looked in every store trying to find it. Now I am glad I found the DVD and can't wait for him to enjoy as much as I have. We will make it a tradition to watch it every year.

I remember watching this movie for the first time way back in 1985. I have always loved it and it has remained my favourite Christmas movie. Few movies have the ability to mix magic and wonder with a real theme. How many children today have the luxury of believing in Santa Claus? I was told at an early age exactly what the deal was but that didn't stop me from feeling the magic the first time I watched Santa Claus: The Movie. As an adult...I can't help but feel a little sad to look back at the innocence and wonder that I had as a child. Gone are the days when I could go to bed at night, wondering if Santa Claus, or The Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy were going to visit me that night. I think this movie allows the child in all of us, whatever our age, the feel that magic and unquestioning belief once more. After all, in our increasingly busy and stressful lives, who doesn't need a little magic now and again? I don't care if some people think the special effects are not spot on. Keep in mind, this movie was made quite a while ago and can't hope to match the level of computer effects today. I've read other reviews complaining about this but hey, think about it:

If you don't believe...you'll never see.

i love this movie!! it absolutely captures the spirit of christmas. i have to admit though, if you are sick with the flu, i do not recommend you watch this, as the horrible costumes (polka dots and bright colors everywhere) will make you sicker. However, that small flaw aside, this movie gets better every time i see it! i love the fact that santa's workshop is visible to only those who believe. this movie always puts me in the christmas spirit. i have to watch it every year, before we get our tree, and i am all set for the joyful season! you'll love it!!!!!

I remember watching this movie way back when it first came out. I loved it! My two year old son told me that he wanted a Santa Claus movie. This movie was the first one that came to my mind. I looked in every store trying to find it. Now I am glad I found the DVD and can't wait for him to enjoy as much as I have. We will make it a tradition to watch it every year.

I remember watching this movie for the first time way back in 1985. I have always loved it and it has remained my favourite Christmas movie. Few movies have the ability to mix magic and wonder with a real theme. How many children today have the luxury of believing in Santa Claus? I was told at an early age exactly what the deal was but that didn't stop me from feeling the magic the first time I watched Santa Claus: The Movie. As an adult...I can't help but feel a little sad to look back at the innocence and wonder that I had as a child. Gone are the days when I could go to bed at night, wondering if Santa Claus, or The Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy were going to visit me that night. I think this movie allows the child in all of us, whatever our age, the feel that magic and unquestioning belief once more. After all, in our increasingly busy and stressful lives, who doesn't need a little magic now and again? I don't care if some people think the special effects are not spot on. Keep in mind, this movie was made quite a while ago and can't hope to match the level of computer effects today. I've read other reviews complaining about this but hey, think about it:

If you don't believe...you'll never see.

i love this movie!! it absolutely captures the spirit of christmas. i have to admit though, if you are sick with the flu, i do not recommend you watch this, as the horrible costumes (polka dots and bright colors everywhere) will make you sicker. However, that small flaw aside, this movie gets better every time i see it! i love the fact that santa's workshop is visible to only those who believe. this movie always puts me in the christmas spirit. i have to watch it every year, before we get our tree, and i am all set for the joyful season! you'll love it!!!!!

Made at the height of communist fears and McCarthyism, the original version of Invasion was a film dictated by its time. Many critics see it as a metaphor for A)the effect of communism or B)a metaphor for McCarthyism. Both the original author Jack Finney and director of the first film Don Siegel denied this. For Finney it was an entertainment an example of the paranoid world we live in. For Siegel it was much more complex. It was a metaphor for the urbanization and denial of our humanity in an age of reason and logic. Both are rich interpretations and luckily neither one effects the marvelous entertainment value of the original film.

Phil Kaufman's update (it's not really a remake as little remains of Finney's novel beyond the concept and only the bare bones outline of Siegel's film)deals with the same theme of Siegel's film; it's about the dehumanizing aspect of the urban world we live in. Kaufman, though, daringly set in in the heart of the urban myth on the West Coast--San Francisco.

Donald Sutherland plays Matthew Bennel a public health inspector. He's got varied and interesting friends including one of his co-workers Elizabeth Driscoll (Brooke Adams). She comes to Bennel complaining that her husband isn't himself. He's uncommunicative, emotionless and won't really talk to her. She suspects her husband is having an affair and follows him. She discovers he's exchanging these odd looking packages with people they don't know. Bennel suggests that she speak with a pop psychologist he's friends with and that he might have a rational explaination. Dr. David Kibner's (Leonard Nimoy)suggestion is more down to earth. He's seen this a lot lately and compares it to a virus--but a psychological one. He suggests that she's just lost touch with him and that she needs to reach out to get him more involved.

Bennel's writer/poet friend Jack Belicec (a very young Jeff Goldblum)believes Kibner's explaination and his book are garbage. His supportive (quite literally as she earns the money with her mudbath salon)wife Nancy (Veronica Cartwright)believes Jack's a little jealous and that Kibner might be on to something. Until Nancy discovers a body in her salon. It resembles--vaguely--Jack who had fallen asleep in the salon. They call Bennel as they're afraid it might be the body of a customer with some sort of communicable disease (the metaphor at the cusp of the AIDS epidemic captures the pulse of San Francisco during this time). From there, stranger things begin to happen particularly when another friend appears to be in the process of being "duplicated".

Kaufman's film holds up very well. While not as important as Siegel's ground breaking film (Siegel has a cameo with original star Kevin McCarthy and Robert Duvall as a priest at the beginning), it is a valid and very good reinterpretation of the original classic film. Kaufman makes San Francisco claustrophobic and threatening. The brooding cinematography adds to the sense of menace as does the interesting at times atonal score. W. D. Richter's (Buckaroo Banzai, Big Trouble in Little China) screenplay plays with many of the elements of the original film and has a number of set pieces every bit the equal of the original film.

All the actors give strong performances. Nimoy in particularly plays off his well known character of Mr. Spock in the early scenes with his touchy-feely pop psychology. Sutherland and Adams have considerable chemistry. Interesting note is that Sutherland did many of his less physical stunts. Kaufman was game but Sutherland's assistant told Kaufman he had the "clumsiest man alive" running around twenty feet off the ground and implied he was inviting disaster.

The DVD transfer is good. It's a bit dark but the colors are fairly true to the original prints I've seen. The print is also quite good although there are quite a few analog artifacts that crop up throughout the film. Still, it isn't distracting. The stereo soundtrack sounds surprisingly good given the age of the film. It is a tad bit compressed.

The extras include a running commentary by Phil Kaufman and trailers. There's also a nice booklet with inside information and trivia included. The film is included in both pan & scan format and widescreen on a dual sided disc (not surprising given the year it was first manufactured --1998). It's a nice package altogether.

While Invasion lacks the surprise of the first film, Kaufman knows enough to play with audience expectations and familarity with the original film from the beginning. This is to his advantage. He also manages to include a considerable amount of social satire (something common in many of his films). While his direction isn't quite as self assured as it would be when he made The Right Stuff, he manages to keep the action moving and inspire intelligent performances from his ensemble cast.

With Leonard NIMOY Jeff GOLDBLUM and Donald SUTHERLAND these three exceptionals actors, this movie can give some bugbears just after you have seen it, some spores arrives from an other planet, they cross over space and they are alives ! they are growing for the disaster of humanity, they are the body snatchers who are ables to contaminate entirely the planet these tricks are almost same as the human gender but they are not ! They forms an unique entity ! AN E-T ENTITY !!! SPLENDID MOVIE !!! One of the bests S-F HORROR FILM NEVER SURPASSED !!!

Much more intriguing, involved, suspenseful and horrifying than the original 1956 film. Much better by far. However I will say that you should see the original, uncut version of Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1956) to fully understand what is going on in the 1978 remake and to fully appreciate it. Yes, that is Robert DuVall as the priest on the swing. And, yes, that is Kevin McCarthy as the scared, crazy man in the street. Of course you remember Kevin McCarthy in the original 1956 film. This film has a good all-star cast, Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Leonard Nimoy, Jeff Goldblum, and Veronica Cartwright. Leonard Nimoy is chilling. Jeff Goldblum who we remember from Death Wish (1974) is a nice surprise and is a great addition to the cast. Veronica Cartwright has a wonderful mature role. Great acting from her in this one.

Capt. Nathan Brittles (John Wayne) is near retirement and looks at it with an unsure and heavy heart. After years in the U.S. Cavalry it is all he knows and is not sure what will become of him when he leaves it. Brittles knows that the Army and life will go on, but what will his role in life be, since he lost his wife years before. This is the second and best film in the John Ford cavalry trilogy. As it Brittles is not very keen on handing over command to younger soldiers who are yet to prove themself in leading other men and in combat. For all it's worth he has little to no say about what will happen to those who take over and what will become of the indian tribe that he has worked with and delt with for so long. Victor McLaglen is a great supporter in the film as he also faces retirement and enjoys his whiskey and fights along with the other men. A story about trust and service along with changing times, it features one of Wayne's best performances. An Oscar winner for best color cinematography (Winton C. Hoch) that features Monument Valley, this is a film to see as it is a western and war film wraped into one. It is simple yet not boring and it get's to the point when needed. Grade: B+

I must watch this film 5 to 10 times a year and never get tired of seeing it. I also watch "Rio Grande" almost as often. Now when the heck are they (whoever "they" might be) going to put "Fort Apache" out on DVD?

This is a great movie for the whole family! I love it, but then tere is not a John Wayne movie that I don't like! Its just wonderful!

I bought this for my son last Christmas. He & His friends have watched this over & over! It was well worth the purchase.

HEY! If you're considering paying $100 for this DVD, DON'T DO IT! The videos are certainly worth watching, but by November 2003 apparently there will be a new collection. One that will be digitally remastered and everything! So, just hold off until the Christmas season to watch all of the video genius of Al. Check out the official site for the details under "Ask Al" for Sept 2nd.

This is actually very cool. I am a huge "Weird Al" Yankovic fan, and I really think this is awesome. Of course it is only 74 minutes long (it would have been cool if they had stuck The Complete Al on here, too. I got this for fairly cheap when it came out, but if you don't want to pay the barbaric price for this disc, you can buy the individual tapes or, if they come on on VH1, tape that. The dvd isn't completely horrible. I've see all the behind the musics, so I don't need supplement. It would be cool if they could fit this, The Compleat Al, and "Weird Al" Live on one disc (probably double sided). But lets not complain about what we don't have. Lets feel happy for what we do have. You would have to look individuall for the following tapes The Weird Al Video Library, Bad Hair Day, and Alapalooza. Think about the space three video tapes take up compared to one dvd and it's case. It's uncomparable. Think of the quality. While some off the early ones may be very dull (Jeopardy), some of the newer ones go to lengths vhs could only dream of (Gump). The 2 interruptions. Self explanatory. Think of the wear and tear. For a guy like me who has literally seen this disc hundreds of times, it helps having dvd. Plus, the disc is easy to get to your desired song (without fast-forewarding or possibly switching tapes). Plus it just starts with Ricky. No commercials, no advertisements, nothing. Yes, it could be better. But I'm fine. Thank you for taking the time to read my review and feel free to leave me a hepful/not helpful feedback. God Bless America!

Anchor Bay Entertainment is a rather unuseual maker of DVDs on film. Their movie library is made up mostly of B-Horror Movies, B-Science Fiction Films, cheap dramas and comedies. In short they mostly own movies that no other studio wants to have because they are so incredibly bad. The kinds of movies that make Japaneese monster films look good by comparison. Anyway this movie is among them. It's no wonder that Marc Singer never took as an actor. he's bad and he can't act.

I'LL BE THE 1ST TO ADMIT THAT THIS MOVIE IS NOTHING SHORT OF A CONAN IMITATION. BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT AIN'T GOOD. IN THIS MOVIE, A SWORDSMAN [MARC SINGER] SETS OUT TO BATTLE A SORCERER [RIP TORN] WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MURDER OF HIS FATHER. I DON'T CARE WHAT CRITICS SAY, THIS MOVIE IS VERY GOOD AND IT REALLY DOESN'T GET ALL THE CREDIT THIS MOVIE DESERVES. ONLY BAD POINT IS THE ROMANTIC SUBPLOT BETWEEN MARC SINGER AND TANYA ROBERTS. OTHER THAN THAT, A VERY GOOD SWORD AND SORCERY MOVIE. SCREW THE CRITICS, GO CHECK IT OUT. FOLLOWED BY TWO SEQUELS.

If you were a yungun in the early to mid 80s and had HBO or just regular cable, it was impossible for you to miss The Beastmaster. This film will forever be part of your subconscious due to those childhood viewings. How could you ever forget the eyeball in the ring? Or a naked swimming woman in a PG film? Kodo and Podo? The scary guy with the leather mask and green eyes? Or those gruesome, creepy bat people who wrap you in their wings and eat ya? This film is pure nostalgia and is still entertaining after all these years and many, many viewings. Sure, some complain that this film is cheesy(obviously they didn't grow up with the film). Of course! Sure, 80s sword and sorcery flicks are easy targets for that, but so what? You trying to tell me there's no cheese in Lord Of The Rings? Or Hercules and Xena? Come on, Beastmaster is no more or less. At least the guys who made these films(Beastmaster, Conan, Deathstalker, etc.), made them with grittiness. These aren't for kids, folks. Beastmaster may be rated PG, but give it another viewing and ask yourself how it slipped by the ratings board with that rating. A kid gets thrown into a pit of fire for crying out loud! But this film is great, and the dvd is great as well-not to mention a decent price.

The movie was terrible, predictable, and made desparate attempts to distract attention from the plot with small arms fire. But you knew that. The reason to watch the movie is to see if it could shoot the moon and be so bad its enjoyable. Well, it failed. Minor amusement caused by ridiculous 80s trenchcoat stormtrooper kind of bad guys. Oh, but if you like motorcycles... its still boring, watch a better or worse film.

It is a somewhat to wholeheartedly enjoyable movie for those intellectually devoid moments (as a certifiable guy, I do have those episodes regularly). I mean, the title itself seethes with all that is cool about America. However, the film's greatest blemish lies not in the plot nor dialog. It's the front credit song. Bon Jovi merged with the image of a Harley halling balls across the Southwest? Fans of this movie do this: watch the front credits, but listen instead to Judas Priest's "You Don't Have To Be Old To Be Wise" from their British Steel album/CD and you'd have a more spirited gist of a biking experience. As for Bon Jovi (or "BJ" , as I call him), leave him for the pussies who have their bikes delivered by FedEx into Sturgis for the annual rally...

"Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man" is one of those frat house movis that only guys who's diet is mostly pizza and beer could like, and I ate it all up. This is a pretty simple movie; a pair of loseres rob a bank to help a buddy save his bar, except that they accedentlly stole a new designer drug. From there the two go through Los Angles's Century City to Los Vagas casinos and back again being chased by men in bullet proof black jackets. The two leads, Mickey Rourke and Don Johnson, have a very witty repore between them, raunchy, but funny, and at least as good a team as Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. So this movie is not for everyone, but it is underappriciated and should be givin a chance; although if you're a woman without thick skin, you might want to stay away.