Don Movie Reviews

This movie is soo good!!! I have loved Danielle since like her role in Halloween 4 and 5 as the adorable Jamie Llyod. She teams up with Katherine Heigli to make a movie great!!! At least that's what I think. People have different thoughts about certain things. Anyway, I caught this on the Disney Channel and I fell in love with it. Looking for it everywhere, I couldn't find it and I was sad. (...) I just HAD to have it and I got it. This would make a great gift for sisters to watch and to just "Wish Upon A Star!"

This is a good movie for people of all ages. It encourages people to dream and have a creative mind. :) 2 very inthusiastic thumbs up.

Few films have touched my life as much as this. Here we have a powerful saga about Katherine Heigl being 18.

Truly her outfits in this show off more of her body than in any other film.

Oh and there is a plot. (like it matters) Here Heigl and her younger sister (played by an older Daneil Harris) switch bodies, wreching havok on their social lives.

Face it, this movie could be about Heigl watching grassy grow. She's so beautiful and in almost every scene you can't help but love it. The opening scene of her getting dressed has brought men out of comas.

This is certainly not an upbeat film, but it gives a glimpse of Jane Fonda's earlier work and she is at her brilliant best. Great supporting performances by Gig Young and Susannah York too. Give this film a try!

As I watched American Idol recently I kept thinking of this movie. It stands as one of my all-time favourites. Seems like the wheel's going round again.

Horace McCoy's hardboiled 1930's novel about the Hollywood extras who enter a marathon dance contest is turned into a macabre allegory, with the paranoid, apocalyptic vision of American rottenness that was typical of movies in the Vietnam era. As the defiantly self-destructive, sharp-tongued Gloria, Jane Fonda gives a startling strong performance. Although she is somewhat repellent, her playing makes the audience feel empathy for her character: an affecting performance. The ultimately tragic Gig Young won his long awaited AA for his portrait of the crude barker; his pitches on the mike cheapen every human emotion, yet paradoxically, he's also sensitive and empathic. The director, Sydney Pollack, isn't exactly inventive, but he holds a tight rein over his actors; they work well for him, and he keeps the grisly situation going with energy and drive. Michael Sarrazin is memorable as the weak, puppy dog-eyed murderer, and the rest of the excellent cast is genuinely terrific: Bonnie Bedelia, Bruce Dern and Red Buttons.

Summary:
Frank Morris (Clint Eastwood) is transferred to Alcatraz after having escaped from another, in what is made out to be, a long series of prisons. He makes friends with some of the other inmates (Doc-Roberts Blossom; English-Paul Benjamin; Charley Butts-Larry Hankin; Litmus-Frank Ronzio) and has some friends from a previous prison join him (Clarence Anglin-Jack Thibeau; John Anglin-Fred Ward). He also has to deal with an inmate that is out to get him (Wolf-Bruce M. Fischer) and a warden that is pretty rough on the inmates (Patrick McGoohan). Together they plot their escape from Alcatraz and three of the four (Frank and the Anglin brothers get away, Charlie doesn't) in on the plan actually get away.

My Comments:
The movie is pretty similar to The Shawshank Redemption in a lot of ways. But I wouldn't necessarily consider one better than the other. The only problems I had with this movie is that we never really find out much about Frank other than he is a career criminal. There is one line about his childhood, but he doesn't say much other than that it was 'short'. It would have been interesting to know more about some of the other people involved. However, this really doesn't affect the movie and should have been taken care of as special features on the DVD (it doesn't really have any). Other than that and the movie being slow in a few spots, the movie was really great.

Overall, the movie is remarkably well done and very convincing. It is based on a true story and is a very enjoyable. If you liked The Shawshank Redemption, you should like this.

The movie is pretty slow, but is very accurate. I rented it before heading to San Francisco on a tour of Alcatraz. Just my luck, when I arrived, the youngest guard ever to work on the island was there promoting his book. He stated that "Escape from Alcatraz" is the most accurate account out of any movie out there. "Murder in the First" is more interesting and moves faster, but that is because they change almost the whole story around. If you want an accurate account of life on Alcatraz, rent this movie.

This is one of these great movies that keeps you cheering for the villans as they attempt to outwit the establishment; This time it's the notorious Alcatraz Federal Prison and it's cold and heartless warden, played excellently by Patrick McGoohan (he also played the equally cold and ruthless King Longshanks in Braveheart). By prison movie standards, this one is very realistic and keeps you in suspense right to the end. It's my second-favorite prison movie, just behind The Shawshank Redemption.

Clint Eastwood plays Frank Morris, a life-long con who has been sent to Alcatraz in part because of his successful past escape attempts. The warden advises Morris that Alcatraz was built to keep all the "rotten eggs in one basket." Seconds later, Morris finds his first 'tool' to assist in his escape; the wardens nail clippers! Later, Morris meets his soon-to-be accomplices, brothers he met in another institution. It's not long before Morris finds his path to freedom, with the unlikely aid of a cockroach. Together, taking risky and cunning chances to sneak items into their cells to assist in their escape, the three men and one more-reluctant con find a way to make their break. The build-up to the escape is absolutely brilliant. Every scene leaves you on the edge of your seat. You can imagine what it was really like trying to pull off this escape.

The beauty of this movie is that it is based on a true story. It is the most famous of all prison escapes and one of the few where the fate of the escapees is unknown to this day. It would be awesome, assuming they lived, that one or more of the escapees would come forward to tell their story today. I would support a pardon for all three of them just for pulling it off. As for their fate, I recently watched a documentary that attempted to replicate their escape and determine if they could have survived swimming in that frigid Bay-area water. Even an experienced swimmer could not make it. It was determined that unless a boat was waiting for them, they would have died of hypothermia and been swept out to sea by the strong currents.

There was a fourth escapee of Alcatraz that we dont know the fate of: the little mouse that belonged to the old man. Remember, Morris put him in his shirt pocket and said, "You're coming along, too." I hope they made it!

Do not show this to your kids. Don't be blinded by the sweet songs and the nostalgia of immigrants, etc. This is scary! The cats are wicked, wicked characters and the scenes are frightening. Too much for small viewers. There is no need for this level of scary scenes in a kids' film.

I have to give credit for an attempt to tackle a historical topic in the form of animation; it was something original in its day. What makes Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty so important to many people, particularly during those times? The focus on the animal characters paired with the human events in the background was a nice touch. The whole part of just getting lost (and hopefully, found), period, is something that I think every one can relate to at some point in their lives. Even with some standard plot twists and sugary-sweet elements, and yes, some of the characters being more "caricature" than anything (the roly-poly Italian, the melancholy Irish, etc...), the attempt is worth noting.

As for the nostalgic bit, Madelaine Kahn, Christopher Plummer, et. al., including the little boy trying his best to belt out that high note in the most known song of the whole film does it for me. "Somewhere Out There" is one of my life`s theme songs...that`s how I pictured myself at Fieval`s age thinking about relatives overseas while in my pajamas state-side, and the "grown-up" James Ingram/Linda Ronstadt version still applies to me now. How`s THAT for nostalgia!!

What`s more, I respect Don Bluth for his efforts in creating his own path in animation, before anime hit big in the U.S. and animation as a whole stopped being ruled by the "Mouse House" state-side. If "cute" is not your fare, I would suggest something like "Watership Down" (it`ll make you think twice about the Easter Bunny, let me tell ya...) "An American Tail" is a family film for people with more of a sweet-tooth and who don`t mind indulging it a bit.

This movie is coming out in 1/2004 on DVD, & I can't wait.

The determination to find his family Fievel meets many people from rich to poor, bad & good. Fievel using a story from his papa was able to help the mice get together, & defeat the cats.

The end show Fievel waking up after being knocked out, to his father voice...

Get it, love it

Two good early episodes of classic Trek, though "Balance of Terror" is by far the better. The other episode is not bad, but I always hated when they used little kids as the terror of the week on "Star Trek". Having said that, "Charlie X" is not nearly so terrible as the unwatchable "And the Children Shall Lead" from the third season. Anyway, enough rambling on-- this DVD offers great picture and sound, and these episodes never looked better.

Charlie X-This strong episode is about an awkward and lonely young man with exceptional powers. The episode explores the transition from boyhood to adulthood, as well as the subtleties and arbitrariness of much of interpersonal interaction. The twist is that Charlie has the power to force adults, and the viewer, not to trivialize his plight. This episode also devotes attention to personality development through casual, leisure scenes including chess and music. Unfortunately, later shows almost completely got away from trying to give us a full portrait of life on the starship, as the episodes became more formulaic. But here, a simple, tight script, augmented by the fleshing out of details, generated a strong show. The solid writing and attention to human detail allows us to feel empathetic towards Charlie at the end, despite all the harm he's caused. You wouldn't see such subtlety in later years. (4 stars)

Balance of Terror-This Romulan battle episode was one of Star Trek's best shows. This episode demonstrates that while science fiction expands the range of possible stories, generally some of the best stories are the most universal. This episode could easily have been transported to the deep, and renamed Das Boot. The basic premise is simple enough, but the story is divided into discrete sections, each of which contains a surprise. I can't think of an episode which more often faded to commercial with actual drama. We are allowed right inside the Captains' minds, so we feel both their uncertainty and fear about encountering each other, and see them reformulating their strategies and estimations of each other as the chess match unfolds.
The episode is further assisted by Mark Leonard's acting (he's even better here than in Journey to Babel) and a dramatic score. The wedding scene also does not detract, since it reminds us that everything is affected by war. Kirk also is at his best here. Over the course of the episode he shows brilliance, compassion, and forgiveness. He also consoles, mediates, accepts criticism, is decisive, and stands up to injustice. Other pluses here include the stance taken on racism, and the fact that the brain trust, even at this early stage in the show, was not afraid to give Kirk a worthy adversary. (5 stars)

Next to SPACE SEED and THE CITY ON THE EDGE OF FOREVER, both episodes included on this DVD are by far two of the best ever. Both are extremely well written and directed, and feature great and memorable guest star appearances. The first episodes in 1966 were understandably and predictably introductory compared to the later episodes around 1967, 1968, and 1969. What made these two work so well is they revolve around a realistic story.

WARNING - POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!!

CHARLIE X: Robert Walker Jr. guest stars as Charles "Charlie" Evans, a boy with special powers who is welcomed aboard the Enterprise during a routine space flight from the vessel Anteres. Things become complicated when Charlie develops a crush on Yeoman Rand, and begins to display feelings of hostility towards any crewmembers who get in his way. After the Anteres vessel is destroyed, Kirk becomes suspicious of Charlie.

The theme of parental responsibility. Charlie illustrates an example of a young boy, who is confused and frustrated. He tries to be nice to those he encounters, especially women who he has a flame for, yet has a hint of anger and danger about him just beneath the surface. As adolescents we all grew up this way, and naturally many of us who grew up watching this show can view as more than a classical entry. It serves as an episode to educate. There are many extreme moments when Charlie induces crewmembers to freeze, spout poetry, turn into lizards, have their faces erased, or simply disappear. There are also moments of heartbreak when Yeoman Rand disciplines Charlie for overacting his emotions. A truly classic episode.

BALANCE OF TERROR: An important episode for three reasons. 1) The debut of the Romulans, and Mark Lenard (later played Sarek) guest starring as the Romulan Commander. 2) An episode focusing on the grim reality of war. 3) An episode also focusing on prejudicial behavior. The wedding ceremony of crewmembers Robert Tomlinson and Angela Martine is interrupted when Federation Outposts fall under attack. The Enterprise moves into investigate, but they find themselves intruding into the Romulan Neutral Zone. When Earth Outpost 4 is destroyed, it is evident Romulans are behind the attack. When transmissions are able to be made, the crew is astounded (us as viewers likewise) to discover Romulans resemble Vulcans, which causes Crewman Andrew Stiles to display feelings of distrust and bigotry to Spock. The Romulans perfect a cloaking device on their ship, which they must deactivate in order to attack. A deadly game of cat and mouse ensues.

Under Paul Schneider's screenplay this episode is a true classic. It has moments of mystery as before crossing Romulan Space, they are believed to be a race bent on war and destruction. Yet no one has seen or knows anything about them. There is also the footnote of Crewman Stiles, who had a Father killed during a Romulan battle. No doubt he has a personal vendetta to settle. There are elements of who is the more tactical. The Romulans possessing weaponry much superior to Kirk and the Enterprise, and who is the more clever with sneak attacks and evasive maneuvers.

I personally like the moments when the Enterprise is badly hit, and is forced to shut off power to avoid detection. When Spock is repair phaser thrusters, he accidentally triggers the reactivation button. Also when the Enterprise crew helplessly watches the destruction of Outpost 4, they see an illusion of a laser fired from the Romulan ship to destroy the outpost. Later when the Romulans fire the very same laser at the Enterprise, it cleverly echoes the Outpost 4 destruction - only this time it is no illusion.

Lastly there is the theme of war fatalities. When a phaser coolant overheats, Stiles and Tomlinson are rendered unconscious leaving them wide open for the Romulans to fire for full destruction effect. Spock heroically enters the room and presses the firing button, and the Romulan ship is disabled. Kirk communicates with the Romulan Commander through a transmission asking him to beam aboard to safety. The Commander refuses and self destructs his ship. He unforgettably states "You and I are another kind. In a different reality, I could have called you friend." Every time I see it, I can't help but shed a tear.

The Enterprise crew is victorious, unfortunately one crewman was killed: Tomlinson - the boy who was going to marry! BALANCE OF TERROR ends with a tearjerking scene when Kirk consoles a grieving Angela Martine.

Truly unforgettable classic episodes - BUY THEM!

Two good early episodes of classic Trek, though "Balance of Terror" is by far the better. The other episode is not bad, but I always hated when they used little kids as the terror of the week on "Star Trek". Having said that, "Charlie X" is not nearly so terrible as the unwatchable "And the Children Shall Lead" from the third season. Anyway, enough rambling on-- this DVD offers great picture and sound, and these episodes never looked better.

Charlie X-This strong episode is about an awkward and lonely young man with exceptional powers. The episode explores the transition from boyhood to adulthood, as well as the subtleties and arbitrariness of much of interpersonal interaction. The twist is that Charlie has the power to force adults, and the viewer, not to trivialize his plight. This episode also devotes attention to personality development through casual, leisure scenes including chess and music. Unfortunately, later shows almost completely got away from trying to give us a full portrait of life on the starship, as the episodes became more formulaic. But here, a simple, tight script, augmented by the fleshing out of details, generated a strong show. The solid writing and attention to human detail allows us to feel empathetic towards Charlie at the end, despite all the harm he's caused. You wouldn't see such subtlety in later years. (4 stars)

Balance of Terror-This Romulan battle episode was one of Star Trek's best shows. This episode demonstrates that while science fiction expands the range of possible stories, generally some of the best stories are the most universal. This episode could easily have been transported to the deep, and renamed Das Boot. The basic premise is simple enough, but the story is divided into discrete sections, each of which contains a surprise. I can't think of an episode which more often faded to commercial with actual drama. We are allowed right inside the Captains' minds, so we feel both their uncertainty and fear about encountering each other, and see them reformulating their strategies and estimations of each other as the chess match unfolds.
The episode is further assisted by Mark Leonard's acting (he's even better here than in Journey to Babel) and a dramatic score. The wedding scene also does not detract, since it reminds us that everything is affected by war. Kirk also is at his best here. Over the course of the episode he shows brilliance, compassion, and forgiveness. He also consoles, mediates, accepts criticism, is decisive, and stands up to injustice. Other pluses here include the stance taken on racism, and the fact that the brain trust, even at this early stage in the show, was not afraid to give Kirk a worthy adversary. (5 stars)

Next to SPACE SEED and THE CITY ON THE EDGE OF FOREVER, both episodes included on this DVD are by far two of the best ever. Both are extremely well written and directed, and feature great and memorable guest star appearances. The first episodes in 1966 were understandably and predictably introductory compared to the later episodes around 1967, 1968, and 1969. What made these two work so well is they revolve around a realistic story.

WARNING - POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!!

CHARLIE X: Robert Walker Jr. guest stars as Charles "Charlie" Evans, a boy with special powers who is welcomed aboard the Enterprise during a routine space flight from the vessel Anteres. Things become complicated when Charlie develops a crush on Yeoman Rand, and begins to display feelings of hostility towards any crewmembers who get in his way. After the Anteres vessel is destroyed, Kirk becomes suspicious of Charlie.

The theme of parental responsibility. Charlie illustrates an example of a young boy, who is confused and frustrated. He tries to be nice to those he encounters, especially women who he has a flame for, yet has a hint of anger and danger about him just beneath the surface. As adolescents we all grew up this way, and naturally many of us who grew up watching this show can view as more than a classical entry. It serves as an episode to educate. There are many extreme moments when Charlie induces crewmembers to freeze, spout poetry, turn into lizards, have their faces erased, or simply disappear. There are also moments of heartbreak when Yeoman Rand disciplines Charlie for overacting his emotions. A truly classic episode.

BALANCE OF TERROR: An important episode for three reasons. 1) The debut of the Romulans, and Mark Lenard (later played Sarek) guest starring as the Romulan Commander. 2) An episode focusing on the grim reality of war. 3) An episode also focusing on prejudicial behavior. The wedding ceremony of crewmembers Robert Tomlinson and Angela Martine is interrupted when Federation Outposts fall under attack. The Enterprise moves into investigate, but they find themselves intruding into the Romulan Neutral Zone. When Earth Outpost 4 is destroyed, it is evident Romulans are behind the attack. When transmissions are able to be made, the crew is astounded (us as viewers likewise) to discover Romulans resemble Vulcans, which causes Crewman Andrew Stiles to display feelings of distrust and bigotry to Spock. The Romulans perfect a cloaking device on their ship, which they must deactivate in order to attack. A deadly game of cat and mouse ensues.

Under Paul Schneider's screenplay this episode is a true classic. It has moments of mystery as before crossing Romulan Space, they are believed to be a race bent on war and destruction. Yet no one has seen or knows anything about them. There is also the footnote of Crewman Stiles, who had a Father killed during a Romulan battle. No doubt he has a personal vendetta to settle. There are elements of who is the more tactical. The Romulans possessing weaponry much superior to Kirk and the Enterprise, and who is the more clever with sneak attacks and evasive maneuvers.

I personally like the moments when the Enterprise is badly hit, and is forced to shut off power to avoid detection. When Spock is repair phaser thrusters, he accidentally triggers the reactivation button. Also when the Enterprise crew helplessly watches the destruction of Outpost 4, they see an illusion of a laser fired from the Romulan ship to destroy the outpost. Later when the Romulans fire the very same laser at the Enterprise, it cleverly echoes the Outpost 4 destruction - only this time it is no illusion.

Lastly there is the theme of war fatalities. When a phaser coolant overheats, Stiles and Tomlinson are rendered unconscious leaving them wide open for the Romulans to fire for full destruction effect. Spock heroically enters the room and presses the firing button, and the Romulan ship is disabled. Kirk communicates with the Romulan Commander through a transmission asking him to beam aboard to safety. The Commander refuses and self destructs his ship. He unforgettably states "You and I are another kind. In a different reality, I could have called you friend." Every time I see it, I can't help but shed a tear.

The Enterprise crew is victorious, unfortunately one crewman was killed: Tomlinson - the boy who was going to marry! BALANCE OF TERROR ends with a tearjerking scene when Kirk consoles a grieving Angela Martine.

Truly unforgettable classic episodes - BUY THEM!

I agree with the others about the film, and I just have to add this... Almost all DVDs these days force you to sit through minutes on end of animated logos and warnings of copyright laws and smallpox. This DVD, literally two seconds after you pop it in, you have the DVD menu!

Please, DVD engineers, I implore you, follow this example. We know you are very good and fancy, but we *really* don't want all your fancy animations slowing us down every time we start or stop something, or select a different option. If you want to make art, make art. If you want to make a user interface, make a user interface!

For some strange reason Tucker didn't do well at the boxoffice. I know it can't hold up to cinema masterpieces like "Dude Where's My Car" (grin), but I just watched this movie again and I really love the film. It oozes with style. The clothes, set dressing and props look great. There is a wide variety of 40's clothes represented. Take a look at the jury. The womens clothes and hats are excellent. Even the extras look amazing. I seem to recall that Coppola had a few Life magazines and if you couldn't see it on those pages, it wasn't going to be in his movie.

Also the cinematography is top notch. Joe Jackson's sound track is very cool.(I think it was the only one he ever did.) Coppola's transitions are so cool and unusual that I have to keep rewinding to watch them a few times. They work perfect for this film.

If you haven't seen Tucker or you haven't seen it in a long time, I highly recommend you watch it.......tonight.

One of Jeff Bridges best performances! What a great script with many great lines to savor. The story is based on Preston Tucker's life and struggles to design his own car based upon his own great innovative ideas and that of his team. His ideas were so great that it caught the attention of the big 3 when he proved that his ideas had tremendous value. Then the big 3 got nervous and did everything in their power to squash him like a little bug, but nobody could ever squash Preston's dreams! This movie will inspire anyone whose ever had a dream to make it in America! A must for any collection.

Funniest film in ages. Laugh-a-minute spoof on a famous pianist with a wandering eye.

The now-deceased John Ritter is Zachary Hutton,a bearded writer whose passions are booze and beautiful females. First,Hutton's wife Alexandra(or Alex) returns home from a cancelled flight. She finds a jealous female about to fatally shoot Hutton after she(the jealous female) catches him in bed with his female barber. This is where the Huttons' divorce begins. Hutton goes for advice from his bartender buddy Barney(the late Vincent Gardenia,famous for his role of Frank Lorenzo on "All In The Family"). Angry Alex throws Zachary's typewriter out the window and into the swimming pool. Zachary wanted to remain married to Alex so he sought psychiatric help. He started by cutting down on his drinking and eventually cold turkey,quit. Zach found a new girlfriend Molly(Julianne Phillips) and they lived together. She became so angry with him at one point in the film that she set his piano afire while he was playing it!(Zach plays the piano also) The house and Zach's Mercedes both burned down in that fire. He also meets musclebound Loni Jones(she looks like Patrick Swayze!) at Barney's bar where he was playing the piano. They sleep together that night and when Zach awakes the next morning,he does aerobics in her class in his underwear! Next,there the death of his buddy Leon "Sparky" Sparks. Zach attends his funeral with another buddy Jake(Joel Brooks). Alex was at the funeral and she invited Jake over for dinner at her house. Although Zach wasn't invited,he showed up. So at the dinner Zach and Alex chat and Zach says how awful he's felt since their separation. Zach attends a black tie affair at the Century Plaza hotel dressed as a genie! He thought it was a Halloween party. Many of the guests laughed at him,even Jake. Jake nearly went to the affair as a cowboy! Then Zach finds out that Alex has another man who she plans to marry and almost did until Zach crashed the wedding. Alex's mother Marge always has hated Zach because of his behavior. So more therapy sessions follow,and Zach did more cutting down on his boozing and womanizing. By Christmas,Zach is no longer boozing and womanizing. He wrote a book which sold big and there was a party at Barney's in his honor. He and Alex have reconciled and drank lemon-lime soda instead of gin and tonic. Marge still hates Zach. She was being sarcastic when she said she was proud of Zach. But everyone else who hated him,loved him again. So Alex and Zach are in bed together in the last scene and she persuaded him to get rid of the glow-in-the dark condom which was first seen in an earlier bed escapade. I dedicate this film to the memory of John Ritter who passed away at age 54 on September 11,2003 of a heart disorder. My thoughts and prayers are with his family,always.

First I want to say that I was never a fan of Threes Company. I never watched the show, oh maybe once or twice to see what the hoopla was all about back then. Then I saw this movie and I felt that John Ritter was one of the funniest men alive. I thought the movie worked from the beginning to the end with his character being the greatest drunk since ARTHUR.
It is sad that we have lost Mr. Ritter but I hope many more people will enjoy this movie.

I'm not much of a writer, so I apologize ahead of time for the brief description. My boyfriend is actually the person who made me watch the movie in the first place, and I fell in love with it! It's a perfect blend between a chick flick and a guy's sarcastic comedy. Every person I have shown it to (guys and girls alike) has enjoyed it. This is one of those movies that you probably never heard of, but need to see.

I love this movie, and Famke Jensen is not bad to look at. She rules.

This is the part of when harry met sally that was missed, the TRUE relationship interpersonal relationship activity.

I have read all the reviews here on this movie, they are all very accurate. This movie is perhaps the ultimate relationship/couple movie, with one real exception. This is the perfect movie for those couples in REAL relationships, relationships that are very honest and true. I love this movie, it has become one of those movies I pull out on rainy days, just to remember lost love. This is really a bellweather movie, couples that are really and truly in love and honest with each other will love this movie and talk about it over and over again; however, couples who have alot of hidden issues and things they cannot talk about this movie will make them very sad, because they long for the relationship this couple has.

So much talent, so much time (& hyperbole) to recount this horrifying event, one that was big and awful enough to compel with a less "blockbuster," more succinct approach. I cried at the fates of several characters. But Singleton was desperately in need of some serious restraint, some even-handed editing. The movie is far too long. The added plotlines (the romance between Saucy & "Man," the family life of Jon Voight (the shopkeeper)'s character, the shopkeeper's extracurricular activities) just add to the overload; the sledgehammer preaching of WHAT WE SHOULD FEEL about the bad guys/good guys. The added "Man" character (an unbelievable cross between Road Warrior and Superman) strains receptivity beyond the breaking point. It feels like 5 people wrote the script and couldn't agree on which plot lines to drop, so all were kept. Some of the dialogue is godawful, as in the repetition of the painfully obvious "We're in the trenches now." The awful truth is that, about 1/3 of the way through, the story transmutates into caricature. Not-quite saving graces include the marvellous Esther Rolle, the believable chutzpah of Don Cheadle's character, and the dependable acting of Voight. While "To Kill a Mockingbird" erred a bit too much in the other direction (white man as savior of grateful blacks), the film managed to combine pathos with restraint and art. For its' time it was effective. This insult to intelligent people of every color surely isn't.

Ving Rhames delivers a great and powerfully compelling part. this movie is about a bunch of rednecks and they think a blackman raped this white woman who claims they did. intense direction by Singleton. the rednecks sure know how to say the N word huh. Don Cheadle and Jon Voight are also great to watch as they try to battle it out with the rednecks with Rhames. this is based on actual events that took place. a moving and if you think about it, scary as hell for its time.

Every child, woman & man should see this film. Even after seeing "Rosewood" 10 times, I STILL cry, get angry, & smile--always in the same places. I will never know what it is like to be African-American, or a member of any minority for that matter. Therefore I can only emphasize with--not associate with--the pain & horror of discrimination. I wish I could say that even as far as the human race has come that discrimination no longer exists--but I see it every day in small to large examples. This film should be an in-class viewing requirement for high school & college students alike.