Don Movie Reviews

Following the huge success of the first filmed series of The Avengers, starring Patrick MacNee as debonair British agent John Steed and his cool, sophisticated partner Mrs. Emma Peel, the producers opted to make the next batch of 26 episodes in color, to be broadcast in 1967. In order to accomplish this, foreign backing was necessary, and the American networks were approached. The US had broadcast the black and white season four as a mid-season replacement, and were interested in moving forward with a color season in prime time, however they only provided enough backing for 16 episodes initially. Another challenge was that Diana Rigg was not particularly keen to film another season of the show, and demanded a huge salary increase in order to secure her participation. She got the money, but it was made clear it would be her second and last season with the show.

Apart from the use of color film, there were other subtle changes to the show for this fifth season. Both Steed and Emma were given new apartments and Mrs. Peel a much more stylized wardrobe. The device of ending each story with the two leads driving off in a variety of vehicles was abandoned and instead a tag scene was used to introduce each story, where Steed informed his partner that they were needed in a variety of humorous ways. Each story title was also given a two-line subtitle. After completion of the first batch of 16, the American backers did provide finance for a further 16 but asked for both the subtitles and tag scenes to be dropped, and also requested that Mrs. Peel's wardrobe became more recognizably en vogue.

After only 8 episodes were completed, producers Brian Clemens and Albert Fennell left the show after a disagreement and the new producers opted not to continue with Mrs. Peel and began their own interpretation of the show. It wasn't long before Clemens and Fennell were back in charge, but the 67 series ended with "Mission highly improbable," although Rigg was brought back in 1968 for the one-off "The forget me knot," to introduce her replacement Tara King. This episode is included in this release as a bonus episode.

In terms of storylines, acting and the wonderful interplay between the two leads, there is little difference between this color season and the preceding black and white stories and the show had really reached its zenith by this point. Certainly in terms of popularity and ratings, it was never as successful again. Interestingly, several of these stories are in fact remakes of earlier episodes from the Mrs. Gale era. "The joker," "The correct way to kill," and "The $50,000 breakfast," are all remakes, whereas "The return of the Cybernauts," is a sequel to an earlier Steed/Mrs. Peel adventure.

Fans of The Avengers will of course be delighted to have these discs, and I'd highly recommend them to any other fans of the sci-fi/fantasy genre, and indeed fans of the 60's spy format. If you've ever seen the dreadful movie featuring Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman, don't let that put you off. These stories are the real McCoy!

This is a super set! The Avengers, Patrick Macnee as John Steed and Diana Rigg as Emma Peel, are at their best. Some of the best 67 episodes are on this one. The Fear Merchants is a very enjoyable one. It is about this organization who finds out people's fears and makes them mad. You'll have to watch the episode to find out why they are doing it. From Venus With Love is a classic and well remembered episode. The worst (in my opinion) is probably The See-Through Man. Escape in Time is one of the best episodes ever made. English agents are being killed off by (what you watch when you first see it) people from the past. The Bird Who Knew Too Much is probably the second worst on the tape, but it is still very good. The Winged Avenger is also a classic about this comic book character (someone dressed up in a costume) killing people. This set over all is one of the best '67 sets.

If you fondly remember that great British import that we watched on TV way back in the 60s then you no doubt know about the content of what you are getting. You are more likely concerned about the quality of the product. Like John might say to Emma, "You scratch my back and I'll scratch your back. Just watch the hat please." John and Emma are back and are here to stay via DVD technology. Being on DVD, the aesthetics about the actual episodes are not in question here. More appropriately one may ask how they look. They look good, very good, excellent in fact.

Very few actors can play Idiots or losers like Hoffman does in this movie. He does it with so much grace that you want to adopt him. Maybe not fully intended, but it's a brilliant comedy. Hoffman's indifference while trying to open the door of the plane is, in my opinion, one of the funniest scenes in cinema ever.

Dustin HOFFMAN is a PRODIGIOUS PHENOMENAL ACTOR in THIS SPLENDID MOVIE and he demonstrate witch he is able to conceive a role who's consist to be a FALSE COWARD ! He don't like the photographs the PUBLICITY for HIM and PREFEAR his SON at anything in his life he is contrained to make many things, ... stranges to retain his natural propensity to rob anything, EVEN his ADVOCATE FOR PAY SHE IN A SAME TIME WONDERFULL DUSTIN HOFFMAN AND HIS MOMENTARY FRIEND WHO'S ANDY GARCIA WHO'S AN OTHER WONDERFULL ACTOR !!!!! SPLENDID MOVIE !!!!!!!!!!!!

A perfect cast, great story, wonderful humor, and a beautiful heart.It deserves so much more credit.

Dreadful. A teenage couple terrorize some teachers on their way to a Dodgers' game & later two highway patrolmen at a deserted wrecking yard where they have also killed the owners. Writer-director James Laudis' script though over loaded with exposition is serviceable enough. Unfortunately his direction is so slack & the performances of his cast even slacker that the whole thing seems like an exercise in bad timing. The editing & William Zsigmond's (any relation to Vilmos?) beautiful black & white cinematography provide some much needed juice.

"I have been hurt by others and I will hurt them. I will make them suffer as I have suffered".
Three people at a deserted gas station are taken hostage and terrorised by a psychopathic thrill-killer, Johnny (Arch Hall Jr) and his mute girlfriend Judy (Marilyn Manning). One of the men is a teacher so Johnny taunts him because teachers give Judy a rough time for being mute.
Pretty violent for it's time (1963, the film was inspired by the real life Charles Starkweather murders) especially the scene where Johnny makes the female hostage "eat dirt". Arch Hall Jr is one of the worst actors I have ever witnessed. It's beyond me how Leonard Maltin can say he is "distressingly believeable".It's akin to saying Dick Van Dyke was "distressingly believable" in CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG. Hall's acting range basically extends to screwing his face up, sneering and seeing how far he can stick his tongue out when he laughs. He reminds me of some losers I went to high school with. Though admittedly, all this does lead up to an intense climax and denoument.
THE SADIST'S Supervising Editor was Anthony M. Lanza, who would direct the hilariously awful INCREDIBLE 2-HEADED TRANSPLANT in 1971 with Bruce Dern! THE SADIST has "cult movie" stamped all over it, and despite being 40 years old, it's well worth checking out for cult afficionados. The film is also known as PROFILE OF TERROR.

The first time I saw Arch Hall Jr. was in the infamous EEGAH which my wife and I enjoyed as a B movie flick with a lot of chuckles. As soon as the movie was over I immediately began to search for more movies that featured Arch with the hopes of the same type of entertainment. We found The Sadist on the rental shelves and watched in total shock as Arch Hall delivered a brilliant and totally convincing performance as an evil and heartless bully terrorizing your everyday normal people. Arch did a great job acting in this flick and should be given his dues. It's a shame that someone didn't notice his talent in this type role and cast him in something similar later in his career.

This vhs contains 3 episodes:

Episode 220:Meal Time:As Vegeta heads towards Majin Buu, to battle the dreaded warrior, Dabaura, in rage, wants a rematch with Buu! But can the King Of Demons, surive being turned into a cookie?

Episode 221:The Warrior`s Decision: As Majin Vegeta battles Majin Buu, the battle erupts. But Buu is having the upperhand, and seals it, by trapping Vegeta in a rubbery prision! Now crushed by Majin Buu, the only hope for Majin Vegeta, is Goten and Trunks, the young Super Sayins!

Episode 222:Final Atonement: As Vegeta is crushed by Majin Buu, Goten and Trunks, quickly launch a single attack, disabling Buu.....for a few minutes. In the meanwhile, Piccolo, puts an end to Babdi`s wrath:once and for all! But when Majin Vegeta knocks out Goten and Trunks, the new Super Sayin 2 erupts with energy....In a mad attempt to self-destruct, and blow Buu and himself to smitherines!!!!!!

This dvd contains 3 episodes : Meal Time, The Warriors Decision and Final Attonement. This shows Vegeta's battle with Majin Buu. After finding out he is no match for the monster, Vegeta decides to blow himself up to save Bulma and Trunks. Buy this dvd it is worth the money.

This is one of my favorite Dragonball Z DVD's if not my favorite.
It has great action, great sound effects, an interesting villian Majin Buu, and a touching story. The story mainly focuses on Vegeta, who throughout the dragonball series has fought only for selfish reasons and has caused a lot of trouble because of it. However in this episode Vegeta finally tries to make amends for all the wrong he has done. He gives a good fight against the villian. Even though, Vegeta is more powerful than ever before he still can't bring Buu down. In the end, he makes a completely selfless decision. This dvd also includes one of the sweetest scenes ever between Vegeta and his young son Trunks. Buy it, you won't be disappointed.

This, to me, is by far much funnier than the first Fletch movie. Irwin Fletcher, investigative reporter, is back in the sequel to the original film, 'Fletch'. This time, he's quitting his job as a distant relative has died and left him a mansion. He arrives to find he's in the middle of murder plots and dodging bullets.

Chase dons lots of disguises in this film, as he did in the first, but these disguises are more numerous, and funnier than before. There is some adult humor, as is the norm with Chevy Chase movies, but not a lot of it. This is a must have for Chase fans, or comedy fans in general.

Everything that made the first Fletch great--the rapid one liners, goody dsguises, and Fletch's detached, cynical view of life--are ramped up a notch here for even bigger laughs. Fletch Lives lampons the South intelligently, (wthout resorting to the usual stereotypes) and televangelism, but there a really no sacred cows spared here. Definitely a favorite of mine.

It's hard for me to pick a favorite between this one and the first. I don't understand anyone who says this was was considerably weaker. Most people I talk to like this one better! This is one of the ones I've been waiting for since I bought my DVD player!

Leary gives a grand and different styled performance. Billy Crudup gets killed by Colm Meaney and Crudup was Leary's cousin because Crudup did a bad thing to Meaney. Martin Sheen is the corrupt cop in the movie and Famke Janssen is the woman who is in a relationship with Meaney but pints over Leary. its story is good but it lags here and there. the end where Leary goes to see Meaney then pulls out a gun, shoots his guys and then him was surprising and is the highlight. other actors like Janeane Tripplehorn, Jason Barry, Noah Emmerich and John Diehl contribute supporting roles.

Monument Ave. is an excellent film though it certainly is not what one call upliftng. Leary is a coke-addicted car thief from Charlestown who rolls with his gang of buddies including his cousin from Ireland, a cab driver, a fellow car theif, and a goofy Irish bigit-type.

The film is very dark at times but there is a lot of humor as well as Leary adds some very funny stuff. This film is one of my personal favorites. It really showcases Denis Leary as the excellent actor that he can be offered the right role. This is pretty much the Irish equivalent of films such as Mean Streets.

This is an unjustly neglected film. Director Ted Demme died far too young, leaving behind a solid list of films that suggested great possiblities from the mature filmmaker we will never get to see. One of the significant things about his work is that he is the only person who really understood how to use Dennis Leary. In a word, Leary is great here. His conflicted emotions about escaping the narrow confines of his violent world and the actions he takes that only ensure his failure power a character that rivals Micheal Corleone (without the operatic granduer) or John Garfield in Force of Evil. The harsh locations, the sub-culture within a subculture, the suddenness of the violence, the twadriness of the criminal enterprise are all vividly captured in a film justly called "the Irish Mean Streets".

The buddy cop film has often delved into the comic arena, and this is no exception. Where it stands out is how well the comedy is mixed into the films reality. Instead of funny situations, it is the characters legitamate word play that makes us laugh. Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines play the 2 Chicago Cops in search of a drug kingpin played by Jimmy Smits. Director Peter Hyams (2010) does a nice job of balancing between teh comedy and action all the way through a comic homage to the French Connection, a fast car chase ON the elevated train tracks. This is a sturdy film similar in flavor to BEVERLY HILLS COP, and that ain't such a bad thing. This is an inexpensive disc but, don't let the price fool you, its a nice video and audio transfer and a safe purchase.

This movie was released a year earlier than the first Lethal Weapon. Too bad no interest of making a sequel as Running Scared is fun buddy-cop movie and the pairing of Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines is fun. The lovely Darlene Fluegel is the love interest. The plot is standard cop movie nothing new or original just sit back and enjoy this fun movie. The DVD is OK nowhere near a demonstration quality but certainly better than my WS LD. I would have given it five stars if only there is a 5.1 Dolby Digital and English subtitling option. But for the price, it is highly recommended DVD for both action and comedy fans as this is every bit as good as any of the Lethal Weapon series.

The only fault to RUNNING SCARED is that they never made the intended sequel, STILL RUNNING. However, as a side note, do NOT pick up the DVD for the purported 'outtakes' advertised on the packaging; it's little more than a real of Billy Crystal talking to a camera and mucking around in his studio trailer ... a tremendous disappointment to an outstanding buddy picture.

REVIEWED ITEM: Star Trek® Original Series DVD Volume 21: I, Mudd © / The Trouble With Tribbles ©

I, MUDD © PRELIMINARY BRIEFS:

Moral, Ethical, and/or Philosophical Subject(s) Driven Into The Ground: The Human Need for Challenge

Historical Milestone: Harry Mudd as the only recurring guest character in the original Star Trek series

Expendable Enterprise Crewmember ('Red Shirt') Confirmed Casualty List: Several incapacitated

REVIEW/COMMENTARY: What this episode lacks in drama-- or melodrama to be more accurate-- it more than makes up for in downright silliness, with what is quite possibly the goofiest 'jailbreak' ever seen on TV as the crew uses the wildly illogical 'performance art' to confuse their android captors. Even the titular guest star Harry Mudd gets into the act, even though he's responsible for getting our Enterprise™ stalwarts in this predicament in the first place! Top it off with Kirk giving one of his heavy-handed spiels about how humans must be presented with challenges to keep them from atrophying physically and spiritually, and you've got a big ol' slab o' ham to go with all that cheese!

THE TROUBLE WITH TRIBBLES © PRELIMINARY BRIEFS:

Historical Milestone: Considered by many to be the original series' best episode

Expendable Enterprise Crewmember ('Red Shirt') Confirmed Casualty List: None

REVIEW/COMMENTARY: Continuing this volume's theme of Star Trek's most whimsical episodes, we now arrive at what most consider the most whimsical of them all! Although I do like this particular show, unlike most of the Trekkie nation I don't think it comes even close to being one of Star Trek's best efforts. Sure, there's quite a bit of good-natured fun and a nice dose of levity, but dramatically it doesn't hold a candle to City on the Edge of Forever © or Journey to Babel ©. But at least we get to see William Campbell again, this time 'round as the Klingon antagonist that Kirk must try to outwit. And you gotta admit the tribbles had more realistic hair than Shatner ever did...

If you're a big fan of The Trouble With Troubles ©, you may also wanna check out the animated series follow-up eppie More Tribbles, More Troubles ©, and the DS9 'wraparound' show Trials and Tribble-ations ©.

'Late

I, Mudd-This episode, which features Harry Mudd and a group of androids, must be one of the toughest to review if only because it is such a bizarre episode. This is one of the few episodes that undeniably means to be campy. None of the actors play this one seriously, and that's for the best given the material. Unfortunately, most of the humor falls completely flat. Nevertheless, I respect the episode for trying something different.

This show certainly helped set the carefree tone that would extend FAR more successfully into the next episode. (2 stars)

The Trouble With Tribbles-The episode with those furry little creatures was the apex of humor on Star Trek. By this point in the show's run, characters were well enough developed for the actors and brain trust to feel comfortable stepping out a bit. And they certainly step out in this one. Thanks to writer Gerrold, the episode actually has a fairly solid dramatic foundation that includes Klingon intrigue, and threats to both the food supply and the Enterprise itself. One could be forgiven for not realizing this though, since the tribbles
completely steal the show. Actually the enterprise crew (and Adams as Cerano)for the most part prove quite adept in the comedic roles, and the officious Schallert is a perfect straight man under the circumstances. A Starfleet official is even correct in his desire to reign in Kirk, for once!

Tidbits: The fight scene was supposedly pinched en masse from a prior film. Recognize the Klingon? He was Trelane from The Squire of Gothos, played by William Campbell. (5 stars)

Volume 21 contains two classics from the original series that showcase the lighter side of the Star Trek universe. Both however are excellent classics.

I, MUDD features the return of space rougue Harry Mudd to the Trek universe. Kirk meets up with his old nemesis on an unknown planet when taken their by androids. On the planet thousands of androids do Mudd's every bidding however they won't allow him to leave! So Mudd lured the crew to the planet by placing an android on the Enterprise however the androids refuse to let Mudd leave even after the crew is trapped. Therefore it's up to the crew to team up with Mudd and blow the androids minds with illogical behaviour. This episode is definetly one of Star Trek's funnier moments. The whole acting illogical bit has to been seen to be believed especailly Spock's bit. Roger C Carmel does a great job as Mudd. I love the bit with his wife Stella it's hilarious. I, MUDD is a quirky yet comical outing for the crew of the Enterprise and it's one of season two's most beloved episodes.

THE TROUBLE WITH TRIBBLES needs no introduction. It is an undisputed classic and by far the funniest Star Trek episode around. When the crew arrives at Space Station K7 to find out that Kirk's job is to watch over "wheat", things begin to get hairy especially when Cyrano Jones shows up with a handful of fluff balls known as tribbles that reproduce like mad and eat everything. And when you add Klingons to the mess you have Cpt. Kirk having a tough day. This episode is quite entertaining and really lives up to it's reputation as being a classic. The cast was really good in this especially Kirk, Scotty, Chekov, and Uhura. The supporting cast was great too. I always liked William Campbell's (the Squire of Gothos) klingon Cpt. Koloth. I thought he did a good job. Some scenes here are great especially the bar room fight between the crew men and the klingons. THE TROUBLE WITH TRIBBLES is one of my favourite Star Trek episodes ever and it is a true classic.

Overall I highly recommend this DVD maybe even more so than the others. It contains to classics from the second season. I,MUDD is great but THE TROUBLE WITH TRIBBLES sells this baby! Highly recommeded!

A period story set in the North Carolina hills in what appears to be a place right smack dab in the middle of the Hatfields and McCoys--this time Wrights and Campbells. A shy sensitive widowed clock maker, Wayland Jackson, played by Kurt Russell on his way through the mountains with his only daughter becomes stuck in a creek and ends up sticking around for longer than he bargained. There he meets the elusive Collie Wright (Kelly McGillis's character) who with her only son seems to be living alone off from the small town. Immediately you sense a spark between the two but as the story progresses you realize there is a dark looming secret which threatens both lives. It appears Ellie's family has an ancient hatred that runs deep for their neighbors and would shootem' just as look at'em. Enter dark loomy character which is the babe's father and he's from the other side of the mountain. He is the exact opposite of our shy clock maker and Ellie knows this. Perhaps when some see the performances as cheesy or over acted they've never actually met any mountain folk, and thusly are insistent that the histrionics are over played. If you have been to the mountains and can feel the spirit of them then I think you will love this picture. It is about the give and take, the act of forgiveness and of course true love.

I really enjoyed this movie. Its setting in the mountains during the early 30's was quite entertaining. It's sort of like a 20th century version of red badge of courage. I would recommend it.

I loved this film. It always appealed to me each and every time I viewed it. If you're in the mood for getting in touch with all your emotions, this movie is a MUST! McGillis and Russell are brilliant actors; there's no question about that.

A FAMILY ON VACATION GETS CARJACKED AND THEIR CAMCORDER GETS STOLEN. AFTER THAT, THE CAMCORDER IS GIVEN TO A YOUNG TEEN WHO RECORDS HIS DAILY EXPERIENCES IN THE STREETS OF LA. LIKE MUCH OF THE OTHER RECENTLY RELEASED GANGSTA MOVIES, IT IS LOW BUDGETED. HOWEVER, THIS IS A SUPRISINGLY OK MOVIE. THIS MOVIE HAS ENOUGH REALISM AND ENOUGH GOOD SCENES TO MAKE THIS A WATCHABLE MOVIE. ALSO HAS SOME UNINTENDED COMEDY.

i was lookin through tha new releases in tha movie store and found this so i got it.. its a great movie i like tha documentary style but tha ending really surprised me.. overall it was a great movie and i reccomend it to people who are interested in this type of movie..

If you're looking for Menace 2 Society. Forget it! This is way better. The movie features actors and real life gang members. Darrius Love is the only actor that most people have heard of since he was on City Guys and other teen shows. Just think of it as Blair Witch (without the witch) meets Menace to Society. You want to educate kids on gangs. Give this movei a try!