Don Movie Reviews


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Family movie reviews for "Don" sorted by average review score:

The Twilight Zone - Vol. 31
Released in DVD by Image Entertainment (15 August, 2000)
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Directors: Ida Lupino, Alvin Ganzer, Richard Donner, Allen Reisner, John Rich, William F. Claxton, Ralph Nelson, Bernard Girard, David Greene, and Don Medford
Average review score:

Robert Duvall in Charles Beaumont's classic "Miniature"
A charming little fantasy with Robert Duvall is the highlight of Volume 31 in "The Twilight Zone" DVD series. Duvall stars as Charley Parkes in "Miniature," an hour-long episode written by Charles Beaumont. Charley is a shy bachelor who still lives with his mother (Pert Kelton). In a museum he discovers a 19th-century dollhouse with a tiny mechanical doll (Claire Griswold) playing the harpsichord, only to be told the doll is carved from a single piece of wood and does not move. Charley does not fit in the real world and becomes obsessed with life in the dollhouse. "Miniature" is a beautiful love story by Beaumont with a touching performance by Duvall. "The Jeopardy Room," written by Rod Serling, features Martin Landau as Major Ivan Kuchenko, a defector from the Soviet Union, who is tracked down by an assassin, Commissar Vassiloff (John vanKreelan). Vassiloff has planted a bomb in Kuchenko's room: if her finds it within three hours he is free to go; if he triggers the bomb it will explode; if he stops looking for it or tries to leave the room he will be shot. No fantasy elements here, just good old fashion suspense. "Stopover in a Quiet Town," written by Earl Hamner, Jr., tells the story of Bob and Millie Frazier (Barry Nelson and Nancy Malone), an unhappy couple who get drunk at a party and wake up in a strange house where everything is fake. The "2001" twist on this one has little impact because these are such unpleasant people that you cannot identify with their plight. Actually, until you get to the very end of the second episode, this is a very good disc. On-balance this one ends up being slight better than average.

Good Episodes from the 4th and 5th Seasons
The 4th and 5th seasons of the "Twilight Zone" always seem to get poor marks for originality and production values. This DVD can testify to the contrary. 'MINIATURE' written by Charles Beaumont is a tour-de-force of underplaying a role by Robert Duvall. This is a beautiful story of an introverted man that escapes the real world into a fantasy one when he becomes intrigued by a museum's miniature replica of life in the 1890's. 'THE JEOPARDY ROOM' written by Rod Serling and directed by Dick Donner seems more akin to "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" but is a good play on words and strategies between Martin Landau and John VanDreelen with it 'cold war' views and interpolations. It is still a story of the individual who must emerge from a society that would suppress personal freedoms. 'STOPOVER IN A QUIET TOWN' is one of the most memorable episodes from the series. The Earl Hamner, Jr. story starring Barry Nelson and Nancy Malone as the stranded couple who wake up in a deserted middle class neighborhood returns back to the very origins of the series with a quite innovative ending. These are all well produced episodes and are very representative to the theme of the series.

GREAT DVD
This DVD features "Miniature" with Robert Duvall as Charley Parks. This one is such a sweet episode because he falls in love with this doll!

"The Jeopardy Room" is the best one on this DVD. It features Martin Landau trapped in a room with a ticking bomb and a gun pointing at his head. It's a great episode and I love it.

"Stopover in a Quiet Town" is one of the most remembered episodes of the series. It's when two people go to this town but everything is fake. There's no sign of anyone, except the evidence of the laughter of a little girl.

It's the best one released so far next to More Treasures, two, and fifteen.


Zoids - The High Speed Battle (Vol. 2)
Released in DVD by Ventura Distribution (11 June, 2002)
MPAA Rating: G (General Audience)
Average review score:

Ligers frist tranformations and Leena's Debision gets bashed
Kabbom! Throw in a mrechinery , a Jagger and Schinder, An mystriouse zoid, Leena's Bision getting totaled, and the tiger's teram auctaly winning and you got yourself a good video. In order to beat Bic and "Win" Leena Jach hieres Mrechinary Jack there was some funny music in the background when Harrygused the suit so Jack has this battle plan wich he tricked Harry Champ:make the Giant Turtelse shoot the Blitz team and Ligting Siaix rush them. But Liger tranformed into the super fast Jagger and Strike Laser Claw! and he trouble for Bic is how can he payback Doc? Some preety funny syuff in the episode! Leena's Bision got bashed and Not even the combine power of the Vipers and Blitz can't stop the Elephander. The Terrace is down, The Comand Wolf taking damage And Jagger units attaching to the Liger. The Four episodes hve Liger when it's transform. But the chaose dosn't end there. The Sand Stingers attacked the team's cargo bay so all the ziods had to go off and hold off the Stingers. Leon then comforts Niomi, some romance is giong on! Leena's new gunSnipper unleshed the Total Assouat atack and are in bad shape so they can't go to the local town's Zoids competition. Bic was trying out new Schinder parts on Liger but Bic couldn't contorl him during a battle. The Tigers team had a 14 winning streak due to a weathring device on Doc's rival Shark carrier or whatever it's called.
Bic finaly regians controll of Schinder.
What made this video sort of bad is that they kept on sahowing the intro and ending gfor each 4 part ep on this video. If they made the intro a lot more better then saying what is Ziods about which gets annoying a lot of times.
Very Eciting, Romacti, Acition, Bashing and Vloent stuff. This Video is less then perferct it's prettyu Good for people like Bic Cloud and Harrychamp , who always loses when he challenges the Liger even with Jack.

AN AWSOME ACTION PACKED SET OF EPISODES!
This tape has great and action packed episodes like "The Desert Gang" and "The Dark Giant" featuring the super Zoid Elephander. These episodes also introduce two of the three new types of Liger Zero,Jager,and Shneider. These episodes also have some pretty funny parts. So I reccomend this tape to anyone who likes exciting episode. Get the popcorn and Pepsi it's starting.

Zoids-High Speed Battle
These episodes are great!As you can see the 2 zoids(ligerzero and lighting saix)which the episode is featured.Vol.2 features the(main)episode The High Speed Battle:Transforming in zero Jager.In this episode Harry Champ hiers Jack Cisco to help him beat the Blitz team.Of course Harry was a lucky guy to win Jack's game(which is drawing the card and guessing which suit it is).Harry's team lost thanks to the Ligerzero Jager.Also in this episode Bit finds out about the new parts for his Liger.Also you have the episodes The Dark Gaint:invincible Elephander which Leena's zoid is totaled,The Desert Gang:the Hover Cargo's in Danger which Leena gets a Gun Sniper and attacked by the Sand Stingray Gang,and Invasion of The Fierce Tigers:Tranform to Zero Schnider which in this episode the Zabers meet their savior and get the strom unit.Your pretty lucky if you get this since you see the first episodes in which the Liger tranforms.The only thing you don't see is tranfroming into Panzer.Believe me, you should get this amazing,exceting,funny and just cool Vol.


Scooby-Doo Meets The Harlem Globetrotters
Released in DVD by Warner Home Video (06 May, 2003)
MPAA Rating: G (General Audience)
Directors: William Hanna and Joseph Barbera
Timeless, captivating fun for children and fine nostalgic nonsense for adults, the Harlem Globetrotters episodes from the Scooby-Doo canon border on goofy anarchy. During the four-year run of The New Scooby-Doo Movies on 1970s television, the Mystery, Inc. gang of Fred, Velma, Daphne, Shaggy, and the preternaturally skillful canine hero Scooby-Doo hooked up with cartoon versions of many real-life celebrities (who provided their own voices).

The Harlem Globetrotters, a traveling comedy act showcasing basketball tricks and unsportsmanlike high jinks, had a core team of well-known performers, led by Meadowlark Lemon, who were naturally funny partners in Scooby's ghostbusting investigations. This disc contains two of the three HG programs, "The Mystery of Haunted Island" and "The Loch Ness Mess," the former a somewhat creaky, run-of-the-mill Scooby haunting, while the latter features a more interesting conspiracy for Shaggy and the others to crack. --Tom Keogh

Average review score:

Long Live Scooby Doo!
This is the Scooby Doo I remember when I was a kid, and I'm so glad my children can enjoy this movie too, and they do love it. It doesn't have flashy animation or technical plots; this is Scooby Doo as he was meant to be, original Scooby Doo! This movie has renewed my love of Scooby Doo; after watching this I remember why I loved the show when I was a kid.

You can't go wrong with this movie!

Good Movie
Who would have thouhgt Scooby-Doo and the Harlem Globetrotters
could go together so well. This Movie is very entertaining.
This is the kind of movie you could watch over and over again.
And still get A few lahgs in. This truly is a Classic Scooby-Doo Movie. Well Worth Buying.

Scooby Doo
I like the Scooby Doo movies so it is nice to see them come to DVD. They are an enjoyable way to pass an afternoon.


The Amati Girls
Released in DVD by Spartan Home Enterta (04 September, 2001)
MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Director: Anne De Salvo
Average review score:

wonderful!
this was the greatful movie i have ever seen before. you should see it.

One of the Greatest Family Movies
This movie has heart. Pure and simple. The core of the movie has to do with four sisters, all having different troubles, yet they are always there for one another. This is truly a film that cannot be missed. It has humor, drama, and a general sweetness to it. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to see a good family movie.


The Avengers '68 Set 4
Released in DVD by A & E Home Video (30 April, 2002)
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Directors: Ray Austin, Peter Graham Scott, Roger Jenkins, John Krish, Robert Day, Jonathan Alwyn, Don Sharp, Don Chaffey, Bill Bain, and Robert Fuest
Average review score:

Final series makes it to DVD
The final season of the original Avengers finally comes to DVD & VHS in region one. "The Forget me knot," the debut episode of Ms. Tara King played by Linda Thorson, was released back in 1998, but only now is the entire series seeing the light of day - and it's been well worth the wait.

There are many of course who do not rate these last adventures featuring the debonair John Steed as Britain's top government agent as highly as what had gone before, and it's easy to see why. Steed's pairing originally with Mrs Gale (Honor Blackman) and later Mrs Peel (Diana Rigg) had been an excellent match for his skills. With Mrs Peel leaving the show, the producers, Brian Clemens and Albert Fennell followed suit and John Bryce was brought back to the programme, following his stint producing the early Mrs Gale episodes.

The first thing Bryce did was to cast his girlfriend, twenty one year old Canadian Linda Thorson as Steed's new assistant, Miss Tara King. In order to complete the delivery of episodes to the US market, production was fairly rushed, and what came out of it was deemed substandard. Bryce was sacked and Fennell and Clemens brought back to rescue the production. Clemens was particularly unhappy about Linda Thorson's role, but it was too late in the day to do anything about it. They set about filming the initial block of 8 episodes (extended to 9), rehashing two of the abandoned Bryce episodes, and bringing back Mrs Peel for the one-off story "The forget me knot" to introduce the new character of Tara (although this "debut" was actually filmed third). Once these episodes were ready, they set about producing the final batch of 24.

There is a very significant shift in the character of Tara King between these two production blocks as Thorson began to gain confidence in the part. Also added as a regular into the later stories is Steed & Tara's boss, "Mother," played by Patrick Newell. Thorson's inexperience and the naivety of the character are often cited as the reason the show was cancelled after these episodes were transmitted. Personally, I think the inclusion of the very annoying "Mother" to be a far more valid reason. But it's all a matter of taste.

The stories are included on the discs in the order they were first transmitted in the UK. I would strongly recommend viewing them in PRODUCTION ORDER (easy to track on any Avengers website). There are several reasons for this. It's easier to warm to Miss King as you follow her character development. It also makes more sense to understand her constant hair changes and costume. She started as a blonde, moved to a be-wigged brunette, and only in the latter 24 episodes did we see Thorson's own hair. We can also see how the actress started in "slimmed down mode" (on the orders of the TV station) but regained her lost weight as the series moved along. The character also started out as a complete "spy" trainee, but by the second production block, had become one of the most experienced agents in Mother's department. I also enjoyed seeing the rehashed sets from episode to episode too. All these nuances are lost by following the stories strictly in disc order, and indeed the characterisation of the leads is actually confusing if you simply watch the shows in disc order.

As for the discs themselves, sadly A&E have once again neglected to include any extras at all. All there is are a few still photos, although it has to be said that the menus are at least very well done. The picture quality is certainly very sharp, but there are definitely flaws due to sparkle and dirt. Sadly, "You'll catch your death" has been transferred incorrectly, and the picture strobes and jumps throughout. Clearly no-one at A&E was paying much attention to the remastering process.

Clemens believes this batch of episodes to be the best of the entire run of The Avengers. He has stated that everything came together right in terms of production and scripts. I can't say I agree entirely. They are certainly as enjoyable as anything else, but the total fantasy nature of the stories and the weakness of Tara and Mother characters combine to take the edge away when compared to the earlier Peel episodes. Regardless, it's all camp and wacky fun and I still highly recommend this collection to any fan of the series as there is plenty here to enjoy.

THE BEST DVD YET!!!
I JUST GOT THIS DVD TODAY AND I HAVE TO SAY I THINK IT IS THE BEST YET. THE STORIES ARE AS FOLLOWS

WISH YOU WERE HERE.. TARA BECOMES TRAPPED IN A HOTEL SHE CAN NEVER LEAVE....

STAY TUNED...STEED FINDS HIMSELF LIVING THE SAME DAY OVER AND OVER AGAIN ONE PROBLEM NO ONE ELSE DOES.

TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER-STEED AND TARA CHASE A TALKING BREIFCAST TO CATCH A SPY...MOTHER!!!

FOG...STEED AND TARA CHASE THE GASLIGHT GHOUL TARA FINDS HIM IN HER APARTMENT.

HOMICIDE AND OLD LACE..MOTHER TELLS A THRILLING ADVENTURE TO HIS ELDERLY AUNTS INVOLVING STEED AND TARA.

LOVE ALL...STEED AND TARA FIND ROMANCE MAY NOT BE DEAD AFTER ALL BUT THE MEN WHO FALL FOR THIS LADY CLEANER SURE ARE.

GETAWAY...TWO OF STEEDS FREIND ARE KILLED BY AN INVISIBLE MAN AND STEED IS NEXT.

ALL IN ALL THE STORIES HERE ARE VERY GOOD BUY THIS NOW I PROMISE YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT. ONE MORE LITTLE THING THE BOX I GOT WAS RED NOT THAT GARISH YELLOW ON THE PICTURE ABOVE.


Avengers '68 Set 5
Released in DVD by A & E Home Video (28 January, 2003)
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Directors: Ray Austin, Peter Graham Scott, Roger Jenkins, John Krish, Robert Day, Jonathan Alwyn, Don Sharp, Don Chaffey, Bill Bain, and Robert Fuest
Average review score:

...and Steed's Mother makes three!
The final season of the original Avengers finally comes to DVD & VHS in region one. "The Forget me knot," the debut episode of Ms. Tara King played by Linda Thorson, was released back in 1998, but only now is the entire series seeing the light of day - and it's been well worth the wait.

There are many of course who do not rate these last adventures featuring the debonair John Steed as Britain's top government agent as highly as what had gone before, and it's easy to see why. Steed's pairing originally with Mrs Gale (Honor Blackman) and later Mrs Peel (Diana Rigg) had been an excellent match for his skills. With Mrs Peel leaving the show, the producers, Brian Clemens and Albert Fennell followed suit and John Bryce was brought back to the programme, following his stint producing the early Mrs Gale episodes.

The first thing Bryce did was to cast his girlfriend, twenty one year old Canadian Linda Thorson as Steed's new assistant, Miss Tara King. In order to complete the delivery of episodes to the US market, production was fairly rushed, and what came out of it was deemed substandard. Bryce was sacked and Fennell and Clemens brought back to rescue the production. Clemens was particularly unhappy about Linda Thorson's role, but it was too late in the day to do anything about it. They set about filming the initial block of 8 episodes (extended to 9), rehashing two of the abandoned Bryce episodes, and bringing back Mrs Peel for the one-off story "The forget me knot" to introduce the new character of Tara (although this "debut" was actually filmed third). Once these episodes were ready, they set about producing the final batch of 24.

There is a very significant shift in the character of Tara King between these two production blocks as Thorson began to gain confidence in the part. Also added as a regular into the later stories is Steed & Tara's boss, "Mother," played by Patrick Newell. Thorson's inexperience and the naivety of the character are often cited as the reason the show was cancelled after these episodes were transmitted. Personally, I think the inclusion of the very annoying "Mother" to be a far more valid reason. But it's all a matter of taste.

The stories are included on the discs in the order they were first transmitted in the UK. I would strongly recommend viewing them in PRODUCTION ORDER (easy to track on any Avengers website). There are several reasons for this. It's easier to warm to Miss King as you follow her character development. It also makes more sense to understand her constant hair changes and costume. She started as a blonde, moved to a be-wigged brunette, and only in the latter 24 episodes did we see Thorson's own hair. We can also see how the actress started in "slimmed down mode" (on the orders of the TV station) but regained her lost weight as the series moved along. The character also started out as a complete "spy" trainee, but by the second production block, had become one of the most experienced agents in Mother's department. I also enjoyed seeing the rehashed sets from episode to episode too. All these nuances are lost by following the stories strictly in disc order, and indeed the characterisation of the leads is actually confusing if you simply watch the shows in disc order.

As for the discs themselves, sadly A&E have once again neglected to include any extras at all. All there is are a few still photos, although it has to be said that the menus are at least very well done. The picture quality is certainly very sharp, but there are definitely flaws due to sparkle and dirt. Sadly, "You'll catch your death" has been transferred incorrectly, and the picture strobes and jumps throughout. Clearly no-one at A&E was paying much attention to the remastering process.

Clemens believes this batch of episodes to be the best of the entire run of The Avengers. He has stated that everything came together right in terms of production and scripts. I can't say I agree entirely. They are certainly as enjoyable as anything else, but the total fantasy nature of the stories and the weakness of Tara and Mother characters combine to take the edge away when compared to the earlier Peel episodes. Regardless, it's all camp and wacky fun and I still highly recommend this collection to any fan of the series as there is plenty here to enjoy.

A classic gem
These original Avengers are what entertainment should be. Witty, urbane and highly entertaining, this last set is definitely a keeper. I only regret that there are not more in the works. This set is great for anybody who would like to spend an evening of quality television programming.


Camilla
Released in DVD by Buena Vista Home Video (13 August, 2002)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Director: Deepa Mehta
Starring: Jessica Tandy, Bridget Fonda, and Hume Cronyn
Average review score:

an offbeat female buddy picture
Jessica Tandy and Bridget Fonda find themselves on an unlikely buddy adventure when they team up to get away from it all. The movie is funny, touching and just a lot of fun. Not an award-winner but certainly a fun time. If you just want a feel-good movie that will make you smile, this one's for you!

For the "Grand Dame" of Film, the long trek was over.
The film is a tribute to the wisdom and the forgiving nature of an aging mother(Jessica Tandy)who has been kept apart, by choice, from the embrace of the man she has loved by her unwillingness to challenge the selfishness of her coddled son and only child.

Her lover was portrayed by her off screen husband(Cronin)whose closing dialog was rendered bitersweet by the subsequent passing of the persona of Miss Daisy snd Ninny Threadgood.

An adeptation of a story written by a Canadian author takes the viewer on the delightful voyage of higher learning of two unlikely traveling companions. (Bridget Fonda)accompanies "Camilla" on a trip that begins in a grove of moss covered vines on a sprawling Georgia Plantation and returns her heart to a small flat near Niagra Falls.

The plot twists and turns through art imitating life situations that are familiar and amusing. If you are a Jessica Tandy fan it's a must see, if only to bid her a fond farewell and.


Sea People
Released in DVD by Showtime Entertainment 2 (25 September, 2001)
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Director: Vic Sarin
A fading New England fishing town is the setting of this gentle fable in which teen swimmer Amanda, troubled by her father's absence, skips school with some mild vandalism in mind but winds up saving a man who has jumped into the river. The man (Cocoon's Hume Cronyn) was actually just out for a swim, as he and his wife (Joan Gregson) are sea people--the politically correct term for mermaids. Amanda (Tegan Moss) gets drawn into the elderly couple's quest for colder water, enlisting the help of a schoolmate (Shawn Roberts) with a fishing boat and a little sea people history of his own. Director Vic Sarin wisely chose to forgo special effects in this charming fantasy-drama that premiered on Showtime, letting his excellent cast do the work of convincing the audience instead. The intelligent script by Wendy Biller and Christopher Hawthorne manages to avoid both over sentimentality and cynicism. The result is an old-fashioned tale inhabited by thoroughly modern teens. Although appropriate for any age, this 90-minute movie will most intrigue ages 7 and up. --Kimberly Heinrichs
Average review score:

One for the family
Last night my 19-year-old son said, 'Mom, come watch this movie with me. It gets me every time.' So I did. I especially enjoyed seeing Hume Cronin again. His character was sweet, gently teasing Amanda to let go of her fear and to find a smile and a friend. I also liked the fact that these were not obviously 'mer-people' -- no tails or scales. The ending was happy-sweet-sad. This is a story your whole family can enjoy together. We did! (How many movies can you say that about these days?)

Delightful, Witty Family Film
This delightful video put smiles onto the face of our 4th grade son. I loved it for the wonderful humor which was witty and demeaning to no one. It is a current, upbeat film for the family, being intelligent, sensitive, and imaginative. We stretched out bedtime so we could watch it through to the end. Highly recommended!

A gentle, magical tale of the human spirit and the sea
After reading a negative review of "Sea People" on Internet Movie Database, I was a little hesitant to rent the movie. But after two or so viewings I'm glad I did, because I would have missed out on a mystical, touching family film.

Director Victor Sarin chose to avoid special effects such as a mermaid tail (The McRaes cleverly quip that only the Florida mermaids have those) in favour of explaining the origins of seapeople as being human.

"Sea People" never seems to drift beyond the realms of the possible. It tenderly expresses a girl's passion for life and the sea and her relationship with an elderly couple that have a lot to teach her in return for her friendship.

The cast did a fantastic job, especially Hume Cronyn. It was a pleasant surprise to see that the film was shot in Nova Scotia and that the cast is entirely Canadian (look for a guest appearance at the end from Cedric Smith).


The Twilight Zone: Vol. 15
Released in DVD by Image Entertainment (03 April, 2001)
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Directors: Ida Lupino, Alvin Ganzer, Richard Donner, Allen Reisner, John Rich, William F. Claxton, Ralph Nelson, Bernard Girard, David Greene, and Don Medford
At least one of the episodes collected on volume 15 of The Twilight Zone DVD offerings is an all-time classic--if by classic we mean the kind of show that still produces a shudder of recognition years after viewing. This is "The Midnight Sun," an apocalyptic tale in which a cosmic event has hurled the earth toward the sun, sending the thermometer to 120 degrees and the population into despair. Aside from the twist ending and the attractive sweating of Lois Nettleton, what's likely to be remembered from this episode, is the haunting image of an oil painting melting with the heat. Other episodes in this collection, all scripted by series creator Rod Serling, emphasize bravura acting. In "Escape Clause," gracefully directed by Hollywood pro Mitchell Leisen, the whimsical David Wayne plays a hypochondriac whose anxious life is changed by the arrival of Death (veteran heavy Thomas Gomez). Soon the indestructible hero is courting exotic ways of destroying himself, just to alleviate his boredom: "Let's give the electric chair a little whirl," drawls the blithely curious Wayne. The claustrophobic "Nervous Man in a Four Dollar Room" takes on technical challenges typical of The Twilight Zone. It never leaves the confines of a tiny, shabby hotel room and leading man Joe Mantell plays much of the dialogue with a mirror image of himself. The point of the episode is somewhat monotonous, but Mantell's performance, as a loser facing his last chance at decency, is fully juiced. "A Kind of Stopwatch" shows what happens when a loudmouth pest (Richard Erdman, the annoying personification of the can-do man with ideas) comes into possession of a watch that can stop the whole world in mid-motion. Justice eventually is meted out, per the usual scales of The Twilight Zone. --Robert Horton
Average review score:

Pretty Average DVD
Midnight Sun is the best Zone episode on this DVD. The rest are okay but not all that special.

Four stories of desperate people in "The Twilight Zone"
Desperate people in desperate situations abound in Rod Serling's four scripts presented in Volume 15 of "The Twilight Zone" DVD series. In "Escape Clause, " David Wayne stars at hypochondriac Walter Bedecker, who strikes a deal with Mr. Cadwallader (Thomas Gomez), a.k.a. the Devil, to receive immortality and indestructibility in exchange for his soul. Of course, Bedecker soon realizes he has gotten a raw deal. "Nervous Man in a Four Dollar Room" features Joe Mantell as Jackie Rhodes, who has been ordered by a gangster to murder the owner of bar. Knowing he does not have the guts to refuse the order and that he will be caught if he commits the crime, Jackie looks in the mirror and discovers looking back at him a DIFFERENT Jackie Rhodes, who is the better man he could have been and who now wants out into the real world. Lois Nettleton turns in a wonderful performance in "The Midnight Sun" as Norma, who is trying to survive in her New York City apartment as the Earth moves closer and closer to the sun. Of course, there is an ironic twist at the end of this tale as well. Finally, there is Patrick Thomas McNulty (Richard Erdman), a man who does not know when to shut up in "A Kind of a Stopwatch," based on an unpublished story by Michael D. Rosenthal. The whims of fate, in the presence of a strange little man named Potts (Leon Belasco), give McNulty a remarkable stopwatch. Press the button and time stops for everybody in the world except him. Unfortunately, the man is not the equal of the gift. One of the better theme discs in this series, these are all above average episodes of the Zone.

The "Superb Zone" Volume 15
This volume is by far one of the best available today. The episodes "Nervous Man in a Four Dollar Room" and "A Kind of Stopwatch" are worthy episode done in the typical Zonie fashion. While "Escape Clause," starring: David Wayne (well-known for playing the Mad Hatter on the 60's television comedy: "Batman") plays a hypochondriac, who sells his soul for immortality. The episode offers a bit of twisted humor that only "The Twilight Zone" could pull-off tastefully. However; it is episode "The Midnight Sun" that steals the show! Timeless situation about two women who are faced within a hopeless situation. The Earth has changed its orbit, and is drifting closer to the sun. Knowing the inevitable is soon at hand, the two depend on each other for survival. How long can they survive? How long can they remain sane? This episode makes you think: "what if this really happened? " Also: for you fans of Lois Nettleton, the scenes of her sweating in her under-garments is very sexy; it is worth buying the dvd just for that. Out of all the volumes I want to own, I bought this one first!


The Twilight Zone: Vol. 9
Released in DVD by Image Entertainment (03 April, 2001)
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Directors: Ida Lupino, Alvin Ganzer, Richard Donner, Allen Reisner, John Rich, William F. Claxton, Ralph Nelson, Bernard Girard, David Greene, and Don Medford
Average review score:

Behold the power of the mind¿ only at the Twilight Zone.
This is one of the few DVD's in the collection that you could actually consider conceptual: somehow all episodes deal with the powers of the mind. Who wants to know the future? William Shatner's character does, but does he realizes the price? Find out in "Nick of Time" (Season 2). "The Prime Mover" (Season 2), is about telekinesis at the service of a gambler... and that equals risky business. "It's a Good Life" (Season 3), stars a very young Billy Mummy with incredible and dangerous powers. Finally "The Mind and the Matter" (Season 2) shows a guy how the power of thought can create his perfect world.

An Excellently Conceived Volume
THE PRIME MOVER from the Second season aired on March 24, 1961 and was written by Charles Beaumont and is an episode that deserves repeated viewing. Dane Clark and Buddy Ebsen operate a small diner. When Clark discovers that Ebsen has telekinetic powers he drags him off to Vegas to make a killing at the casinos. This is a good-natured episode as opposed to THE FEVER on the allure and pitfalls of gambling. What really makes this episode so repeatedly viewable are the performances of Dane Clark and Buddy Ebsen. It's like water and oil. Clark is the "fly by the seat of your pants - happy go lucky guy" who will try anything for a dime. Ebsen stands for reason and patients. Ultimately we learn to use the tools we are given with a sense of responsibility tempered with passion. This is an excellently conceived and delivered episode. IT'S A GOOD LIFE from the Third season aired on November 3, 1961. It was written by Rod Serling and is one of the most famous episodes of the series. Serling's introduction, which leads up to Billy Mumy's wide-eyed stare into the camera, is an indelible and disturbing image. The jack-in-the-box scene is also unforgettable and equally disturbing. Even Serling's dialogue is so memorable and conjures up images of fear. Just the mention of "the cornfield" sends chills down the back. Anyone who has seen this episodes knows what I am referring to. Anyone who has not must see it! The excellent cast includes John Larch, Cloris Leachman, Tom Hatcher and we must not forget Billy Mumy. Director Jim Sheldon really captured the fear and terror of the captive inhabitants of this rural community. NICK OF TIME from the Second season aired on November 18, 1960 and was written by Richard Matheson. Traveling newlyweds William Shatner and Patricia Breslin stop in a luncheonette while their car is being repaired. While in a booth an ever-confident Shatner puts a coin into a fortune-telling machine adorned with the bobbling head of a smiling plastic devil. Each question and answer begins to make Shatner question his fate to the point that he becomes unraveled about his future. Thematically this is similar to THE FEVER where just one more coin in the machine may give you solace. This is a fascinating episode that bears repeated viewing just to observe the ease at which one can be drawn in. However, the denouement makes the morality of the story clear. THE MIND AND THE MATTER directed by Buzz Kulik from the Second season aired on May 12, 1961 and was written by Rod Serling. Clerk, Shelly Berman eliminates people from the face of the earth by using the power of thought that he mastered from a book given to him. He soon repopulates the planet with people who look exactly like him with disconcerting results. Though lighthearted in nature this episode attempts to reveal life as others view each of us. Be careful of what you wish for. Volume 9 is a good well-balanced representation of THE TWILIGHT ZONE.

The power of the human mind unleashed in the Twilight Zone
The power of the human mind comes into play in the four episodes included on Vlume 9 of "The Twilight Zone" DVD Series. First up is Richard Matheson's "Nick of Time," which stars William Shatner and Patricia Breslin as newly weds Don and Pat Carter. The honeymooners are waiting for their car to be repaired in Ridgeview, Ohio when the superstitious Don becomes obsessed with a tabel top fortune-telling machine that dispense little cards answering yes or no questions. A classic "Twilight Zone" episode with a wonderful performance from a rather restrained Shatner. Buddy Ebsen stars as Jimbo Cobb in "The Prime Mover," written by Charles Beaumont and based on an unpublished story by George Clayton Johnson. Jimbo has psychokinetic power and when his friend compulsive gambler Ace Larsen (Dane Clark) learns about this, he takes Jimbo to Las Vegas to make big bucks. But while Ace is getting Jimbo to manipulate the dice in the craps game, he is blowing off his girlfriend Kitty (Christine White). That is when Jimbo blows a fuse. A nice little story, one of the few to actually show some heart in the Zone. "It's a Good Life," adapted by Rod Serling from Jerome Bixy's short story, is one of the most horrifying Zone episodes and features Billy Mumy as Anthony Fremont, the monster who is terrorizing Peaksvillle, Ohio. You see, Anthony can not only read minds, he has enormous power and no restraints. That is why all the adults in town always tell him, whether he turns someone into a huge jack-in-the-box or kills the crops by making it snow, "That's a good thing you did." "It's a Good Life" is an absolute classic that was unnecessarily redone in "Twilight Zone--the Movie," which only proved that imagination is more terrifying than special effects. Finally, in "The Mind and the Matter," also written by Serling, Archibald Beechcroft (Shelley Berman), reads a book on mind power that allows him to do whatever he wants just by concentrating hard enough. Unfortunately, what Archibald wants to do is make every person on Earth disappear. While it has some nice moments, this is an average episode at best. But this volume clearly has two of the greatest Zone episodes ever, so it is a must have for your collection.


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