Aging Movie Reviews

Well the list of guitarists is something to be expected considering they are paying homage to one of the greatest guitar players of all time. However it seems that his brother Jimmie in this DVD uses this as an opportunity to play with the greats. Instead of allowing the great guitarists play their hearts out they seem to be in the background of a sub par guitarist. The first thing I thought when I saw this was Stevie would have been furious seeing these great guitarists playing behind his brother. These people needed to be showcased instead of dropped in the background. Once you get used to this the interviews are really nice hearing these great blues players talk about Stevie. There playing was really cool, it is definitely something to watch and enjoy, and the last song SRV Shuffle on the DVD is really fun to watch. It would have been better if Jimmie had got out of the way though. Would have been a five star if he would have just let the better musicians play in the spotlight instead of trying to steal the spotlight.

"A Tribute To Stevie Ray Vaughan" shows some marvelous performances of Vaughan's work by some of the great bluesman and guitarists. Clapton, Cray, Guy, Raitt, King and even Vaughan's very talented brother crank through the better known Stevie Ray tunes with incredible musical mastery.

Interupting some great jams, unfortunately, is a bunch of interviews. They are interesting, but kill the flow of the concert. It seems like a PBS special.

I recommend "A Tribute To Stevie Ray Vaughan," but get one of Stevie Ray's concert CDs or DVDs instead if you are looking to hear top Vaughan blues.

Or, get a BB King or Buddy Guy CD. If you buy this one, fast forward through the interviews.

Anthony Trendl

Both guitarists were on an equal plane. Stevie learned from jimmi and countless other blues players few know about. He did things with a guitar few could follow. You can't judge him on this one dvd. You have to collect all his CDs and see him "Austin City Limits" to really appreciate his gifted talents. People outside the US and in the US were not exposed to him as much. He was an unknown. He did some guitar work for David Bowie"Lets Dance"album. David took most of the credit for that record that peaked his career.Few knew stevie then. He was just getting exposure in the US when he died even though he had been around a long time. A rising star not forgotten!!! pick up a guitar and try to play like him if you can.

I mainly got this movie because it has a edge to it. I dint really know what to expect with this movie since I had never seen the previews for it I mainly just got it becasue the cover looked integing and it had Calista Flockhart in it and she is one of my favorites. I thought it would have this corky edge to it because Calista usually dose more corkey roles but this was of corse corkey but it also did have a major mix od drama which I think deffinitly also added something more to this movie. I say its a must rent.

Although the script of Jane Doe is a bit ordinary, Calista Flockhart's performance can compensate everything. I can find no Ally element in this movie. Calista appears very differently from her role as Ally McBeal. she is not as a professional like Ally, but a drug-addict in the street of New York! She is just like a totally different person. her appearance, language and gesture are something I have never seen before. Calista's performance is just so convincing that it touches and breaks my heart. her emotion range is the widest ever. I like her permance in this movie even more than in Ally McBeal. Her performance in this movie certainly deserves more attention.

Calista is going to be a great actress in the future as she is now.The movie JANE DOE is very imoionally expressed with her views. I think she had worked with her heart in the movie.It gives the message to coming younger generation about ill effects of druggism & ofcourse about love, that how much she loves her boyfriend while those in love will learn the lesson that how much they are loved by their lovers.I hope by watching this movie you could be the fan of calista( because of not, se's sexy but by her role) thank you very much. If i could have wish in my life & that is to meet her once while i'm alive.thats it! You'll see the movie & u'll find it more.

I have always been a fan of Burt Reynolds. Sure, the guy has made some of the biggest bombs in Hollywood history, such as "Stroker Ace," "Cop and a Half," and several others too painful to mention. When I say I am a fan, I am not necessarily referring to his best known films like "Smokey and the Bandit,"...or "The Longest Yard." I like Reynolds's seedy looking films, those low budget action flicks that look like they cost five dollars to make. "White Lightening," "Heat," and "Gator" are always worth watching. I used to list "Sharky's Machine" as one of Reynolds's best efforts until I watched it again recently for the first time in many years. This 1981 action/thriller should give the viewer the best Reynolds has to offer: he directed it, starred in it, and made sure to assemble a stellar cast including Richard Libertini, Brian Keith, Charles Durning, Rachel Ward, Vittorio Gassman, and Henry Silva. In fact, you will recognize so many faces in this movie that you will start to wonder how Reynolds got all of these guys together without spending his entire budget on salaries. Unfortunately, Reynolds's directorial debut drags in spots due to the inclusion of decidedly non-action elements and slow pacing. "Sharky's Machine" is the film version of a book written by author William Diehl.

Reynolds plays Atlanta police detective Tom Sharky, a tough as nails cop attempting to crack down on the city's heroin trade. After a failed drug buy results in the death of an innocent bystander, the department ships Sharky off to the vice department as penance for his reckless heroics. Located in the dingy basement of police headquarters, the vice room is about as filthy as you could imagine. The other police officers consider vice as the bottom of the barrel, and so does Sharky until he uncovers a prostitution ring with links to a gubernatorial candidate...

The cast is the main reason to watch "Sharky's Machine." Libertini is a hoot as the scatterbrained Nosh, Durning plays Sharky's supervisor Friscoe with lung shattering intensity, Brian Keith is the always hungry Papa, and Bernie Casey plays the philosophical Arch. Rachel Ward is effective as Dominoe, and Vittorio Gassman oozes his way through the role of crime kingpin Victor. Henry Silva steals the movie as the ominous killer who possesses no scruples whatsoever. Silva was born to play bad guys on the silver screen, and that is what he has done throughout his career, but in "Sharky's Machine" he turns in the performance of a lifetime. It is regrettable that Silva does not get more screen time. Until I rewatched the film, I thought Silva appeared in nearly every scene but that's only because his performance is so over the top that it dominated my memories of the movie. If you watch "Sharky's Machine" for no other reason than Henry Silva's performance, you will still get a thrill out of this movie.

With the exception of a few of the characters and a several gritty scenes of violence including chopped off fingers, a gory shotgun blast to the head, and some shootouts, "Sharky's Machine" is a good, not spectacular, movie. I took particular offense with the romantic subplot between Sharky and Dominoe. These scenes seemed to drag on forever, with heavy doses of melodrama piled on top of a mountain of implausibility. Are we really supposed to believe that these two will get together? I recognize that most films always rely on a romance to help propel the narrative, but in a sleazy story like "Sharky's Machine," I want that interaction minimized. Too much emphasis on the relationship between Dominoe and Sharky seriously hampers the flow of this movie.

The DVD version is weak, with zero in the way of extras and a full screen picture transfer. How about having Burt Reynolds do a commentary for a widescreen edition? Since Reynolds directed and starred in the film, I am sure his insights would be more than sufficient in explaining the nuts and bolts of the movie. I would secretly appreciate a contribution on a potential commentary track from Henry Silva, but that will surely never happen. If you can stomach the cheesy disco soundtrack and the large injections of romantic interludes, you will probably enjoy watching "Sharky's Machine." At the very least, you get to see Burt Reynolds crack some heads and that is always fun.

Burt Reynolds continued his love affair with Georgia's capital by setting his ultraviolent crime saga in the city of the South. The Atlanta background is only window dressing for a tale that could occur in any metropolis in the U.S.

Reynold's directing is tight and he does well in the title role. Great support comes from Rachel Ward, Brian Keith, veteran heavy Henry Silva, Bernie Casey, Reynold's longtime friend Charles Durning, and the always reliable Earl Holliman.

The film may not make any "best of" lists, but it is still an enjoyable cop drama, with exciting twists and turns, plus it provides an early '80's glimpse of crime in urban America..

In "Sharky's Machine" Burt Reynolds plays Sgt. Tom Sharky, a case-hardened (tough outside, soft inside) Atlanta vice cop investigating the possible extortion of a gubernatorial candidate. During wiretaps and stakeouts Sharkey falls in love with Dominoe (Rachel Ward), the candidate's spoiled call girl girlfriend. When the candidate offers to take Dominoe out of 'the life' and to support her, Dominoe's gypsy owner/trainer Victor feels his control over the candidate threatened. Victor arranges for Dominoe's murder. By coincidence Dominoe escapes, Sharkey hides Dominoe, and they work together to end Victor's reign of terror.

Burt Reynolds directed "Sharkey's Machine" and he plays Tom Sharkey with his "Deliverance" bravado but without the hard edges. Burt assembled a strong cast. Rachel Ward is *stunning* as Dominoe. Brian Keith, Bernie Casey and Richard Libertini are Sharkey's police buddies -- his 'machine' which is destroyed in the process of bringing down Victor. Vittorio Gassman plays cold threatening Victor and Henry Silva plays his Dilaudin/cocaine-wired shootist associate -- both deliver extremely strong performances. And Darryl Hickman effectively uses brother Dwayne's 'Dobie Gillis nice guy' persona in an interrogation/torture scene.

Years have passed since Burt Reynolds' football days and Burt has played many characters. Burt still plays rough today. "Sharkey's Machine" is a superior showcase for Burt Reynolds' many talents.

I saw this video and thought that it was pretty good. I only watched it to see Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. He was the clairvoyant. The African who could predict things. I thought that he was very attractive and sexy. This is the only and most important part of the video to me. I'm waiting for it to come on DVD so that I can press menu and go to the most interesting part---adewale.

What I can remember a little about this movie is that the movie in the end is something about the escape after the war broke out and what I know is that, this movie at NC17 did not contain explicit, very violent or sex sceneS. What I can say is that it contains two sex scenes inside, one is a few minutes after starting the movie and the other is at the part of the movie where it is at the staircase of the house(something like a house, don't know how people name it).

I am a big fan of Zalman King's efforts...see my other reviews about the Red Shoe Diaries Movie, and Girl on a Bike. This movie is special, and it makes you feel special...it slowly and consistently spoonfeeds you erotica rather than shoving it down your throat, and intelligent erotica, at that. The characters are quite doable--is that Costas Mandylor? Bestill my heart! I was satisfied with the ending too. Of all of Zalman King's stuff, I think the only full-length feature I like better than this one is the Red Shoe Diaries Movie. Enjoy yourself!

I thought this would be a good mobster movie-but no it was just plain boring!

Dj Qualls was the best and should of had more scenes!

Dont waste your time with this boring stupid movie!

Featuring: Jamie King, Joshua Jackson, John Mellencamp
Rating: ** (not the worst, but not good)

This movie was a little shy of average. It certainly had it's moments though, one being Jamie King's portrayal of the lead female character, Baby. She shined as both the sensitive and driven young waif. As well as showing the flashes of anger that result if you cross her or her loved ones. Joshua Jackson did a fine job as the lead male character of Earl.

In a nutshell, Earl and Baby are planning on moving from small town Texas to big L.A. when all hell breaks loose around them. Nutty relatives, drug dealers, two-bit criminals and stupid folks abound. Through it all Earl, the normal one, and Baby, the sexy one, keep plugging away trying to move forward in their lives and help the ones they love.

Although it had a lot of cliches and was at times stupid there are worse ways to spend an evening than watching this movie. Jamie Kind is the one that kept this movie from a one star rating (don't bother). If you rent it, it should be for her performance alone.

This is one of the funniest movies I have seen in a long time. Joshua Jackson sexy with his long tall Texas draw accent, especialy the bathtub scene. Gives me a whole new prospective on "cowboy hat and boots". The whole cast did a great job, I love the countryfied ways it was hillariously funny, one of thoes movies you can watch over and over.

Okay, so the kid is getting the letter. No one notices he is 10, gets the R, blah blah blah. The reason this movie is abysmal is the ending. What in God's name were they thinking? He gets "motorama" and tries to claim his prise, but there is none; and after being thrown out of a sckyscraper what does our protaginst do? He hitchhikes back to the first gas station and takes the attendent job, fills up the car of a man who won 1 million dollars..the man is hit by a truck.. Credits roll after he has a meaningless 3(short)sentence conversation with the owner......and that's all. I feel the need to repeate, What in God's name were they thinking?

Others have outlined the plot, so I'll get to the point.

The film is dull, listless, and offensive.

Here's a brief list of some "clever" moments:

* The protagonist (a ten year old boy) is beaten so that he loses an eye (in part because he's maliciously denied medical care)

* After dining in a biker bar, the protagonist is forcibly tatooed (which is depicted as excruciatingly painful).

* Some parents who are low on cash intentionally abandon their young children at a rest stop.

I *like* odd ball films (e.g., After Hours, Eraserhead, Dark Star, Moulin Rouge, Big Lebowski, Repo Man, etc. etc.) and am not easily put off by weirdness.

But this film is so mean spirited, tawdry, boring, and poorly performed that I couldn't find anything about it to like. I don't understand the favorable reviews it has received here and suggest you check out some more mainstream reviews (in reviews I read it was not just panned but reviled).

Ps. Despite the child protagonist, this is definitely not a children's movie.

10-year old Gus (Jordan Christopher Michael) steals a car and travels across a bizarre Southwestern landscape, playing a road game called "Motorama." He encounters many eccentric characters, mostly nasty, and endures all sorts of abuse, growing gradually older until, at the end of his life.... Ignore the idiotic cover; oppressive heterosexism is refreshingly absent here.

War and Peace is about the Napoleonic invasion of Russia in 1812. This edition, verses the Russian (1967, Soviet Union era) edition, is of course shallower. However, for half the time investment it does give one a good taste of the subject. The longer, 1967 edition has more to say, yet it also ends with a sort of propaganda message of "compassion towards one's defeated enemy" that does not align with history (it was made during the Soviet Union days). This 1956 edition ends more like it did in real life. Both editions are worthwhile.

Great Cast with a great story is not always the best combo, but this DVD is a keeper. Audrey Hepburn as Natasha does the best with her multi expressions & cute dialogue during the many courtships throughout the film. Henry Fonda as Pierre comes in a close 2nd, but at 1st he seems out of place, too passive. Later this lack of emotion or evolvement shines forth as he goes though many hardships as a prisoner of Napoleon. Mel Ferrer as Prince Andrei, then Audrey Hepburn's real husband, has the same problem as Henry Fonda, he drifts in & out of character. I believe the problem with the main male actors is that they played it too straight. The woman who played Prince Andrei's 1st wife did the worst, she over acted like a silent movie star. The supporting cast does a great job, specially the actor playing Nepoleon. This is exactly what I think Nepoleon looked & acted like in the early 19th century. The phyical height & size for the French emperor are perfect, & the letting of free opinion to be express, yet at the same time having the over powering will to bring Europe to his knees. Desite the flaws, this version of "War & Peace" will give you a short stroll, with a "to the point" idea of a western classic with great photography & sound. I try not to watch it too many times because I don't want to wear it out.

It's been quite a while since I saw this movie but I'll never forget it. I think Audrey Hepburn was Superb and I always think of her as Natasha. She was perfect in portraying youth and innocence and her impetuous personality showed through well.I can't think of any other actor to compare with her.

I found it difficult to really like Prince Andrei-he seemed so standoffish but he was faithful in his love. In my mind, Pierre, my favorite male character, was really the hero. He was noble in a different way than Prince Andrei.

This was a wonderful movie and great for any viewer who likes historical romances. Although I do not like war movies,the movie was wonderful in giving a brief view of life in the Russian empire. It depicted the brutality of war also and the suffering of the prisoners.

This is definitely a classic and worth seeing more than once.

A shy and not so tough penguin named Hubie (Martin Short) falls in love with the good looking Marina (Annie Golden). Once he finds out that he might actually have a chance to be Marina's mate for the upcoming mating season, he tries to find her the most spectacular pebble possible. For this group of penguins, a pebble is just like a wedding ring that we humans use. But there's some rough and icy waters in store for Hubie. Not only is there a macho penguin who also wants Marina, but humans and of course whales, may also pose a threat.

Back when I was a kid, I wanted to see "The Pebble and the Penguin" when it first came out in 1995, but I never got the chance to see it until today. I have to admit that it's not as good as I thought it would be, but it wasn't bad either. It has good animation, it's mildly entertaining, and it would probably be especially great for kids who like animated movies. However, on the bad side, it could've been a lot better in almost every aspect and I was disappointed with the music.

This, along with "Thumbelina," "All Dogs go to Heaven," and "Rock a Doodle," are among the best Don Bluth films ever made. Why are they so disliked?! In my family, we have watched these movies repeatedly for years and laughed, cried, etc. They are so much fun! The music in this movie is WONDERFUL and the voice acting, particularly Martin Short's Hubie, is great. A cute movie and a cute story.

Other notes: Penguins have eyelashes, deal with it. Drake is an abnormally muscular and busty Adele penguin. Marina's flower is magic. Or plastic.

I was feeling pretty low in High School. This film related to my earnest desires to find romance. well I didn't find my true love but I loved this film. I'm a big fan of cartoon romances and sweet love sonnets. Now and Forever is my favorite song. I recommend it over any disney sequel. It has warmed my heart and renewed my faith in true love. It says that anyone can find their true in the most unusual people. Hubie is not the most handsome penguin in the rookery. Marina sees his finer traits even though he's a wimp and a nerd and even a little wacky. But he has a good heart. It made me realize that I don't have to be the prettiest girl to find romance it will find me.note Hubie isn't ugly but his gentle and warm heart made him the better suitor than the manly and suave Drake. Don't give up on romance people. Everybody needs love including nerdy and shy wacks like Hubie!

I finally watched this movie over a friends house. He loved it. I thought it was trast. Plain and simple.I have never liked Frank Sinatra for personal reasons. (if i put them in my review, i'm sure this won't be printed) Dean Martin and Sammy Davis i never really thought as movie stars but more like nightclub entertainers. I respect their work but like all the other Rat Pack movies, this one sucks also.To me, it was just a stupid movie that made no sense, has no value and doesn't contribute anything to the movie musical. So i'm sure i am the minority on this and i better not say anything except that if your looking for one of those block-buster musicals, this is NOT the film for you.

This musical mix of murder and misadventures between rival crime gangs is agreeable and serviceable. And not very memorable. Frankie isn't acting (give Peter Falk that credit), and
it's nice to see the Rat Pack teeming (or is that "teaming"?) again. Even Der Bingle makes a welcome appearance. The highlight is as vulgar as it is mind-numbing: Sammy Davis Jr.'s rat-a-tat-tatting number in which he dances with various guns, blowing away this and that and offering Sammy Cahn-Jimmy Van Heusen's genius as proof that musical numbers can sometimes silence an audience, if only until their jaws lock back in place. There's a different Chicago that's my kind of town .. and all that jazz!

Dismissed by many as overly-long, poorly-scripted Rat Pack self-indulgence with inferior musical material, "Robin and the 7 Hoods" is a wacky mafia musical in the fun-loving style of pre-Hammerstein Broadway variety shows, and with a pretty snappy collection of Cahn-Van Heusen tunes. Remember, it's this musical, not "Chicago," that gave the Windy City its proudest anthem. But as solid as the Chairman's performance is, it can't match Crosby's, in the venerable crooner's next-to-last film appearance.

Once Bing appears mid-way through the film, the rest of the picture--with the exception of the"My Kind of Town" gala number--belongs to Crosby. His acting, singing, and dancing not only outshine his on-screen companions but in many respects make the Rat Pack appear like a coherent musical comedy team. At five foot seven inches, Bing was usually the shortest member on the set, but in both this film and "High Society" his crisp, economical body movements and quick, graceful feet make him "play" taller than his actual height.

The dubbing is, as others have observed, pretty unconvincing. On the other hand, most of the dance and music scenes are shot continuously in a single take or two, like an Astaire film. Others may prefer the frenetic and manipulative MTV editing style of films like "Chicago," which permit the filmmaker to "construct" a reality while transforming bozos into Baryshnikovs. I'll take these bozos just as they are.

This are two of the best Godzilla movies ive seen. Much better than the Godzilla of old. Having grown up on 1950's and 60's sci-fi i have to say i wasnt impressed with Godzilla until this fairly recent make over. Excellant special effects and a great story lines. Battle for Earth was very well done but its King Ghidora that really got me going. The story line was excellent with time travel, a flying saucer and of course the King. If you havnt seen Godzilla for awhile, take a look at this great double feature.

Hold onto your hats! In this double feature DVD, Godzilla is the bad guy in both movies. Being a huge Godzilla fan since birth, I've found Godzilla DVDs much more fun than videos. Since this is probably the only double DVD out there (time could change this) where Godzilla is the enemy both times, it only makes this one that much more entertaining. Let's be honest; everyone who is a true Godzilla fan knows the big guy is at his best when he's crushing Tokyo for no reason other than he can. So, G fans, what are you waiting for? Let the Stomp-a-thon begin!

These movies are packed with action and adventure and have never ending turns and twists!
Godzilla vs. Mothra,Battle For Earth is about three explorers travel to an island,near with a meator landed.They then discover a giant egg and two girls smaller then a flower!But the egg hatches and forms the worm Mothra,while the metor hatches into the worm Batra!But when then two worms turn into giant flying super insects,there is a fight for surival ...P>Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah is about three time travelers from the 23rd century who come to warn that Godzilla will destroy Japan. The timetravelers take a writer and a team of scientists to the time of the dinosaur,Godzilla before it was exposed to nuecelar energy.But when the beast,King Ghidorah takes Godzilla`s place,the scientist`s only choice is to reive Godzilla!