Animal Movie Reviews

Why make a movie about the man universally regarded as the worst filmmaker of all time?

Well, simply because the word "worst" does not even adequately describe Ed Wood. He was the absolute, undisputable worst, unrivalled in his mindless disregard for decent production values, coherent storytelling, credible scriptwriting, and competent acting. If he were just "the worst," he would be no more than a mere footnote in cinematic history. But by single-handedly redefining the standards of ineptitude, Wood achieved that rare status of lovable loser. I mean, really, you have to admire someone who approaches his craft with so much grit and determination and so little talent.

It takes an A-grade cast to bring to life this story of Z-grade moviemaking. And we have one. Johnny Depp delivers a performance of fire in the title role, giving us a lot of insight into the character that Ed Wood was. Martin Landau (in an Oscar-winning performance) doesn't just portray Bela Lugosi. By golly, he becomes Lugosi, almost convincing us that the horror movie legend was resurrected for this project. Sarah Jessica Parker, Jeffrey Jones, Bill Murray, George "The Animal" Steele, and Lisa Marie comprise the ensemble cast that portrays a motley crew of rank amateurs. Think about it, these people had to re-enact the shooting of Wood's movies, looking serious but coming out funny, and doing all that with a straight face.Try that, folks.

Appreciate too, the film's most memorable line. At the premiere night of Plan 9 From Outer Space, Wood declares with unqualified conviction: "This is it. This is the one I'll be remembered for."

Whether you're a fan of bad movies or not, you simply have to see Ed Wood. It's not often that a film comes along that makes you like a man who so admirably succeeded at being a failure.

Wow. What an amazing, lyrical homage from Tim Burton. Known for his love of oddball characters and misfits, Burton turns his empathic eye toward the man who's been roundly labeled "The Worst Director of All Time". But in Wood's mind, played with sincerity and humor by Johnny Depp, he is a true artist because he actually believes that his films are good. A refreshing breeze of naivete in today's world of hyper-bloated blockbusters, sequels and video-game-to-screen eye candy.

And Martin Landau's Bela Lugosi is by turns invigorating and touching as the horror icon made human, and one of the first Hollywood has-beens from the talkies era. Burton depicts his sad descent into addiction and obscurity as more of a horror than anything Lugosi ever committed to the silver screen.

Excellent performances by all; my favorite being Bill Murray as the deliciously effete Galactic Ruler in "Plan 9". Howard Shore once again delivers an astonishingly poetic and moving musical score, proving that he is one of the most versatile and gifted composers since John Williams.

I recently had the pleasure of watching this film on the big screen, confirming my intention to add "Ed Wood" to my DVD library.

I can't believe that this is the first time this movie is available on DVD. This is the sort of movie that can be watched over and over again. Tim Burton really does a good job on directing this movie about Ed Wood. If you have ever seen Plan 9 from Outerspace then you are familar with the "worst" director of all time. Johnny Depp is at his finest down to the angora sweater fetish. Even if you are not familar with Ed Wood, you will find this movie very enjoyable. What makes this movie even more humourous is the history behind it. Either way, this is a great edition to any dvd colletion.

I remember watching this movie (and loving it) while I was growing up. Now I have a 2 year old of my own. I had no idea it was even on DVD yet, I came here to see if was even on VHS. I can't wait to share the magical world of letters and animals with my little boy! I only wish there were more movies like this!

I have both the animal alphabet and animal numbers. I do home daycare and the kids just love it. I like the way they did each letter of the alphabet with an animal that starts with that letter. The number video shows different animals and parts of their bodies that go with that number. They love the singing and also to look at the different animals they have in each video. I recommend this to any parent who has kids. I have 3 children of my own ages 1, 3, and 7. My 7 year old loves it as well. I guarantee you wont think you wasted your money on these videos!!

I remember watching the series on cable on a trip to Hawaii years ago. It was such an honest, uncolored look at human sexuality. No 'sex scenes' that I recall. And I would recall 'cause I was watching it with my parents and sister. I would have ran out of the room in embarassment. Though, that's not to say you/your kids wouldn't! But it is very intelligent and enlightening. Sex being one of the greater drives of all man-/womankind, it helped me better understand myself and other cultures. By how much? At least a little, possibly much more. It's been quite a while for me and your enlightenment may vary depending on your current knowledge on the subject. There are sure to be tid-bits of information that will have you think, "Huh. Never thoughta that." That's why I'm gonna buy the whole set when it comes out. I've forgotten most of what I learned and self-relization is important to me.

As for this DVD by itself, um, the title suggest that this part is more about the biology of sex. Rather than the parts on world culture or sex through the ages.

...

"Back to the shadows, from whence I came.
Praying for a spellchecker, to hide my shame." - Me

one of my all time favorite Johnny Depp movies. nicely done in black in white about a director, Ed Wood(superbly and awesomely played by Johnny Depp), who is one of the worst directors ever and he gets to work with Bela Lugosi(a great performance by Martin Landau). full of other wonderful cast members with Sarah Jessica Parker, Bill Murray and Juliet Landau(Drusilla on Buffy The Vampire Slayer and who is also Martin Landau's daughter). fun from start to finish.

This slow paced comedy might not be for everybody, but film buffs will love it. Tim Burton brings us this true story, two Oscar winner, about a film director/transvestite who is widely regarded by critics everywhere as the worst filmmaker of all time.

Shot in glorious monochrome, the story essentially documents the fall and fall (no rise) of the manic Ed Wood (Johnny Depp on top form) who managed to make a stream of low grade B-movie motion pictures with aged and failing Dracula star Bela Lugosi (Oscar winning performance by Martin Landau) who just happens to be hooked on morphine at the time. Essentially the story is about Wood and Lugosi as one strives to make horror movies and the other strives to battle his addiction. Along the way they manage to pick up the most unusual of characters to help them with their productions. What happens next is a series of disasters, mostly comical in nature with very serious interludes involving Lugosi getting treatment for his problem.

Its wicked good fun, downright hilarious at times and the acting is on top form.

Why have they not put this on dvd! First they have a release date
and then they pull it! However, they manage to give European countries the benefit of a nice edition with plenty of extra features! I personally think we should petition on this one. Anyone who has seen the movie doesn't need another review from me, I simply want to vent my burning frustration over the hold up on getting a dvd of this. They should make a two disc special edition to make up for taking this long and that is if they ever release it here. Nuff said from one major peeved fan.

In this superb 1962 sci-fi classic,John Carradine stars as a geologist investigating a meteor which proves to be a downed spacecraft and then has a rude awakening!!John Carradine does a wonderful acting job in this film.He rules!!

Actually a comet, Invasion of the Animal People May be one of the rarest horror movies I know about, not many people know about this film. But it wasn't a dissapointment, I was so intrigued with this monster that it never at a point got boring to watch. The story is strange and abit too hard to explain, lets just say some comets hit the earth and 2 very unlucky people have found themselves in a total mess in danger of their lives they once took advantage of, it all started with an argument that lead the "couple" going seperate ways but ended up in cabin that wasn't in such a safe area, that's when the monster attacks the cabin. Might I add the monster in this film is about 10 feet tall, well thats what they made it out to be, the actor had to go on standing-sticks to make him get a better effect and they obviously used small props such as tiny houses and tee-pees for him to destroy and make him look like a giant, in a nut shell, just get this movie for the fun of it. I am very sorry I did not see Terror in the Midnight Sun but it sounds very interesting.

Mike Vraney and Something Weird Video have turned out a set that has been sooooo neglected over the years. Jerry Warren took Terror In the Midnight Sun and re-edited it into a feature called Invasion Of The Animal People, which in itself isn;t a really bad flick. The high point of this disc is that you get to see the Original version Terror in The Midnight Sun. I enjoyed this a lot and the extras are something else again!! Check em out!! I fell in love with this double bill and I hope you will to.

The Marx Brothers were legendary comics. THis film is much like most of there films with sappy romance, chopped up scenes, formulatic plots, bad music numbers, piano solos, harp solos, and HILARITY!!!! Groucho uses sharp puns while Harpo and Chico do there usual as trying to get Groucho in someway, with Harpo not hearing quite right. This is not quite Duck Soup, buy it is a good rent. The dvd looks wrather poor; it plays like a vhs tape.No menu, nothing. The quality is pretty comparable, and the sound just doesn't sound right. I was very lucky to borrow this disc from a friend, but it's almost impossible to find this on tape, let alone disc. Let me tell you, people: it's not worth it. I probably would never buy this film, but if you absolutely love it, buy the tape. If your worried about whearing it out, a new, much cheaper, much improved disc will be available for sale. Funny, if a little dated film. Thank you for taking the time to read my review and feel free to leave me a helpful/ not helpful feedback. God Bless America!

ANIMAL CRACKERS has moments that are hysterically funny. If you love movies;comedy;or enjoy relishing talent of one of the world's greatest wise-ass wits, this is THE work of seminal Groucho Marxism to savor. Along with incomparable razor "dozens" of Julius Henry,there are inane tete a tetes between Chico and Harpo(unmasking "Abie the Fishman"...posing as High Society Poohbah and Art Connoisseur...is side-splitting).Even underrated Zeppo shines as Groucho's Field Secretary(the Letter he transcribes IS the world renowned CAPTAIN SPAULDING Manifesto). Margaret Dumont is typically classy as Groucho's feminine foil and straight-woman.

HOORAY FOR CAPTAIN SPAULDING! is,of course,one of cinema's SIGNUM theme songs.(Monty Norman considered jazzing-it for his 007 theme).Many Marxist films are certainly worthy of serious study. But...if you only view one...You Bet Your Life this is the winner!

And here's why. The first 10 minutes of this movie leaves me smiling for days. "Hello I must be going"..etc,. Groucho's entrance as Capt. Spaulding in a hysterical parody of musical theater is priceless. His "negotiation " with Chico that immediately follows is equally funny.
Margaret Dumont is perfectly cast as a prim and proper society woman serving as the foil to Groucho's lunacy.
I know that this film usually ranks below some of the later more polished productions that followed but Animal Crackers captures the Marx Bros at their vaudevillian best. It's a movie well worth owning.

I just put this DVD in and haven't even watched it, but that will not stop me from giving this title a 1 - and that's only because they don't allow negative ratings! Mandatory COMMERCIALS that you cannot skip are completely and utterly unacceptable for any DVD I purchase. I'll wait in the future for reviews before I buy any DVDs...

I like the movie, and the transfer looks ok from the first few minutes, its too bad I had to pay to watch a commerical...

I won't review the movie, if you haven't seen it by now or haven't heard how great it is then......!!???
Anyway, the DSP edition is finally here, though the special edition wasn't too long ago!
There's a few gripes here about the ads at the beginning of the movie. Yeah, it's pretty unforgivable in this day and age but you can zoom through them, though you shouldn't have to!
The extras are a bit thin which is a shame because there must be lots more goodies from this movie out there somewhere.
The reunion documentary is good but previously available on the SE dvd which many potential buyers will already have.
Also the trailer here is a lot darker than the one on the SE version as well. Hmmm, not looking too good.
The trivia pop ups are quite fun but not really breathtaking and I doubt you'll use this facility more than once.
The 'Where Are They Now' mock-umentary is fun and the only real new extra on the disc. (The music promo is pretty worthless.)
It's a shame this disc is another wasted opportunity extras wise. I do know that the original running time before edits was about 3 hrs so where's the footage?
Martha Smith recently said that her end scene was edited down for the finished movie. She was originally involved in a catfight with Mary Louise Wellar over the character 'Greg' and that was when she got her dress torn off. Why weren't deleted scenes like this found for the dvd. Maybe in another 5 years we'll get to see another ten minutes of footage.
Final verdict:- Great movie, so-so extras. Could do better.

A classic movie about collage guys who party and check outs girls, doing some crazy crap. I love this, a must have movie.

In loving memory of comedian John Belushi, who delivers a funny role in this movie

I just put this DVD in and haven't even watched it, but that will not stop me from giving this title a 1 - and that's only because they don't allow negative ratings! Mandatory COMMERCIALS that you cannot skip are completely and utterly unacceptable for any DVD I purchase. I'll wait in the future for reviews before I buy any DVDs...

I like the movie, and the transfer looks ok from the first few minutes, its too bad I had to pay to watch a commerical...

I won't review the movie, if you haven't seen it by now or haven't heard how great it is then......!!???
Anyway, the DSP edition is finally here, though the special edition wasn't too long ago!
There's a few gripes here about the ads at the beginning of the movie. Yeah, it's pretty unforgivable in this day and age but you can zoom through them, though you shouldn't have to!
The extras are a bit thin which is a shame because there must be lots more goodies from this movie out there somewhere.
The reunion documentary is good but previously available on the SE dvd which many potential buyers will already have.
Also the trailer here is a lot darker than the one on the SE version as well. Hmmm, not looking too good.
The trivia pop ups are quite fun but not really breathtaking and I doubt you'll use this facility more than once.
The 'Where Are They Now' mock-umentary is fun and the only real new extra on the disc. (The music promo is pretty worthless.)
It's a shame this disc is another wasted opportunity extras wise. I do know that the original running time before edits was about 3 hrs so where's the footage?
Martha Smith recently said that her end scene was edited down for the finished movie. She was originally involved in a catfight with Mary Louise Wellar over the character 'Greg' and that was when she got her dress torn off. Why weren't deleted scenes like this found for the dvd. Maybe in another 5 years we'll get to see another ten minutes of footage.
Final verdict:- Great movie, so-so extras. Could do better.

A classic movie about collage guys who party and check outs girls, doing some crazy crap. I love this, a must have movie.

In loving memory of comedian John Belushi, who delivers a funny role in this movie

I just put this DVD in and haven't even watched it, but that will not stop me from giving this title a 1 - and that's only because they don't allow negative ratings! Mandatory COMMERCIALS that you cannot skip are completely and utterly unacceptable for any DVD I purchase. I'll wait in the future for reviews before I buy any DVDs...

I like the movie, and the transfer looks ok from the first few minutes, its too bad I had to pay to watch a commerical...

I won't review the movie, if you haven't seen it by now or haven't heard how great it is then......!!???
Anyway, the DSP edition is finally here, though the special edition wasn't too long ago!
There's a few gripes here about the ads at the beginning of the movie. Yeah, it's pretty unforgivable in this day and age but you can zoom through them, though you shouldn't have to!
The extras are a bit thin which is a shame because there must be lots more goodies from this movie out there somewhere.
The reunion documentary is good but previously available on the SE dvd which many potential buyers will already have.
Also the trailer here is a lot darker than the one on the SE version as well. Hmmm, not looking too good.
The trivia pop ups are quite fun but not really breathtaking and I doubt you'll use this facility more than once.
The 'Where Are They Now' mock-umentary is fun and the only real new extra on the disc. (The music promo is pretty worthless.)
It's a shame this disc is another wasted opportunity extras wise. I do know that the original running time before edits was about 3 hrs so where's the footage?
Martha Smith recently said that her end scene was edited down for the finished movie. She was originally involved in a catfight with Mary Louise Wellar over the character 'Greg' and that was when she got her dress torn off. Why weren't deleted scenes like this found for the dvd. Maybe in another 5 years we'll get to see another ten minutes of footage.
Final verdict:- Great movie, so-so extras. Could do better.

A classic movie about collage guys who party and check outs girls, doing some crazy crap. I love this, a must have movie.

In loving memory of comedian John Belushi, who delivers a funny role in this movie

I just put this DVD in and haven't even watched it, but that will not stop me from giving this title a 1 - and that's only because they don't allow negative ratings! Mandatory COMMERCIALS that you cannot skip are completely and utterly unacceptable for any DVD I purchase. I'll wait in the future for reviews before I buy any DVDs...

I like the movie, and the transfer looks ok from the first few minutes, its too bad I had to pay to watch a commerical...

I won't review the movie, if you haven't seen it by now or haven't heard how great it is then......!!???
Anyway, the DSP edition is finally here, though the special edition wasn't too long ago!
There's a few gripes here about the ads at the beginning of the movie. Yeah, it's pretty unforgivable in this day and age but you can zoom through them, though you shouldn't have to!
The extras are a bit thin which is a shame because there must be lots more goodies from this movie out there somewhere.
The reunion documentary is good but previously available on the SE dvd which many potential buyers will already have.
Also the trailer here is a lot darker than the one on the SE version as well. Hmmm, not looking too good.
The trivia pop ups are quite fun but not really breathtaking and I doubt you'll use this facility more than once.
The 'Where Are They Now' mock-umentary is fun and the only real new extra on the disc. (The music promo is pretty worthless.)
It's a shame this disc is another wasted opportunity extras wise. I do know that the original running time before edits was about 3 hrs so where's the footage?
Martha Smith recently said that her end scene was edited down for the finished movie. She was originally involved in a catfight with Mary Louise Wellar over the character 'Greg' and that was when she got her dress torn off. Why weren't deleted scenes like this found for the dvd. Maybe in another 5 years we'll get to see another ten minutes of footage.
Final verdict:- Great movie, so-so extras. Could do better.

A classic movie about collage guys who party and check outs girls, doing some crazy crap. I love this, a must have movie.

In loving memory of comedian John Belushi, who delivers a funny role in this movie