Pediatric Rehabilitation Movie Reviews

Last month, I bought the DVD edition of THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, and found myself reintroduced to the finest film incarnation of the Sherwood Forest swashbuckler. So naturally, I decided to try and see if the soundtrack was available. I stumbled across this disc on Amazon, and decided to try my luck.

Well, I can honestly say this 1983 re-recording of Erich Wolfgang Korngold's legendary score is a major disappointment.

This is not a knock against the Utah Symphony Orchestra or its conductor Varujan Kojian. The quality of the performance is top-shelf (although I think Charles Gerhardt and the National Philharmonic Orchestra's rendition of the Robin/Merry Men fanfare is more appropriately bombastic). My problem is-and this is a gripe I have with ALL soundtrack albums-that Korngold's music has been severely edited and, in some instances, butchered beyond recognition. Huge chunks of music are missing from this album. The opening sequence, with Prince John's men attacking the Saxons, is absent, as is Robin's first appearance and rescue of Much. Robin's meetings with Little John and Friar Tuck are ridiculously pared down to nearly nothing. The scene where the Merry Men set and execute their trap for Sir Guy of Gisbourne in Sherwood is chopped in half, as is the music for Much's battle with the assassin Dicken and King Richard's stay in Sherwood. The coronation scene is cut off before Richard reveals himself to John. The finale where John is exiled and Robin is re-knighted is needlessly edited. The end credits music is completely absent. But the most unforgivable chopping comes with the climactic battle music. The fight in the throne room is just GONE, and the savage sword battle between Robin and Gisbourne...

...good grief, whoever decided to edit the music for this recording should be slapped. Repeatedly. With an armored glove. The music for this battle, with its ultraviolent orchestration and high-pitched xylophone percussion, is the high point of Korngold's score in the movie. For this recording, it's MUTILATED. We get the chase down the stairs, then an abrupt jump to the shadows bashing it out on the wall, then we get a grotesque, discordant, and just plain stupid bridge that was never in Korngold's score to begin with, then another bizarre jump to Robin getting backed against the wall, then ANOTHER jump to Robin freeing Marian. What the heck is this? The powers at Varese Sarabande clearly had access to Korngold's original compositions, especially with his son George producing the album. There was not one reason for them to butcher his score like this. But they did, as the end result is an album that, while nicely performed by a group of talented musicians giving it their all, is a disgrace to Korngold's work. To listen to this album, you'd never be able to understand why Korngold won an Oscar for this music.

Making this album an even bigger embarrassment is-surprise, surprise-the ROBIN HOOD DVD, which features an audio-only track in which every single bit of Korngold's music can be heard in all its glory, digitally remastered to the point where it sounds as brand-spanking new as any soundtrack album just coming off the assembly line. If the original soundtrack recording from 1938 still exists and is in pristine condition, why in blue blazes doesn't Warner Bros. release it all on a two-disc soundtrack album like they did with John Williams' SUPERMAN? After all, they released the soundtrack to James Cagney's YANKEE DOODLE DANDY just recently to coincide with the DVD release. Why don't they do the same for ROBIN HOOD and let people hear Korngold's score for what it is? Because I just have to say, it would beat the pants off this misbegotten Varese re-recording, and unlike this album, a full-blown Korngold reissue would actually be well worth the money.

Errol Flynn at his very best. No one could pull off these kinds of swashbucklers better than Flynn(though this is much more than just that). What a great movie for everyone at anytime. You just can't get tired of it. And that great Technicolor! Wow! Not to be missed over and over again. . .My 9 year old daughter just saw it for the first time and loved every minute. The extras are excellent as well.

"The Adventures of Robin Hood" is one of my very favorite movies. It has just the right mix of fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, chases, escapes, true love, and miracles (my apologies to William Goldman, but it's true)...not to mention Basil Rathbone, Olivia DeHavilland, and Errol Flynn.

I've actually worn out my VHS copy. So I was going crazy for the DVD release, constantly wondering, "What the heck is taking them so long?" Now that I've gotten my mitts on this DVD, I KNOW what took them so long, and it was soooo worth the wait.

The picture is crystal clear and the colors are as bright and vibrant as a Van Gogh painting. I was shocked at how fantastic the movie looked! I noticed details that I hadn't before--like that when Robin rescues Much the Miller, he (Much, not Robin, of course) is actually bleeding! And that Maid Marian's dresses are GORGEOUS!! And that Will Scarlet's lute has no strings!!! (How did I miss THAT??)

The extras on the second disk are pretty cool too. My favorite was the behind-the-scenes bit where you learn just how real those arrows were. Basil Rathbone's "Helmet Tests" are pretty funny as well.

This is a great movie, restored in a format that does justice to its greatness. It was definitely worth the wait.

The first time I watched this movie in its entirety I almost died laughing. This comedy puts the nowadays ones to shame. It uses subtlety to convey the point without coming across as vulgar and distasteful. Rosalind Russell definately delivered the stuff.

This film is perfection! It is very, very funny and also very sweet and very positive. Rosalind Russell is amazing in the title role. She has such amazing comic timing and such grand attitude - the success of this film is hers more than anything else. Great sets, costumes, witty screenplay, romance, schmaltz, and ENERGY. I could watch this film a million times and never get bored by it. If you haven't seen it - you are missing something great. If you don't own it, what are you waiting for? A true film classic.

Aren't we all glad this one is now available in a format that won't warp in the heat?

The first time I watched this movie in its entirety I almost died laughing. This comedy puts the nowadays ones to shame. It uses subtlety to convey the point without coming across as vulgar and distasteful. Rosalind Russell definately delivered the stuff.

This film is perfection! It is very, very funny and also very sweet and very positive. Rosalind Russell is amazing in the title role. She has such amazing comic timing and such grand attitude - the success of this film is hers more than anything else. Great sets, costumes, witty screenplay, romance, schmaltz, and ENERGY. I could watch this film a million times and never get bored by it. If you haven't seen it - you are missing something great. If you don't own it, what are you waiting for? A true film classic.

Aren't we all glad this one is now available in a format that won't warp in the heat?

after recently seeing "The Truth About Charlie", I was captivated by a great actress-Thandie Newton. Iwent online to find more of her films and after reading reviews purchased this film. I watched it 5 times the first week. what a phenomenal film about humanity and redemption. jason patric is out standing as a farmer driven by his conscience to help a runaway slave girl. larry drake is so real as the evil slave master, but it's thandie newton who steals the movie becoming so believable as the desperate slave girl. she's an incredible actress, far superior to any out there. i've never seen such chemistry between inter-racial couples in film as mr. patric and miss newton. the reviewerwriting this is of white descent and consider myself very impartial.giving credit to great actresses such as hepburn,fonda,streep,hayward etc. i've never seen an actress get more into character than Thandie Newton.Move over Halle Berry and every actress in film, Thandie Newton holds her own and is a true talent. see her in "Flirting"' "Truth About Charly", "M.I.-2" and see a great talent who is much under-rated.

The Journey of August King is one of the best movies I've ever seen in my life. August King finally has the deed to his land and home and while he is traveling back to his home he comes across a runaway slave. The goodness in August allows him to help her. He sacrifices everything for this slave and he never asked for anything in return. The scenery in the movie is overwhelming. It's beauty is at times undescribable. There's not much dialogue in this movie but when you reach the end you're like wow, that was a great movie. I've watched this movie many times and I am still awed by it. If your looking for a truly heartwarming story this is the one. I highly recommend this movie.

A moving portrayal of the conflicts surrounding slavery. It was refreshing to see the spectrum of human attitudes and emotions concerning this especially among the mountain people (black and white) of NC. The characters were warm and believable and the story flowed along well.

Kevin Reynolds directed this film with a script by William Mastrosimone. Although stylized and a little exaggerated, the film is a great at showing how techonology doesn't always get the upper hand in certain environments: nowhere is this truer than in Afghanistan. The rugged mountainous and desert terrain is mostly inhospitable and full of hiding places for guerrilla fighters such as the Mujahadeen.

I found Jason Patric to be the least believable character in this story. I'd find hard to believe that a Soviet tank driver, even if he were to disagree with his superiors or the war, would suddenly join the Afghans in fighting his compatriots; this would be just as unlikely as an American soldier disagreeing with his superiors and then joining the North Vietnamese. The best performance was that of George Dzundza who played the hard and tempered tank commander. The movie follows the tank as it wanders lost through the desert like a wounded animal being stalked by hunters. The film has a definite cat and mouse theme to it.

Altogether an enjoyable action movie that is well paced with good acting.

This movie is great! ... I have since watched it over and over. Some reviews I have read focus on the tactical mistakes and lack of a "real" Russian helicopter in the film. The interesting thing about this is, war is chaotic. Sometimes tactics go out the window when faced with flying bullets. Even if the Russians used Motorized Rifle units as escorts for their armor, there's no saying that armor NEVER ventured out on their own. Heck, maybe this armored unit was part of a larger force that was simply making a reconnaisance-in-force. Also, the helicopter used in the movie was NOT that much different than the Mi-8 which, as it turns out, looks exactly like the one in the movie. If you don't believe me, check it out. Anywho, being a veteran and knowing how the rules of war are almost always broken, the so-called tactical "mistakes" made in the movie are easily overlooked. The main point of this movie is to give the viewer a feeling of the brutality of war and how it changes ordinarily sane people, into first monsters, callous to their nature, then fearful refugees to the carnage they created. This movie is both entertaining and yet, emotionally invoking. You get the sense that the real "enemy" is not the Mujahadeen pursuers, but the maniacal tank commander, driving his men to the brink of destruction. The last thing I'd like to say about this movie is its WONDERFUL soundtrack. The music definitely sets the mood. Now, if only I could find the soundtack. Arista records doesn't seem to know where to find it. I wish I knew!

Buy this movie, you won't be disappointed!

I just love this movie and its great to see it made it to the dvd format i had a tape of it it's so old half the audio and graphics are gone do to time and age of tape. now i can retire the tape. great movie if you dont have it get one while you can.

This has to be one of the odd ball vampire movie ever. Think "Dracula" by way of "Peter Pan" with the Brat Pack cast. The plot is that a young kid (Corey Heim) is the only one who believes his brother (Jason Patrick) is in danger from vampires. His only allies are a couple of other kids who learned everything they know about vampire killing from comic books. The lead vamp is a smugly charming psychotic (Kiefer Sutherland) who just dosn't want to grow up, and now dosn't have to. The brother got involved with this gang by (what else) a lovely girl (Jamie Gertz). It is starnge movie, it's not a comedy, but it's funny; it's not horror, but it has some scary moments; it's not a drama, but there's enough side stories here to make "Days of Our Lives" green with envy. Diane Wiest is probably my favorite actress, as the concerned, but clueless, mother. I would have given it a better rating, but it was all over the map.

"The Lost Boys" is an average teeny bopper flick from the 80's. It's notable only for a couple of decent performances, some funny one-liners, and one of the first gay protagonists in a teen movie history. Corey Haim's character is supposed to be gay! The film never tells you this, but drops hints all over the place. Look at the flamboyent way he dresses. He has no interest in women and, in fact, gets annoyed with his older brother for chasing after the stunning Jami Gertz. He sings a woman's song in the tub. And how about that poster of a half-clad Rob Lowe in his bedroom? (In 1987, no heterosexual teenage boy in his right mind would have had a picture of a half-naked Rob Lowe in his bedroom!) Director Joel Schummacher is out and I have no question that he meant for this character to be gay. Although, I do wonder if he told poor Corey Haim about this decision. (Speaking of poor Corey. The last I heard he attempted to sell his teeth and hair on E-Bay in order to raise money for his pain-killer drug habit.)

an 80's flick to this day stands the time of a great vampire movie, with great music and some cool vampire killings. Jason Patric plays Michael and he is transformed into one of them, Patric falls for Jamie Gertz. Kiefer Sutherland is the leader of the four vampire ghouls. one of them is Alex Winter(who is Ted in Bill and Ted). Corey Haim and Corey Feldman dont play brothers in this but new friends who help Michael defeat the boys. the grandpa is way awesome and that bit at that end where he says, "the one this I hated about living in Sante Carlo, all the damn vampires" or he said something like that and thats classic. Ed Herrmann is nicely put in as The Master

This was one of the first horror films to use fog to make the movie more scary. Excellent performances by Claude Raines, Lon Chaney Jr., and the woman that played Maleva. Bela Lugosi had a small role as Bela who bites Chaney to begin his nightmare as a creature of the full moon. Great musical score adds to the eerie effects.

"Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms. And the autumn moon is bright."

The 1941 version of "The Wolf Man" is one of the most important Universal monster movies that is a classic even if it is not a great film. That is because pretty much the entire mythology of werewolves, from the transformation beneath the full moon and the silver bullets to the appearance of a pentagram that marks the next victim of the werewolf, comes from this film. Consequently, screenwriter Curt Siodmak did for werewolves what Bram Stoker did for vampires, also working to take established folklore and then add a few creative twists.

The story of "The Wolf Man" should be well-known even to those who have yet to see the film. Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney, Jr.), returns to his ancestral home in Wales following the death of his older brother. One night poor Larry is bitten by a wolf during an attack and he soon learns he has inherited the curse of lycanthrope from the gypsy werewolf (Bela Lugosi). Now, whenever the full moonrise, he goes out looking for some throats to rip out. What chance does he now have with the beautiful Gwen (Evelyn Ankers), and whatever will he tell his father, Sir John Talbot (Claude Reins?).

"The Wolf Man" is Lon Chaney, Jr.'s signature role mainly because it is one of the few movie monster roles that he originated (although the part was originally intended by Boris Karloff). Chaney was the original and only Larry Talbot, which is rather surprising given how often Universal played musical actors with the guys behind the monster makeup, which, once again, is by Jack Pierce. The film is more atmospheric than bloody, with lots of mist hugging the ground in the dark forest, which reflects both the sensibilities of the time and limitations placed on the genre by the production code. You also have Ralph Bellamy and veteran character actress Maria Ouspenskaya in the supporting cast adding weight to the story and make up for the fact you never really can buy that Reins and Chaney are father and son.

Ultimately, "The Wolf Man" is a monster movie that plays like a Greek tragedy with the monster being as much of an innocent victim as any of the werewolf's prey. Universal's classic version of "Frankenstein" was changed so much from Mary Shelley's novel that it lost the most tragic aspects of that particular story, leaving "The Wolf Man" to claim that particular title. It is that tragic element that you can find in all of the better werewolf movies that have followed this one, from "I Was a Teenage Werewolf" and "An American Werewolf in London" to "The Howling" and "Wolf."

The "Wolf Man" is one of the all-time great Universal horror films. A marvelous screenplay by Curt Siodmak, incredible makeup by Jack Pierce, and perfect direction from George Waggner combine to create a moody, atmospheric classic. Add to the mix the great acting talents of Claude Rains, Lon Chaney, Jr., Evelyn Ankers, Ralph Bellamy, Patric Knowles, Warren William, Bela Lugosi, Fay Helm, and the incomparable Maria Ospenskaya as "Meleva" the gypsy women, and you have an almost perfect horror film. Lon Chaney, Jr., as "Sir Lawrence Talbot" is particularly effective as he successfully follows up his fine performance as "Lenny" in "Of Mice and Men." But it is the overall ambiance of the film---the clouds passing by the full moon; the distant howls of wolves; the gypsy music eerily pervading the mist-filled forests---which make this film unforgetable. Remember: "Even a man whose pure at heart and says his prayers by night, can become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright." Great Halloween fun. Highly recommended for movie fans of all ages and especially for horror buffs. No blood, no gore. Just great acting, atmospherics, and plot. They don't make'em like this anymore.

Frankly, I had forgotten how excellent this film is until seeing it again recently. (It was selected to received the Academy Award for best film, instead of Citizen Kane and the other nominees.) The impact on me of a film at a given time is almost wholly dependent on how accessible I am when seeing it. I first saw How Green Was My Valley as a child and then again several years later. Probably because since then I have become a father and then a grandfather, I am much more appreciative now than I was before of what director John Ford achieves in his portrayal of a Welsh mining town and of a specific family there which struggles so courageously to enable one of its own, not only to escape from the mines but from the limits of a culture (albeit loving and supportive) to fulfill his human potentialities which would otherwise be denied. The film covers a 50-year period as an adult Huw Morgan recalls it (he is played by Roddy McDowell), with the primary focus on his ordeals as the youngest of several children. Donald Crisp received an Academy Award as best actor in a supporting role as Morgan family's patriarch. Many believe this is Ford's best film and I would be hard-pressed to disagree with them. It really has everything. With Philip Dunne's screenplay based on Richard Llewellyn's novel, How Green Was My Valley combines superior acting and cinematography with Alfred Newman's complementary musical score. For me, this film's greatness is found in its graphic portrayal of hardship and despair in a bleak mining town which are offset by a proud family's enduring faith in Huw and their determination to protect and support him. Ford affirms their essential dignity with a respect and admiration he invites us to share.

You cannot give this film less then 5 stars. The story of a young boy growing up in the Welsh mine country touches on everyone. A young Roddy McDowell sees his family go though loss, redemption, hatred and love. If nothing else, the movie shows the strength of th family and in particular the English people.

An outstanding cast almost makes you feel like you are in old Wales. You can almost feel the coal dust on your tongue as you watch the miners traverse the dangerous coal mines. You can feel the suffering and the happiness of the family as they deal with trajedies and triumphs. Watch it-one of the greatest movies of all time!

When I first got this movie, I threw away the insert that said that you can get a free copy of "Sunrise" if you buy 3 Fox classics this year. The picture in the insert looked dopey. Later on, I discovered that "Sunrise" is considered a masterpiece from one of the great directors, F.W. Murnau. So don't throw away that insert. "All About Eve", "Gentlemen's Agreement", "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir", "An Affair to Remember" all qualify for this offer.

"How Green Was My Valley" is not a happy, feel-good movie. It is about many different tragedies that befall a family in Wales. It is poignant, touching, a masterpiece from one of the great directors of all time.

This film is for those who enjoy films with strong, realistic portrayals of real people in extraordinary circumstances. Which is the case of Ray Liotta and Jason Patric's characters: two cops, which are totally opposite in the way they behave and handle things.
Liotta's character has passed the thin line that divides a man in control of his emotions and respectful of law and authority, and one who cannot or doesn't want to do things in the right way: he simply has lost interest, and has too much rage to give a damn about things, so, to him the end justifies the means. But the problem is that there is no way in which this character can get rid of his demons, there isn't a way in which he can redeem himself, not with the way he decided things should be done.
Patric's character, on the other side, also has a conflicted conscious, but still believes in doing good. And to him, the end does not justify the means. He is a man who still has something to look up for, something to cherish, and does whatever he can to preserve things that way, no matter how hard things get.
This is a film about these two cops and their struggles within themselves and their antagonistic way in which they see things should be done. But there are not good or evil people here; there are not black and whites; but there is only one way to make things at least a little better.

Simply put, this film is sledge-hammer-to-the-chest, both-eyes-agape, runaway-train-through-a-living-room astonishing. I watched this movie and immediately woke my 3 year old up around 3:00 a.m. to embrace her as tight as I annoyingly could. That's how this movie affects you. If you have children and ever see this film, I promise you'll do exactly the same thing.

And might I say a sincere bravo to Joe Carnahan for delivering such a treat to those of us who believe true filmmaking is dead. I myself work directly in Hollywood as an active member on film sets and I regretfully admit that I have become jaded and cynical towards "movies".

But this one knocked me out of my socks. I think to quote an ever on point Tom Cruise, " . . . I was pinned to my seat." And I honestly can't remember the last time such a gritty, raw and unrelentless vehicle like this one made me forget I was actually watching a "movie". Lord knows if I didn't know a thing about a thing, I'd have probably thought this was some kind of documentary.

So that little bit being said without actually saying a thing about NARC, this film is absolutely incredible.

Featuring solid work from both Jason Patric and the astonishing Ray Liotta (he should have won an Oscar),"Narc" is a dark brutal, tale of the hunt for a supposed cop killer. If the opening chase scene doesn't pull you in, then you don't have a pulse! Writer/Director Joe Carnahan stages and shoots much of this great film like a 70's cop drama, but never lets style overcome the story. Busta Rhymes is good a small put pivotal role as a drug dealer and his revelations near the end of the piece send the tale in a whole new direction. Liotta with his weathered face, bushy goatee and bloated, almost lumbering appearance is a marvel to watch as he alternates between violent, sadistic rage and moments of clear-headed reasoning and remembrance (the stakeout scene in the car when he talks about his deceased wife is one of the best sequences here and a fine bit of subtle acting by both he and Patric). While is has it's moments of bloody violence, the movie never shows us carnage for the sake of shock value. An all around excellent movie, "Narc" will achieve an even greater reputation with the passing of time and be fondly remembered as one of the best cop films in cinematic history. Highly Recommended.

This film is for those who enjoy films with strong, realistic portrayals of real people in extraordinary circumstances. Which is the case of Ray Liotta and Jason Patric's characters: two cops, which are totally opposite in the way they behave and handle things.
Liotta's character has passed the thin line that divides a man in control of his emotions and respectful of law and authority, and one who cannot or doesn't want to do things in the right way: he simply has lost interest, and has too much rage to give a damn about things, so, to him the end justifies the means. But the problem is that there is no way in which this character can get rid of his demons, there isn't a way in which he can redeem himself, not with the way he decided things should be done.
Patric's character, on the other side, also has a conflicted conscious, but still believes in doing good. And to him, the end does not justify the means. He is a man who still has something to look up for, something to cherish, and does whatever he can to preserve things that way, no matter how hard things get.
This is a film about these two cops and their struggles within themselves and their antagonistic way in which they see things should be done. But there are not good or evil people here; there are not black and whites; but there is only one way to make things at least a little better.

Simply put, this film is sledge-hammer-to-the-chest, both-eyes-agape, runaway-train-through-a-living-room astonishing. I watched this movie and immediately woke my 3 year old up around 3:00 a.m. to embrace her as tight as I annoyingly could. That's how this movie affects you. If you have children and ever see this film, I promise you'll do exactly the same thing.

And might I say a sincere bravo to Joe Carnahan for delivering such a treat to those of us who believe true filmmaking is dead. I myself work directly in Hollywood as an active member on film sets and I regretfully admit that I have become jaded and cynical towards "movies".

But this one knocked me out of my socks. I think to quote an ever on point Tom Cruise, " . . . I was pinned to my seat." And I honestly can't remember the last time such a gritty, raw and unrelentless vehicle like this one made me forget I was actually watching a "movie". Lord knows if I didn't know a thing about a thing, I'd have probably thought this was some kind of documentary.

So that little bit being said without actually saying a thing about NARC, this film is absolutely incredible.

Featuring solid work from both Jason Patric and the astonishing Ray Liotta (he should have won an Oscar),"Narc" is a dark brutal, tale of the hunt for a supposed cop killer. If the opening chase scene doesn't pull you in, then you don't have a pulse! Writer/Director Joe Carnahan stages and shoots much of this great film like a 70's cop drama, but never lets style overcome the story. Busta Rhymes is good a small put pivotal role as a drug dealer and his revelations near the end of the piece send the tale in a whole new direction. Liotta with his weathered face, bushy goatee and bloated, almost lumbering appearance is a marvel to watch as he alternates between violent, sadistic rage and moments of clear-headed reasoning and remembrance (the stakeout scene in the car when he talks about his deceased wife is one of the best sequences here and a fine bit of subtle acting by both he and Patric). While is has it's moments of bloody violence, the movie never shows us carnage for the sake of shock value. An all around excellent movie, "Narc" will achieve an even greater reputation with the passing of time and be fondly remembered as one of the best cop films in cinematic history. Highly Recommended.