Home Movie Reviews

While Jennifer Garner is beautiful and gets to wear fancier clothes, Peta Wilson is much more credible (Yes, guys, she's easy on the eyes as well). You actually Believe she is capable of doing the things here character does. Again, not taking away from Alias, it's just that this series was so much better. The plots were more intriguing and didn't depend on things just working out. You could actually see how the story got to there from here, and you accepted it. The actions of the protagonists, both good and bad and the moral numbness that many of the characters developed really came through. How Nikita kept here sanity and values through all she went through is handled very well.

So, why not give it 5 stars? Simply put: the price. Not Amazon's, they give a healthy discount, but the list price set by Warner on which Amazon's price is based. At $99.98 vs. $69.98 for Alias or $59.98 for Angel (not really in this genre but a great show), even with Amazon's good pricing a lot of people are going to be put off by the cost. Too bad. They're going to miss a great entertainment. Maybe Warner will wise up and price this set more realistically so that there will be enough sales to justify getting the rest of the series out on DVD.

Still, this show is the best!

There is a reason.

This is the most intelligent spy-adventure series ever done, TV or movies. It does not play dumb at *any* time. Watch Alias after this, and you will wonder what you ever saw in Jennifer Garner. And I loved Alias Season One.

BUT ... THIS ... STUNS!!!

The most remarkable thing is that all of Nikita was done before 9/11. When you see what's going on, this will become more and more remarkable.

One small problem: The studio can't seem to get out seasons 2, 3, 4 and the short 5th season. What dummys!!! They'll probably whine when the bootlegs show up, too.

I have all the episodes on tape and have seen them many times but the DVD package is outstanding. I have seen details and nuances of the episodes I didn't see on first viewing. Kudos to those who brought these episodes to DVD.

You don't have to be a fan of the show. This show was buried on the USA Network and didn't receive the recognition it deserved but I believe that added to its charm. It wasn't mainstream and this opened the door for it to develop the cult following it enjoys today. I enjoyed the French movie of the same name but if you expect there to be similarities between the show and the movie, forget it! The world of Section One is more ruthless and deadly.

The comparisons to Alias and "24" aren't valid. The heroine in Alias isn't a strong enough female action hero and the world she lives in is too black and white. La Femme Nikita also had a harder edge to it than Alias. Alias is too lightweight. Nikita's world was colored in shades of gray and the superiors in Section One were just as ruthless as the terrorists they fought every week! In "24" the terrorism seems more like a "B" story than the main plotline. The main plotlines of "24" deal with political intrigue. Terrorist storylines are interwoven into the political intrigue in "24" but it isn't the main storyline as it was in La Femme Nikita.

It also isn't fair to compare Nikita to other kick-ass heroines, i.e., Buffy, Xena or Sydney in Alias. Buffy fights in a world populated by fictional vampires, Xena is a warrior princess and Sydney was recruited for the secret organization she works for. Nikita was not recruited she was forced to join Section One. She was largely a soldier fighting the war against terrorism.

Amazingly enough, this show came out before 9/11 and the theme largely running through the show is fighting the terrorists just as ruthlessly as the terrorist wages war on the unprotected population. In Nikita's world, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one. A few must be sacrificed sometimes in the war against terrorism.

As with many DVD sets, there were a number of extras. Strangely enough, as interesting as it was to hear from the creators Joel Surnow (Executive Consultant), Robert Cochran and Jon Cassar, the audio commentary they all provided during the first episode "Nikita" was distracting. This feature however, can be turned off so that you can enjoy the episode. I turned it on just to hear the commentary and it drove me crazy! They talked incessantly throughout the episode.

Also, during the final episode "Mercy" Joel Surnow alone did commentary for that episode and he even put in a plug for his then new series he was working on "24"! I thought this was a tiny bit tacky but then both shows were his creation so perhaps it wasn't so much a shameless plug but maybe pride that he had another creative project on the horizon. Whatever...

The deleted scenes were very interesting and only three of the actors (Peta Wilson, Roy Dupuis and Eugene Robert Glazer) were interviewed for this box set. It certainly will be nice to hear from the others for the future seasons, that will hopefully also be released.

OUATITW is quite different than Leone's other well known westerns starring Clint Eastwood, although he does still capture some of their magic here . Where this film differs is in it's characters and sheer scope. Leone's style is still well intact, but his storytelling is much more diverse here, not simply relying on one mechanic throughout.

The DVD was very well done with a good quality picture and adequate sound. The second DVD in the set is loaded with features including documenteries and various featurettes. The commentary tracts are also well done and very informative as well as entertaining.

All in all, this DVD was well worth the wait. For fans of the film, this is a gem for the collection that must be bought.

This is a great transfer. Images are crisp and clear. You can even see the details of the back lit Mitten Buttes in Monument Valley. Now, you can kiss goodbye to the VHS tape you had for years.

When I saw "Once Upon a Time in the West" for the first time, I was 14. Seeing Cardinale's buggy cross Monument Valley made me shed tears. It's such stunning beauty! I could feel Leone's deep affection to the western in this scene. This is his homage to John Ford and all western movies.

There are not so many directors who know how to use wide screen effectively. In Leone's films, space seems to expand to form massive cosmos. No other director could perform this type of magic (perhaps with an exception of David Lean).

This is a movie that deserves the word "masterpiece" in every sense. And this is an utmost form of film as art. The tempo throughout the movie is meticulously calculated. Camera movement and editing are extremely creative and cinematic. Morricone's haunting music flows with the images (I don't hesitate to say Jill's theme is the most beautiful music on earth). Dialogue is limited to optimize its dramatic effect and superbly well written. Movements of actors are deliberately slow and stylish. Carlo Simi's art direction for set and costume designs plays a great role also to help Leone's perfectionism and realism.

This is not just the best spaghetti western. Some dare to say this is the best western ever made. And so do I.

Three documentaries on the second disc are wonderful treat to Leone fans. Through numerous interviews, you can learn how "Once Upon a Time in the West" was started and how it was produced. Very briefly, you can see Leone himself in one of the documentaries. My only regret is that other key people like Charles Bronson, Jason Robards, Ennio Morricone and Sergio Donati were not interviewed.

One of the noteworthy special features is Location Gallery. I'd like to thank Don Bruce for contributing valuable photos of locations used for "Once Upon a Time in the West" to make comparisons to actual scenes in the film.

This is one great DVD made with passion to reflect diehard Leone fans' never-ending love for this monumental film.

The movie pays homage to the great American westerns in the past (movies such as "The Searchers" and "Shane", plus many others), while putting on a revisionist twist of its own in the story. Curiously, among the spaghetti westerns made by Leone, this is the only one which features a woman as its central character. This movie talks about the passing of the era of gunfighters into the modern industrial era (represented by the advent of railroads). One of the great features of this movie is the classic soundtrack by Ennio Morricone.

I really love this Western and it only gets better through the passage of time. The 2-DVD set is great -- it features a commentary on the first disc and several featurettes (a 3-part documentary which interviews cast members, the director, cinematographer and admirers of the movie; another documentary on the revolution of the railroad) on the second disc. There are some scenes included in this DVD which were absent in the video version (the complete version). The picture and sound quality are excellent. If you love classic westerns and are a fan of Sergio Leone's westerns, you will definitely love this movie. It is a must-have!

How many times will ignorant interpretations of bad ratings systems cause networks to miss the boat when it comes to what we want to see on television? I have come to expect so little from the boob-tube that it amazes me how much in shock I was when this show was suddenly cancelled.

All the praise from the other reviews and other sources on the net are well deserved. The language, stories, characters, history, images, had the markings of something that would have grown to be great. If the market share of our kind is truly too small to influence bottom-line-tunnel-vision business, I am thankful that at least we have a chance to grab this bit of gold on DVD so we can enjoy it with our friends while the sheep numb their minds on the ratings kings. These will be valuable. Buy them, and see what it's like when writers actually work for a living.

Well, in fact, that's right. It's _not_ just another explosion movie. It's not a generic execution of a formula. It's not all special effects. It's actually worth seeing.

Why you ask? Well, it's got hook. It's got a villain that is expertly crafted by the screen writers, and absolutely perfectly portrayed by Alan Rickman. This character, Hans Gruber, is despicable, complex, and deliciously hate-worthy. It's his job to drive this film. If you don't hate him, the only thing left is... well, explosions. But you do hate him, and that fact makes all the difference.

Rickman is so good at playing Gruber that, while the character is secretly hijacking a skyscraper, the actor is publicly hijacking the entire movie. I own this DVD, and I gotta tell ya, every time I see him get it in the end, I stand up and cheer. It's that kind of film. (Oh. You haven't seen it, and I just ruined it for you by telling you the villain gets it? Yeah right. Sorry 'bout that.:-)

If Rickman is the guy I love to hate, Willis is the guy I hate to love. Lots of violence. Lots of explosions in most of what he does, but check out _Twelve Monkeys_ or _Fifth Element_. They work, and so does he. Willis's character in _Die Hard_, John McClane, has depth. Marital conflict. Head trips. The audience cares about him too. He's not just a slip filling the hero role. Willis has a way of delivering, and allowing others around him to shine.

Bottom line: This is to action films as Hank Williams is to Country music: it engages people who normally dislike the genre. Even if you aren't the action film type, _Die Hard_ is worth a try.

All of these Democrats served in the military: Al Gore, Tom Daschle, John Kerry, Wes Clark, Gray Davis, David Bonior (one of the Baghdad Boys), and Max Cleland served in Vietnam. Ted Kennedy, Walter Mondale and Chuck Rangel served in Korea. Jimmy Carter ('No president of the United States in the twentieth century served more time in the military than Carter' - John Eisenhower), John Glenn and George McGovern served in WW II.

All of these Republicans dodged the draft: George W Bush, Dick 'I had other priorities during Vietnam' Cheney, Tom 'the minorities took all the good positions in the army so I had to be a Bugman during 'Nam (by the way I'm Not French)' DeLay, Rudy Giuliani, Dennis Hastert, Trent Lott, Bill Frist, John Ashcroft, Jeb Bush, Karl Rove, Newt Gingrich, Ronal Reagan, Saxby Chambliss, George Will, Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, Bill Bennett, Michael Savage, Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, Ralph Reed and Ted Nugent.

What political outfit do you think John McLane would have voted for?

Well, in fact, that's right. It's _not_ just another explosion movie. It's not a generic execution of a formula. It's not all special effects. It's actually worth seeing.

Why you ask? Well, it's got hook. It's got a villain that is expertly crafted by the screen writers, and absolutely perfectly portrayed by Alan Rickman. This character, Hans Gruber, is despicable, complex, and deliciously hate-worthy. It's his job to drive this film. If you don't hate him, the only thing left is... well, explosions. But you do hate him, and that fact makes all the difference.

Rickman is so good at playing Gruber that, while the character is secretly hijacking a skyscraper, the actor is publicly hijacking the entire movie. I own this DVD, and I gotta tell ya, every time I see him get it in the end, I stand up and cheer. It's that kind of film. (Oh. You haven't seen it, and I just ruined it for you by telling you the villain gets it? Yeah right. Sorry 'bout that.:-)

If Rickman is the guy I love to hate, Willis is the guy I hate to love. Lots of violence. Lots of explosions in most of what he does, but check out _Twelve Monkeys_ or _Fifth Element_. They work, and so does he. Willis's character in _Die Hard_, John McClane, has depth. Marital conflict. Head trips. The audience cares about him too. He's not just a slip filling the hero role. Willis has a way of delivering, and allowing others around him to shine.

Bottom line: This is to action films as Hank Williams is to Country music: it engages people who normally dislike the genre. Even if you aren't the action film type, _Die Hard_ is worth a try.

All of these Democrats served in the military: Al Gore, Tom Daschle, John Kerry, Wes Clark, Gray Davis, David Bonior (one of the Baghdad Boys), and Max Cleland served in Vietnam. Ted Kennedy, Walter Mondale and Chuck Rangel served in Korea. Jimmy Carter ('No president of the United States in the twentieth century served more time in the military than Carter' - John Eisenhower), John Glenn and George McGovern served in WW II.

All of these Republicans dodged the draft: George W Bush, Dick 'I had other priorities during Vietnam' Cheney, Tom 'the minorities took all the good positions in the army so I had to be a Bugman during 'Nam (by the way I'm Not French)' DeLay, Rudy Giuliani, Dennis Hastert, Trent Lott, Bill Frist, John Ashcroft, Jeb Bush, Karl Rove, Newt Gingrich, Ronal Reagan, Saxby Chambliss, George Will, Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, Bill Bennett, Michael Savage, Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, Ralph Reed and Ted Nugent.

What political outfit do you think John McLane would have voted for?

He doesn't want to sell anything that's bought and processed, or process anything that's bought and sold. Or buy anything that's sold and processed. But, he doesn't know what he wants to do besides spend as much time with Diane Court as possible.

This is about finding out someone is not what you thought they were [not the main character OR the girl, no, someone else], learning to trust, following your gut, and the painful lessons of near adulthood. OScar worthy? No, but a pleasure all the same.

Blame it on the great acting and onscreen chemistry. Blame it on the awesome acting abilities of John Cusack and the directing/writing by Cameron Crowe. Hey, blame is on the rain! Seattle is always a good location for movies. Get out and see this film again. Put all the other teen movies in the recycle bin where they belong. Guys you will recognize yourselves and girls you will fall in love with Loyd and like me will ask...where is Loyd Dobler anyway?

A silent screen actress lives in a fantasy world longing for the stardom she once had, to the point that she really believes it is all coming back. Enter William Holden to help the fantasy come together. What we end up with is a tragic story which demonstrates how loneliness can affect the mind.

Heaps of extras add to the appeal of this DVD. A must own.

The documentary on the disc does a good job of demonstrating just how unique the tone of this story is, how it perfectly navigates between funny and sad. Not everyone in Hollywood saw the funny side when it was released, and it lost to ALL ABOUT EVE at that year's Oscars. So what? With this disc, SUNSET BOULEVARD is finally getting it's due.

Besides the documentary, you can read two screenplay drafts of an excised opening sequence, explore 1950's Hollywood with an interactive map and watch the film with audio commentary by a critic and historian. All these features are secondary, of course, to the movie. It looks gorgeous. The black and white picture is rich and crisp, the sound is re-mastered and the story is as compelling as ever. The special features only do what all good special features should do on a DVD. They add to the richness of the film. You may already know that Eric von Stroheim (who plays a character who directed Gloria Swanson's character in silent films) directed Gloria Swanson in silent films. But did you know that the drugstore where all the screenwriter's hang out in the movie is the drug store where F. Scott Fitzgerald had a heart attack in 1940? One of the reasons I love this movie is because it is so rich with Hollywood history.

I can't recommend this disc highly enough. Kudos to Columbia for doing right by a classic, a real film lover's film. I love this movie and I love this disc! 5/5 stars.

In this new version we learn about everything, including how the adult Toto stalks his childhood girlfriend's modern-day daughter (who is protrayed by the same actress who played his original love interest). He finds the daughter's home and sees her drive off with his old friend (the one he beat to the punch in the original encounter with Elena) who is now obviously the young girl's father.

He realizes this is the home of his now married, Elena. He stalks the house and gets the nerve to call his long lost girlfriend. They have a private meeting and finally make love for the first time in his car (after waiting 30 years).

He continues to be creapy with her for a few more days and finally goes on his way to embrace his now clearly pathetic life of as a single, loney adult who waited his whole life for nothing.

Sorry if my spoiler here spoils your view of the movie, but I recommend you buy the original cut and continue to enjoy the story you loved in 1990. Besides this issue, the new cut is so long, you really just get to a point where you want it to end.

Hope this helps.

It is only the director's cut that is rated R, not the original version. The original version is marked "not rated" on my VHS copy, but doesn't contain the sexuality that is included in the later version. We enjoyed this movie enough to purchase the DVD copy although we already owned it on VHS. This is definitely a DVD worth owning.