Home Movie Reviews

Although the Watership Down TV series was giving a hard time when it first began airing on TV, that was mearly because it was "different" from the beloved book and movie. Different does NOT mean bad! I actually became interested in the TV show long before I read the book. If you watch a few episodes you will realize that a deep and interesting storyline does exist. It complents and extends the book. The second season of the series featured better character animation though roughened up designs. The first season was a touch "lighter" than the second, though both are amazing, and can be enjoyed by EVERYONE.

I am 19 years old and clearly I love this "kids" series. My mother, who hates animation, enjoys it as well. I have recorded every single episode to ever air in Canada and could not be more pleased that it is being released on this side of the ocean (many Watership Down products are/were available throughout Europe. It was quite big in Germany).

I can only hope that they release every episode and not just the "best of" (as was done in Germany and I believe the UK as well), because it is a flowing series. There are very few stand-alone episodes. Still though, anything is better than nothing :)

The best probably being "Demoliton Man". Great DVD set.

I have seen this movie 64 times, and I plan on seeing it at least 1,000 times more. It has an awesome plot; the chemistry between the actors is absolutely amazing, and it has superb camera work.
I would recommend this movie to anyone seeking a quiet night in front of the television! It is a bit "slow" but the acting and plot make the time well spent.

Jacques D'Amboise demonstrates the difference between a teacher and a mentor. A teacher gives information, a mentor literally reaches into a child's life and lifts him/her to a higher plane. In this video, it's great to watch Jacques coach average kids into above-average performance, and provoke them into seeing greatness in themselves, and his technique has obvious application in all fields, not just artistic or physical. This video is superb for not only profiling an accomplished mentor like Jacques, but for showing us the incredible power of dance to unchain a child's imagination, and boost their self esteem.

What a vividness and reality in this film! Some people may criticize it as a propaganda film, but it can not be more realistic than any other war docomentary film. Hundreds times better than "Lost archives of WW¥±". Fantastically nostalgic!

This great film will stamp an indelible image into your psyche. I saw this at a cinema last year and it has stayed in my mind ever since. A more hauntingly beautiful film has not bettered this faux documentary about the lives our ancestors lived...and how things really have not changed.

Undoubtably propaganda, this film was produced by the United States Army, and released to the defense community, as well as to the American public.

I am not usually interested by propaganda, but since this film discussed the sequence of events of World War II, a subject I am interested in, I decided to buy it. The film starts with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and ends with the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in the same order in which they happened during the war. This film uses actual footage taken during battle sequences.

I would not recommend this movie as an objective look into the war, after all the government only says what they want the public to know in this fim. However, for anyone interested in the time period during World War II, I would recommend this movie as an interesting piece of history.

Wrestling Gold Collection 3: We Like To Hurt People, part III of a V part series, collects vintage wrestling matches from the 1970s and 1980s. This particular volume contains 15 matches.

The biggest sell of this DVD series is the optional "Insider Commentary" (from Select Audio screen) from series hosts Jim Cornette (noted wrestling manager/promoter) and Dave Meltzer (noted wrestling journalist) which can be turned on in lieu of the original match audio. The insider commentary offers great insights into wrestling history, the superstars and the world of wrestling in general.

Though this collection is referred to as "Wrestling Gold" perhaps a better name for this particularly volume would have been "The Best of Memphis Wrestling" which is where most of these matches were pulled from. Here's a rundown of the featured matches on this volume:

1.Tommy Rich and Eddie Gilbert vs. Phil Hickerson and The Spoiler: Early 80s from Memphis. Tennessee Street Fight. Rich was a former NWA World Champion. He and Gilbert were top stars from the South. All were mainstays in Memphis wrestling. Decent tag match. 3 stars.

2.Rock N' Roll Expresss vs. Randy Savage and Lanny Poffo. From Memphis 1984. This is a rematch from the match featured on volume II. Another top-notch contest between these legendary competitors. 4 stars.

3.Dory Funk Jr. vs. Dick Slater: From SCW. Great scientific mat wrestling from these two old-school grapplers. Funk was a legendary heavyweight champion. Slater was a noted brawler who emulated Dory's brother Terry. 4 stars.

4.Tiger Jeet Singh vs. The Sheik: From Toronto. Cage Match. Both were legendary brawlers from the 60s through the 70s. Great brawl. 4 stars.

5.The Fabulous Blonds (Eric Embry and Ken Tims). Vs. Manny Fernandez and Al Perez: From SCW 1984 from the tag titles. All four competitors were mainstays in Texas wrestling with Fernandez and Embry achieving legendary status. Perez went on to mild success in the NWA. Decent scientific bout between these two teams. Post-match run-in by the Sheepherders (AKA, the Bushwhackers). 4 stars

6.Terry Funk vs. Harley Race: 2/6/76 from Toronto. Historic match for the NWA world title. Outstanding old-school scientific match between these two legendary grapplers. 5 stars.

7.Pepper Gomez vs. The Bounty Hunter: Decent match. 3 ¾ stars.

8.Austin Idol vs. Jim Neidhart: Memphis 1984. Idol was a Memphis legend. Okay match. Also featuring Jimmy Hart and the Spoiler. 3 stars.

9.Junkyard Dog vs. "Hacksaw" Butch Reed: Memphis 1984. Awesome "power" match up. JYD was an icon throughout the South. Both went on to success in the 1980s WWF. Reed also went on to greater success as part of Doom in WCW. 4 stars.

10.Rick Rude, Jim Neidhart, Ox Baker and the Japanese Assassin (w/ Angel) vs. Robert Reed, Tiger Mask, Keith Eric and Mad Dog: Memphis, 1984. Squash match. Rick Rude wrestles in a dress. DUD.

11.King Kong Bundy vs. Jerry "The King" Lawler: From Memphis, 1984. Lawler makes $1000 for every minute the match goes on. Bundy went on to success in the WWF. Lawler was a legend in Memphis, known by today's fans as the former WWF Raw announcer. Great match psychology. Rick Rude run-in. 4 stars.

12.Terry Funk vs. Mark Lewin: Detroit, 1977. Great brawl between these two noted brawling legends. Post-match run-in with Walter Johnson. 4 stars.

13.Tommy Rich vs. Massao Ito (w/ Jimmy Hart): Memphis, 1984. Great match between these two including some nice martial arts spots from Ito. 4 stars.

14.Jerry "The King" Lawler vs. Kamala The Ugandan Giant: Memphis, 1984 for the Southern Heavyweight Title. Kamala was a major star throughout Memphis and Texas who went on to greater success in the WWF in the 1980s through early 90s. Lawler at his best. 4 stars.

15.Ray Stevens, Blackjack Mulligan and Baron Von Raschke (w/ Blackjack Lanza and Bobby Heenan) vs. The Crusher, Dick the Bruiser and Sailor Art Thomas: Indianapolis, early 70s. Star-studded six-man tag with 8 legends of the 1970s. All 8 men were top stars/top draws throughout the 60s and 70s, particularly Stevens, Crusher and the Bruiser. 4 stars.

Wrestling wise, this is a GREAT DVD. Here's my rundown:

Price of Admission Alone: The NWA title match between Race and Funk. This is a true piece of wrestling history.

Awesome: The "Insider Match Commentary." It's a fascinating listen/insight into the stars and the business. You'll learn a GREAT deal about the history of the business and the stars that made it. Also, many of the anecdotes that Cornette shares are PRICELESS.

Good: Seeing all the old-school superstars (Savage, JYD, RN'R, Rude, Gilbert, Heenan, etc).

Whoa: Where'd the biographies go????

Could Improve: The match intros by Cornette and Meltzer. They do a good job of introducing the matches and placing them in context of the feuds and time, BUT they neglect to mention important details (for most) such as the DATES of these contests. It's something they should mention, plus also put on the box. To get this basic info you'll have to listen with "Insider Commentary" turned on.

Overall, this is a great DVD if you are into old-school style matches and stars. The matches in this volume are great!!! You'll get a good mix of scientific (Funk/Race), (Funk Jr./Slater), hardcore (Sheik/Singh), (Funk/Lewin), power (JYD/Reed), aerial (RnR/Savage, Poffo), etc. There's something for everyone. Plus, you'll see legends like Ray Stevens, the Crusher and Dick the Bruiser and even contemporary favorites who are no longer with us (Rude, Eddie Gilbert, JYD). If you are a wrestling nostalgist THIS IS FOR YOU. Definitely give this a watch. You'll see many of the older stars of today back in their prime or as rookies. Also, you'll get to see some of the legends that older fans always reminisce about. Plus, if you want a great lesson in wrestling history, listen to it in "Insider Commentary" mode. It's a fascinating listen.

Highly Recommended (for nostalgia)

Wrestling Gold Collection 4: No More Mr. Nice Guy, part IV of a V part series, collects vintage wrestling matches from the 1970s and 1980s. This particular volume contains 12 matches.

The biggest sell of this DVD series is the optional "Insider Commentary" (from Select Audio screen) from series hosts Jim Cornette (noted wrestling manager/promoter) and Dave Meltzer (noted wrestling journalist) which can be turned on in lieu of the original match audio. The insider commentary offers great insights into wrestling history, the superstars and the world of wrestling in general.

Though this collection is referred to as "Wrestling Gold" perhaps a better name for this particularly volume would have been "The Best of Memphis Wrestling" which is where most of these matches were pulled from. Here's a rundown of the featured matches on this volume:

1.Randy "Macho Man" Savage (w/ Angelo Poffo) vs. Rick Rude (w/ Jimmy Hart): Early 80s Memphis. Both men went on to SUPER stardom as both are multi-time heavyweight champions. Okay match. Big stall-fest. King Kong Bundy run-in. 3 stars.

2.Andre the Giant vs. The Sheik (w/ Abdullah Farouk AKA The Grand Wizard): Toronto, 1974. Great seeing Andre in his prime. Both men were huge legends in this sport. The Sheik, in particular, was a legend in Toronto, known today as "Sabu's uncle." One-sided squash for Andre notable for the "fiery finish." 3 stars.

3.Pampero Firpo vs. Jeff Doney: Firpo was an Argentine also known as the "Wild Bull of the Pampas" who teamed up with the Sheik. Squash match. 3 stars.

4.Bruiser Brody and Scott Casey vs. Kelly Kiniski and the Spoiler: San Antonio, early 80s. Brody was the legendary Brawler. Casey and the Spoiler were mainstays in Texas wrestling. Casey went on to achieve VERY mild success in the late 80s WWF. Kiniski is the son of former NWA champion Gene Kiniski. Great mat classic in this match. 4 stars.

5.Jerry "The King" Lawler and Randy "Macho Man" Savage vs. King Kong Bundy and Rick Rude: Memphis, 1985. Star-studded tag match featuring 4 modern-day legends of the sport. AWESOME tag match showing Lawler and Savage at their best. 4 ¾ stars.

6.Chief Jay Strongbow vs. Don Kent: Early 70s. Shark Cage match. Strongbow was a legend throughout the Northeast in the 70s. Don Kent was one half of the Fabulous Kangaroos. Interesting match that took place in a VERY mobility limiting shark cage. Definitely NOT something you see everyday. Mark Lewin run-in. 5 stars just because it's something unique.

7.Randy "Macho Man" Savage vs. Austin Idol: Memphis, early 80s for the International title. Idol was a Memphis legend and a big star throughout the South. Savage at his finest. AWESOME match. 5 stars.

8.Terrible Ted the Wrestling Bear vs. Gene DuBois: from the 50s/60s. Wrestling bears (yes, REAL bears) were big draws during the 50s/60s/70s. This match is a special treat. While it is NOT a great classic, it is definitely a great novelty to see. The ref gets in on the action too!!! 5 stars.

9.Rick Rude (w/ Angel) vs. Tommy Rich (w/ Tojo Yamamoto): Memphis, early 80s for the Southern Heavyweight title. Tommy Rich was a former NWA Heavyweight champion and big star throughout the South. A pretty decent match notable for one HORRIBLY blown spot. Lawler run-in. 4 stars.

10.Jerry "The King" Lawler vs. Nick Bockwinkle (champ): Memphis 1983 for the AWA Heavyweight title. Another 5 star classic for Bockwinkle. AWESOME old-school match with great back and forth action. 5 stars.

11.Randy "Macho Man" Savage vs. Austin Idol: Memphis '84. Another great match with these two. Too bad it had a cheap finish. 4 stars.

12.Bobby Heenan (w/ Blackjack Mulligan and Lanza) vs. Cowboy Bob Ellis: Vintage Bobby Heenan trying to squeak out of a match. Ellis with the beat down on everyone. DUD.

Wrestling wise, this is a GREAT DVD. Here's my rundown:

Price of Admission Alone: The novelty of the Bear match and the GREAT action with Lawler/Bockwinkle and Savage/Idol and also seeing Andre in his prime.

Awesome: The "Insider Match Commentary." It's a fascinating listen/insight into the stars and the business. You'll learn a GREAT deal about the history of the business and the stars that made it. Also, many of the anecdotes that Cornette shares are PRICELESS.

Good: Seeing all the old-school superstars (Savage, Andre, Bundy, the Blackjacks, Heenan, etc).

Whoa: Where'd the biographies go????

Could Improve: The match intros by Cornette and Meltzer. They do a good job of introducing the matches and placing them in context of the feuds and time, BUT they neglect to mention important details (for most) such as the DATES of these contests. It's something they should mention, plus also put on the box. To get this basic info you'll have to listen with "Insider Commentary" turned on.

Unforgiveable: Misprint on the box. Match 9 (Funk/Putski vs. Hernandez/Blanchard) was NOT on this volume, but rather volume I.

Overall, this is a great DVD if you are into old-school style matches and stars. The matches in this volume are great!!! You'll get a good mix of scientific (Lawler/Bockwinkle), (Savage/Idol), hardcore (Strongbow/Kent), etc. There's something for everyone. Plus, you'll see legends like Andre the Giant, the wrestling bear, the Sheik, and Chief Jay Strongbow and even contemporary favorites who are no longer with us (Rude, Bruiser Brody, etc). If you are a wrestling nostalgist THIS IS FOR YOU. Definitely give this a watch. You'll see many of the older stars of today back in their prime or as rookies. Also, you'll get to see some of the legends that older fans always reminisce about. Plus, if you want a great lesson in wrestling history, listen to it in "Insider Commentary" mode. It's a fascinating listen.

Highly Recommended (for nostalgia)

I got this set last year. I wasn't sure what to expect at the time that I placed it into my DVD player, but I was a huge fan of the theatrical version and I knew it could only get better! It was better than I expected. The additional footage adds so much depth and so much more characterization that I can't understand why it wasn't apart of the original release. Simply amazing! Also the bonus material is nothing short of awesome! If you liked the movie in the theater BUY THIS NOW! If you are not sure, get this and THE TWO TOWERS: EXPANDED EDITION, and get ready for the third film, because they will get you hooked!
(GIFT SET INFO: This set comes with the movie, plus a set of bookends, and an addition disc with a documentary on the books. The set is beautiful, and the bookends are just wonderful. Spend the extra money and get the gift set!)

I forgave much of the necessary artiistic licence of the director because P.Jackson delivered magnificently in the major scenes and cleverly combined original elements that though "invented" maintained many essentials of the original narrative.
The extended DVD(though still not a literal translation of the book) contains many of the moments and subtleties that I so wanted to see in the theater. Though still a compromise relative to the book the additional detail of the extended version adds much more to the story than the extra 20 minutes of footage implies (some additions in places amount to 1/2 to 15 seconds of footage within a scene, yet they contribute much greater depth to the story).
The commentaries provided are fun, fascinating and quite welcome to the acting/filmaking enthusiast. The production-side documentaries and reports are a huge treat--sets, props, costumes, makeup and the insight into everyones dedication show clearly the huge commitment made by the crew and their concern in staying true to the source material as much as possible whilst also translating practically the tale from written word to film faithfully.
There's nothing really wrong with the theater release, but for home viewing even on a small screen the extended version is simply better and more engaging.
I couldn't help but buy the standard version of The Two Towers--tired of waiting--but I have just ordered the extended version of it as based on my experience with FOTR Extd. I know TTT Extended will also be superior to the theater release (and with TTT it ought to be--the editing was a bit choppy).
The extended version is a great value if you want all the extras it provides, and even if you don't, the additional footage is an improvement on the original release and thus worth it.

This is soooooooooooooooo much better than the regular version! It's got a bunch of funny parts in it! BUY IT...... NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!