Home Movie Reviews

In school my english teacher forced my class to watch this movie. No one liked the movie, even after we analyzed it. If you sit back and take in everything in the movie you will find the movie has many symbolic features in it. Pay attention to the crooked road in the beginning. That figure, the crooked road, pops up in many places like: when the lightening strikes the sailboat, on the wall of Joe's home, and the path on the island.

But like in my title, Joe Versus the Volcano would mainly go over all of our youths' heads. But it would also seem unusual or even like a low-budget film to those who are passive viewers.

Joe Banks is in a dead end job and going nowhere. Then he learns that he has a terminal condition called a "brain cloud" and has only a few months to live. An eccentric millionaire offers to let him "live like a king, die like a man" if he'll jump into a volcano on the island of Waponi Woo (he gets mineral rights from the islanders in exchange for the human sacrifice to appease the gods). He gets several credit cards and a plane ticket and is off on an incredible journey.

I'll be the first to admit this is a corny movie - at least on the surface. Upon watching it a few more times there's a lot of philisophical stuff there, but it's still a very funny movie. One scene in the beginning has Joe's boss on the phone and he keeps repeating the same phrases over and over. The funny part is that I've heard conversations just like that on the job. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan (and Meg Ryan, and Meg Ryan) are great together. Ryan shows good versatility in the 3 roles she plays, and Hanks is simply great.

One of my favorite movies - one I highly recommend for a good laugh.

I have always been mystified at the lack of appreciation for this film. I think it is profound, funny, charming, and life-affirming ... I watch it at least once a year and enjoy it more each time. It is a fable, which may be the reson more literally-minded folks don't enjoy it, and I don't think it was intended to be a comedy in the strictest sense of the word, it is much to subtle for that. It makes me feel good all the way down to my toes!

Where Eagles Dare is preposterous and stupid (like so many Aleister Maclean works), but it is a great deal of fun if you have a few beers and get into a light-headed mood. Burton is pretty good in his role, but Clint surprisingly doesn't register much. He just doesn't seem to play that well off of Burton. They are from two different words.

On the positive side, Clint must kill more Germans in the last 45 minutes of this movie than Patton's entire Third Army did during the entire war. That and a memorable struggle aboard an aerial cable car are two reasons to watch this mindless festival of violence.

This is another great WWII action movie with Sir Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood giving fine performances. The movie is set in either the Winter of 1943/1944 and an American General is captured by the Germans and is held in an unpenetrable castle deep in the heart of Germany.
Burton is the leader of an elite commando squad with orders to parachute into Germany, enter the Castle (built on a steep cliff by the way) and get the General out of German hands. It seems the General knows about the plans for the invasion of Europe and the Germans are trying to get him to talk.
The supporting cast, Clint Eastwood et al, are outstanding. From beautiful women who are helping Burton to the assault squad with their own "agenda" to follow, this is a great action movie that has an unexpected twist of plot.
This is the kind of movie that "guys who like action movies" would enjoy. It is also a movie you have to follow closely because if you don't you will be scratching your head until close to the very end. The movie version does the Alistair Maclean's novel quite outstandingly.

Highly Recomended!

Where Eagles Dare is one of the first WWII movies I have ever watched, and watching it now, as then, I am still totally enthralled by this non stop action movie that offers the viewer over two hours of good old fashioned entertainement.
Surely there are things in the movie that nearly two decades later I see with more judgemental eyes, little flaws that are rarely committed in modern films,
The blood that looks exactly like paint blotches,
The German dialogue that is confused between English for German, German accented English for German, and a smutterings of German (the essential 'Schnell' in all WWII movies) for German,
And the two men that manage to destroy a whole Nazi battalion in the Reich's heartland with no more than a bullet scartch on the hand,
All these are way over the top and quite unbelievable,
But then again Where Eagles Dare offers something that many modern films caught up in too much technicalities and digital experimentation do not offer, pure sheer escapist old fashion entertainment! The breathtaking scenery, the almost Dvorakian and very underrated score, the acting, and the non stop dare devil action and decent stunts for its time, are more than enough to compensate any flaws, and to take the boredom out of sunday afternoons.A Must Buy!

"Holes" is supposed to be a kids' movie, but I suspect that I had a lot more fun than my six- or four-year old. The characters in "Holes" are juveniles struggling to survive a murderous 18 months in a work camp in the driest spot of Texas. Ironically named "Green Lake", the chunk of Texas occupied by the camp hasn't seen rain in over a century. Instead, it's dotted by countless 5-foot deep holes dug by its juvenile denizens - so much so that, when seen from the air, it looks like the surface of the moon, or somebody with really bad acne.

Our hero is Stanley Yelnats the IVth - the last of a long line of amiable losers plagued by bad luck. While Stanley's father (Henry Winkler - that's right, the Fonz is back!) toils on a cure for foot-odor, Stanley gets arrested for stealing a pair of celebrity sneakers. Choosing (unwisely perhaps) Green Lake over prison, he finds himself digging holes under the blistering sun - joining an army of other enslaved youths so beaten down by the rigors of Green Lake, they almost never stop to think that they're digging for more than building character. Unpopular at first, Stanley soon earns a place among the other diggers, and even a nickname - "Caveman" - which proves the surest sign of acceptance.

As Stanley's story progresses, the flick makes numerous segues into stories seemingly unconnected to the main plot - we learn of Green Lake's prettier origins, of Stanley's star-crossed forbears, of a beautiful, though murderous old-west outlaw who sealed her kills with a kiss, of stolen pigs, fortune tellers and stolen pigs. "Holes", in its second half, never stops tiring you of the many ways it not only links these disparate threads but weaves them into the main story (onions and peaches?). I think many of the plot threads flew past my kids, but luckily I was around. If the script did more with the supporting characters, it would be priceless - instead the prisoners have little identity beyond their "tags" (like "Armpit", "Twitch" or "Magnet") or much purpose beyond educating Caveman on the camp's etiquette. Among the adult players, Sigourney Weaver is subtly menacing as the camp's warden (who polishes her nails with rattlesnake venom) while John Voight is hysterically over the top as the chief enforcer ("Once upon a time there was a magical place where it never rained, the end"). Special kudos for Tim Blake Nelson as "Mr. Pendanski", who plays a guy who actually tries to build the character of the boys - which only allows him access to their heads. (It's incredible to see how Nelson can reconstruct himself - he was also the emotionally frozen parole officer in the little-seen "Cherish", and the intellectually challenged "Delmar" from "Oh Brother, wherefore art thou?")

BUT IS IT FOR THE KIDS? I think many of the recurring plot-points will elude kids. Instead, they might otherwise enjoy how funny it is given how violent and scary a story about youth exploitation could be. Violence? There are several dead-bodies, and of three deaths that actually occur during the story - two happen immediately off-camera. Somebody gets hit in the head with a shovel, another gets scarred by venom - but the injuries look humorous while still looking like injuries. For the squeamish, the camp abounds with scorpions, rattlers and a (fictitious) spotted lizard that touts a deadly poison.

For the doubters, there is still a good message for kids - that you should always be ready to make new friends, even if they have names like "Squid", "X-Ray" and "Lump".

This is an excellent family movie... the acting by the adults were fantastic!

It also had a developed and interesting plot (hard to find these days).

This is a great adaptation of the amazing book Holes by Loius Sachar. If you haven't read the book first, I suggest you do so because the book is simply amazing. I was so relived to see that the movie was almost just as good.
This is the story about a boy named Stanley Yelnats who's family has been cursed since his great-grandfather. Stanley's father (henry winkler) is an inventor who has been trying to invent the cure for foot odor for years but to no avail. Stanley gets wrongly accused of stealing a pair of sneakers and gets put in a juvenille correctional "camp" ... But this "camp" is in the middle of the dessert and run by the meanest warden (Sigourney Weaver) you could imagine. Here Stanley and the rest of the boys are made to DIG HOLES. that's right. they don't do anything but DIG HOLES in the middle of the burning hot dessert. thousands and thousands of holes. Stanley makes a friend -but mostly enemies - and he thinks that he is going to be cursed forever --- until the pieces of this complex puzzle start to come together and Stanley inadvertanly finds a way to lift the curse off his family.
Great story, fast paced, great cast - LOVE THIS MOVIE! Watch it! It's not just for kids! I'm 22 and can't get enough of it!

"Holes" is supposed to be a kids' movie, but I suspect that I had a lot more fun than my six- or four-year old. The characters in "Holes" are juveniles struggling to survive a murderous 18 months in a work camp in the driest spot of Texas. Ironically named "Green Lake", the chunk of Texas occupied by the camp hasn't seen rain in over a century. Instead, it's dotted by countless 5-foot deep holes dug by its juvenile denizens - so much so that, when seen from the air, it looks like the surface of the moon, or somebody with really bad acne.

Our hero is Stanley Yelnats the IVth - the last of a long line of amiable losers plagued by bad luck. While Stanley's father (Henry Winkler - that's right, the Fonz is back!) toils on a cure for foot-odor, Stanley gets arrested for stealing a pair of celebrity sneakers. Choosing (unwisely perhaps) Green Lake over prison, he finds himself digging holes under the blistering sun - joining an army of other enslaved youths so beaten down by the rigors of Green Lake, they almost never stop to think that they're digging for more than building character. Unpopular at first, Stanley soon earns a place among the other diggers, and even a nickname - "Caveman" - which proves the surest sign of acceptance.

As Stanley's story progresses, the flick makes numerous segues into stories seemingly unconnected to the main plot - we learn of Green Lake's prettier origins, of Stanley's star-crossed forbears, of a beautiful, though murderous old-west outlaw who sealed her kills with a kiss, of stolen pigs, fortune tellers and stolen pigs. "Holes", in its second half, never stops tiring you of the many ways it not only links these disparate threads but weaves them into the main story (onions and peaches?). I think many of the plot threads flew past my kids, but luckily I was around. If the script did more with the supporting characters, it would be priceless - instead the prisoners have little identity beyond their "tags" (like "Armpit", "Twitch" or "Magnet") or much purpose beyond educating Caveman on the camp's etiquette. Among the adult players, Sigourney Weaver is subtly menacing as the camp's warden (who polishes her nails with rattlesnake venom) while John Voight is hysterically over the top as the chief enforcer ("Once upon a time there was a magical place where it never rained, the end"). Special kudos for Tim Blake Nelson as "Mr. Pendanski", who plays a guy who actually tries to build the character of the boys - which only allows him access to their heads. (It's incredible to see how Nelson can reconstruct himself - he was also the emotionally frozen parole officer in the little-seen "Cherish", and the intellectually challenged "Delmar" from "Oh Brother, wherefore art thou?")

BUT IS IT FOR THE KIDS? I think many of the recurring plot-points will elude kids. Instead, they might otherwise enjoy how funny it is given how violent and scary a story about youth exploitation could be. Violence? There are several dead-bodies, and of three deaths that actually occur during the story - two happen immediately off-camera. Somebody gets hit in the head with a shovel, another gets scarred by venom - but the injuries look humorous while still looking like injuries. For the squeamish, the camp abounds with scorpions, rattlers and a (fictitious) spotted lizard that touts a deadly poison.

For the doubters, there is still a good message for kids - that you should always be ready to make new friends, even if they have names like "Squid", "X-Ray" and "Lump".

This is an excellent family movie... the acting by the adults were fantastic!

It also had a developed and interesting plot (hard to find these days).

This is a great adaptation of the amazing book Holes by Loius Sachar. If you haven't read the book first, I suggest you do so because the book is simply amazing. I was so relived to see that the movie was almost just as good.
This is the story about a boy named Stanley Yelnats who's family has been cursed since his great-grandfather. Stanley's father (henry winkler) is an inventor who has been trying to invent the cure for foot odor for years but to no avail. Stanley gets wrongly accused of stealing a pair of sneakers and gets put in a juvenille correctional "camp" ... But this "camp" is in the middle of the dessert and run by the meanest warden (Sigourney Weaver) you could imagine. Here Stanley and the rest of the boys are made to DIG HOLES. that's right. they don't do anything but DIG HOLES in the middle of the burning hot dessert. thousands and thousands of holes. Stanley makes a friend -but mostly enemies - and he thinks that he is going to be cursed forever --- until the pieces of this complex puzzle start to come together and Stanley inadvertanly finds a way to lift the curse off his family.
Great story, fast paced, great cast - LOVE THIS MOVIE! Watch it! It's not just for kids! I'm 22 and can't get enough of it!

BOD is a silly but hilariously warming romp through teenage romance and all the anguish that goes with it. Let's face it -- almost all of us who were awake during our adoloscence went through such emotions. BOD is merely a lively flick, sometimes even a spoof of itself (as in the cartoon animation during a cafeteria scene,) that manages to go on without a dull moment! Plus, there's a sweet little message: you can do it if you only put your mind to it. Yes there are some juvenile and downright bizarre moments, but they never stray out of context and their detraction from the film's merits are trivial. The movie is pretty lighthearted and yet one that you can easily identify with -- Highly recommended to own not just to rent, as it lives up to repeat viewing (even 7 times.)

possibly the best John Cusack 80's movie besides Say Anything. this one has great actors and a great story. the animation is funny as hell and Cusack has never been more cooler and better. the kid who tortures him over the 2 dollars sorta wears thin but otherwise its great. highlight would have to be when Cusack is running in the woods from all of those paperboys

I'm a sucker for a lot of the '80s teen movies--Ferris Bueller, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Breakfast Club, etc--but Better Off Dead is my absolute favorite.
Unlike a lot of it's competition, there's something dark about this film. The protagonist, Cusask's character Lane, isn't one of the popular/cool/beautiful people. He's something of a loser, with a loser friend, a bizarre family, just trying to make it through life's little struggles. He's easy to identify with, especially if you were something of an outcast in high school yourself. Add to the basic storyline a whole lot of wacky sidebars like Ricky the shut-in neighbor, the Howard Cosell-speaking Asian racers, the Van Halen-singing/dancing hamburgers, and, of course, the paperboy and his quest for his $2, you've got one crazy high school movie that stands the test of time.

"Ameros Perros" ("Love's a B****") is one of the best foreign releases in 2000. It was rightfully nominated for the Oscar for Best Foreign Film (Mexico). Such graphic nature deserves the crew tremendous respect. Few others dare such risque material. The story plot is amazing! All three separate storylines wonderfully connect as one movie. All three plots contain deep and powerful nature: a guy supporting himself by placing his dog in competitive dog fights, a supermodel confined to a wheelchair due to a severe car accident, and a dog rescuer struggling to contact his long-lost daughter. They keep the audience anxiously awaiting for the next event. Every actor performs their characters splendidly, dropping every drop of heart and soul. No drop of emotion is held back. Gael Garcia Bernal proves in this movie that he'll deservingly become a major star soon. He should have received an Oscar nomination for his role as Octavia. "Ameros Perros" is great for those looking for a power drama. Those pleased with this, which many will, should also watch "Y Tu Mama Tambien", which offers further controversy and stars Bernal.

Amores Perros opens with a car chase, a seemingly ordinary one (lots of shouting and gunfire and near-crashes), but here a wounded dog is an original element. As I like animals and knew that dogs play important roles in this film, I had to watch it.

Not that Amores Perros is told from a dog's viewpoint...(sorry) no, it's all about people and their relationships with each other. The editorial review sums it all up quite nicely, as it said that the film explores passion, loss, and the fragility of our lives. Expect sudden shifts in plot and a healthy dose of violence as well, which is all done with care and reason. I hope the dogfights were fake.

There are multiple stories, but each is connected to the other (the dogs and a particular 'meeting' are key here), and each story is deep and rewarding.

This is a compelling film, and I can't forget it (not that I want to). Intense and Very good.

You live to suffer, either your tragedy is because you have attained all your goals, or because you attained none, Inner Self. Mexican Director, Alejandro Gonzales Iñarritu, tortures you in a complex threesome of existence, so sad their ways, one is held by a prohibited love, she is caught in motion, and the last one is frozen in cold blooded hands, for them , all love is lost. This amazing marginal film compels the unbearable truth about the being, a masterful touch into every day commanding your self to be absolute in you, for the sake of resistance against the Abyss of life (La soledad, es la única y central realidad de la existencia). Octavio, falls in love with his brother's pregnant wife, a young woman much dismissed in emotions, at first sight, Octavio enters an attempt to save the poor girl from such an abusive husband, slowly, it turns into a moral inner truth. Is it the right thing to do, or not? (¿Es o no, una traición familiar, o la redención de una pobre mujer, mas la culminación de un verdadero amor?). He survives the meantime with his fighting dog. Valeria is a breathtaking beauty, crowned in a seductive perfume advertisement, the kind of woman we men dream of. Once his little dog is lost in her house floor, she becomes trapped in the impossibility to rise up, and soar to her legs, the dog becomes the analogy of her misery, interior self intolerance (No hay nada peor que haber permanecido en estado de gracia, solo para caer, y no volver jamás a levantarse). El Chivo (The Goat), hunts human targets, just for a bunch of dirty money, he doesn't care for anyone but him and his dogs, and so, when pay time comes, the price is much to high, slowly he rots, innards decay (Solo y aislado como un perro callejero). The gathering comes in a brutal car crash, all shown in the most painful and tragic context, the point here is to put you into the misery of these three decadent humans (Tan decadente y sucio como una cloaca, donde hay de todo, y donde todo huele mal). The film is more than images and words, it is a worthy Canvas of human entrails and putrid lost consciousness, Iñarritu directs with great delight and compassion the nexus between despair and emptiness, the result comes natural and honest towards the viewers eye, a jewel in the new Latin American Film Industry, a landmark achievement, an a testament of tragic ideals. The outstanding cast shines in every scene, Gael Garcia Bernal (Octavio), captivates his character with a keen exposure of emotions and roughness, along with touches of despair (Complejo). Spanish actress Goya Toledo, gives a intricate portrait of loneliness, sharp and raw in its manifestations and held in beautiful tears (Vulnerable). And Emilio Echevarria, fools the eye with a cold and emotional personality, tight up by a black humor to provide an ambiguous view of a lost man with some tenderness left in his soul (Solido). The supporting cast does an equally fine job. Alejandro Gonzales Iñarritu, performs an excellent behind the camera work, his direction connects those hard images with the quantity and truth of the protagonist (a Tarantino influence can be perceived). The photography becomes the other character surrounding the viewer's eye into a world of frenzy and ulterior terror, an achievement that completes and enhances the whole effort, absolutely amazing (the new Mexican cinema).
Amores Perros is based in a very difficult and complex script by novelist Guillermo Arraiga, set perfectly into screen by Alejandro Gonzales Iñarritu, the intention is to show how the human conscience can be turn against it self for what ever reason, the result is a Inner struggle for unparallel obstacles, and the strength that comes and goes with it.
The film represented Mexico for Best Foreign Language Film in 2001 Academy Awards, unfortunately it didn't win, but the influence of the film has made a mark already in Latin American film industry, a much needed and deserved attention to our great movie artists. There are two DVD versions (in Region 1), the first one released by Lions Gate studio (February 18, 2003), witch comes with no extras at all, but only with an O.K. transferring of the film, and the second one, released by Studio Home Entertainment (September 25, 2003), that comes with a better transferring of the film (5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound), a nice production commentary track, music videos, etc. (this is the version to take home).
Shocking, extreme, and sad, Amores Perros is a fine piece of Marginal characters, made with enough strength to put the harsh truth into a trip of sight and sound (Exquisita y portentosa, verdadera referencia de lo mejor del cine Latino Americano).

"Ameros Perros" ("Love's a B****") is one of the best foreign releases in 2000. It was rightfully nominated for the Oscar for Best Foreign Film (Mexico). Such graphic nature deserves the crew tremendous respect. Few others dare such risque material. The story plot is amazing! All three separate storylines wonderfully connect as one movie. All three plots contain deep and powerful nature: a guy supporting himself by placing his dog in competitive dog fights, a supermodel confined to a wheelchair due to a severe car accident, and a dog rescuer struggling to contact his long-lost daughter. They keep the audience anxiously awaiting for the next event. Every actor performs their characters splendidly, dropping every drop of heart and soul. No drop of emotion is held back. Gael Garcia Bernal proves in this movie that he'll deservingly become a major star soon. He should have received an Oscar nomination for his role as Octavia. "Ameros Perros" is great for those looking for a power drama. Those pleased with this, which many will, should also watch "Y Tu Mama Tambien", which offers further controversy and stars Bernal.

Amores Perros opens with a car chase, a seemingly ordinary one (lots of shouting and gunfire and near-crashes), but here a wounded dog is an original element. As I like animals and knew that dogs play important roles in this film, I had to watch it.

Not that Amores Perros is told from a dog's viewpoint...(sorry) no, it's all about people and their relationships with each other. The editorial review sums it all up quite nicely, as it said that the film explores passion, loss, and the fragility of our lives. Expect sudden shifts in plot and a healthy dose of violence as well, which is all done with care and reason. I hope the dogfights were fake.

There are multiple stories, but each is connected to the other (the dogs and a particular 'meeting' are key here), and each story is deep and rewarding.

This is a compelling film, and I can't forget it (not that I want to). Intense and Very good.

You live to suffer, either your tragedy is because you have attained all your goals, or because you attained none, Inner Self. Mexican Director, Alejandro Gonzales Iñarritu, tortures you in a complex threesome of existence, so sad their ways, one is held by a prohibited love, she is caught in motion, and the last one is frozen in cold blooded hands, for them , all love is lost. This amazing marginal film compels the unbearable truth about the being, a masterful touch into every day commanding your self to be absolute in you, for the sake of resistance against the Abyss of life (La soledad, es la única y central realidad de la existencia). Octavio, falls in love with his brother's pregnant wife, a young woman much dismissed in emotions, at first sight, Octavio enters an attempt to save the poor girl from such an abusive husband, slowly, it turns into a moral inner truth. Is it the right thing to do, or not? (¿Es o no, una traición familiar, o la redención de una pobre mujer, mas la culminación de un verdadero amor?). He survives the meantime with his fighting dog. Valeria is a breathtaking beauty, crowned in a seductive perfume advertisement, the kind of woman we men dream of. Once his little dog is lost in her house floor, she becomes trapped in the impossibility to rise up, and soar to her legs, the dog becomes the analogy of her misery, interior self intolerance (No hay nada peor que haber permanecido en estado de gracia, solo para caer, y no volver jamás a levantarse). El Chivo (The Goat), hunts human targets, just for a bunch of dirty money, he doesn't care for anyone but him and his dogs, and so, when pay time comes, the price is much to high, slowly he rots, innards decay (Solo y aislado como un perro callejero). The gathering comes in a brutal car crash, all shown in the most painful and tragic context, the point here is to put you into the misery of these three decadent humans (Tan decadente y sucio como una cloaca, donde hay de todo, y donde todo huele mal). The film is more than images and words, it is a worthy Canvas of human entrails and putrid lost consciousness, Iñarritu directs with great delight and compassion the nexus between despair and emptiness, the result comes natural and honest towards the viewers eye, a jewel in the new Latin American Film Industry, a landmark achievement, an a testament of tragic ideals. The outstanding cast shines in every scene, Gael Garcia Bernal (Octavio), captivates his character with a keen exposure of emotions and roughness, along with touches of despair (Complejo). Spanish actress Goya Toledo, gives a intricate portrait of loneliness, sharp and raw in its manifestations and held in beautiful tears (Vulnerable). And Emilio Echevarria, fools the eye with a cold and emotional personality, tight up by a black humor to provide an ambiguous view of a lost man with some tenderness left in his soul (Solido). The supporting cast does an equally fine job. Alejandro Gonzales Iñarritu, performs an excellent behind the camera work, his direction connects those hard images with the quantity and truth of the protagonist (a Tarantino influence can be perceived). The photography becomes the other character surrounding the viewer's eye into a world of frenzy and ulterior terror, an achievement that completes and enhances the whole effort, absolutely amazing (the new Mexican cinema).
Amores Perros is based in a very difficult and complex script by novelist Guillermo Arraiga, set perfectly into screen by Alejandro Gonzales Iñarritu, the intention is to show how the human conscience can be turn against it self for what ever reason, the result is a Inner struggle for unparallel obstacles, and the strength that comes and goes with it.
The film represented Mexico for Best Foreign Language Film in 2001 Academy Awards, unfortunately it didn't win, but the influence of the film has made a mark already in Latin American film industry, a much needed and deserved attention to our great movie artists. There are two DVD versions (in Region 1), the first one released by Lions Gate studio (February 18, 2003), witch comes with no extras at all, but only with an O.K. transferring of the film, and the second one, released by Studio Home Entertainment (September 25, 2003), that comes with a better transferring of the film (5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound), a nice production commentary track, music videos, etc. (this is the version to take home).
Shocking, extreme, and sad, Amores Perros is a fine piece of Marginal characters, made with enough strength to put the harsh truth into a trip of sight and sound (Exquisita y portentosa, verdadera referencia de lo mejor del cine Latino Americano).

As a lifelong musician and artist, Fantasia has been one of my all time favorite movies since I first saw it in theaters as a child. My wife, knowing my great love for this movie, bought the DVD version for me as a birthday gift. When I put the DVD on, however, my excited anticipation quickly turned to depressed disappointment.

I immediately realized that the voice of the narrator, Deems Taylor, whose wonderful and soothing voice spans the entirety of the movie, had been overdubbed with someone else's voice! Deems Taylor was a widely known and respected music critic in his time. He had a beautiful, deep sonorous and expressive voice. The sound of his voice was an essential part of the aural and musical magic of this film. Yet, the new owner's of Disney saw fit to overdub his voice with that of some squawky and squeaky sounding unknown, thereby ruining the entire film.

I did some research to find out why, in the name of "preservation", Disney studios would destroy this film in the way that they have. The reason, supposedly, was because they found old footage (which was NOT in the version we all knew and loved as kids) which they wanted to insert - but the audio on that obscure footage had been damaged. They felt they had to redub those voice overs. Fine. But then, in the process, they re-dubbed the entire film, even the parts that had not been damaged!

I understand, for historical interest, that some people might be interested in seeing the extra, obscure footage which had been edited out long ago , but that extra footage easily could have been put on a special features disc, not in the actual movie that millions of fans have come to know and love. This was a horrible decision by a studio which increasingly seems to have lost all sense of artistic taste and common sense. What a sad, sad disappointment.

Soon, I'll be buying a DVD recorder and I hope to preserve the original VHS version I have in that way.

In order for progress to be made, experimentation is a must. In cinema, there are times when experimentation helps to redefine how films are made by introducing new techniques that are embraced by future filmmakers. Then there are times when experimentation produces problematic results as in the case of Walt Disney's "Fantasia."

"Fantasia" was a noble attempt to advance the animation medium and turn it into something more sophisticated. Disney sought to redefine the rules of the game by using animation to represent the essence of music. That is, animation was employed to help give tangible form to the myriad emotions that different types of musical compositions stirred within its listeners. This was not an attempt to tell a story in order to display the extent of creative ability but an attempt to capture the essence of creative ability itself. For example, Mickey Mouse's exploits in "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" mirrors the mischievous rhythms of Paul Dukas's piece while the emergence of the winged demon in "Night on Bald Mountain" echoes the bold power of Modest Mussorgsky's music.

What is the end result of this effort? A definite mixed bag. "Fantasia" gets points for taking chances and trying something new but loses points for its inability to captivate the viewer. What is seen on screen is a work that can be admired but which comes across as distant. Since "Fantasia" is meant to be something to be experienced, the viewer is not invited to follow along with the proceedings as a participant like he or she would in a film with a conventional narrative. Rather, "Fantasia" is meant to be absorbed and having to digest two hours of sensation can become tedious. The film failed to find an audience upon its initial release but the fact that it is kept alive in conversation today is proof that there is merit to it. Yet, the legacy of "Fantasia" is a qualified one. It is a different viewing experience but not a totally satisfying one.

Fantasia is truly worth owning on DVD, a crown jewel among a treasured collection. The first time I watched Fantasia was when I was a kid. I was sick with some virus and my dad borrowed from the library and borught it home for me to watch in bed. Even then, alothough the music did not mean much to me at the time, the wonderful illustrations were stuck in my mind for days afterwards. Today, I own the DVD and it is the precious jewel that ties my personal collection together. I can not imagine not having it now, I have grown extremely fond of it. The Greek mythological scenes with the centuars and the gods and goddesses are absolutely breathtaking designed and are drawn with such graceful skill. Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony ties in with the illustrations perfectly, it makes me think of a gentle and more romantic time. The Night on Bald Mountain is frightening, though, and morbid. For the Nutcracker Suite, the illustrations include dew fairies, dancing mushrooms, graceful fish, and frost and snowflake fairies. this images tranport the viewer from their world and draws them into a new world, perhaps a better one. Also, do not miss The Dances of the Hours, with dancing elephants and hippos in tutus, along with an odd couple dancing ballet together. Even, just close your eyes and drift away on the music. I would recommend this DVD for adults, though, and not for children. Adults would seem to appericate the music and the illustrations more. Watch this DVD, you won't be sorry that you did.

Excellent - just showed it to my kids and they fell in love with it as I did when I was a kid. You get the point right away and it doesn't feel preachy at all

A loose "modern-day" fictionalization of the events leading up to and including the Holocaust of World War II, "V" demonstrated just how easy it is for people to ignore the events transpiring around them ... and how desperate simply living can be when oppressed by a superior enemy.

While this series contains a lot of 1980s "cheese" ... from bad hair, so-so acting and special effects ... the ideas and the manner in which they were presented to the audience were unique and powerful.

Everyone wonders if we are alone in the Universe ... and it is a frightening thought about what would happen if a more powerful race of beings "arrived" at our planet ... would we fight? Would we survive? Or would we follow the path of so many terrestrial cultures ... that vanished after the arrival of a more powerful, or advanced one?

I've seen this series again now after 15 years. The first time I saw it on TV, and today I was surprised on how much tension it still creates and how much impact it still has. It is not outdated at all and very fascinating.

If you list your home of record as the United States Of America, then you never went to a movie theater and sat through this movie. And, you know what? That's a shame. Because you got cheated out of a real treat. Because "Dog Soldiers" has only been released in the US as a direct-to-video package and it just happens to be ONE OF THE BEST WEREWOLF FLICKS EVER LENSED. Take yourself generous cupfulls of "Deliverance", "An American Werewolf In London", "The Evil Dead", "Predator"(as someone here has perceptively noted earlier), and "Alien/Aliens": mix all these ingredients together in a big cast iron cauldron under a full, round Scottish moon...and, well, hell, throw in some good Scottish haggis for good measure, let simmer, and...voila!...you've got this great rip-snorter (pardon the pun, couldn't let it pass) of a Spec-Ops Meet the Monsters flick.

And that's just what it is. Squad of British soldiers are on maneuvers in the backlands of Scotland...doing an exercise with a Special Air Services (SAS) Commando unit. Problem is, the SAS unit gets wiped out by...something...and then that "something" starts tracking down the regular army group. They take refuge in an out-of-the-way farmhouse and soon discover they are under attack by werewolves. Even worse, the house they are holding up in is the werewolves HOME and the family wants BACK IN (and likely some raw soldier stew to boot). Its a fight to the finish between the soldiers and the lycanthropes.An SAS officer of the cold-blooded, semi-villainous type turns up as a plot device to explain what all is going on there to the besieged troopies, but he's not much help. He's already been bitten and "turning", so counting on him is a waste of time. And in this household even the family dog (or is he a weredog?) has an bad attitude.Wants to eat some of the entrails of one of his houseguests while the guest still has a use for them. BAD dog!!

So a long night ensues and attrition takes its toll. And things don't look good for the army boys because you can't really trust seeming allies not to "Turn" on you...so to speak.
Bummer.

Okay, you say, its a werewolf movie.Why is it so good?It just is. Watch it and see. I don't plan to sit here and spew off a lot of pretentious I'm-an-oh-so-cool-and-"with-it"-reviewer drivel. No references to this director or that one, or what "statement" is being made. I'm just telling you, this is a darn good horror flick with really good writing, acting, photography, dialog,pacing, and make-up effects. The werewolves are bad-to-the-bone and they'll gnaw on yours if you aren't careful. And gee, they're such REGULAR FOLKS by daylight!!!
So spend your money on this one, people. And do NOT be afraid to do so. Either rent it, or buy it. You won't go wrong either way. You will NOT be disappointed in "Dog Soldiers". I can PROMISE you that!

I expected DOG SOLDIERS to be pitifull (its a low budget werewolf movie with a relativley unknown cast). However the movie intrested me and i rented, NOW I AM GOING TO BUY IT. Dog Soldiers is a tribute to movies like EVIL DEAD, PREDATOR and especialy ALIENS, Yes, Dog Soldiers is good enough to take on each and every one of those films, it would have a tough time with aliens though. A character named SPOON provides the movie with comic relief, SPOON is also the bravest of the soldiers, The main character is Cooper (Kevin McKidd from Trainspotting) Cooper is taking part in a regular military exercise with with the sergent (Sean Pertwee), Spoon, Joe, Terry and Bruce Campbell (the name of a character from evil dead).

Cooper is on this mission because he failed the training to become a member of special ops. He deserved to make the team but Captain Ryan thought otherwise. As far as the storey goes Coopers squad find Ryan out in the mittle of no where, his whole team has been slaughtered by something, all to soon the troops soon find out what happened and try to escape, after losing a man and a few injurys they run into a local woman, Megan, she gives them shelter but guess who wants seconds? The soldiers are forced to hide out in a small house in the forest, with howling things doing everything possible to get in. The script is good, the acting is strong and everything else is good as well, even the none computerized werewolves look half decent. Dog Soldiers gets better as it goes on and the final scenes are a reward for watching, especialy when SPOON takes on a Werewolf with his fists and nothing else, i wont say much more because i dont want to spoil the movie. Another great scene is when Joe (a huge soccer fan). and Spoon must leave the house and venture out into the wilderness, i wont bore you with the details but their adventure leads to a horrifying scene where Joe comes across a werewolf eating one of his teammates (sorry, i cant say who).

The Soldiers never leave us thinking they are idiots, once they realize that they are fighting werewolves they know that they can win if they put their heads together and dont underestamate their enemy. In the end DOG SOLDIERS is really an action movie inside a Horror film and because Dog Soldiers was highly acclaimed by veiwers and critics there are plans for both a sequal and prequal. BOY, I JUST CANT WAIT!

In the Highlands of Scotland, a military exercise is being conducted a war game pitting a platoon of soldiers led by Sergeant Wells (Sean Pertwee) against a platoon of special opps. The mission turns out to be far more than cut and dried because there is a legend passed down through the ages about these particular woods of people disappearing. Their bloody belongings are found but never any bodies. The soldiers soon discover why people disappear when werewolves attack them. They try to connect with the special opps team but discover that they've all been killed save for Capt. Ryan (Liam Cunningham). They run into Megan (Emma Cleasby) on the rode where they pile into her land rover to escape the beasts little do they know she is hiding a dark secret.

This is a low budget film made for a British market. It never got US distribution and really should have. Hollywood was sleeping. They used no CGI to create the werewolves instead they are played by costumed dancers wearing mechanical heads operated by 24 servos. They are very realistic and frightening and caused me to jump a number of times. There were a few bad cuts at the beginning of the picture and a couple minor military inaccuracies but they aren't enough to detract from the picture as a whole. The dialogue is witty and believable and the acting is top notch, making these characters an audience immediately cares about.

According to the director's commentary there is going to be a sequel! I hope that means Private Cooper (Kevin McKidd) will return in the lead role. He was fantastic!!! Buy this DVD you won't be disappointed!!!