Elizabeth II Movie Reviews

What a shame that the viewing public is still denied access to a DVD edition of this grand work. Herman Wouk's Winds of War represents some of television's finest not only in the era of the mini-series but programming in general. This film offers viewers a glimpse of what life, and in particular political views and realities, were like in America in the years leading up to W.W.II. The acting is outstanding, the story fascinating. This film rates along with the likes of Tora, Tora, Tora; HBO's Conspiracy; Schindler's List; and the documentary series The World at War as worthy of being required viewing for all high school students as they study US history. Too bad we don't have the studio's name so people could directly share their frustrations at not having a DVD edition available.

I bought The War and Remembrance Series last summer. I'm happy. But I was confused watching the first chapter. Something was wrong. And after an Amazon.com investigation I discover I was right. The first part was The Winds of War, the terrific series I watched in Spain in 1984(¿). I didn't know anything about W and R, so I was double confuse than other US customers when I discovered the studio mistake. A final word. I'm enjoying W and R a lot. The music... The blonde british journalist... Pug... But I wonder if the little girl who died in the concentration camp in W and R, is the same girl who died in Spielberg's Schlinder's List? Please release Winds as soon as you can.

This is the beginning of a wonderful series and I have purchased War and Rememberance which is the follow-up. Why they didn't release Winds of War first is beyond me. It is one of the most riviting war stories there is. We really need more like it.

This show is great. I love Ryan Merriman in this movie. Hes almost like me in this movie. I really wanna see it again. Ryan is soooooo hot in this movie. But I would never abuse my mom or my dad.

I think that this movie is very good. It has a lot of good acting in it and so forth. Ryan did a very good job in this movie when he would get all pissed of and throw stuff...when he looked mad it was kinda scary. He would get all weapy too... This is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. For anyone who likes Ryan Merriman I would suggest this movie. It has alot of suppense too like what's up with him? and what is wrong with him he has problems? or issues as I like to call them.
It shows that there isn't just child abuse kids can abuse there parents too. and it shows what abuse is really like. It's a very good movie... I would recommend that you see it.

teen actor ryan merriman iz in this movie his iz hott
in this movie he plays an angry teen named jack who takes his anger out on his mom and lil bro he'z angry cause his parents got a divorce it also showz him as part monster and part regular teenager sometimes he gets along w his mom and sometimes he doesn't teen actor ryan merriman the guy who plays anger jack in the movie iz HOT in real life

This 1968 atmospheric and chilling Dan Curtis (Dark Shadows fame) production, made for television, is without a doubt, the best version of the Stevenson story ever done. Jack Palance stars as the submissive, shy, Jekyll and presents an image of Hyde that you will never forget! Portrayed in a Satanic, violent manner, the appearance of Hyde is clever in make-up design. He is not portrayed as a monster but rather as an unabashed hedonistic barfly, somewhat agressive, comical and evil at the same time. Hooked on the excitements that the night can provide; He eventually becomes "addicted" to being Hyde, enjoying the power and rule over women that it brings him. He eventually comes close to criminal prosecution and reforms back to the quiet life that Jekyll provides. However, his associate in chemical research demands money after he discovers that Hyde is Jekyll and Jekyll is Hyde. This leads Jekyll to rely on the drug transformation once more (his leftover bottle) to kill his associate and in doing so, also signs his own death warrant (he is dependent on his associates process of a certain drug to be combined with his own) Seeking escape he contacts a friend of Jekyll and agrees to meet at Jekyll's classroom in the medical academy. This is where a truly monsterous confrontation takes place with police in pursuit and the end will put a scare into you! Palance deserved an emmy for this but was robbed!

This was the first version of the story I ever saw so I may be a bit biased. As a long time student of this genre and of this story in particular, I can say that while not the Stevenson novella verbatim, it is still much closer than other adaptations. Of particular note are the references to drug addiction of young people in Victorian London. Mr. Palance gives a bravura performance in the dual role. Is it my imagination or does the Mr. Hyde make-up created by Master Make-Up Artist Dick Smith resemble classic depictions of Satan or perhaps the Satyr? Dan Curtis assembled an excellent cast in a sterling production. The new DVD version offers enhanced picture and sound quality as well as various subtitles for your viewing enjoyment. You may consider this video/DVD a valued asset to your collection of this strange story of one man's facination with man's dual nature. Perhaps there is a bit of Edward Hyde in all of us!

Jack Palance is outstanding in this very chilling and engaging version of Jekyll and Hyde. I fully concur with the prior review posted on August 22, 1999. This is my favorite version of this Gothic classic.

This film is based on a true story, where a blue-collar working man finds a bag of money that literally fell off an armored truck. The pandemonium and hilarity that follows is beautifully presented by John Cusack, definitely one of the best actors of our time. I've been following Cusack's films from Class in the 1980s through today, and I have not once been disappointed by his performance. He is in top form here, making the viewer wish that they both were and weren't in his shoes. Benicio del Toro is hilarious as a swindler, and Debi Mazar is pretty good as Cusack's on-again, off-again love interest. Gandolfini of HBO's The Sopranos also costars, and is fantastic as usual. If you like any of the actors mentioned, or just want to see a good film about a real event that seems unbelievable, get your hands on this one!

Don't let this film pass you by. Often stashed in the 'comedy' section of the video shelves this film is often more tense drama due to the fact it is based on actual events. In 1981 unemployed laborer Joey Coyle and his pal drive through the back streets of rotting industrial Philadelphia after another unsuccessful day of looking for work. In the middle of the street they find what Coyle thinks might make a good tool box. It in fact has fallen from an armored truck and contains over a million dollars. There is humor, but more anxiety along the way as John Cusak, who portrays Coyle stuggles with what to do next. Michael Madsen gives an excellent performance as a detective from the same neighborhood who urges a reward that will be enough for the impoverished locals to buy a house. Maury Chaykin has a memorable scene as a mob boss trying to swindle Cusak and explains why Ben Franklin is his favorite currency portrait. A heartbreaking and tragic look at 1980's recession America.

I just seen Money For Nothing and I think it was a great movie that kept me entertaining. The true story of Joey Coyle was very interesting because some people who find 1.2 million dollars out of a Armored car are shelfish enough to keep it and do goofy things to try to get away with it . This film was shot in locations I was filmilar with including the Old Airport and near monoghela river in my hometown of Pittsburgh, PA. John Cusack was just great.

This picks up where the first "Spider Man" movie left off when it ended with the defeat of Norman Osborn aka The Green Goblin.

Spider Man returns to a 'normal' life as Peter Parker, a photographer and is at odds with his boss J. Jonah Jameson but the calm is ended by another storm. New York is in danger once again and Spider Man is now up against a new and more formidable enemy villain named Doctor Octavius or Doctor Octopus who was an old friend of Parker's old science teacher Dr. Connors.

Tobey McGuire who gave an excellent performance as Peter Parker returns in his role once again as our beloved hero Spider Man. Alfred Molina plays the villainous Doctor Octopus. Kirsten Dunst retuns as the stunning beauty Mary Jane Parker.

Most of the comic book movies have done well in staying faithful to their characters but "Spider Man" did the best job at maintaining the character of the classic Marvel Comics superhero Spider-Man better than any other comic book movies I've seen. I have faith in this sequel living up to the original. The second X-Men movie did just that, improving upon the greatness of the first and I hope "Spider Man II" will do just the same.

When you really get right down to it, it only makes sense that for the first true silver screen outing of everyone's favorite "friendly neighborhood Spider-Man", that his nemesis for the film would be his comic book arch-rival numero uno - the Green Goblin! And since Norman's Goblin died in the comics, it was no big to kill him in the movie.(For those who don't know, Harry later took on the Goblin name and costume, but later sought psychiactric help. And then his PSYCHIATRIST took on the Goblin name...and got killed. And let's not get started on the Hobgoblin...)

So for a sequel, looking at all of "Spidey's" other main villainous staples, who would be the best? Sandman? Scorpion, perhaps? Or the Shocker, Chameleon, or Kraven the Hunter? Rhino, Mysterio, or the Lizard, maybe? But, when you get right down to it, there was only one with the potential to really light up the screen alongside the famous wallcrawler - Doc. Ock!(Can you tell I'm eager to see what they do with him?)

As to the black costume that later attached to reporter-gone-rogue Eddie Brock to become Venom, that gets tricky just in figuring out how the black costume/symbiote gets to Spidey! After all, it spawned from some sort of goop in the 93-98 animated series, and in the comics he got it by accident while on the Beyonder's mash together planet near the end of the original "Secret Wars". (Okay, so the film makers will probably take the cartoon's route...)

But for now, I shall await the battle of Spider VS. Octopus. And though I give 5 stars, I actually reserve rating until I have actually seen it. Until then, Spider-Friends......

After grossing over 800 million worldwide, Spider-Man 2 is an eagerly awaited movie. I myself cant wait for this movie to come out. But something is still on my mind...when will we see Venom!?!
He has to be one the best villians in Spider-Man period. We know for a fact that the new threat this time is Dr. Octopus (I also heard so is the Lizard, this true?), so that puts my hopes of seeing that wicked Black symbiote costume. The red and blue costume is alright, but the black suit blows them all out the water, the black spider man is just amazing compared to the red/blue one. I am very interested in how Raimi will handle the symbiote costume when or if we ever see that storyline. Nevertheless the design for Octopus is really amazing, Spider-Man 2 (is it going to be called "the amazing spider-man") should be able to blowout the first one. Heres hoping...only what..8 months left...he..he..

My husband and watch this movie at least once a year. Yes, it's THAT good. uh-huh, you say, a movie about a poor Kentucky girl and her womanizing husband. Yee haw. No, seriously, it is A GREAT film. So much is going on in this movie--not plot wise in terms of things blowing up--but in the emotional interaction between husband and wife. The growth of the characters is heart-tugging to watch.

Loretty and Do are too unusual characters, two unusual people who found one another. That's really something in this world. After watching this, you can;t imagine either one of them with anyone else!

And, Loretta's story is down right interesting, people. Definitely worth a look.

This dvd reminds you why we all love Loretta Lynn. It is the extraordinary story of an individual who went from rags to riches and never forgot her roots. The screen version of Loretta Lynn comes to life with Sissy's portrayal. She makes you forget it is a movie and instead you feel like you are just spending some time with Loretta Lynn. This movie is a part of the tapestry of Country Music, and it is a vibrant thread. One of Tonmmy Lee Jones' first big movies, and he shines in it. Extras include an excellent interview with the first lady of country music Loretta Lynn. This is a must have for any true country fan.

....about Gary Busey not singing in The Buddy Holly Story.
He DID sing on all of the tracks in the movie...not only that but Don Stroud & Charles Martin Smith played their own instruments. This is a well known fact. Busey even mentions this on the commentary track on the DVD. He chose not to lipsync.

This move is about civilian women and their children who were imprisoned by the Japanese armed forces during World War II.

This movie affected me quite powerfully because I had read the book that was used as source material. One of the female children who survived the prison camp lives here in New Jersey and administers a juvenile reform facility. In an interview in the local papers she described how she draws on her experience for perspective and how she tries to show her male, juvenile inmates how to adjust and succeed. I clipped out the article and keep it between pages of the book. My thoughts and feeling about the book and movie are too many and too complex for me to completely sort them out in a critical review. What I offer here is a very crude sample of my reaction. My focus here is more about the historical fact than about the art of the film. Whereas the book is terribly moving, the film is not quite, but it is worth seeing.

Few people know that during World War II, the Japanese had at least two prison camps where western, civilian women were kept. One camp was in Burma and another in China. The women were the wives of various businessmen, government employees, groups of nuns and Protestant missionaries. They had stayed behind or were stranded when the war broke out. Many of the women had their children with them in the camps. They were from America, England, Australia, Germany and the Netherlands and other places. There were a few Oriental and mixed race women and children also. They tended to be the wives of diplomats or otherwise well connected to the wrong side.

It happened that one of the women prisoners in the camp in Borneo, Agnes Newton Keith, was a professional author. In the camp she secretly kept a diary, and when the war was over, she published a memoir, Three Came Home, describing her experiences. It is a magnificent piece of writing, a minor classic in English literature. The book, some letters, and interviews with survivors were the source material for Paradise Road. There have been three previous movies from this material. A movie titled, Three Came Home was made in 1950, and movies titled A Town Like Alice in 1956 and a remake in1981.

In the film, the rivalry between the head of the camp and his subordinate are straight out of the book. As characterized in the book, a few of the Japanese are decent human beings, but on the whole, though, they come across as completely ignorant and amoral. They are young, dumb and don't want to be there. The head of the prison had studied in the United States for a few years. He had also read a book about Borneo that Ms. Keith had published before the war. This connection helped her to survive.

In the movie, as compared to the book, the individual acts of brutality and torture against the women are exaggerated. One of the women was reported for smuggling, and she is tied up and forced to kneel over a sword for 24 hours. In the book, Three Came Home nothing like this happened. Smuggling items back and forth with the locals was a regular, ongoing activity. Interestingly, some of the younger nuns became the best smugglers. I can just see some young nun having the time of her life doing this!

In the film, as you might expect, one of the Japanese guards tried to rape one of the women prisoners. That part of the story was inspired by an event in the book, but in the book it was actually an incompetent attempt at seduction on the part of the guard. The woman, Agnes Newton Keith herself, rebuffed him. It became a big deal because she reported the incident as a rape attempt to the Japanese head of the camp. The Japanese made a big stink about it; her accusation was considered an unthinkable affront to the honor of Japanese soldiers.

In the movie a number of women chose to become prostitutes rather than live in the camp. That never occurred in the book.
I don't have a problem with the film showing greatly exaggerated acts of brutality. The medium of film is very good at showing that sort of thing but not very good at showing the constant, day-after-day suffering from starvation for four years. So it balances out. Many died from malnutrition and disease. That is only alluded to in the movie. The one thing that stayed with me from the book was how much starvation Agnes Newton Keith was willing to suffer herself so that her son could eat a little more. That was not depicted. Her sacrifice was beyond heroic. The filmmakers focused on the adult woman only, which I think was wrong. With Agnes Newton Keith, probably the greatest amount of her mental energy and time was spent trying to acquire enough food for her son.

I don't mean to be kind to the Japanese. Close to the women's camp was a camp where the male civilians were kept, as well as some military prisoners. They were beaten and tortured often.
The center point and main symbol of the movie was choral singing that the women organized among themselves. The choral singing in the movie is not in the book.

In the book and the movie, there are a number of women with preposterous vanity. Most of these women were from well-off backgrounds. Many spent incredible amounts of time bemoaning the absence of men and the lack of cosmetics. Some spend hours upon hours thinking about what dress they would wear when they are liberated. In the camp cosmetics and dresses were bartered for various items.

The women were optimistic. They knew that some day the Americans would arrive, and they did.

Within six weeks of the Japanese surrender, just about every Japanese officer from every prison camp was dead. They committed suicide, were executed as war criminals, or just disappeared. Ms. Keith relates an incident where, upon liberation, some Americans soldiers killed their former captors on the spot, with their bare hands. If you read the book, you would have to pity for them.

This movie captures the life and struggles of those women captured during World War II. The movie is heart-wrenching yet magnificent. I was encouraged by the independence and strength of these women(whom this movie portrays). When faced with quite possibly the harshest of conditions, they chose to make music. All women should view this movie and strive to match their determination and patriotism.

A fascinating, moving film of European civilian women interned in a Japanese prisoner of war camp, *Paradise Road* tells a tale of courage and fortitude amidst the incredible barbarism of the war-period Japanese army. Kate Blanchett's character is especially moving. The film (and book) deal in microcosm with Japanese actions across Asia towards civilians - and not just Europeans of course (tragic as that was), but Asians, too. When I lived in Hong Kong and Singapore in the 90s, memories among locals were still very strong about Japanese behaviour - which across Asia resulted in the deaths of twenty million Asians: in Hong Kong Chinese villagers in the remoter New Territories at times still attacked Japanese tourist coach parties, while in Stanley, HK, I lived a few yards from the notorious site of the Stanley internment camp, where the Japanese brutally treated civilians, and had earlier, a few steps away at a nearby Stanley prep school, raped and bayonnetted the British nurses manning a make-shift hospital during the Battle of of Hong Kong. Camps for European civilian women existed across Asia, not just in "two" spots, as another reviewer suggests (these are simply all that are mentioned in the film) - in Sumatra, Java, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Borneo, etc, while the same reviwer's wondering if the Japanese raped anybody is simply lack of knowledge. Some fine books to read on the subject, as moving as *Paradise Road*, include Lavinia Warner's *Women Beyond the Wire*, Jean Gittins' *Stanley: Behind Barbed Wire* and George Wright-Nooth's *Prisoner of the Turnip Heads* ("Turnip Heads" is what the Cantonese of Hong Kong call the Japanese) - some are printed in Britain and available through Amazon's UK site. The film *Empire of the Sun* gives the view of a 12-year-old boy in a Japanese camp in China. The Lavinia Warner book gives a lot of details of Japanese war-time barbarism towards women in Singapore, Bangka island (an infamous massacre of twenty-odd Australian nurses) and the horrors of camps in Sumatra. Also, Dieuwke Wendelaar Bonga's *Eight Prison Camps* gives accounts of Dutch women imprisoned on Java, while Ernest Hillen's *The Way of a Boy* gives a view of Java internment camps and their horrors from the perspective of a young Dutch boy. The West may have enough to deal with remembering the atrocities of the Nazis in Europe, but really we have only ourselves to blame if we forget the other terrible atrocities commited in the Pacific by the Japanese. An investigation of the subject makes fascinating and moving reading, and a good place to start is *Paradise Road*.

This film is told mostly from Kevin Bacon's (Jake)perspective through narration, a funny & pretty honest look at early married life. Many subtle jokes here, along with laugh out loud sight gags. It isn't just a comedy it works on different levels. Elizabeth McGovern(Cristy)is an attractive, yet reserved wife who is grounded, unlike her husband. Jake has questions..many questions, trying to figure out his life..and his wife. There is a genuine chemistry between them. Alec Baldwin is very good as Jake's bachelor friend. John Ashton is hilarious talking about garden hoses & lawnmowers! I am surprised so many people missed or skipped this film. The music ranges from Gene Loves Jezebel's "Desire" to Kate Bush's "This Woman's Work". The ending credit sequence has cameos from: Cast of Cheers & Ferris Bueller, Ally Sheedy, Magic Johnson & Dan Ackroyd.

The DVD: It is 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen, with 5.1 Dolby sound. I would rank the picture quality a Solid 4 and the sound a 5. Unfortunatly no extras, a Trailer. (Would have loved to hear a Bacon/McGovern or John Hughes commentary!) If you are a fan, don't hesitate picking up this DVD.(Plastic Keepcase)

This movie was and has been one of my favorites from the 80's. It is a true classic... I love all of the classic 80's movies and now that I am at the age of being in a marriage and babies a part of my life... every time I watch it brings great joy of what I always wanted. This movie I can watch over and over when there is a down time and it brings me back to my growing years.

This is the the sweetest, most touching romance movie that I personally have ever seen. Contained within this comedy-romance are some profound truths about men, women and relationships that I have never seen talked about in any other movie in such a dead-on way.

Christie's 3 or 4 sentence explination of why she won't cheat on her husband contains more truth than I have ever seen in a movie about why you don't cheat on your mate. Many marriages would not end in divorce if the people in them understood what Christy demonstrates in this film.

This is a movie which I feel does a near-perfect job of conveying what is really important in life. I think every married couple should see it. This video could be better marriage therapy than counseling. While there are a few corny jokes in the movie, they don't get in the way of what is really trying to be conveyed: That when you find that one special person, you hold on and never let go. That there is more satisfaction than many people imagine in an 'ordinary life,' and that true love really is worth it.

The most wonderful romance movie I have ever seen.

The DVD is totally different from the Series OAV set. Still it is a good anime but it lacks the comedy and the attractions of the original story. This DVD focus on a disruption in the life of Belldandy and Keiishi that will further strengthen their love for one another.I find it interesting with all the actions and good animations, but it was boring with all the cliche themes and repititions. Overall it is a good movie for your anime collections. Enjoy.

this was one of my favorite anime movies!...it was great i loved the whole story line and it always has intresting things in it...there never a moment where it lets you down!

Well to start off with I thought this movie was excellent!! If you have not read the manga or seen the OVA thats ok.I watched this movie with only a little bit of knowlege of what its about.
But I do recommend that you find about a little bit about it or you may get a little confused of how Belldandy and Keichi meet.
Even without seeing the OVA or manga you can still enjoy this great movie like I did.

The main plot is there is a fairy princess named Morgan Le Fay.
She had released a crimnal who is a god named Celestine. Not too long after that Celestine infects Belldandy with a virus that affects all of heaven and later earth. Morgan stays on earth as a student at Neckomi Tech the college Keichi goes to and watches them. The virus affects Belldandy in a way that she only loses her memory of Keichi. I think I will stop here so I don't spoil the movie for you. You will just have to see the movie yourself and you won't regret it.

The animation is really nice only cause its a theatcal release. But the character designs are different of that of the OVA and Manga. Pioneer did great with this DVD. The extras include the first episode of the Adventures of the Mini Goddesses which if you don't understand alot of japanese humar and culture you may not like it or understand it. Then you have some artwork like with most DVDs and some original japanese trailers. In all this is a great movie and one to keep if your a fan of Oh My Goddess or looking at it to see if its for you. It is a great place to join in the fun!!

This is an odd film. It contains some of the most funny moments a courtroom has ever seen ("a hearing to decide the admissability of the word 'ass'? I love it!") combined with one of the most distrubing psycho portrayls I've seen. John Hurt is magnificently unnerving in his acting, while Judd manages to carry some of the most memorable courtroom antics ever. And I didn't even mention the DA's dildo....

This movie is the reason I went to law school. (No kidding, and I'm sure it influenced others my age to do the same but they'd never admit it). It's idealism, glory and sarcasm...and the movie is not too bad either. John Hurt probably should have recieved an Oscar nomination. - Liam

You know, back in the day when I first loved this, I just loved it. NOW I realize that this movie was the groundbreaker for the dude who does Ally McBeal and The Practice. No wonder I like those shows too!

Judd Nelson is really excellent in this movie. Of course I love Judd in anything. But this is one of those comedies which makes you think. You start out with a lot of great laughs but then later on it really takes on the philosophy of law and the justice system. All the while, keeping you informed and entertained.

This film has murder, mayhem, truth and daring. You will really be able to sink your teeth into this one. I wore out my VHS copy of it ages ago and was thrilled to be able to replace it with DVD. Buy it and you won't be sorry!