Austin Movie Reviews

This movie was filled with stereotypes and characters that just didn't make me care. The editing was self-indulgent and slow and there were several scenes that should have ended up on the cutting room floor. It is an uncomfortable movie with little warmth and an overdose of angst. The quirks that they tried to work in for the characters to make them human were very contrived and made me conscious I was watching a movie rather than allowing me to get involved in the story and characters as people. The actors did their best - but couldn't overcome the flaws in directing, editing and story line.

The video cover said this is like the show "Friends if it actually were in New York" -- except no one is really friends with anyone. That said, it follows the interesting path of Bella, a diner waitress approaching her 35th birthday who has been in an affair with a married man since she was 23. (Bella is way skinny and attractive in that guppy-faced way most 1990s models had, but then it's an independent film.) Also no one ever dates anyone their own age. That's fine but EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER in the entire movie??? Please.

The loneliness in an urban space, coupled with ther fact that you actually know a lot of people, you just are not close to them, is very true. the stuttering streetwalker from Poland is an especially gripping charcater. The fact that the elderly gentleman Seymour wants to have coffee with Wanda from the live girl show and treat her to an old-fashioned date is way trite.

But what happens to Bella is interesting, varied and will hold your attention to the end. You end up feeling good by the time the closing credits roll.

Louise Lasser is as brilliantly funny in this movie as she was in Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman over 25 years ago. Although she has a supporting role, she fills the screen with her familiar style of comedy and sweetness. I recommend this film just because of her.

This movie was filled with stereotypes and characters that just didn't make me care. The editing was self-indulgent and slow and there were several scenes that should have ended up on the cutting room floor. It is an uncomfortable movie with little warmth and an overdose of angst. The quirks that they tried to work in for the characters to make them human were very contrived and made me conscious I was watching a movie rather than allowing me to get involved in the story and characters as people. The actors did their best - but couldn't overcome the flaws in directing, editing and story line.

The video cover said this is like the show "Friends if it actually were in New York" -- except no one is really friends with anyone. That said, it follows the interesting path of Bella, a diner waitress approaching her 35th birthday who has been in an affair with a married man since she was 23. (Bella is way skinny and attractive in that guppy-faced way most 1990s models had, but then it's an independent film.) Also no one ever dates anyone their own age. That's fine but EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER in the entire movie??? Please.

The loneliness in an urban space, coupled with ther fact that you actually know a lot of people, you just are not close to them, is very true. the stuttering streetwalker from Poland is an especially gripping charcater. The fact that the elderly gentleman Seymour wants to have coffee with Wanda from the live girl show and treat her to an old-fashioned date is way trite.

But what happens to Bella is interesting, varied and will hold your attention to the end. You end up feeling good by the time the closing credits roll.

Louise Lasser is as brilliantly funny in this movie as she was in Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman over 25 years ago. Although she has a supporting role, she fills the screen with her familiar style of comedy and sweetness. I recommend this film just because of her.

In one word, you can describe "The 4th Floor": INTENSE! In this not quite new thriller, Juliette Lewis (Kalifornia, The Other Sister) plays as Jane, a woman who moves into her dead aunt's recently vacated apartment only to find out that she is surrounded by a whole lot of really nosey people. Things really start getting exciting when she starts getting terrorized by the person on the 4th floor. Some people say this movie is a waste of time, well I have to say, that this movie is worth it. Just rent it or buy it. Buy it on DVD for the alternate ending that should've been left in the finished cut.

Personally, I found this movie to be quite engaging. It had been awhile since I actually sat down and watched a movie but this one came on the other night on HBO and I was glued to my screen. I thought the movie was full of suspense and at times humor. I admit it's not the greatest film in the world but it's worth checking out.

I picked this movie off the shelf having never read a review or plot outline. From the very start I was sucked into the mystery of "The 4th Floor". I watch a LOT of movies (1-2 per day)and very few keep me as glued to the screen as this one did. I had no idea what to expect, so I just let it lead me to the edge of my seat. All of the characters in the apartment building were skillfully introduced and given quirks that lead you in all directions to keep you guessing. Not until the end does everything they said and did make sense.(Kinda like the 'Sixth Sense') I loved the fact that I had no idea how it was going to end until the end and then was suprised at the ending's "ending". I thought it was fresh and creative and unpredictable.

I liked it so much I bought a copy the next day! Perhaps the people who don't like it feel there wasn't enough gore to be "good". I was thrilled that a movie could be so enthrawling without all the gore that has creeped into the movie mainstream. I call this a top-notch thriller/mystery!

It does help if you do NOT know how it ends!

First of all, LOVED the book. However, the movie might as well have had a different title. The two plots are so different it isnt even funny. If you're expecting this movie to even look a fraction of what the book was, you'll be sorely misled. However, if you havent read the book, and just watch the movie, you may very well be happy. The movie could stand alone rather well on its own accord, but if you read the book, you're just opening yourself to disappointment. I couldnt wait after I read this book to see the movie. I blinked several times to see if I was hallucinating at this poor copy of the book.

I've never been this harsh in a review before, but I was just so disappointed in this movie I had waited through reading the book and waiting for it to come out on HBO, to get this poor excuse of an interpretation.

We loved the book by Michael Palmer, on which this movie is "officially" based - but except for experimentation on unknowing human subjects, the two stories bear little more similarity than Palmer's name as "author". Nonetheless, Hugh Grant as Dr. Guy Luthran does a quite competent job in a serious part that's a departure from his normal romantic comedies. Gene Hackman also stars as the "evil" doctor who it turns out is doing illegal surgeries on homeless subjects who get "selected" by special ID work at the hospital where our hero works. A missing victim soon sends Luthran on a scary search for homeless people deep in the city's subway bowels, where David Morse ("Hack", et al) is stalking him for some unknown "FBI" reasons. Sara Jessica Parker serves as a supporting mild love interest but shows up later as part of the insidious plot. Some ethical issues near the end of the film raise some interesting points to ponder, and leave us guessing 'til the end which way things might go.

A decent plot, good acting, and sustained suspense, with some credible acting by all the name actors, add up to an entertaining movie. The DVD itself has no extra features and comes in a cheap cardboard "keepbox", with only Dolby Surround Sound, not 5.1 Digital. Aside from these quibbles, an enjoyable hour-and-a-half awaits!

"Extreme Measures" is the story of Dr. Guy Luthran (Hugh Grant), a physician working at Grammercy Hospital, whose personal and professional life seem to be right on track until one of his patients unexpectedly dies of mysterious circumstances. Was it medical malpractise, an accident or something much more sinaster? Not since Michael Crighton's "Coma" have we seen a medical suspense/thriller told with such skill and timely shock value. Sarah Jessica Parker, as Luthran's nurse/friend and Gene Hackman, in a diabolical role, that will have you losing sleep the next time you need to go in for check up, both deliver stellar performances in this edge-of-your-seat thriller.
Originally released under the Castlerock label, which used to belong to Columbia Tristar, this movie is now the property of Warner Brothers Home Entertainment and it looks marvelous on DVD. Colors are well balanced, bold and rich. Flesh tones are infinitely more accurate on the DVD than on the previously released laserdisc or VHS versions from Columbia. Contrast and shadow delineation are superb with great background and fine detail visable, even in the darkest scenes. The disc is 2:35:1 and anamorphically enhanced. The audio is a 5.1 mix and nicely balanced with a very aggressive bass in the subway chase scenes and special effects sounds, like gun shots. No extras.
I could fault Warner for not giving us extras but I won't since their transfer is so good.
BOTTOM LINE: A great suspense movie in a snappy looking transfer. YES! - TODAY, IF POSSIBLE!

On this DVD, you will be show all the major highlights of the first half of the year 2001 (Hardcore action from early 2001, the Austin/McMahon/Triple H alliance, the story about Perry Saturn and "Moppy", the Shane v Vince rivalry, the relationship between Molly and Spike, the whole story about the ECW/WCW Invasion and much more).

SPECIAL FEATURES
> Booker T v Kurt Angle (7.26.01)
> Chris Jericho v Stone Cold (6.4.01)
> Jeff Hardy v Triple H (4.12.01)
> Kurt Angle v Stone Cold (1.8.01)
> Chris Jericho v Triple H (4.5.01)
> Edge, Christian & Rhyno v Dudley Boyz & Spike (3.22.01)
> The Rock v Stone Cold (4.2.01)
> Edge's King of the Ring ceremony (6.25.01)
> Where's "Old" Stone Cold? (7.12.01)
> Need a Hug? (7.2.01)
> Alliance prepares for... (7.30.01)

Overall, not a bad DVD at all. The best parts about it are the many DVD Extras and the ECW/WCW Invasion storyline. Instead of some of the DVD Extras that are quite pointless, they could have included the Tables, Ladders & Chairs match from SmackDown! rather than the 'Alliance prepares for...', or the great Chris Benoit v Stone Cold match from a SmackDown! episode in May, rather than the Jericho/HHH match. But all dissapointments aside, this DVD is worth a look.

Nice features on this DVD.

Two Major Omissions for Extras:
Austin-Benoit in Edmonton
TLC III (Benoit/Y2J vs Hardyz vs Dudleyz vs Edge/Christian)

Very decent DVD.

At last count, I own 25 DVD's issued by World Wrestling Entertainment. None of them is more enjoyable to view than WWF Action! Some experts would consider 2001 a low-point in wrestling history, but fueled by the heel turn of Stone Cold Steve Austin, it was one of my favorite years as a wrestling fan. (Although, note that my *favorite* year as a fan was 1995; so pass judgment with that statement in mind.)

The program itself only chronicled the first half of the year, but it is captured in such an entertaining manner that I watch the program more often than its extras, which is a rare statement for me to make about a WWE DVD (as many of you collectors would probably agree).

The selection of extra features is unique, and as satisfactory as any compilation of seven matches would be. I was pleased that the producers opted to include a couple full-length interview segments as well.

This is a good workout if you are in pretty good shape w/ no back or joint problems and new to group or video workouts. The workouts are very effective which was my main focus in purchasing this video despite Denise's sometimes annoying voice or less than satisfactory cueing. I like the mix of routines including plyometrics, sports conditioning, boxing. This is probably her best tape yet.

I was not overweight (but could stand to lose a few vanity pounds) when I bought this DVD but I was also in very poor shape. The first time I did this video I could not get through it. Now I have been doing it a month and if you do stick with it three times a week for four weeks, YOU WILL SEE RESULTS. I find that I am now easily able to do the entire routine. I have lost twenty pounds, have energy that I never knew i had, and I have muscle tone...and the only program I followed was this DVD (with a healthy diet of course). Though it is a little tough for beginners, just go slow at first, staying at intensity level one or two, and in a few weeks level three will be really easy. The best part by far about the video is that it is not boring. It is broken up into six sections with brief weight training segments between each one: Boxing, downhill skiing, kickboxing, crosscountry skiing, and basketball drill.

Now the complaints:
Equipement is used, however, I don't think it is really needed. In the beginning I didn't have a step or weights, but even without the items, you still get a really good workout. I used soup cans for weights.

There are four other people on the video besides Denise who do the moves alongside her. They seem somewhat bewildered on the video, as if they didn't go over what they were going to do before filming. Denise often seems bewildered at times, as if she herself does not know what she is doing next and is waiting for someone off camera to show her.

Still, I think it was a great video to start off with because unlike other videos I have tried, I didn't lose interest right away. It is 45 minutes long, but because it is broken up into sections, the time goes really really fast.

This is the 1st DVD I bought from Denise Austin who has a show I watch regularly on Lifetime TV. The Ultimate Fat Burner workout is frankly not a workout for everyone. It's of my opinion that you need to be in pretty decent shape already to do this. Here's why.

Denise incorporates a lot of material into this workout. Not only are you do aerobics but you are also doing weight training (3 lb weights are recommended on the DVD!), step work (I don't own a step so this is a problem!), and some yoga and kickboxing moves. She does a lot and a lot of it is very VERY high impact. However, she does introduce each aerobic move with 3 levels so you can stick to lower levels if you need to. Its a fun workout but challenging and by 1/2 way through I am usually pretty tired. Lots of jumping and jaring on some moves, this is not low impact aerobics folks so for those with bad joint problems may want to look elsewhere.

Overall not a bad DVD but does require a lot of additional equipment and I think would be best served for those who have already done other step work and interval training. Lets hope Artisan will release some more aerobic DVDs from Denise as this is the only one available and it's not for everyone!

She is clearly one of the best actresses of all time.The movie itself was not that great, but Vivien Leigh manages to bring some life into it. The movie falls when she's not on the screen.The quality of the movie is somewhat bad. There are times when the screen goes a little bit black and you cannot see what's going on. There's some problem with the speech,a few instances when you cannot hear properly. But overall phenomenal performance by Vivien Leigh.Buy it to see Vivien give yet another extraordinary performance.

While this is not as sweeping an epic as Gone with the Wind, Vivien Leigh is still the beauty that makes this movie come alive. Even in black-and-white, she is stunningly beautiful and the costumes and authentic 19th century sets are perfect.

This is of course an adaptation of Tolstoy's novel and deals with a mother caught in a loveless marriage. She wants her stuffy bureaucrat husband's (Ralph Richardson) attention, but when he refuses to give her what she needs, she turns to army officer Vronsky.

The consequences of her search for love is unthinkable, yet does she really have any other way out of her absolute heartache? She can't have the love of her family and the love of her lover at the same time. It just isn't possible in this situation.

While we want to feel sympathy for Anna, her decision to pursue her own interests at the expense of her children's happiness seems unforgivable. She is likeable, just we can't understand why she doesn't find a way to protect her children and still pursue her passions.

This movie is covered in snow. There is snow swirling everywhere. The chilly aspects show the harshness of the situation. There is a scene by the fireplace which seems to warm up the movie, if slightly.

Tragedy and passion in an unforgiving society. A movie that, like the modern "Unfaithful," makes you think about consequence of action.

What a beautiful and talented actress she was! Though most only remember her for Gone With The Wind, Miss Leigh's other roles were equally captivating. My copy of the DVD is fine, no quality issues, and it features Miss Leigh on the cover, not Garbo as another reviewer mentioned.

On to the romance. Anna Karenina is locked in a loveless marriage to a much older count. She falls in love with a handsome, dashing younger man and defies society by running off with him. In one scene, she comes back "home" to sneak in to see her beloved young son, whom she left to pursue her passion. What a heart wrencing scene that is!

Treat yourself to a night of classic cinema. Buy Anna Karenina!

I don't have much to say but that Sutherland sounds abominable in this performance. She is just too old! Acting is terrible, voice is terrible....that's 0 out of 2, and sutherland is in the title role! Skip this one, it's not worth it one bit.

There certainly are a lot of warts on this Australian production, and to blame them all on Joan Southerland is, I think misguided..... I mean even the editorial review is less than flattering to the aging diva ... meeoww meowww ... little plate of milk for, on the floor though, the ed reviewers .....

This is one of the very very few DVD's of this opera and that is what makes it enjoyable, to be able to at least see in in your home. The dance numbers are exquisite and as a whole the lighting and video are excellent....

If there is a down on this DVD well I am disgusted that it was only cut in two channel Dolby ... what ... 2 channels ... I didn't even know there was a dvd available in 2 channel stereo ... WOW what a bummer ...

As a die hard audiophile I couldn't take it and left the room ... but my wife and all her friends who are card carrying, season ticket opera NUTS ... all enjoyed the DVD ... go figure ....

I thought the entire cast was superlative. I enjoyed every minute of it. Dame Joan Sutherland is magnificient. Her rendition of Vilja was the best I have ever heard. This song was one of my Mother's favorites and I have heard it many times, but never as beautifully done as this. I enjoyed Ronald Stevens, Anne-Maree McDonald, Anson Austin, Gordon Wilcock and Graeme Ewer. They were so very good. There were others in the cast, as well as the dancers that were marvelous. My final rating of this on a scale of 1 to 10, at least a 20.

I probably wouldn't have seen this movie if it hadn't been for Michael Richards (Seinfeld's Kramer). And I would have been right not to do so, because the only thing that makes this film even remotely funny is Richards enormeous talent for physical comedy. He can do the most amazing things with his face and body, and during the first third of the film you get to laugh a lot. But then it gets boring. After that the film tries to tell a story that no one want's to hear. Had it instead concentrated on Richards efforts as the world's worst lawyer, and how he tries to defend the world's dumbest criminal, this film might have been really good. As it is it's hardly worth seeing.

Most of the best moments in "Trial And Error" involve the more romantic side of the movie. It doesn't do nearly as well when it tries to be funny. Too much emphasis is put on Michael Richards being goofy and stumbling all over the place. The plot involves a lawyer (Jeff Daniels) who has his bachelor party the night before he has to appear in court. Unfortunately, he ends up drunk and in a bar fight. He is then unable to represent his client due to a combination of a horrible hangover and a bunch of pills he took to try and feel better. His friend (Michael Richards), an actor, poses as a lawyer and asks for a continuance of the case. His motion is denied and the film relies on the old "fish out of water" routine to draw laughs. The actor has to keep pretending to be the actual lawyer for the case and is forced into a trial situation. Richards does a slight variation of his "Seinfeld" character and bumbles his way through the movie. It's okay but nothing that hasn't been seen before. Daniels plays the same ol' smug loser that he usually plays. This movie is completely stolen by the women. Charlize Theron is simply charming as a local waitress who falls for the engaged Daniels. She really lights up the screen and makes the viewer truly care about what happens to her. Jennifer Coolidge plays a witness during the trial and she was given the funniest lines in the script. Her testimony provides several laugh out loud moments. "Trial And Error" focused too much on a one-joke plot about an actor having to pretend to be an attorney and it loses its novelty early. Luckily, the romantic side story helps keep the viewer interested and Coolidge makes things fun in the courtroom. Overall, a pleasant movie to help pass a couple of hours that leaves you feeling good at the end.

This ironic film is neither a romantic film nor a comedy; it is a bit of a hybrid, molding both together. There are a lot of "hidden" messages that one must take into consideration when watching this film.

For one thing, considering that Michael Richards was able to act as an attorney in a real case (even though he was really just an actor), it gives the impression that effective counsel is not as hard as it actually is. That is fine, but it is an interesting point: are lawyers just actors? And if that is so, can one be taught the rules of evidence, civil procedure, and all other legal frameworks in less than three years?

Secondly, it is quite interesting how Jeff Daniels ends up dumping his Beverly Hills wife for a small town waitress. His wife in the movie was a shrill and annoying lady. My question is: How can someone end up enganged to a bit mouth like that? Did he want to marry her because there was no one else available, and thus he choose the lesser or two evils -- until, that is, he finds the small town waitress? It certainly is an interesting dillema.

This movie has great timing and it is quite fascinating. One of the best scenes in this movie include Michael Richards pretending to be an attorney in court, which actually looks far better than some real attorneys practicing cases. Most of the time he was quite confident, until in the end, which he does something quite differently, but I don't want to reveal it because it will ruin the ending. ; 0

--Michael Gordon

While Denise Austin becomes completely absorbed in her routine, you start to feel she has left and gone off to workout planet. Ok, so this is about working out core muscle groups and has a focus on Pilates.

However, this is NOT a relaxing workout. I found Denise talks way too much and is overly interested in giving the viewer compliments when she should be maybe focusing on explanations and then giving the viewer a break to actually enjoy the move. From the minute she starts talking, she doesn't stop. It is like one of my very long reviews. So, I'm also guilty at times.

Still, I just felt overwhelmed with her verbosity. Then, I found her facial expressions and voice to be more attuned to a fast paced aerobic workout (widened eyes are not relaxing for me - they signal flight or fight) and I just could not relax into the moves.

Perhaps she is trying to be more expressive and I was looking for a more withdrawn approach. It is like she is playing for the camera instead of teaching the moves. Some of the exercises were just impossible or very uncomfortable. I really think there are a few moves you will dislike intensely. I skipped them.

Basically, this is an ok workout, but not at all a spiritual experience. If you are serious about Pilates, get the Winsor Pilates workout.

This has Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi moves. It is 45 minutes and requires a very long resistance band. It is for intermediate students who are already in good condition and who enjoy a fast paced routine. Unlike other Pilates exercises, many of these are done while standing, which I felt made them less enjoyable and less efficient.

Not recommended as the first Pilates workout you try. This has some creative moves, but I really did not feel I was getting the workout I wanted.

I bought this DVD as a part of my new weight loss and fitness plan. I was somewhat familiar with the principles of Pilate, but I found that Denise Austin moved too quickly from one exercise to the next. She spent no time explaining the various positions and moved from a basic form to an advanced form in the blink of an eye. Even after watching the tape all the way through, I couldn't figure out what she was doing. This DVD may be suitable to people who are already very familiar with Pilates and correct form, but it's definitely not for beginners.

I LOVE this CD! I alternate this every other day with one of Denise Austin's other Pilates CD's (Mat Workout), also highly recommended. I especially like Denise's instruction...she's very much in tune with her body and health and it shows! I've read some mixed reviews about her personality, so I'd really like to add that I find her enthusiasm very genuine and inspiring! It's also encouraging that she's close to my own age (45) and is so physically fit. I think this is a super Pilates CD...I can feel results after only 3 sessions, and am much more aware of my posture during the day.