Collecting Movie Reviews

I was warned in advance that "Ratcatcher" was a bit "drecht" (Glaswegian for gloomy). That is undeniable, but it is also a very sensitive, thought provoking piece. Set in Glasgow in 1973, the film explores various themes, such as the main character James' guilt over the accidental drowning of a friend, his uneasy relationship with his drunken father and his innocent friendship with a teenage hooker. It manages to weave together all these stories without seeming heavyhanded. The acting is brilliant,particularly that of the child actors, most of whom had never acted before. The adult actors are brilliant, too, especially Tommy Flanagan, who plays James' often drunk "Da" (the scene where he berates James for innocently letting council inspectors into the family's apartment and tells him that "It'll be all your f--g fault" if they lose their coveted council house is an assessment of everything that is wrong with this family.)
The subtitles were interesting. I understand the Glaswegian dialect (by virtue of having a Glaswegian mother), but it was interesting to see how the dialogue was transferred onto the screen. I noticed that the words were transposed on the screen as is, not translated into standard English (i.e. "No, ye cannae" rather than "No you can't"). It actually was better that way.
The ending is ambiguous, but that's keeps what the film in your mind. It also ends on a poignant note. The final scene is the only time in the film that James smiles. All in all, I would not recommend this to someone who wants cheering up, but if you can handle the "down side" it is a marvellous production.

Well, I have to confess to turning on the English subtitles to understand the type of English practiced in Scotland, but this is one heck of a movie that will haunt you long after watching it. The UK is having difficulty reaching agreement with the trash collectors union, so the trash is building up around the tenement buildings. The kids of the neighborhood run the streets like wild stray cats. They make sport of catching and killing rats. When they are bored with being mean toward animals, they turn on each other in far more subtle but more devastating ways. The canal in back of the tenements claims lives on a regular basis. Some drown by accident. Some are already drowning by living in the squalor of the slums.

Poetry on screen, this is a grim but beautiful story about working class family life in 1970's England, focusing on the daily escapades of a young boy as he maneuvers through the twists of existence and the apparent inescapability of his place in life. Feature debut from Lynne Ramsey, whose newest film "Morvern Callar".

This film is sadly one of the few opportunities most Americans will have to see the great Italian comedian named Toto. Toto is to Italy what Bob Hope is to America. He starred in over 100 films, most of which are still played regularly on Italian television today. I discovered him myself only three years ago when I moved to Naples. His old B&W films always have me smiling and laughing at his comic genius. I've wanted to share these films with family in the states, but to my surprise "Big Deal on Madonna Street" seems the only subtitled one available! I've seen this particular film on late night TV and it is quite good as other reviews have already stated. It's a wonderful addition to any film buff's collection. Yet, perhaps someday Toto's other films will make it across the Atlantic. Then you can laugh too as Toto sells the famous Trevi fountain in Rome to an unsuspecting American tourist!

NOTE: In this film Toto plays Dante the retired burglar.

I Soliti Ignoti- I absolutely love this movie. It is one great italian comedy with a brilliant cast at its best in portraying the simplistic and realistic roles of petty criminals. Because of the nature of the characters and their ridiculous behaviour in the proceedings of their scheme to rob a pawnshop, the viewers won't be able to refrain from laughter and enjoy this gang's hopeless adventure. For anyone who loves this movie as much as I do, I recommend to see its sequel made a year later by Nanni Loy: "Audace Colpo dei Soliti Ignoti", with only the absence of Mastroianni but the addition of Nino Manfredi- Sure it's not as great as the first, but having liked these characters so much it is natural that one would want to see them back in action with yet another "scientifically" schemed project along with all their mishaps as usual...and of course, a little more of the unfolding romance of the couple portrayed by Claudia Cardinale and Renato Salvatori. Unfortunately this movie will be hard to find, and it is without subtitles. (Do not confuse this with a third sequel made 20 yrs later which, by the way, I do not recommend at all.) For anyone who hasn't seen Big Deal On Madonna St, please do see it.

This Italian parody of Jules Dassin's *Rififi* turns out to be, after all is said and done, a better movie. Interestingly, it finally seems more original than Dassin's crime movie, despite its obvious mocking of Italian Neo-Realist pretensions AND the hard-bitten *Rififi* (itself a derivation of 1940's American film noirs). *Big Deal on Madonna Street* basically justifies director Mario Monicelli's career . . . at least in my eyes, for I've never much cared for most of his movies. His films have a very narrow interest, meaning, you really have to be Italian to "get" them. In *Big Deal*, Monicelli goes for something more universal with this spoof of the massively infuential French noir, and attains sundry brilliancies. Firstly, the characters are unforgettably individualized, with tics and situations that often turn the gangster archetype on its head. Marcello Mastroianni, for instance, is babysitting his infant while his WIFE serves a short term in jail for smuggling! And somehow the director manages to mock the post-War Italian cinema's unblinking view (a view which was monotonously repeated, starting with Rosselini's *Open City*) of the desperate plight of the country's working-class while AT THE SAME TIME carrying on most poignantly that tradition. For a comedy, there's a heck of a lot of dirty jails, dirty streets, and dirty people. The notion of a grand robbery -- a one-time "big score" -- is natural on these streets. The overall tone is light, but the grim realities are not hidden. This is not a "hilarious" comedy . . . at least until we get to the Big Caper, which is a smorgasbord of comic ineptness. I won't ruin it by describing it; see it for yourself. By the way, this movie was itself re-made (more or less) twice: Louis Malle tried to Americanize it in his *Crackers* (don't bother), and Woody Allen lightly essayed it just recently with his *Small-time Crooks*. Having praised *Big Deal on Madonna Street*, I will add the caveat that a prior knowledge of *Rififi* and Italian Neo-Realist cinema will enhance your enjoyment of the film. [I'm sorry to report that Criterion's DVD is, simply put, substandard. No features but a trailer, and the subtitles are poorly done, flashing on and off the screen like subliminal messages. As this is a later release (#113, I think), there are no excuses for the shoddiness. It's fair to expect excellence from Criterion, particularly because their products are so expensive. Oh well.]

I saw "Mona Lisa" because some critic I read said that it along with "The Long Good Friday" are very fine British crime films.
I saw and loved the "The Long Good Friday." The story was great and so was Bob Hoskins. So I plunked down the cash for "Mona Lisa."

What a disappointment it was. The acting is good, but the storyline manages to be simultaneously flimsy and exceedingly unpleasant. I like watching movies that take me away from reality, not ones that rub my nose in sordid things like the Soho vice world. As for being a crime drama, you probably could learn more about the British underworld by surfing the Internet for a few minutes. Other things I would knock it for is not ever explaining why the heavies in the film are trying to kill the hooker and Hoskins. Finally, Michael Caine may play a bad guy, but I think that he appears in all of five scenes, and that is not nearly enough screen time for him to make his presence felt.

If you love downbeat stories, rent this film from Blockbusters. Don't waste your money buying it like me (I'm giving mine away).

Mona Lisa is an atmospheric , bitter and at the same time romantic film which grows on you as time goes by . Jordan displays London's underground society in a dark yet strangely tangible way . Hints and secrets are being constantly unfolded here with a sharp sensitivity . Life has let down our heroes . They rarely smile , even less often relax and enjoy themselfs . Their worries don't let them do so . There's a bizzare chemistry between Hoskins and the extremelly underrated Tyson which is undeniably affecting while Caine is also perfect as the pimp whose demands never seem to end .

Can you make a good film? Maybe. Can I make a good film? Maybe. Can any of us make a good film? Maybe. What does it take to make a good film? Well, if you have a good screen play, great actors, knowledge of film making, a bit of luck and some talent, you may succeed. This film had it all and that is why it came out just fine. Of cause there were a few shortcommings but they were so little that I did not care about them. I liked the film in general and everything about it so much that I thought that the shortcommings just gave it a little extra flavor. Good show and I reccomend it to everyone.

Wonderful to look at with nice shots of Montmatre at night and a good opening during a Paris dawn. Also, the "bad" girl Anne is worth looking at twice.
But the story is full of holes and bad editing especially in the last 15 minutes. And this is to the detriment of the film in such a way as to render the film no more than a stylish exercise as opposed to a true heist film or noir classic.
If your intent is to look at pioneering film of the French New Wave or to see how the French appreciate Hollywood film noir, then by all means RENT it.
But if you want to see a wonderfully realized French heist movie of the same period with a true understanding of noir, then find yourself a copy of Jules Dassin's RIFIFI, which is a far superior movie.

Warning: this is NOT an action movie. You will be disappointed if you're expecting to see a lot of details surrounding the planning and execution of a major heist. Get Rififi if that's what you want.

'Bob' is stylish, leisurely paced, and NOT a caper flick (or barely qualifies as one). The film is not about a heist, it is about Mr. Bob and his all-consuming passion for gambling. Gambling is his sustenance, his downfall, and his savior. Women only seem to bring trouble (except for Yvonne, the cafe owner). How he acts and thinks, his values and judgments, are part of the old world of gangster-gentlemen which doesn't exist any more. It is, like many French films, a study in character, and what an interesting character it is!

I first saw this movie at a local film festival a year ago and fell in love with it. The characters are fascinating, ones you want to revisit again and again. And what a terrific caper! Isabelle Corey, one of the great but unrecognized beauties of the '50s, is marvelous.

It's great to now own this film on DVD. Lots of good extra features, including an audio interview with the director (from 1960) and a brand new filmed interview with one of the stars.

If you enjoy film noir and "gangster" films, this French classic is a must.

Barnabas Collins and the rest of the gang return for more on Dark Shadows DVD Collection 2! This Collection, which contains VHS Volumes 5-12 on 4 discs, is more of a transitional set. In these episodes, the storylines from Collection 1 come to a close and the new storylines begin. Right off the bat, we see the conclusion of the Barnabas kidnapping Maggie storyline, and then we focus on the impending wedding of blackmailer Jason McGuire and Elizabeth Collins Stoddard. Near the end of this Collection, we see the introduction of Dr. Julia Hoffman, who arrives at Collinwood to investigate Maggie's disappearance.

Also on these DVD's we get bonus interviews from Dan Curtis (Producer), Nancy Barrett (Carolyn Stoddard), Dennis Patrick (Jason McGuire), and Alexandra Moltke (Victoria Winters). Once again, the picture and sound qualities are in great shape. Also like the first Collection, these episodes are all in black and white. Looking forward to Collection 3, which will include color episodes!

There are grand operas, horse operas and soap operas. But we're not horsing
around when we say that there's only one grand, gothic soap opera --- the
indestructible Dark Shadows.
Premiering on ABC in 1966, it ran for five years, chalking up 1,225
episodes. And now it's time, once again, to sink our teeth into one of TV's more
quixotic offerings. Pass the garlic, please.
And pass the DVD sets issued by MPI Home Video, dedicated folk who
have worked tirelessly to bring the series out of its forgotten shadows and into
an era of rediscovery. Each of the 5 DVD sets contain 4 discs, a chronicle of
Dark Shadows episodes --- approximately 75 hours of our favorite fanged ghoul,
Barnabas Collins, and the dark doings set in the small fictional fishing village of
Collinsport, Maine. Be forewarned, however, that as much as we have a stake in
the revival of the series, we question why MPI only included episodes #211 to
#412. (We asked the question, but they never answered. Talk about being kept
in dark shadows.)
The late '60s were an odd time in our cultural history, a kind of a
maturation into reality after the bland '50s and a precursor for the entitlement
and permissiveness of the '70s. Violence permeated our society and its
entertainment ... and escape was the order of the day. Dark Shadows brought us
to a strange set of performers playing even a stranger set of characters.
Grayson Hall and Joan Bennett came from the movies, Jonathan Frid and David
Selby came from the stage, and they were supported by actors and actresses
who had spent literally decades gracing some of the most popular soap operas
from radio and television.
Adding to the escapism was the time element. You were never quite sure
what century you were in while visiting the New England branch of Transylvania.
It could be modern-day Collinsport, or it could be the late 18th century.
Performers could be playing the present-day characters, or their great
grandparents. Still, one thing was sure: High on Windows Hill stood the family
manse, Collinswood (the name most likely came from Wilkie Collins, the author
whose gothic gems graced book stalls in late Victorian times), and, regardless of
the century, it was here that the haunted Collinses plied their depraved trade.
Dark Shadows had a narrative link in a way, but the performers never
seem to know exactly where they are, were they've been, or, most importantly,
where they were going. To be sure, there were the normal and accepted gaffs of
daytime television, such as a boom mike boinking a performer on the head or
people tripping over cables. But, there was the added zest of poor Joan Bennett
looking confused, calling performers by their real names, and trying to cover
rising panic with a look of sheer exotic boredom. Bennett made her first film well
before the talky revolution, but she hadn't seen or heard everything yet, until she
sojourned into daytime television.
As a matter of fact, the growth and development of the television show
parallels to a greater or lesser extent the growth and development of theater of
the absurd in America. The players and the set remained basically the same, but
the period and action varied wildly. And, ultimately it didn't matter where you
were, or where you thought you were, or where you thought you were going,
because you were under the spell of the Collinses, in Collinsport, and they were
in control. If the reality seemed fractured, hallucinatory and vaguely scary, well,
then, wasn't life exactly like that?
Dan Curtis, who also brought us War and Remembrance, The Winds of
War, The Night Stalker, Dracula and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (both with Jack
Palance) and the cult film Burnt Offerings, spawned the series. But the greatest
success of this veritable one-man cottage industry is undoubtedly Dark
Shadows. The brooding gothic setting, the sprawling, elephantine plot twists and
the idiosyncratic, not to say colliding, acting styles come together to create
something unique and strangely satisfying.
For the last 20 years, there has been an annual Dark Shadows Festival, held either in the Los Angeles or New York area. This year, it will be held in
Brooklyn at the end of August. An ominous press release informs us that this
year marks the final full fledged festival, the last of its line.
Knowing the denizens of Dark Shadows, we don't believe it for a moment!

For the true fan this is a real treat. I feel confident that you'll readily forgive the occasional video imperfections since one gets so easily engrossed in these stories. I sure did. For those of us who loved Dark Shadows the first time, this is a real nostalgic treat; like seeing old friends.

One reviewer claimed this higly overrated film was the inspiration for Pepe Le Pew, the Looney Tunes cartoon character. I don't know if there is any truth to his claim, but I would say the Le Pew association works on another level: This film stinks! I hate everything about it, including its overdone art design, its terrible (and way too melodramatic) acting, its dreadful pacing and its derivative storyline. Don't waste your time.

I'm not kidding! Criteron's DVD informs us that the amorous, animated skunk would never have come to life had it not been for French actor Jean Gabin's Pepe from *Pepe le Moko*. That's reason enough to like this movie: imagine how poorer the world would be without Le Pew. In the meantime, *Pepe le Moko* itself is somewhat overrated. Released in France in 1937, it was blocked from American shores years after the American re-make *Algiers*, with the result that the critics over here have been overgenerous with their praise. The movie's claim to be the "Father of Film Noir" can be demonstrably disputed . . . and even if you accept that claim as a given, you're still left with comparing it to later, greater movies in the genre. The fact is, the French are just not naturals at noir: any country that can create several philosophical and scientific systems of CUISINE is never really going to feel the grittiness of the noir milieu where it counts -- at the gut level. (The French can even name the genre -- "noir" -- without truly understanding what it's really about.) Example? Jean Gabin himself as Pepe, the exiled French gangster languishing in Algiers' Casbah. He's too civilized an actor for this essentially rat-like role. (At least Charles Boyer, in the American version, sort of LOOKS rat-like.) Finally, the leading lady is inadequate, in terms of looks and talent. After all this you may be wondering why I'm giving *Pepe le Moko* 4 stars. Location, location, location. Most of the film's world, clogged with humanity's odors and detritus, was miraculously concocted with the use of imaginative sets, but a great deal of it was shot on location in Algiers. All in all, the setting immerses you in its exotic locale to an extent that makes *Casablanca* seem like a tawdry back-lot. One rarely gets the chance to see old-fashioned European colonialism in action . . . this film is a prime example of it, as it was made by a French film studio, much of it shot in one of their traditional colonial holdings. If nothing else, this contributes to the film's standing as a fascinating curio. And the character of Pepe (though not necessarily Gabin's portrayal) is an extremely important -- and iconic -- representation of the classic cinematic anti-hero. Pepe was, after all, one of the very first of 'em.

Pépé, a notorious gangster from Paris, has been forced to seek refuge in the maze of Casbah where he evades the police's futile attempts to capture him. During the police force's attempts to find a way to capture him, the mobster Pépé continues to raid jewelry stores and steal whatever he can get his hands on, and when he is not on a robbery he spends his time with his lover, Inès, or plays card. However, one night when Pépé is dodging the police's hopeless attempts to catch him, he crosses paths with Gaby Gould, a stunning Parisian woman. This encounter opens up Pandora's Box for Pépé and he falls in love with Gaby who reminds him of ultimate freedom. The score played in the film intensifies the perplexity of Pépé's situation that is further improved through cinematography, which produces a sense of entrapment. In addition, the misé-en-scene and acting is of world class. In end, Pépé Le Moko offers a spellbinding story, which at the end deliberately forces the audience to ponder the film's fundamental message.

Every movie here is great, and very differnt from one another! Barbras Warner Years were very eclectic, Sandbox seems to get better with age, The Main Event has always been funny and entertaining, Nuts is drama at its best and then theres the gem of them all Whats Up Doc, Barbra is hysterical, Madeline Cahn is Hysterical, The whole Movie is one great laugh, a ride you want to go on time and time again!!!

It's really unfortunate that the first review posted on this site regarding this DVD set is by someone who is rude and disgusting. I don't ever want to read about someone deficating. Ok you didn't like it, but do you have to be so sick and cruel on top of it? Streisand is far from washed up. LOL

I'm a long time fan and Barbra's new DVD set is wonderful. I personally liked "What's Up Doc" the best and appreciated the featurette on the filming of the movie. I think the selection offers great variety on part of her film career and shows diversity in her acting roles. "Up The Sandbox" is a special film and one that everyone who is even curios about Streisand should watch. It shows a whole different side of her and her performance is very genuine. I highly recommend this box set.

...So, being someone who has actually seen these films, let's be fair. WHAT'S UP DOC is a terrific example of a screwball comedy with a winning cast. Streisand is funny, with spot-on timing and is sexy and tanned on screen. UP THE SANDBOX, dramatically, is unlike anything Streisand ever did before or after... it took courage to take-on a role like this, and she can be proud of the "real woman" qualities that she brought to the role. THE MAIN EVENT is a good try... it has its funny moments and Streisand gives it her best. It's just not a terrific script. NUTS, however, is underrated... not only is the supporting cast superb, but Streisand gave a performance worthy of an Academy Award nomination. In all fairness, this is a terrific and enjoyable set, by an artist who has given much to the world of entertainment. Highly Recommended!!!!!

This DVD is great! I mean the story line between Rini(Chibi-Usa) and Pegasus is great and this DVD brings alot of funny moments like in the episode "Rini's(chibi-usa)Little Rhapsody of Love", its funny when the girls are trying to figure out who Rini likes.There are six episodes and I really enjoyed this DVD so I think you'll enjoy it too. So when you buy it, sit back, relax and enjoy the show!

In the continuing story of Sailor Moon, Chibiusa dreams of becoming an adult and Usagi dreams of being a child and having easy math for her. Palla-Palla, the amozonee, makes their wishes come true. Switching ages, Chibiusa becomes a beautiful adult and Usagi turn into a cute, adorable little kid. Can Pagasus help them in this situation? Then, Usagi and her friends try to make Chibiusa tell them if she had a boyfriend. But, she tries to keep Pegasus a secret. Will Chibiusa reviele her love for Pegusus? Then, Queen Nahelenia attacks the Earth with her evil spider webs and it makes Tuxedo Mask very ill. Pegasus tries to warn them not to come to the Dead Moon Circus Tent. Will the Sailor Scouts have a plan to stop Queen Nahelenia? Finally, as the Sailor Scouts go to the then for battle, they later find out that Chibiusa IS the one holding the Golden Mirror that only Pegasus goes to and is captured by the evil queen. Will Sailor Moon and the Sailor Scouts save Chibiusa from the evil Queen Nahelania's mirror. All of the answers are here in Sailor Moon Super S Pegasus Collection 6

In this video the soliders find out who the amozon girls are. And the amozon girls also find out who the sailor scouts are. The best episode is the one when they find out there identies. There also a cool song in the episode to. It also contains the episode when Usagi and Chibiusa are switched around. Usagi becomes a little kid. Chibiusa becomes a adult. I would reccomend buying this DVD its rated 13 and up. If you want all the episodes go to ebay thats where i got sailor stars on tape. I have all the sailor moon Supers DVD and S serios accept for one. Anyways go to ebay your dreams will come true. hey im 17 and i love this show.

It's 1941, and England is braced for a Nazi invasion along its southeast coast. Every man must do his duty; the old and those otherwise exempt from service with the regular forces have the opportunity to join the ranks of His Majesty's Home Guard. In the coastal town of Walmington-On-Sea, the local HG contingent is commanded by Captain Mainwaring (pronounced "mannering", Arthur Lowe), the local bank manager. His stout hearted men at arms include Sergeant Wilson (John Le Mesurier), the bank's chief clerk, Lance Corporal Jones (Clive Dunn), the butcher, Private Fraser (John Laurie), the undertaker, Private Walker (James Beck), a goods transporter, and assorted others.

The humor in DAD'S ARMY is perhaps more subtle and character driven than that seen in U.S. sitcoms. As befits the senior NCO of any military outfit, Wilson is amusedly tolerant of his Captain's pompous efforts to instill martial spirit and promote military bearing among the ranks. Jones drives Mainwaring to distraction with war stories about the old days with Kitchener's army in the Sudan. Fraser, a dour Scot and the platoon's chief grouser, comes to life when the subject of women's strong thighs arises. Fraser's abets his career as the local Lothario by delivering elastic for the ladies' knickers along with the war supplies.

The level of amusement to be derived from the 18 episodes in this 3-DVD set ranges from negligible to high. Fortunately, the former is represented solely by "The Test", wherein Mainwaring and his men are challenged to a cricket match by their rivals in the air raid watch. Cricket? Please, I'm a Yank. Otherwise, the chuckles are satisfyingly frequent. As when Jones takes a detail to set up a lookout in a deserted lighthouse and hits the wrong switch as Luftwaffe bombers approach the blacked-out town. Or, when the platoon is assigned to guard a captured U-boat commander and several of his crew, the action the German captain takes when Mainwaring threatens him with soggy chips to accompany his fish. And Mainwaring's difficulty with a tent flap after becoming thoroughly drunk in an officers' mess. Or, to Mainwaring's jealousy and disgust, when Wilson inherits a title and is invited to join the local golf club.

The video quality of this boxed set is inconsistent. The DVD technology makes an excellent reproduction of the source material, and some of the original film was notably dodgy.

DAD'S ARMY doesn't even come close to reruns of M.A.S.H., but, compared to the desolate landscape of contemporary American sitcoms, it provides occasions of pure delight.

Delightful, engaging, funny, serene ... - words fail to express the sincere JOY this show gives me. I could probably use all the complimentary words in a thesaurus - and then some. Along with The Prisoner I have my desert island TV sorted. Every character is real. Even if the show was not funny (which it is - hugely), I could still watch this end-to-end and then again just for the characters alone. The BBC made some sublime TV in late 1960's and through the 1970's. Fawlty Towers, Are You Being Served etc are all magnificent ... but if push comes to shove this is it. The best TV of all time? Well, that's my opinion and I am entitled to it - but yes, I would augue that this is it.

One criticism though - why oh why can't the BBC/A&E release the whole series IN FULL and in sequence (they've found 2 of the 5 missing episodes from Series 2 so they have enough material to fill that DVD with the "Finding Of.." TV special (from 2000), Message To The Empire, various BBC variety TV appearances, the 1-hour specials etc etc). Now when that's released I would be truly happy.

Dad's Army is one of the most delightful television comedies of the 20th Century. The cast are supurb and a joy to watch. Created at a time when old school vaudeville acting brought with it the professionalism of English Reparatory theatre and the delights of '70s British TV comedy, Dad's Army will amuse for many years to come.

And please don't panic about the lack of DA on DVD for whilst I haven't viewed this edition (the 5 Stars are for the show) I have the new BBC 'Best of' release containing five episodes purloined from the Australian Broadcastin Corporation's shopping site (search for 'ABC Shop Online'). I believe a second volume is on the way.

You stupid boy...

This box is a good collection of some of the most beautifull films of W. Allen. This features some of the best directions of melodramatic films of W. Allen.

If you are a fan of Woody A. buy it now. If you are one of those very few who never saw a film of Woody Allen, buy one of the films not on this box. You will be back later to buy the box. Trust me.

The whole idea behind a Box Set, is to attract fans. So if you're not a Woody Allen sucker, you'll probably never come to this point of the navigation, specially reading reviews. The fact is, this Box Set comes with more "noire" films from Mr. Allen, not the best comedy, but some very good drama though. The Sets 1 and 3 are better. But what can I say? The worst Woody Allen movie deserves 4 stars and a half, but I could't figure out how to give them. So I gave it a five. You're his fan too, you understand me.

I can't believe all the bad reviews this has gotten. This box doesn't hold a bad film, yet there's so many complaints about it not holding any comedy or being to serious or something. First off, "Another Woman" and "September" aren't really funny at all, but hey, they excellent anyways. And the other three, "Crimes and Misdemeanors", "Alice", and "Shadows and Fog", are essentially comedies! Sure, "Crimes..." has a deathly serious side, but really... does that matter? "Alice" is one of those movies you can't really have any complaints about. It's really fun to watch. The weakest film here is, true, "Shadows and Fog", but that does not by any circumstances mean it is a bad film. It has excellent cinematography and it is really funny at times. Definitely worth seeing, even if it is one of Woody's weakest films. All in all, you pretty much get the best of Woody Allen here. Really funny, funny and whimsical, funny and sad, deathly serious, and more deathly serious. A fine box set. -Randy