Adams Movie Reviews

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Family movie reviews for "Adams" sorted by average review score:
The Dead Zone
Released in DVD by Paramount Studio (19 August, 2003)
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Director: David Cronenberg
Starring: Christopher Walken and Brooke Adams
The Dead Zone is based on a novel by Stephen King, directed by David Cronenberg (Scanners, The Fly) and produced by Debra Hill (Halloween, The Fog). Such a trio of horror vets would be expected to come up with an evening of shocks and gore, but The Dead Zone is a surprise. While it has great atmospheric eeriness and undeniably scary moments, The Dead Zone is at heart a sensitive and thoughtful portrayal of main character Johnny Smith's dilemma. Christopher Walken, king of the vaguely creepy, plays Smith, a man who awakens from a five-year coma with the very mixed blessing of second sight. At the mere touch of a hand, Smith is unwillingly launched into scenes of past and future terror. (Director Cronenberg is said to have fired blanks from a .357 Magnum just out of camera range to keep Walken's flinching spontaneous.) The Dead Zone wisely takes its time telling the story, and thus allows for some great performances. Walken gives a rich portrayal of the conflicted Smith, and Colleen Dewhurst and Tom Skerritt both do welcome turns in smaller roles. The most fun of all, though, is clearly being had by Martin Sheen, who gives a spirited performance as a complete sleazebag. --Ali Davis
Average review score:

Ok!
This movie was ok, it was based on Stephen King's book The Dead Zone which wasn't really my favorite book and so the movie isn't my favorite adaptation of a King book but it does have it's moments and terrific acting from Christopher Walkin, Martin Sheen and Brooke Adams and some of the elements I didn't like about the book weren't in the movie so I guess I kind of enjoyed the movie a little more and I think the movie is worth watching for Christopher Walkin's great performance as Johnny Smith.

4 stars for Chris Walken alone
This big-screen adaptation of Stephen King's classic novel is a mixed bag. First of all, forget Anthony Michael Hall... Christopher Walken is the definitive Johnny Smith. His performance in this film merits four stars all by itself. The movie effectively captures the atmosphere of the novel: Johnny's alienation from society, his sense of loss. The problems with this movie are mainly structural.

For one thing, the movie did a poor job of handling Greg Stillson (Martin Sheen), who was more of a major character in the novel. Stillson is way too intriguing a character to simply be shunted aside until the second half of the film. The part of Sarah Bracknell was totally miscast. Also, they chucked the engaging opening of the novel in favor of a more bland introduction, with Johnny and Sarah riding some rinky-dink roller coaster and Johnny suddenly getting a headache. In departing from the start of the novel, the filmmakers miss out on a few important plot points, like Johnny's childhood accident or Johnny's run of luck (all bad, as it turns out) on the Wheel of Fortune at the fair. You never get a sense in the movie that the two main characters have any real chemistry. And much of the novel's dark wit is lost because there is very little mention of Johnny's culture shock when he wakes up.

However, there are also many things that the movie does right, the casting of Dr. Weizak and Sheriff Bannerman in particular. The Castle Rock sequence is particularly chilling, and quite faithful to the book (allowing for the necessary sacrifices in backstory).

Anyways, the bottom line to all the long-winded rhetoric you just read is I would recommend "The Dead Zone" on the strength of Chris Walken's performance alone. ****/5 stars

Worth seeing over and over again.
This movie is one of our favorite movies. We thought the acting was excellent. The plot kept us involved. The mood created by the director is dark without being depressing. Every time we watch it, we see nuances that we missed before. We don't typically enjoy R-rated movies, because the violence and sex are usually a cover-up for lack of plot. (There is definitely both violence and sex in this movie, it is not for children.) It is one of the few movies my husband has enjoyed seeing more than once.

Tromeo and Juliet
Released in DVD by Troma (02 December, 1997)
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Directors: James Gunn (II) and Lloyd Kaufman
Average review score:

LOVE MEANS NEVERY HAVING TO SAY A THING
hey:

mr. k. has done it big time with this classic. only kaufman can take on shakespeare and come out a head.

wow.

i dig it like a vegtable.

jack e. jett
the jack e. jett show

a decent film...tromatized!
Tromeo and Juliet was a good flick. I am new to troma films, and this is the first one I viewed. I was pleased with it's bizzaire story line which mimiced shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The violence, nudity, sex (read like a cheap porn, which isnt a bad thing mind you!) and overall wierdness that I had heard about and was expecting from Troma was all there, and I loved every bit of it. If you are new to Troma films, you might want to check it out, and if even if you are a rabid fan, you might want to pick this one. The extras are cool to check out too. Especially the cut scenes.

A little strange, but it is Troma
Here is a modern story of romeo and juliet, only that it is made about as obsurd as you can get. Not that that's a bad thing. This is still a great movie (if you have a sick sence of humor). Lots of great charaters, including one played by Llyod Kaufman himself. It is for sure a sick and twisted movie, but if that's your thing, then give this movie a watch, you won't regret it.

Mumford
Released in DVD by Touchstone Video (03 September, 2002)
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Director: Lawrence Kasdan
Starring: Loren Dean, Hope Davis, and Jason Lee
Loren Dean, a pleasant, attractive actor who seems to fall seamlessly into the background of every film he's in (Gattaca, Enemy of the State, Apollo 13), is perfectly cast in Mumford as a psychologist (named Mumford) who wanders into a small town (named Mumford) and suddenly fits seamlessly into everybody's rhythms and routines. Balancing a no-nonsense approach with a keen ability to listen sincerely to everyone's problems (with the exception of a snotty lawyer, played by Martin Short), he's a friendly, approachable blank slate for all those who come to visit him. And while he's tending to the shopaholic housewife (Mary McDonnell), the pulp-fantasizing pharmacist (Pruitt Taylor Vince), and the anorexic teenager (Zooey Deschanel), no one seems to give a second thought to who the man is behind the therapeutic face, not even his slightly sardonic neighbor (Alfre Woodard). It's not until he befriends a sweetly daft computer billionaire (Jason Lee) and starts treating a chronically fatigued young woman (Hope Davis) that his past--or rather, lack of one--starts coming into play, for it turns out that Mumford is not exactly who he says he is.

Less a mystery than an affectionate, perfectly modulated character study, Mumford easily represents writer-director Lawrence Kasdan's best work in a decade. While the plot seems whimsically Capra-esque and the dialogue sometimes stilted, it's so carefully and quietly directed that its good will and gentle spirit seem to float lightly off the screen. Kasdan hasn't created such engaging characters since The Big Chill, and all are winning without seeming artificial. Most amazing is Davis, who manages to invest a woman suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome with an inner glow that slowly becomes brighter as the film progresses. And Dean, as the enigmatic Mumford, may have finally found his breakthrough role; after years as an also-ran, he finally emerges as a solid, charming leading man. After Mumford, you won't forget his name, or face. --Mark Englehart

Average review score:

There's Nothing Special To See In This Movie
I've seen a lot of movies in my life, and Mumford is nothing more than just another to add to the list. I don't like it, I don't hate it, and I don't feel any different after having seen it. I hate being so apathetic, but that's just what this movie does to a viewer.

This is the story of a pseudo-psychologist named Mumford (Loren Dean) who lives and practices in a town named Mumford. He's not the typical shrink. He'll make you feel bad if he has to, he'll tell you to never come back to his office again, and he'll divulge your inner most secrets to anyone who wants to know them. But in spite of his unprofessional approaches to therapy, the whole town seems to love him. We learn half-way through the movie that he's not really a psychologist at all, and everything this town knows about me is completely fraudulent. He's really a former investigator for the Internal Revenue Service who took a few wrong turns in life and decided to completely relinquish his past and start over in this town. The movie shows him treating several very colorful and interesting patients with some very serious problems before his true identity is discovered, though I won't reveal the consequences he must face in the end.

Loren Dean does an adequate job in his performance as a sober-minded psychologist. Though, he's not a terribly gifted actor, and I don't see why anyone would want to give him the lead role in a major movie. Hope Davis, Jason Lee, Alfre Woodard, and Mary McDonnell are also good in their performances as Mumford's patients.

I suppose the reason why this movie wasn't very appealing to me was that the plot was too "by the numbers." In fact, there wasn't much of a plot at all. It relies too much of trying to evoke certain feelings or moods from its audience, which just doesn't ever happen. There's enough substance here to keep a viewer engaged for the duration of the movie, but just not enough to evoke emotion.

Wonderfully pleasant film.
THE DVD: DVD widescreen has standard menu. 30 chapters well placed. Both English subtitles and Close Captioned follow audio verbatim. Includes 4min production featurette with comments from Lawrence Kason (the writer, director, and producer) and some of the players. At the beginning of the DVD you can skip or FF 'other-movie' trailers to get to the main menu. Access this movie's theatrical trailer and the other-movie trailers from the menu. No cast or crew biographies.

THE MOVIE: This wonderfully pleasant film has a steady pace and upbeat attitude throughout. It is a good film for both entertainment and as a catalyst for personal growth introspection. Why is it so difficult for us to change ourselves? Sometimes all we need for change is a little help and trust from someone, but then how easy is it to be so engrossed in our problem and forget about the person who is helping us. Then again, our problems sometimes look so simple from a different perspective.

This film has excellent examples of patience, kindness, firmness, and healthy attitudes. Even with a problem one can have a healthy attitude. No matter how bad a problem, everything's okay. If only we could behave towards others like the psychologist Mumford. Maybe what we need is to spend time in a monastery.

Awww, Crap!
The movie is great, and makes you think.

Do yourself a favor and don't read any of the other reviews, because some give away the big twist in the middle (ruining the movie for you).

Hey, reviewers, don't ruin the movies for everybody. That just isn't nice

The Bounty
Released in DVD by MGM/UA Video (21 November, 2000)
MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Director: Roger Donaldson
Starring: Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins
Director Roger Donaldson (Thirteen Days) has breathed vibrant new life into the classic story of the mutiny on the Bounty. With a dream cast--Mel Gibson, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Sir Laurence Olivier, Liam Neeson, and Daniel Day-Lewis--and a script by Robert Bolt (Doctor Zhivago, Lawrence of Arabia), The Bounty takes a revisionist tack through the well-charted waters of an oft-told tale. Hopkins's Captain Bligh is no raving sadist in the Charles Laughton mode. (Laughton played Bligh in the first Mutiny on the Bounty, 1935.) Instead, Sir Anthony plays Bligh as a hard-nosed imperialist explorer simply trying to get the job done in the time-honored manner: on the backs of the poor gobs under his command. Still, when Bligh's suppressed powder keg of rage finally blows, Hopkins is formidable indeed. Mel Gibson gives one of the most soulful performances of his career as mutiny leader Fletcher Christian. He's also at the height of his blue-eyed, buff good looks, and his romance with Tahitian maiden Mauatua (lovely Tevaite Vernette) is decidedly erotic. Liam Neeson is a veritable force of nature as the scrappy seaman Charles Churchill, and Daniel Day-Lewis is sublimely hateful as Master John Fryer, a pompous toady. With special effects to rival those of The Perfect Storm, the alluring eye candy of a tall-masted schooner under full sail, lush tropical greenery, and bevies of bodacious South Sea Islands babes, plus a gripping story line, The Bounty deserves a rescue from undeserved obscurity. --Laura Mirsky
Average review score:

Classic
Classic, history made into a thrilling Hollywood movie. Great music and acting.

I prefer the 1984 version of the Mutiny
I have always been a fan and a supporter of this underrated classic since the week of its release in 1984. It opened to mixed critical and public reaction, but I think it deserves a new look. For one, I think it tells the story of the Mutiny better and more convincingly than the 1935 Laughton/Gable film. Whereas the original movie mostly had an American cast, an American production, American accents, and a humorous 20th century toungue-in-cheek tone (that renders that ancient movie inaccurate and unwatchable), THE BOUNTY utilizes an English cast, and takes a more serious tone. Ultimately, the cast for the Bounty is more believable as British seamen who lived in the 18th century.

As far as the storyline is concerned, THE BOUNTY tells its side of the story well. Bligh as portrayed as an authoritarian leader who has to deal with a crew of insubordinates, led by a lovestruck Christian. Their stay in Tahiti among the native population changes the mood of the crew. But Bligh knows what the true mission of his voyage, and tries (but fails) to remind his men that they are really transporters of breadfruit plants from Tahiti to Jamaica. Ultimately, Bligh's onscreen rages are convincing (whereas the 1935 version portrays Bligh's behavior as the whims of a crazy old man). The climax of the film, the mutiny itself, is very well done, as the tempers of all involved come to the surface.

There is no denying the exquisite look to this film, and it is better served on the big screen. The period dress is impeccable, and it gives the film a historically accurate tone. What actually happened between Bligh and Christian in 1787 may remain a mystery forever, but I feel that THE BOUNTY is the ultimate and most satisfying statement of the information left for us.

Melvin Looked GREAT, And An Alternative Title
Melvin Gibson really looked good back when this movie was filmed, and you could see the origins of many of the theatrical techniques which later became staples of his thespian repertoire -- emotional wide-eyed flashes, exasperated eye-rolling, and drowsy eyelids closing while he tried to stay awake. (This film, set in the past as it was, featured no scenes of another of Melvin's specialities, operating motor vehicles. Some would insist it's just not a Melvin Gibson movie if we don't seem him driving a vehicle in a car chase.)

A great alternative title for this film, given the magnificent scenes featuring the robust Tahiti female characters, would have been "The Bouncy."

Hercules in New York
Released in DVD by Vidmark/Trimark (24 October, 2000)
MPAA Rating: G (General Audience)
Director: Arthur Allan Seidelman
Average review score:

greekgodawful
On a budget that makes Blair Witch seem like a Hollywood blockbuster, with production values that would be shamed by your child's high school play, with actors designed to make Arnie seem like Lawrence Olivier, with a director whose only experience was apparently shooting his kid's birthday parties, with a writer who doesn't know he writes comedy, here is a movie you can laugh at, not with. It fascinates like a train wreck and speaking of children, watching our governator get his start makes you feel proud. It also makes you feel that no matter what you have done, you can still be a success. I read that the guv donated a couple million of his 30 for T3 back to help finance the special effects. If he has any pride he will do the same to re-do this one. I think it was all done for about $29.95.

70's Fun with Arnold...
Low budget is the key phrase in describing this film debut of the pre-'Pumping Iron" Mighty Ripped One, Arnold. But don't let that keep you from enjoying the film, flaws and all, for it really is a lark and a half. The movie is also known as "Hercules Goes Bananas", and that ought to tell you something.

The music is heavily zithered, a la "The Third Man", but seems oddly appropriate to the film. It actually grows on you, believe it or not. We get an interesting view of the gods hanging out on Mount Olympus, and we meet a dashing Pluto (AKA Death). Tony 'Mr.World' Carroll cameos in a weightlifting contest with Herc, and "Dark Shadows" alum Tracy Loomis plays Herc's love interest, Helen. Soap opera regular Ernest Graves steals all of his scenes as Zeus.

On the DVD, you can choose between the Real Arnold voice track, and the dubbed voice track. I sampled the dubbed version, and then quickly opted for the Real Arnold, with his classic Arnold accent that renders him almost unintelligible ("Eye yam Her-cue-leesse!"). The dubbing is classic in it's own way, however, with the ridiculously deep, white, all-American, manly voice so common to dubbed pictures of Herc, et al. But, with an Arnold movie, we need the sound of Arnold's own vocal undulations as he navigates the rocky waters of the English language.

Arnold Stang actually gets top billing over Arnold Strong (Schwarzenegger). Stang was a memorable, but largely forgotten comedian from the golden age of television. Perhaps most memorable for the voices of "Top Cat" (Hanna-Barbera)and "Herman" (Famous Studios), Stang also appeared in "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World". Here, Stang plays the goofy schlub "Pretzie" (so named because he sells pretzels), a perpetually bewildered person who befriends the bewildered Herc.

Herc has been cast out of Olympus for talking smack to his dad, Zeus. Herc wants to meet new people, and see the mortal world, and when Zeus gets tired of hearing about it, he hurls a lightning bolt (which looks suspiciously like a bent piece of re-bar that was spray painted silver), and POOF! Herc is falling to Earth. Before you know it, he's teaching athletes how to throw the discus and javelins, becoming outraged when he sees a movie poster for a Herc movie, beating up escaped grizzly bears, etc. He also starts making time with the daughter of a college professor (with an interest in mythology, of course), and takes up wrestling.

Half the fun is Arnold's acting. The other half is the valiant attempt of the filmmakers in making lemons out of lemonade on their skimpy budget. Stang is a bit over the top at times, but really helps to keep things moving in a typical kid's movie kind of way.

Probably the biggest flaw with the movie is that the relationship between Herc and Helen is never resolved. In fact, Helen inexplicably vanishes before the movie is all wrapped up. The movie does end delightfully, with the mighty Zeus casting an eye towards his old stomping grounds, but the loose ends are kind of annoying.

Besides the dual voice track, the DVD also offers some TV spots from the movie's 1980 re-release (post-"Conan"), in which Arnold is given heavy play.

The DVD is a must-have for Arnold fans, or fans of low-budget dreck for the 70's. Suitable as a guilty pleasure, or as a treat for the kid in all of us.

Hot dogs, Pretzy, and Airplanes!!!!
Well, what can I say? The title says it all. Hercules, a strong young man looking to find his purpose in life. Being judged by his father Zeus is hard enough so he moves to New York, and creates havoc in the Big Apple. The hot dog vendor scene is the best. I would pay three hundred yen to see that. The guy chases the horse man and it goes Baaauuuggghhh!!!! It's awesome! Baaaaaauuuuuuuuggggghhhhhh!!!!

Godzilla Vs. Monster Zero
Released in DVD by Simitar Video (05 May, 1998)
MPAA Rating: G (General Audience)
Director: Ishirô Honda
Starring: Nick Adams and Akira Takarada
In the darkness behind Jupiter there lurks a heretofore undiscovered planet, Planet X, boasting beings of superior intelligence. The Planet X-ers are forced to live underground because of the havoc wreaked on the surface by Ghidra, the three-headed monster. Once discovered by our astronauts, including the ultra-hip Nick Adams (spouting such phrases as "That's right, baby!" with innocent conviction), the Planet X-ers propose that they transport Godzilla and Rodan from Earth to their planet to help rid them of the Ghidra menace. Only, as it turns out, they have a dastardly plan to use the bipedal behemoth and his flighty friend to conquer the Earth, harnessing their destructive force with "magnetic waves." And it almost works, but for the ingenuity... well, you get it. There can be no better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than watching monsters battle it out, while Nick Adams speaks in his accustomed English to others speaking dubbed English (really Japanese), like they all know what each other is saying. The DVD gives you a choice of cropped-screen or letterboxed in scrumptious Tohoscope, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround or Mono, and some more extras. It is also available in a boxed set with four of the better Godzilla flicks by director Inoshiro Honda. --Jim Gay
Average review score:

What has 3 heads, two tails, and shoots lightning bolts??
Ghidra, my favorite evil monster! I remember hopping all over the familyroom whenever he battled Godzilla! In MONSTER ZERO, we've got tricky aliens from planet X who try using Godzilla (Monster Zero 1), Rodan (Monster Zero 2), and Ghidra (Monster Zero) to take over the earth. They control Godzilla and Rodan's tiny minds, and almost succeed in their nefarious plot, if not for the kooky invention of one goofball scientist. With his machine, the aliens lose control of Godzilla & Rodan, who turn on Ghidra for a rubber-suited battle-royal! I just watched this with my 7yo and loved watching him bounce around like I once did...

one of the better Godzilla films
This was always one of my favorite films as a kid: a classic midnight matinee. The plot generally has fewer holes than a typical monster movie, and for the most part you can believe what is going on. After watching this film as "an adult" and not a kid I became aware of the following:

In my opinion there is one fatal flaw in the editing of this movie: When astronaut Glen and Fuji lift off after having met the controller of Planet X and hearing his plea to "borrow" Godzilla and Rodan, there is a cut to the shot of the controller making a sinister laugh. Prior to this, we, the audience, at this point have no reason to believe that Planet X is not being sincere, so this just kills the story in terms of revealing the plot way too soon. When they play the tape of the "miracle drug" formula, we already pretty much know that whatever's going to happen won't be good. Anyway that's just my pet peeve about this movie, otherwise I like it.

5 Stars For The Fun
I was finally able to get a copy on DVD and the widescreen presentation rocks. Nick Adams makes this movie a real treat with his "hip" one liners and be sure to check out how many times Nick hitches up his pants before delivery of one of these classic lines. What this movie lacks in special effects it more than makes up for in its enduring charm. I never get tired of watching this movie. Remember folks, they will never make movies like these again so enjoy the cheeze and remember a time when things were a bit simpler and movies were meant to be fun instead of a vehicle for some all important message which i am never able to quite grasp or perhaps do not care to.

Psycho Beach Party
Released in DVD by Strand Releasing Home Video (24 April, 2001)
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Director: Robert Lee King
Average review score:

a groovy time
I liked this movie, ignoring my friends about its relation to homosexuality and lesbianism. Who cares!!! really. I wouldnt of bothered with this movie if Nicholas Brendon wasnt in it. it's about these teens and they have something wrong with them, like having one testicle or having a harelip or in a wheelchair, imperfect people and they get bumped off by a killer. then you got a teenaged girl who has multiple personalities(could she be the killer). A really good movie brought to screen by Charles Busch(who plays the lead lady detective). Gotta love surfing music. a blend of old surfing movies and slasher movies. Funny, sometimes bizzare and often sexy. A Keeper

I had hopes for a good satire but it's not here.
While many people say this is a decent satire of the horror/triller and beach genre I have to say overall it's a dissapointment. The ideas were very original in this flick and I give them credit for this, and some of the scenes are really good (especially the two guys wrestling on the beach) but as a overall piece of entertainment I can only say it's ok. I would only recommend it to people who are searching for this movie to fit their niche interest but casual movie go-ers probably won't enjoy.

Screwball Genius
This movie was recommended after the imfamous oil wrestling scene was played at a club in San Francisco, and I had to find out who these boys were. What I found was a hysterical comedy played to perfection by EVERYONE! Lauren Ambrose has a fan in me for life, all the guys looked like they were having a ball. Highly recommended for everyone, especially the alternative set. ANN BOWMAN LIVES!!!

The Jazz Singer
Released in DVD by Republic Studios (20 April, 1999)
MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Director: Richard Fleischer
Starring: Neil Diamond and Laurence Olivier
Not much jazz spoken in this 1980 version of the Jolson classic, directed by Richard Fleischer (The Vikings) and starring a very tentative Neil Diamond as a cantor's son who would rather sing commercially than in a synagogue. The soundtrack is tedious, the portrait of L.A.'s music industry preposterous, and Diamond (despite his talents as a singer-songwriter in the real world) can't help but look like a speck on the wall in the presence of Laurence Olivier, who plays his father. --Tom Keogh
Average review score:

Don't pay the 50 bucks!
Neil Diamond is, well, Neil Diamond after all, in this good story about a Cantor's son/musician trying to break ranks with his Jewish heritage and family tradition. Neil's acting is okay and of course, Sir Lawrence Olivier is great, Luci Arnez does a respectible job in the film as well. What speaks to us music lovers is THE MUSIC, some wonderful tunes and a not-so-bad love story. Now that brings us to the question of "Why is this DVD SO DARN EXPENSIVE?!" It's worth about [money amount], if that and I won't buy it, I still have the VHS version and will store it in a nice cool place and bring it out once or twice a year to watch it with pleasure. Don't get suckered into some auction and pay more than you should for a used version, maybe if we're patient with Amazon, they will bring their price down, hmmm?

WONDERFUL!
I can't understand why this movie was so poorly accepted. It was a well acted, well directed film.

EXCELLENT MOVIE...If you enjoy the art...you will love it.!!
I saw this movie for the first time when I was 8 years old and I loved it and I just saw it again today at age 31 and I still love it...It was written great, and its a great movie! Neal Diamond is an excellent singer! Too the people who dont like it...you just dont get it and never will! One of the best movies of the 80's!!!!!

Michael
Released in DVD by Turner Home Video (04 February, 2003)
MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Director: Nora Ephron
Starring: John Travolta, Andie MacDowell, and William Hurt
After the box-office success of Phenomenon, John Travolta continued to charm audiences with this 1996 comedy-fantasy in which he plays a grubby angel who's got one last good deed to do before heading back to heaven. Living peacefully in the rural Iowa home of an old, friendly motel owner (Jean Stapleton), the winged Michael (Travolta) is hardly the image of a perfect angel. He's scruffy, unshaven, eats sweetened cereal by the box-full and chain-smokes all day long. But when tabloid reporters (William Hurt, Robert Pastorelli) learn of Michael's alleged existence and head to Iowa to check him out, Michael soon realizes that it's his task to see that Hurt falls in love with an "angel expert" (Andie MacDowell) and breaks free from his habitually cynical attitude. There's more to the story, of course (and Chasing Amy fans will recognize Joey Lauren Adams as a waitress who charms the angel), but Michael is more about the effect that this enchanting angel has on the earthbound humans around him. Whether he's chipping away at Hurt's skepticism or attracting a crowd of women on a truck-stop dance floor, Michael is an enchanting figure, and Travolta plays him with just the right tone of humor, reverence, and effervescent charm. Sure, it's lightweight fluff, but director Nora Ephron specializes in lightweight fluff, and Michael is the kind of feel-good movie that never wears out its welcome. --Jeff Shannon
Average review score:

Fun and well acted
This is a very fun movie and it's done with comedic feel that works overtime. It's a feel good movie that most can relate to. I enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone that needs to laugh more, thats most everyone! John Travolta did it again.

Definitely good
I think this movie's sweet backplots are what make it more original than other angel movies. Definitely not a classic, but worth buying.

ANGELS on Earth
No one is perfect, however, we here may try to be too perfect.
An angel on Earth is all they can be with love, hope, and charity. The movie MICHAEL shows us that even an angel does NOT
need to be Perfect. God and Love and Respect can cover a lot of
ground even here on Earth.

Thanks.
Amen

Rollerball
Released in DVD by Mgm/Ua Studios (05 June, 2001)
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Director: Norman Jewison
Starring: James Caan and John Houseman
In the year 2018, violence and crime have been totally eliminated from society and given outlet in the brutal blood sport of rollerball, a high-velocity blend of football, hockey, and motor-cross racing sponsored by the multinational corporations that now control the world following the collapse of traditional politics. James Caan plays Jonathan E., the reigning superstar of rollerball, whose corporate controllers fear that Jonathan's popularity has endowed him with too much power. They begin to pressure him according to their own ruthless set of rules, but Jonathan has rules of his own--the rules of a man determined to retain his soul in a world gone mad. As directed by Norman Jewison (who was enjoying a peak of success during the early and mid-1970s), Rollerball creates a believable society that's been rendered passive and compliant by the homogenization of corporate dictatorships, where the control and flow of information is the only currency of any importance. It's a world in which natural human aggressions have been sublimated and vented through the religious fervor toward rollerball and its players. Rollerball now looks like one of those 1970s science fiction films (another example being Logan's Run) that seems a bit dated and quaint, but its ideas are still provocative and fascinating, and the production is visually impressive. The DVD includes full-screen and widescreen versions of the film, audio commentary by director Norman Jewison, a behind-the-scenes featurette, an interactive "rollergame," trivia, and production notes. --Jeff Shannon
Average review score:

Great 70s Science Fiction, Horrible Commentary
"Rollerball" is one of the great science fiction movies of the seventies, the kind big, cautionary distopian flicks they used to make before Star Wars came along and pushed the genre into the world of fantasy ("Omega Man" and "Soylent Green" being two others in this league). While cheezy in a way that only the seventies can be (the old-fashioned "futuristic" computer-font letters and numbers everywhere are great), the film still raises questions as well as instilling gut-thrills.

This DVD edition is good--for the price. The movie has not been restored by any means, but seeing it widescreen for the first time in a long time is a treat. The vintage promo "making of" documentary is of the classic mold, deep voiced narrator and all.
BUT Norman Jewison's commentary track is absolutely worthless; a prime example of the worst kind of blah blah commentary there is. This is the kind with a LOT of silent time. When he does talk, the guy can't even seem to get the words out ("Uh.....uh....this....uhhh...). And if he does get the words out, he usually just tells us what's happening on the screen (something we can obviously see for ourselves, given that this isnt' a radio play). Or he pontificates endlessly on the film's themes, explaining them as though we're all to stupid to understand the "individual v the corporate" storyline. Mention it, sure, but Norman, we don't have to be told for twenty minutes! Damn!
The only worse commentary I've heard was Kinka Usher's on the "Mystery Men" dvd. But at least that revealed something of interest--that the self-impressed Usher didn't have a talented bone in his body.
Directors who are not natural raccontours should be paired with (or replaced by) film historians on commentary tracks, the better to pull out of them the interesting stuff we know they must have in their heads. Not everyone is a John Carpenter or Larry Cohen, two of the best at this there are, no matter what you think of their films.

Anyway, Rollerball is still worth 8 or 9 bucks. Buy it.

Better than the remake.
Lot of action....good for the time period. If youve seen it before then hey, why not, go ahead and buy it. See if I care.

"This was never meant to be a game! Never!"
The rollerball game of the future was created for a special reason. "To show the futility of individual effort." To make anyone that wants to go his own way, bow dowm to the powers that be. James Cann, in one of his best roles, is Johnathan E, rollerball's super star. He's relaxed and friendly off the track, and a determined gladiator on.

The action is great and strangly hypnotizing as skaters and motorcyclists race around a large circular track, trying to throw a steel metal ball into a basket.

John Housman makes one of the best establishment heavys as he hints, demands, and threatens Johnathan to retire. For people that like gladiator movies, sports action, or the lone man trying to survive, Rollerball will excite you. You'll be shouting Johnathan's name along with the crowd. And after it's over, you'll feel like taking on the world. Yes, a great motivational movie as well.

Pay no attention to remake. This is the one and only "Rollerball".

Related Subjects: Genealogy
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