Veterans Day Movie Reviews

I think that this could've been a better book if they stuck more the storyline of the book. The book has the story taking place in the 80s. Also I never pictured Wesley Snipes as Franklin. I think there should've been a younger actor portrayed as Franklin.

This movie was excellent but flopped if you're judging it based on how true to the book it is. The movie outlines the general ideas expressed in the book. Of course a movie could never duplicate the preciseness included in a book but the necessary events in the book are in the movie.

Sanaa gives a stunning performance as Zora, an independant woman with ambition and a craving for some masculinity in her world. Wesley is Franklin, a man with a whole lotta ego, real-life problems and a weakness for beautiful women. Both Sanaa and Wesley are excellent in their roles. They give life to these Terry McMillan characters.

Perhaps the greatest gift this movie gives us is the possibility that you probably know a few Zora's and a few Franklin's! And knowing that allows one to connect with the absolute reality of the film. Get it! I applaud HBO for bringing this movie to the screen.

this was one of the best of it's genre. i cried because i actually felt for these charectors. it is seriously sad and realistic.wesley snipes can act and shows it in this movie. highly reccomended if you need a movie to watch with your girl and you want to score points with her.

This DVD of Francois Truffaut's charming 1973 classic "Day for Night" is a wonderful little movie - very bright, funny, warm, cute, inviting, entertaining, informative, and fascinating. In the mold of other great films about making films, such as Fellini's "8 1/2" and Godard's "Contempt", Francois Truffaut let's us visit the set of a French film crew at work - with himself playing the deaf director in charge. Francois Truffaut does as much acting in this film as directing. Indeed, just four years later, he'd star in Steven Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" as the French scientist Lacombe. It's a sheer joy from start to finish and the humanity shines throughout. I loved this film.

The DVD is a nicely mastered picture with some pleasant extras, such as a documentary on the film by film scholar, Annette Insdorf (who always gives a wonderful introduction to any French film masterpiece).

Francois Truffaut makes wonderful movies and this is one of his best! An adorable movie by anyone's standards.

Hollywood keeps making films that, since "Sunset Boulevard," see filmmaking as some kind of gothic tragedy. "La Nuit Americaine" sees it as a struggle towards just making a film done, inspite of all kinds of problems. There is no question here however that love, sex, egos, alcoholism, and the rest are all part of just trying to make a film; still, it strangely comes together through a totally humane, generous and, when it serves, a self depricating genius of film making (Truffaut). Why else would Spielberg cast him as he does in CE3K? Also, note that the film begins with Georges Delerue's musical optical track. Great stuff.

La Nuit Américaine is an interesting movie with celebrated French director Francois Truffaut playing a director making a movie. He proves to be a modest and convincing actor himself while patiently weaving a tale about how movies are made and how intense the emotional interactions among those making the movie can be.

Don't give up on this one too soon. It starts slow and seems almost amateurish because of the relatively low-tech way the film within the film is being shot. Truffaut gives us a glimpse of how the production crew works together (and sometimes at odds) while showing us some of the things that can go wrong while making a movie. He begins with the technical details of the production but before long begins to concentrate on the personalities of the movie-makers and their individual stories. Each story is carefully crafted in a somewhat leisurely way almost like the characterizations in a soap opera (without of course the phony drama and mass market sentimentality seen on TV). Truffaut's fine sense of emotional conflict and how conflict might be resolved makes the various stories touching without being maudlin.

Jacqueline Bisset who stars as English actress Julia Baker who plays the title role in the film within the film (May I Introduce Pamela?) doesn't make her appearance until about a fourth of the way in. She is a delight as an actress with a heart of gold recovering from a nervous breakdown married to an older man whom she does indeed love. Jean-Pierre Leaud, whom most viewers will recall as the running boy in Truffaut's The 400 Blows, plays a young and not entirely confident actor who gets jilted by the script girl who runs off with the stunt man during production. Bisset's warm and sisterly befriending of Leaud is, shall we say, entirely French (which gets her into trouble with her husband). This really is a skillful showcasing of Bisset since she gets to play something like an ingenue with her husband and the older woman with Leaud. Be careful you might fall in love with her.

Valentina Cortese in a fine supporting role does a most convincing job of playing the temperamental Italian actress just past her prime who quaffs champagne while working, who forgets her lines and can't find the right door, but when properly indulged gives a great performance.

My problem with this movie is I saw the dubbed version and of course that is disconcerting because one is constantly trying to reconcile the visualized actor with the dubbed one. To see Jacqueline Bisset who is beautifully fluent in both English and French speaking French while at the same time hearing someone else speaking English for her is just a bit too much to take. I understand that the DVD version is in French with subtitles. I would recommend that you get that and not the dubbed video.

Truffaut is the kind of director who allows the audience to penetrate not only his characters to see what makes them tick, but also the stars who play those characters. He does a particularly beautiful job with Bisset who is warm and wise and something close to heroic, and with Leaud whose childishness seems natural and whose pettiness forgivable. Don't believe those reviewers who think this is a slight film. It is carefully crafted and very well thought out and is a fine example of the work of the one of the great directors of the French cinema. See it for Truffaut whose delicate genius is evident throughout.

I love old movies--gothic, sci. fi.--you name it. But I was very disappointed in this one. I could just go on and on, but suffice it to say that except for the crisp b&w filmography this movie has no (zero) redeeming qualities about it whatsoever. It's not even "funny bad." I wish I could give zero stars, but one is as low as it is allowed to go. How sad.

I got this video after reading the various viewer responses and found it tedious. Britain has provided us with some terrific Sci-fi movies despite low budgets, but this one has all the tension of an uncooked sausage and generally looks pretty silly - the costumes are dated, the characters cliched, and the "monster" is too silly for words. I place this film right down there with the worst of American 50's black lagoons!

Thanks to an excellent literate script by master Nigel Kneale and intensive, atmospheric direction by the underrated Val Guest (who both scored great marks with "Abominable Snowman"), this ranks as one of the best and most disturbing Science-Fiction Thrillers. I don't need to reiterate the intriguing story, but it builds gripping suspense from the word 'Go' and finally escalates into a crucial state-of-alarm that climaxes in a thrilling and terrifying showdown at the secret alien refinary plant in the remote British country. Pretty violent and grim for its time, and it still retains its entertaining and thought-provoking qualities. The confrontation between the workers and the alien-controlled government & military "zombies" has certain Marxist underlying themes of the 'workers revolt againest the oppressive, dictatorial rulers' - who, in shattering fact, are aliens who are truly alien - and thoroughly malevolent. Some kaffka allegories of corrupt government and fascism are conveyed here in the bleakest of ways. Kneale's intelligent, riveting screenplay also served as the basis for the James Bond plots and wild devices that surfaced a few years later in the rebelliously turbulent 6O's - which this insightfully compelling Science-Fiction Classic seems to sinisterly forecast. Not your typical or campy monster movie by any long shots. Also, quite cynical for its time, as Quatermass is forced to become the angst-ridden, alienated hero (anti-hero) in his accidental uncovering of conspiracy (his plans for a proposed moon project is swiped by them) and cover-ups: Very Hitchcockian. Also sounds a lot like X-FILES, doesn't it? I believe this was XF's producers favorite childhood science-fiction film; the dark, ominous influence and inspiration is undoubtably present. Not a kid's flick by any means. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this hauntingly memorable and intensely scary classic. Probably the most starkly realistic vision of what a true alien invasion might be like. Genuine nightmares to take to bed - and wonder.

What could have been a truly touching drama becomes tiresome at times. When a young girl is taken to a cursed, remote island by her mom, she comes to learn about the history of this place. She's told of Kirsten, who plays a special girl called Silly, who holds the secret of lifting a curse which plagues the island every 50 years. Only problem is, all the townsfolk seem to know this secret, except of course Miss Silly. Uhmm . . . I wonder how she got that silly name? You'd think by the time you're 16 years old, you'd have done just about everything to everyone to get some answers and come out of the dark. Nooo, not Miss Silly. She pouts and screams and stamps her foot, to no avail.

Although I managed to shed some tears in the final sequences, the preceding scenes are so drawn out, that the viewer can't help but feel that the director is purposely trying to torture us into thinking that there is an extremely blinding light at the end of the tunnel. But at the end of the day, all we get is a light no brighter than all the rest.

Three stars for solid acting, effective atmosphere and a moving score.

I thought that this movie was beautiful. Although some parts of the movie did not make sense. At the end I was left wondering what happened to Silly after James died. I'm only assuming that Silly is the reclusive Celia. It would have been beneficial for the film to be able to tie off loose ends such as these.

I thought the soundtrack to the movie was absolutely beautiful and I would really love to get my hands on a copy of it.

This movie really touched me as I have lost many people dear to me, I could really relate.

I would really recommend it to people to see.

WOW!! This movie had me with tears coming down my eyes! I highly recommend the move. I borrowed it from my aunt and WOW! If you want a great love story taking place in the early time of history its wonderful. For any hopless romantic. I say it has a bit of Titanic and Tuck EverLasting w/ Edward scissorhands! If you like those movies this is the one for you!

This film passed through our shores largely unnoticed, which is a shame, because Jim Sheridan's third foray with Daniel Day-Lewis is as capable and rewarding (if not as technically brilliant) as their first two ("In The Name Of The Father", "My Left Foot").

For one thing, the direction and editing is superb. There are a number of deleted scenes that probably should have been left in to complete the lack of continuity between some of the characters' relationships; particularly the prison scene between Maggie and her husband (they talk about 'prisoner's wives' but we never see the prisoners).

That being said, the score is also a bit weak at times, but the film looks crisp and clear, the sound is flawless, and the commentary (particularly Sheridan's) is worth sitting through at least once.

Day-Lewis (recently robbed of a much-deserved Oscar for "Gangs Of New York) is in top form here; thoroughly believeable as Danny "Danny Boy" Flynn. Emily Watson and Brian Cox are reliable as always, but from start to finish, this is Day-Lewis' show.

"The Boxer" is another collaboration between director Jim Sheridan and the fantastic actor Daniel Day-Lewis, with nice results once again.

After a 14 year prison sentence for IRA activities, Danny Flynn (Daniel Day-Lewis), a former boxer decides to make a return to the boxing world. Danny, now 32 years old, decides to be both a veteran boxer and an assistant coach for the kids interested in learning the sport. Danny is now struggling to return to a good shape, and in addition he sees a former girlfriend, Maggie (Emily Watson), an attractive woman that in Danny's absence, married with another militant IRA member, now in prison. Danny and Maggie still feel something about each other, but the encountering opposition from militant IRA members and political tensions will prove hard to beat.

Following the line of "In The Name Of The Father", "The Boxer" is another well acted and interesting political drama, also with the Sheridan / Day-Lewis team. If you like the work of Daniel Day-Lewis, Emily Watson or Jim Sheridan, go see "The Boxer".

I love Daniel Day-Lewis. His wounded slow burn as Danny Flynn, a man recently released from prison after more than a decade, returning to his old neighborhood and trying to escape the ghosts of his past but confronted by the woman he (still) loves, who has married and had a child and a host of friends still separated by the politics of war is a quiet revelation. While his attempt to revive his career as a fighter fizzles and his life is under constant threat, Danny makes the most of his situation by standing up against the opression and laws that have cost so many of his friends their freedom and in some cases, their lives. Emily Watson is note perfect as his former love interest and she brings a quiet dignity to her role as a single mother torn between devotion to her imprisoned husband, protecting her pre-teen son, and her resurging feelings for Danny. While many won't like the tone and pacing of this film, I find it entrancing and marvel at Day-Lewis vulnerable, quiet power. Superb!

This film passed through our shores largely unnoticed, which is a shame, because Jim Sheridan's third foray with Daniel Day-Lewis is as capable and rewarding (if not as technically brilliant) as their first two ("In The Name Of The Father", "My Left Foot").

For one thing, the direction and editing is superb. There are a number of deleted scenes that probably should have been left in to complete the lack of continuity between some of the characters' relationships; particularly the prison scene between Maggie and her husband (they talk about 'prisoner's wives' but we never see the prisoners).

That being said, the score is also a bit weak at times, but the film looks crisp and clear, the sound is flawless, and the commentary (particularly Sheridan's) is worth sitting through at least once.

Day-Lewis (recently robbed of a much-deserved Oscar for "Gangs Of New York) is in top form here; thoroughly believeable as Danny "Danny Boy" Flynn. Emily Watson and Brian Cox are reliable as always, but from start to finish, this is Day-Lewis' show.

"The Boxer" is another collaboration between director Jim Sheridan and the fantastic actor Daniel Day-Lewis, with nice results once again.

After a 14 year prison sentence for IRA activities, Danny Flynn (Daniel Day-Lewis), a former boxer decides to make a return to the boxing world. Danny, now 32 years old, decides to be both a veteran boxer and an assistant coach for the kids interested in learning the sport. Danny is now struggling to return to a good shape, and in addition he sees a former girlfriend, Maggie (Emily Watson), an attractive woman that in Danny's absence, married with another militant IRA member, now in prison. Danny and Maggie still feel something about each other, but the encountering opposition from militant IRA members and political tensions will prove hard to beat.

Following the line of "In The Name Of The Father", "The Boxer" is another well acted and interesting political drama, also with the Sheridan / Day-Lewis team. If you like the work of Daniel Day-Lewis, Emily Watson or Jim Sheridan, go see "The Boxer".

I love Daniel Day-Lewis. His wounded slow burn as Danny Flynn, a man recently released from prison after more than a decade, returning to his old neighborhood and trying to escape the ghosts of his past but confronted by the woman he (still) loves, who has married and had a child and a host of friends still separated by the politics of war is a quiet revelation. While his attempt to revive his career as a fighter fizzles and his life is under constant threat, Danny makes the most of his situation by standing up against the opression and laws that have cost so many of his friends their freedom and in some cases, their lives. Emily Watson is note perfect as his former love interest and she brings a quiet dignity to her role as a single mother torn between devotion to her imprisoned husband, protecting her pre-teen son, and her resurging feelings for Danny. While many won't like the tone and pacing of this film, I find it entrancing and marvel at Day-Lewis vulnerable, quiet power. Superb!

I remember seeing this movie when it first came out in 1984. I thought it was a good film and really enjoyed it. The music in this movie is really good and it adds a certain sexy appeal to the film's love scenes. I found this movie to be highly erotic which I love and thought the lovemaking scene in the thief's bedroom was done in very good taste without being too ponographic. As far as the acting is concern, Steven Bauer was very convincing as the man who disruptured Mickey's somewhat perfect marriage after stealing her diaries. As for Barbara Williams, no big deal I think she really needs to relax more in front of the camera she looked tense in most scenes. She really would benefit from enrolling in a good drama school and really learning her craft. David Caruso formerly on NYPD BLUE and now on CSI MIAMI, is also quite good as the volatile Bobby Calamara. I gave this movie three stars because I believe the movie could have told more about Scott's personal life and find out more about his background. He was extremely private and the audience I feel felt they were missing a great deal to his way of thinking and why he did what he did for a living. He was a loner, perhaps too much of a loner. Still this was a good movie I'm glad that they finally released it on DVD I wish they would release the soundtrack on CD, I love the music in this movie it is extremely romantic and erotic. Overall, what made this movie appealing to me was no doubt Steven Bauer's performance. He is a great actor is just too bad that we haven't seen too much of him especially in really good movies. Most of the movies that he has done have gone straight to video and they're pretty dissapointing the majority of them. It would be a good thing if he was offered a starring role in a major motion picture that would really show what he is capable of as an actor. Like I said he is a great actor who has not really been the kind of opportunities that actors like Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt have had. Buy this movie is really good and very sexy. See it with somone you care or love a great deal. I guarantee that after you and your significant other see THIEF OF HEARTS, you will want to make love for hours.

I had a friend who loved this movie when it first came out, but I never got around to seeing it. A few years ago I was in Paris for work and I was bored, in my hotel when this movie came on. It was in French but I still loved it, and yes, I cried at the end. Steven Bauer is great in this. His inability to become what Mickey wants him to be is what makes his character likable. Try as he might he just can't shake who he really is, especially as their relationship progresses and he starts to reveal himself to Mickey. Can't wait to see it in English!

Every since the first time I saw this move, I loved it.
Ilove Steven Bauer. He's so sexy and handsome. I think every woman at one time had a "Thief of Hearts" in her life. I finally go my own video of it for Christmas. I really want the soundtrack. I know other people have asked about it. Can you let me know where I can get it? I love the end of the move when he looks back at her and the song plays.

I recently watched Julie Dash's daughter of the dust for a class I am currently enrolled in. While the cinematography is absolutely beautiful, I found little else in the film that would justify more than a single viewing. The narrative itself is confusing and very hard to follow; I found myself struggling to stay awake during the screening. The plot of the film is quite simple: a large family of Ibo Landing residents decide to move from the island they currently inhabit to the mainland US against the wishes of the family matriarch. However, the way in which the narrative is presented could have been handled in a more straight forward way. Because the film does express some important political opinions concerning feminism and explores an aspect of US history and black culture that might otherwise go overlooked, it is worth watching, but once was enough for me. I'm giving the film two stars for the cinematography. If you are in the mood for a challenge you may enjoy this film, but if you want an interesting or entertaining film, try again!

What a great day it was when the pen hit the paper on this one! If I were only to hear the words and not see the picture my minds eye would still capture the beauty. Thank you Ms. Dash for a very necessary tool inwhich I will use to educate my children on our history. And if you never do anything else, rest assured with this one you've done enough. Like Toni Morrison's "Beloved" your "Daughters of the Dust" is so very necessary.

It is indeed a shame that films like this are not more appreciated in our society, and that films like Independence Day and Lethal Weapon II are so "popular". This film tells the story of four generations of slave descendants living off the coast of South Carolina. The characters in this film are some of the most richly-developed and beautiful people you'll ever see on the screen. I feel that the director's real talent lies, not so much in the script-writing, but in the more artistic aspects of film-making. From the costumes, to the sound to the cinematography... etc., it is positively exquisite to see and listen to!

Along with sebastian, I also wonder why "Let it Be" isn't avalable and also the excellent footage from the television special "The Beatles at Shea Stadium" some of which was also included in the "Anthology" series.

Until A Hard Day's Night and Anthology are released in DVD, this, along with the remastered Yellow Submarine DVD, is basically it. You can save money by buying the packaged product. The First US Visit is like traveling in a time machine. Note how George is the only one who looks into the camera and mugs for it on the Sullivan Show debut. As far as I can tell, all the Sullivan appearances are on here.

Help! is essential for the true Beatles fan & collector. Making of AHDN is loads of fun, as well. A nice preview for the upcoming release of that cinematic classic this fall. Yes, Mystery Tour is tough to watch, though the Walrus Video established an MTV type years later. Love to have Let It Be out on DVD, as well, but no signs of that just yet.

I am so excited to watch this Beatles Collector's set but as of today, January 11, 2002, I have not receive my order. Delivery estimate should be between Dec. 16-22, 2001. I don't know what happened. My credit card billed last month, December 2001, but not yet receive my order. Please reply soonest. Thank you and more power.

Just browsing through some of the previous reviews makes me feel ill. Although I love the country of Vietnam and its culture, Cyclo is hardly worth viewing unless you enjoy confusion and poor filming. I can understand the art of being abstract, but this film makes me wonder just exactly "what" the story line is supposed to be about. There are many scenes that leave the audience hanging. Some might call it being artistic, I would call it poor articulation. I only continued watching the film hoping for a concrete storyline to emerge. It never emerged.

Additionally, there are several scenes where I must comment on how awful the film producers applied their 'skills.' Did they really think that a flashing white television screen for nearly 2-3 full minutes was necessary?? It's a cheap effect tha's more headache inducing than "artistic"-- and caused me to avoid looking at the screen before me.

After watching this movie, I would be afraid to visit Vietnam for all the depicted crime in this movie. No place is perfect or crime-free, but this movie is almost purely violence. Could somebody please explain to me whatever happened to the man who stole the main character's pedicab/cyclo? Or what happened to his sister who sold her sexual services? This movie leaves the audience guessing too much to the point that it's confusing. I hardly call it a masterpiece. For all those people who claimed it's the best movie they've seen or anything on those lines, I just want to ask: Have you been deprived? Go watch Tony Bui's "Three Seasons".. at least that movie has more of a storyline and more artistic flair. Just my two cents.

Cyclo is a Vietnamese movie that features Tony Leung Chiu-wai one of my favourite Chinese actors. He appeared in Wong Kar-Wai's In the mood for love and Happy Together as well as Jackie Chan's popular film Gorgeous. In this movie Leung plans an angst-ridden gangster, and he seems to have that silent angst-ridden look down pat. Playing opposite him is Tran Nu Yen Khe, a beautiful actress who also starred in Tran Anh Hung's Scent of the Green Papaya.

Whereas Papaya was sensual and moody, Cyclo is gritty and more in your face. The main story is that of a Cyclo (a bicycle rickshaw taxi) that gets stolen and the cyclo driver must work for the gangsters to pay off the debt he has from when he borrowed money to get the cyclo. When you get past the violent scenes (there is one torture scene that rivals the cop torture scene in Taratino's Reservoir Dogs) it is a captivating story.

It is excellent on Video or on DVD - the zone-free DVD is available from Poker Industries which is an associated store of Amazon.com.

Make no mistake about it; this is an art film. An "Art film" being defined as any movie made outside of Hollywood that does not have a connect-the-dot-plot and is not characterized by a series of explosive special effects every 10 minutes. The cinematography is stunning, the plot is gritty, and the acting is absolutely exquisite. Who can say they've seen this film and not mistaken it for a documentary? The films' depiction of poverty and violence in modern day Ho Chi Minh City is both painful and heartbreaking. The characters silently scream for compassion, but receive none, instead finding themselves swept aside by an ocean of circumstance. Beyond the tragedy however, director Tran Anh Hung has found something substantial. He proves that despite the exhaustive monotony and ugliness that often characterizes urban life, a careful grace and cautious beauty exists there. Some reviewers have complained about the lack of follow-through concerning some segments of the plot. But that's the point, life is not easily compartmentalized, life's episodes do not always have neat conclusions- or any conclusions at all. This film mimics life, as uncomfortable as that may seem to the "happy ending" crowd. This is a well-executed film, a real emotional juggernaut.