Women Movie Reviews

If you are looking to please your woman, keep looking. If you are looking for porn, look no further. There is little, if any information in this video that can't be gained by watching Cinemax at 3am. The only reason to purchase this video is if you are interested in recording over it. Definitely a waste of money!

., Reviewed By: Jenne
Dr. Lonnie Barbach is our hostess with the mostess for this foray into the world of what women want. As a woman, I'm the first to admit I'm not always sure what I want from a man, so I was more than interested in finding out what Dr. Barbach and the video itself had to say on the subject. To begin with, there is a short introduction where Dr. Barbach explains that this is not meant to be a definitive guide on the subject and is really just designed to give people ideas, some food for thought as it were. Actually, food featured pretty heavily in the first two scenes of this video. There are also some interviews with real women scattered throughout the film where real women are asked what they want from a man. If those do nothing else, they may well confirm what we were told at the intro, and that is each women is as individual as the clothes she wears, or the job she has.
Scene one transports us into a bedroom where a couple begins to explore the delights of having a thoughtful man who knows how to cut up and prepare all manner of fruits. From grapes to mandarins he tenderly feeds his partner, before gently removing her clothes and feasting on her. I got the point here in that many women say they want their partner to worship and adore them and he certainly does that in this scene.
Magically we travel back to real life interviews as we do between all the scenes in this video. I actually really like this touch as it adds some reality to the whole scenario. Next, we enter a kitchen as a man prepares, or more accurately attempts to prepare, a meal for his partner before she returns from a hard day at the office. Even though the meal wasn't the most appetizing looking thing in the world, the fact that he went to all that trouble just for her, certainly appealed judging by what she choose for dessert: Him -)) This scene was a little hard for me to swallow but it was erotic as she devours him. I would have liked to have actually seen the couple undress, but that said, it was worth watching because the sentiment behind it was right. A little effort goes a long way. Take note guys!
The next issue that is talked about is trust. The scene cuts to an older women masturbating on her bed as she reads an erotic story. She's blissfully unaware that her lover is secretly watching through a crack in the door, although it's not long before he decides to join her. What follows next is actually as much about communication as trust in my book, although the two do go hand in hand. She directs him, showing what strokes she prefers and the results are satisfying for both partners judging by the smiles on both their faces. I actually thought this was a great scene for those who may be worried about sharing their masturbation habits with their partners. The basic message being if you share you'll get more out of the experience.
Back to the real interviews and opinions before we go to the airport where a women decides to surprise her partner who has returned from a business trip. After picking him up, she reveals that all she is wearing beneath her coat is some lingerie. It's not long before they arrive at an old haunt of theirs and the windows of the car start to steam up. This was a really fun scene and the fact that the female took the initiative was a definite plus.
Carrying on that theme, we move to sex in public places and anyone whose ever partaken in this particular activity knows just how exciting it can be. Here we join a couple that is sightseeing from a vantage point high above Los Angeles. This scene has all the elements that both partners will probably enjoy watching, like most of those in this series. The setting is romantic and yet offers the element of danger in that they are exposed as they make love with their clothes on. The fact that she has a dress on and no panties is definitely a plus here, as it makes for easier access, and is something that I recommend everyone tries at least once in their life.
Now we move back indoors and to the familiar bedroom setting, where a couple is busy making love but with a difference. In this scene the women is in control of the situation. By in control, I don't mean in an S+M type scenario, I just mean it's obvious that she is comfortable with her sexuality and knows how to tease her partner and more importantly they both enjoy this. Hubby was captivated by a scene where the woman sits astride the man and uses his penis as a clitoral stimulator, then teases him by masturbating. The film finishes by once again returning to our real life interviewees who again try to sum up what they find sexy in a man, and teh women all seem to fail miserably.
What's it all add up to? This was a well thought out video and one that I really enjoyed watching, as did my partner. I didn't think the title reflects what this video is about though. To me it wasn't so much about what women wanted but how you could introduce elements into a relationship that would serve both partner's needs. Men want passionate, alive women. Women want passionate, alive men was the message I got from this video and I'm not sure if that's what the producers were aiming for, but either way it's an erotic, sensual film that as a women I was able to really enjoy. I came away from this viewing experience ready to take control, try new things, or revamp old ones from our past. The fact that this video seemed to have a really nice pace and flow to it was a definite plus as well. Bringing out important points but not in the way man instructional type videos do. The emphasis was on making things fun and I for one fully concur with that sentiment.

Educational Value: Very Good. This video covers a number of techniques that discuss what women want. Although the video makes some generalizations many of the techniques are universal and none of them are wrong. Every man can benefit from this video.
Nudity: This video depicts nudity. It shows and discusses couples engaging in oral sex and sexual intercourse. Each technique is describe and shown in explicit detail.
Suitability For Couples: This video is suitable for more adventurous couples.

Production Quality: This video is well composed and edited. It is approximately 60 minutes long and includes a number of examples.
Overall Comments: This video would be a nice addition to your library if you are interested in improving the sexual experiences of your female partner.

Although I really liked the poses that were chosen, she went so fast I could barely find my way into each pose. In my opinion this negates the unique benefits of yoga, which include gradual stretch, sustained strength, and increased body awareness. How can you learn from the poses when you barely have time to greet them?
There is one occassion that might call for this DVD: when you know you should get some exercise, but you really aren't feeling motivated. Because it goes by fast, it's easier to talk yourself into putting on this DVD instead of a more sustained practice.
If you want a more thorough workout and are familiar with basic poses, I recomment Shiva Rea's Yoga Sanctuary. It is an audio CD but includes a poster with all the poses from the program.

This is a challenging workout, particularly the standing poses. Definitely not for beginners since some of the poses require some basic knowledge, which is not always given. If you've been doing yoga for a while, and know all the intricate details of Triangle pose, Warrior pose, etc, then this is the DVD for you. Otherwise, if you want to take the challenge, watch the section for using props (at the end of the workout) before starting. For those of us who are students of the Iyengar tradition, I recommend keeping the pause button near by so that you can get yourself into each pose before she moves on to the next. I found the sequence from pose to pose to be rather quick, but by pausing, I could get into each pose in my own time.
Overall, a challenging but pleasant session.

Like many of those who reviewed the VHS version of this tape, i have Yoga Conditioning for Weight Loss and really enjoy it. i was looking forward to a new routine so i could vary my practice and not get bored-however, this is not exactly what i expected It has only basic instructions on how to get into the poses, and took a couple viewings before i actually tried it. The program is described as "fluid and dance-like" and it is-you don't hold a pose for long, which is a change from other tapes i have seen. As always, the settings are stunning and the scenery beautiful.

i think the tape is good, don't get me wrong, but it is not so much for a beginner, and is going to take me a lot longer to be able to do the poses. It's not only an issue of being as amazingly flexible as Ms Deason, but also having some pretty fantastic balance. i do miss the "personal instructor" feature that YCforWL has, and it would be nice if they showed a more useful modification options (i loved that feature in the other program!) but it's not a fatal flaw, if you ask me. If nothing else, this tape will keep my interest for a while as i try gamely to contort myself gracefully into all kinds of strange positions without falling over on my ... (or face) too often. Hey, at least my cat will be amused.

The chapter feature is useful and easy to use-the main reason i prefer DVDs to VHS, and the "Monthly Practice" thing in the special features section looks pretty cool.

i would almost say this tape would be perfect for someone who has taken a class and gotten the basics down, and is looking for a new routine to do at home.

This is a general review of all releases of this film on VHS and DVD as November 13, 2003, with specific technical comments on each individual release.

The Bottom Line: There seem to be no acceptable DVDs or videos of this movie in the original Italian with subtitles. There seems to be at least one acceptable DVD and video of the film dubbed in English.

With two exceptions all DVD and VHS releases of this movie as of November 13, 2003 are dubbed versions. The two exceptions are the VHS and DVD releases of the film by Madacy Entertainment. The quality of the Madacy releases, however, leaves much to be desired, to put it mildly.

REVIEW OF ITALIAN-LANGUAGE RELEASES:

I own the Madacy VHS tape of this movie and it looks and sounds like a fourth-generation copy of a much-used rental tape. I purchased it before the advent of DVD, when there was no other choice.

The Madacy DVD has been reviewed in Doug Pratt's DVD-Video Guide (and can also be read at the DVDLaser.com web site). His description of the failings of Madacy's edition of this movie is not unlike my experience with Madacy's DVD of the Shirley Temple film "The Little Princess"--particurly, the thin tinny audio in which the sound often disappears. Possibly, the Madacy DVD of "Two Women" is simply a transcription of the worn-out Madacy VHS tape. Needless to say, I now avoid all Madacy products.

DVD RELEASES DUBBED IN ENGLISH:

LaserLight, the wonderful budget company which has issued so many DVDs of the early Hitchcock films, has a good transfer of the dubbed version of this movie onto DVD. That version is still in the catalogue.

I have not viewed the recent DVD issue by Delta Entertainment. However, I know that LaserLight became a Delta Entertainment label not too long ago. Thus, the Delta product may be identical to the earlier release from LaserLight.

When amazon announced the Koch DVD of this movie, I lost no time in pre-ordering it. I also lost no time in returning it unopened, because the cover proclaimed it to be both dubbed and colorized.

VHS RELEASES DUBBED IN ENGLISH:

The available VHS tapes are from the same manufacturers as the DVDs and presumably have the same characteristics. Except for the horrible Madacy VHS tape, I haven't watched them.

WHY WE HAVE THIS PROBLEM:

The problem with this movie is that the studio allowed the copyright to lapse. Hence, anyone can reissue it now. As a result, the big studios who turn out quality DVD's won't touch it, because the backstreet editions will dilute their profits. The backstreet DVD factories either do a horrible job or think there's more profit to be made by dubbing or colorizing the film in the hope of making it infinitesimally more palatable to the huge movie audience which would never watch, let alone buy, a 40-year-old Italian art film no matter what you did to it. Fortunately for us, this did not stop Artisan (in cooperation with Republic Pictures) from issuing an excellent DVD of Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life," which was in the same fix. Perhaps Artisan or MGM, which has made a practice of offering inexpensive but excellent DVDs of classic foreign movies, will someday rescue this film. I hope so. "Two Women" does not have quite the drawing power of the Capra perennial, but one can hope.

It is very unfortunate that "Two Women" (in Italian: "La Ciociara") is in this fix, because it is an absolutely wonderful film, sensitive and ironic, full of drama, great acting, great directing, and great cinematography. Sophia Loren even received the best actress Oscar for 1961, very rare for a foreign-language film.

In summary: if you want a decent Italian-language DVD or video of this movie, you are out of luck for the moment. If you wish a recording dubbed in English, then those from LaserLight should satisfy you, and the Delta Entertainment recordings are probably identical to the ones from Laserlight.

A WORD OF CAUTION:

Apparently, reviews for one release of a film in the on-line catalogue are automatically copied to other releases of the film. This is usually not a problem when the film has been released by only one manufacturer, because then the quality can be assumed to be reasonably uniform accross products. But in a case like "Two Women," where there are so many different releases because it is no longer protected by copyright, this need not be true. Thus, unless a review you read for a release of this particular film identifies the manufacturer in the review, the comments about the quality of the recording may not be relevant.

'Two Women' is a stark film from the neo-realism school that still packs a solid punch. Sophia Loren plays a beautiful widow who seeks to protect her teenage daughter from the ravages of World War II Rome. She's proud, opinionated, but protective and loving toward her daughter Rosetta. The two women flee to the widow's village, where they meet an idealistic young man to whom they are both attracted. The tragic events occur quite late in the film, but by the time they do, we really know who these characters are, making the film extremely powerful.

Loren looks stunning and acts wonderfully, but all the actors in the film are wonderful as well. But Loren had (and still has) that quality that makes her the center of all attention every time she is on-screen. A stunning actress in a stunning role.

I cannot finish this review without commenting on the abysmal video transfer to DVD. This is without a doubt the worst looking and sounding DVD I have ever seen since the medium was invented. I wish Sophia Loren would sue this video company for the travesty they have done to this fine film. How in the world with all the technology at our disposal can such a poor product be released on the market? I only hope a proper version can be released soon. This is criminal.

99 minutes

Excellent movie. Sophia Loren was great. Unfortunately for such a remarkable film, the transfer of this classic was ridiculous!

This is a general review of all releases of this film on VHS and DVD as November 13, 2003, with specific technical comments on each individual release.

The Bottom Line: There seem to be no acceptable DVDs or videos of this movie in the original Italian with subtitles. There seems to be at least one acceptable DVD and video of the film dubbed in English.

With two exceptions all DVD and VHS releases of this movie as of November 13, 2003 are dubbed versions. The two exceptions are the VHS and DVD releases of the film by Madacy Entertainment. The quality of the Madacy releases, however, leaves much to be desired, to put it mildly.

REVIEW OF ITALIAN-LANGUAGE RELEASES:

I own the Madacy VHS tape of this movie and it looks and sounds like a fourth-generation copy of a much-used rental tape. I purchased it before the advent of DVD, when there was no other choice.

The Madacy DVD has been reviewed in Doug Pratt's DVD-Video Guide (and can also be read at the DVDLaser.com web site). His description of the failings of Madacy's edition of this movie is not unlike my experience with Madacy's DVD of the Shirley Temple film "The Little Princess"--particurly, the thin tinny audio in which the sound often disappears. Possibly, the Madacy DVD of "Two Women" is simply a transcription of the worn-out Madacy VHS tape. Needless to say, I now avoid all Madacy products.

DVD RELEASES DUBBED IN ENGLISH:

LaserLight, the wonderful budget company which has issued so many DVDs of the early Hitchcock films, has a good transfer of the dubbed version of this movie onto DVD. That version is still in the catalogue.

I have not viewed the recent DVD issue by Delta Entertainment. However, I know that LaserLight became a Delta Entertainment label not too long ago. Thus, the Delta product may be identical to the earlier release from LaserLight.

When amazon announced the Koch DVD of this movie, I lost no time in pre-ordering it. I also lost no time in returning it unopened, because the cover proclaimed it to be both dubbed and colorized.

VHS RELEASES DUBBED IN ENGLISH:

The available VHS tapes are from the same manufacturers as the DVDs and presumably have the same characteristics. Except for the horrible Madacy VHS tape, I haven't watched them.

WHY WE HAVE THIS PROBLEM:

The problem with this movie is that the studio allowed the copyright to lapse. Hence, anyone can reissue it now. As a result, the big studios who turn out quality DVD's won't touch it, because the backstreet editions will dilute their profits. The backstreet DVD factories either do a horrible job or think there's more profit to be made by dubbing or colorizing the film in the hope of making it infinitesimally more palatable to the huge movie audience which would never watch, let alone buy, a 40-year-old Italian art film no matter what you did to it. Fortunately for us, this did not stop Artisan (in cooperation with Republic Pictures) from issuing an excellent DVD of Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life," which was in the same fix. Perhaps Artisan or MGM, which has made a practice of offering inexpensive but excellent DVDs of classic foreign movies, will someday rescue this film. I hope so. "Two Women" does not have quite the drawing power of the Capra perennial, but one can hope.

It is very unfortunate that "Two Women" (in Italian: "La Ciociara") is in this fix, because it is an absolutely wonderful film, sensitive and ironic, full of drama, great acting, great directing, and great cinematography. Sophia Loren even received the best actress Oscar for 1961, very rare for a foreign-language film.

In summary: if you want a decent Italian-language DVD or video of this movie, you are out of luck for the moment. If you wish a recording dubbed in English, then those from LaserLight should satisfy you, and the Delta Entertainment recordings are probably identical to the ones from Laserlight.

A WORD OF CAUTION:

Apparently, reviews for one release of a film in the on-line catalogue are automatically copied to other releases of the film. This is usually not a problem when the film has been released by only one manufacturer, because then the quality can be assumed to be reasonably uniform accross products. But in a case like "Two Women," where there are so many different releases because it is no longer protected by copyright, this need not be true. Thus, unless a review you read for a release of this particular film identifies the manufacturer in the review, the comments about the quality of the recording may not be relevant.

'Two Women' is a stark film from the neo-realism school that still packs a solid punch. Sophia Loren plays a beautiful widow who seeks to protect her teenage daughter from the ravages of World War II Rome. She's proud, opinionated, but protective and loving toward her daughter Rosetta. The two women flee to the widow's village, where they meet an idealistic young man to whom they are both attracted. The tragic events occur quite late in the film, but by the time they do, we really know who these characters are, making the film extremely powerful.

Loren looks stunning and acts wonderfully, but all the actors in the film are wonderful as well. But Loren had (and still has) that quality that makes her the center of all attention every time she is on-screen. A stunning actress in a stunning role.

I cannot finish this review without commenting on the abysmal video transfer to DVD. This is without a doubt the worst looking and sounding DVD I have ever seen since the medium was invented. I wish Sophia Loren would sue this video company for the travesty they have done to this fine film. How in the world with all the technology at our disposal can such a poor product be released on the market? I only hope a proper version can be released soon. This is criminal.

99 minutes

Excellent movie. Sophia Loren was great. Unfortunately for such a remarkable film, the transfer of this classic was ridiculous!

This is a general review of all releases of this film on VHS and DVD as November 13, 2003, with specific technical comments on each individual release.

The Bottom Line: There seem to be no acceptable DVDs or videos of this movie in the original Italian with subtitles. There seems to be at least one acceptable DVD and video of the film dubbed in English.

With two exceptions all DVD and VHS releases of this movie as of November 13, 2003 are dubbed versions. The two exceptions are the VHS and DVD releases of the film by Madacy Entertainment. The quality of the Madacy releases, however, leaves much to be desired, to put it mildly.

REVIEW OF ITALIAN-LANGUAGE RELEASES:

I own the Madacy VHS tape of this movie and it looks and sounds like a fourth-generation copy of a much-used rental tape. I purchased it before the advent of DVD, when there was no other choice.

The Madacy DVD has been reviewed in Doug Pratt's DVD-Video Guide (and can also be read at the DVDLaser.com web site). His description of the failings of Madacy's edition of this movie is not unlike my experience with Madacy's DVD of the Shirley Temple film "The Little Princess"--particurly, the thin tinny audio in which the sound often disappears. Possibly, the Madacy DVD of "Two Women" is simply a transcription of the worn-out Madacy VHS tape. Needless to say, I now avoid all Madacy products.

DVD RELEASES DUBBED IN ENGLISH:

LaserLight, the wonderful budget company which has issued so many DVDs of the early Hitchcock films, has a good transfer of the dubbed version of this movie onto DVD. That version is still in the catalogue.

I have not viewed the recent DVD issue by Delta Entertainment. However, I know that LaserLight became a Delta Entertainment label not too long ago. Thus, the Delta product may be identical to the earlier release from LaserLight.

When amazon announced the Koch DVD of this movie, I lost no time in pre-ordering it. I also lost no time in returning it unopened, because the cover proclaimed it to be both dubbed and colorized.

VHS RELEASES DUBBED IN ENGLISH:

The available VHS tapes are from the same manufacturers as the DVDs and presumably have the same characteristics. Except for the horrible Madacy VHS tape, I haven't watched them.

WHY WE HAVE THIS PROBLEM:

The problem with this movie is that the studio allowed the copyright to lapse. Hence, anyone can reissue it now. As a result, the big studios who turn out quality DVD's won't touch it, because the backstreet editions will dilute their profits. The backstreet DVD factories either do a horrible job or think there's more profit to be made by dubbing or colorizing the film in the hope of making it infinitesimally more palatable to the huge movie audience which would never watch, let alone buy, a 40-year-old Italian art film no matter what you did to it. Fortunately for us, this did not stop Artisan (in cooperation with Republic Pictures) from issuing an excellent DVD of Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life," which was in the same fix. Perhaps Artisan or MGM, which has made a practice of offering inexpensive but excellent DVDs of classic foreign movies, will someday rescue this film. I hope so. "Two Women" does not have quite the drawing power of the Capra perennial, but one can hope.

It is very unfortunate that "Two Women" (in Italian: "La Ciociara") is in this fix, because it is an absolutely wonderful film, sensitive and ironic, full of drama, great acting, great directing, and great cinematography. Sophia Loren even received the best actress Oscar for 1961, very rare for a foreign-language film.

In summary: if you want a decent Italian-language DVD or video of this movie, you are out of luck for the moment. If you wish a recording dubbed in English, then those from LaserLight should satisfy you, and the Delta Entertainment recordings are probably identical to the ones from Laserlight.

A WORD OF CAUTION:

Apparently, reviews for one release of a film in the on-line catalogue are automatically copied to other releases of the film. This is usually not a problem when the film has been released by only one manufacturer, because then the quality can be assumed to be reasonably uniform accross products. But in a case like "Two Women," where there are so many different releases because it is no longer protected by copyright, this need not be true. Thus, unless a review you read for a release of this particular film identifies the manufacturer in the review, the comments about the quality of the recording may not be relevant.

'Two Women' is a stark film from the neo-realism school that still packs a solid punch. Sophia Loren plays a beautiful widow who seeks to protect her teenage daughter from the ravages of World War II Rome. She's proud, opinionated, but protective and loving toward her daughter Rosetta. The two women flee to the widow's village, where they meet an idealistic young man to whom they are both attracted. The tragic events occur quite late in the film, but by the time they do, we really know who these characters are, making the film extremely powerful.

Loren looks stunning and acts wonderfully, but all the actors in the film are wonderful as well. But Loren had (and still has) that quality that makes her the center of all attention every time she is on-screen. A stunning actress in a stunning role.

I cannot finish this review without commenting on the abysmal video transfer to DVD. This is without a doubt the worst looking and sounding DVD I have ever seen since the medium was invented. I wish Sophia Loren would sue this video company for the travesty they have done to this fine film. How in the world with all the technology at our disposal can such a poor product be released on the market? I only hope a proper version can be released soon. This is criminal.

99 minutes

Excellent movie. Sophia Loren was great. Unfortunately for such a remarkable film, the transfer of this classic was ridiculous!

Caged woman is better that women prison massacre. Unfortunately I think the director thought he was making a serious film. There is a lot of dialogue between the ... scenes. Emmanuelle however does get naked when she is molested by the general. on the whole watchable but not a classic.

this latest Laura Gemser soft-core flick has all the elements of her previous films. there's nudity, violence, lesbianism, teasing, and so much bizarre situations and plot twists it would make the average viewer somewhat dizzy. in this film, we see Gemser playing a reporter who poses as a prostitute in order to get put in prison and experience all the rumors about violence and amoral prison guards. once put in prison, Gemser has one confrontation after another. the warden and her underlings get their kicks watching women get beat up with billy clubs and there's one scene in the film where just the sounds of two women having sex prompt two female cell-mates to give in to their desires. the overall plot is borderline soap opera with the emphasis on over-emotional turmoil and writhing bodies. there's only two scenes in the film that would qualify as a "sex scene", all other segments are nudity and teasers. however, there is a doctor who at first comes across as just another sleazeball but he turns out to be a normal guy locked up for killing his wife (her wish) but his knowledge of medicine is how he was appointed the prison's doctor. after his second appearance, we start to see that he's going to help Gemser escape the prison dead or alive. this is a great "atmosphere" film and one that will haunt you for weeks and months because the violence is so horrific. the film lacks character development for the authority figures, who appear in this film as nothing more than sadistic, twisted rapists. maybe that was the goal? maybe the film was designed to expose the hypocrisy of prison guards and how the guards act all self-righteous but as soon as the lights go out they're just as despicible as the criminals? whatever the case, i gave it 4 stars for the simple fact of the guard's and warden's lack of humanity.

its true, not just anyone can! . why are they certain trashy exploitation movies we hold dear?

Mattei did bring style/substance to his films. Watch "Violenza in un carcere femminile" aka "Caged Women" There is a dark mood to this film--done by style of cinematography, the score, the right cast, great flesh, script and direction. And by the way; cheese was intentional!! I really believe this. God I love this movie; I think I'll watch it tonight.

I like "women's camp 119" and "Night of the Zombies" aka Virus for the same reasons but "SS girls" is my favorite. Those who do not believe Mattei Cheesyness was not intentional should see this. In fact all of you who have not seen this film, should. It may be his masterpiece.

Those who do not like this film, simply do not like exploitation movies period! This is a WIP must have

Typically bizarre and challenging Greenaway film about a man whose wife suddenly dies and can't get past the grief stage. His son moves in with him and they "reestablish" their relationship in a most unorthodox way. Literally. So the son concocts a way to help his father snap out of it. They turn the father's estate into a brothel of sorts with a strange array of women they "collect". This creates a rather Fellini-esque atmosphere and causes some friction among the ladies as well as a couple of their deaths. One woman challenges the rules and turns the tables on the men leading to the father's ultimate death wish and the son's turn to grieve. Greenaway allows the film to run from outlandish black comedy to sadly depressing---a gamut that kind've negates everything we've seen and experienced thus far. There's ample male nudity, bizarre costumes, a truly odd turn from Amanda Plummer as one of the women, striking color and rampant symbolism throughout which makes it a feast for the eyes. If you're a Greenaway fan it's an unusual ride. But I wouldn't recommend it for first time viewers who may find it heavy going.

When I consider the state of sex in American films today, "American Pie 2" comes to mind. The sex here is treated in the usual leering, juvenille manner. All of the people are young, and it's the women who are expected to disrobe, and hint at lesbian encounters. The scene where the two coeds demand that the two men kiss each other before doing each other treats anything from this norm as aberrant behavior. As long as the subject is treated in this cookie-cutter manner, our country will show sex, and not actually explore it as the strong human emotion it is.

The strong point of "8 1/2 Women" is that is challenges our thoughts of what sexuality can be in ways that are ignored in this country. The movie hits the ground running as we encounter the two main characters, a middle-aged man and his twenty-something son shortly after the older man's wife dies. We not only see full-frontal male nudity, a rarity in this country. But what is also somewhat shocking is not that they are interested in man-on-man encounters, but encounters between father and son. Sons wanting to sleep with their mothers have been explored before, but dad and son is something to think about.

After this eye-opening scenario, the movie continues to challenge. Faced with seemingly unlimited wealth, the two decide to build a sexual playground to try and appease what must be a major league middle-age crisis by the father. They encounter and recruit a handful of women to come live with them and play out their fantasies.

This is also where the film has it's strong points. The closest I can remember to this film is "Sirens", the Australian film that featured an artist surrounded by nubile females, among them Elle McPherson. But even that film was probably too hot for America to touch, and even this film filled it with very good looking women of the same cut. "8 1/2 Women" brings in all kinds of women from beautiful to hideous, dominent to submissive. Once again, it shows that while Playboy magazine shows an attractive cut of women, it is not the only source for sex in the world.

I'm not saying I agree with all the choices, and they are diverse enough where most people also would not go for all of them. But that's the good point of the movie. By busting through cinematic stereotypes of how we think about sex, it shows that it is a subject that can be pursued by anyone, not just the "beautiful people" class.

I've recently found myself being pulled into a swirling vortex of obsession with the works of Peter Greenaway. The man creates such a distinct atmosphere with the staging of his films, the cinematography, and the sets embodying a lavishness and beauty that clashes against dark, audacious, perverse, and indeed evil themes to cause a fascinating cacophony. Much of his output could be classified as surreal simply because of this instantly palpable dissonance.
"8 1/2 Women" is no different. Yes, it doesn't have the viciousness of "The Cook, The Thief...", or the delicious puzzlement of "Drowning By Numbers", but what it does have is the unmistakable Greenaway atmosphere and an air of utmost dream-like elegance, once again grinding against frank sexual obsession and perversion and an uncontrollable spiral of loss and grief.
I'll leave the plot details that are to be found in other reviews, but will say that I found this film a joy to watch. From the very beginning (particularly the experimental and kinetic sequence that opens the film), I was enthralled. With Greenaway, sometimes you don't want to look, but you can't turn away (to spoil the surprise a bit, the infamous incest incident is not shown...only very strongly implied). As the film wears on, it does take on a more fragmented, slice-o-life type of approach, but the episodal manner in which the progress of the bordello is documented actually conveys the chaos well. In such an arrangement, the only way to really give an idea of the vibes surrounding the downfall of the house is to give examples, then tell us how it finally came to self-destruct... which is done. Those who complain about lack of closure can only be speaking about the question of what becomes of the son after the house empties itself, but how much do you want handed to you? The movie is 2 hours long! A case of "The meal was terrible.. and the portions too small!"
Speaking of which, I'll end the review saying that those who hated it.... give it another chance? You know by now that half of the magic of Greenaway's idiosyncratic films is visual. Nobody has denied the beauty of "8 1/2 Women". So let yourself sink into that odd beauty, and maybe you'll be able to appreciate the distinct and conscious style that the characters execute.

Typically bizarre and challenging Greenaway film about a man whose wife suddenly dies and can't get past the grief stage. His son moves in with him and they "reestablish" their relationship in a most unorthodox way. Literally. So the son concocts a way to help his father snap out of it. They turn the father's estate into a brothel of sorts with a strange array of women they "collect". This creates a rather Fellini-esque atmosphere and causes some friction among the ladies as well as a couple of their deaths. One woman challenges the rules and turns the tables on the men leading to the father's ultimate death wish and the son's turn to grieve. Greenaway allows the film to run from outlandish black comedy to sadly depressing---a gamut that kind've negates everything we've seen and experienced thus far. There's ample male nudity, bizarre costumes, a truly odd turn from Amanda Plummer as one of the women, striking color and rampant symbolism throughout which makes it a feast for the eyes. If you're a Greenaway fan it's an unusual ride. But I wouldn't recommend it for first time viewers who may find it heavy going.

When I consider the state of sex in American films today, "American Pie 2" comes to mind. The sex here is treated in the usual leering, juvenille manner. All of the people are young, and it's the women who are expected to disrobe, and hint at lesbian encounters. The scene where the two coeds demand that the two men kiss each other before doing each other treats anything from this norm as aberrant behavior. As long as the subject is treated in this cookie-cutter manner, our country will show sex, and not actually explore it as the strong human emotion it is.

The strong point of "8 1/2 Women" is that is challenges our thoughts of what sexuality can be in ways that are ignored in this country. The movie hits the ground running as we encounter the two main characters, a middle-aged man and his twenty-something son shortly after the older man's wife dies. We not only see full-frontal male nudity, a rarity in this country. But what is also somewhat shocking is not that they are interested in man-on-man encounters, but encounters between father and son. Sons wanting to sleep with their mothers have been explored before, but dad and son is something to think about.

After this eye-opening scenario, the movie continues to challenge. Faced with seemingly unlimited wealth, the two decide to build a sexual playground to try and appease what must be a major league middle-age crisis by the father. They encounter and recruit a handful of women to come live with them and play out their fantasies.

This is also where the film has it's strong points. The closest I can remember to this film is "Sirens", the Australian film that featured an artist surrounded by nubile females, among them Elle McPherson. But even that film was probably too hot for America to touch, and even this film filled it with very good looking women of the same cut. "8 1/2 Women" brings in all kinds of women from beautiful to hideous, dominent to submissive. Once again, it shows that while Playboy magazine shows an attractive cut of women, it is not the only source for sex in the world.

I'm not saying I agree with all the choices, and they are diverse enough where most people also would not go for all of them. But that's the good point of the movie. By busting through cinematic stereotypes of how we think about sex, it shows that it is a subject that can be pursued by anyone, not just the "beautiful people" class.

I've recently found myself being pulled into a swirling vortex of obsession with the works of Peter Greenaway. The man creates such a distinct atmosphere with the staging of his films, the cinematography, and the sets embodying a lavishness and beauty that clashes against dark, audacious, perverse, and indeed evil themes to cause a fascinating cacophony. Much of his output could be classified as surreal simply because of this instantly palpable dissonance.
"8 1/2 Women" is no different. Yes, it doesn't have the viciousness of "The Cook, The Thief...", or the delicious puzzlement of "Drowning By Numbers", but what it does have is the unmistakable Greenaway atmosphere and an air of utmost dream-like elegance, once again grinding against frank sexual obsession and perversion and an uncontrollable spiral of loss and grief.
I'll leave the plot details that are to be found in other reviews, but will say that I found this film a joy to watch. From the very beginning (particularly the experimental and kinetic sequence that opens the film), I was enthralled. With Greenaway, sometimes you don't want to look, but you can't turn away (to spoil the surprise a bit, the infamous incest incident is not shown...only very strongly implied). As the film wears on, it does take on a more fragmented, slice-o-life type of approach, but the episodal manner in which the progress of the bordello is documented actually conveys the chaos well. In such an arrangement, the only way to really give an idea of the vibes surrounding the downfall of the house is to give examples, then tell us how it finally came to self-destruct... which is done. Those who complain about lack of closure can only be speaking about the question of what becomes of the son after the house empties itself, but how much do you want handed to you? The movie is 2 hours long! A case of "The meal was terrible.. and the portions too small!"
Speaking of which, I'll end the review saying that those who hated it.... give it another chance? You know by now that half of the magic of Greenaway's idiosyncratic films is visual. Nobody has denied the beauty of "8 1/2 Women". So let yourself sink into that odd beauty, and maybe you'll be able to appreciate the distinct and conscious style that the characters execute.

Unbeliavably bad. Wiliam Defoe was hired to add prestige. Guess it would have been too much of a giveaway if they'd gotten Richard Chamberlain.

My favorite scene is a toss up between the 'sprained ankle in the rain when the hero carries her off to the hayloft lovemaking as the camera cuts away scene'---worthy of 1950's grade B Hollywood and a Harlequin paperback romance award or the 'happy couple reunited in communist uniforms as Mrs Wu smiles at the orphans ending' --worthy of-- of--Naw, it's truly indescribable!

Best thing about the movie is the title. It reminded me of a great novel by Pearl Buck.

This film is one of those movies you like to watch with your better half on a rainy Saturday afternoon with a large couch and a bowl of popcorn. Don't expect a lot from this particular movie (loosely based on Pearl Buck's book). It would never win an Academy Award, but not every movie is made for such shallow recognition. The Chinese women characters are stunningly beautiful, the location photography is breathtaking, and even Willem Dafoe is pleasant enough to watch in this film. This is one of those movies guys love because it has enough story to keep the girls interested, and enough slow periods where you can get a lot of hugging and kissing in. For that reason alone, I should have given this movie 6 stars!

I remember reading Pearl Buck's "Pavilion of Women" as a child and loving it. I've forgotten the details of the plot long ago. But I do remember it was about Madame Wu, a wealthy Chinese woman who, on her 40th birthday, decided to stop marital relations with her husband and find him a young concubine. At that time 40 years old seemed very old to me. Now it seems quite young.

This 2001 adaptation of the novel is set in 1937 and was filmed in China and partially financed by the Beijung Film Studios. The Chinese actress Yan Luo not only stars as Madame Wu, but also helped write the screenplay and produce the film. She's beautiful and stately and gives a fine performance. Willem Dafoe is cast as a village priest who runs a local orphanage. They are attracted to each other and the inevitable happens. But that is only part of what the story is about. Basically, it's about the oppressive world of the old-fashioned traditional Chinese family. And the future promise of communism. I read the book a long time ago and don't remember such a strong emphasis on communism. But this film is, after all, produced from a modern Chinese point of view.

Many critics hated this film, called it too slow and too romantic. And all of them objected to the fact that the characters spoke English. I usually would agree with all those objections. It IS an overblown soap opera after all. However, I found watching this film a delight. I loved the opulent world of pre-communist China that I remember so well from Pearl Buck novels, including the acceptance of the concubine. And I liked the fact that the bedroom scenes were much more explicit than what was hinted at by Pearl Buck. I just relaxed and let myself be part of this fantasy world for a little while. And even though the film was a full two hours long, I never was bored.

Taste is personal, of course. And even though I can't understand why I enjoyed Pavilion of Women so much, I do recommend it.

Rhino-worshipping jungle brunettes dominate hapless jungle blondes who strive to be free in this fantastic nonsense-movie. For a film with such a simple dynamic, there are a surprising number of diversions from the main plot. These are very entertaining (dances, weddings, catfights) although they're obviously filler, padding out the film to feature length with eye candy. Definitely a late-night or rainy Saturday afternoon feature.

Some reviewers have said that "Prehistoric Women" is missing 16 minutes of footage, but that's incorrect! Actually "Prehistoric Women" is the American version that runs 16 minutes longer (90 minutes) than the 74-minute British release, titled "Slave Girls." THIS IS THE U.S. RELEASE - THE LONG VERSION. Thanks Anchor Bay!

Not to be confused with a low-rent American movie of the same name made in 1950, Prehistoric Women was written and directed by Hammer producer Michael Carreras in 1966, on redressed sets left over from Hammer's One Million BC.
Definitely an excuse to find a way to reuse the sets, and no dinosaurs this time around, but the film is so outrageously, unapologetically campy that it's complete bliss.

Terminally sincere great white hunter David touches the sacred horn of the statue of the White Rhino while in Africa, and is transported back in time, where he discovers a tribe of White Rhino-worshipping brunettes, who have enslaved all the blonde women, and sent all the men to an even worse fate doing hard labor.

Martine Beswick is just great as the evil and cruel queen Kari, who chooses David for her love slave. Unfortunatly, David has eyes for innocent blonde slave girl Saria, and....

This flick has everything, wildly loopy Amazon dance numbers, sacficial rituals, catfights, jungle action, babes in fur bikinis, outrageous dialog ("Cruelty is what makes me cruel!"), and a climax where the White Rhino comes to life (who cares if it moves like it's rolling on wheels....besides, no real rhino could have such an wonderfully phallic horn). Beswick puts a lot more into the role of Queen Kari than one would expect from this sort of movie--she definitely has more commanding presence (in more ways than one) than Raquel Welch, for example.

It's obvious director Carraras didn't take any of it with an ounce of seriousness, even though it's all played as though it is. His original working title was "Slave Girls of the White Rhino", which I think is a much better title than Prehistoric Women. Still, a sheer, delerious delight.

Anchor Bay's letterbox transfer is great (and is featured on the VHS tape as well as the DVD). The letterboxing is vital for this flick, since for some reason Carreras decided to go against typical Hammer practice and do this one in genuine widescreen Cinemascope....probably because you can fit a lot more prehistoric babes in one shot that way.

This movie is a silly, but very charming effort from the sixties, my favourite decade. It is a little scary and very sexy at the same time. It has: great soundtrack, gorgeous gals, beautiful sets, talented actors and actresses, a wonderful mood and MARTINE BESWICK, one of the most amazing women who ever entered the silver screen. A tale of adventures iin the kingdom of the prehistoric ladies, presented in a TOTALLY SIXTIES-STYLE. A MUST for everyone who loves campy flicks!