Puppet Master X: Axis Rising

Full Moon continues to disappoint
"Puppet Master: Axis of Evil" had a lot of potential but some shoddy acting and minimal puppet action kept the film from really taking off. It was, in any case, better than the last couple of installments in this series, but it forewarned of possible misery in future installments. Unfortunately, this new episode in the PM series fulfilled this prophecy of doom by being one of the worst of the bunch.

The story had potential - Danny and Beth, with puppets, set out to find the source of the Nazi occupation in America and rescue Tunneler. In the process, they uncover a Nazi plot to create undying soldiers and, ultimately, a series of Nazi-inspired puppets. The problem is that this film never gets past this idea stage. The acting is far worse in this film than in the previous, with Danny and Beth being the worst offenders. For all their faults, the previous actors were loads better than these two, who have the screen chemistry of oil and water. The other characters are vapid and...

Not the worst in the series, but far from an excellent movie
If you are already a fan of the Puppet Master series, you know that these movies are pretty hit or miss. They can be really great (like the first and third ones in the series) or pretty rotten (like Puppet Master Vs. Demonic Toys). The tenth installment sits pretty firmly in the middle of the pack, which isn't terrible for any movie that is a tenth film in a series.

I really enjoyed the addition of the new set of villain puppets, especially Bombshell. I wish we could have seen more of them and learned what they were all capable of doing. One of the puppets named Weremacht looks cool, but it is never fully revealed what his special "power" is other than looking like a werewolf. I especially enjoyed seeing the puppets we are already familiar with engaging in combat with the new villain puppets. Leech Woman and Bombshell getting into a cat fight was quite humorous.

As one would expect with a movie in the Puppet Master series, the best parts of the movies involved...

Great item, quick delivery, great company.
Had no problems with the delivery, or the quality of the item. Loved this company and would order more. The movie sucked, but what do you expect with the 10th in line in a sequel series.

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Wide Awake (1998) [HD]

DIFFICULT QUESTIONS, SIMPLE ANSWERS: ENCHANTING FILM
You know when you catch a late night movie on a film channel and it hooks you on, then you keep watching it, laugh, cry and just purely enjoy it and feel good that you flicked on the channel at the right time? This is one of those movies.

I am not sure why some reviewers lament that it's a pretentious theme. Sure, it's not anything that'd be seen rocking boxoffice records or winning grand prizes, it even has some necessary contrivances. But it moved me, impelled me to think, and impressed me with a number of brilliant moments that are sensitive and engaging without becoming cloying.

Shyamalan is now a familiar name, so I approached his debut effort with high expectations, and while it could be sappy in bits for some people, I'm guilty of having clung on until the very last shot. The writing is taut and the production values are all-round immaculate. I was not disappointed one bit!

If you have kids, this is a fantastic movie to watch because of the sweet yet universal...

A little movie with so much to say...
I saw this film in the theatre when it was released and immediately urged friends and family to see it as well. It was one of those films that you can't stop thinking of for days. The cast was incomparable and the story line so touching. Anyone who can remember back to our innocent ideas of life when we are young will relate to this movie. But especially those who have dealt with such a loss, searched for answers and found the disapointment of what doesn't make sense at the moment but eventually leads to a greater realization at the end. An excellent film, for any age at any time.

Heart Warming and Awakening!
It is a surprise to me that young Joseph Cross has not gone on to greater things as a hollywood actor. In this film he once again puts the adults to shame with his natural acting skills as he did in the film Jack Frost (1998). But now Joseph is getting back into acting in the American TV show "The O'keefes" in 2002/2003 and I hope that he may do another movie as an eigteen year old to see how his acting skills hav developed since he was ten years old. The film looks at the transaction from boy to man or girl to woman and how hard it is for kids to make that move. With issues such as death and the dissapearence of that "magic" as Josephs character Joshua describes it during the movie. From a world of creativity and unrestricted boudaries to just seeing the plastic and paint in a toy car. Th film also raises the issue of how we should allow children to handle the death of a loved one as Joshua has to manage when his grandpa dies of bone marrow cancer. It is shown that we...

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A Walk On The Moon [HD]

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy
This is one movie that is misnamed. Ask anybody if they've seen it and they always say, Oh yeah, you mean the one with The Blouse Man. I learned from a friend of the woman who wrote the original that THAT was the original name. They should have kept it. But otherwise, I can't think of a negative thing to say about this movie. It's a coming-of-age (the daughter, played by Anna Paquin) story; it's a tale of a marriage turning boring and of temptation knocking at the door (The Blouse Man himself, SO well played by Viggo Mortensen; it's the exploration of the responsibilities that vie with the passions of the mom who sacrificed her youth and dreams to unplanned pregnancy and early marriage (so perfectly played by the lovely Diane Lane); the rage of the mostly clueless but loving and dutiful husband (Liev Schreiber), and the incomparable Tovah Feldshuh as the wise and sassy mother-in-law who literally and figuratively smacks sense into everyone's heads. The whole drama plays out during...

One of My Favorites!
My husband and I own this movie and think it's fabulous on every level. We've watched it many times since it was first released. Diane Lane and Liev Schrieber are both marvelous actors and are able to convey so much about their emotions with small moments. Tovah Feldshuh, as the wise mother-in-law, is perfect. The changing times are believably portrayed in this story about a couple who married young in a different time and now find their world changing. (I was 18 at the time of the moon landing and Woodstock so witnessed the era firsthand.) One of the things that is so good about this movie is that all the characters are good, well-intentioned people - there is no "bad" guy here, even the gorgeous "blouse man," played by Viggo Mortensen, is a decent guy. I love it that both Pearl and Marty, after they realize some new things about each other, are willing to try and find their way back to each other in this new world. The final scene of them dancing on the porch couldn't be...

An ode to family values
Such high-quality movies like A Walk On The Moon rarely get released . It's a film about the stormy turns a family's daily life takes when wife Pearl ( Lane ) meets a charming blouse man ( Mortensen ) . Although it's clear that she does love her husband ( Schreiber ) , she fails to remain faithfull to him . At the same time her daughter ( Anna Paquin ) is slowly becoming a woman . Her first flirt with a boy takes place and the girl , full of doubts and questions tries to come in terms with her puberty . The film's biggest strength is it's cast . Lane gives a quiet , carefull perfomance as the young wife while Mortensen displays once more his poisonous charms . The heart of the film though is Liev Schreiber who gives to his character the human sensitivity he needs to seem believable . He's one of these gifted , underrated actors ( see also Don Cheadle , Ben Chaplin ) who we would never like to see leading an expensive , supernatural blockbuster movie . What makes A Walk On The Moon so...

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Raw Deal

Good Arnie Flick
Well, the script needed a little help. In many places it was rather corny, but oh well. I don't think that most people view these types of films for the literary experience. The action at the end of the movie is worth the price of the video. A good final shoot-out. I always feel better after watching this scene. It's good for venting. Arnie takes them all out in a fierce gun battle. Rather excilerating.

Early Ah-nold yarn worth checking out
After finding sucess with Conan the Barbarian and the Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in this half decent action yarn playing a disgraced FBI Agent called back into duty to go undercover to track a mob boss. The script, directing, action, and so forth are pretty routine for an 80's action movie, but good 'ol Arnold's magnetic charm keeps Raw Deal rolling even when it seems it's about to fall apart. The cast also includes longtime Law & Order vet Steven Hill, and most of the rest of the cast is pretty forgettable. Still worth checking out though for Arnold afficiondos who missed out on it.

super
As the Chicago Mafia attempts to murder witnesses who could incriminate them in court, Mark Kaminsky, a former FBI agent (Arnold Schwarzenegger), attempts to infiltrate the organization and root out the assassins. It's time for dues to be paid ... "Ah-nuld" style! Kathryn Harrold, Ed Lauter, Darren McGavin and Sam Wanamaker co-star.

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54 [HD]

It's okay
It's an older movie, definitely not an Academy Award winner, but still entertaining. It does give you an idea of what the club was really like.

Love this movie
One of my favorite 70s/80s era movies. Mike Myers does a superb job as "Steve". I would have loved to attended a party at Studio 54 in the "day". I hear it is now used as a reception hall for weddings, meetings, bar mitzvahs, etc.

Phillipe is worth the watch!
Yeah, yeah,....I know he got a razzie award for his performance in this film but I beg to differ. He comes off as naive, wanting to be famous in some way and he played it well. The other actors, especially Mike Myers as Steve Rubell and Dottie, are awesome! If you grew up in the 70's like I did, you'll have flashbacks!

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Protector

MATT'S THE MAN
Matt McColm is a former stuntman who has done a few films including this above-average low budget thriller. McColm plays a bodyguard for hire, aided by his nerdish accountant, the ever ubiquitous Clint Howard. Along the way he encounters his lovely ex-girlfriend played by Annabell Schofield, and the spider lady Morgan Brittany, who plays the evil assistant to the even more evil Ron Perlman. Perlman plays the villain with a casual offhandedness that would later aid him greatly in the campy HELLBOY.

In this film, McColm must stop Perlman from his devious plot: he manufactures a nasty virus, and then to make money, he makes the antedote. Cool way to make millions, huh? Things go pretty bad when McColm foolishly shakes Perlman's hand and gets the virus and has only 48 hours to stop Perlman.

Cheesy in some ways, but McColm has a strong, slightly sardonic delivery and the action scenes are pretty effective.

Not bad for a cheepo.

Good action for a low-budget feature
This film is pretty darn good for being a low-budget feature. (under $1mil). The action is quite good and the performances are above average for the usual lower budget films. I would recommend it for all action lovers. It is fast-paced with some humor.

Schlock
Just a cheap knockoff z grade cable thriller you watch if you're an insomniac hoping you'll be bored by the 2nd act so you could catch some zzzzz. Don't bother.

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Seal Team Six: The Raid On Osama Bin Laden [HD]

A National Geographic Docudrama, Not A True Feature Film: Well Done For What It Is
After watching "Seal Team Six," I was a bit surprised to see the diversity in reactions to this well-intentioned teleplay. I didn't really expect to see glowing five star reviews, but nor did I anticipate the vitriol with which others would respond to this piece. Maybe it helps to know what you're getting into when approaching the DVD/Blu-ray release of "Seal Team Six." This is NOT the eagerly anticipated and critically lauded (and soon to be Oscar winning) film "Zero Dark Thirty" by Kathryn Bigelow. (Even that film, though, has its detractors despite unanimous critical acclaim). Instead, this straightforward docudrama was produced and aired by the National Geographic Channel. In no way does this constitute a definitive treatment of a difficult subject. It just boils down the main events of a rigorous manhunt into a earnest summary. It is a surface presentation of complicated events and judged on those terms, it works just fine.

This little film is loaded with TV...

Stand up and cheer flick even though outcome known
By Jim Clark, publisher, Lee County Courier, Tupelo, Mississippi

White House officials will not "confirm or deny" if Seal Team Six got it right or not.
There are a couple things we know they got wrong. None of the compound's children wandered outside as the Black Hawk's arrived on the scene like they did in the movie. Also Osama Bin Laden was shot in the head when he ducked his head out the doorway to see what was going on.
I haven't seen Zero Dark Thirty, a film also about this successful Seal mission. But I suspect it's the better of the two knowing the actors involved and what some critics, I respect, have said.
But Seal Team Six is worth a watch while waiting for the other to arrive on DVD.
There's little doubt that this mission was what every Navy Seal has been trained for and more than willing to participate in.
The film mixes actors with real characters via news footage in a documentary style thriller. The CIA think they have located...

Good, but would have been better without the political undertones
Not a bad movie overall if you can get past the propaganda. I felt that the overuse of the President (who from all accounts resisted the raid) made me wonder how much of this movie was documentary and how much was histrionics. Also, the display of the photo of the President, staffers and Mrs. Clinton as if they were watching events unfold in real time, while the CIA has admitted that there was no live video footage of the raid, lost the movie one star.

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Revelations: Paradise Lost II

5 Stars, though not quite on a par with the first
Paradise Lost introduced us to what may be the most frightening onscreen villain in years : a biased judicial system. 24 jury members (2 separate trials) that had made up their minds before they had even set foot into the court room. And like any good villain, it has to slaughter a few innocents to be really scary. PL2:Revelations shows us the aftermath of said slaughter: The seemingly destroyed lives of Jessie Misskelly, Jason Baldwin, and Damien Echols (Even though they seem to have come to terms with their fate. That doesn't mean we should). Just like a good horror sequel, it shows us that the monster is even bigger and more powerful than previously guessed. The prejudice towards the 3 innocents spreads a lot further than the original trial courtroom. We have some heroes along the way in the name of the Free The West Memphis 3 organization, and seemingly at the center of it all, John Mark Byers, one of the parents of the 3 murdered children, and the mysterious death of his...

An important and profoundly disturbing documentary
"Paradise Lost 2: Revelations," a documentary film by Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky, is a sequel to their earlier documentary "Paradise Lost." These films investigate the aftermath a a horrific triple child murder and the conviction of three young men who continue to maintain their innocence.

PL2 picks up where the first film left off. We meet the three convicted young men--Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley, all older and still imprisoned. Damien, the only one of the three to receive the death penalty, is appealing his conviction, and his life-and-death situation gives PL2 a particular power and urgency.

There is extensive interview footage with many of the individuals involved in the case: the original judge, Jessie's defense attorney, and more. Especially poignant is the footage with the family members of the convicted. But as in the first film, the most indelible character is undoubtedly the controversial John Mark Byers, the angry stepfather of one of the...

scary that this can happen here in the U.S. ...
I have been a West Memphis Three supporter since 1999. It is of upmost importance that everyone who sees this documentary and is shocked, interested, or angry, pass the word on! The more people who know about it, the better chance of getting Damien, Jason, & Jessie new trials. Not everyone is convinced of their innocence (I, after lots of research, am. Everyone should should study up & come to their own conclusions. All the info you need can be found at [the website]) but EVERYONE will agree that this trial was a sham. An 18 year old boy was sent to death row based on nothing but someone else's word & a bag of black t-shirts. The fact that this has been allowed to happen in this country in the 20th century is both embarrasing & horrifying. Evidence was lost, not followed up on, and the trial took place in a community where all three were tried and convicted before they ever set foot in a courtroom. If it happened to them, it could happen to you, or your child, your sister/brother,...

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Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills

unforgettable
Paradise Lost is definitely one of the most mind-blowingest movies I've ever seen.

Not that it's in my list of all-time favorite films; it's just that this is the kind of film that really knocks you back: it'll change your mind about a few things and really make you think. You won't be able to forget it.

Have you ever been in a plane when, just for second, it abruptly loses some altitude, and your stomach seems like it dropped through the floor? You're gonna feel like that for a couple of days or so after seeing this movie.

Without telling you too much, here's what you need to know: there has been a murder in rural Arkansas, and some local boys who don't quite fit in (i.e., they have been dressing in black and listening to Metallica) are fingered for it. The film, a gut-wrenching documentary, follows them through their trial and analyzes the evidence for and against their innocence. The film is especially recommended if you enjoy documentaries...

Their time is running out, Support the West Memphis Three!!!
On May 6, 1993 the mutilated bodies of three eight year-old boys were found abandoned along a lonely riverbank on the outskirts of West Memphis, Arkansas. They had been brutally murdered; to this date their killer(or killers have not been brought to justice. Paradise Lost is a startling film about this tragic case, which focuses on the so-called West Memphis Three, Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelly, and the terrible miscarriage of justice that their trials represent.
What happened in this case could be called a modern day Witch hunt that was fueled by paranoia, lurid rumor, wild speculation and rush to judgment that led to the convictions of three innocent youth simply because they happened to be different from those in their community. So while this is also the story of three young boys who were murdered, which is tragic enough in itself, it is also one of three others that are being murdered by a legal system corrupted by ignorance, prejudice and hate. That...

Devastating
First of all, one review stated that the name of Michael Moore, the filmmaker and political commentary writer, appears in the credits of this documentary. I'd like to note that the name Michael Moore does appear, but it is because it is the name of one of the murder victims.

Onto the video. I'd say the main bias I noted was that the documentary had a very apparent goal of making most of the citizens of West Memphis appear as backwoods and backwards as possible. That said, as the investigation and trial procedures come into play, one cannot deny the ignorance and carelessness which led to the fate of the West Memphis Three.

The injustices depicted in this documentary are positively heartbreaking. Even thinking abstractly that the U.S. court system can be corrupt, it is hard to imagine a circus of a case like this existing outside of the world of fiction. It's definitely left an impression on me; I've continued to research the case and simply can't get it out of my mind.

For a...

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Kevorkian

Constitution...
The first fifteen minutes of this documentary is not very encouraging but after that it really kicks in and it is not Kevorkian that you will see but many others who truly understand all aspects of the issue on hand not only from humane but from legal prospective except Kevorkian himself. Despite of how you may feel about Kevorkian or what Kevorkian was trying to accomplish based on his claims, this documentary offers a glimpse at the political and legal system of the United States of America which are the central point of the constitution of the United States of America.

Well done, informative and educational documentary. It is not what you say but how you say it... Was Kevorkian able to say what he really wanted to say, only time will tell. Bravo, bravo, bravo.





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Troubadour Blues

Good at parts, but uneven
I liked the idea behind the film more than the film itself. As a huge fan of many of the performers featured, I was excited to watch it, but in the end I wish it had just been a Peter Case doc. His parts were the most satisfying and the rest of the artists (though I dug them) seemed like filler. In the end this movie wasn't bad, especially if you like most of the artists in the film, but it lacks the artistic cohesion of a film like Heartworn Highways, which covers the same territory (little known singer-songwriters) but 30 years earlier.





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The Last Fall [HD]

Good movie.
A good famly movie to share with everyone you know. A wholesome relateable story. This is exellent for young people,to prepare for the future and obtain your education.

Great film!
Wonderfully developed characters and great dialogue. I really enjoyed this film and identified with the characters. Well written, well shot. Well done.

Great Movie
I enjoyed moment of this movie and I would definitely recommend this to both friends and family. Great Job Lance and Nadia!

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I Didn't Come Here to Die

A must see for any fan of good horror.
I was lucky enough to catch the film I Didn't Come Here to Die at the Oshkosh Horror Film Festival last year and it is a film that has stuck with me to today. This film definitely is original in its concept, excellent in its execution and good old plain, gory fun. Its opening will definitely grab you and make you want to see more. The actors definitely have good chemistry on screen and the death scenes really catch you off guard. The night scenes are very well shot. A movie that you will keep you guessing on where it is going to go next. It also is a movie that definitely brings the creepy. It is one of the many examples that your source for good original horror is not going to come from Hollywood but from the true independent horror film scene. I highly recommend it to any horror fan who is tired of the same old, same old from bigger budgeted films. - Mark "The Movieman" from The Final Cut, a YouTube movie review show.

Bizarre NON-horror film - SPOILERS
OK, first things first. I was really looking forward to this movie based on the trailer, and my weak spot for indie films. I was disappointed, unfortunately. I'll just say that I recognize that there was probably a lot of work put in to this movie, and it could have been great. It was the plot/script that failed here, not the project as a whole. I hate spoiler reviews, but I really can't explain why this movie sucked w/o resorting to what amounts to spoiling, so beware.

For an indie film, the acting was very good, the characters were fairly believable, special effects were surprisingly good, and the film work was also very good. That's the good. The only good. Well, ok, the ending was kind of cute, but in no way made up for the lack elsewhere.

***SPOILERS***
The bad is that this is a film with no plot whatsoever. It is certainly NOT a horror film. Unless you find accidental bodily harm horrific, I guess. I hate hitting my thumb with a hammer, but...

Terrible movie, an insult to the horror genre.
A disappointing movie with absolutely no story line. I don't mind awful horror movies, but this has no business being a movie at all. Nothing, and I mean nothing good can be said about this failure. Bad actors, no plot, terrible filming, and lackluster direction. I streamed this free via Amazon prime and still feel cheated. I could go on but I'll end with this: save your time and skip this travesty.

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I Survived BTK

A Survivor Seeks to Overcome the Tragic Event that's Defined Him
On January 15th, 1974 the town of Wichita, KS was turned upside down when four members of the Otero family were found brutally slain inside their humble home. This murder would be the first committed by Dennis Radar, whose twisted fantasies would claim six more victims over a span of seventeen years. The town of Wichita would come to remember the killer's sadistic calling card inscribed B.T.K. (for Bind, Torture, Kill), but what about the victims?

This film follows one of the survivors from that first crime, Charlie Otero, to see how his life was affected by that fateful day. We see how he relives that horrible moment, how he seeks to step out from the shadow cast by the monster, and other unfortunate events that plague his life.

It's refreshing to see one man's quest to overcome the event that's defined his life. We spend a lot of time with Charlie as he talks about his theories behind the case, his life after the event, how he gets by day to day, and how he...

What is the Effect of Murder?
Gritty, personal storytelling reveals the true cost of murder to individuals and families who survive. The film did not dwell on the horrific crimes, but rather the intimate stories of those left behind by the tragedies. A thought-provoking and unflinching portrayal which sidesteps the overhyped drama ubiquitous in the true crime genre.

chilling
No words to describe the horror. I am with the subject on this, there has to be more to the case than just one man. Especially at the start of the killings.

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I am Not a Hipster

A "Love Letter to San Diego"
I AM NOT A HIPSTER's opening sequence takes place at the Casbah (San Diego Music Venue). We are on stage, a microphone in our face, with the struggling musician/protagonist of the film named Brook (Dominic Bogart). The audience is waiting for a performance. There are couple of shout-outs to Tim Mays, the club's real life owner, before Brook excuses himself from the stage, in the middle of a set, to throw up. But before he vomits into the real life toilet of one of San Diego's most respected music venues, he performs a really good song (created by Joel P West) that sets the tone for the rest of the film.

First things first- hipster, hipster, hipster. I, personally, have never thought of the term "hipster" as negative. I would probably like to be described as a hipster, but I fear I seldom am. The lead character, however, is a hipster in the grand sense of the cliché - an artist who listens to records, plays guitar, rides a bike, smokes hand rolled cigarettes, and...

Spot on
Pretty awesome if your a s****y depressed musician who likes to record music in your bedroom. I recommend this film.

Woah, beautiful.
I've never written a review before. I am an aspiring singer/songwriter living in New York City and I watch a lot of movies, especially independent films. This one really was one of the best I've seen lately. It was literal, and at the same time symbolic. What I really liked was the contrast between sadness and unhappiness mixed with happiness. Quiet and independent, yet relatable. Bravo.

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Budrus [HD]

Budrus is exceptional!!!
Budrus is exceptional!!! I feel that this film showed both sides, the Israeli soldiers and the Palestinians. This film taught me that it's governments and political factions that create the Israel/Palestine conflict, not the people themselves. Israelis and Palestinians know that they are each other's brothers and sisters. It is the governments and political/religious factions on both sides that create violence and hate. The real people who live in these places just want to live their lives and have the same basic rights to live as anyone else. This film stands above other films I have seen on this subject. It seems to shed light by calling on humanity's consciousness to do what is right in their hearts. I found Budrus to be an accurate portrayal of a nonviolent resistance movement.

I was really impressed how the different factions had to come together to make anything really happen. It was inspiring to see Palestinian, Israeli and international activists all together in...

Inspiring film about Israelis and Palestinians working together.
In this inspiring documentary, the viewer follows the people of Budrus (A village in the West Bank) from the timeless beauty of their olive groves into the line of Israeli fire, as tension builds and culminates in dramatic conflict between a steadily growing group of unarmed protesters, and the bulldozing Israeli Defense Force.
Although it would be justifiable to tell this story solely from a Palestinian vantage point, the filmmakers lend even more credibility to the voice of Ayed Morrar, the film's Palestinian protagonist, by respectfully and thoroughly presenting Israeli points of view throughout the film. Soldiers, captains, newscasters and politicians weigh in from the other side of the "wall-in-progress", while back in Budrus - a heroine emerges. Morrar's 15 year old daughter Iltezam is caught on camera jumping into a bulldozer's newly dug pit, to prevent the uprooting of yet another olive tree, as her voice-over describes what was going through her head: "what can one...

Excellent Documentary on Plight of Palestinians
The outstanding documentary film "Budrus" illustrates the power of non-violent Palestinian resistance to the illegal Israeli occupation and the often brutal security policies of the Israeli army. The Israeli government decided to put a security fence/wall right through a Palestinian olive grove, thereby depriving Palestinian farmers of the right to harvest and earn a living. The locals are organized and decide to non-violently confront the Israeli army in its illegal land grab; the Palestinians are joined by a small group of Israeli protesters and other international observers. Parallels are made between the plight of the Palestinians under Israeli occupation and the treatment of blacks in apartheid South Africa. Due to the persistence and iron will of the Palestinian protesters, the Israeli government eventually relents and decides to construct their "essential" wall away from Budrus and the olive groves. Could non-violent Palestinian resistance lead to freedom and independence...

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We're Not Broke [HD]

Bursting the bubble of corporate lies
This multiple award winning documentary take you through the economics and politics that have undermined the US economy and why. It pulls back the current on the corporate campaign to pay little or not tax and sabotage the Federal governments authority and ability to hold them accountable. They have usurped government by, for and of the people.

America isn't broke; you are!
For several decades America's cut taxes for corporations and the one percent but still spent like crazy on war and other big business-enriching ventures. Cut revenue, borrow and spend, and then say, as we hear from the likes of Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, "We're broke."

With its title this 2012 documentary corrects that: WE'RE NOT BROKE.

Corporations such as Exxon-Mobil, Google, and General Electric contribute zero in taxes on the billions they make in profits. Instead of making them pay their fair share, we should spend less on education, health care and infrastructure, Congressman Boehner and Governor Christie? Common sense should answer that for the Congressman and the Governor but WE'RE NOT BROKE does with facts and figures as well as by showing the blood, sweat, and tears of U.S. Uncut, the citizens' movement aiming to make corporate tax dodgers pay up on their record profits...

Most Important Film Of Our Time
Extremely lucid and informative; well researched and well executed. We have been bankrupted by greedy corporations who do not want to give back to the very nation who's services, consumers, and workers they depend on and exploit. For the sake of making a relative handful of people obscenely rich, basic services have been slashed. This includes education, healthcare, and emergency services. Big corporations now own the U.S. Congress, so there's no point to relying on our so-called representatives to fix things. Painful to watch, but that's only because it's so on the mark; so painful to see American grown companies we trust ripping us all off and abandoning us in our hour of need.

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Point Blank

The plot is a mess...the acting is lousy...but the violence is top notch !!!
If you really don't care if a movie makes any sense, and you prefer graphic violence to good acting...then this may be the DVD for you !!! Otherwise it is a complete piece of trash.

Opening scene: A prison bus full of the slimiest, most degenerate criminals in all of Texas (and that is saying a lot) is "rescued" by a gang of murderous henchmen with rockets and anti-tank weapons. Law enforcement officers are butchered and blown to pieces....the prisoners then travel to a Fort Worth shopping mall and take it over, slashing, blasting and pistol whipping innocent shoppers at will. Why they are going to the mall, rather than simply splitting up and completing their escape is never satisfactorily explained.

Soon they are surrounded by hundreds of law enforcement officers, who serve as easy targets as they wander around the parking lot while the convicts blast them with recoiless rifles and gatling guns mounted on the mall roof. In fact, all law enforcement figures in...

Wow... that was so bad I think I have to die right now!
One good thing about this movie is that it helped me find religion. It was so bad that I actually wrote a prayer: Oh great and loving God, take mercy upon this, the lowliest of your creatures. Burn my brain, I beseech thee... yeah with fire, acid, turpentine, and super-hot hot sauce lay waste to the portion of my brain which remembers having viewed "Point Blank" with Mickey Rourke! Keep me safe and guide my steps far, far from future viewings, so that in thy mercy I might instead feast upon broken glass and burning hot lava, and smear my naked buttox with honey and lay me upon a hill of ants rather than ever see this film again. Amen.

Like many of you, I first came across this little gem while searching for the 1967 masterpiece of funkadelic nihilism starring Lee Marvin. Well, of course THAT'S not out of DVD yet, but since I'm a huge fan of Mickey Rourke (for reasons which, as his career progresses, I find more and more difficult to remember), I thought "Wow, Mickey...

NEGATIVE 5 STARS!
"Point Blank" is the most offensively stupid movie out there. It boggles the mind knowing that when the makers put this movie together, they were actually being serious about their work.

The action sequences, the dialogue, and the overall plot of the movie is so shamelessly horrible, further words about it couldn't describe it.

The scriptwriter put the Marine Corps in way too many characters' background, probably just because he thought it would make the movie cooler. Pathetic.

You can't really blame the director or actors because they can only work with what was written in the first place. Still, they should be ashamed for even having their names associated with this film.

The only reason you should buy this movie is so you can BURN IT WITHOUT EVEN OPENING THE CASE!

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Outside Providence [HD]

Try it, You'll Like it!
Summary: Pothead Dunph gets into a little trouble and is spared jail time when his father pulls some strings to get him sent to a prep school instead of jail. He ends up leaving more than just his old friends behind when he goes.

My Opinion: I was very surprised with this movie. It is pushed very strongly as a comedy. Probably because the Farrelly Brothers are famous for those. Although it has funny parts, I don't consider it a comedy. It is more of a coming of age film. It takes place in the 1970s and has a killer soundtrack. If I had not been so pleasantly surprised I would have given this movie 4 stars but it's nice to be surprised.

DVD Quality: Widescreen anamorphic format. How can they make anything but?

What You Should Do: See it. If you don't buy every DVD under the sun like some of us then rent it. There is quite a lot of drug use in the film but it does have a point. It may be too subtle of a point for some to grasp though. If you liked "Detroit Rock City",...

A Delightful Suprise
From the minds behind "Dumb and Dumber" and "Theres Something About Mary" comes another raunchy landmark comedy, but one with heart.

Seemingly repetitive, a teenage boy is sent to a prep school after a car accident involving a parked police car, several friends, and unspecified amounts of narcotics. Throughout his journey he encounters friends, foes, and of course, love.

The same coming of age tale every weekly movie aims for, however superior to most thanks to several key factors.

Alec Baldwin, who was perhaps cast merely to attach a well known name to the movie, pulls off a surprisingly tricky role as a rock solid father who is confused and disappointed with his life. One of the movies most effective scenes is a short one, involving this star-stunned actor teaching his son how to knot a tie.

The script is not only amusing, but it also provides a lot of emotional depth to the story through simple and idealistic lines. Written with cunning craft...

Underneath the movie's pot jokes lies a sweet thoughtfulness
In 1974, pot-smoking teenager Tim Dunphy (Dunph, to his friends) is sent to a superior prep school after getting in trouble with the law for a reefer-induced mishap. There, he tangles with strict administrators, suffers the classrooms of exacting instructors, and hangs out with fellow pothead students. He also encounters Jane Weston, hands down the coolest chick in school and from an upper class family. Jane is beautiful but studious; she's trying to get accepted to Brown University. Dunph is just trying to get by without accruing any more punishment for violation of school policies. Regarding Jane, his friend advises Dunph: "Forget it." Yet, somehow, Dunph and Jane get together. It's not a match made in heaven, but hey, Dunph will take it...

Supposedly based on Peter Farrelly's school experiences at Kent, Outside Providence is a very good coming-of-age movie. It was touted as a comedy but, really, while it has its share of laugh-out-loud funnies, its dramatic undercurrent...

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The Inbetweeners

perfect end to the series!
do you know when you watch a film which has came from an established tv series and it is almost certainly a let down? Well the inbetweeners film does not do this. The story follows the 4 main characters on their last 'lads' holiday together where they demonstrate all of the profanities and vulgar ideas in which they are famous for. this film will have you laughing and is a great way to end the series.

Brilliantly and hilariously vulgar
This movie was a step in the right direction from the show in my opinion. As the boys grow older,so does some of the sassy and inappropriate things they do and say. 30 seconds in and I was already laughing loudly. The best part of it all is every single character is played by the same actor/actress, that's sometimes rare in a Tv to movie situation so its definitely worth buying and/or renting. You'll most likely cry from laughing so hard. :)

Just as I had expected and more!
I am a huge Inbetweeners fan and was quite upset that the movie was not shown in my area when it was released this year. To make it worse, my extended family in England was quoting how incredibly funny the movie was. I received this movie for Christmas and enjoyed viewing it on Christmas Day. It was as funny as I had expected it to be! The comedic timing of all of the actors is priceless and I loved every minute of the movie. I would recommend the movie to any fan of the series!

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Anonymous Rex

Quirky, Sly, And Actually Works
I'll admit that when I first saw this film promoted on the SciFi channel a couple of years ago, I laughed it off as just another bad SciFi channel flick. Let's be honest here, dinosaurs attempting to live amongst humans by disguising themselves to look like humans sounds pretty silly. Dinosaurs, or at least the popular ones, are supposed to be these large, man-eating monsters. The vegetarian dinosaurs, like the stegosaurus and the triceratops, have been built up as gentle giants by pop culture.

In this story, however, the dinosaurs are private investigators, doctors, lawyers, eco-warriors, Faye Dunaway, Isaac Hayes--you name it. They've surpassed the "apes" in a number of categories, including, as far as this story is concerned, forensics. A murder occurs that directly affects Vincent Rubio (Sam Trammell), a dino who's having an image problem. His P.I. buddy, gamely played by Daniel Baldwin, has a couple of problems of his own. One involves a potential girlfriend and...

It aint the book , but it IS worth watching
Having only read the first book in the Eric Garcia trilogy (Anonymous, Casual and Hot & Sweaty - great titles when accompanied by Rex), I cannot say how this tracks against the other 2 books, but it definitely is NOT the plot of the first book. Also, some of the supporting characters are different and the subplots are twisted around a good bit. So, if you liked the book, do not watch this expecting a faithful rendering into cinema.

Instead, think of it as inspired by the book(s) and watch it for the sheer goofy fun of it. Sure, some of the gimmicks are pretty, well, gimmicky, but that just makes it more enjoyable, IMHO. Sci-Fi Channel just does not have the budget to make a first-rate movie, but this is one heck of a second-rater!

In short, it aint the book, but it IS worth watching.

imagination
I love this type of movie. This one has a new type of story. Dinos alive now and in disguise is really something to think about. The scene of the child on Halloween trick or treating was great. I think most people who like science fiction will love this show.

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The Woman Who Wasn't There [HD]

Fascinating!
Great documentary dealing with Tania Head, who falsely claimed to be a 9/11 survivor & over the course of several years became a key part of the Survivor's Network, even giving tours of Ground Zero to Mayor Giuliani & Governor Pataki. It's riveting to watch as she weaves this intricate web of lies & deceives everyone around her. I highly recommend this film.

Good, but something is missing...
I can't put my finger on it but I just came away from this documentary feeling as though something is missing. It is a very interesting tale and something that I didn't hear about apparently a few years ago when this women was exposed. I guess I wish the documentary should have gone into more detail on the thesis that everyone "wanted a piece of 9/11." Maybe I would have liked it to expand the story of this one woman into a more general commentary on the benign exploitation of tragedies. If you don't know the story of Tania Head, I would recommend this documentary but if you already know the story the documentary doesn't expose any new information as far as I can tell.

Ultimately frustrating
We're told from the blurb that this woman was a fraud, so going into the movie I already knew I was going to hate her. It might have been a more heart-wrenhing documentary if I didn't have that advance knowledge -- perhaps I would have been on Tania Head's side, only to gradually learn that she was a fraud.

Still, I give the filmmakers kudos for bringing this odd story to us. It was well-produced, and I thought the "animated" scenes added to the "unreality" that was created in Tania Head's head. It's just dismaying to be given a "spoiler" as a movie description.

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House at the End of the Street

If you are over 30, you have seen this story many times before
There was nothing "wrong" with this movie, but I get the impression most of the people who are giving it 5 stars and saying it was "edge of your seat suspense" and "chilling" are younger viewers.

Anybody over age 30 has probably seen this same story at least half a dozen times by now.

I would have probably given it another star if I had not heard so much praise for the film beforehand.

But the movie did not live up to the hype.

It was pretty much a "by the numbers" horror film that borrows very, very, very heavily from the Grand-daddy of horror films that started this whole Genre --- PSYCHO

No real twists, pretty much what you expect and are waiting for from beginning to end.

So certainly not bad, but not the "masterpiece of suspense that will keep you from sleeping" that so many proclaimed it to be.

Dumb: I've seen better; I've seen worse. Your choice;not mine.
The synopsis sounded interesting. Thus, I rented it. This film was a big disappointment. They should have saved their time, effort and money on this one. That is just my opinion. This film was not as suprising, interesting or scary in any way, except that it could happen in any town at any time. This is not the first time I saw a film with the same premise. A film entitled SleepAway Camp, something like that. In that one, the parents did the same thing as in this one. I don't want to give anything away. The acting performances are believeable, but the film is basically a dud. We had it figured out in the first ten minutes of this film and then just watched it to see if what we guessed was right and we were.
Overall, I can't recommend it, but that is your choice.

There's a house like that in every town. Theatrical release review
It seems like only yesterday that Jennifer Lawrence made her big screen debut in Winters Bone, a small scale but critically acclaimed movie which gained her an Oscar nomination.

Since then she has gone from strength to strength starring in two of the biggest box office successes we have seen in the last two years X Men First Class and Hunger Games. I think it's fair to say that her rise has been meteoric.

As I watched the movie and the camera's love affair with her, the thought went through my mind several times of what an exquisite looking creature she truly is, still young enough to play a teenager.

A grisly murder of two parents takes place in a remote house in a leafy suburb of an upscale neighborhood of a typical rural town. The daughter who killed them was never found thus stoking local legend that she is still running around loose.

Years later a mother played by Elisabeth Shue and her daughter Elissa (Jennifer) move to said town they...

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The Assassins [HD]

Didn't quite meet expectations
First, the description provided by Amazon and Well Go USA (on the packaging of the DVD) confused me when I first started watching the film. Both descriptions reference the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - 24 AD), and in reality, the film was based upon events at the end of the Eastern or Later Han Dynasty (25 AD - 220 AD) and the very beginning of the Three Kingdoms period. Added to that, the film seemed to be geared towards an audience familiar with this period of time and the major players (dead and alive). As such, I spent a lot of time figuring out who was who and how they fit into the overall story. If you are not too familiar with the story either, I would suggest you briefly educate yourself on Cao Cao and Xian, Emperor of Han, making note of how Dong Zhou fits into the picture. I anticipate this will help you better engage with the characters and enhance your enjoyment of the film.

From a cinematic perspective, I thought cinematographer, Zhao Xiao Ding's, use of...

Found Myself Easily Drifting
I love Chow Yun Fat, so when I saw that he had a new movie out, I immediately rented it. The newer movies from China are noticeably more beautiful so I was expecting no less from this movie. I was not disappointed in the least about the cinematography. It was extremely crisp and clear and the use of colors and scenery were wonderful. The costumes were also visually stunning. Unfortunately, that was the highlight of the film for me.
This movie is about the story of Cao Cao, played by Chow Yun Fat. I've watched a couple of movies regarding the Three kingdoms of China so I sort of picked up some of the history between the movies and reading what I can about it. The last movie that I saw that showed Cao Cao in a negative light was Red Cliff (by the way, an excellent movie to watch if you like this time period ) so for some reason I had that mental picture of Cao Cao in my mind for this movie. This movie spun off a different view of Cao Cao which had me rooting for him. Interesting...

(3.5 Stars) "The Assassins" is an enjoyable historical drama inspired by North China warlord Cao Cao
When it comes to Chinese historical dramas, the warlord and chancellor Cao Cao has been featured in various films and video games.

A man who has been portrayed as cruel in order to achieve dominance in China and thus looked at as a tyrant, he is also praised as a military genius. But while historians will forever debate Cao Cao and many loose film adaptations continue to be created on historical figures, in today's modern age, you tend to watch these films and not take it so much as factual history but as entertainment.

And who best to write the film than Bin Wang ("House of Flying Daggers", "Hero") and feature the work of director Linshan Zhao. And for marketability, cast as Cao Cao is actor Chow Yun-Fat ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", "The Killer", "Hard Boiled", "Curse of the Golden Flower"), to promote the film overseas, Japanese actor Hiroshi Tamaki ("Nodame Cantabile", "Last Christmas", "Waterboys") was also cast as the character Mu Shun and cast for...

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Betting the Farm

Great Movie!!
I have seen this movie at our local theatre and loved it. It is actual footage of three families in Maine, struggling through a very difficult situation that was from no fault of their own. I hope everyone will watch this and think about the farmers who grow your food. There is laughter and tears in this award winnning, extremely well done film. Not to be missed.

We need more
You'll pull for the farmers feel their anguish and share their triumphs if you care about life health and neighborhood type communities.

Vote with your purchase. See the movie. Buy the milk.
I saw the movie in Portland a few months ago. Have only bought Moo Milk since then. The movie tells the story well of how difficult it is to make sense of the way we buy food. Beautifully shot. Dramatic. Open. A great story. Go see. Go buy. It matters.

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A Perfect Ending

The Ending to A Beginning
Let me begin by saying, the chemistry between Rebecca, brilliantly portrayed by Barbara Niven, and Paris, played by the amazing Jessica Clark, left me speechless. I can't find the words to convey how powerful their on screen chemistry is. You must experience it yourself.

For me, this movie is the first film I can recall watching about a subject many women deal with every single day, including myself. The challenge of aging and feeling good about ourselves is ongoing for many of us. As we mature and grow older, we sometimes settle for life being what it is each day, not even recognizing we are missing passion in our lives. This is a compelling and powerful story about Rebecca, a mother and wife, looking for passion and Paris, a high priced call girl and artist, who is trying to overcome her own personal struggles. This multilayered film is brilliantly written and the story presented in a way which is moving and thought provoking. Quite frankly, it changed my life...

A New Favourite!
After a year of waiting to see this film.... I'VE FINALLY SEEN IT!!! OMG!!! I now have a new favourite lesbian film!!! I absolutely loved it, everything about it. Barbara Niven especially was UNBELIVABLE, and she's absolutely gorgeous! I think i'm in love ;) Jessica Clark too was fantastic. They had such great chemistry. Brilliant script, and the supporting cast were the best i've seen in any lez film in years. Congratulations to Nicole Conn and Marina Rice Bader on all their hard work - it was all worth it because this is a masterpiece! 10/10

Honest Perfection
Firstly, this is, in the strictest definition, an art film. If you want action, a bunch of T&A, just another chick flick, or a simple linear love story, then this probably is not a film for you.

Secondly, "A Perfect Ending" provides an entire range of potent emotion, from the poignant to the erotic. If you're ready to be transported emotionally, this IS a film you can't afford to miss. Guys will probably not get this, though.

Thirdly, it is not, IMHO, just another "lesbian film." To label it as such and nothing more is to do an injustice not only to writer/director Nicole Conn and the stellar cast and all those involved in the project, but to all those women "out there" who NEED to see the film, because it is, in so many ways, EVERY woman's story on some level.

If you are stuck in a situation, a relationship, a job, a state of mind--any of these things or countless others that tie you up and confine you--then you, too, are on a similar journey as...

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Scary Movie

Not just scary, there's hilarious, and crude, and . . .
Scary Movie turned out what I thought it to be (a halirious movie with people getting killed off in wacky ways and silly parodies of recent horror movies) and what I didn't think it to be (showing ...ahem... small full frontal male nudity, and a major major gross scene). The Wayans have majorly beat the "There's Something About Mary" creators with the most gross-out jokes ever displayed in a movie. Anyway, Scary Movie was a good funny movie. The acting, for a parody, was great. And even though it followed Scream by every scene almost, there were other movies parodied and mentioned. For example: I Know What You Did Last Summer, The Matrix, American Pie, The Blair Witch Project, Amistad, Shakespeare in Love, Friday the 13th, and I even caught something that dealt with The Exorcist. And how they copied Tatum's death scene was hilarious. If I say anymore, I will give out what plot here is to the movie, so I'm going to stop. Go check it out!

I almost Laughed myself to death
This is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. Its totally pointless, but thats what makes it what it is. dont watch it just buy it. or steal it whatever you have to do to get it.

I ... SAW ..... SCARY MOVIE!
Hey, Scary Movie wasn't so much of a scary movie afterall. Instead, it is one helluva roller-coaster parody of the recent box-office hits like Matrix and the likes of Scream that promises to bring you a ceaseless 1 and 1/2 hour of nauseous, dizzying, raucous laughter.

Scary Movie not only spoofs hits like Sixth Sense and I Know What You Did Last Summer, it also pokes fun at racism and bimbo-hood, albeit done in the light of humor.

To really enjoy Scary Movie, you'd have to dispose yourself of all reason and rationale and laugh it all down, with some popcorn and coke of course(just make sure not to choke on it while guffawing away). The plot may be thin, but it sure is the one of the funniest movie I have ever seen. Those in hope of a really frightening premise would be sorely disappointed, though.

In all, Scary Movie is the epitome of parodies and brings sexual jokes to newer heights of enjoyment. Way to go!

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Hit & Run (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy + UltraViolet)

A very human movie
Billed as an action film - and it certainly has that element - it's at its core a touchy-feely romance comedy, with a very sweet, pro-human attitude. If you can, watch the first two minutes; if you like them, you'll like the movie as a whole. I'm in line for whatever Dax Shepard writes next.

Action and comedy that doesnt do either well
Hit and Run is a comedy about a young couple (Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard) that risks it all when they leave their small town life and embark on a road trip that may lead them towards the opportunity of a lifetime.

The problem with this movie is that it cant make up its mind what it wants to be..is it a comedy, is it an action movie? And normally a mix of the two would be fine, but in this case, it cant do either well. The action is stupid and like the car chases goes in circles too many times. The comedy is not funny and filled with boring monotonous lines that make you wish it was over and not wasting your time.

Not worth a purchase or rent unless you want a B quality movie that is totally pointless in its plot.

Uneven Comedy with Great Soundtrack Music and Nice-Looking Cars
Dax Shepard writes, stars and co-directs (with David Palmer) in "Hit and Run," a comedy about "Charles Bronson" living in a small town in California, with his girlfriend Annie Bean (Kristen Bell). "Charles Bronson" is shocked to hear that Annie, specializing in nonviolent conflict resolution, has a job interview for a department chair position in Los Angeles. But "Charles Bronson" - of course, this is not his real name - cannot go to Los Angeles, where he left his troubled past four years ago.

Well, in fact the film is nothing serious. Filled with quirky dialogue and eccentric characters, "Hit and Run" is an action comedy that leans towards comedy, or comedy of off-the-wall humor. Made on a budget of $2 million (half of which was reportedly spent to secure music rights), the action scenes of "Hit and Run" are modest at best.

As a comedy, however, this is really a mixed bag. The leading characters are likable, with charming Kristen Bell, but their storyline is...

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Samsara

The "Koyaanisqatsi" of the 21st century
Just about 30 years ago, "Koyaaniqatsi" was released, a visually overwhelming movie of "life out of balance", and now we get a 21st century update of sorts in this movie.

"Samsara" (2011 release; 99 min.) is a movie in a similar vein as the previously mentioned "Koyaanisqatsi", bringing powerful and at times stunning visuals of our world. The film was made over a 4 year period in over 20 countries, and when I saw it this weekend in the theatre, I was nothing short of amazed of what I saw. I witnessed images I never thought I would see, none more so than the footage of the gathering of hundreds of thousands Muslims gathering in Mecca, brought in stunning visuals, including some time-lapsed footage. Wow, just wow. But there is a lot more. Beware, there are scenes in the movie that are not for the weak of heart, including a number of consumer-oriented scenes (too hard to explain in words, you'll have to see it for yourself). I enjoyed this movie from start to finish, and it...

Just saw this film
Yes it's a beautiful film about life the struggle between man and nature.ideological based strife
And those that have a lot materially and those that don't. It's shot at 65mm then processed onto 4k digital. The opening shots of a lava eruption both day and night shots are simply stunning. There are some disturbing shots that have to do with slaughter of chickens and pigs so keep this in mind. There are tender shots too so do not despair. The breadth of imagery is so rich, powerful and really unforgettable it will enrich you 4.5 stars

"MESMERIZING, DAZZLING, STUNNING!"
This amazing Special Interest Documentary was filmed over a four year period in twenty-five countries on five continents, which produces breathtaking visual effects of natural wonders, sacred grounds, and other exciting places. Director Ron Fricke transports us all around the globe through lush, gorgeous images as each incredible photo tells a story of the world we live in. This fascinating trip around the world onscreen takes us to mysterious places we have never seen, from the mundane to the miraculous. We experience the ultimate, appealing wordless meditation, an unforgettable experience. This captivating film chronicles birth, life, death, and destruction. The cycles of life are witnessed through silent, visual mind-blowing storytelling. In addition, there is an emotional power behind each image as the film reflects on society, humanity, and nature. Soothing music, such as a harp infuses the ancient with the modern, illuminating the connection between humanity and nature. As we...

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Bachelorette

Katie...do you know how to SEW things?!
I don't know why I'm the only one who likes this move. Dark, brilliant zingers whiz by the audience's heads like darts in Raiders of the Lost Ark, and three flawed to the point of cruel main characters repeatedly get their asses handed to them until they consent to grow up. Who needs traditionally likable, anyway?

Great Cast, Worth Watching, Has Some Downfalls
On the surface the movie is about three girls who are bridesmaids for one of their friends. The night before the wedding the bridesmaids mess up the bride's dress and have only hours to get it fixed before the wedding. While the movie is a comedy and has some really funny parts, it mostly has very serious undertones. One bridesmaid is a former bulimic and control freak and upset that her life is not on track, another bridesmaid struggles with drug addiction (coke) and her complicated relationship with an ex, and the last bridesmaid, who also abuses drugs and alcohol, is promiscuous to feel better about herself.

This movie is nothing like Bridesmaids which has a lighter tone and typical SNL humor. Bachelorette's humor is dark, raw and often sexually profane (may be offensive to some). The movie should have been given a different title so it would not be compared to Bridesmaids. They are nothing alike. It seems that the writer's were going more toward an American Pie/Get Him...

a dark version of bridesmaids
the movie was outstanding. i laughed so hard i almost peed myself. if you don't watch this, you are seriously missing out.

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Compliance

A Disturbing Indie Provocation That Is As Unbelievable As It Is True
Craig Zobel's powerful true story "Compliance" is one of those movies that almost dares you to look away. As a tense situation grows increasingly uncomfortable, the viewer becomes complicit as a voyeur and participant in a waking nightmare. Just as everyone on screen should know better and should display more sound judgement, you can't tear your eyes from the unbelievable and quite disturbing tale unfolding. It may be the most squirm inducing film of the year. Having caught "Compliance" at a tiny arthouse theater, I heard a lot of discussion outside in the lobby. A fair number of people simply didn't believe that the events depicted in the film could happen. But here's the thing, Zobel's script adheres very closely to the facts of an actual event! There isn't a lot of extraneous fictional material added in for dramatic affect, this sticks to the truth in a straightforward and matter-of-fact way. Based on a real life occurrence in 2004 at a Kentucky McDonalds, the movie's...

'Yes men' unite as 'Eichmann' meets 'Super Size Me'
*** This review may contain spoilers ***

'Compliance' is based on a bizarre, real-life crime that occurred at a McDonald's restaurant in a small town in Kentucky. The criminal who committed this crime also committed approximately 70 other similar crimes over a span of ten years; although the crime at the Kentucky McDonald's was the worst.

The odd thing about the crime is that it was committed with the perpetrator on the phone in the State of Florida. SUPER SPOILERS AHEAD. All the events in the film are basically what happened during the real life event; except instead of a McDonald's, the establishment in the film is a fried chicken restaurant.

The perp pretended to be a police officer and convinced the manager of the restaurant, that a young, teenage employee of hers had stolen money from a customer earlier in the day. He tells the manager, Sandra, that his colleagues are busy and she needs to take the employee in the back room, where she is...

Chilling study of mind control, and its opposite
"Compliance" is a dramatization of several different incidents where a caller to a fast food restaurant, claiming to be a policeman, talked employees into abusing other employees. The caller uses the technique of gradually asking the employees to go further in their actions; as they start to accept one thing, he pushes them to the next level.

The action starts on an extremely busy day, as it happens, right after an employee forgot to close a freezer, resulting in a loss of about $1500 in spoiled food. The caller claims to have a customer with him who saw a young female employee steal money from her purse. He also knows the district supervisor's name, and claims to have him on another line. He starts by asking the manager to search the employee, and progresses to making her undress. The caller says that the girl and her brother have been selling drugs, and claims to be searching her home at that very moment while the brother is under arrest. When the manager shows...

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Extract [HD]

Jason Bateman is BRILLIANT!
OK, EXTRACT does not have a slap stick type of humor. I get that. Also, EXTRACT is not as memorable as OFFICE SPACE. Understood. But one thing is sure, EXTRACT is still one of the best all-around movies I've seen this year. JASON BATEMAN is one of the funniest actors around these days. His subtle nuances are what makes him so funny. From TEEN WOLF TOO & HOGAN FAMILY to ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT & JUNO, he is a brilliant actor that gets laughs without ever changing his restrained sense of humor.

The movie itself is about a young, moderately successful factory owner. The factory produces, of course,food extract. The story unfolds and plans backfire, thanks mostly impart to his best friend played by BEN AFFLECK. The role for AFFLECK is a nice return for him back to his roots of doing less than award-winning blockbuster films. With KRISTEN WIIG in a somewhat toned down role and MILA KUNIS as a bit of a vixen, the supporting cast is really well-rounded.

EXTRACT is an...

A difficult month in the life of a nice guy...
"Extract, directed by Mike Judge (King of the Hill), is about Joel (Jason Bateman) who runs an extract factory. He has his regular ups and downs just like anyone, but when one of his workers loses his testicle in a freak accident things start to go from bad to worse. (Spoiler alert for those who have yet to see the film) The next thing that happens to him is a con-woman named Cindy (Mila Kunis) begins work for him. Cindy convinces the testicleless employee to file a lawsuit against the company. Also, his wife hasn't wanted to have sex with him for months, and he takes some bad advice from his friend, Dean (Ben Affleck), and hires a pool guy to seduce his wife so that he can guiltlessly have an affair with Cindy, and before he knows it the pool guy is coming over everyday and has fallen in love with his wife. Then the employees decide that they should get a piece of the pie of his company, since he is thinking of selling it to a prospective buyer, and decide to go on strike...

Moments of fun, but I wanted to love it.... and didn't
I've been waiting or this movie. Loved Office Space, even really enjoyed Idiocracy. I heard some mixed reviews which tempered my expectations, but even so, this was a disappointing and very uneven movie.

Jason Bateman plays his straight-laced, deadpan comedy to the hilt, much as he did in Arrested Development. He is Joel, the owner of a factory employing a real assortment of underachieving, funny characters. With an offer from General Mills to buy the plant and make him rich, Joel looks forward to early retirement. On the home front, he is a sexually frustrated husband with an unreceptive wife and an unrelentingly dull neighbor.

With moments of genius, the movie was also dragged down by some poor realization of comedic potential. Kristin Wiig, a funny and versatile comedienne, is wasted as the housewife, and although she certainly has enough scenes, the writing doesn't allow her to perform.

The various subplots didn't mesh as well as I expected...

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Music From The Big House

How One Musical Note Can Inspire Those Behind the Prison Walls
Music from the Big House is a captivating and inspiring film. One woman takes a step inside one of America's bloodiest prisons to give the cellmates a chance to connect with music. It follows the journey of prisoner's past, and how even though they will be in prison for life, the ability to sing and play guitar helps them find the joy in life. Rita Chiarelli is the sign of hope and forgiveness. Her voice and heart reach out to the men who were never given a second chance. The movie shows what can be done with the power of music. The interviews and journey through the prison is very moving. All you need are the vocals of Chiarelli, and the prisoners to hook you for another viewing.

Review from The Big House
In this uplifting and spiritual journey the audience is dropped right into the otherworldly, deep south culture of Angola Prison, otherwise known as the Louisiana State Penitentiary, and are introduced to it's humble, yet dangerous, inhabitants. At the same time they are introduced to the unbelievably talented and kindhearted Canadian blues singer Rita Chiarelli, who happens to be visiting Angola in an attempt to work with the prisoners on creating a musical act. The film avoids revealing the crimes committed by these prisoners, who are serving life sentences in a maximum security prison, so that the audience doesn't form a predetermined view of them. This allows the viewers to sympathize, favor, and even relate to the prisoners as the film advances and the story plays out. We quickly learn that many of the men have changed and become much more spiritual, and even religious due to their time serving. The message of the film greatly reflects this by noting the angst-ridden history of...

Music from the Big House is AMAZING.
Music from the Big House is heartfelt and amazing. I was truly surprised by the quality of the music coming from inside the prison - they're really great! It was really interesting to hear their stories and their music. You could really feel the angst and sorrow from the prisoners. I will definitely watch this again!

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28 Hotel Rooms

Steamy!
I liked the fact that they showed the realistic side of an affair...both the good and the bad. I also liked how they showed their interactions progress from one night stand to an actual relationship. Lots flof steamy sex scenes, however, it doesnt take away from the film. Chris Messina is hot :)

A Tryst (or 29) of Two Lives
"28 Hotel Rooms", a Matt Ross film starring Marin Ireland and Chris Messina, starts with a "chocolate explosion" slice of sex in a hotel room.
The sex is heated, nameless, youthful, all sweat and raw nakedness.
And then there's another hotel room, then another, and another, and more after that.
Each room has a different number, as they meet in different places, one being a novelist, the other a rising businesswoman.
I've played with the notion that the room numbers MEAN something, but I'm probably wrong.
Three movies came to mind as I watched this seductive entrancing movie.
"Same Time, Next Year", "When Harry Met Sally", and "9 Songs".
"Sally" because it follows the same pattern of watching an evolving relationship through the passing years.
"Same Time" for basically the same reason, as it comes closest to that 1978 film starring Alan Alda and Ellen Burstyn.
"9 Songs" because of the erotic sexual nature of what is basically a series of...

Swift, Sultry, and Sexy
28 Hotel Rooms is a sleek drama about a writer and businesswoman having an affair through out their travels in the United states in a myriad of hotel rooms. The film is put together much like an affair; not many details of the characters are revealed (would you tell your mistress everything about your life? I sure wouldn't...) and the overall mystery adds to the steamy scenes through out the different hotel rooms. The two characters get thrown into an on-the-road relationship that grabs your compassion despite being an affair. Not many dramas like this one out.

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Sleepwalking

The Numb Life of Sleepwalking
New director William Maher and writer Zac Stanford previously worked together in THE CHUMSCRUBBER and the similarity of vision is apparent in SLEEPWALKING: both films deal with the empty shells of hollow people aimlessly seeking connection in a world that has become foreign territory. It is a dark, cold, brooding film that somehow manages to maintain our attention with the hope that the gloomy tunnel though which the characters are passing will have a semblance of light at the end.

Joleen (Charlize Theron) is the inadequate, loving-but-inconstant mother of twelve-year-old Tara (AnnaSophia Robb) whose reckless an aimless life leads to constant moving and lack of roots. Evicted form her latest residence Joleen and Tara move in with Joleen's younger brother James (Nick Stahl) whose similarly aimless life is defined by a trashy apartment and a mindless construction work job. Tara is sullen, disappointed in her mother's erratic, irresponsible behavior, and when Joleen once...

"Sleepwalking" is Sure to Wake You Up
There's no doubt that I'm unlike many teenage boys out there today. Rather than hitting theaters for the hottest action-packed thrillers, I seem to be drawn to indie films of this nature. Here's a storyline that you don't see very often. Not getting into a summary, the film was extremely well produced and the acting was phenomenal. The viewer understands Stahl's innocent confusion and Theron's deep insecurities. For AnnaSophia Robb, you can be assured that this is a side of her the public has not yet seen. Skeptical of how persuasive her performance would be, the young actress doesn't disappoint as she proves that she can be just as gritty and dark as she was fun, perky, and easy to love in Walt Disney's, "Bridge to Terabithia." The actors could not have done a better job. I laughed at every intentional corny joke and chocked up right on point. The film takes a realistic look at how screwed up life can be with just the right amount of redemption to keep you going. Be warned, however,...

A Sad Story With A Bit of Hope In The End
Joleen (Charlize Theron) is a woman with a nasty mouth who seems to want to make good choices, but because she's hanging onto past hurts, she makes one bad choice after the next. It's obvious that she loves her daughter, but since she's so lost she just doesn't know how to be a good mother. Her brother James (Nick Stahl) is a sweetheart - a cool, calm, collected, good-hearted man who just can't seem to get his life together. Tara (AnnaSophia Robb) is stuck between her Mom and Uncle James. She's an unhappy little lady with no real choices.
This movie was much different than what I expected. After watching the preview, I thought James and Tara were going to escape their troubles, start over and be happy with their new lives. But what they do is go from a bad situation to one much worse. James' father (Dennis Hopper) is an evil man who cares nothing about his family. Once he was introduced I could see why Joleen was so troubled, why she was so desperate for a man's love and...

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Guns, Girls and Gambling [HD]

A good Okay.....
Not one that I would care to watch again but do not feel my time was wasted for watching it once.

It was surprisingly entertaining - but you have to watch the entire film
Lots of twists and turns. Not knowing who was doing what and why was the best part of ths film as it gives you one appearance, then the ending clears it all up into something much worthwhile.

WE'RE HUNTING ELVIS'S
This is a wannabe grindhouse. It has all the style, but not the substance. John Smith (Christian Slater) is at an Indian casino and participates in an Elvis impersonator contest. One of the contestants steals a rare mask from the casino which culminates into a hunt for Elvis impersonators.

"The Blonde" (Helena Mattsson) recites Edgar Allen Poe poetry and rather badly as she too hunts for the mask. This grindhouse aspect of Poe reading was done rather well by Daryl Hannah in "Eldorado in 3D." The fact is that they stole the idea and could not improve upon it.

Be warned that Christian Slater performed as well in this one as he did in "Hatfields and McCoys: Bad Blood" and "Soldiers of Fortune."

The film has some twists, but lacks any serious clues, so don't look for any. The dialouge and jokes become stale as we get a constant barrage of Native American vs. Indian or midget Elvis vs. little person Elvis humor. The Asian listing the stereotypes wasn't...

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Spy Kids 2

Lots of humor and excitement in this fast-moving adventure
"Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams," written and directed by Robert Rodriguez, continues the cinematic adventures of the Cortez family. Alexa Vega and Darryl Sabara lead the cast as Carmen and Juni Cortez, a brother-and-sister team of kid secret agents. SK2 is a truly multigenerational story; in addition to featuring Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino as the kids' parents, the film also costars Ricardo Montalban and Holland Taylor as the kids' maternal grandparents.

In this film, the spy kids trace a missing device to the fantastic island lair of an eccentric scientist (a fun performance by character actor Steve Buscemi). As the kids pursue their mission, they have a continuing rivalry with another brother-and-sister spy kid team (played with nice touches of Nellie Olson-ish nastiness by Matt O'Leary and Emily Osment). This kid-vs.-kid conflict gives an added kick to the fast-paced story.

SK2 is a really fun and exciting film. There are some wacky, Willie Wonka-ish images and...

We�ve Got A Franchise!!
"Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams" is another in a line of great sequels to great movies. Overall, if you enjoyed the first film you'll be very pleased in the next installment in this "Bond for Kids" comedy/adventure series!!

THE STORY:

Carmen and Juni Cortez (Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara) are back in a bigger and wilder adventure than before. This time the Cortez siblings are locked in a dead heat to get to the bottom of a mystery concealed by a remote and mysterious island before a rival team of Spy Kids beat them to the punch.

THE COOL THINGS:

The "Island of Lost Dreams" expands upon the Spy Kids world tenfold as we are introduced to the entire Spy Kids organization including its hierarchies and ultra-cool weapons. The "monsters" in this installment are also more formidable looking (mutated/spliced animals) as compared to the comical mutated humans from the first movie. We also get introduced to the extended Cortez family tree as Ingrid's parents gain a supporting...

Like Spy Kids 1....'cept better.
I'm not a big fan of movie sequels, because they're made mostly for the buck and nearly always turn out rotten. But I've gotta say, "Spy Kids II" was a real swinger. (That's good.) Here's the basic plot:

The OSS now has a Spy Kids division, where kids do the dirty work adults can't. Carmen and Junie, the kids from the original movie, are some of the top spies. Also in this division are two troublemaker/brilliant kid spies who compete with them for different assignments. Through one thing or another, they end up on an island with large mutant creatures. Their mission? Get a transmooker device on the other side of the island and save the world...or something. Anyway, their parents find out, and go after them. Mix in the in-laws, and you've got a bizarre but really goofy plot that moves along really well.

Okay, that's just a small summary of the plot, but you get the basic idea. "Spy Kids II" turns out to be as funny..and creative...as the first movie. Even more so. It's...

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Charles Swan

Excellent movie for fans of lead actors.
This movie made me snicker and giggle from start to finish. These are polished actors playing themselves in a surreal world of noire Hollywood. It has such balance to the oddity and amusement. A touch of Coppola, even some Woody Allen perhaps in the story, but definitely Apocalyptic. It is certainly darkly hilarious and odd, tight tennis shorts and all. Pleasing to the eyes in an play-brite neon sort of way. The music is wonderful in how it sets its own scene. I bet you could watch this blindfolded and still understand the tribulations of the lead character.

If you're a quirky customer who enjoys the more cerebral and polished of Hollywood's comedy world, this movie is going to be for you!

Brilliant film!
I held my breath until the release date for this film. Love at first trailer site!

HOw could you possibly go wrong when you have SHeen, Swartzman and add the man - Bill Murray on top of it all. It's pure gold!

Funny, great, sexy, and simply beautiful. Liam Hayes wrote a solid, really good soundtrack for it, albeit, not very originally sounding ( I still bought it on cd).

The scene where Charlie's love interest Winnick and Charlie dance and sing and butcher in Portugese is priceless.

Don't trust the reviewrs, including myself. See the film for yourself and you be the judge.

In this day and age of computer graphics, it nice to see an under the radar , small production film , where the human element is better than any amount of CGI

Well done Mr. Coppola and the crew!

Thank you

Satistfied movie-goer

Charles Swan's Mind Isn't Worth a Glimpse After All
Overwhelming gimmicks and stunt casting dictates this sour indulgent affair. From it's opening credits to the actors breaking the fourth wall in the ending, Coppola succumbs to his own crushing pretension and narcissim. In the lead role, Sheen is hidden behind extravagant costumes and a shallow underdeveloped character. He never surrenders himself to the hapless role. What it doesn't lack in imagination, it surely lacks in a logical and coherent story, as we frolic from set piece to dream sequence to yet another sequence without any rhythm. Quite honestly, I'll fork over $10 to anybody who could explain what was actually happening in this movie.

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