White Palace (1990) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This review refers to the DVD edition(Goodtimes Video) of "White Palace".....
There couldn't be two people at more opposite ends of the poles than Nora Baker and Max Baron. He's a 27 year old upwardly mobile executive,obsessive and compulsive, he's neat as a pin, and Jewish. She's 43, is in the "food preparation business"(serves up greasy hamburgers) ,lives in the low rent district, in a house that doesn't get cleaned and has never even met anyone Jewish. They meet twice by happenstance and although it seems all they really have in common is that they are both from St.Louis, they discover they are really not all together different.
Max is grieving for his young and beautiful wife, and Nora her child. And although they handle their grief in very different ways, they take solace in each others arms. Their whirlwind affair, brings a renewed spirit to each of them, but when the relationship steps up to a new level, they wonder how they will fit into each other's world.
It's a believable, beautiful, and at times a funny love story.Susan Sarandon lights up the screen with her portrayal of the fiesty Nora. Spader shines in a role that seems to be made for him. Other notables in the cast include Jason Alexander,Eileen Brennan, and Kathy Bates.
The DVD could have a better transfer. Although there's nothing that will impair your viewing, it didn't seem as sharp and clear as it could be.The sound in Dolby Dig surround was very good, but the film has been "Formatted from it's original version to fit your screen"(pan and scan), and I didn't see a widescreen edition available, so we don't have a choice of how we would like to view it. There are however captions in English and subtitiles in Spanish and French and may be viewed in those languages as well.There are no other special features included.
The film is rated R and even that is pushing the envelope somewhat. The loves scenes are very steamy(this one is definately not for the kiddies), but you'll also find a beautiful story of fate stepping in and lending a hand. A romantic film that is worth the view in any format.
Thanks and enjoy.....Laurie

Click Here to see more reviews about: White Palace (1990)

Click here for more information about White Palace (1990)

Read More...

Sweet Hearts Dance (1988) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Wiley and Sandra Boon (Johnson and Sarandon) were high school sweet hearts, the ones who were admired and loved by everyone, the perfect couple. Some years and three children after, Wiley realizes how bored and sad he is because of what his life has become: boring and sad. At least that's what he thinks. He decides to leave the house to find himself, we could say that what he finds out is that that life was the one that he longed for, but that's simplistic as hell. So, while he is out there thinking how it was that he fell out of love, his best buddy Sam (Jeff Daniels) has finally found the one girl he's looked for all his life -or is she?. This 1988 film starred Don Johnson in the best work of his career (so far) and Susan Sarandon in some kind of post-Springsteen characters story (theirs was the idyllic marriage, they were the king and queen of high school) and they are now trapped in the routine of marriage. Bruce Springsteen wrote in one of his songs that heroes are the ones who raise children and make families happy, so, here it is, a great, well acted, better written heroic story that will show you what married life really is.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sweet Hearts Dance (1988)

Item Name: Sweet Hearts Dance; Studio:Sony Pictures

Get 37% OFF

Click here for more information about Sweet Hearts Dance (1988)

Read More...

James and the Giant Peach (Special Edition) (1996) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Roald Dahl's modern classic tells the story of James, an orphan who is treated cruelly by his aunts, until one day a benevolent stranger gives him some magical crocodile tongues -- and then marvelous things begin to happen! With new friends, James discovers that he is resourceful and loyal. He learns to believe in himself and trust in others.
This terrific story is given the treatment it deserves by director Henry Selick and producer Tim Burton (who also made Nightmare Before Christmas together). Stop-motion, live action and special effects combine to bring this incredible story to life, and the effort is dazzling, even though the work is almost a decade old.
The dvd features are marginal at best. While it's nice to have the option of DTS or Dolby Digital sound, the other features do not merit calling this a special edition. You can hear the dialogue in English, French or Spanish, and subtitling is available in Spanish or for the hearing impaired. There is also a 4-1/2 minute featurette, a trailer and a Randy Newman music video. Still photos are categorized as Concept Art (9), Puppets (9), Behind-the-Scenes (36) or Live Action (18), and they can be seen as thumbprints or enlarged. There are trailers for NBX, Toy Story 2 and Lady and the Tramp 2. Menus are a bit clunky.
Great film. Mediocre DVD edition.

Click Here to see more reviews about: James and the Giant Peach (Special Edition) (1996)

Take a bite out of Disney's delicious Special Edition of JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the popular children's book by Roald Dahl that inspired this imaginative film. This amazing mix of live-action, stop-motion animation and computer-generated special effects includes bonus materials never before available. When young James spills some magic crocodile tongues, a giant peach grows as huge as a house. Climbing inside, he embarks on a thrilling and magical odyssey that only the creative team from TIM BURTON'S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS could bring you. Along the way you'll discover the famous star voices of Richard Dreyfuss and Susan Sarandon, Jane Leeves (FRASIER), and Simon Callow (SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE), plus the inspired music of Randy Newman. Enjoy -- it's a peach of a journey!

Click here for more information about James and the Giant Peach (Special Edition) (1996)

Read More...

Rugrats in Paris - The Movie (2000) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Fans of the last Rugrats movie won't be dissapointed. Rugrats in Paris is a entertaining movie with jokes for everyone in the family, and slapstick humor from the begining to the end. But underneath it all is a touching story about how important family really is. It all starts when Chuckie finds the need for a new Mommie at Grampa Lu and Lulu's wedding. Everything then gets thrown into chaos when Stu's called to Paris when it Reptar Robot goes crazy. Brining along the family, and the rest of the crew they find themselves in EuroReptar World, a Japanesse theme park in the middle of Paris. They meet the evil Madame Coco whose sceme is to marry Chaz in order to gain control of a family loving company. They also become aquainted with her evil Henchman Jean-Claude, and the gentle Kira and her daughter Kimmy, who happens to be a female version of Tommy.
If you're a fan of family movies and the Rugrats. You'll love this.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Rugrats in Paris - The Movie (2000)

HOLD ON TO YOUR BERETS, BABIES. THE RUGRATS TRAVEL TO FRANCE WHER CHUCKIE SEARCHES FOR A NEW MOM AND THE RUGRATS LEARN IMPORTANT LESSONS IN COURAGE, LOYALTY AND TRUE LOVE.

Get 22% OFF

Click here for more information about Rugrats in Paris - The Movie (2000)

Read More...

The Banger Sisters (2002) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Many critics have already not been kind to "The Banger Sisters". Perhaps they didn't like "First Wives' Club" either, but that film has become a Goldie Hawn classic. And "Banger Sisters" has all the same elements that will make this a screen and DVD favorite, as well.
The key to Hawn's success has always been successful partnering with other actors and actresses that act as a catlyst for her charm. In this film, she's fortunate to work with Susan Sarandon, perhaps even better with Goldie than the combination of Diane Keaton-Bette Midler. Sarandon's character is a little bit of both. The comedy is gentle and the message has both women, in their late forties, go in search of what has been missing from their adult lives. They have a crazy camaraderie that was born of shared experiences as rock groupies in the late 60's and early 70's, when sex and drugs were plentiful. Hawn's character, Suzette, has continued to live the experience, and the film opens with a scene of her being fired from her job as a bartender.
Sarandon's character (Vinnie, now Lavinia), took a different road when she split from Suzette, and she's now the successful wife of a wealthy man with political aspirations in Phoenix. Lavinia's devoted herself to the care and raising of her two daughters, and is dismayed, at first, when Suzette shows up. She's never confided her wild teenage experiences to husband or daughters, and they're frankly shocked at her choice of friends, and the influence Suzette seems to have over her. The contrast is best expressed when Vinnie realizes her whole life, like her perfectly kept and coordinated wardrobe, has been "beige".
A plot contrivance involves character actor Geoffrey Rush as a hapless writer who arrives with Suzette in Phoenix, and evolves from an obsessive schmuck to a man whose been woken up to life again by the unpredictability of life with Suzette . Rush is peerless in his role, and his character helps to add to the humanity that makes Suzette's life worthwhile.
"Banger Sisters" is not laugh out loud funny, but there are priceless funny moments, as Suzette and Vinnie are caught with a toke in Lavinia's basement, while browsing through the Polaroids they took of memorable "parts" of their affairs with rock icons. Sarandon is laughable in her uptight moments, using floral arrangements to make amends with Suzette, and cleaning up the kitchen when under stress. There are also some miscues that aren't believable, like the "throwing chicken" scene, and scenes in which young actress Eva Amurri (Sarandon's daughter in real life) goes over the top as a spoiled brat.
The soundtrack of the Banger Sisters does its own star turn in the movie, featuring old hits (Steppenwolf's " Rock Me", "Burning Down the House" by Talking Heads) new covers by unusual artists (Tommy Lee doing Bowie's "Fame", Trevor Rabin's cover of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood") and great new songs by Richie Sambora and Dishwalla. The soundtrack is most evident in the movie's poignant scenes....Vinnie and Suzette dancing in a club, being "poster children" for a "got milk?" ad, and consoling each other outside the hospital where Vinnie's daughter is being treated.
Hawn and Sarandon are memorable and priceless in a little gem of a film. They light up the screen, make you believe in forever friendships, and hopefully set the stage to return to film as a duo.
I disagree with reviews that label this a mediocre movie, and urge you to see it, and enjoy!

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Banger Sisters (2002)

BANGER SISTERS - DVD Movie

Get 40% OFF

Click here for more information about The Banger Sisters (2002)

Read More...

Leaves of Grass (2009) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Leaves of Grass isn't a movie that you can easily categorize. While it doesn't offer up laughs every few minutes, it's still a clever comedy in the vein of a Coen Brothers film. But you also can't quite call it a black comedy completely in the spirit of Burn After Reading or Fargo. It's equal parts crime drama, humor, romance and philosophy.
The film revolves around the intertwining lives of two identical twins, played by the incredibly talented Edward Norton. Ivy League philosophy professor Bill Kincaid is lured back to his Oklahoma hometown as part of a scheme cooked up by Mary Jane growing brother Brady. The first half hour of the film moves slowly but quickly gains momentum when the two siblings eventually cross paths.
The best part of this movie is easily watching Norton put on brilliant performances as both brothers. The supporting cast is top-notch as well, especially director Tim Blake Nelson in the role of Bolger, Brady's partner in crime. Nelson slips into the role effortlessly, which is no surprise considering he himself is a real-life Okie (a Jewish one at that, which influences a subplot of the movie). My only gripe with casting was Richard Dreyfuss as Jewish gangster Pug Rothbaum, with Dreyfuss giving one of the most bizarre attempts at a Southern accent in film.
I enjoyed the cinematography, Jeff Danna's work on the score, and the infusion of philosophy into the film. As a Southerner, I appreciated the fact that Brady's accent was no reflection on his intelligence. While not as well-read as his sibling, he still gets the occasional profound message across. The only real complaint I have about the film are the jarring scenes of violence. Considering it's not entirely a dark comedy, scenes that involved murders seemed extremely out of place in this movie.
Overall, watching Edward Norton effectively tackle two completely different roles was a real treat. If you enjoy a good drama or comedy that makes you think, definitely check this one out.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Leaves of Grass (2009)

LEAVES OF GRASS - DVD Movie

Get 82% OFF

Click here for more information about Leaves of Grass (2009)

Read More...