Showing posts with label newly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label newly. Show all posts
Thursday, March 24, 2011
The Oscar Nominations for Best Motion Picture (The 83rd Academy Award Nominees 2011) (The Oscars 2011) (Kindle Edition) newly tagged "blu-ray"
Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to all feedback submitted via this form, but we'll ask you to sign in so we can contact you if needed. Feedback is limited to 1000 characters.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
The Bench (Special Edition) [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) newly tagged "blu-ray"
Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to all feedback submitted via this form, but we'll ask you to sign in so we can contact you if needed. Feedback is limited to 1000 characters.
Michael Jackson Moonwalker Blu Ray (DVD Audio) newly tagged "blu-ray"
Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to all feedback submitted via this form, but we'll ask you to sign in so we can contact you if needed. Feedback is limited to 1000 characters.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Swatch Men's Watches YCS4024 - WW (Watch) newly tagged "blu-ray"
Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to all feedback submitted via this form, but we'll ask you to sign in so we can contact you if needed. Feedback is limited to 1000 characters.
The Young Victoria [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) newly tagged "blu-ray"
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
191 of 196 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars The Young Victoria, March 29, 2009 The film takes a look at the year leading up to and first few years of Victoria on the throne of England. It shows the struggles, trials and tribulations of being a lonely child growing up under strict rule to being a young queen on the English throne, a queen that would have the longest standing reign in all of British history. The film also takes us into the life of a married monarch. A true love story for the ages, the marriage between Victoria, played by Emily Blunt, and Albert, played by Rupert Friend, was arranged prior to their eventual meeting. Their official meeting was scripted, but it was when both dropped the script and began to speak as themselves that the historic romance blossomed. The film is a wonderful depiction of the early life of the queen, showing how she became one of the greatest monarchs in British history.
109 of 112 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Pleasantly surprised, July 12, 2009 Well, I came to this one rather dreading it. National critics had given it something of a bashing. But it is super!
64 of 67 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Blunt Shines as a Young Queen Victoria, June 4, 2009 I recently got to see this film on an airplane as I was flying back to the US from England, rather ironically. I thought I'd enjoy another look at some of the English locations I had fallen in love with so recently, and it worked lke a charm. Stunning cinematography
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Recent Customer Reviews
191 of 196 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars The Young Victoria, March 29, 2009 The film takes a look at the year leading up to and first few years of Victoria on the throne of England. It shows the struggles, trials and tribulations of being a lonely child growing up under strict rule to being a young queen on the English throne, a queen that would have the longest standing reign in all of British history. The film also takes us into the life of a married monarch. A true love story for the ages, the marriage between Victoria, played by Emily Blunt, and Albert, played by Rupert Friend, was arranged prior to their eventual meeting. Their official meeting was scripted, but it was when both dropped the script and began to speak as themselves that the historic romance blossomed. The film is a wonderful depiction of the early life of the queen, showing how she became one of the greatest monarchs in British history.
Although I am not technically trained as an historian, I am as an actor and director and I found this movie worth its price at the theatre. Being one of many costume dramas that I have seen The Young Victoria has been by far most sound in design, screen capture, performance, and set. One must remember, though, that this is just a movie and in order for it to be completely historically accurate is reaching for the stars. This film was an interpretation above all; an inside look at the life of a young queen from an unfamiliar angle, her personal life. Though this is not the first film to do so, it is one of a few films that actually shows the passionate, loving and sexually driven young queen; not the prudish, "we are not amused" old queen we've grown to know. My rating for this film stands at a strong four star, and it is recommended that if you are able to let go of the idea of being historically accurate and allow yourself to enter the imagination of film makers you will enjoy The Young Victoria.
109 of 112 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Pleasantly surprised, July 12, 2009 Well, I came to this one rather dreading it. National critics had given it something of a bashing. But it is super!
Young Victoria was the only surviving issue of several sons of George III ("Farmer George"). Two of her uncles, George IV (who made Brighton Pavilion) and his brother William IV (known as the "Sailor King" and "Silly Billy"), preceded her as monarch. Unfortunately for Victoria, her father, the Duke of Kent, died very early and her mother, the Duchess, fell under the spell of - not to put too fine a point on it - a conman in the shape of (later knighted as "Sir") John Conroy. Sensing the prospect of power, the two of them raised poor Victoria in a repressive background at Kensington Palace, dubbing their tyrannical regime "The Kensington System."
This is where the film starts. I loved it. Victoria is played with emotional literacy and verve by Emily Blunt. Miranda Richardson is restrained and blinkered as the Duchess and Mark Strong makes a villainous Conroy, slapping Victoria as she refuses to sign a document making him Regent.
Several of the other actors are so good that their identity in the cast list came as a PLEASANT SURPRISE (hence the title of this review). Jim Broadbent is great as crusty old William IV, asking God to let him hang on until May, when Victoria comes of age. (Thankfully, she did - and banished Conroy from her Court on her accession.) Michael Maloney puts in good work as Sir Robert Peel who Victoria clashes with politically. Paul Bettany is fabulous, if somewhat too young, as Lord Melbourne, Victoria's adviser and crush.
But the honours go to the dashing Rupert Friend, wonderful as Prince Albert. Albert - German and Royal and not popular with Parliament - is utterly rehabilitated in this film. It's a beautiful love story in a historical setting. The romance is made all the more poignant by the knowledge that Albert died after he and Victoria had ruled for 20 years. She mourned him for the rest of her life. On the morning afer their wedding night, he lies motionless in bed, almost a precursor of his death, as she passionately surveys him.
The loveliness of romance is underpinned by solid history and politics. The production values are superb, the research admirable, the storytelling gripping.
So what if it's revisionist in some respects? I won't be pedantic. But if you see it and like it, carry on to Christopher Hibbert's superb Queen Victoria: A Personal History and the somewhat less marvellous Becoming Queen (a bit novelettish for me). There's also a nice older TV version, Victoria & Albert with a cast including Diana Rigg.
Definitely one to enjoy.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?64 of 67 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Blunt Shines as a Young Queen Victoria, June 4, 2009 I recently got to see this film on an airplane as I was flying back to the US from England, rather ironically. I thought I'd enjoy another look at some of the English locations I had fallen in love with so recently, and it worked lke a charm. Stunning cinematography
Emily Blunt was superb as a young Queen Victoria. I know to the history buffs, the historical accuracy is not to be found, but truthfully isn't everything conjecture? To get reality, you'd have to have been there.
I found it delightful to watch, and it is has further urged me to do more research on Victoria and Albert myself. I found this fresh take on their relationship compelling, and any film that makes me want to dig my heels in and do some reading, gets a positive vote from me.
Well done.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Recent Customer ReviewsTrekking the World: Scenic Journeys [Blu-ray plus DVD and Digital Copy] (Blu-ray) newly tagged "blu-ray"
Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to all feedback submitted via this form, but we'll ask you to sign in so we can contact you if needed. Feedback is limited to 1000 characters.
Mongrels: Series 1 [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) newly tagged "blu-ray"
Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to all feedback submitted via this form, but we'll ask you to sign in so we can contact you if needed. Feedback is limited to 1000 characters.
The Reef [Blu-ray/ DVD Combo] (Blu-ray) newly tagged "blu-ray"
Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to all feedback submitted via this form, but we'll ask you to sign in so we can contact you if needed. Feedback is limited to 1000 characters.
Racquet Sports (Video Game) newly tagged "blu-ray"
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars It's just OK, September 20, 2010 This review is from: Racquet Sports (Video Game) I'm not to happy with how the Move controls feel on the particular title. Seem a bit too "Wii" like to me and there are accuracy issues compared to any of the other Move products I purchased day one, Just think Wii and if you're OK with that performance, you'll be OK with this one. The characters look a bit Wii like too and the game mechanics are pretty bare minimum like most Wii games, you just swing vaguely in the right direction and you hit the ball. Not very realistic, hoping they do an update to this some time soon because the other sports games were lacking Tennis and Badminton which both me and the wifey love :) Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars definitely fun, but somewhat lackluster graphics, September 17, 2010 This review is from: Racquet Sports (Video Game) The first thing I noticed when I popped this in was the detail in the playable characters. They're cartoony, but there's a lot of detail in their hair and faces. The second thing I noticed was some extremely distracting aliasing issues, which is also a big problem with PS2 and Wii games. Given the power of the PS3, I don't understand why this game isn't rendering in 1080p natively and/or doing an anti-aliasing pass like most other games do.
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful: 2.0 out of 5 stars Not a great implementation of the Playstation Move, September 19, 2010 This review is from: Racquet Sports (Video Game) Sports Champions set a high standard in showing the potential of the Playstation Move as a platform for amazingly realistic sports.
Share your thoughts with other customers:Most Recent Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars It's just OK, September 20, 2010 This review is from: Racquet Sports (Video Game) I'm not to happy with how the Move controls feel on the particular title. Seem a bit too "Wii" like to me and there are accuracy issues compared to any of the other Move products I purchased day one, Just think Wii and if you're OK with that performance, you'll be OK with this one. The characters look a bit Wii like too and the game mechanics are pretty bare minimum like most Wii games, you just swing vaguely in the right direction and you hit the ball. Not very realistic, hoping they do an update to this some time soon because the other sports games were lacking Tennis and Badminton which both me and the wifey love :) Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars definitely fun, but somewhat lackluster graphics, September 17, 2010 This review is from: Racquet Sports (Video Game) The first thing I noticed when I popped this in was the detail in the playable characters. They're cartoony, but there's a lot of detail in their hair and faces. The second thing I noticed was some extremely distracting aliasing issues, which is also a big problem with PS2 and Wii games. Given the power of the PS3, I don't understand why this game isn't rendering in 1080p natively and/or doing an anti-aliasing pass like most other games do.
The audio is also pretty lackluster. Given the game comes on a bluray disc, and the PS3's built-in HD audio capabilities (and all PS3's have a hard drive), this is another "WTF?" moment.
The games are quite fun, though, and have a great feel. It's probable that folks not playing on a decent home theater system won't notice the lackluster graphics and audio issues as much as I did. As such, I still recommend this game!
I hope that when Ubisoft brings the Raving Rabbids, CSI, No More Heroes, Prince of Persia Trilogy, and Broken Sword games to PS3, they take more care to deliver a knockout HD audio and graphics experience that the other developers have already proven the PS3 to be more-than-capable of.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?12 of 14 people found the following review helpful: 2.0 out of 5 stars Not a great implementation of the Playstation Move, September 19, 2010 This review is from: Racquet Sports (Video Game) Sports Champions set a high standard in showing the potential of the Playstation Move as a platform for amazingly realistic sports.
Unfortunately, Racquet Sports by Ubisoft falls short of this standard.
Racquet Sports was first released on the Wii in March. The premise sounded good--it allowed you to play Tennis, Ping Pong, Badminton, Squash, and Beach Tennis in different environments. The Wii version came with its own camera which sounded good in concept, but in reality was all but unusable. The camera didn't pick up your movements at all, and even when playing without the camera the responsiveness of the game wasn't even up to par with the original Wii Tennis.
I figured I'd give the Playstation Move version a shot. I figured with the improved camera and motion controls of the Move, maybe the developers would have more to work with. And since this was the first tennis games that would use the Move, Ubisoft had a great opportunity to set a new standard.
Unfortunately, this game had all the signs of one that was rushed out prematurely to hit the market.
On a positive note, the motion control detects the timing of your swings pretty well. This isn't saying much, of course, but if you're just looking for a game where you just smash the ball forward and back using timing only with no other skills or strategy, the game does the job there.
Also, the gameplay itself is fairly true to its respective racquet sports. You can learn the rules of squash, badminton, and beach tennis, and the on-screen response of the ball matches what you'd expect.
However, there are negatives with the game that made it a less-than-pleasant experience for me:
- Herky-jerky on-screen motion. With Sports Champions ping pong, the one-to-one correspondence between your hand movements and the on-screen paddle is nothing short of amazing--when you rotate your wrists, your on-screen paddle rotates just as smoothly. With Racquet Sports, when you rotate your wrists the animation of the on-screen racquet is awkward and jerky. It's something I expect on the Wii given its lower processor and graphics capabilities, but there's no excuse for it on the PS3.
- "Hipster" cartoony feel. With this game, you play with caricaturish cartoon characters that some designer tried too hard to make look "cool", complete with giant heads, black eye shadow, big toothy grins, spray-on tans, steroid-induced muscles, headbands, and short and tight-fitting outfits. They're the sort of characters that aren't endearing in the least--to the contrary you feel like punching them in the face. I know this is a matter of taste, but I much prefer the cute cartoony feeling of Wii Tennis or the photo-realistic look of Sports Champions ping-pong.
- Inaccurate controls. Whether on Beginner or Advanced level, I found that regardless of how I positioned my racquet or how strong my swing was, the ball would go where it wanted to go each time. There was no apparent way to put spin on the ball nor use arm movements to simulate lobs, smashes, or anything else other than a straight hit. So while every rally seemed long and "exciting", there really wasn't any skill involved. It's definitely a far cry from the precision that the Move is capable of.
To sum up, I'd classify this the first "shovelware" game for the Playstation Move. It seems to have been rushed to market to try to cash in on the introduction of the Move. This game may be your only option if you're a squash or badminton fan and don't mind the mindless controls. But if you're a ping pong fan, this title pales in comparison to Sports Champions. And if you're looking for great tennis on the PS3, I'd wait for a game like Virtual Tennis 4 or EA Sports' Tennis, both due out in 2011.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Recent Customer ReviewsSunday, March 20, 2011
Casino Jack [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) newly tagged "blu-ray"
Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to all feedback submitted via this form, but we'll ask you to sign in so we can contact you if needed. Feedback is limited to 1000 characters.
Something Wild: The Criterion Collection [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) newly tagged "blu-ray"
New, restored digital transfer, supervised by director of photography Tak Fujimoto and approved by director Jonathan Demme, with DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition
New video interviews with Demme and writer E. Max Frye
Original theatrical trailer
PLUS: A booklet featuring a new essay by film critic David Thompson
My Sister's Keeper [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) newly tagged "blu-ray"
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 38 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars bring along some tissues, July 19, 2009 My Sister's Keeper really hit home for me as an adult child from a family in which someone had serious ongoing health problems, a former social worker and as a cancer survivor who beat an advanced form of the disease against some mighty big odds. The casting was very well done; the cinematography and the choreography enhance the quality of the picture. The acting was very convincing, too. The plot moves along at a good pace for the first half-hour or so but after that things do slow down; they could have cut a few minutes once or twice to truly make this a taut drama. That is a disappointment.
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars I Was Born to Be a Donor, July 22, 2009 I came in expecting a sappy melodrama and came out clutching a tear-stained movie theater napkin. "My Sister's Keeper" is a beautiful, heartfelt story that's ambitious enough to be about more than a teenager sick with cancer; it presents us with a series of moral issues that have no easy solutions. We do expect to laugh and cry (mostly the latter), but we don't expect to think--at least, not as deeply as this. Of all the issues presented in this film, the main one is an eleven-year-old girl who was engineered rather than conceived. She's a perfect genetic match to her older sister, who suffers from a rare form of leukemia and often needs spare quantities of blood, marrow, and organs to keep her alive. The younger sister believes she has rights to her own body and subsequently sues her parents. In legal terms, she files a suit to be medically emancipated.
11 of 14 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Mind bogling, September 25, 2009 Strange film, and at the same time, astonishing! I haven't read the book, but the movie is great. Definitely, not for everyone. This is one of those movies that make you think and reflect on issues of live an death. If you want a movie just for the sake of watching a movie, look elsewhere. There's No violence, no sex, no drugs, no killing sprees,no shootings, no terrorists, no bombs going off, no gore, no torn-out limbs, no cars crashing, etc, etc, etc. If this is what you are looking for, there's plenty of movies to choose from. This one is only for mature thinking people who comprehend psychological plots, end-of-live topics and the implications (and dangers) of screwing around with genes for "medical or therapeutical" purposes. It can be considered as a masterpiece on the bio-ethical implications of gene manipulation, and messing around with the natural order! If this is your kind of movie, I recommend also: "Mar Adentro", "Tuesdays with Morrie", "Wit" (although a tad boring), and "Godsend" I also recommend reading a book called "The private world of dying children" from Myra Bluebond-Langer. An excellent insight to how children percieve the end of their lives and all that goes around them from a bio-psycho-social and spiritual point of view.
If you are a health care worker and especially working with kids with life threatening illnesses, this movie is a Must See. It is a well worth investment. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?
Share your thoughts with other customers:Most Recent Customer Reviews
35 of 38 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars bring along some tissues, July 19, 2009 My Sister's Keeper really hit home for me as an adult child from a family in which someone had serious ongoing health problems, a former social worker and as a cancer survivor who beat an advanced form of the disease against some mighty big odds. The casting was very well done; the cinematography and the choreography enhance the quality of the picture. The acting was very convincing, too. The plot moves along at a good pace for the first half-hour or so but after that things do slow down; they could have cut a few minutes once or twice to truly make this a taut drama. That is a disappointment.
When the action starts, we meet the members of the Fitzgerald family who endure endless emotional angst and suffering because tragically one of the Fitzgerald children, Kate (Sofia Vassilieva) is very ill with cancer--yet again. Now that Kate's kidneys have failed her; Kate's life is in immediate jeopardy. We also meet Kate's sister Anna (Abigail Breslin) who was a tube baby created for the purpose of contributing one thing or another from her own body to save Kate's life repeatedly throughout the years. Cameron Diaz plays Sara Fitzgerald, a mother who bravely scraps her lucrative career as a lawyer to take care of her daughter Kate at any cost and there's Kate's father Brian (Jason Patric).
Although Anna has given blood, bone marrow and more in the past to keep her sister Kate alive, all of a sudden Anna throws the family into complete turmoil when she hires crackerjack lawyer Campbell Alexander (Alec Baldwin) to win medical emancipation from her parents. Sara and Brian are stunned, to say the least; Sara is furious with Anna, too. The ensuing court scenes with Judge De Salvo (Joan Cusack) are quite memorable.
But if the scenes with Judge De Salvo in the courtroom are memorable, the depiction we get of Kate's cancer is absolutely remarkable and generally rather accurate. As a cancer survivor myself, I saw some mild exaggeration of what a cancer patient goes through on chemotherapy (believe me, if the patient is throwing up THAT much, the doctor would at least try to switch chemo drugs); and although I was on Rituxan I have never heard of "Rituxan on the breath." However, the rest of Kate's cancer and its treatments are rather accurate. We do see what poor Kate has to endure and it can be just awful; although we do see Kate have a sweet, moving relationship with Taylor (Thomas Dekker), another young leukemia patient.
Of course, from here the plot can go anywhere. What will Anna eventually decide to do--will she drop her legal case for medical emancipation from her parents and give Kate the kidney she needs to live; or will Anna not want to risk the very real lifelong complications from a kidney surgery and stand firm, refusing to give up one of her kidneys? What about Sara and Brian Fitzgerald--how will they cope with Anna who wants to thwart them, her own parents, to go against their wishes and not help her sister Kate stay alive? What happens in the courtroom--what will Judge De Salvo ultimately decide? Is there any other reason why Anna won't give her kidney to Kate? No plot spoilers here, folks--watch the movie and find out!
My Sister's Keeper is not a bad movie at all; it pushed my buttons as a former social worker, a cancer survivor and an adult child of a family with a lot of health problems to handle. The movie is definitely a tearjerker; and it will stay in your mind for quite some while after you see it. The acting is wonderful as well. Admittedly, it could have been edited a little more to make it tighter after the first half-hour; and that's something of a disappointment. After all is said and done, however, I do recommend this film; it's a sensitive portrait of a family in crisis that has meaning and that's a big plus.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?18 of 20 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars I Was Born to Be a Donor, July 22, 2009 I came in expecting a sappy melodrama and came out clutching a tear-stained movie theater napkin. "My Sister's Keeper" is a beautiful, heartfelt story that's ambitious enough to be about more than a teenager sick with cancer; it presents us with a series of moral issues that have no easy solutions. We do expect to laugh and cry (mostly the latter), but we don't expect to think--at least, not as deeply as this. Of all the issues presented in this film, the main one is an eleven-year-old girl who was engineered rather than conceived. She's a perfect genetic match to her older sister, who suffers from a rare form of leukemia and often needs spare quantities of blood, marrow, and organs to keep her alive. The younger sister believes she has rights to her own body and subsequently sues her parents. In legal terms, she files a suit to be medically emancipated.
Her name is Anna Fitzgerald (Abigail Breslin), who by all accounts would be a normal girl were it not for the fact that her sister, Kate (Sophia Vassilieva), is slipping further and further away. Their mother, Sara (Cameron Diaz), handles the situation as best she can, having given up her career as a lawyer to spend all her time at home. Naturally, she only thinks about keeping her daughter alive, which is why she has no qualms about using her other daughter's body for spare parts. She feels, quite understandably, that subjecting Anna to medical procedures isn't as hard as the thought of burying Kate. But in all those years, did she ever ask Anna how she feels about her role? Does the fact that she's a minor mean she doesn't have a say in this? Hoping to convince her parents that she does, she appeals to Campbell Alexander (Alec Baldwin), a defense attorney with a 91% success rate. He takes her case for reasons that aren't immediately obvious.
How does the rest of the family deal with this? How does anyone deal with the realities of a terminal illness in the family? Sara's husband, a firefighter named Brian (Jason Patric), is beginning to question the idea of conceiving a child for medical purposes. "We went against nature," he solemnly muses during one of the film's many moments of interior dialogue (the entire family given the chance to speak at least once). But there's more to it than that; it's gotten to the point where he no longer wants to drag Anna kicking and screaming to a hospital and hold her down while the nurses sedate her. After all, there's only so much of that a father can take.
The middle child, their son Jesse (Evan Ellingson), is all but ignored, and while he never rebels, his solitary existence at dark bus stops make it obvious he's seriously considering it. And why not? It would be a sure fire attention getter. Goodness knows it took his parents long enough to realize that there was an explanation for his academic problems.
And what about Kate? It seems that whenever we focus on someone's illness, we tend to forget that there's still a person underneath it all. Sara is so driven to save Kate's life that she never pauses to consider how Kate really feels about herself or her condition. This is understandable; as a mother, Sara doesn't want to go through the pain of burying a child. But at what point is it clear that there's nothing left to hold onto? Is there ever a time when it's better to let someone go, knowing it was only a matter of delaying the inevitable? "I don't mind the cancer killing me," Kate says, "but it's killing my family." Then again, there is the part of her that wanted nothing more than to live the life of a normal teenager. She should be able to go shopping, hang out with friends, and date. Flashback sequences show her falling in love with another cancer patient, Taylor Ambrose (Thomas Dekker), who does whatever he can to make Kate feel better.
I'm usually wary of movies like this, and that's because they're inherently manipulative. What makes "My Sister's Keeper" far better than the average tearjerker is that it doesn't exactly manipulate; rather, it suggests, and it does so at a subtler, more believable level. I suppose it's natural to question certain scenes after the fact, but when you're right in the middle of it, you let it happen. It's hard not to given the maturity of the story, the intensity of the performances, and the believability of the dialogue. By the end of the film, I guarantee you there will not be a dry eye in the house.
Fortunately, this is a film that earns its heavy-handedness. We're not being forced to watch a shameless melodrama--we're being asked to engage in an ethical dilemma and determine for ourselves what was done right and what wasn't. Is it right to conceive a child for donor purposes? Is it right for a healthy individual to deny a sick individual access to necessary organs? Is there a point at which modern medicine can go too far? What I think and feel really doesn't matter. It only matters what you think and feel. "My Sister's Keeper" is powerful, intelligent, and incredibly moving, as I should have known it would be.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?11 of 14 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Mind bogling, September 25, 2009 Strange film, and at the same time, astonishing! I haven't read the book, but the movie is great. Definitely, not for everyone. This is one of those movies that make you think and reflect on issues of live an death. If you want a movie just for the sake of watching a movie, look elsewhere. There's No violence, no sex, no drugs, no killing sprees,no shootings, no terrorists, no bombs going off, no gore, no torn-out limbs, no cars crashing, etc, etc, etc. If this is what you are looking for, there's plenty of movies to choose from. This one is only for mature thinking people who comprehend psychological plots, end-of-live topics and the implications (and dangers) of screwing around with genes for "medical or therapeutical" purposes. It can be considered as a masterpiece on the bio-ethical implications of gene manipulation, and messing around with the natural order! If this is your kind of movie, I recommend also: "Mar Adentro", "Tuesdays with Morrie", "Wit" (although a tad boring), and "Godsend" I also recommend reading a book called "The private world of dying children" from Myra Bluebond-Langer. An excellent insight to how children percieve the end of their lives and all that goes around them from a bio-psycho-social and spiritual point of view.
If you are a health care worker and especially working with kids with life threatening illnesses, this movie is a Must See. It is a well worth investment. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Recent Customer ReviewsGotcha! [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) newly tagged "blu-ray"
Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to all feedback submitted via this form, but we'll ask you to sign in so we can contact you if needed. Feedback is limited to 1000 characters.
Galaxina / Crater Lake Monster- Double Feature- [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) newly tagged "blu-ray"
Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to all feedback submitted via this form, but we'll ask you to sign in so we can contact you if needed. Feedback is limited to 1000 characters.
Stanley Kubrick: Limited Edition Collection [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) newly tagged "blu-ray"
Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to all feedback submitted via this form, but we'll ask you to sign in so we can contact you if needed. Feedback is limited to 1000 characters.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Solaris: The Criterion Collection [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) newly tagged "blu-ray"
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
120 of 125 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best Russian films ever!, October 19, 2004 This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.
It also compares it with the version released by the Russian Cinema Council (RUSCICO)
65 of 71 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars A Haunting Masterpiece, March 28, 2005 This film is long, poignant, interesting, haunting, dazzling to the eye, and actually quite scary. While watching it late one night, I found myself alone on the first floor of my house, and I must admit, I kept searching the room in fright after every little noise I heard. It's not a horror movie, but it rolls along at a slow, atmospheric, creepy-crawly pace.
44 of 48 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Rent this unless you know you're ready for it, November 24, 2002 First of all, this 2-disc Criterion "special edition" of Andrei Tarkovsky's 1972 film _Solaris_ is clearly intended to capitalize on Steven Soderbergh's American remake. I'm not sure whether either will succeed; Soderbergh's version is an art film masquerading as a Christmas movie, and I think it's fair to say that those who can't stand the original won't much like the remake.
Share your thoughts with other customers:Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Islands of inner space
Solaris is a contrast to the film,2001,of Kubrick.That was cold,metallic,futuristic,this is warm,slow-moving,a wave of humanity and nostalgia,with a foundation of earth,air,fire... Read more Published 10 months ago by technoguy
120 of 125 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best Russian films ever!, October 19, 2004 This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.
It also compares it with the version released by the Russian Cinema Council (RUSCICO)
Solaris, released as Solyaris in Russia, is among my favorite Russian films, and my favorite film by Andrei Tarkovsky. It is based on the sci-fi novel by Stanislaw Lem. It is been considered a Russian version of 2001 A Space Odyessy. While some consider it to be the polar opposite.
An interesting note is that the Criterion Collection edition was released exacltly one day before the theactrical release of the 2002 remake directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring George Clooney.
It is about a space station orbiting an apparently sentient planet. The planet has the capability of reading the minds of the scientists aboard the space station and created 'doubles' of people from their past. When a psychologist comes aboard to investigate, he is confounded by the recreation of his dead wife.
It is a great film. Although it is slow paced, it has some excelent and unique cinematography. One example is one scene near the begining of the film where it focuses on raindrops landing in a full teacup. The special effects in this film are quite impressive given the time, place, and budget of filming. To top it off the film's score includes a superb rendition of J.S. Bach's Choral Prelude in F Minor, "Ich ruf zu' dir Herr Jesu Christ" BWV 639.
There are some subltle differences betweent he Criterion DVD and the RUSCICO DVD. The most noticable is a 5 minute POV scene of driving through the streets of a city. The scene is in both color and B&W. In the RUSCICO version part of the scene segues from B&W to color. on the Criterion DVD this part is solely in color.
The DVD has some excellent special features
Disc one contains the film plus an audio commentary by Vida Johnson and Graham Petrie, who are experts on Andrei Tarkovsky and are co-authors of the book, The Films of Andrei Tarkovsky: A Visual Fugue.
Disc two contains 9 deleted and alternate scenes. There are also interviews with composer, Eduard Artimiev, lead actress Natalya Bondarchuk, (daughter War & Peace director, Sergei Bondarchuk) cinematographer Vadim Yusov, and art director Mikhal Romadin. There is also an excerpt from a Stanislaw Lem documentary.
The RUSCICO DVD is also good and has filmographys of cast & crew, a production photo album, an interview with Andrei Tarkovsky's sister, a biography of Andrei Tarkovsky and Stanislaw Lem, and a biographical film on lead actor Donatis Banionis.
Both versions are worth getting but the Criterion Collection version is far better. This one is a Must buy!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?65 of 71 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars A Haunting Masterpiece, March 28, 2005 This film is long, poignant, interesting, haunting, dazzling to the eye, and actually quite scary. While watching it late one night, I found myself alone on the first floor of my house, and I must admit, I kept searching the room in fright after every little noise I heard. It's not a horror movie, but it rolls along at a slow, atmospheric, creepy-crawly pace.
One bonus of the film being so long with big spaces between dialogue, it gives you the opportunity to switch to the informative commentary track, to hear some interesting insight into the film. While most other movies you MUST watch it with the commentary off to be able to take it all in correctly, you can actually get away with switching back and forth without missing too much of the actual film. One part of the commentary I disagreed with was when the male narrator noted that in the scene where Satorius takes the gauze off Hari's finger and tosses it, that he is doing this because of contamination. One can clearly see by his expression and manner in doing this, that he is being sarcastic as he knows that Hari does not need a bandage, because the wound will simply regenerate and heal in a matter of minutes. There is also a sense of his envy toward her because Kelvin gets to have a doppleganger of his wife to somewhat enjoy, while Satorius only has dwarfs to deal with.
I think the scenes on Earth are gorgeous and completely necessary. Hoever, had they not been there like in the book, the movie would have been 2 hours instead of 2 hours and 40 minutes (a much easier time for mainstream audiences to grasp). I wouldn't trade it for a shorter run time at all. Tarkovsky is not a mainstream movie maker and thus the reason for him having these extra scenes on Earth, and he is still able to make a two hour film version of the book after that.
With the exception of Star Wars, many sci-fi films of the 60's and 70's (including Kubrick's 2001) went all out with Sci-Fi special effects, but then seeing them today, they still seem very outdated. Where this film had no special effects budget and minimal sets, I think it still holds up today without looking dated. The scenes on Earth could have all taken place right now, or 30 years from now without anyone doubting it. And the look of the space station's interior, albeit vague and minimal, still looks fresh and definitely wouldn't appear out of place in any current sci fi setting.
The only annoyance to me in the film was the switching between black and white and color. While a few scenes called for it due to a switch in tonality, or time within the film, there were other places where it made no logical sense to do so. Some say it was the lack of a budget that did not offer Tarkovsky a vast stash of color film, so he tried to artistically spare it. It's a shame if that's the case, because there are a few scenes in black and white, which would have worked much better in color.
Overall, a masterpiece of a film that is certainly not for everyone. The majority of blockbuster oriented moviegoers will hate this film, but true film lovers should treasure it. Stunning visuals, superb acting, and a one of a kind director.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?44 of 48 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Rent this unless you know you're ready for it, November 24, 2002 First of all, this 2-disc Criterion "special edition" of Andrei Tarkovsky's 1972 film _Solaris_ is clearly intended to capitalize on Steven Soderbergh's American remake. I'm not sure whether either will succeed; Soderbergh's version is an art film masquerading as a Christmas movie, and I think it's fair to say that those who can't stand the original won't much like the remake.
Tarkovsky's _Solaris_ has suffered unfairly from facile comparisons with Kubrick's _2001: A Space Odyssey_. The two films are deeply opposed in both tone and content, though on the most superficial level, the pace of both films makes them appear rather similar. That said, Tarkovsky's elliptical, nostalgic work stands very well on its own.
The first forty-five minutes of _Solaris_ are slow going, even by Tarkovsky's glacial standards. (They're also profoundly important to subsequent action, so don't even try to skip them.) Once the action shifts to the mysterious space station, the story quickly sinks its hooks into you and doesn't let go for an instant, up to its mysterious and unsettling conclusion.
Criterion's video and audio transfers are dependably high-quality, though in this case far from flawless. The extras on Disc 2 consist mostly of dull interviews with cast and crew (though, in a notable omission, there is no interview with Tarkovsky himself). But the audio commentary on Disc 1 with film scholars Vida Johnson and Graham Petrie is absolutely indispensible (at least, if you're into this sort of academic analysis). As is usually the case with Criterion, the extras are directed chiefly at hard-core film buffs and scholars.
Some critics have noted that _Solaris_ is Tarkovsky's most commercial film, although in terms of his oeuvre that term is strictly relative. It's still plenty strange, and if you haven't been properly initiated into Tarkovsky's work, this film is as frustrating and impenetrable as anything he directed (except for his last, most accessible film, _The Sacrifice_).
If you're ready for _Solaris_, it's a deeply moving experience. If not, stay away until you know you are.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Recent Customer Reviews5.0 out of 5 stars Islands of inner space
Solaris is a contrast to the film,2001,of Kubrick.That was cold,metallic,futuristic,this is warm,slow-moving,a wave of humanity and nostalgia,with a foundation of earth,air,fire... Read more Published 10 months ago by technoguy
Elektra [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) newly tagged "blu-ray"
Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to all feedback submitted via this form, but we'll ask you to sign in so we can contact you if needed. Feedback is limited to 1000 characters.
The Oscar Nominations for Best Motion Picture (The 83rd Academy Award Nominees 2011) (The Oscars 2011) (Kindle Edition) newly tagged "blu-ray"
Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to all feedback submitted via this form, but we'll ask you to sign in so we can contact you if needed. Feedback is limited to 1000 characters.
Grand Prix [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) newly tagged "blu-ray"
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
95 of 98 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Grand Prix- The first. The finest., August 15, 2003 I saw this movie when it was first released in Honolulu at the Cinerama theatre in the true Cinerama format. I remember nearly falling out of my seat as the astounding race sequences played out before me. This is a truly organic race film, there are real drivers of the F1 era mixed in with the mostly European cast, though James Garner and Eva Marie Saint break the cross Atlantic barrier. This film is a wonderful technical masterpiece. It even has some fine dramatic moments in between the melodrama. Some might say this is the film's greatest short coming. That is true, but also where it really mirrors the emotional high that F1 has always worn on it's sleeve. F1 is a soap opera that is played out across the world, where the wealthiest mingle, though not too closely, with the proletariat for a few hours of high rev mania. Many of the courses in the film are still in existance, but they have been smoothed out and plundered of passion. Often the races held these days resemble a parade, but once in a while things go terribly wrong and a race ensues. And it is in capturing those glorious moments that the film really soars. You will feel the ripping of the air as a car tears through the streets of Monaco, and be stunned by the speed and savagery of a huge racetrack like The Spa in Belgium or the amazing high banked corners at the old track in Monza, Italy. The camera work is a virtuoso masterpiece of technical achievement. Many of the shots that we take for granted today on our live TV races were the brain children of the camera men who worked on the film. This film is the one all of that work we see on modern TV broadcast racing strives to emulate. You are in the race, in the cockpit, in the mind and the heart of the greatest racers in the world. And for those who know the history of the sport, the real greats of the sport in that era are on hand. Jack Brabaham. Graham Hill. Jim Hill. Bruce McLaren. Richi Ginther. Many of the great names that are featured in this film did not survive the harshness of the sport and succumbed to death because of failure of both man and machine. This film is a treasure. It may be out dated. It may be melodramatic. It may also be the greatest racing film ever, but some debate that the much more restrained, almost catatonic Steve McQueen film, Le Mans is the superior. I see them as equals, representative of the two types of mind sets in racing. The passionate, fiery visrtuoso who crashes as much as he wins, and the technician, the cool headed pro, who always finishes, and manages to win more than a few in the process. Which is better? You see these movies and figure it out for yourselves. I have. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?
41 of 41 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate Racing Experience, February 29, 2000 "Grand Prix" is the finest racing movie ever produced. The story involves the pursuit of the Formula 1 World Championship by four men: Jean-Pierre Sarti (Yves Montand), an aging former champion who grows weary from the acute physical demands of the sport and team politics; Nino Barlini (Antonio Sabato), a brash, fearless young lion; Scott Stoddard (Brian Bedford), a man broken in body yet driven to match the legacy of his deceased brother; and Pete Aron (James Garner), a stoic, pragmatic American fighting to restore a faltering career. The Ferrari Team Manager comments during the film, "Everyone wants to win...there is no distinction in that." What distinguishes these four men from others is the sheer force of will each exhibits to overcome his personal demons and to achieve his final destiny.
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars This film is a must have for historic motosports fans., June 27, 2006 Although racing films in general have never enjoyed overwhelming commercial success Grand Prix stands alone as the best racing film of all time!
Share your thoughts with other customers:Most Recent Customer Reviews
95 of 98 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Grand Prix- The first. The finest., August 15, 2003 I saw this movie when it was first released in Honolulu at the Cinerama theatre in the true Cinerama format. I remember nearly falling out of my seat as the astounding race sequences played out before me. This is a truly organic race film, there are real drivers of the F1 era mixed in with the mostly European cast, though James Garner and Eva Marie Saint break the cross Atlantic barrier. This film is a wonderful technical masterpiece. It even has some fine dramatic moments in between the melodrama. Some might say this is the film's greatest short coming. That is true, but also where it really mirrors the emotional high that F1 has always worn on it's sleeve. F1 is a soap opera that is played out across the world, where the wealthiest mingle, though not too closely, with the proletariat for a few hours of high rev mania. Many of the courses in the film are still in existance, but they have been smoothed out and plundered of passion. Often the races held these days resemble a parade, but once in a while things go terribly wrong and a race ensues. And it is in capturing those glorious moments that the film really soars. You will feel the ripping of the air as a car tears through the streets of Monaco, and be stunned by the speed and savagery of a huge racetrack like The Spa in Belgium or the amazing high banked corners at the old track in Monza, Italy. The camera work is a virtuoso masterpiece of technical achievement. Many of the shots that we take for granted today on our live TV races were the brain children of the camera men who worked on the film. This film is the one all of that work we see on modern TV broadcast racing strives to emulate. You are in the race, in the cockpit, in the mind and the heart of the greatest racers in the world. And for those who know the history of the sport, the real greats of the sport in that era are on hand. Jack Brabaham. Graham Hill. Jim Hill. Bruce McLaren. Richi Ginther. Many of the great names that are featured in this film did not survive the harshness of the sport and succumbed to death because of failure of both man and machine. This film is a treasure. It may be out dated. It may be melodramatic. It may also be the greatest racing film ever, but some debate that the much more restrained, almost catatonic Steve McQueen film, Le Mans is the superior. I see them as equals, representative of the two types of mind sets in racing. The passionate, fiery visrtuoso who crashes as much as he wins, and the technician, the cool headed pro, who always finishes, and manages to win more than a few in the process. Which is better? You see these movies and figure it out for yourselves. I have. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?
41 of 41 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate Racing Experience, February 29, 2000 "Grand Prix" is the finest racing movie ever produced. The story involves the pursuit of the Formula 1 World Championship by four men: Jean-Pierre Sarti (Yves Montand), an aging former champion who grows weary from the acute physical demands of the sport and team politics; Nino Barlini (Antonio Sabato), a brash, fearless young lion; Scott Stoddard (Brian Bedford), a man broken in body yet driven to match the legacy of his deceased brother; and Pete Aron (James Garner), a stoic, pragmatic American fighting to restore a faltering career. The Ferrari Team Manager comments during the film, "Everyone wants to win...there is no distinction in that." What distinguishes these four men from others is the sheer force of will each exhibits to overcome his personal demons and to achieve his final destiny.
The drama unfolds amidst many of the great racing circuits of Europe...the narrow, twisting streets of Monte Carlo; the rain-slickened expanse of Spa; and the tortuous, high, concrete banks of Monza. John Frankenheimer's inventive split-screen imaging and on-board cameras put you inside the cockpit where you sense the raw power and road-pounding vibrations from these sleek racing machines. You are at once deafened by the high-pitched whine of superbly tuned engines as they roar off the starting grid...and then mesmerized by Maurice Jarre's soft, eloquent musical score set to compelling visual images of cars rising, falling, and turning through the racing circuit in a ballet of speed, grace, and beauty. I agree with an earlier review that DVD would materially enhance the appeal of this production and I sincerely hope DVD will be forthcoming. Regardless, "Grand Prix" will forever serve as the quintessential racing movie.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?21 of 21 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars This film is a must have for historic motosports fans., June 27, 2006 Although racing films in general have never enjoyed overwhelming commercial success Grand Prix stands alone as the best racing film of all time!
The storyline isn't brilliant by any means and there are a few `unexplained' bloopers such as Jean Pierre Sarte's mysterious helmet change from one race to the next - which was due to John Surtees leaving the Ferrari team at mid-season and signing with Cooper for a bit before eventually signing with Honda - but if you're a diehard Formula 1 fan this film is a true blessing.
I already own the Laser disc and still own one of the original programs that were sold at the movie theaters and I have been waiting for this film to come out on DVD for ages, simply in the hopes of viewing the treasure-trove of behind-the-scenes footage.
Although the film did not receive the critical success many felt it deserved the historic importance of this film should not be underestimated because it's the only clear color film footage available anywhere in the world where you can see; Graham Hill, Jack Brabham, Jimmy Clark, Dan Gurney, Phil Hill, Richie Ginther, Jochen Rindt, Bruce McLaren, Maurice Trintignant, Mike Parkes, Joakim Bonnier, Lorenzon Bandini, Chris Amon, Guy Ligier and even the great Juan Manuel Fangio together on the big screen and in their crowning glory. - Be sure to watch closely during the Spa Francorchamps drivers meeting when Jochen Rindt playfully reaches out and trips Graham Hill (aka `Bob Turner') as he's trying to step past Rindt.
For fans and students of cinematography the camera angles and the technology invented to achieve many of those angles are a testament to the ground-breaking achievements that underscore the unique and visionary genius of John Frankenheimer. And of course there's a wonderful cast of outstanding actors including the great Toshiro Mifune, Brian Bedford, Yves Montand, Antonio Sabato, and of course, James Garner who was inspired by his role in the film and went on to enjoy moderate success as an amateur racer.
Grand Prix is a must have for every motorsports fan and required study for any cinematography student who someday dreams of shooting a film with cars of any type, let alone racing!
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Recent Customer ReviewsNEW Rounders - Rounders (1998) (Blu-ray) (Blu-ray) newly tagged "blu-ray"
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Extra features justify a new edition, December 24, 2004 I own the original DVD of this film. Certainly I hesitated to buy a second copy of the essentially same movie, but(...) I thought I'd take a chance. The main feature remains the same, so if you are in the same situation as I was, you'll be paying for the extra features. In short, the extras certainly make it worthwhile to own this edition, whether or not you own the original.
44 of 47 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Do you play poker?, June 18, 2000 There are two types of people watching Rounders: those who play poker and those who don't. If you can identify in any way with Matt Damon in this movie, it's going to captivate you. If you're not a card player... you can probably forget it.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars The Poker Revolution, February 24, 2004 I first saw Rounders when I had been playing Hold'Em for about 2 years and noticed a big change in the "drop ins" at the tables. (Drop In - A new player that isnt one of the regulars that usually play in a reoccuring game or location) People were throwing out quotes from Teddy KGB, the Russian character played by John Malkovich. I could tell the movie was creating an insurgance of new players to the game. Years later you can play Hold'Em at nearly any table in any casino and say something like 'weaddy ageasieev' and get at least a couple chuckles.
Share your thoughts with other customers:Most Recent Customer Reviews
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Extra features justify a new edition, December 24, 2004 I own the original DVD of this film. Certainly I hesitated to buy a second copy of the essentially same movie, but(...) I thought I'd take a chance. The main feature remains the same, so if you are in the same situation as I was, you'll be paying for the extra features. In short, the extras certainly make it worthwhile to own this edition, whether or not you own the original.
1. If you play poker already, "Heads Up Texas Hold 'Em" won't help you. (I bet you suspected that already.)
2. The two bonus features, "Behind-The-Scenes Special" and "Inside Professional Poker", are short at 5'20" and 5'40" respectively. The former is a little disappointing; it appears that the cast and the staff simply talk about the movie retrospectively after the production. In other words, it looks and feels like an afterthought. The latter is a little more satisfying; it gives some well-known (to regular poker players) principles of poker. The soundtracks are very annoying.
3. Champion Poker Tips gives a few sound-bite tips from Johnny Chan, Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, Phil Hellmuth, and Chris Moneymaker. Again, if you play poker already, there is nothing new here.
4. Now, these professional players are featured in the extra commentary. Mr. Whear characterized this commentary as "odd," but I thought this was the best part of this Collector's Edition. The comments they make are sometimes off the wall, but it just adds to the charm (to me, anyway). They analyze the hand Mike McD loses to Teddy KGB at the beginning of the movie, and also the showdown at the end; their analysis is good, and they explain how (and why) things will be quite different in the real life. Also, the commentary shows the characters of these pros. Hellmuth is usually the motor mouth; Chan is the happy guy, but complains about how fat he appears in the film; Moneymaker seems a little reserved around the others; Ferguson is pretty quiet, but when he speaks he is brilliant (he even cracks a joke).
5. Staff's commentary gives some insight into the production of the film, including the real-world model of Teddy KGB (it turns out he is Eddie KGB in real life). This commentary is also good.
What was on the original DVD edition that is missing on this edition is the theatrical trailer. You might wonder why I bring this up. Well, the trailer contains a couple of scenes that didn't make the cut. I'm sure these could have been added as deleted scenes, too. For that, I subtract 1 star.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?44 of 47 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Do you play poker?, June 18, 2000 There are two types of people watching Rounders: those who play poker and those who don't. If you can identify in any way with Matt Damon in this movie, it's going to captivate you. If you're not a card player... you can probably forget it.
Mike McDermott (Damon) is a professional poker player and a law school student, in that order. One night, in an attempt to raise the capital for a trip to Las vegas to play in the World Series of Poker, McDermott loses his whole bankroll, $30K, to the owner of his favorite underground card club, Teddy KGB (John Malkovich). The next day, he swears off cards, but we get the feeling he does so in order to keep his relationship with Jo (Gretchen Mol) alive. His resolve is shaken, and quickly detroyed, when his best friend growing up, Worm (Edward Norton), is released from prison, and McDermott soon finds himself back at the table.
This movie succeeds on a number of levels, and surprisingly so. Of course, many of those levels have to do with cards, and if (as I said) you're not enchanted, or at least obsessed, with the non-luck aspects of any game of chance, it'll probably bore you stiff. But even if you're only a weekend (or rarer) player at the card table, the horse track, or the stock market, you'd do well to listen to Damon's voiceovers throughout the movie, which have loads of excellent information (and mirror things I've been telling novice horseplayers for years).
Other than that, the insights into relationships, and the ways obsession can destroy them, are profound. Well, okay, maybe not profound, but handled with gobs more subtlety and wit than I've seen in just about forever. Mol isn't really onstage long enough to give her any real chemistry with Damon, but take it from me, the ways they react to one another throughout the film are dead on. More importantly, both to the plot and to the success of the movie, is the relationship between McDermott and Worm. Edward Norton proves once again he's one of Hollywood's true rising talents, and the deeper motivations that drive his character are exposed just well enough that we can see them. Not an easy task, and one sure to be uncovered if the actor doesn't understand those motivatins and the viewer does.
The other main aspect of the film is the suspense during the actual card games. Another thing that's not easy to pull off, and often (most recently in the Gibson/Foster remake of Maverick) the director resorts to insane, next-to-impossible combinations of cards to make it work. (Remember the final game in Maverick?) In the first scene, when Teddy KGB nails McDermott, the winning hand is a full house. Welcome to the real world of poker, where oftentimes it's the guy holding the two pair that ends up forty grand richer at the end of the night. Dahl realizes, repeatedly, that it's not the cards in the hand that provide the action, it's the way the characters react to one another. One almost thinks that Dahl could have pulled this movie off by putting Damon, Norton, Malkovich (without the cheesy accent), John Turturro, and two or three of the other cardplayers around a table and shot two hours of one game.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?19 of 19 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars The Poker Revolution, February 24, 2004 I first saw Rounders when I had been playing Hold'Em for about 2 years and noticed a big change in the "drop ins" at the tables. (Drop In - A new player that isnt one of the regulars that usually play in a reoccuring game or location) People were throwing out quotes from Teddy KGB, the Russian character played by John Malkovich. I could tell the movie was creating an insurgance of new players to the game. Years later you can play Hold'Em at nearly any table in any casino and say something like 'weaddy ageasieev' and get at least a couple chuckles.
Matt Damon plays the main character, Mikey McDermott and Edward Norton his best friend Lester "Worm" Murphy who's freshly released from a prison term that Mikey might have also had to serve if Lester would have given him up. Feeling obligated for the sacrifice his friend made, Mikey trys everything he can to keep Worm out of trouble while attempting to hold together a failing relationship with his girlfriend while juggling law school. Mikey cant resist the draw of poker and ends up back in the frey of the Rounders again realizing that life is a grind without his true love of poker.
Damon portrays the main character brilliantly and Norton was so convincing that I actually felt angry at him for fouling everything all up. Malkovich invents his own odd version of the Russian accent while pulling off the role of Teddy that is completely unforgettable. There's also a great cameo by the 3 time World Series of Poker champion Jonny Chan.
Rounders portrays a professional gambler more realistically than I've ever seen it before. From hiding large amounts of cash all over the house to the dark smokey poker rooms hidden away in a basement to ring games at the casino. Amassing large fortunes and getting broke again then back in the same day. The life of gambling is one of extremes, danger and euphoria. People get drawn into it and like a drug become addicted, a small handful end up conquering it and carving out a life for themselves.
This movie can almost be attributed to the start of a new revolution of poker players, TV shows like World Poker Tour sprang up, attendance at the World Series of Poker has increased by bounds every year. Though it was an already growing sport, Rounders has been the catalyst to growth and has pulled people into poker like never before.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you?Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)