Billy-Dee-Williams Movie Reviews

I have fond memories of this any many more 80's TV mini-series, they really don't make them like this anymore. I remember this being really gripping as you watch the killer get away with it for year right under everyone's noses! A great series and now available in the UK on DVD!

Have not seen this movie in over 10 years - had been looking for it - I guess not hard enough! In any case - the video is in Great condition, shipped really fast - owner took great care of the movie and I trully thank him for auctioning it. If YOU dont have this movie GET it - no cussing, no blood and guts - just a GREAT MOVIE - ok I'll stop saying great and say SIMPLY OUTSTANDING!!!

Angela Riley

I have been searching for this chiefs mini series for years. Somehow I thought the title of the mini series was sherifs instead of chiefs. I would like to have the shorten vhs also if one is available anywhere. This was a very great mini series and now that I have a copy I will be enjoying this movies for years to come.

This is the only Dudikoff movie I like. He is convincing as the bumbling bounty hunter. The DVD sounds great especially in the action scenes...great snowmobile chase. And the fight scenes sounded real instead of the usual bad Hong Kong fight sounds. Funny and exciting...even my girlfriend liked it!

a different type of action movie that you would not usually see Michael Dudikoff in. the character he plays steers away from the 'martial arts superhero' stereotype and shows good acting abilities.

I was particularly impressed by the constant reference to professors in this film. In the setting that Scott Joplin was coming from, where big money was looking for fun and the music was incidental, the guys who played the piano were called professors, and they called their competition a cutting contest. Scott Joplin's music was good enough to win a contest, but he did best when he teamed up with a young professor who could give it zest. Taj Mahal appears in this film as a musical clown in a series of performers on two pianos who duet rambunctiously. Whoever was playing when Scott Joplin hit a long modulation went down with the question, "What key are you in?" a fate which is similar to what most college professors in the humanities are sure to endure in light of the Law of Small Numbers as explained in Randall Collins' book, THE SOCIOLOGY OF PHILOSOPHIES/A GLOBAL THEORY OF INTELLECTUAL CHANGE. As the ending of this film makes clear, Scott Joplin beat the odds by achieving success in 1975, long after he died in 1917. There is some concern in this film about professors who are pianists that can't read or write sheet music, much as the concern in THE SOCIOLOGY OF PHILOSOPHIES is about intellectuals who can't get anyone to read their articles. Toward the end of the film, the effort to convince Scott Joplin that he could still be the life of the party, when playing that role has turned to a bitter performance, gives some indication of how sad the ending of this film is going to be. The music is authentic, but it may seem like bits and pieces to anyone who knows the originals well enough to expect the whole song whenever a familiar little ditty gets going. There are some real musicians in addition to Taj Mahal, and the videotape says this is a Motown production. I happen to like Taj Mahal enough to think that his performance is one of the best parts of this movie, but Art Carney, as a musical publisher and business man, is also excellent in representing the link between Scott Joplin and the monetary popularity contest that makes American society (usually depicted as the Saint Louis, Mo. John Philip Sousa lovers in this film) the exciting spectacle that it always strives to be.

Probably one of the best depictions of Scott Joplin. Billy Dee Williams brings this musician to life. His music is only part of the story of this extraordinary man.

The real life story of a woman (Sophia Loren) who risks her life by taking part in an undercover operation. Her son's life is being destroyed by his dependency on drugs. With the help of drug agent (Billy Dee Williams), they start a battle against the cruel world of cocaine & heroin.
Originally shown as a mini-series. Approximately 133 minutes.

This film starring James Earl Jones is a nicely done,little known boxing movie about a retired boxer and his protege entering the big time.It's a must for Boxing movie fans!!

The second entry in the Star Wars trilogy is my personalfavorite. Irvin Kershner and George Lucas accomplished something fewother filmakers have done: They made a sequel that is considered to be better than the original. This film, has a more dark, eerie edge to it comparing it to Return of the Jedi or the original. This is probably the most realistic film of the series. Mark Hamil is great as Luke but probably is better in Return of the Jedi. Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford are in top form in this one though. At the 198O Academy Awards Empire won Best Sound and a Special Achievement Award for its dazzling visual effects. I felt bad that it didn't win Best Art-Set Direction but felt it got cheated when it lost Best Original Score since the score in this was probably the best in the series. The fight on the ice planet Hoth where the Imperial AT-AT Walkers attack the Rebel base is very exciting and memorable, as are several other scenes such as the chase through the asteroid field and the part where Han is lowered into the carbon-freezing pit in Cloud City. The dialogue is funny such as "Shut him up or shut him down!". Yoda was very good and Frank Oz did a great job as the voiceof Yoda. The climax is a thrilling lightsaber fight in the bowels of the Cloud City . It is my favorite one in the series, edging out the one in Return of the Jedi aboard the half-completed Death Star before the Emperor. Pretty cool. I really liked how you got to see Vader's meditation chamber and the Imperial Fleet. I also liked how you got to see all the Imperial officers and the inside area of the Executor. seeing more of the Cloud City made this dark film a bit brighter. I heavily recommend this movie to anyone, especially HUGE Star Wars fans like myself.

"Star Wars" began a cinematic adventure which introduced us to characters born from myth and fairy tales. The first sequel; "The Empire Strikes Back" takes these same characters and makes them people. "Empire" begins three years after the events in "Star Wars". All the important characters are still here only now there's a maturity and nobility to their prescence.

Luke Skywalker and his friends; pilot Han Solo and Princess Liea, in an attempt to evade the Empire are hiding on a frozen ice world. Pursuing them is Darth Vader who even more evil than before is obsessed with not only destroying the rebellion but capturing Luke Skywalker.

In the first film, the heroic trio of Luke, Han and Leia worked together through their adventures. In this installment they are split up after a sudden attack by the Empire. Han and Leia with Chewbacca and C-3PO escape near death together while Luke leads a brief defense against the Imperial attackers before escaping with R2-D2 to a mysterious swamp planet to learn more about the mystical Force.

From here the film follows two separate storylines. While Luke is trained by Yoda, a Jedi Master on the swamp planet of Dagobah, Darth Vader relentlessly pursues Han and Leia hoping to lure Skywalker to him. The pacing of this film is less kinetic than the first film or even the next sequel; "Return of the Jedi". However, the story is not dependant any miltary action or secret missions to save the galaxy. It's focus is on character and the loss of innocence. While there are plentiful action set pieces in this film the real excitment comes from the characters themselves and none more evident than in Han Solo.

In this film he is more of the lead character than Luke. His brazen disregard of responsibility in the first film is replaced with introspection and humanity here. He isn't concerned with money this time but only the saftey of his friends and it his sacrifice in the film where the "Star Wars" Trilogy reveals it's heart.

Filled with more imagination than any other "Star Wars" film, "The Empire Strikes Back" explores fears of heroes we know as family and subtly reveals their vulnerabilities. It is the best "Star Wars".

As long as there had been motion pictures, there had been science fiction films. Unfortunately, very few of them ever managed to hit the spot. That was, until 1977 rolled around. It was in this year that George Lucas would change the way we look at science fiction. How would he do this? With the film he released that year - Star Wars. The film was so successful, that two sequels were released! And in 1997, special edition versions of the films were released! How does The Empire Strikes Back, the second film in the classic trilogy measure up? Read on for my review.

BASIC PLOT:
The basic story of the movie goes something like this. Three years have past since the events of the first Star Wars film. The Rebel Alliance has gone into hiding in a base on the remote, icy world of Hoth. Unfortunately, the Galactic Empire discovers them. After an intense battle against imperial forces, Luke goes to a distant, swampy world to begin his training to become a Jedi knight, while Han and Leia get chased by the Empire, and a number of bounty hunters employed by them. The climax of the film comes in a lightsaber duel between Luke and Darth Vader, in which Vader makes a startling revelation...

FILM OPINIONS:
A great film - no questions asked. This is a rare example of a film nearly thirty years old that doesn't seem dated. Even by modern standards, this is still an excellent film. I was glad to see the movie get the remastering it so desperately needed. Oh, and to all you folks new to the series - steer clear of the prequels. Stick with the CLASSIC trilogy.

EXTRAS:
Even though this is a VHS tape and not a DVD (god only knows when this film will get a DVD release), Lucasfilm has included extra features. Before the actual film begins, you get a "making of" featurette, which is very informative and entertaining. But the best extra of all is the new footage - each film has had some new footage added. Of all the films, this one probably got the least new footage. A shame, since this is my favorite Star Wars film. Though these new scenes don't reveal anything important (many were originally thought of as outtakes), they're still a nice touch.

OVERALL:
The Star Wars films are science fiction masterpieces that don't fail to stand the test of time. Hell, these movies are better than most of the modern sci-fi films out there! If you're a fan of the genre, the Star Wars series is not to be missed.

The second entry in the Star Wars trilogy is my personalfavorite. Irvin Kershner and George Lucas accomplished something fewother filmakers have done: They made a sequel that is considered to be better than the original. This film, has a more dark, eerie edge to it comparing it to Return of the Jedi or the original. This is probably the most realistic film of the series. Mark Hamil is great as Luke but probably is better in Return of the Jedi. Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford are in top form in this one though. At the 198O Academy Awards Empire won Best Sound and a Special Achievement Award for its dazzling visual effects. I felt bad that it didn't win Best Art-Set Direction but felt it got cheated when it lost Best Original Score since the score in this was probably the best in the series. The fight on the ice planet Hoth where the Imperial AT-AT Walkers attack the Rebel base is very exciting and memorable, as are several other scenes such as the chase through the asteroid field and the part where Han is lowered into the carbon-freezing pit in Cloud City. The dialogue is funny such as "Shut him up or shut him down!". Yoda was very good and Frank Oz did a great job as the voiceof Yoda. The climax is a thrilling lightsaber fight in the bowels of the Cloud City . It is my favorite one in the series, edging out the one in Return of the Jedi aboard the half-completed Death Star before the Emperor. Pretty cool. I really liked how you got to see Vader's meditation chamber and the Imperial Fleet. I also liked how you got to see all the Imperial officers and the inside area of the Executor. seeing more of the Cloud City made this dark film a bit brighter. I heavily recommend this movie to anyone, especially HUGE Star Wars fans like myself.

"Star Wars" began a cinematic adventure which introduced us to characters born from myth and fairy tales. The first sequel; "The Empire Strikes Back" takes these same characters and makes them people. "Empire" begins three years after the events in "Star Wars". All the important characters are still here only now there's a maturity and nobility to their prescence.

Luke Skywalker and his friends; pilot Han Solo and Princess Liea, in an attempt to evade the Empire are hiding on a frozen ice world. Pursuing them is Darth Vader who even more evil than before is obsessed with not only destroying the rebellion but capturing Luke Skywalker.

In the first film, the heroic trio of Luke, Han and Leia worked together through their adventures. In this installment they are split up after a sudden attack by the Empire. Han and Leia with Chewbacca and C-3PO escape near death together while Luke leads a brief defense against the Imperial attackers before escaping with R2-D2 to a mysterious swamp planet to learn more about the mystical Force.

From here the film follows two separate storylines. While Luke is trained by Yoda, a Jedi Master on the swamp planet of Dagobah, Darth Vader relentlessly pursues Han and Leia hoping to lure Skywalker to him. The pacing of this film is less kinetic than the first film or even the next sequel; "Return of the Jedi". However, the story is not dependant any miltary action or secret missions to save the galaxy. It's focus is on character and the loss of innocence. While there are plentiful action set pieces in this film the real excitment comes from the characters themselves and none more evident than in Han Solo.

In this film he is more of the lead character than Luke. His brazen disregard of responsibility in the first film is replaced with introspection and humanity here. He isn't concerned with money this time but only the saftey of his friends and it his sacrifice in the film where the "Star Wars" Trilogy reveals it's heart.

Filled with more imagination than any other "Star Wars" film, "The Empire Strikes Back" explores fears of heroes we know as family and subtly reveals their vulnerabilities. It is the best "Star Wars".

As long as there had been motion pictures, there had been science fiction films. Unfortunately, very few of them ever managed to hit the spot. That was, until 1977 rolled around. It was in this year that George Lucas would change the way we look at science fiction. How would he do this? With the film he released that year - Star Wars. The film was so successful, that two sequels were released! And in 1997, special edition versions of the films were released! How does The Empire Strikes Back, the second film in the classic trilogy measure up? Read on for my review.

BASIC PLOT:
The basic story of the movie goes something like this. Three years have past since the events of the first Star Wars film. The Rebel Alliance has gone into hiding in a base on the remote, icy world of Hoth. Unfortunately, the Galactic Empire discovers them. After an intense battle against imperial forces, Luke goes to a distant, swampy world to begin his training to become a Jedi knight, while Han and Leia get chased by the Empire, and a number of bounty hunters employed by them. The climax of the film comes in a lightsaber duel between Luke and Darth Vader, in which Vader makes a startling revelation...

FILM OPINIONS:
A great film - no questions asked. This is a rare example of a film nearly thirty years old that doesn't seem dated. Even by modern standards, this is still an excellent film. I was glad to see the movie get the remastering it so desperately needed. Oh, and to all you folks new to the series - steer clear of the prequels. Stick with the CLASSIC trilogy.

EXTRAS:
Even though this is a VHS tape and not a DVD (god only knows when this film will get a DVD release), Lucasfilm has included extra features. Before the actual film begins, you get a "making of" featurette, which is very informative and entertaining. But the best extra of all is the new footage - each film has had some new footage added. Of all the films, this one probably got the least new footage. A shame, since this is my favorite Star Wars film. Though these new scenes don't reveal anything important (many were originally thought of as outtakes), they're still a nice touch.

OVERALL:
The Star Wars films are science fiction masterpieces that don't fail to stand the test of time. Hell, these movies are better than most of the modern sci-fi films out there! If you're a fan of the genre, the Star Wars series is not to be missed.

Brian's Song is one of the saddest movies ever made, based on the too-true story of the black/white friendship between Gale Sayer and Brian Piccolo. James Caan does a credible, if self-absorbed job as Brian -- his sickly scenes definitely do not hold up as well as you might remember, and though this movie definitely looks and sounds dated, it still packs a powerful emotional punch, in the same way that Terms of Endearment does. Beware: you are headed for very rough waters. And that Michel Legrand theme song, a classic for the ages, turns the nozzle to full-tilt. That final still image remains firmly etched in my mind, and the special relationship engendered here carries a special weight as one of the first of its kind ever seen in a film.

I was fifteen years old when "Brian's Song" premiered as a "Movie of the Week" on ABC-TV. I had no interest in sports then (I still don't), and had no intentions of watching this movie, but my dad persuaded me. "Just watch the first few minutes," he said. He knew that this was NOT a sports movie. He had read Gale Sayers' book "I Am Third" (upon which this movie is partially based), and knew that this was a movie about PEOPLE, not about football. The fact that the two lead characters are football players is almost incidental. This is a movie about friendship, love and courage. Needless to say, I watched it from start to finish, and have watched it many times since. Although its roots as a TV movie are obvious (the production values are nothing more than ordinary), "Brian's Song" is one of the most extraordinary films ever made, a particularly remarkable achievement when you consider its length of only 74 minutes. James Caan and Billy Dee Williams, both virtual unknowns at the time, play Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers with a sense of realism, and with respect for their real-life counterparts. Jack Warden is excellent (as always) as coach George Halas, and Shelley Fabares and Judy Pace turn in fine performances as Joy Piccolo and Linda Sayers. David Huddleston and Bernie Casey make the most of their small parts, and even real-life Chicago Bears provide some fine moments, particularly the "hazing" sequence. The sincere performances, along with William Blinn's beautifully-written teleplay, keep the action from becoming mawkish or sappy, Buzz Kulik's direction brought out the best in his actors, and Michel Legrand's score comments on the emotions in the film with exactly the right tone. (Legrand's penchant for marking musical cues to sudden movement onscreen is notable, and the gorgeous theme is one of the most emotionally charged pieces of music ever written.) The film ends on a freeze-frame of James Caan's face over narration by Jack Warden of William Blinn's words, and when that musical theme pulls out all the stops after Warden's narration ends, well...even the Chicago Bears themselves would be dissolved in tears. It's one of my all-time favorite movies, and I would recommend it without reservation to anyone, sports fan or not. Thanks, Dad.

The DVD version includes an exclusive short featurette, "Gale Sayers: First and Goal" in which present-day Gale Sayers discusses the movie and his career. It's interesting, but nothing special. Also included in audio commentary by Williams and Caan. Caan is a cutup and does most of the talking, and little of any real substance is said, but it IS quite entertaining, and definitely worth another viewing.

But then, "Brian's Song" is ALWAYS worth another viewing...

A true classic and tear jerker. It includes one of the best title songs of all time.

The third part to George Lucas' original trilogy isn't as good as the previous two, but still has it's moments of exciting action. Episode VI RETURN OF THE JEDI starts off where EMPIRE left off, with Luke and Leia rescuing Han Solo from the crime lord Jabba the Hutt. While the film is less exciting than it's counterparts, it does have some good action, including the rescue on the desert skiff, the speeder chase through the forest of Endor, the dark final battle between Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine and Luke and the destruction of the second Death Star. The lightsaber fights are some of the best in the Star Wars cannon and Princess Leia is hotter than ever! John William's score is even more exciting than ESB. The one thing that's somewhat grinding is the inclusion of the ewoks, but the rest is good-natured fun. If I were to place the Star Wars films in order from best to not-as-good, they would go THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, A NEW HOPE, ATTACK OF THE CLONES, RETURN OF THE JEDI and THE PHANTOM MENACE. I hope George decides to do parts VII, VIII and X, because they can bring back all the great characters that make these films so enjoyable. JEDI is another one that should be out on DVD...

Return Of The Jedi is the final installment in the amazing masterpiece trilogy: Star Wars, and is one of the best in the trilogy. It perfectly interweaves emotion, action, and romance in this epic masterpiece which finishes one of the greatest movie trilogies of all times.

The Galactic Empire has begun construction on a new Death Star which is even more powerful than the first Death Star, and meanwhile, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Lando Calrissian, Chewbacca, R2D2, and C3PO are attempting to rescue Han Solo from the evil clutches of Jabba The Hutt. After they rescue Han, they plan for the destruction of the new Death Star and find out that the Emperor is personally overseeing the final stages of the construction of the new Death Star. Han, Luke, Leia, 3PO, R2, and a group of rebel commandos must disable the Shield Generator on the orbiting moon of Endor to allow rebel fighter pilots to fly into the Death Star and destroy the main reactor. While the battle rages on, Luke must face his own destiny and confront Darth Vader in a battle to the death which may spell certain doom for the Rebel Alliance and their cause to restore freedom to the galaxy.

The entire movie shines with an epic look whether its a space battle, a sail barge assault above the jaws of a hungry Sarlacc, a Speeder Bike chase through the redwood forests of Endor, or a lightsaber duel between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. The emotions involved between Luke Skywalker and the truth about his past grip the audience in the same way that Luke feels, and suspend them above the fate of the Rebel Alliance. Han and Leia's feelings for each other are more developed in this movie, and really tie up loose ends that were left from The Empire Strikes Back. The entire movie actually ties up loose ends and is kind of the resolution point for the Star Wars trilogy. This movie is definitely the best in the trilogy, and worth buying. It is not a disappointment, but one of the greatest movies of all times.

Any fans of Star Wars or Classical Music will love this CD. Not one, not two -- but three successful soundtracks for the Star Wars trilogy and later films were composed by John Williams. He is the master of telling a story through music. "Return of the Jedi" is no exception. Williams' unique abilities to compell a movie with his music is accentuated in this wonderfully orchestrated endeavor. A must have for sci-fi movie fans. A+++

The third part to George Lucas' original trilogy isn't as good as the previous two, but still has it's moments of exciting action. Episode VI RETURN OF THE JEDI starts off where EMPIRE left off, with Luke and Leia rescuing Han Solo from the crime lord Jabba the Hutt. While the film is less exciting than it's counterparts, it does have some good action, including the rescue on the desert skiff, the speeder chase through the forest of Endor, the dark final battle between Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine and Luke and the destruction of the second Death Star. The lightsaber fights are some of the best in the Star Wars cannon and Princess Leia is hotter than ever! John William's score is even more exciting than ESB. The one thing that's somewhat grinding is the inclusion of the ewoks, but the rest is good-natured fun. If I were to place the Star Wars films in order from best to not-as-good, they would go THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, A NEW HOPE, ATTACK OF THE CLONES, RETURN OF THE JEDI and THE PHANTOM MENACE. I hope George decides to do parts VII, VIII and X, because they can bring back all the great characters that make these films so enjoyable. JEDI is another one that should be out on DVD...

Return Of The Jedi is the final installment in the amazing masterpiece trilogy: Star Wars, and is one of the best in the trilogy. It perfectly interweaves emotion, action, and romance in this epic masterpiece which finishes one of the greatest movie trilogies of all times.

The Galactic Empire has begun construction on a new Death Star which is even more powerful than the first Death Star, and meanwhile, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Lando Calrissian, Chewbacca, R2D2, and C3PO are attempting to rescue Han Solo from the evil clutches of Jabba The Hutt. After they rescue Han, they plan for the destruction of the new Death Star and find out that the Emperor is personally overseeing the final stages of the construction of the new Death Star. Han, Luke, Leia, 3PO, R2, and a group of rebel commandos must disable the Shield Generator on the orbiting moon of Endor to allow rebel fighter pilots to fly into the Death Star and destroy the main reactor. While the battle rages on, Luke must face his own destiny and confront Darth Vader in a battle to the death which may spell certain doom for the Rebel Alliance and their cause to restore freedom to the galaxy.

The entire movie shines with an epic look whether its a space battle, a sail barge assault above the jaws of a hungry Sarlacc, a Speeder Bike chase through the redwood forests of Endor, or a lightsaber duel between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. The emotions involved between Luke Skywalker and the truth about his past grip the audience in the same way that Luke feels, and suspend them above the fate of the Rebel Alliance. Han and Leia's feelings for each other are more developed in this movie, and really tie up loose ends that were left from The Empire Strikes Back. The entire movie actually ties up loose ends and is kind of the resolution point for the Star Wars trilogy. This movie is definitely the best in the trilogy, and worth buying. It is not a disappointment, but one of the greatest movies of all times.

Any fans of Star Wars or Classical Music will love this CD. Not one, not two -- but three successful soundtracks for the Star Wars trilogy and later films were composed by John Williams. He is the master of telling a story through music. "Return of the Jedi" is no exception. Williams' unique abilities to compell a movie with his music is accentuated in this wonderfully orchestrated endeavor. A must have for sci-fi movie fans. A+++