Courtney-B.-Vance Movie Reviews
VHS movie reviews for "Courtney-B.-Vance" sorted by average review score:
The Boys Next Door
Released in VHS Tape by Hallmark Home Entertainment (18 February, 2003)
Average review score: 
Beautiful, simply beautiful.Perfectly cast and well-acted. This a very touching movie without being sappy.
Excellent Potrayal of the Plight of Disability ServicesThis movie was incredibly accurate. Not only in relation to the limits of Holywood distortions, but it was true to the experiences, values, and attitudes of those involved. It captured the current crisis in Direct Support Services so well. It gave a face to the sad truth of what our nation values and does not value; and our nation clearly does not value its disabled brothers and sisters. The only problem is that hardly anyone will ever see this film, I wish it was on PBS or CBS, etc.
Excellent!I loved this movie----Nathan Lane really is great in this! A MUST SEE!
The Affair
Released in VHS Tape by Hbo Studios (02 June, 1998)
Starring: Courtney B. Vance, Kerry Fox, and Leland Gantt
Average review score:
Race, War and LoveIn "The Affair" Courtney Vance gives a strong performance as a Black G. I. stationed in England during W. W. II who meets and falls in love with a married Englishwoman. It is a compelling story because it dramatizes how dangerous love, whether extra-marital or not, could be between a Black man and a White Woman. It should be recalled that during W. W. II black and white soldiers in the U. S. still served in separate divisions. Racism, though somewhat less pronounced, still was rampant within the U. S. military and with that came the usual strong prohibition against sexual relations between the races. However, war, perhaps more than any other setting, allows for all kinds of situations. It was within this volatile mix of war and entrenched racism that a Black G. I. meets and falls in love with a White Englishwoman.
This is a movie that engages its audience at many levels. It can be seen as a Romeo and Juliet type of love tragedy, as a cautionary tale of the effects of war on both soldiers and civilians alike or, finally, as a reminder of the long road that U. S. society had yet to travel on the road to racial equality. Unfortunately, U. S. society is still on this road and has not yet reached its end. Perhaps, fine movies such as this one can spur faster movement toward the end of the road where there lies the racial equality that MLK spoke of forty years ago.
This is a movie that engages its audience at many levels. It can be seen as a Romeo and Juliet type of love tragedy, as a cautionary tale of the effects of war on both soldiers and civilians alike or, finally, as a reminder of the long road that U. S. society had yet to travel on the road to racial equality. Unfortunately, U. S. society is still on this road and has not yet reached its end. Perhaps, fine movies such as this one can spur faster movement toward the end of the road where there lies the racial equality that MLK spoke of forty years ago.
I saw this a couple years ago and it's one of my favorites..The affair between the English wife and the American soldier was probably one of the best, and saddest, stories I've watched in a long time. The wife must choose between keeping her affair a secret and condemning the man she's fallen in love with or risk losing her son. It's a hard choice, glad I don't have to make it.
An Awesome MovieThis movie details the love affair between a black G.I. in World War II, and a married English woman. They have a passionate and believable love. They, also, have a meeting place and one day when they meet they are discovered. What happens next is truly shocking. The end will shock you, which makes the movie even better. I recommend this movie highly.
Blind Faith
Released in VHS Tape by Showtime Entertainment 2 (10 October, 2000)
Average review score:
Excellent Movie.Surprisingly, this movie was excellent, if not for the story it told about the struggle of African Americans before the Civil Rights Movement, then certainly for the story it tells about homophobia, and the bigotry that exists in every community, minority or otherwise. I would recommend this movie to any person of color who is also an affectational minority.
Very riveting, suspenseful, and powerful!To me this is a story with many simple yet powerful messages. It quite accurately reflects the social attitudes of the 50s, especially as regards blacks (I won't go further for fear of giving away one of the plot twists). It forcefully leads us question our own priorities in life when making important decisions.
The story captures one's interest right away and doesn't let go of that interest all the rest of the way through. Going along with this, I must make the point that one just cannot help constantly feeling for the young man who is faced with the need of pleasing his father, on the one hand, and doing what is best for himself on the other.
The acting performances, especially by the young man, his father, and his lawyer, are powerful and forceful and don't sacrifice reality for the sake of dramatic effect. In fact, I found it very easy to put myself into the shoes of all of these characters and feel the stresses each one was experiencing.
The story is very true to life. It doesn't pull any punches and is told very straightforwardly and honestly.
In closing, I say that if I could give this movie a sixth star, I would do so. It goes without saying that it is a "must see," especially for those of us who are interested in facing life as it is rather than living constantly in a fantasy world.
Excellent!! A eye-opening family drama.Blind Faith is one of the best films of 1998. I truly enjoyed the content. I think that this movie shows one of the many struggles that African-American faced back in the days, other than being just black. This movie sends a strong message to those who might be dealing with problems pertaining to race and sexual preference. I think this eye-opening film truly deserves so sort of achievement award for it's courage in portraying an everyday ordeal of living in America against the odds.
Percy & Thunder
Released in VHS Tape by Warner Home Video (28 March, 1995)
Average review score:
Little Known,Nicely Done Boxing Movie!!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 Tuskegee Airmen
Released in VHS Tape by Hbo Studios (16 May, 2000)
This true story of the black flyers who broke the color barrier in the U.S. Air Force during World War II is a well-intentioned film highlighted by an excellent cast. Proud, solemn, Iowa-born Laurence Fishburne and city-kid hipster Cuba Gooding Jr. are among the hopefuls who meet en route to Tuskegee Air Force Base, where they are among the recruits for an "experimental" program to "prove" the abilities of the black man in the U.S. armed services. Fighting prejudice from racist officers and government officials and held to a consistently higher level of performance than their white counterparts, these men prove themselves in training and in combat, many of them dying for their country in the process. Andre Braugher costars as a West Point graduate who takes charge of the unit in Africa and in Italy (where it's christened the 332nd). The film is rousing, if slow starting and episodic, but it's periodically grounded by a host of war movie clichés, notably the calculated demise of practically every trainee introduced in the opening scenes (ironic given the 332nd's real-life combat record--high casualties for the enemy, low casualties among themselves, and no losses among the bombers they escorted). Ultimately the Emmy-nominated performances by moral backbone Fishburne and the dedicated Braugher and the energy and cocky confidence of Gooding give their battles both on and off the battlefield the sweet taste of victory. --Sean Axmaker
Average review score:
A true story told masterfullyAir Force pilots up to the 1930's where all of one race, untill a group of men proved that courage knows no color. Fishburne puts on an amamzing performance as the leader of the group, and all supporting actors place the film in good standing. This movie was an inspirational piece that should be viewed by anyone interested in WW2 history or just about anyone.
Outstanding film about outstanding men! Long overdue!This film is long overdue! The Tuskegee Airmen were one of the bravest groups of men to ever grace the uniformed services. They fought so much than just the "official" enemy. They fought racism on levels that most of us can never comprehend. Imagine the stress they must have been under at all times. Yet, they still took a stand for their country and changed things for all of us, regardless of race. These men have been so under-appreciated by the country, and especially by our home state, Alabama.
This movie should be incorporated into every Alabama history class in the state and every American hstory class in the country. It is an outstanding movie about an outstanding group of men. Every American should own it!
Note: In spite of what others may feel about the bravery and "kill counts" of the German fliers, the 332nd never lost a bomber that they were assigned to escort and even saved a few that they were not assigned to escort! Talk is cheap when there is documented proof! The Tuskegee Airmen rocked!
Outstanding!... But Could've Been BetterI was thrilled to hear about the coming of this movie--then saddened to realize that it was only to be shown as a TV movie. It seemed to me that the saga of these marvelous aviator warriors--treated as they were as second-class citizens by their own government--is one which deserved to be a silver-screen triumph. Our four-engine bombers were being punched out of the sky by the Luftwaffe, but NEVER when the Tuskegee pilots graced their wingtips. Their combat record was nothing short of amazing. The movie was well done, with great story, great actors, great acting. Still, I came away wishing that it might have been better in one respect: During the aerial combat segments, you hear the pilots bantering back and forth loudly over the radios using these rediculous phrases: "Take that, Gerry!" "That's for yo mamma, Gerry!" This was such a great movie; why did they have to dip into corny dialogue during the dog-fighting? It was a flawless procduction till it went hackneyed in those moments.
Aside from that, it was awe-inspiring, moving, even gripping. I just hope the subject is not dropped, and that someday the Tuskegee heroes' story is given even better homage--on the silver screen. This is a far more important story than, say, the sinking of the Titanic.
Aside from that, it was awe-inspiring, moving, even gripping. I just hope the subject is not dropped, and that someday the Tuskegee heroes' story is given even better homage--on the silver screen. This is a far more important story than, say, the sinking of the Titanic.
Race to Freedom: The Underground Railroad
Released in VHS Tape by Xenon Studios (13 February, 1996)
Average review score: 
Good but still HollywoodThis is a film demonstrating the frustrating experiences and heroic attempts of abolitionists and fugitive slaves. It is a great introduction to the subject for younger viewers. Some scenes are graphic in violence (true to life). Other sequences are little more than stereotypical vehicles for a storybook happy ending. The cruelty of slavery is minimized, yet the terror of attempted escape is portrayed intensely. The streamlined representation of the Underground Railroad is romantacized and not enough credit is given to the initiative of the runaways themselves. As a film it is engaging. As a representation of history it needs a clarifying introduction.
Race to Freedom: The Underground RailroadI just watched this movie for a study in my history class, and was completely captivated. I thought it was going to be a boring
school movie, but was amazed to find otherwise. After the film ended, I was heartbroken because I wanted to watch it again. Fortunately, I know that it is available on video so I might purchase it in the near future. RACE TO FREEDOM is a superbly acted, well dramatized historical film that displays the horror
of slavery with great intelligence. This film is well scripted
and well laid out. The ending, though being very fairy-taleish
is extremely happy and when it ended, our class clapped. Hehe, and when Solomon shot the bounty hunter (from 'Cowboys Don't Cry'), our class cheered. An excellent film.
school movie, but was amazed to find otherwise. After the film ended, I was heartbroken because I wanted to watch it again. Fortunately, I know that it is available on video so I might purchase it in the near future. RACE TO FREEDOM is a superbly acted, well dramatized historical film that displays the horror
of slavery with great intelligence. This film is well scripted
and well laid out. The ending, though being very fairy-taleish
is extremely happy and when it ended, our class clapped. Hehe, and when Solomon shot the bounty hunter (from 'Cowboys Don't Cry'), our class cheered. An excellent film.
Excellent and spell-binding movie.This video is an excellent addition to anyone's library. It follows the journeys of four runaway slaves to the promised land in Canada. The filming is beautiful and the story heartrending and powerful. Shows the difference that human beings can make by helping one another against the odds. I would definitely recommend this movie.
Race to Freedom: The Underground Railroad (EP Version)
Released in VHS Tape by Xenon Studios (05 March, 1996)
Average review score:
Good but still HollywoodThis is a film demonstrating the frustrating experiences and heroic attempts of abolitionists and fugitive slaves. It is a great introduction to the subject for younger viewers. Some scenes are graphic in violence (true to life). Other sequences are little more than stereotypical vehicles for a storybook happy ending. The cruelty of slavery is minimized, yet the terror of attempted escape is portrayed intensely. The streamlined representation of the Underground Railroad is romantacized and not enough credit is given to the initiative of the runaways themselves. As a film it is engaging. As a representation of history it needs a clarifying introduction.
Race to Freedom: The Underground RailroadI just watched this movie for a study in my history class, and was completely captivated. I thought it was going to be a boring
school movie, but was amazed to find otherwise. After the film ended, I was heartbroken because I wanted to watch it again. Fortunately, I know that it is available on video so I might purchase it in the near future. RACE TO FREEDOM is a superbly acted, well dramatized historical film that displays the horror
of slavery with great intelligence. This film is well scripted
and well laid out. The ending, though being very fairy-taleish
is extremely happy and when it ended, our class clapped. Hehe, and when Solomon shot the bounty hunter (from 'Cowboys Don't Cry'), our class cheered. An excellent film.
school movie, but was amazed to find otherwise. After the film ended, I was heartbroken because I wanted to watch it again. Fortunately, I know that it is available on video so I might purchase it in the near future. RACE TO FREEDOM is a superbly acted, well dramatized historical film that displays the horror
of slavery with great intelligence. This film is well scripted
and well laid out. The ending, though being very fairy-taleish
is extremely happy and when it ended, our class clapped. Hehe, and when Solomon shot the bounty hunter (from 'Cowboys Don't Cry'), our class cheered. An excellent film.
Excellent and spell-binding movie.This video is an excellent addition to anyone's library. It follows the journeys of four runaway slaves to the promised land in Canada. The filming is beautiful and the story heartrending and powerful. Shows the difference that human beings can make by helping one another against the odds. I would definitely recommend this movie.
The Last Supper
Released in VHS Tape by Columbia/Tristar Studios (29 September, 1998)
Starring: Cameron Diaz and Ron Eldard
Painted in mile-wide strokes of black satirical comedy, The Last Supper turns intolerance into a parlor trick, then repeats it ad nauseam in case we missed the joke. Still, redundancy can be fun when applied to the premeditated murder of right-wing extremists by self-righteous left-wing zealots; director Stacy Title is an equal-opportunity offender, never taking sides. The grisly high jinks commence when a truck-driving, child-molesting, Hitler-loving ex-Marine (Bill Paxton, acing the role) is accidentally killed while dining with a clutch of snobby liberal grad students, played with uniform excellence by Cameron Diaz (showing early promise), Ron Eldard, Courtney B. Vance, Annabeth Gish, and coproducer Jonathan Penner. Having acquired a taste for blood, the wine-poisoning liberals stage "last suppers" with hand-picked targets (Charles Durning, Mark Harmon, Jason Alexander, and ultimately Ron Perlman), eventually attracting a suspicious sheriff (fine work by SNL alumnus Nora Dunn). It's got all the subtlety of a pile-driver, but The Last Supper craftily defends free speech by exposing its most vicious violations. --Jeff Shannon
Average review score:
What if...I'm thinking, "What if I didn't waste time watching this trash, disguised as entertainment?" Would I have done something more productive? I think, yes. Even if I spent the entire time banging my head against the wall for the whole time, it would have been a far better endeavor than watching this trash.
While ultimately this film tries to make you think about tolerating the opinion of the next person, it conducts its' lesson by creating conservative stereotypes as manifested by left-wingers. So if the roles had been reversed, liberals would be screaming about this film years later. But since the Hollywood community is controlled by left-wingers, you don't hear a peep out of anyone in that industry about the horrible personalities created by this film.
The sad thing is that the characters created in this film are really how Hollywood sees conservatives. Left-wingers actually create these people and truly believe that this is the way conservatives think and act. Of course, conservatives don't think and act as depicted in this film but left-wingers don't understand this point. This is the main reason why liberalism is a dying idealogy in the U.S. It's an idealogy that just doesn't get it. It creates enemies that don't exist and in fighting these imaginary enemies, their real opponents walk away the victor.
This might have been a good film if the "conservatives" in the film were real. That their opinions were those of real conservatives. But the problem would have been that the liberal characters would have been seen in a far worse light than just murderers; they would have been seen as irrational lunatics that can't see reason. And that's not what the director was trying to show. The idea was to show liberals as being well-intentioned yet mistaken in their methods.
If they had done the film correctly, conservatives would be invited to supper, they would have explained real-world thinking to the liberals, and the liberals would have killed the conservatives simply because they could not grasp what mainstream America already embraces as its' philosophy. But, again, this would have taken the film in too far of a supportive perspective of conservatives and that's certainly not acceptable to the producers of this poorly conceived tripe.
Funny and tragic.What do you get when you mix a house full of self-righteous left-wingers with a lone red neck trucker? You get the film "Last Supper."
Although there are some acting and scripting flaws, this movie is great. It makes you laugh, then it makes you gasp in horror...and best of all: it makes you think.
This film left me thinking, "Do I really care that much about other peoples' opinions?" I walked away from this flick with a new philosophy and way of looking at people who think differently than I: In America, we all have the right to be wrong.
No matter what your political affiliation, you'll probably enjoy this film. Don't be too sensitive or you'll be offended. Just watch, think and then think some more.
Secrets in the sauceThis movie is about a group of grad students who go off the deep end with their political views. They end up inviting to dinner various people who have completely opposite political views. The dinners end up being a trail for the lives of their dinner guests and the deciding factor: how well they represent themselves and how much they are liked by their hosts (well not always). As the drama builds in this film the reason for a verdict in the hosts favor becomes more and more bizarre. Contributing factors: The living life between each other and the tension between themselves and the one person who upsets them the most, a television man completely opposite of every political value they have they watch him obsessivly even screaming at the television as if he could hear them. This is one of cameron diaz's first movies although unknown by many, w/ the suprise ending its one of the best movies I've ever seen.
The Adventures of Huck Finn
Released in VHS Tape by Buena Vista Home Vid (15 January, 2002)
Starring: Elijah Wood
Huckleberry Finn's age has been scaled down in this 1993 Disney film in order to accommodate star Elijah Wood's young years at the time. But that's not the only concession Mark Twain's great American novel must make to Disney revisionism. Wood's Huck, as adapted for the screen by writer-director Stephen Sommers, is all rascal and only nominally a philosopher, which takes a lot of the soul out of Twain's extraordinary story about Huck's enlightenment while traveling with the slave Jim (Courtney B. Vance) along the Mississippi river. Big chunks of the journey are also minimized in significance, and not just for the sake of storytelling economy. Jason Robards Jr. and Robbie Coltrane brighten things up, but overall this is an unnecessarily simplified version of an important story. --Tom Keogh
Average review score:
This is definitely not Mark Twain's Huck FinnIf you're looking for a film starring Elijah Wood, you could do worse than this one. If you're looking for Huck Finn, skip it. No fault of Wood's (who is really too young and far, far too pretty to play Twain's teenaged river rat), but this is more of a Saturday morning romp than the dark, thoughtful tale Twain wrote. Notwithstanding Wood's outraged reactions to Jim's desire to be free, there's little of Huck's inner self here (which Twain got across so beautifully). As Jim, Courtney B. Vance puts in a lovely, nuanced performance that would have soared in a more courageous film, and Jason Robards and Robbie Coltrane are sadly wasted in their roles. Although it's certainly true that books can never be translated wholely to the screen, I would have loved to see Wood & company essay their roles under the auspices of a different studio, one less vested in rewriting American culture. All in all, a disappointment, despite the charm of angelic Elijah.
As far as the DVD edition goes, it's quite a good transfer. Quality is even all the way through, and the commentary is interesting. A relief to see it in widescreen, as well - too many kid's films are released in full-screen.
Not Twain's Huck, but lively and charmingOnce you accept that Elijah Wood is several years too young for the role AND playing both Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn simultaneously (Tom is left out of the movie, but some of his character and the incident of his being shot remains), he does a bang-up job with the part and is surrounded by enough good character actors to bring off a plausible Classics Illustrated version of the great American novel. Certainly it moves at a fast pace, and does not shy away from some ugly scenes showing Pap's murderously abusive behavior, the tragic and pointless feud, and the sheer nastiness of the King and Duke. The race issue is glossed over much too easily - all Huck needs is a kind little heart to get beyond the prejudices of his entire society, and his new-found perspective seems to spread far too easily to everyone in his life. But this is Disney, so perhaps a full development of Twain's themes is hardly to be expected. Enjoy it for the colorful characters and for Wood's lively and charming performance as Huck.
My Favorite family filmA great performance by Elijah Wood. Get the DVD, and enjoy the extras, especially the AUDIO COMMENTARY.
The Adventures of Huck Finn
Released in VHS Tape by Disney Studios (18 February, 1997)
Starring: Elijah Wood
Huckleberry Finn's age has been scaled down in this 1993 Disney film in order to accommodate star Elijah Wood's young years at the time. But that's not the only concession Mark Twain's great American novel must make to Disney revisionism. Wood's Huck, as adapted for the screen by writer-director Stephen Sommers, is all rascal and only nominally a philosopher, which takes a lot of the soul out of Twain's extraordinary story about Huck's enlightenment while traveling with the slave Jim (Courtney B. Vance) along the Mississippi river. Big chunks of the journey are also minimized in significance, and not just for the sake of storytelling economy. Jason Robards Jr. and Robbie Coltrane brighten things up, but overall this is an unnecessarily simplified version of an important story. --Tom Keogh
Average review score:
This is definitely not Mark Twain's Huck FinnIf you're looking for a film starring Elijah Wood, you could do worse than this one. If you're looking for Huck Finn, skip it. No fault of Wood's (who is really too young and far, far too pretty to play Twain's teenaged river rat), but this is more of a Saturday morning romp than the dark, thoughtful tale Twain wrote. Notwithstanding Wood's outraged reactions to Jim's desire to be free, there's little of Huck's inner self here (which Twain got across so beautifully). As Jim, Courtney B. Vance puts in a lovely, nuanced performance that would have soared in a more courageous film, and Jason Robards and Robbie Coltrane are sadly wasted in their roles. Although it's certainly true that books can never be translated wholely to the screen, I would have loved to see Wood & company essay their roles under the auspices of a different studio, one less vested in rewriting American culture. All in all, a disappointment, despite the charm of angelic Elijah.
As far as the DVD edition goes, it's quite a good transfer. Quality is even all the way through, and the commentary is interesting. A relief to see it in widescreen, as well - too many kid's films are released in full-screen.
Not Twain's Huck, but lively and charmingOnce you accept that Elijah Wood is several years too young for the role AND playing both Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn simultaneously (Tom is left out of the movie, but some of his character and the incident of his being shot remains), he does a bang-up job with the part and is surrounded by enough good character actors to bring off a plausible Classics Illustrated version of the great American novel. Certainly it moves at a fast pace, and does not shy away from some ugly scenes showing Pap's murderously abusive behavior, the tragic and pointless feud, and the sheer nastiness of the King and Duke. The race issue is glossed over much too easily - all Huck needs is a kind little heart to get beyond the prejudices of his entire society, and his new-found perspective seems to spread far too easily to everyone in his life. But this is Disney, so perhaps a full development of Twain's themes is hardly to be expected. Enjoy it for the colorful characters and for Wood's lively and charming performance as Huck.
My Favorite family filmA great performance by Elijah Wood. Get the DVD, and enjoy the extras, especially the AUDIO COMMENTARY.