George-Miller Movie Reviews

"Kiss Me Kate" is Cole Porter's charming update of Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew". It stars Kathryn Grayson as Lily Vanessi, a hyper-sensative diva of the stage who stars opposite her ex-husband (Howard Keel) and his new lover (Ann Miller). On their way to a hit show, the three repeatedly bump heads and egos, ultimately finding true love. Porter's score for this musical is perhaps his finest, with such standards as "From This Moment On", "Wunderbar" and the title track. "A" list performances throughout make "Kiss Me Kate" a real show stopper.
Unfortunately the same can't be said for Warner Home Video's dull looking transfer. Colors are muted, at time appearing bleached or, at the very least, weak. The same is true of the picture's contrast and black levels. There is a haze that plagues the picture quality throughout and adds to its overly soft characteristic.
Now, about that - the visual characteristic is generally soft looking throughout (most likely the result of over use of noise reduction equipment used to master the DVD). On a 32 inch television screen the picture will merely appear generally soft. On a 65 inch monitor it looks down right blurry and at times incredibly out of focus.
I am really at a loss to explain why this movie looks this bad. Owning the laserdisc and, doing a side by side comparison, I can report that the laserdisc actually surpasses this DVD in all of the above mentioned catagories. Of course, no laserdisc can hold a candle to DVD, in its superior resolution capabilities, and this DVD is no exception. There is no edge enhancement, aliasing or fine detail shimmering to speak of. This movie has been remixed to 5.1 surround. It's generally good, only suggesting a strident characteristic during brief interludes of dialogue or effects. The musical score is well represented.
Extras: Another all too short featurette on Cole Porter and the making of this movie - this one hosted by Ann Miller, but also featuring snippets from Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Tommy Rall and James Whitmore. A theatrical trailer and isolated music track are also worthy of mention.
Bottom Line: In light of Warner's usually pristine efforts on DVD this transfer is a big disappointment and NOT recommended.

A recent review I read of the re-release of KISS ME KATE refers to this film as one of MGM's lesser musicals. Of course for MGM, even their "lesser" musicals are still something to see. Howard Keel plays the swashbuckling, good hearted, but somewhat of a heel character of Fred Graham rather well. When Kathryn Grayson's Lilli Vanessi sings "I Hate Men," we believe her. Ann Miller is wonderful as the brassy, lovable Lois which begins with her "Too Darn Hot" number at the beginning and her "Always True to You In My Fashion" is both humorous and sincere. The dance numbers are well done, particularly "From This Moment On" which includes the talents of Ann Miller, Bob Fosse, and Bobby Vann is one of the films gems.

The chief weakness of the film version of KISS ME KATE is due not to the acting, but more to the fact that this "play within a play" works better on stage than on screen. As far as the quality of the film is concerned, as other reviewers have noted, there is something missing in this transfer to DVD which takes away some of the magic. Still, movie buffs will want this DVD in their collection, especially fans of the great musicals.

Kiss Me Kate is a wonderful presentation. Produced in 1953 it contains faux 3D affects -- with objects thrown at the camera (it probably was originally shown in 3D) occasionally. That's a little distracting, but it is a period piece.
The show stopper Brush Up Your Shakespeare with Keenan Wynn and James Whitmore is excellent. Although neither is a singer or a dancer, they are charming.
The comedy by-play of Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keel as the feuding divorced couple starring in a play within a play is wonderful. The staging of their two dressing rooms along with the choreography as they waltz through the rooms and hallway is fun to watch.
The dancing is top rate with Ann Miller and Bobby Van, but my favorite person to watch is the very young Bob Fosse. Even in the early fifties you can see the dance moves that made him famous for the next four decades.
This is a movie I'll watch again and again. I'll purchase the DVD when it becomes available, too.

Though not quite as gripping as the original radio play, this is nonetheless a fine exercise in suspense. Barbara Stanwyck and Burt Lancaster lead a fine cast through the classic story of the sinister plot overheard on the phone. Indeed, the telephone is a major player in the cast and plotline. There are some better film-noir thrillers out there, but this one is still a "must." Highly recommended.

I'm actually writing because I wanted to inform the previous reviwer that the radio broadcast of "Sorry, Wrong Number" starring Agnes Moorehead MAY be available through www.radiospirits.com. I actually own a recording of a radio broadcast of "Sorry, Wrong Number" performed by Stanwyck and Lancaster a year or so after the movie was released. Anyway, I do love the movie and Barbara's performance (isn't hard to believe she never won an Oscar other than the Honorary Award she was given in March '82?). I intend to buy the DVD soon!

A powerhouse performance by Barbara Stanwyck carries this film noir suspense thriller straight to the end. She plays Leona, a spoiled pharmaceutical heiress who's bedridden due to a hypochondriatic "heart condition". Pampered by her widowed father, she's always gotten everthing she wanted by manipulating her illness to her benefit. She's married to a younger man who's poor but given a good job by her father in his company to keep Leona happy. One night, when she is left alone in her shadowy house, she accidentally overhears a murder being plotted on the phone (her access to the world) and then later discovers it's her own murder being discussed. Frantically, she tries to get help and begins piecing together the events leading up to this moment through flashbacks. Stanwyck is awesome in a performance demanding neurotic hysteria as a hypochondriac who has alienated everyone including her husband and father with her demands and behavior. She should have gotten the Oscar she was nominated for. Burt Lancaster plays the hapless husband who is driven to extreme means to achieve success on his own terms but winds up in over his head and lives to regret it. This was originally a radio thriller by Lucille Fletcher (who also did the film's screenplay) with Agnes Moorehead as Leona. The story is well transposed to the screen and is a nailbiter. The ending is surprising for the time and must have been a shocker in 1948. Under the superb direction of Anatole Litvak, Stanwyck pulls out all the stops as a woman who cried wolf once too often. A real treat on DVD as it looks and sounds fine and a great collectors' item for Stanwyck fans as well.

Adam Sandler is my favorite comedian. No matter what he does, it seems to be golden. There hasn't been a movie from him that I've seen that I didn't like. But before he was making movie...he was on Saturday Night Live. And although SNL [is weak] today, it was extremely funny in the early and mid 90's. My favorite member of the cast, of course, was none other than Adam Sandler. So when I saw this DVD at Best Buy, you know I had to buy it.

And it was well worth it. We get the great Operaman skits, the hilarious Canteen Boy (probably the funniest SNL skit ever), and the skit I can relate to the most, the Denise show. There are also many other funny skits worth watching.

My only criticism is that there should be a lot more special features. That's one of the reasons you buy a DVD player, so I think a lot of emphasis should be on special features. Maybe some extra commentary, or maybe a behind-the-scenes of SNL type of thing would be great, so they fall short there.

But overall, this is a great purchase, and a great addition to anyone's DVD collection.

During the early to mid-90s, a few comedians ruled NBC's "Saturday Night Live," and they got future film careers out of it all. Dana Carvey, Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, and now even Rob Schneider have all gone on to fruitful film careers, with Carvey finally getting back in the game (hopefully) after heart problems (though "Master of Disguise" didn't help him too much). Other funny comedians such as Kevin Nealon and Phil Hartman, though equally funny, never got very far. Nealon made some cameos in his fellow "SNL" friends' films ("Happy Gilmore," "Master of Disguise," "Anger Management"), while Hartman was shot by his wife before he got anywhere at all.

Adam Sandler has probably gotten the most out of "Saturday Night Live." He appeared in one film prior to his casting on "SNL." It was a film called "Going Overboard," and it is a true cinematic disaster. After "SNL," however, he has appeared in such flicks as "Billy Madison," "Happy Gilmore," "The Waterboy," "The Wedding Singer," and last year's "Punch-Drunk Love," in which he displayed his true feelings behind the goofy boy persona.

"Saturday Night Live: The Best of Adam Sandler" is a compilation of his greatest moments on the famed television show, ranging from skits involving original characters such as Canteen Boy and Operaman, to the host of "The Denise Show" and The Herlihy Boy Homesitter.

I stumbled upon this DVD while I was at my video store picking up another "SNL" DVD. I was happy because I like the early 90s segments of "Saturday Night Live" much more than the recent episodes, especially now that Will Ferrell has left the show. I was pretty excited that I had found it.

Which is why I was a bit disappointed. I liked this collection of his so-called "greatest moments," but I can't necessarily say that I've seen nothing better. In fact, some of the skits on this DVD are not that funny after a while. The Herlihy Boy Homesitter gets old pretty fast, and while I liked "The Denise Show," I recall seeing a much funnier sequence of the same fake TV show with Nicole Kidman as a guest star - and it was funnier than this one.

Thinking back, I didn't laugh a whole lot at all the skits. They weren't as funny or outrageous as those included in this year's "The Best of Will Ferrell." Is it because Adam Sandler himself isn't funny? Many people think so. I think he's good at what he does. I like his goofy comedies like "Happy Gilmore" because they put a smile on my face (though he's far from being a great comedian at all). Also included on the DVD is the song that inspired his animated feature film "Eight Crazy Nights," as well as Iraqi Pete (an odd skit but pretty funny). I had already seen a few of these skits on television before, including that involving Kevin Nealon and guest star Kirstie Alley being bothered by sex-craved Italians in a hotel.

My favorite skit, however, would have to be one that has Michael Keaton paying Chris Farley to keep an eye on his frail grandmother while he goes back to his room with a girl for a half hour. The grandmother (played by Sandler with a wig) wants Joey (Keaton), and she doesn't want anything to do with Farley. Farley tries to help her with everything but "she" screams and claims he's attacking her. Keaton comes out and beats up Farley a few times in the process. Funny stuff, but still a long shot from anything extraordinary.

And just as with "The Best of Will Ferrell," I am disappointed in this DVD's length. 73 minutes is short for a collection such as this. I understand that it originally aired on television, and with commercials it runs to a full 90 minutes. However, why not make it a full two hours with commercials? That would mean the DVD, without commercials (of course), would run closer to 90 minutes than 70. Or why not include a batch of extra "Best Of" scenes for the Special Edition DVD? That would interest many more buyers.

There are also no special features on this DVD, save one single photo gallery that scans through a handful of snapshots from the skits for about thirty seconds. The new "Best Ofs" contain dress rehearsals, outtakes, Conan O'Brian interviews, and photo galleries. I suppose there wasn't much footage left over since Adam Sandler's skits were filmed before DVDs and Lorne Michaels never thought of saving some deleted scenes and so on and so forth. But it would have been interesting to have more than a photo gallery. Maybe even trailers for some of Sandler's movies?

Strictly speaking, it's not an overblown Special Edition DVD like so many nowadays. It is basically exactly what it says - a collection of his best moments. No real special features, no commentaries, etc. Just the same as the TV broadcast only on DVD format. I guess that's OK.

If you're a fan of "Saturday Night Live" or Adam Sandler, I recommend picking up this DVD. However, if you want a good laugh, I recommend picking up "The Best of Will Ferrell" or "Dana Carvey," which I am told is hilarious and is next on my list. Steve Martin is always a good bet, too, but you may have more trouble finding older episodes - not many people care for them anymore. I'm still waiting on "The Best of Dan Aykroyd," "Chevy Chase," and "Gilda Radner," to name a few of many....

"Saturday Night Live: The Best of Adam Sandler" runs 73 minutes, and includes many different skits. It is not rated and contains some sexual content and language. Its single bonus feature is a photo gallery.

Look at the title of this DVD (or VHS) and that's exactly what you get. "SNL's The Best of Adam Sandler" is a must-have for any Sandler fan. Even if you're not a big SNL fan, it's still a great collection to have.

When you purchase this bad boy, what you get is about 73 minutes of pure hilarity and the chaotic genius of Mr. Sandler. Every skit is hilarious and will leave you wanting more. This is something you will want to watch over and over again. (Then, you'll watch it again!) With an all-star cast and plenty of big star cameos, this is an outstanding collection.

Some of the skits included are: The Denise Show, Cajun Man, Grandma, Canteen Boy, Opera Man, Zagat's, Gap, Schmitts Gay, Herilhy Boy, Iraqui Pete, and many more.

Some of the stars (and cameos) included are, David Duchovny, Rob Schneider, Alec Baldwin, Chris Farley, David Spade, Michael Keaton, and many more.

My favorite skit by far has to be "The Denise Show." No matter how many times I see that skit, it never gets old. I also enjoyed the "Grandma" skit, with the very funny Michael Keaton and the late Chris Farley. (Chris Farley is probably the one who brought out the best in Sandler, as he is in many of them. We miss you Chris!)

All in all, an EXCELLENT collection. Topnotch all the way on all fronts. This is a DVD (or VHS) that will entertain you over and over again. If you love Adam Sandler, or SNL, then this is the collection you've been waiting for.

This film is a must see for any devoted MM fan. Although this isn't one of her better films, it showcases her singing abilities with a few musicals numbers: After you get what u want you don't want it, Heatwave, and Lazy. She was fun to watch, even though, from what I have read, she wasn't having too much fun on the set. Her presence onscreen is like watching a star shining brightly in the sky. The story is good. It does have a few slow momments, but it entertains. I also thought that Donald O'Conner and Johnny Ray were very good too. O'Connor was a good dancer and shows his stuff in this film. I recommend this film for your Marilyn collection, if you like watching her sing, dance, and act in glitzy musical comedies. This movie is worth seeing to see Marilyn and Johnny Ray belt out some tunes and watch O'connor step in time.

Opening text: "Back in 1919, Vaudeville was a very big part of Show Business. Our story is about the Donahues, a very little part of Vaudeville."

Yes, the trials and triumphs of the Donahues are examined from 1919 to World War II. They go from being the Two Donahues to The Five Donahues, with variances inbetween. There are the parents, Molly and Terrance, and their three offspring, Steven, Katy, and Tim, whose adult careers are also covered.

However, the real drama involves the two sons. Steven decides to become a priest, which upsets the father. However, his mother and Katy are supportive. It's all a matter of perspective. For Steve, it's a change in venue, only the church has had a pretty long run. Tim becomes romantically involved with aspiring blonde singer Vicky Parker, played by (guess who?) and runs into all sorts of ups and downs. However, he gets jealous when he suspects he's having an affair with the producer, Lew Harris.

The musical numbers vary from extravagant and splashy to simplistic, and it's the latter that play better, such as the "Lazy" number featuring Monroe, Gaynor, and O'Connor. However, the "Heat Wave" number, with Latin rhythms fused with the usual big band stuff and MM's hot costume, is a highlight. And the lengthy "Alexander's Ragtime Band" may offend those of German, French, and Scottish ancestry who don't like this glossy cariacaturing of their ethnicity, i.e. costumes and bogus accents. Still, the bright colours are praiseworthy.

The interractions between Ethel Merman and Dan Dailey work the best, as the parents who want the best for their children and struggle. At one point, they buy a house in Jersey, but what a time for a mortgage, especially during the Depression. Most people gave up the theatre, with the theatres in turn giving up the Donahues.

As for MM, she sings three solo numbers, "After You Get What You Want You Don't Want It", the languid "Lazy", and the scorching "Heat Wave", which has her in a suggestive costume, black and white on the outside, red on the inside, with a full open skirt revealing her underthings. She felt denigrated by the number, upset, saying, "I did what they said and all it got me was a lot of abuse...Big breasts, big a--, big deal. Can't I be anything else? The dance people kept making me flash the skirt wide open and jump around like I had a fever...it was ridiculous."

This would be the last time MM would play a supporting role in a picture. The reason was 20th Century Fox, which agreed to give her the starring role in The Seven Year Itch if she did this movie. For this reason, the natural stars of the show are Ethel Merman and Donald O'Connor, two years after he made it big in Singin' In The Rain. Merman plays her usual brassy self--after all, as Dan Dailey tells her, she isn't exactly Whispering Jack Smith.

However, Mitzi Gaynor (Katy) is the real one to watch. Four years away from her biggest hit, South Pacific, she's more congenial and lovable than Monroe in this picture, and her graceful and slender figure is an asset. Her bright face is very expressive in the "A Sailor Isn't A Sailor Until He Gets A Tattoo" number. Johnnie Ray (Steven), who had a hit with "Cry" three years earlier, has a good personality in this film, but his voice does not compare with the others.

All splash and no substance is kind of accurate in depicting this film, although there are a few saving graces. Come on, Irving Berlin deserved a better tribute than this, surely.

One of the great musicals of the 50`s. All star cast and great numbers. Ethel Merman at her finest singing the title song. Worth buying the DVD just for that. Marilyns Heatwave number makes the mercury jump to 93. Dan Dailey always one of my favorites overshadowed by Astaire and Kelly. Donald O Connors finest hour was of course Make Em Laugh from Singing In The Rain but this is close second.The lovely Mitzi Gaynor and of course a man sadly forgotten by some nowadays. The Prince of Wails himself. Johnny Ray proving that he was better that most pop singers who turn to acting.I remember seeing this at a young age in our local theatre and thinking it was great all these years later i still feel the same...The question now is when will Call Me Madam appear on DVD also starring Ethel and Donald. A treat indeed for anyone who enjoy`s a good musical.

This is a deliciously wicked fun film! Great premise, awesome characters, terrific performances, fun plot! What's not to like??? This is a film you'll enjoy watching again and again.

To begin with, the title of this movie might actually be considered a misnomer since Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Cher don't play true witches; they're just three ordinary-acting girlfriends who happen to have psychic powers through some unexplained twist of Hollywood magic.

Once they conjure up their ideal man in the form of Jack Nicholson, all three women are taken in by his uncanny abilities to bring out their wild sides. Who can forget, for example, the "cello lesson" he gives Jane (Sarandon); or the way he "sweet-talks" Cher into staying when she wants to leave?

Whoever did the special effects for this movie did a darn good job; they're what I enjoy the most about this movie. One of the most beautiful (and funny) effects would be the part when Nicholson makes all three women float above the indoor pool...before his concentration is broken by the entrance of Fidel (Carel Struckyen)....and they all fall in.

And when our heroines discover that the source of Nicholson's power is actually voodoo....! You fill in the blank.

(Carel Struckyen would later go on to play a recurring role on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" as another mute character, Mr. Homn: the personal aide to Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett)).

This is a good film about 3 lovely, lonely and bored witches, (Cher, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer) who engage in a battle of wits with the devil himself (Jack Nicholson). This is a good film with snappy dialogue and beautiful New England scenery. Some may say the ending is a bit overdone and outrageous, but somehow it fits in with the film, after all it is an offbeat film, offbeat but fun! Also starring in this movie is Veronica Cartwright (Alien, The Birds).

This is a deliciously wicked fun film! Great premise, awesome characters, terrific performances, fun plot! What's not to like??? This is a film you'll enjoy watching again and again.

To begin with, the title of this movie might actually be considered a misnomer since Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Cher don't play true witches; they're just three ordinary-acting girlfriends who happen to have psychic powers through some unexplained twist of Hollywood magic.

Once they conjure up their ideal man in the form of Jack Nicholson, all three women are taken in by his uncanny abilities to bring out their wild sides. Who can forget, for example, the "cello lesson" he gives Jane (Sarandon); or the way he "sweet-talks" Cher into staying when she wants to leave?

Whoever did the special effects for this movie did a darn good job; they're what I enjoy the most about this movie. One of the most beautiful (and funny) effects would be the part when Nicholson makes all three women float above the indoor pool...before his concentration is broken by the entrance of Fidel (Carel Struckyen)....and they all fall in.

And when our heroines discover that the source of Nicholson's power is actually voodoo....! You fill in the blank.

(Carel Struckyen would later go on to play a recurring role on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" as another mute character, Mr. Homn: the personal aide to Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett)).

This is a good film about 3 lovely, lonely and bored witches, (Cher, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer) who engage in a battle of wits with the devil himself (Jack Nicholson). This is a good film with snappy dialogue and beautiful New England scenery. Some may say the ending is a bit overdone and outrageous, but somehow it fits in with the film, after all it is an offbeat film, offbeat but fun! Also starring in this movie is Veronica Cartwright (Alien, The Birds).

This is a deliciously wicked fun film! Great premise, awesome characters, terrific performances, fun plot! What's not to like??? This is a film you'll enjoy watching again and again.

To begin with, the title of this movie might actually be considered a misnomer since Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Cher don't play true witches; they're just three ordinary-acting girlfriends who happen to have psychic powers through some unexplained twist of Hollywood magic.

Once they conjure up their ideal man in the form of Jack Nicholson, all three women are taken in by his uncanny abilities to bring out their wild sides. Who can forget, for example, the "cello lesson" he gives Jane (Sarandon); or the way he "sweet-talks" Cher into staying when she wants to leave?

Whoever did the special effects for this movie did a darn good job; they're what I enjoy the most about this movie. One of the most beautiful (and funny) effects would be the part when Nicholson makes all three women float above the indoor pool...before his concentration is broken by the entrance of Fidel (Carel Struckyen)....and they all fall in.

And when our heroines discover that the source of Nicholson's power is actually voodoo....! You fill in the blank.

(Carel Struckyen would later go on to play a recurring role on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" as another mute character, Mr. Homn: the personal aide to Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett)).

This is a good film about 3 lovely, lonely and bored witches, (Cher, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer) who engage in a battle of wits with the devil himself (Jack Nicholson). This is a good film with snappy dialogue and beautiful New England scenery. Some may say the ending is a bit overdone and outrageous, but somehow it fits in with the film, after all it is an offbeat film, offbeat but fun! Also starring in this movie is Veronica Cartwright (Alien, The Birds).

This is about the only War of 1812 film you will find out there. Why is that so? Americans don't like being the bad guys or the losers, and we were both in this war. This movie is your standard Hollywood late swashbuckler adventure, the time was running out on these old classics when this one was made. Still, Yul Brenner and Heston are really good. Heston catches the mad side of old Hickery well I think. As for Lafete, we don't know that much about him. But in actuality Lafete and his pirates played little part in Jackson's victory. In fact, there is no reason why we won that battle accept the British made several key mistakes. Jackson was a competent general, but his role in the victory, and our need to feel good about one episode of this otherwise embarrassing conflict has been overrated. Provoked by Britain's desire to prevent free trade with napoleanic France, and by several incidents of pressganging US sailors, the United States was eager to flex its muscile and make good on invading Canada, as the last time in 1775 had been another set-back. After two years of incompetence, during which out of frustration we burned the town of York (present day Toronto) and put 80 Canadian families out into the cold, the US was still no closer to caturing Canada. With the conclusion of the napolanic wars, the british decided to send 16,000 veterans of Wellington's wars in Spain over to punish the United States. With our fleet blocked up or destroyed after some heroic actions, the whole of the east coast was open to British incursion. A roving squadron landed troops and avenged the burning of york by sacking washington in 1814. Yet, the highlight of the British effort was to capture New Orleans and sever Louisanna from us. Maj-Gen Edward Packenham commanded a most impressive force to do this. There was little Jackson could do to stop 12,000 British veterans, but the terrian and over-confidence would prove their undoing. The highlight of the movie for me is the British attack of the 93rd Highlanders. Here they are shown in kilts, which is incorrect. The 93rd wore trews (paints)instead. The 93rd's attack was typical of the bungled affair this battle was for the British. Ordered to attack after their initial columns were repulsed, the 93rd could have overtaken the American line, but were halted and re-directed when Packenham fell mortally wounded and the whole Britsh command and control fell apart. The 93rd Highlanders, now known as the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, lost 2/3rds of their strength in this lop-sided American victory. Oddly enough, when the British attack was called off, the forces on the other side of the Mississippi had completely overwhelmed the American defendeers there. Unfortunately, the extent of packenham's setback on the other side of the river prevented any British success in this area. The film does a workmanship job of depicting some of these events, though the role played by the pirates is indeed over-played. Still, a worthy classic and about the only thing you ever see on this conflict in the movies.

Even though there is very little historical fact in this movie, i.e., The Buccaneer VHS ~ Yul Brynner is simply, merely and basically a stupendous, amazing and a remarkable swash buckler movie filled with action, conflict and two incredible actors. As people know (and should know from reading my precious reviews), Heston is by far my favorite actor; however, Yul Brynner was and is by know means a slouch himself. Brynner and Heston play their roles with vigor, confidence and a swagger of superiority that is seldom seen in today's movies. I was especially impressed with Brynner in his portrayal of the pirate (a role that could easily have become a parody of good, decent and well done acting); instead, he gives a very moving rendition that shows the talent of a true master at work. The costumes, scene and music all add to the movie and the battle scene (discarding the fact that it is historically incorrect) is awesome and filled with adrenaline, raw emotion and pure brute strength; all components in real war. I must say that I was very pleasantly surprised and I would whole heartedly (without a shadow or notion of a doubt in my heart or soul) recommend this movie as great swashbuckler.

The Buccaneer is one of my all-time-favorite pirate flims. This movie should have won a few Oscars. It was, however, nominated for Best Costume Design and it should have won that award, because the costumes were exactly accurate to the time era of 1812. It should have been nominated for Best Cinemaography, Best Art Direction, Best Musical Score by Elmer Bernstien, Best Interior Design, and for Best Set Decarations. Even though this movie didn't get any awards, it's still a great flim. If you love pirate movies and if you want a piece of American history, give The Buccaneer a try.

The Universal Frankenstein saga continues with Boris Karloff returning to the series that he helped start. This time, however, Boris stays out of the monster suit and plays the mad doctor. The movie effectively blends a Dracula segment with a Frankenstein story and keeps the Wolfman and the hunchback around for good measure. John Carradine is smooth as silk as Dracula. His performance isn't as mysterious as Bela Lugosi's or as menacing as Christopher Lee's, but he does well in a costarring role. Glenn Strange plays the Frankenstein monster for the first time. Lon Chaney, Jr is back again as Larry "The Wolfman" Talbot. Being frozen in ice for a year (since "Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman") hasn't chilled his discontent. He still anguishes over his beastly supernatural tendencies, but he manages to display some very human yearnings for the gypsy-dancing girl, Ilonka (Elena Verdugo). The "man-into-werewolf" transformation under the mesmerizing influence of the full moon is still the stuff of childhood nightmares. J. Carroll Naish as the resident hunchback adds pathos to a minor role. Boris Karloff is dignified and quietly insane as Dr. Niemann. His unholy zeal to find Dr. Frankenstein's records and continue his diabolical work in brain transplants is the catalyst that advances the story. The dark humor and the intelligent nuances of the early James Whale entries in this series are replaced in this film by a fast-paced, horror-comics level story. Only the Universal "monster factory" could pull these wildly diverse elements together and bring everything to the inevitable conclusion in one hour and eleven minutes. In the realm of classic horror films, this is a second string entry. Regardless, it's an entertaining flick for those who need the occasional "monster movie" jolt. Suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride. ;-)

This film shows escaped criminals, Karloff and Naish, posing as horror show operators. The first half deals with the ressurected Dracula ( portrayed by John Carradine). When Dracula is subdued, the two go to the village of Frankenstein to find the werewolf( Lon Chaney Jr.) and the Monster(Glenn Strange) . A very exciting conclusion. Sequel: House of Dracula

HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN is probobly the best in the Wolfman, Frankenstein, and Dracula series. Originily entitled THE DEVILS BROOD (or BLOOD, as it says on the back cover,) HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN originally had some other monsters put togeather with the three main ones. Vincent Price as THE INVISIBLE MAN,
Acqquinetta as THE CAPTIVE WILD WOMAN, Tom Tyler as THE MUMMY,
and finally David Bruce as THE MAD GHOUL. Even without those monsters, HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN remains a clasic.

As a film, this is a bit of a mess. Frank fits in too much stuff for our own good, so repeated viewing is required. If you don't know anything about the band, it will seem pointless!If you do, it will still seem quite pointless!

THere are a lot of weird images here, almost psychedelic except Frank was anti-drugs. It's about his rock group on tour and they moan about how bad it is to be in the band and how they can't get any action playing this silly comedy music and how little money they make and how FRank tapes them talking and uses that material in his compositions and takes all the credit...frank was a bit like a documentary maker. THere's also a lot of invented characters like the industrial vacuum cleaner from chunga's revenge, the keith moon nun character, theodor bikel's character.

Other interesting people appear, like jimmy carl black and ringo starr as FZ. Ringo's chauffeur plays the bass.

THe music is the best thing about it. Rock:Magic Fingers is a song about that favourite zappa subject, sex. It has a fabulous guitar solo. THere are other great songs like Mystery Roach and She painted up her face. And of course LOnesome cowboy Burt. Classical:there's lots of it. It's Zappa so it has elements of avant garde composers like varese,stravinsky,ligeti,webern if you like that kind of stuff. THe orchestra appear all over the film.

Also there's a cartoon sequence which is very strange.

You won't have a clue what's going on in this film but you might like it.

This movie is very good. But the reason, why I didn't give it 5 stars, is that here are some cuts, which are so dumb, and annoying. I don't see Frank Zappa a lot in here. They show him sometimes when they perform. And they perform the songs live. In the soundtrack, they re-record it in studio. You can hear it, and see it, by their sweat. But I really don't understand, what the movie is all about. But you'll enjoy. It's really interesting to watch a movie, with real rock stars. And real live performances.

After viewing this film one thing was left in the recogninces of my mind. Zappa is a genius. Not only is he a terrific guitar player,the music sequences display that, but as a film maker he truley shines. My personal favorite scene would have to be the part when Keith Moon, as the nun, thinks he is dying of a drug overdose. A close second is the notorious Centerville scene. Seeing to ex-Byrds wandering in a LSD like state is priceless. So, if you are a Zappa fan or you just want to watch a really "Groovie" movie, check out 2oo MOtels, and tell them Lonesome Cowboy Burt sent Ya. Jeremy"Thing Fish" Simpson