James-Belushi Movie Reviews

Jumping Jack Flash must be my all-time favourite film - it is the only one I can watch over and over again without getting bored. Whoopi Goldberg was hilarious in this film (but then she is a wonderful, natural comedian who can also bring tears to the eyes when needed). Whatever she does, she does well and puts so much feeling into her work. Needless to say she is also my favourite actress. Keep up the good work, Cheers, Blue Wren.

Critics really loved to trash this movie... Well they're all wrong. Jumpin Jack Flash was Whoopi Goldberg's frist comedy film and I think to this day it is one of the best films she has made. I guarentee you will love this one! With Penny Marshall as director, you can't Miss!

Whoopi Goldberg shined in this film. The plot, characters and laughs all worked together to create a truly remarkable and fun movie. Lots of very hilarious scenes and sticky situations. The perfect balance of comedy, action, drama, supsense and romance. Recommended for late nights and rainy afternoons.

Jumping Jack Flash must be my all-time favourite film - it is the only one I can watch over and over again without getting bored. Whoopi Goldberg was hilarious in this film (but then she is a wonderful, natural comedian who can also bring tears to the eyes when needed). Whatever she does, she does well and puts so much feeling into her work. Needless to say she is also my favourite actress. Keep up the good work, Cheers, Blue Wren.

Critics really loved to trash this movie... Well they're all wrong. Jumpin Jack Flash was Whoopi Goldberg's frist comedy film and I think to this day it is one of the best films she has made. I guarentee you will love this one! With Penny Marshall as director, you can't Miss!

Whoopi Goldberg shined in this film. The plot, characters and laughs all worked together to create a truly remarkable and fun movie. Lots of very hilarious scenes and sticky situations. The perfect balance of comedy, action, drama, supsense and romance. Recommended for late nights and rainy afternoons.

Mr. Destiny is not only fun entertainment, it deals with the question every person asks at some time in their life: How would my life be different now if only I had....? James Belushi charmingly plays the man who lost his job, and finds himself wishing he could change his past and start over. He finds his chance to do just that after a little magical intervention by Mr. Destiny (Michael Caine). With just one change in his past...from losing the big baseball game, to winning it, Belushi's life takes a different path. Suddenly plopped into his new life, with a different wife and a different job, he encounters many troublesome adventures...humorous for the viewer, but disastrous for Belushi. Just at the point of hopelessness, Mr. Destiny intervenes again, but I won't give away anymore of the plot here. I loved Belushi's character... in spite of his troubles, he confronts all situations with grace and humor. The movie is sweet, funny, and even carries an encouraging message: Don't regret the past, but go forward and make the best of what you've got!

I purchased my vhs version before they ran out. Just because everyone else says it, you will never get me to say this is a great movie. However this is a great movie. Only James Belushi can take a formula story ant turn it into a fun to watch script. Even when you know how it will turn out in the end, the details and how they evolve are fun to watch over and over. And there is a great supporting cast. You could tell where this movie was going when Jewel Jagger (Courteney Cox) threatens to fork Larry Burrows (James Belushi) to death.

The cast:

Linda Hamilton - Ellen Burrows: Michael Caine - Mike: Jon Lovitz - Clip Metzler: Hart Bochner - Niles Pender: Bill McCutcheon - Leo Hansen: Rene Russo - Cindy Jo: Jay O. Sanders - Jackie Earle : Maury Chaykin - Guzelman : Pat Corley - Harry Barrows : Douglas Seale- Boswell : Courteney Cox - Jewel Jagger : Doug Barron - Lewis Flick : Jeff Weiss - Ludwig : Tony Longo - Huge Guy : Kathy Ireland - Gina : Andy Stahl - Jerry Haskins (as Andrew Stahl) : Bryan Buffington - Boy : Sari Caine - Girl : Martin Thompson - Guest Stilton : Michael Genevie - Guest #1 : Osamu Sakabe - Nakamura : Howard Kingkade - Guest #2 : Eddita Hill - Juanita :Collin Bernsen - Tom Robertson : William Griffis - Maitre D' : John Garver - Waiter : Terry Loughlin - Wine Steward : Adam Eichhorst -Teenager :Jeffrey Pillars - Truck Driver :Richie Devaney - Young Larry :Bruce Evers - Team Coach : Whit Edwards - Young Jerry : Sky Berdahl - Young Clip :Raymond L. Anderson - Umpire :Heather Lynch - Young Ellen :James Douglas (II) - Mr. Ripley :Chris Stacy - Teammate : Jesse J. Donnelly - The Cop :Polli Magaro - Bartender (uncredited)

The soundtrack is still available Mr. Destiny (1990 Film) [SOUNDTRACK]ASIN: B000003TEH

The first time I saw this movie, I knew I would purchase the video. Great cast of characters along with an entertaining story that seems to really happen to some people. James Belushi does an oustanding acting performance as well as Michael Caine. The lovely Linda Hamilton is superb in her character changes and certainly adds to the quality of the story line. (I love her anyway) Sometimes I wish this could happen to me in the real world, but.......oh well. If you get a chance to see the film, do so by all means. Once you get caught up in the story you'll appreciate the efforts by all the cast. Thanks Jim

With this film's plot centered around a bet made by two old geezers (Ralph Bellamy, Don Ameche), this age-old question is met with some rather unique and strange results. Randolph Duke (Bellamy) makes a $1 bet with his brother Mortimer Duke (Ameche) that environment usually plays a bigger role than heredity in developing a person's personality and character. To achieve this feat, the Dukes' play havoc with the lives of their star-broker employee (Dan Aykroyd) and a socially-disadvantaged street urchin (Eddie Murphy) by switching their personalities. Billy Ray Valentine (Murphy) takes Louis Winthorpe III's (Aykroyd) place and is successfully molded as a wealthy executive, getting Winthorpe's house, car and assets, while Winthorpe is set up by the Dukes' and loses all his worldly possesions and gets arrested for illegal drug posession and winds up on skid-row. Winthorpe then loses his fiance and is paired with a setimental, caring hooker (Jamie Lee Curtis), who eventually takes heed of Winthorpe's plight and lets him move in with her. Valentine then learns of the Dukes' scheme to switch he and Winthorpe back to their respective environments, and Valentine and Winthorpe get set to move in for the kill. They get even by putting the Dukes in the poorhouse, and make a similar $1 bet the Dukes made. This is one movie that has comedy and suspense rolled into one! Buy your copy of "Trading Places" today.

The movie is funny enough, but the main reason to buy this DVD is for the pause function and the scene with Jamie Lee Curtis topless. This scene is probably the finest work she ever did.

Eddie Murphy is at the top of his game in Trading Places. This was before his career exploded and he started believing his own hype. Dan Akroyd is hilarious as Louis Winthorp, a pampered, spoiled Ivy League Lawyer who is trying hard to make partner at his firm, Duke & Duke. The Dukes, Randolph (played by Ralph Bellamy) and Mortimer (Don Ameche) are the real scene stealers in this film and provide the plot for the film when Randolph bets his brother Mortimer $1.00 that he can switch Winthorp with any street hood and have him succeed. Heredity or Environment? Well, the results are pee your pants funny. Eddie Murphy's character Billy Ray Valentine is a street wise hustler with an aserbic wit and tongue. Jamie Lee Curtis plays Winthorp's unlikely love interest (she's a prostitute) and she goes topless which is worth the price of admission alone. Anyway, this is a must own dvd and among the best comedies ever made. Highly Recommended.

Michael Mann's dark and intriguing 1981 crime film "Thief",....adapted from the Frank Hohimer novel "The Home Invaders" is finally out on DVD and packed with interesting features including insightful commentary by director Michael Mann and star James Caan.

Additionally, there are deleted scenes, theatrical trailer and an 8 page booklet too....excellent additions to accompany the DVD release of this noir cult film. The DVD color transfer is excellent...precisely capturing the neon lit and rain swept night world of crime...and Tangerine Dreams haunting soundtrack is brilliant in Dolby sound. Mann's movie depicts the life of ex-convict turned professional thief, Frank (James Caan) who maintains an honest veneer during the day as a car dealership manager, but his nights are spent with partner Barry (James Belushi) carrying out elaborate jewel robberies. Frank falls in with criminal mastermind, Leo (Robert Prosky in a chilling performance) who is seemingly a guardian angel...but the relationship quickly sours and Franks world crumbles and then ignites in violence and death.

Mann's highly effective use of light and color give an eerie ambience to this film...and the first rate support cast including Tuesday Weld and Willie Nelson as the ailing master safe cracker, Okla....give "Thief" a polished finish. Director Michael Mann continued his motif of criminal thrillers in later years with TV shows like Miami Vice & Crime Story...and films like Manhunter & Heat.

A very worthy addition to your DVD collection...fans of intense, intelligent crime saga's will definitely enjoy !!

In his finest role to date, veteran actor James Caan plays Frank, an ultra-cool, independent jewel thief with some very definite plans. Frank reluctantly gets involved with a mobster who changes all those plans. Frank is "Joe the boss of my own Universe" as he tells Leo (Robert Prosky)upon their first meeting. Unfortunately for Frank, he'll soon find that Leo has become the boss of his universe once he agrees to "freelance" for him. To get free, Frank has to dismantle the picture perfect life he tried to assemble, and start over again. ................ This film has a wonderful noir mood with all the atmospheric rain soaked Chicago streets, earthy dialogue and colorful characters. These come in the form of crooked DTs and mobster henchmen to name a few, peppering the screen with non-stop action. These characters feel very real, and keep you riveted throughout. ............ Director Michael Mann, who also created "Heat" and "Man Hunter" as well as the "Miami Vice" TV classic of the 80s, did some of his best work in this film. The soundtrack from "Tangerine Dream" is no less than outstanding. The entire score really enhances every scene. I especially love the wonderfully sensual sounding lead guitars during the exciting culmination of the story when Frank faces Leo solo to take back his independence. .......... Willie Nelson as David Okla, master thief that taught Frank his craft, and Dennis Farina in his big screen debut (with BLACK hair!) as one of Leos henchmen are two of many interesting faces and characters along the way. .............. Since this is one of my favorite films, I can truly say, if you have never seen "Thief"... you've been robbed of a truly great film viewing experience.

I first saw this film soon after it was released, having no idea what to expect except that it was filmed in my home town (Chicago) and that it starred James Caan whose work I had admired so much in The Godfather. I neither knew nor cared who directed it (Michael Mann) and had no idea which group provided the musical soundtrack (Tangerine Cream). Wow! I enjoyed Thief so much I returned to see it again the next evening, dragging along some friends who knew even less about it than I did only 24 hours before. In my opinion, this is Caan's finest performance as Frank, a middle-aged jewel thief who is obviously determined to make a long-cherished dream come true: Retire from his criminal life, marry, start a family, and live happily ever after. He carries a photo collage in his wallet as a daily reminder of that dream. He shares it only with Jessie (Tuesday Weld) because she is the only person with whom he wants to share his life. Meanwhile, Frank has established contact with Leo (Robert Prosky) who seems to take a paternal interest in Frank but only to gain his trust so that Frank will agree to an assignment for the mob. Of course, Leo has no intention of allowing him to retire. Once involved with the mob, Frank will have no way out except death. After he and Jessie marry and move into a lovely home, they are frustrated in their attempts to adopt a child so Leo provides one ("Boy or girl? Whatever you want.") and much of Frank's dream has come true. One last lucrative theft and....

Under Mann's direction, all of the performances are outstanding. I was especially interested in the care with which the major theft is planned and then executed. When Frank then realizes that he cannot free himself from the mob, he reacts with prudence (to protect his wife and child) and then with rage and vengeance. The soundtrack and cinematography are brilliantly integrated within the narrative. The editing by Mann and Dov Hoenig is lean and sharply-focused. When I saw Thief again recently, it had lost none of its dramatic impact; moreover, I recognized this time around certain nuances of character and plot development which I had missed before. I include it on my list of great films which have never been fully appreciated, probably because -- until the VHS and CD versions -- so few people had been able to see it. No excuses now.

The DVD version includes a commentary by Mann and Caan, deleted scenes, and footage not shown in theaters. I also strongly recommend the CD of the Tangerine Cream soundtrack which evokes so many memorable images from the film but, for those who have not as yet seen it, one which offers great listening in its own right.

Michael Mann's dark and intriguing 1981 crime film "Thief",....adapted from the Frank Hohimer novel "The Home Invaders" is finally out on DVD and packed with interesting features including insightful commentary by director Michael Mann and star James Caan.

Additionally, there are deleted scenes, theatrical trailer and an 8 page booklet too....excellent additions to accompany the DVD release of this noir cult film. The DVD color transfer is excellent...precisely capturing the neon lit and rain swept night world of crime...and Tangerine Dreams haunting soundtrack is brilliant in Dolby sound. Mann's movie depicts the life of ex-convict turned professional thief, Frank (James Caan) who maintains an honest veneer during the day as a car dealership manager, but his nights are spent with partner Barry (James Belushi) carrying out elaborate jewel robberies. Frank falls in with criminal mastermind, Leo (Robert Prosky in a chilling performance) who is seemingly a guardian angel...but the relationship quickly sours and Franks world crumbles and then ignites in violence and death.

Mann's highly effective use of light and color give an eerie ambience to this film...and the first rate support cast including Tuesday Weld and Willie Nelson as the ailing master safe cracker, Okla....give "Thief" a polished finish. Director Michael Mann continued his motif of criminal thrillers in later years with TV shows like Miami Vice & Crime Story...and films like Manhunter & Heat.

A very worthy addition to your DVD collection...fans of intense, intelligent crime saga's will definitely enjoy !!

In his finest role to date, veteran actor James Caan plays Frank, an ultra-cool, independent jewel thief with some very definite plans. Frank reluctantly gets involved with a mobster who changes all those plans. Frank is "Joe the boss of my own Universe" as he tells Leo (Robert Prosky)upon their first meeting. Unfortunately for Frank, he'll soon find that Leo has become the boss of his universe once he agrees to "freelance" for him. To get free, Frank has to dismantle the picture perfect life he tried to assemble, and start over again. ................ This film has a wonderful noir mood with all the atmospheric rain soaked Chicago streets, earthy dialogue and colorful characters. These come in the form of crooked DTs and mobster henchmen to name a few, peppering the screen with non-stop action. These characters feel very real, and keep you riveted throughout. ............ Director Michael Mann, who also created "Heat" and "Man Hunter" as well as the "Miami Vice" TV classic of the 80s, did some of his best work in this film. The soundtrack from "Tangerine Dream" is no less than outstanding. The entire score really enhances every scene. I especially love the wonderfully sensual sounding lead guitars during the exciting culmination of the story when Frank faces Leo solo to take back his independence. .......... Willie Nelson as David Okla, master thief that taught Frank his craft, and Dennis Farina in his big screen debut (with BLACK hair!) as one of Leos henchmen are two of many interesting faces and characters along the way. .............. Since this is one of my favorite films, I can truly say, if you have never seen "Thief"... you've been robbed of a truly great film viewing experience.

I first saw this film soon after it was released, having no idea what to expect except that it was filmed in my home town (Chicago) and that it starred James Caan whose work I had admired so much in The Godfather. I neither knew nor cared who directed it (Michael Mann) and had no idea which group provided the musical soundtrack (Tangerine Cream). Wow! I enjoyed Thief so much I returned to see it again the next evening, dragging along some friends who knew even less about it than I did only 24 hours before. In my opinion, this is Caan's finest performance as Frank, a middle-aged jewel thief who is obviously determined to make a long-cherished dream come true: Retire from his criminal life, marry, start a family, and live happily ever after. He carries a photo collage in his wallet as a daily reminder of that dream. He shares it only with Jessie (Tuesday Weld) because she is the only person with whom he wants to share his life. Meanwhile, Frank has established contact with Leo (Robert Prosky) who seems to take a paternal interest in Frank but only to gain his trust so that Frank will agree to an assignment for the mob. Of course, Leo has no intention of allowing him to retire. Once involved with the mob, Frank will have no way out except death. After he and Jessie marry and move into a lovely home, they are frustrated in their attempts to adopt a child so Leo provides one ("Boy or girl? Whatever you want.") and much of Frank's dream has come true. One last lucrative theft and....

Under Mann's direction, all of the performances are outstanding. I was especially interested in the care with which the major theft is planned and then executed. When Frank then realizes that he cannot free himself from the mob, he reacts with prudence (to protect his wife and child) and then with rage and vengeance. The soundtrack and cinematography are brilliantly integrated within the narrative. The editing by Mann and Dov Hoenig is lean and sharply-focused. When I saw Thief again recently, it had lost none of its dramatic impact; moreover, I recognized this time around certain nuances of character and plot development which I had missed before. I include it on my list of great films which have never been fully appreciated, probably because -- until the VHS and CD versions -- so few people had been able to see it. No excuses now.

The DVD version includes a commentary by Mann and Caan, deleted scenes, and footage not shown in theaters. I also strongly recommend the CD of the Tangerine Cream soundtrack which evokes so many memorable images from the film but, for those who have not as yet seen it, one which offers great listening in its own right.

Michael Mann's dark and intriguing 1981 crime film "Thief",....adapted from the Frank Hohimer novel "The Home Invaders" is finally out on DVD and packed with interesting features including insightful commentary by director Michael Mann and star James Caan.

Additionally, there are deleted scenes, theatrical trailer and an 8 page booklet too....excellent additions to accompany the DVD release of this noir cult film. The DVD color transfer is excellent...precisely capturing the neon lit and rain swept night world of crime...and Tangerine Dreams haunting soundtrack is brilliant in Dolby sound. Mann's movie depicts the life of ex-convict turned professional thief, Frank (James Caan) who maintains an honest veneer during the day as a car dealership manager, but his nights are spent with partner Barry (James Belushi) carrying out elaborate jewel robberies. Frank falls in with criminal mastermind, Leo (Robert Prosky in a chilling performance) who is seemingly a guardian angel...but the relationship quickly sours and Franks world crumbles and then ignites in violence and death.

Mann's highly effective use of light and color give an eerie ambience to this film...and the first rate support cast including Tuesday Weld and Willie Nelson as the ailing master safe cracker, Okla....give "Thief" a polished finish. Director Michael Mann continued his motif of criminal thrillers in later years with TV shows like Miami Vice & Crime Story...and films like Manhunter & Heat.

A very worthy addition to your DVD collection...fans of intense, intelligent crime saga's will definitely enjoy !!

In his finest role to date, veteran actor James Caan plays Frank, an ultra-cool, independent jewel thief with some very definite plans. Frank reluctantly gets involved with a mobster who changes all those plans. Frank is "Joe the boss of my own Universe" as he tells Leo (Robert Prosky)upon their first meeting. Unfortunately for Frank, he'll soon find that Leo has become the boss of his universe once he agrees to "freelance" for him. To get free, Frank has to dismantle the picture perfect life he tried to assemble, and start over again. ................ This film has a wonderful noir mood with all the atmospheric rain soaked Chicago streets, earthy dialogue and colorful characters. These come in the form of crooked DTs and mobster henchmen to name a few, peppering the screen with non-stop action. These characters feel very real, and keep you riveted throughout. ............ Director Michael Mann, who also created "Heat" and "Man Hunter" as well as the "Miami Vice" TV classic of the 80s, did some of his best work in this film. The soundtrack from "Tangerine Dream" is no less than outstanding. The entire score really enhances every scene. I especially love the wonderfully sensual sounding lead guitars during the exciting culmination of the story when Frank faces Leo solo to take back his independence. .......... Willie Nelson as David Okla, master thief that taught Frank his craft, and Dennis Farina in his big screen debut (with BLACK hair!) as one of Leos henchmen are two of many interesting faces and characters along the way. .............. Since this is one of my favorite films, I can truly say, if you have never seen "Thief"... you've been robbed of a truly great film viewing experience.

I first saw this film soon after it was released, having no idea what to expect except that it was filmed in my home town (Chicago) and that it starred James Caan whose work I had admired so much in The Godfather. I neither knew nor cared who directed it (Michael Mann) and had no idea which group provided the musical soundtrack (Tangerine Cream). Wow! I enjoyed Thief so much I returned to see it again the next evening, dragging along some friends who knew even less about it than I did only 24 hours before. In my opinion, this is Caan's finest performance as Frank, a middle-aged jewel thief who is obviously determined to make a long-cherished dream come true: Retire from his criminal life, marry, start a family, and live happily ever after. He carries a photo collage in his wallet as a daily reminder of that dream. He shares it only with Jessie (Tuesday Weld) because she is the only person with whom he wants to share his life. Meanwhile, Frank has established contact with Leo (Robert Prosky) who seems to take a paternal interest in Frank but only to gain his trust so that Frank will agree to an assignment for the mob. Of course, Leo has no intention of allowing him to retire. Once involved with the mob, Frank will have no way out except death. After he and Jessie marry and move into a lovely home, they are frustrated in their attempts to adopt a child so Leo provides one ("Boy or girl? Whatever you want.") and much of Frank's dream has come true. One last lucrative theft and....

Under Mann's direction, all of the performances are outstanding. I was especially interested in the care with which the major theft is planned and then executed. When Frank then realizes that he cannot free himself from the mob, he reacts with prudence (to protect his wife and child) and then with rage and vengeance. The soundtrack and cinematography are brilliantly integrated within the narrative. The editing by Mann and Dov Hoenig is lean and sharply-focused. When I saw Thief again recently, it had lost none of its dramatic impact; moreover, I recognized this time around certain nuances of character and plot development which I had missed before. I include it on my list of great films which have never been fully appreciated, probably because -- until the VHS and CD versions -- so few people had been able to see it. No excuses now.

The DVD version includes a commentary by Mann and Caan, deleted scenes, and footage not shown in theaters. I also strongly recommend the CD of the Tangerine Cream soundtrack which evokes so many memorable images from the film but, for those who have not as yet seen it, one which offers great listening in its own right.

This movie's great! I'm doing my drama exam this week at school and we are doing a scene from The Little Shop of Horrors. I'm in a group of girls (i'm a girl as well) but most of them are very stubborn and won't play the male part. So i said i'd do it coz i love anything to do with drama. I got to play Orin, the sadistic dentist and i really enjoyed it playing that part. Itz fun playing evil characters and i'm glad my friends didn't want to do it. Even though he's a baddie, he really makes me laugh, especially in that song, Dentist (as well as the scene with Bill Murray). I find it weird that i liked that song coz i despise going 2 the dentist. I haven't seen the whole movie but from what i've seen, it's brill! It's about this nerdy but sweet florist called Seymour (ahhh) who fancies his co-worker Audrey (a girl with a strange but sweet wispy voice) who's dating that crazy dentist who is abusive towards her and treats her badly. Seymour reckons that the only way to make her fall in love with him is because of this amazing plant he gets (who he calls Audrey Two). BUT this plant doesn't feed on water, it feeds on human blood. Audrey Two begins growing, talking and begs for more than just Seymour cutting himself. He bumps off Orin (yeah that was my scene, i had to act completely insane) and his boss. It's a brilliant movie and i'm getting the DVD of it this summer, i can't wait! The acting in it is great (round of applause for Steve Martin especially) and I hope a lot of people will like it, watch it, you won't regret it!
(Personally, i don't mind that the original ending didn't go very well at the start coz i think it would be sad to see such a happy movie go so wrong at the end. I'd like to have seen it though).
My favourite songs from the movie are Downtown, Dentist and Suddenly Seymour.
Oh please hope i do well in my exam!

Later: I'm just editing my review, I got my DVD in July. It was brilliant. Little Shop of Horrors is my favourite film of all time, I love it! The special features were great (shame they took away original ending, I heard they might be putting it back, in colour!), the outtakes were hysterically funny and Behind the Scenes was great (although I would have like to have seen Steve Martin interviewed). My drama exam was fine! My teacher thought it was very funny. I was hoping we'd do it for our school play, but we're not :( I would audition for Orin Scrivello D.D.S definitely even though i'm a girl, I can do the voice! But readers, you have to buy this film coz even though I only found about it back in May when my teacher chose it for our topic, itz the best I've ever seen! Go ahead! Buy it and you will never ever regret it!
You know something, I was at the dentist the other day getting a 'long slow root canal' done! Honestly, ow itz so painful! Thank God my dentist was normal!

"Little Shop of Horrors" is a movie like no other. You're slyly drawn in by a cute little musical that progressivley gets more and more "weiEIeiEIerrRRrd" (to quote Wink the radio guy, played by John Candy.)

Candy, Jim Belushi, Steve Martin and Christopher Guest show up here to add their talents to outstanding performances by Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene.

The music is great! I'm not a huge fan of 50's and 60's style do-wop stuff, but if your feet can stay still during the tunes in this show, forget it--you're dead already and it doesn't matter.

The arrangements are excellent. The Greek Chorus Girls add style, panache and polish as well as harmony.

One of my favorite things about this film is finding someone who hasn't seen it yet and sharing it with them. They always say, "When was this made? How could I not hear about this movie? It's great!"

The DVD version is excellent. I've owned the VHS for years, but the DVD sound and picture are far superior. The documentary on the making of the film is a nice extra and makes you appreciate what you see that much more.

My confession? I've probably watched this movie thirty or more times. If you ask to watch it again tonight, would I do it? You bet.

Just buy it. You won't be sorry. The DVD lets you show off your home theater system with hardly an explosion. It's a gem.

Little Shop of Horrors. Although pieces of the movie omit wonderful little songs ("Call Back in the Morning" "Mushnik and Son" "Finale/Don't Feed the Plants," etc), it does its job at having tongue-in-cheek humor. As a matter of fact, my High School's production of the play finished up last night..I played the role of Crystal. Excellent movie!

Salvador is an early Oliver Stone film, which required overcoming many production hurdles, lying and cheating to complete filming, and committing fraud for additional money (all admitted by Stone in the commentary.)

It was underrated during its brief theatrical release, although James Woods earned and deserved his Best Actor nomination as a press photographer who goes to El Salvador, accompanied by Jim Belushi, to make some money photographing the political mess and killings there, including the murder of nuns and a priest. ("Romero" is a movie about the priest).

Based on "real events" and "real people" like all Stone movies, some license has been taken, also as in all Stone movies.

Political viewpoints aside, the movie pulls no punches in showing the atrocities of war. If you are squeamish about seeing dead bodies, burning bodies and bloody bodies, then you will have to look away on occasion. As in real life, there is some sex and swearing.

The DVD extras, including Stone's commentary, deleted scenes, and cast interviews and clips, are very interesting as well.

What a moving drama full of engaging characters -- sordid, but engaging! While some of the politics may be handled ham-handedly, Woods manages to introduce moments of comedy, a very human comedy, in a story that is wrought with despair.

He plays a journalist whose days of glory have long begun to wane, and with his wife having left him, he is now at the end of his tether for that one good project to get him out of his corner. An article about the sordid goings-on in El Salvadore could very well be that project, so he heads out for there.

He is not alone though in his journey. Belushi provides much of the movie's comic relief and is a riot as the kvetching drug-and-booze soaked friend Dr. Rock, who unwittingly comes along for Woods' ride from San Francisco to El Salvador (he thinks they're going to Guatamala), and finds himself being brutalized by Salvadoran military, police, infected by the water (and the "professional" women), generally having a rough time of it.

The politically charged screenplay is somewhat clumsily delivered -- with the bumbling passion of a college radical a little too full of himself. The action speaks for itself, dead bodies everywhere, the American military hovering nearby constantly. And just in case we don't get it, the characters lecture us with familiar left vs. right themes, crow with indignation, and denounce the military characters, who are one-dimensional and disgusting. U.S. involvement is simplified far too much. As things stand, we have very little idea of what sort of El Salvadore culture was actually at stake, the movie does a lean job of providing a backdrop to all the mishap and political intrigue.

When that clarity does come about eventually, the movie leaves you with a great sense of energy, particularly from Woods' character. "Salvador", like JFK or Patton, remains one of my favorite high-octane human dramas of all time.

A proud DVD for anyone's collections, if only for the memorably pithy quotes, or the brilliant moments of photo journalism shown (it's not easy shooting mass riots, live) or quite simply the most inspired performance of Woods' career!

Finally, back in print!

I'll be honest and admit first thing that I'm not a huge Oliver Stone fan. I rented this because James Woods is so entertaining in almost anything he's in. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the movie itself turned out to be pretty good, too. The movies I liked that Stone directed didn't have a big political message, like U-Turn, The Doors, and Natural Born Killers (ok, that last one was slightly political) The only overtly hit-you-over-the-head-with-the-message scene in this movie is one where Woods and Savage were taking photos of a huge amount of dead bodies in a dump, and there's a subtitle saying "Blah-blah, dumping ground for corpses killed by death squads" (or something similar) Oh really? Thanks for the explanation Mr. Stone, I would have thought they were at the zoo.

I probably wasn't supposed to find this movie as funny as I did, but God James Woods was so hilarious. It's just his timing, or the way he says stuff --for example, "Hey man, where else can you get a 17-year old to (perform a sexual act that is unprintable here) for 7 dollars, man? 7...dollars!"--, or something, but he just totally steals the movie. He can just roll his eyes and I start cracking up. If it had a different actor in the starring role who wasn't as entertaining, I doubt I would have bought a copy. He was definitely robbed of a Best Actor Oscar for this movie--there's a scene near the start of the movie where he is barreling down the street in his crappy car and gets pulled over, that made me laugh so hard I played it back for my husband. Some of the scenes where they are driving down to Mexico are very Hunter S. Thompson-esque. The scene in the confessional where he asks the priest if it would still be okay to take a few hits of a joint once in a while is priceless. If you're a Woods fan, what are you waiting for? Get a copy fast! I can't imagine any other actor in the role, the other acting in the film is great, but he just acts circles around everyone else.

Oh yeah, and the movie itself is great, very emotional. You do care about the characters, even the sleazy ones. The ending also was unpredictable, and there a several scary, very tense scenes. One more thing--watch for John Doe of the punk band X in a small cameo as a restaurant owner-va va va voom!!! Recommended to Woods fans, Stone fans, or simply anyone who enjoys a good political thriller. Not recommended for kids, though.

This is a pretty good movie, although the initial effect is disconcerting, like watching a sit-com that is painfully real and not just escapist fare. The players, Demi Moore and Rob Lowe as the lovers, and Jim Belushi and Elizabeth Perkins as their jealous friends, are very good, and Director Edward Zwick is to be complemented on getting so much out of all of them. The script, loosely based on David Mamet's play Sexual Perversions in Chicago is filled with sharp, clever and sometimes insightful lines worth quoting.

One is when Moore breaks off the relationship with her boss to be exclusively with Lowe. Taken back, he says, "But I thought we had something special." She replies, "No. It was sleazy. And now it's over."

Another is when Moore's sensitive and brutally sarcastic (and jealous) friend Perkins arrives for Thanksgiving and says to Lowe about cloddish, working-class Jim Belushi, who hasn't arrived yet, "Your vulgarian friend is downstairs denting innocent people's fenders."

After the two lovers move in together, and she has more than a drawer in his apartment and doesn't have to carry an extra pair of panties in her purse, they begin with "I love..." (awkward pause) "making love with you" (pure Mamet). But when he doesn't share his feelings with her, she says, "I don't want to be your roommate anymore. I had a roommate."

What she wants is emotional intimacy. A woman needs emotional intimacy because then she knows where she stands and she has some control. They move closer and she (caught unaware) says, "I love you." He (on the spot, camera close) replies, "I love you too." She sheds a tear, just one, as they hug, perhaps in joy, or perhaps because she doesn't know whether he really loves her or not, and it's so very, very important. The next day Belushi asks who said it first and cavalier Lowe says he did. Belushi, who boorishly fancies himself a lady's man, lectures his friend on just how very poor studly style that is.

About Last Night is really about forming and securing the bond between a man and a woman. It's trial by fire. Their emotions are on edge and their individuality is threatened. And all around them are people and circumstances, and their very own animal natures, testing and probing the strength of the bond. When it breaks the pain is enormous.

Lowe says: "I didn't fool around. Not once!" Moore rejoins: "Give the boy a medal. I didn't realize it was such a sacrifice."

Then comes her awkward and sad double date with the nerdy card trick artist with the British accent. Perkins says, "Couldn't you just listen to him all night?" and we're thinking, "NOT EVEN for one minute."

Meanwhile we have Lowe's casual pickups. Meaningless sex, and then not even that. But when he saves his friend's cafe, he grows up.

Belushi and Perkins are wonderful as "opposites attract." They fight the magnetism to the very end-speaking of which, the best part of the movie is the ending. It is perfect.

It should be noted that the movie is larger than Mamet's one-act play and covers ground not even considered in the play. The play was an insightful but somewhat crude comedy about sex. The movie is a popular drama about relationships.

If there is any movie that realisticly portrays relationships, it is this one, Rob Lowe & Demi Moore are very believable as lovers who decide to live together in the hopes that they will live a long & happy life, but the perils of living together are explored very deeply here, as with any couple there are problems, past relationships,disapproving friends,adjusting to each other's habits, it is all here & anyone who has lived with anyone will see the realism of this film, if you have not ever lived with your boyfriend or girlfriend this film will seem off balance, this is the perfect film for anyone who might be thinking of moving in with their lover or anyone who has second thoughts, highly recommended!!

'About Last Night..' is by far one of the best movies I have ever seen. It has a bit of an eighties touch and a little TOO much nudity but, other than that this movie is awesome. Rob Lowe looks sexy and acts his best, and Demi Moore is just beautiful in this movie.
It takes place in Chicago and two singles Debbie and Danny, have a one night stand. They move in together and try to make a sexual relationship into a romantic one, will it work out? HMM.. I highly reccomend this movie, especially if you are a Rob Lowe fan(you see a lot of his @ss).