Joe-Mantegna Movie Reviews

This movie set in 1969 starring Joe Montegna,Anne Archer and Tzvi Ratner-Stauber depicts tragedy in a dysfunctional family Andrew,a 13 year old on the brink of manhood and a father who is a compulsive gambler with a wife in constant battle because of his problem,their dependence on Andrew's older sister is a cause of tension in an already unhappy family.As Andrew cares for himself and his younger sister and his upcoming Bar Mitzva that becomes more symbolic other than just a rite of passage.This film is a must see,touching heartwarming drama!!

For hire is a very good movie. It is very suspenseful, and due to many plot twists, it really keeps your attention. For Hire is a movie about a Novelist who sets up the life of a Taxi Cab driver to be just like his book. This may seem silly, but it makes an excellent movie!

I first saw this movie when it came out on cable TV and thought it was terrific then. This movie is a MUST for anyone thinking about going into healthcare or those teaching students in healthcare. The majority of the movie is portrayed from a patient's perspective, down to filming the ceilings while a patient is lying on a guerney in the crowded emergency room. It is a fast paced, enjoyable film though at times there is strong language used. As a registered nurse with many years experience working in emergency rooms, I highly recommend this video.

I first saw this movie when it came out on cable TV and thought it was terrific then. This movie is a MUST for anyone thinking about going into healthcare or those teaching students in healthcare. The majority of the movie is portrayed from a patient's perspective, down to filming the ceilings while a patient is lying on a guerney in the crowded emergency room. It is a fast paced, enjoyable film though at times there is strong language used. As a registered nurse with many years experience working in emergency rooms, I highly recommend this video.

There is a line in this film where the chess teacher (Ben Kingsley) is telling Josh, "You must have contempt for the world...like Bobby Fischer". Actually the contempt Bobby Fischer felt for the world turned into some kind of mental illness. His diatribes of pro-Hitler pro-911 Holocaust-denying hatred know no bounds (yes his mother was Jewish, but he denies it). Some attribute his Nazism to chess, which essentially is a game where your "ego must destroy your opponent's ego" (Kasparov). And Fischer also includes in his diatribes that the use of his name for this film is unauthorized.

The film itself is okay, but has some flaws (besides its title). It basically shows the adult world of competition from Josh's father (Joe Mantegna) yelling at a teacher because she doesn't consider Josh a "genius" to Josh's chess teacher ripping up a bunch of chess certificates. And Josh's opponent is this contemptible kid who's only purpose in life is to win at chess. The parents of the child prodigies descend like wild geese on the matches, so they have to be locked out. But the father tells Josh at the end, "it's just a game". Josh says, "no it's not". I think it should be drilled into every chess player that, YES, it's just a game. Please don't become like Bobby Fischer.

I've been a mediocre chess player since I was a kid, and really found the game kind of boring. I think kids would do much better to learn meditation than chess....at least it would be healthier for their view of the world.

This is one of the most touching movies ever written. It has so many special undertones and hidden messages, making for a very pleasurable movie-watching experience.

Joe Mantegna discovers his seven year-old son, Josh played by Max Pomeranc, has a gift for playing chess. He sees his son's talent, and the enter the world of chess tournaments, behind the guidance of tutor, Ben Kingsley. Before long, he becomes the number one child chess player, and is seemingly unstoppable. Conversely, Josh merely wants to be a "normal" boy and just wants to have the love and admiration of his family instead of countless trophies, so he soon loses his edge for the chess world.

The cast is astonishing. Lawrence Fishburn, one of the most underated actors of our time, plays a wonderful "street smarts" chess player. Add in cameos by Dan Hedaya, David Paymer, and William H. Macy, who I can't watch on the silver screen without saying "Ah, Gees," and you have one entertaining film.

This is a truly wonderful movies, with lots of depth. It is not so much about chess as it is about finding one's inner strength and character in the face of adversity and high-pressure challanges. The acting is superb, and the chess tournament scenes are, in fact, riveting. This film is a can't miss.

This is not a movie only about chess any more than "Field of Dreams" was only about baseball. This is about a father who wants his son to excel, and about a son who just wants his father's love and approval just to be a "normal" kid. "Chess" in this movie could have been a metaphor for any special "gift" or talent, but it is important to mention that this film is based on real-life persons and events.

This is a story about finding one's character and courage in the face of mounting pressure and high expectations. It's about a very young boy who wants to be sure his father loves him for who he is, not just for what he can do.

Written and directed by Steven Zaillian (who wrote, among other things, the screenplay for Spielberg's "Schindler's List"), SFBF is a heartwarming movie that has you rooting and cheering. And young Max Pomeranc is a real fine young actor! Multiple Oscar-nominee Joan Allen plays the boy's mother in this film, and here she continues to solidify her position as one of the most wonderful actresses working today. Will she EVER get the widespread recognition she deserves?

i have seen last don thought it was a great movie love all italian mafia movies simple reason cause i am italian and very proud of it the last don 2 looks like a great movie cant wait to see it gotta go now o one more word VIVA ILATALIA so grab the film and watch it chio

I watched the movie more times than I have actually spoken words. It's the movie of the decade. An absolute blockbuster. Watch it, it's like non-other.Jason Gedrick is Al Pacino in the last don. He is a outstanding italian mafia, a perfect 10.

It will keep you on the edge of your seat! It is the best part two mini series I've seen yet!

i have seen last don thought it was a great movie love all italian mafia movies simple reason cause i am italian and very proud of it the last don 2 looks like a great movie cant wait to see it gotta go now o one more word VIVA ILATALIA so grab the film and watch it chio

I watched the movie more times than I have actually spoken words. It's the movie of the decade. An absolute blockbuster. Watch it, it's like non-other.Jason Gedrick is Al Pacino in the last don. He is a outstanding italian mafia, a perfect 10.

It will keep you on the edge of your seat! It is the best part two mini series I've seen yet!

I got a chance to preview Ray Bradbury's "The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit" here in Chicago in early March ('99). I had no idea this picture would have been so remarkable! There's more pure joy...(that's the best word to describe it)...in this film than a lot of folks experience in an entire month! I can't reccommend it enough. Get it! Devour it! Stuart Gordon out did himself! Not to mention it's as entertaining for a seven year old as it is for someone who's seventy. (I mean that as a compliment!) It's thoroughly entertaining. No wonder Hollywood neglected to give this film a proper run at the box office. I was lucky enough to catch it on the big screen and I'll definitely add it my collection and turn as many people on to it that I can!

The epitome of the "feel good" movie, "The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit" was the perfect Friday night family movie. We watched it 3 times in one day. Appropriate for younger children (there is one fight scene). What made this film work was the genuine love and compassion the main characters come to feel for each other. Wonderful.

I really enjoyed this movie. Couldn't find the soundtrack anywhere... loved the songs. Very good movie. good movie.. is very funny

Yes, this is a good movie but I hate what's her name and they really needed someone a little more sexier. The great thing is that the Money Pit represents everyone's need to have the perfect home and the disasters that always follow. Just try paiting a room with your other half and you'll understand.

One of the best screwball comedy/romance movies of the last 20 years. Finally on DVD after a long standing dispute with its famous director.

Shelly Long gives what is likely the best performace of her career, she actually carries Tom Hanks, who also puts in a good performance.

People who dont like this movie seem to take it too seriously, not expecting screwball gags from the likes of Hanks and Long. Once you embrace this movie for what it is, every moment is pure comic genius.

This is a great film, as I've seen it numerous times and it keeps getting funnier every single time I see it. I'm a big Tom Hanks fan, but I would like to see him more films such as this one where he can showcase his comedic talents. I highly recommend this film!

This is definitely one my favorite comodies out there with Steve Martin.

Unfortunately, the DVD is pooly made. Watching the movie, the image isn't even stable. There are artifacts that show up on the DVD. In sum it's barely watchable because the transfer to DVD was botched.

Also I just tried to contact HBO Home Video and they say they don't even manufacture the movie so they can't provide a refund or replacement. What kind of support is that?

This is a clasdic screwball comedy and a cult classic. remember how that movie wasn't a very big hit in its release in 1986, yet all the kids knew all the best lines from it. Yes, it's silly humor, almost vaudeville in its style (that's fine with me, being the vaudeville fan that I am) but well worth a viewing. Too bad it's a barebones DVD with no hidden Easter Eggs like director's commentary or deleted scenes and such. I like that sort of thing, as it enhances your view of the art of film making to see the rationale for remving certain scenes.

There was no commentary track from the acrors, either. Have Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short disowned the movie?

This is Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short in their comedic prime, playing recently fired silent movie actors forced to earn money by ridding a small Mexican village of its evil oppressor. They assume it is nothing more than a Public Appearance gig, but the enemy is quite real!
This movie is kinda goofy, kinda silly, and all funny. Each of the three comics gets his turn to shine in memorable gags, and there are too many of those gags to list here. Watch for a pre-"Saturday Night Live" Phil Hartman and John Lovitz in an early scene. Funniest bits: Short and Martin running out of water in the desert, Short telling his story of being "discovered" by Lillian Gish's sister, summoning the Invisible Swordsman, Chase trying not to blow his cover in front of the main villain and his henchmen, and Steve Martin's character learning that the supposedly "staged gunfight" is actually real.
Cost of DVD with shipping -- [item price]
DVD player -- $200.00
Microwave popcorn -- 85 cents
Laughing your [head] of watching "The Three Amigos" -- PRICELESS!