Michael-Bay Movie Reviews

If you and your child love Thomas the Tank Engine and all his friends, and you've seen the many videos, the songs on this collection will remind you of why kids love the popular train stories. All songs will be familiar to you, and you'll be surprised when you realize how much more you like the song(s) after you know what the words are! My 3 year old son is mesmerized whenever he watches this video. Most of the seven songs relate to Thomas but a few have some 'words of wisdom' that I think are useful and appropriate for kids and adults of all ages. "Gone Fishing" reminds you to take a break and relax after working hard and "Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover" says it all. My only wish is that a 2nd version or "volume 2" is released soon as this compilation was done in 1995.

We have MANY MANY Thomas the Tank videos, this one is unique because it has songs and stories...the songs are great, my son loves this video!!!

My three year old son chose this video as a rental. He cried and threw a fit when we returned it. He asked for it everytime we passed the video store. We've now rented it three times and I have been amazed at how much he and my six year old daughter love it! It has the text along the bottom of the songs and the bouncing ball that tracks the words-a great introduction to reading for the little one and great practice for the older.

This was the last of the classic style of science fiction on television where effort is placed on the acting, writing of the script, and direction of the story to move in, and not on special effects alone. It tells the story of human beings fleeing from Earth on the verge of a thrid world war and trying to survive on Mars despite the fact that Martians (belived to be dead) do in fact still survive on the red planet. The acting is very good, done by an all star cast including Rock Hudson and Roddy McDowell. Reccomanded for fans who also enjoyed the Twilight Zone and the Original Star Trek Television series.Written by Richard Matheson.Based on the novel by Ray Bradbury.Directed by Michael Anderson.

I could go into why this series is great but it would be easier if you just visited my website about it which is the only website in the world dedicated to this one series!...

I first saw this film some 15 years ago or so and I can tell you its still a revelation. What's happened to science fiction in the interim since then? This work was based on genuine innovation and a truly original storyline. Unbeknown to men who land on Mars, a civilisation already exists there. One cannot but help drawing parallels between the Martians and the native American indians, destined to be driven from their lands and who also die from human pestilence brought over by the first settlers. I had a new found respect for Rock Hudson after watching this film. Sadly it seems impossible to buy a copy. Why don't they re release it?

So stupid it wasn't funny.

I want my money back.

I own a VHS version of this movie (a really cheap version) and I think it's a bit better than the original. We get to see a young George Clooney is his "Facts Of Life" pre-ER era. John Astin provides a few good laughs as an evil scientist too. It's still a stupid Killer Tomatoes movie but there are some very funny moments and not-too-subtle jabs at commercialism. There's even a scene where our hero halts the movie and starts complaining about the blatent product placement. Just like the original it's all in the name of silliness.

I just hope this DVD is a good transfer as my VHS copy is practically unwatchable.

The BEST in the Killer Tomatoes quartet of movies, a classic comedy spoof. It can be sad (laughs), funny (laughs), and overall enjoyable. Seriously though (laughs), its a great movie. Even though it IS low budget, as the film shows boastingly, it is an instant classic.

In this mini-series adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier's novel "Jamaica Inn", Jane Seymour stars as the confused yet ethical Mary Yellan, a young woman who finds herself confronting some unknown evil on the Cornish moors.

I will not critique Du Maurier's story--it is a great Gothic masterpiece which employs tone, description, plot and characterization to near perfection---read the book to enjoy Du Maurier's talent and imagination at its best.

This adaptation follows the novel much more closely than Hitchcock's earlier film. However, some twists were added to further dramatize an already tumultuous story. I must wonder why this was necessary and can only think, sadly, that the original story was thought too tame in the light of our 20th/21st century viewpoints of violence. In this version, Mary's parents are victims to the sinister plot that wraps Jamaica Inn in secret, making Mary's involvement all the more desperate and poignant. If one has read the book before viewing the film, this addition seems overdone, detracting from the original and eliminating the self-righteously ethical factor so important to Mary's character. In order to emphasize the romance in the plot, Mary's relationship with the landlord's brother tallys up more screen time when compared percentage-wise with the novel's presentation of the same interplay---there are actually more scenes in the book where the characters are together, yet the book allows you to speculate as it plays the romance off the tale of suspense and the film does not. Patrick McGoohan plays Joss with a little too much gruffness--we never really see the vulnerability and helplessness which lie beneath the surface and appear after he has soaked himself in rum. There are never any scenes with both Jem and Joss together---the necessary comparison made between the brothers is not allowed and hence, we do not quite see Mary's dilemma in her attraction to Jem or what might have attracted her Aunt in the past. Aunt Patience, played by Billy Whitelaw, would have been perfect as the once beautiful woman worn down by the knowledge of her husband's misdeeds. However,through her stern cautionary conversations with Mary, she appears too logically complacent, more a fully functioning partner to Joss rather than the frightened remains of the silly woman whose head was turned by him in the first place. Jane Seymour's portrayal of Mary includes the bit of pep that DuMaurier states but never fully demonstrates, yet she tends to be too saucy at times, playing the active willing foil to Jem's criminal antics rather than the shocked observer from the pages of the novel.

The film is most definitely capitalizing on Du Maurier's so-called reputation for escapist romance; yet the book is not a romance at all, but rather Du Maurier's grim testament to the status of women as dependent creatures, shoved here and there by their stronger male counterparts. Mary doesn't necessarily find love nor does love conquer adversity as we are meant to conclude from this presentation. There is no moral lesson scorching Du Maurier's pages. Du Maurier's vision was much more dismal---Mary, finally beaten,accepts her fate and plays second fiddle to Jem's maleness; she learns to acquiesce to her dependency. Despite these fundemental differences, the film as a romantic interlude, is still good; it fully depicts Du Maurier's Cornwall seeped in its weather and crowned by monoliths. The film's music tends to be a little melodramatic--it is of the Camille Claudel genre--I think an insiduous pan pipe along the Braveheart vein would have been a better contrast with the rain, gloom and terror than 'Transfigured Night' which doles out more of the same.

Jamaica Inn has the true makings of a Gothic romance/thriller. Jane Seymour turns in what I believe is one of her best performances to date in a movie. Although this film did not receive a lot of acclaim it truly is worth seeing. With a plot that is full of suspence, murder, intrigue and romance it is sure to please. Jane Seymour fans get a double treat, not only does she give a fine performance but she is positively luminous in this early role. Jane Seymour plays a young woman who after a personal tragedy goes to live with relatives at their place, Jamaica Inn. It is not until she is settled in that she meets a mysterious man, and realizes that there is much she does not understand about her "generous" relatives and their haunting home. Soon she is wrapped up in a plot that could destroy her and everyone she loves.

I have watched this video at least 10 times and am impressed each time with the intensity that is ever present in this dark and terrifying story. Yet within we have a romance between the impossibly young Jane Seymour and Trevor Eve, who are both cute as can be and still thoroughly reflect the grimness and tragedy of the tale. Twists and turns take you places wholely unexpected and keep you glued even to the rather capriciously happy ending!

Dolph Lundgren is a rouge cop whose partner is murdered in a drug bust involving yuppie gangsters and an alien from another world who mixes stolen drugs with human brains to create "the ultimate high". The vengeful Lundgren is teamed with comedic F.B.I. watchdog, Brian Benben and the two soon discover that they are not dealing with their average rival drug dealer. Throw in an alien cop who is also on the trail of his inter-planetary rival and you have the formula for a weird but very interesting science-fiction buddy cop thriller.

"I Come In Peace" bares a similiar plot to that of "Predator 2", which also dropped the same year. Both movies have a cop caught up in a drug war, only to discover that the death toll was caused by an alien, rather than the gang members. While the latter film played itself more seriously and worked out more effectively, "Peace" is still worth an honorable mention. It's not exactly the most original film you'll ever see but it sure has fun in that "Midnite Movie" kind of way. Anyone who has sat through some of Dolph's other movies has certainly seen worse.

I saw this movie when it first came out in the theatres in around 1990. I was only eight years old back then. My brother's friend who saw the showing before me said that it scared him and asked if i was sure that I wanted to see it. Well, i saw it and was glad that i did. When i was growing up, Dolph Lundgren was a movie star. I remember his movies like Red Scorpion, Master of the Universe, The punisher, A view to a kill, and this one. This movie is the best out of the bunch for sure. Brian Benben and Dolph have really good chemistry, but Benben should be smart enough to trust Kane(Lundgren) rather than his shady FBI superiors. Mgm always makes out of this world, entertaining movies and this is one of the great ones. Make this a DVD. I love the part where Kane goes into Warren and the whiteboys' office building and kicks the crap out of three punks who try to stop him from interrupting the bad guys meeting. SEE THIS MOVIE IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!

I count this as one of Dolphs better movies. Lundren is all man in this one, walking around with his shirt off (not as much as in some of his other movies, but he's still a man!), hanging out in strip clubs with half naked or completely naked women in them (his partner'the blood is rushing from my head'. 'what are we doing here?' 'I came here to think'. Even his ex girlfriend can't resist this man! Did you see that scene where he strolls into the 'White Boys' hangout! Great music playing in that scene. The entire movie has great background music! What happened to movies like this where to guy is so confident? And you will not want to miss the postcard the bad guy sends Dolph from Rio, Brazil! Topless ladies (side view)! Lets see them show that in an action / sci-fi movie nowadays! Movies have changed too much lately. After 1995 they started to stop showing women as being sexy, which makes this movie all the more enjoyable. The movie has a little of everything, even humor. It's a complete mystery why this is not on DVD. Also, they should have stuck with the European name for this movie 'Dark Angel'. That makes a lot more sense as the [bad guys] are aliens.

Dolph lundgren and Brian Benben star as two cops on the trail of an alien killer who is harvesting endorphins using them as drugs,This is a cut above Alien invasions thanks to wit and nifty action scenes. I Come In Peace was directed by Craig R. Baxley (A former stuntman) and he directs ICIP with panache and style and the action setpieces are fun to watch as Dolph Lundgren and Matthias Hues stalk each other in a landscape of urban hell.........the title is for a follow up of one of Lundgren's best lines...........And you go in pieces..... I Come In Peace is one of those movies to watch on one of those rainy days where nothing is on TV. I Come In Peace's humor is so refreshing and the action so well staged you'll be glued to boobtube!

I Come In Peace is an exciting action movie with a fairly intense plot and some great action sequences. Lundgren and his FBI Agent partner (played by Brian Benben) are on the tail of a murderous alien "drug dealer" who sucks out endorphins from his victim's brains. The gore sequences are not for the squeamish, but all in all this movie is a blast for action fans. Also, I think this is Lundgren's best acting ever, and Benben adds quite a lot of humour to his role, so the film shouldn't be taken seriously. It's great for some high-octane fun with friends or by yourself. Highly recommended

I saw this movie when it first came out in the theatres in around 1990. I was only eight years old back then. My brother's friend who saw the showing before me said that it scared him and asked if i was sure that I wanted to see it. Well, i saw it and was glad that i did. When i was growing up, Dolph Lundgren was a movie star. I remember his movies like Red Scorpion, Master of the Universe, The punisher, A view to a kill, and this one. This movie is the best out of the bunch for sure. Brian Benben and Dolph have really good chemistry, but Benben should be smart enough to trust Kane(Lundgren) rather than his shady FBI superiors. Mgm always makes out of this world, entertaining movies and this is one of the great ones. Make this a DVD. I love the part where Kane goes into Warren and the whiteboys' office building and kicks the crap out of three punks who try to stop him from interrupting the bad guys meeting. SEE THIS MOVIE IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!

When I was 11, I saw this movie eight times in the theater. Candleshoe has it all for kids: orphans, danger, a rags-to-riches story with pranks and an imaginative chase scene.

Candleshoe is the story of an American street kid, Casey Brown (a young Jodie Foster) who joins with con man Harry Bundage (Leo McKern) to convince the wealthy Lady St. Edmund (Helen Hayes) that she is her long-lost granddaughter. Her mission: to worm her way into the household and find a missing fortune. Protecting Lady St. Edmund is her longtime servant Priory (David Niven) and three English kids who already call Candleshoe home. As it becomes evident that Candleshoe is a poor estate and Lady St. Edmund grows to love her, Casey's loyalties are thrown into chaos.

Jodie Foster displays her already considerable talent in her portrayal of Casey, making this Disney's most touching of the caper movies of the 1970's. Adults will appreciate Helen Hayes, David Niven, and Leo McKern, who is wonderfully villainous in this family movie with lots of action but little violence.

Jodie Foster stars as a juvenile delinquent/orphan named Casey who's in the right place at the right time -- and has the right look. A con man hires her to pose as the long-lost granddaughter of a rich English woman (played by Helen Hayes), who lives in a big house/castle called Candleshoe. The catch? There's a treasure hidden somewhere in Candleshoe, the con man knows about it, and he wants Casey to find it. At first, it's easy for Casey to dupe "Grandma", her butler, and the four precocious orphans who also live at Candleshoe. But before long, Casey begins to feel a little guilty about what she's doing. This is a wonderful movie, with great performances by Foster, Hayes, and David Niven as the Candleshoe butler. It is one of my favorite life-action Disney films. This DVD has the movie in full screen, widescreen, and has scene selection.

If your looking for a "G" movie to enjoy with your family without violence, language or adult themes; this is it. I enjoyed it so much as a child, and when I saw my children watching it for the first time, I enjoyed it all over again.

When I was 11, I saw this movie eight times in the theater. Candleshoe has it all for kids: orphans, danger, a rags-to-riches story with pranks and an imaginative chase scene.

Candleshoe is the story of an American street kid, Casey Brown (a young Jodie Foster) who joins with con man Harry Bundage (Leo McKern) to convince the wealthy Lady St. Edmund (Helen Hayes) that she is her long-lost granddaughter. Her mission: to worm her way into the household and find a missing fortune. Protecting Lady St. Edmund is her longtime servant Priory (David Niven) and three English kids who already call Candleshoe home. As it becomes evident that Candleshoe is a poor estate and Lady St. Edmund grows to love her, Casey's loyalties are thrown into chaos.

Jodie Foster displays her already considerable talent in her portrayal of Casey, making this Disney's most touching of the caper movies of the 1970's. Adults will appreciate Helen Hayes, David Niven, and Leo McKern, who is wonderfully villainous in this family movie with lots of action but little violence.

Jodie Foster stars as a juvenile delinquent/orphan named Casey who's in the right place at the right time -- and has the right look. A con man hires her to pose as the long-lost granddaughter of a rich English woman (played by Helen Hayes), who lives in a big house/castle called Candleshoe. The catch? There's a treasure hidden somewhere in Candleshoe, the con man knows about it, and he wants Casey to find it. At first, it's easy for Casey to dupe "Grandma", her butler, and the four precocious orphans who also live at Candleshoe. But before long, Casey begins to feel a little guilty about what she's doing. This is a wonderful movie, with great performances by Foster, Hayes, and David Niven as the Candleshoe butler. It is one of my favorite life-action Disney films. This DVD has the movie in full screen, widescreen, and has scene selection.

If your looking for a "G" movie to enjoy with your family without violence, language or adult themes; this is it. I enjoyed it so much as a child, and when I saw my children watching it for the first time, I enjoyed it all over again.

It is Spring 1942 and the Japanese are at the Zenith of their expansion of their territories in Asia. A seemingly cowardly American Navy Lieutenant (Cliff Robertson)in the South Pacific is ordered to the New Hebrides to support a British combat mission. On arrival there he realizes that the patrol lead by an idealistic British Captain (Denholm Elliot) to destroy a Japanese radio transmitter is a near suicidal one. Robertson and the patrol's medic (Michael Caine) become reluctant partners in staying alive, although in the end for different reasons.

The movie is hard-boiled, realistic and suspenseful right through the very end. Robertson won an Oscar for his role in "Charly" the year before this movie was made. Others in the cast include Henry Fonda and Harry Andrews.

This is an oddball film to say the very least. The character studies and plot developments are a strange mix but it all seems to work thanks to Robert Aldrich's direction. I don't think they could have chosen two lead actors more diametrically opposed as Michael Caine and Cliff Robertson. Who do they dislike more, the Japanese or each other? This choice of actors was a stroke of genius and increases the suspense of the film's finale. The film also features Ian Bannen, Denholm Elliott, Henry Fonda, Ken Takakura and Harry Andrews.

This is my favorite war movie. I don't know why more people don't know this classic. It is easily one of the best of all time. Lots of action. Cliff Robertson and Michael Caine kick some serious backside in this film.

Hammer Films tried to follow up on the success of "The Quartermass Experiment" with this tale starring Dean Jagger as Dr. Adam Royston, an atomic scientist. Royston is called to a remote Scottish town to investigate a mysterious and deadly outbreak of what appears to be radiation poisoning. It soon becomes clear than some sort of subterranean, radioactive entity has come up from a bottomless crack that appears in the earth. Royston figures out the thing feeds on energy, which is going to make it very difficult to destroy. Writer Jimmy Sangster delivers an intelligent script that manages to make "X--The Unknown" as much a science fiction film as it is a horror movie. This film is certainly up to the standard of the Quartermass films. Leslie Norman (Dukirk," "The Lost Continent") directed this 1956 film, although I want to point out that he did replace the original director, Joseph Losey ("Boom," "Modesty Blaise"), who had moved to England to avoid the Hollywood blacklist. This DVD includes the theatrical trailer and the science fiction segment from the "World of Hammer" documentary.

As with the original "Cat People" it is what you don't see that will spook you. Appropriately named "X- The Unknown" this move is about a creepy monster that is unknown and one has to figure out how to deal with it. This has all the "Stay in the car" type thrills that will later be used in "The blob." Soon enough you find that it is - mud out for blood. So once again we must turn to our scientists to protect us. But can they do it this time?

A studio usually known for its horror fare, Hammer Studios nevertheless turned out quite a few intelligent science fiction films in the Fifties and Sixties. And this film is no exception. The film stars Dean Jagger(British films of the fifties usually placed an American in the lead to assuage the American audience)as a nuclear scientist called in by the British Army to investigate a strange outbreak of radiation, and the resultant death of a soldier, in an abandoned Scottish gravel pit. The mystery builds from there as more people are killed by this strange force or creature. With the help of a young Leo McKern as a government investigator, Jagger is able to identify and eventually destroy the creature.

As with most sci-fi films of its time, most of the characters of "X the Unknown" are familiar territory. Jagger, the renegade (of sorts) scientist working at a government nuclear facility where he clashes with the bureaucratic director (a fine Edward Chapman). Jagger is working on an outside experiment to defuse radioactivity through the use of sound, a project the director frowns upon, especially since there is plenty of official work to be done. The F/X is also primitive; as with most of its other Fifties breathren "X the Unknown" works best when the monster is not seen.

Then why recommend this film so highly? Simple. Given the limitations of special efects and budgets in those days, the emphasis had to be more on the script, characters and acting. And this is what "X the Unknown" has in abundance. The script is taut and intelligent, the characters well drawn, even though they are stock characters at base. The chemistry between Jagger and McKern is especially good and adds to our enjoyment of ther proceedings. And watch for the young Anthony Newley and Ian MacNaughton (who would later gain fame as the director for the Monty Python television show)as British soldiers in a bit of comic relief.

The DVD transfer is excellent and a documentary of British science fiction films is an added plus. If you love science fiction films, this one is a can't miss. Especially if you remember seeing it on television as a child.