Michael-Douglas Movie Reviews

ALIVE (1992): In 1972, members of a Uruguayan rugby team are trapped in the Andes when their charter plane crashes in the mountains, killing many of those on board. Unable to overcome their situation any other way, the survivors are forced to contemplate the unthinkable - to eat the dead...

Though the cannibalism aspect of this extraordinary true story had formed the backbone of an earlier exploitation movie (René Cardona's opportunistic Mexican thriller SURVIVE! [Supervivientes de los Andes, 1976]), Frank Marshall's dignified Hollywood version takes its cue from Piers Paul Read's bestselling literary account and places a deliberate emphasis on the survivors' spiritual response to their circumstances. Opening with a horrific plane crash (an effects tour de force) which locates the audience at the heart of an appalling catastrophe, the script - by John Patrick Shanley (ARACHNOPHOBIA) - manages to keep repetition at bay by foregrounding a series of moral dilemmas (food rationing, medical priorities, the will to survive at all costs, etc.), though Shanley's dialogue often resorts to speech-bubble platitudes ("If we do this [ie. eat the dead], we'll never be the same again") which sounds a little forced and unrealistic. Handsomely mounted on location in the Canadian Rockies, the film is toplined by some of Hollywood's brightest (and most photogenic) young talents, including Ethan Hawke (DEAD POETS SOCIETY), Josh Hamilton (THE HOUSE OF YES) and Vincent Spano (CITY OF HOPE), with capable support from Jack Noseworthy (CECIL B. DEMENTED), John Haymes Newton (TV's "Superboy"!), and Illeana Douglas (GRACE OF MY HEART) as one of the few female survivors of the initial disaster. Though pretentious at times, and perhaps a little too leisurely for its own good, the movie pays tribute to the power of the human spirit and is often deeply moving. Beautiful score by James Newton Howard (M. Night Shyamalan's composer of choice), with a haunting interpretation of 'Ave Maria' - sung by Aaron Neville - during the final credits.

Though Paramount's region 1 disc doesn't mention it on the packaging, their letterboxed (1.85:1) transfer is anamorphically enhanced, and it runs 125m 54s. For some reason, the print here is missing the Paramount logo which opens and closes every other version of the film. Picture quality is excellent, and the Dolby 5.1 soundtrack (remixed from the original 4.0 stereo theatrical version) reaches a frightening intensity during the aforementioned plane crash and another tragedy which occurs later in the film. The disc also includes English captions and subtitles. Oddly, no trailer has been provided, but there's an invaluable documentary, "Alive 20 Years Later" (51m 12s) - recorded in 1993 and narrated by Martin Sheen - in which the real survivors talk about their ordeal and its aftermath, and some of them are filmed during a visit to the movie's Canadian location. Another documentary, "Return to the Andes" (12m 54s), records an emotional return to the scene of the crash by survivor Nando Parrado, thirty years after the event.

NB. A similar tragedy befell the so-called 'Donner party' - a group of travellers seeking a new life in California - who became stranded in the Sierra Nevada mountains during the harsh winter of 1846-47 and were forced to cannibalise their dead comrades. Movie adaptations include an excellent feature documentary (THE DONNER PARTY [1992]) by historian Ric Burns in the manner of his acclaimed TV series "The Civil War" (1990), and a sanitized Disney version (ONE MORE MOUNTAIN) helmed by veteran director Dick Lowry in 1994.

After a Disturbing Plane Crash, more than 10 Survivers have no food, they have to feet on the human flesh to survive through winter and trying to find a way to get back home.

Directed by Frank Marshall (Congo) has made a Masterpiece. Written by John Patrick Shanley (Joe Versus the Volcano). This has Strong Performances, including:Ethan Hawke, Vincent Spano and John Hamilton. This Film has a Terrific Cast. Based on a True Life Story back in the Early Seventies. It was a modest Hit at the Box Office in the winter of 1993. It was a Big Hit on Video. Alive becomes One of the Best Films of 1993. A sure winner. Grade:A.

The plane carrying the Uruguayan rugby team crashes in the Andes, and the survivors have to turn to cannibalism to continue to survive.

I'm going to begin by saying, if you want to see cannibalism, get Night of the Living Dead, or Motel Hell. This is not a film about cannibalism. The few scenes that explore this part of the group's survival, focus on the moral dilemma of cannibalism vs. starvation and death. The film doesn't gloss over this portion of the story, but handles it forthrightly and with dignity.

The rest of the film is beautiful. It could have easily descended into a made-for-TV maudlin tale of brave survivors fighting the odds, but it doesn't. It is a story about bravery, perseverance, and teamwork, and it addresses these things so eloquently, that I'm left feeling no one should make another film about "the human spirit," because this film says it all, and does it so well. In fact, I'd like to erase all the cloying films about personal triumph, and make this film the sole bearer of that theme.

Part of the film's brilliance is the cinematography. The camera takes an active part in telling the story, with inspired shots and angles.

The ensemble cast gets credit for the rest of it. Films with ensemble casts often sink under the weight of all the actors, but this film does not. This is one of the best films that doesn't have a star, but relies on the totality of talent available. With so many characters, you might think you'll need a scorecard to keep track, but you don't. Each of the more than 20 actors here plays a fully developed character.

This is one of those movies that seems to step off the screen. The viewer feels like one of the castaways. The tension and drama are that real.

And it made me cry. Few films can accomplish that.

By the time, Jason and the Argonauts was made in 1963, Ray HarryHausen was already an established special effects master who had been involved in a number of good science fiction/fantasy films, among them; The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, and Mysterious Island. Here he once again teamed with Composer Bernard Herrman for a film adaptation of Jason and the Argonauts where both the effects work and the rich musical score worked to create a film that is every bit as entertaining today as it was when it was first made in 1963. The screenplay was well written and the cast of actors did a great job. The film is pretty faithful to the Greek myth and a lot of the effects including a masterful sequence where Jason and his men fight a band of skeliton warriors, looks just as good today as it did then, and makes many of today's CGI effects seem video-gameish. I think this film plus later work like One Million Years BC and Clash of the Titans, shows that many of the creatures featured in these effects films had a certain humanity and realisism to them, that CGI just can not recreate.

Practically everyone with a passing interest in sci-fi films or mythology knows about "Jason and the Argonauts", so I won't go into detail about the film's plot here. I'll limit my comments to the quality of the films direction, acting and it's special effects. If you are one of the few who aren't familiar with the movie/story, a quick check of this films other reviewers will quickly bring you up to speed.

Until the advent of CGI, it was considered by most to be the epitome of the art of F/X and to many (myself included), it's still one of the best. Ray Harryhausen pulled out all the stops when making this film and it shows! The movie itself has a tried and true plot, good acting and excellent production values. The special effects by Harryhausen, even using todays computer generated effects, have seldom been equalled, much less surpassed.

If you can only own one Ray Harryhausen film, THIS is the one to get. If you have a choice, buy the DVD. You get a number of special features, such as the Harryhausen Chronicles, and you get to see the film in widescreen (worth it alone). Even if you aren't a fan of Harryhausen, I'd still get this movie. It's a classic story told in a way that everyone from 6 to 66 can enjoy. And, there are always those spectacular Harryhausen special effects!!

You talk about a classic adventure with outstanding special effects (for the time produced)...One word sums it up -FANTASTIC!...A fantasy adventure for the whole family to enjoy!

A silly, unbelievable romp, but still fun. Michael Douglas does a great job of being unimpressed and annoyed with kathleen Turner's character. I love it when he chops off the heels of her shoes and she bemoans their designer and price. He says, "Now they're practical." the sad thing after this movie they ran the Michael-Kathleen partnership into the ground.

This film from director Robert Zemeckis (Contact, Forrest Gump) is about as much fun as you can have at the movies. Like the underrated "High Road to China" it is old-fashioned 1930's style adventure. We don't see this kind of film getting made anymore, so luckily this one is readily available. It's fantastic. It's a comedy/adventure with something for everyone.

New York novelist Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner) writes these grand adventure stories for women with heroines who always seem to meet that perfect adventure minded hero she can not. When her sister is kidnapped in Columbia she attempts to ransom her with a treasure map to a fabled green jewel. In doing so, she enlists the aid of real action adventurer Jack 'Trustworthy' Colton (Michael Douglas). But Jack isn't quite like the heroes of her books!

Douglas is terrific as the crude and jaded 'hero' and con man who really wants that map! The trouble is, so does his rival Ralph. Danny DeVito is very funny as the all so slimy Ralph, who will stop at nothing to get that map. Jack may really want it, but Ralph really, really wants it! Add the very sexy Turner into the mix, sprinkle in a dash of romance, and you have a very entertaining film for everybody.

Though this movie was actually filmed in Mexico you'd never know it. The jungles are lush and wondrous, a veritable cornucopia of tropical beauty. Turner is gorgeous, Douglas is rugged, and DeVito is, well, DeVito in this really fun film. There is a great "feel" to this film we don't get anymore at the movies. The only thing you need to beware of when buying this one is the bad guys and the Crocs!

ROMANCING THE STONE is a movie about a writer of romance novels who lives alone with her cat in New York City. She is summoned to Columbia to deliver a package which will save her sister from kidnappers. Soon after she arrives in South America she is rescued during a jungle shootout by a daring American expatriot.From that point on the excitement begins in earnest.Kathleen Turner plays the part of the writer and Michael Douglas has the role of her knight in shining armor. Danny Devito gives one of his best performances as a kidnapper. The cast also includes Zack Norman, Alfonso Arau, Manuel Ojeda, Holland Taylor and Mary Ellen Trainor.

The director was Robert Zemeckis and the screenwriting was handled by Diane Thomas. Neither one repeated for the sequel, THE JEWEL OF THE NILE, which was not quite as good in my opinion.

ROMANCING THE STONE received only one Oscar nomination and that was for Best Editing. I was surprised because I thought it was one of the most entertaining movies I ever saw. The big winner of Oscars in 1984 was AMADEUS.

Diane Thomas received a Writers Guild of America Award for her work on ROMANCING THE STONE. Ten years later Robert Zemeckis finally won a Best Director Oscar for FORREST GUMP.

Among all the great Epic productions produced by Hollywood in the late 1950's and early 1960's "El Cid", always seems to be largely forgotten. Yet I believe it really deserves to be included in that pantheon of greats like "Ben Hur", "Cleopatra", and "Spartacus". Filled as it is with a sweeping tale covering an important period in Spain's history, breathtaking settings, romance, gorgeous costumes, well staged battles and tournaments and a very poignant ending this production has something for everyone.

Charlton Heston had one of his greatest roles in Roderigo Diaz de Vivar, better known as El Cid the legendary Spanish warrior that spent a lifetime trying to reconcile the Christians and Muslims of Spain in a united front against the onslaught of the African Moors. The story begins with young Roderigo on his way to his marriage to Jemina (Sophia Loren at her most fetching)when he is forced to fight a battle with the Moorish armies. Capturing five of their leaders he releases them on the promise that they will go and no longer raise arms against the Christian King of Spain. Unfortunately that is viewed as treason by the Spanish court and in the conflict to prove his innocense of treason Roderigo is forced to kill the father of his betrothed. Despite this set back in his marriage plans and after much conflict with Jemina the two are reconciled and eventually marry and experience a most happy life together. The intrigues of the court however make life difficult for Roderigo when King Ferdinand (Ralph Truman)dies and conflict begins to occur between his children. Supporting and then offering the crown to son Alfonso after the seige of Valencia it is finally seen that Roderigo is not trying to usurp the crown for himself but truly wishes to see all the factions in Spain united against the common enemy under their chosen King. At the all important seige of Valencia Roderigo is badly wounded by an arrow and bravely dies. Realising that the weak Alfonso cannot possibly rally the troops to a successful victory the generals take Roderigo's lifeless body and mount it on his horse and in this dramatic way Roderigo leds the army out of the city walls to attack the besieging Moors and bring about a victory for Spain's forces.

"El Cid", as befitting the stunning story it is is a visual feast for the eyes with meticulous direction of both the quite violent battle and seige scenes and with proper care shown in the tender moments experienced between Roderigo and Jemina. Of particular significance is the pairs meeting with the hermit in the wilderness and the many scenes of their married life together.Real tenderness is shown here unexpectadly in a story filled with so much violence and bloodshed. The historical research into the film is I feel flawless. Some of the weapons may be of a later date but everything, including the Castle interiors, and the selected locations in Spain for filming come together to create a wonderful recreation of these times in Medieval Spain. The tournament scenes are beautifully staged and Charlton Heston is totally convincing as the firstly naive and later world weary warrior who spends his life in the service of his King and Country. Sophia Loren of course has the less showy role here but never is Jemina a doormat for the men in the story. It is a great performance from this talented actress and she is at times loving, feisty, and sacrificing. "El Cid", also has great performances from Genevieve Page, John Fraser and Gary Raymond as the warring children of King Ferdinand, and much of the necessary intrigue in such a tale as this comes in the powerful Palace scenes between them. Australian actor Frank Thring who around this time appeared in many Epic Productions also shines in the role of the devious Al Kadir who gets his just rewards for his underhanded dealings with the Spanish.

I've always loved "El Cid", as a stirring drama from the medieval past. Despite its long running time (over three hours), I find my interest never wanes. It is a beautiful production that took years of planning and prepartion to achieve. Lavish without lacking a heart, exciting without loosing sight of the central story, romantic and colourful, I strongly recommend if you like historical dramas to have a look at this classic film, it really is a masterpiece of old Hollywwod movie making on the grand scale. Enjoy!

"El Cid" is Hollywood's greatest epic film by a long margin . Epics were fashionable between 1956 and 1963 which aimed through their spectacle and technology at getting patrons back into cinema seats after the damage TV had done to business . Anthony Mann's 50s westerns with James Stewart were the mythical , psychological and visual highpoint of that most mythical of genres . All Mann's virtues as a director of westerns have been transferred to this lofty story of medieval Spain . Charlton Heston was probably the only actor of his time with the authority and physical grace to carry with complete conviction and credibility a role of such heroic weight -this is far and away his best screen performance. Mann's imagery resonates through its clean , classical lines and stately compositions (and its awesome control of colour-greys , whites , blacks and browns). Miklos Rosza's intelligent score , based on medieval Spanish themes , lends the appropriate gravitas to complement Mann's visual imagination. Philip Yordan's necessarily stylised screenplay conveys the film's thoughtful mix of action and reflection . Sophia Loren is exquisitely lovely as the complex Chimene . And only Heston could have carried off the thrilling and uplifting finale where as a corpse strapped to his horse , he stirringly rides into legend-and the glory accorded to all mythical heroes .

Although El Cid has not been released in DVD to date, I have viewed the film on several occasions in other formats. Based on an epic poem, this film has a complex story-line set in feudal Spain. The film has richly colored landscapes supporting a story of knights in combat, loyality, threachery, a love affair, the power of friendship earned through virtue, and the importance of duty and honor. The musical score is moving and typical of the period of time in which the film was created, and the costumes are vibrant and help to create the feeling of feudal Spain. This is an excellent example of a particular film genre. The film is one of Charlton Heston's best performances. His acting is boldly appropriate and the film was an excellent vehicle for a highly competent supporting cast. It is one of the cast of thousands films that should be in every film affectionado's collection. It is worth viewing for the score, the landscapes and the fight sequences alone. I anxiously await a widescreen DVD release of this important film in digitally restored color, and sound. This is a film that can be viewed several times without boredom.

Among all the great Epic productions produced by Hollywood in the late 1950's and early 1960's "El Cid", always seems to be largely forgotten. Yet I believe it really deserves to be included in that pantheon of greats like "Ben Hur", "Cleopatra", and "Spartacus". Filled as it is with a sweeping tale covering an important period in Spain's history, breathtaking settings, romance, gorgeous costumes, well staged battles and tournaments and a very poignant ending this production has something for everyone.

Charlton Heston had one of his greatest roles in Roderigo Diaz de Vivar, better known as El Cid the legendary Spanish warrior that spent a lifetime trying to reconcile the Christians and Muslims of Spain in a united front against the onslaught of the African Moors. The story begins with young Roderigo on his way to his marriage to Jemina (Sophia Loren at her most fetching)when he is forced to fight a battle with the Moorish armies. Capturing five of their leaders he releases them on the promise that they will go and no longer raise arms against the Christian King of Spain. Unfortunately that is viewed as treason by the Spanish court and in the conflict to prove his innocense of treason Roderigo is forced to kill the father of his betrothed. Despite this set back in his marriage plans and after much conflict with Jemina the two are reconciled and eventually marry and experience a most happy life together. The intrigues of the court however make life difficult for Roderigo when King Ferdinand (Ralph Truman)dies and conflict begins to occur between his children. Supporting and then offering the crown to son Alfonso after the seige of Valencia it is finally seen that Roderigo is not trying to usurp the crown for himself but truly wishes to see all the factions in Spain united against the common enemy under their chosen King. At the all important seige of Valencia Roderigo is badly wounded by an arrow and bravely dies. Realising that the weak Alfonso cannot possibly rally the troops to a successful victory the generals take Roderigo's lifeless body and mount it on his horse and in this dramatic way Roderigo leds the army out of the city walls to attack the besieging Moors and bring about a victory for Spain's forces.

"El Cid", as befitting the stunning story it is is a visual feast for the eyes with meticulous direction of both the quite violent battle and seige scenes and with proper care shown in the tender moments experienced between Roderigo and Jemina. Of particular significance is the pairs meeting with the hermit in the wilderness and the many scenes of their married life together.Real tenderness is shown here unexpectadly in a story filled with so much violence and bloodshed. The historical research into the film is I feel flawless. Some of the weapons may be of a later date but everything, including the Castle interiors, and the selected locations in Spain for filming come together to create a wonderful recreation of these times in Medieval Spain. The tournament scenes are beautifully staged and Charlton Heston is totally convincing as the firstly naive and later world weary warrior who spends his life in the service of his King and Country. Sophia Loren of course has the less showy role here but never is Jemina a doormat for the men in the story. It is a great performance from this talented actress and she is at times loving, feisty, and sacrificing. "El Cid", also has great performances from Genevieve Page, John Fraser and Gary Raymond as the warring children of King Ferdinand, and much of the necessary intrigue in such a tale as this comes in the powerful Palace scenes between them. Australian actor Frank Thring who around this time appeared in many Epic Productions also shines in the role of the devious Al Kadir who gets his just rewards for his underhanded dealings with the Spanish.

I've always loved "El Cid", as a stirring drama from the medieval past. Despite its long running time (over three hours), I find my interest never wanes. It is a beautiful production that took years of planning and prepartion to achieve. Lavish without lacking a heart, exciting without loosing sight of the central story, romantic and colourful, I strongly recommend if you like historical dramas to have a look at this classic film, it really is a masterpiece of old Hollywwod movie making on the grand scale. Enjoy!

"El Cid" is Hollywood's greatest epic film by a long margin . Epics were fashionable between 1956 and 1963 which aimed through their spectacle and technology at getting patrons back into cinema seats after the damage TV had done to business . Anthony Mann's 50s westerns with James Stewart were the mythical , psychological and visual highpoint of that most mythical of genres . All Mann's virtues as a director of westerns have been transferred to this lofty story of medieval Spain . Charlton Heston was probably the only actor of his time with the authority and physical grace to carry with complete conviction and credibility a role of such heroic weight -this is far and away his best screen performance. Mann's imagery resonates through its clean , classical lines and stately compositions (and its awesome control of colour-greys , whites , blacks and browns). Miklos Rosza's intelligent score , based on medieval Spanish themes , lends the appropriate gravitas to complement Mann's visual imagination. Philip Yordan's necessarily stylised screenplay conveys the film's thoughtful mix of action and reflection . Sophia Loren is exquisitely lovely as the complex Chimene . And only Heston could have carried off the thrilling and uplifting finale where as a corpse strapped to his horse , he stirringly rides into legend-and the glory accorded to all mythical heroes .

Although El Cid has not been released in DVD to date, I have viewed the film on several occasions in other formats. Based on an epic poem, this film has a complex story-line set in feudal Spain. The film has richly colored landscapes supporting a story of knights in combat, loyality, threachery, a love affair, the power of friendship earned through virtue, and the importance of duty and honor. The musical score is moving and typical of the period of time in which the film was created, and the costumes are vibrant and help to create the feeling of feudal Spain. This is an excellent example of a particular film genre. The film is one of Charlton Heston's best performances. His acting is boldly appropriate and the film was an excellent vehicle for a highly competent supporting cast. It is one of the cast of thousands films that should be in every film affectionado's collection. It is worth viewing for the score, the landscapes and the fight sequences alone. I anxiously await a widescreen DVD release of this important film in digitally restored color, and sound. This is a film that can be viewed several times without boredom.

Among all the great Epic productions produced by Hollywood in the late 1950's and early 1960's "El Cid", always seems to be largely forgotten. Yet I believe it really deserves to be included in that pantheon of greats like "Ben Hur", "Cleopatra", and "Spartacus". Filled as it is with a sweeping tale covering an important period in Spain's history, breathtaking settings, romance, gorgeous costumes, well staged battles and tournaments and a very poignant ending this production has something for everyone.

Charlton Heston had one of his greatest roles in Roderigo Diaz de Vivar, better known as El Cid the legendary Spanish warrior that spent a lifetime trying to reconcile the Christians and Muslims of Spain in a united front against the onslaught of the African Moors. The story begins with young Roderigo on his way to his marriage to Jemina (Sophia Loren at her most fetching)when he is forced to fight a battle with the Moorish armies. Capturing five of their leaders he releases them on the promise that they will go and no longer raise arms against the Christian King of Spain. Unfortunately that is viewed as treason by the Spanish court and in the conflict to prove his innocense of treason Roderigo is forced to kill the father of his betrothed. Despite this set back in his marriage plans and after much conflict with Jemina the two are reconciled and eventually marry and experience a most happy life together. The intrigues of the court however make life difficult for Roderigo when King Ferdinand (Ralph Truman)dies and conflict begins to occur between his children. Supporting and then offering the crown to son Alfonso after the seige of Valencia it is finally seen that Roderigo is not trying to usurp the crown for himself but truly wishes to see all the factions in Spain united against the common enemy under their chosen King. At the all important seige of Valencia Roderigo is badly wounded by an arrow and bravely dies. Realising that the weak Alfonso cannot possibly rally the troops to a successful victory the generals take Roderigo's lifeless body and mount it on his horse and in this dramatic way Roderigo leds the army out of the city walls to attack the besieging Moors and bring about a victory for Spain's forces.

"El Cid", as befitting the stunning story it is is a visual feast for the eyes with meticulous direction of both the quite violent battle and seige scenes and with proper care shown in the tender moments experienced between Roderigo and Jemina. Of particular significance is the pairs meeting with the hermit in the wilderness and the many scenes of their married life together.Real tenderness is shown here unexpectadly in a story filled with so much violence and bloodshed. The historical research into the film is I feel flawless. Some of the weapons may be of a later date but everything, including the Castle interiors, and the selected locations in Spain for filming come together to create a wonderful recreation of these times in Medieval Spain. The tournament scenes are beautifully staged and Charlton Heston is totally convincing as the firstly naive and later world weary warrior who spends his life in the service of his King and Country. Sophia Loren of course has the less showy role here but never is Jemina a doormat for the men in the story. It is a great performance from this talented actress and she is at times loving, feisty, and sacrificing. "El Cid", also has great performances from Genevieve Page, John Fraser and Gary Raymond as the warring children of King Ferdinand, and much of the necessary intrigue in such a tale as this comes in the powerful Palace scenes between them. Australian actor Frank Thring who around this time appeared in many Epic Productions also shines in the role of the devious Al Kadir who gets his just rewards for his underhanded dealings with the Spanish.

I've always loved "El Cid", as a stirring drama from the medieval past. Despite its long running time (over three hours), I find my interest never wanes. It is a beautiful production that took years of planning and prepartion to achieve. Lavish without lacking a heart, exciting without loosing sight of the central story, romantic and colourful, I strongly recommend if you like historical dramas to have a look at this classic film, it really is a masterpiece of old Hollywwod movie making on the grand scale. Enjoy!

"El Cid" is Hollywood's greatest epic film by a long margin . Epics were fashionable between 1956 and 1963 which aimed through their spectacle and technology at getting patrons back into cinema seats after the damage TV had done to business . Anthony Mann's 50s westerns with James Stewart were the mythical , psychological and visual highpoint of that most mythical of genres . All Mann's virtues as a director of westerns have been transferred to this lofty story of medieval Spain . Charlton Heston was probably the only actor of his time with the authority and physical grace to carry with complete conviction and credibility a role of such heroic weight -this is far and away his best screen performance. Mann's imagery resonates through its clean , classical lines and stately compositions (and its awesome control of colour-greys , whites , blacks and browns). Miklos Rosza's intelligent score , based on medieval Spanish themes , lends the appropriate gravitas to complement Mann's visual imagination. Philip Yordan's necessarily stylised screenplay conveys the film's thoughtful mix of action and reflection . Sophia Loren is exquisitely lovely as the complex Chimene . And only Heston could have carried off the thrilling and uplifting finale where as a corpse strapped to his horse , he stirringly rides into legend-and the glory accorded to all mythical heroes .

Although El Cid has not been released in DVD to date, I have viewed the film on several occasions in other formats. Based on an epic poem, this film has a complex story-line set in feudal Spain. The film has richly colored landscapes supporting a story of knights in combat, loyality, threachery, a love affair, the power of friendship earned through virtue, and the importance of duty and honor. The musical score is moving and typical of the period of time in which the film was created, and the costumes are vibrant and help to create the feeling of feudal Spain. This is an excellent example of a particular film genre. The film is one of Charlton Heston's best performances. His acting is boldly appropriate and the film was an excellent vehicle for a highly competent supporting cast. It is one of the cast of thousands films that should be in every film affectionado's collection. It is worth viewing for the score, the landscapes and the fight sequences alone. I anxiously await a widescreen DVD release of this important film in digitally restored color, and sound. This is a film that can be viewed several times without boredom.

A cult 1986 classic mix of Sci-fi and horror with comedy tells the story of a group of flesh-eating Furball Aliens who escape from a Prison Ship in Space now comes to earth and lands in Kansas only to feed on human flesh, a pair of Shapeshifting Alien bounty Hunters persue them and must exterminate them.

This has wit and skill, it's even Billy Zane ( Titanic) in his first film and this features one of my favorite actors " Terrence Mann", a very underrated but brilliant actor portrays "Ug" the Bounty Hunter with the body and face of a Rock Singer.

followed by it's superior sequel " Critters 2".

It's still amazing to me how many little monster movies Hollywood churned out after the success of GREMLINS. You had MUNCHIES, you had GHOULIES and you had CRITTERS, which surprisingly enough turned out to be the best of the bunch. Not that I have anything against GREMLINS but CRITTERS has far more depth and character development than it does and it's leagues above the other two.

Directed by Stephen Herek, who would later go on to helm BILL & TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE and ROCK STAR with Mark Wahlberg, CRITTERS is a sci-fi/horror/comedy about a group of fur-ball aliens who escape from a prison space ship and come to Kansas for a bite to eat with a pair of intergalactic Bounty Hunters, who can take the face of nearly anyone they want, on their trail. Now as ridiculous as it all may sound, the characters are genuine and the family, along with Charlie, is real enough that you will end up caring about them by the time it's all over.

Still, in the end though CRITTERS is nothing more than campy fun but it's campy fun that will keep its viewers entertained. Check it out. You'll see what I mean.

B-

I saw CRITTERS on one of the IO channels because it was raining and I was bored. I thought it was going to be terrible, but, to my surprise, it's quite entertaining and enjoyable. It's a fun comedy/horror film in the vein of GREMLINS and it's very original. Even in the beginning, before the "critters" even arrive on Earth, the movie isn't boring, because we are introduced to all the charctors of the family that dealt with the "critters" and we see some of their different situations. Things really get goin' when the "critters" finally come! It's very funny and freaky at the same time and you'll definately like it if you liked GREMLINS.

"Fatal Attraction" was a box office smash in 1987. It is an intense psychological thriller with excellent performances by Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, and Anne Archer. Douglas plays the role of a man (Dan Gallagher) who's uneventful married life with Anne Archer leaves him vulnerable to an intense affair with business colleague, Alex (Close).

Initially, Alex comes across as an independent woman looking for no more than a brief affair with no strings attached. Once the reality sets in that the affair is over, she becomes jealous and angry. Gradually her anger drives her into madness as she stalks her lover and his family. Viewers may disagree as to whether Dan deserves his fate or not, but most would agree that this film will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Nominated for six Academy Awards, "Fatal Attraction" is worth watching more than once.

With a premise that resembles DRESSED TO KILL and BASIC INSTINCT (which was, by the way, made after this), although the plots are different, FATAL ATTRACTION has got to be, besides PSYCHO, the best suspense movie of all time. It has it all- great acting from an all star cast, featuring Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, Ann Archer, and Stuart Pankin; some REALLY scary moments (such as the "rabbit scene" and the ending); a believeable plot; great set pieces; and steamy love scenes. Though the plot can be sometimes predictable, it is well-crafted, and sure to make you afraid to cheat on your wife!

A married man (Michael Douglas) has a weekend fling with another woman (Glenn Close), while his wife (Anne Archer) and daughter are gone, looking for a house in which to live. When they return, Douglas wants nothing else to do with Close-- that is when she turns psychotic, sadistically stalking him and his family, until he is forced to tell his wife about his affair with Close; because of the news that she is pregnant with his child. Close is unrelenting; frequently calling their new home, only to hang-up when Archer answers. I won't reveal all of the surprises-- that is the main reason to watch FATAL ATTRACTION. All I can tell you is, the ending is a doozy!

The DVD market is now doing better in releasing everyone's favorite film, remastered with plenty of extras to make us happy. We have had to wait so long for them to come out though, and now that they are, we feel good about the decision we made when buying a DVD player. FATAL ATTRACTION is one of the films we have waited so long to come out on DVD. What took Paramount so long to release a classic such as this? I don't know. All I do know is that I am sure as hell going order it when it comes out to buy! The extras sound FANTASTIC, and this will probably be one of my favorite DVDs in my collection. This DVD will be a must for any collector!

Let's face it: we're guys. Wandering eyes. A perceptive inclination to gander at a short skirt, a hint of cleavage, a heart-pounding hip wiggle. I ran smack dab into a door the last time I gawked, but consider myself darn lucky compared to Michael Douglas' character in FATAL ATTRACTION--a white-knuckled "don't-let-this-happen-to-you" thriller that vividly demonstrates what can happen to a guy when he lets other parts of his anatomy do his thinking for him.

Manhattan lawyer Dan Gallagher (Douglas) has it all: successful career, attractive wife, loving daughter. So why not have an extramarital fling with a woman he met at a party while the family is out of town? Sure. Just a one-night stand. No harm, no foul. But there's something very "foul" about Dan's partner in crime, because blonde Alex Forrest (Glenn Close) may have all the right moves in the sack, but she also has an elevator that doesn't go all the way to the top. So when Dan wants to shake hands and part company, Alex will have none of it, and the table is set for a one-way ticket to Looney Land.

Let the stalking. . .the suspense. . .the thrills and chills. . .begin. The bathroom scene, in which Dan's frazzled wife Beth (Anne Archer) wipes the steam off the mirror, is worth the price of purchase of this video alone.

Director Adrian Lyne (as usual) delivers a gripping, antacid-popping story. The only positive in FATAL ATTRACTION was the fact all this bad stuff happened to an attorney. Like, how sad. I'd like to write more, but I hear the wife calling--something about all the hair in the sink. Don't want to get her riled.
--D. Mikels

"Fatal Attraction" was a box office smash in 1987. It is an intense psychological thriller with excellent performances by Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, and Anne Archer. Douglas plays the role of a man (Dan Gallagher) who's uneventful married life with Anne Archer leaves him vulnerable to an intense affair with business colleague, Alex (Close).

Initially, Alex comes across as an independent woman looking for no more than a brief affair with no strings attached. Once the reality sets in that the affair is over, she becomes jealous and angry. Gradually her anger drives her into madness as she stalks her lover and his family. Viewers may disagree as to whether Dan deserves his fate or not, but most would agree that this film will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Nominated for six Academy Awards, "Fatal Attraction" is worth watching more than once.

With a premise that resembles DRESSED TO KILL and BASIC INSTINCT (which was, by the way, made after this), although the plots are different, FATAL ATTRACTION has got to be, besides PSYCHO, the best suspense movie of all time. It has it all- great acting from an all star cast, featuring Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, Ann Archer, and Stuart Pankin; some REALLY scary moments (such as the "rabbit scene" and the ending); a believeable plot; great set pieces; and steamy love scenes. Though the plot can be sometimes predictable, it is well-crafted, and sure to make you afraid to cheat on your wife!

A married man (Michael Douglas) has a weekend fling with another woman (Glenn Close), while his wife (Anne Archer) and daughter are gone, looking for a house in which to live. When they return, Douglas wants nothing else to do with Close-- that is when she turns psychotic, sadistically stalking him and his family, until he is forced to tell his wife about his affair with Close; because of the news that she is pregnant with his child. Close is unrelenting; frequently calling their new home, only to hang-up when Archer answers. I won't reveal all of the surprises-- that is the main reason to watch FATAL ATTRACTION. All I can tell you is, the ending is a doozy!

The DVD market is now doing better in releasing everyone's favorite film, remastered with plenty of extras to make us happy. We have had to wait so long for them to come out though, and now that they are, we feel good about the decision we made when buying a DVD player. FATAL ATTRACTION is one of the films we have waited so long to come out on DVD. What took Paramount so long to release a classic such as this? I don't know. All I do know is that I am sure as hell going order it when it comes out to buy! The extras sound FANTASTIC, and this will probably be one of my favorite DVDs in my collection. This DVD will be a must for any collector!

Let's face it: we're guys. Wandering eyes. A perceptive inclination to gander at a short skirt, a hint of cleavage, a heart-pounding hip wiggle. I ran smack dab into a door the last time I gawked, but consider myself darn lucky compared to Michael Douglas' character in FATAL ATTRACTION--a white-knuckled "don't-let-this-happen-to-you" thriller that vividly demonstrates what can happen to a guy when he lets other parts of his anatomy do his thinking for him.

Manhattan lawyer Dan Gallagher (Douglas) has it all: successful career, attractive wife, loving daughter. So why not have an extramarital fling with a woman he met at a party while the family is out of town? Sure. Just a one-night stand. No harm, no foul. But there's something very "foul" about Dan's partner in crime, because blonde Alex Forrest (Glenn Close) may have all the right moves in the sack, but she also has an elevator that doesn't go all the way to the top. So when Dan wants to shake hands and part company, Alex will have none of it, and the table is set for a one-way ticket to Looney Land.

Let the stalking. . .the suspense. . .the thrills and chills. . .begin. The bathroom scene, in which Dan's frazzled wife Beth (Anne Archer) wipes the steam off the mirror, is worth the price of purchase of this video alone.

Director Adrian Lyne (as usual) delivers a gripping, antacid-popping story. The only positive in FATAL ATTRACTION was the fact all this bad stuff happened to an attorney. Like, how sad. I'd like to write more, but I hear the wife calling--something about all the hair in the sink. Don't want to get her riled.
--D. Mikels

In my opinion, this is the most beautiful movie ever made. The mixture of humor and drama truly make it relative to real life. To watch Larry, a man on a journey to discover, not only himself, but also the meaning of Life, is what makes this movie special. What is remarkable is that the tragedy that Larry must face at the end is what actually leads to his final understanding of what the gift of life really is. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who appreciates the beauty that can be found in life, even during dark times.

Like most moviegoers, when I heard Bill Murray was taking on the serious role of Larry Darrell in "The Razor's Edge," I was skeptical. I was a Bill Murray fan, but I couldn't imagine how the same goofy actor from "Saturday Night Live" and "Caddyshack" was going to portray a young man transformed by war to become a globetrotting seeker on a quest for a way of life that would satisfy both his heart and his head. The novel by W. Somerset Maugham had been filmed before, in 1946, with Tyrone Power as Darrell, and it was considered a pretty good film capitalizing on the Eastern-spirituality craze that swept Hollywood in the '40s. Why do it again?, I thought. But the more pre-film publicity I read about this 1984 version, the more I became interested in what the "SNL" alumnus would bring to the role. It was obvious that Bill Murray--who signed on to do "Ghostbusters" only after Columbia Pictures agreed to let him do "The Razor's Edge"--was committed to this story of spiritual transformation. While most film critics don't like Murray's performance, seeing him as a comic actor out of place in a drama, I see his Larry Darrell as a serious man with a sense of humor. Even before he witnesses the horrors of World War I, we see his lose-limbed, happy-go-lucky persona (which is true to the character Maugham created). Upon returning home to America, Darrell is a changed man, but one who has not lost his sense of humor; indeed, it is all the more important to him, as he uses it to deal with his post-war life. Sure, there is some anachronistic dialogue. Yes, the script differs from the novel. But the key elements are there: loyalty, forgiveness and most importantly, one man's search for himself.

This new DVD, which is short on extras, allows us to see the film in its original widescreen format, and that's bonus enough for me. It's certainly a big improvement over the pan-and-scan VHS cassette we've had to endure. Jack Nitzsche's sweeping score both captures the period and adds to the drama, and it sounds great here. The movie--much of which takes place in Paris and India--makes excellent use of location shots (conspicuously absent in the 1946 version), and with the DVD we get some spectacular views of Kashmir, India, an area now entrenched in terrorism. Interestingly, this version has Larry Darrell converting to Buddhism, giving audiences a chance to see the mountainous region of eastern Kashmir called Ladakh. (Sometimes called "Little Tibet," Ladakh is a lot like Tibet was before the Communist Chinese invasion, and "The Razor's Edge" gives us some inspiring views of this remote land.)

On the down side, though, the DVD transfer does not look as sharp as it could have. There are many specs of dirt visible, and the film looks grainy at times. This is disappointing, but not surprising for a film that made a mere $6 million at the box office back in 1984. Perhaps Columbia/Tristar felt this movie was a flop, so why bother giving audiences the best DVD they could. Still, this is an inspiring movie, and it's great to finally have it available on DVD.

Based on Somerset Maughan's classic novel about innocence, war and the long journey to find self-meaning, this 1984 movie was panned at the time of its release but in retrospect is a great, if flawed, work. The script was developed by Bill Murray along with John Byrum, and Murray practically blackmailed the studio to let him make the movie (holding Ghostbusters up). The performances are all wonderful, especially by the now deceased Denholm Elliot and Theresa Russel as the frustratingly sad character Sophie. One other note - this film has ONE OF THE FINEST MUSICAL SCORES OF ALL TIME. If you love James Horber and John Barry, you will LOVE Jack Nitsche's incredibly moving film music. Warning: you may cry during this movie. It is worth the DVD purchase.