Whoopi-Goldberg Movie Reviews

A film by Ed Bell and Thomas Lennon

This HBO documentary is a powerful film. In the 1930's the United States government commissioned journalists to conduct interviews with those former slaves who were still living. The result was a collection of more than 16 volumes of interviews, the words of former slaves about their experiences. The interviews were transcribed with the way these men and women spoke, in their vernacular. This film is a documentary made up of actors reading some of these interviews to tell the story of slavery and what it was like for these men and women. The documentary uses photos and old video footage to augment the slave narratives. Along with the photos and video footage, we also see the actors reading the narratives, speaking in character. This film is narrated by Whoopi Goldberg and features readings by: Angela Bassett, Don Cheadle, Samuel L Jackson, Oprah Winfrey, Jasmine Guy, Ossie Davis, Courtney B Vance, Alfe Woodard, and others.

The strongest part of this film, as you might expect, is hearing the words of the former slaves and see photographs from that time. This is powerful, powerful stuff. What is less effective is seeing the actors read the narratives. They are perfectly in character, but seeing the actors sitting there delivering the lines is less powerful than just hearing it. Unfortunately, the film also shows the actors right before and after they read the narratives. While the actors are very moved by what they have read and they are very respectful towards the material, it takes us out of the moment and pulls back from the power of the words. This only happens a couple of times, fortunately.

I would definitely recommend this film, especially to high school and college students. This should be part of the curriculum and not be ignored or skipped over, like the subject often is. These narratives are powerful and moving. Highly recommended.

The casting was perfect and the real emotion of the stars and readers seemed genuine. There is no greater history lesson on the birth of a country and its evolution than to hear first hand stories of an enslaved people. Well worth viewing.

It is hard watching stories on this subject. It is so much pain. Sometimes, it is very uncomfortable. You think, how could someone do such things. But, this somehow, felt like listening to a story from your mother, your grandmother or sister. (Hence the narrative part lives up to its name).

As I was being educated about my ancestors, I could not help but feel pride. I felt the depts of thier pain by listening to these narratives.

These people, lived without shoes, ate very little, got whipped for the smallest of "crimes," but managed to survive, and to care for one another and to build families--if only for a little while.

I bought this DVD and will buy the book. Too bad they did not offer it in a set.

Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner do a good job of looking back at the fun and sheer quality of stories that made classic Star Trek as good as it was. But it does end with a sense of saddness that the era of classic Trek is over and might never recaptured again in future shows or movies, not for a lack of trying however.

Hosted by Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner, this documentary explores the 25th Anniversary of Star Trek in an exciting way. They discuss everything from the birth of the phenomenon to the closest incarnation, the beginnings of Deep Space Nine. The inclusion of the bloopers of the old series were a master stroke that give this video five great informative stars.

Though he's now fairly widely known through his appearances on the New Hollywood Squares, Bruce Vilanche's work has been heard (and laughed at) by millions of people worldwide. As a joke writer for artists (Bette, Whoopi, Billy, Robin), events (Academy Awards), and in his earlier days, TV (Brady Bunch Variety Show, Donny & Marie), Vilanche is one of a few select go-to guys in Hollywood.

The documentary mixes interviews with his clients, footage of his featured work, snippets of Vilanche himself speaking at awards ceremoies (he won an Emmy for his Oscar work) and rare performances, and, most interestingly, some work sessions. The last is the most interesting, as it provides some insight as to how Vilanche goes about creating his jokes. His description of writing for different individuals - creating jokes and then voicing them appropriately, is fascinating. The peek into the working process of different comedians (Midler, Crystal, Williams) is revealing both of Vilanche and his clients.

What really makes this film work is that Vilanche is as interesting as the stars he writes for - something that cannot be said of all comedy writers.

It's good, but not worth 100 bucks. While it is a very well done documentary- that's what it is, a documentary. It is not a hilarious comedy. It merely documents how certain stars met Bruce and how he develops his creative ideas for comedy. Rent it before you buy it. Be sure you know what you are paying for.

Words cannot express the ways in which this great man has helped to mold me into the person I am today. He has helped me not only accept who I am but also how I live my life. Get Bruce! is an instant classic in my book. In the film the Master Vilanch shows not only his comical side, but also his androgynous personality. I am 110% positive he has had the same impact on all who have the pleasure of experiencing the Master at his finest. Bravo Bruce!!! I await the start of production of Get Bruce II. Like a fine wine this movie continues to get better with age. Pick up a copy and experience the MASTERFUL Vilanch for yourself. Take it form me the #1 fan: you wont be disapointed.

This was a gift for my three year old nephew, who has a great attention span for videos. He sat through a portion of the tape, looked at me and said..."I don't get it". Neither did I at first (I wasn't exactly jumping out my seat). I think it was to many stories tied into one for a three year old. We'll shelf it for now and give it ago at four. Otherwise, the series is a wonderful twist to nursey rhymes!!!

This is one of the best videos I have purchased for my child, age 2 1/2 years old. Not only does it entertain her; it teaches nursery rhymes. My husband and I enjoy it so that it's become a favorite when other adults come over. It's a must have for any child in this age of rap music. It's rap in a positive way.

This tape took me a minute to get it but once I did, it was really, really cute. The voices of Whoppie Goldberg, Jimmy Smits & others makes it so very interesting for my kids. They love this tape. I ordered the 4 tape package & this one was in the set. This is the better deal.

Be sure to read the short story by Alice Elliott Dark this film is based on. The writing will draw you in, grab you, then leave you knowing you've just experienced a wonderful moment. The visuals are all there and far better than the film.

This is just one of those movies where you walk away not sure what to say. I caught it by accident on cable, and was mesmerized from the second it started. It's a great story about life, and death, and all we hold dear to us.

I found this movie to be inspiring, hauntingly beautiful in thought and performance, writing and directing. A current day story that any of us might experience, and might not deal with as well as depicted here. The title song at the end is breathtaking, and I have been searching for it since seeing the film last year. Thought provoking and important. Well worth watching.

Disturbing look at mental illness, what passes as mental illness, a lack of hope for long term recovery and how human these people really are. Sad, touching, honest, comic moments, and thought-provoking.

I don't usually watch the Oscar's because for many years, people and movies I expect to win, never do. So, when I see a DVD that has "Oscar nominee" or "Academy Award Winner" and even "One of the best films of the year!" on the covers, I tend to say.."yeah, right! Whatever..."

I purchased the DVD of "GIRL, INTERRUPTED" and one of the driving forces for me to buy this is for the acting of Winona Ryder (watch her eyes because those emotions are within the eyes) and Angelina Jolie that is currently the eye candy for many entertainment magazines at this time.

After watching this movie, I must say that I was actually very pleased with the storyline. It's actually a very good story and the interaction among the girls was really interesting. James Mangold said in the director's commentary that it was about adding conflict and the conflicts between Susanna and Lisa or Susanna and her nurse and of course Susanna with Susanna is very well done.

Winona Ryder is a talented actress and again her eyes play a big part in this movie. In fact, the HBO First Look: "The Making of GIRL, INTERRUPTED" goes into that. As for Angelina Jolie, she did a perfect job in playing Lisa. With all the rumors and news going around, sometimes I wonder if Angelina and Lisa share anything in common. She deserves the Academy Award for playing a convincing sociopath.

The video quality of the movie is pretty good but there are noticeable artifacts during the dark scenes. The audio is good and you don't get so much because it's a dialogue driven movie. I think the only time I heard sounds from the speakers is when they rode on the VW van and you hear the engine.

What about the extras? Well, first, let's be thankful they made it anamorphic and they included the director's commentary, deleted scenes and an isolated music score. The HBO making of is very interesting to watch and the theatrical trailers for Winona and Angelina's movies were a nice touch.

So, overall you get a pretty good DVD with a pretty good story. Some might deem this as more of a movie more for women but I think both genders can enjoy this movie. It has a nice blend of drama, comedy and a few dark moments. Check it out!

"Girl, Interrupted", one of the best dramatic films in 2000, brings a darker side of life to the screen, not only referring to the time period, but also to the subject matter. Set in the turbulent late 1960s, a time of drugs, politics, and war, it follows the life of Susanna Kaysen, more specifically her two year stay at the famed McLean Psychiatric Hospital. Diagnosed with a "borderline personality disorder", she chooses not to conform to the wishes of the head nurse (Whoopi Goldberg) and psychiatrist (Vanessa Redgrave), but to instead befriend the resident women around her. Among them, a girl who will only eat her father's chicken, a woman who loves "Alice In Wonderland", and a charmingly charismatic sociopath Lisa (Angelina Jolie), the self proclaimed ringleader of the group. But confronted with the reality of it all and the looming need to be "fixed" Susanna soon realizes that to truly escape and taste her freedom, she will need to confront her biggest fear: herself. Winona Ryder, with an air of innocense and a tremendously realistic range of emotions and talents, has one of the best performances in her career as Susanna, and Angelina Jolie delivers a jaw-dropping (and well-earned Oscar- winning) performance as the troubled Lisa. Although this film is not for the weak at heart (it has disturbing self-mutilation/suicide scenes), it is wonderful in the sense it paints a realistic picture free of inhabitions and boundaries to create a truly remarkable film achievement.

Shades of It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World! Rat Race takes an all-star cast, meshes it with an unbelievable reward, and sets them both loose on a crash-course with comedy. When casino owner Donald Sinclair (John Cleese) places a $2 million reward in front of a group of people, the results are both predictable and unpredictable at the same time. It's easy to guess that everyone will do everything short of murder in order to get to the money first. But what is pleasantly surprising is that the laughs and twists in the plot are so frequent and refreshingly original. Never before have Lucille Ball impersonators, orphan squirrels and flying cows been so entertaining!

While the ending is a slight let-down, the rest of the movie is more than entertaining; in fact, I would rate this among the 10 funniest movies I have ever seen. The biggest treats are Vince Vieluf as a tongue-pierced mumbler, Seth Green as his conniving brother and Rowan Atkinson as an outrageous Italian with a case of narcolepsy. Kathy Bates makes a very funny unbilled appearance as a crazed squirrel-peddler. The DVD has some very interesting and original features, including surprise phone calls to the stars and a hillarious outtake featuring Vieluf and Green. If you're looking for comedy, you won't do much better than Rat Race.

Once in a blue moon, Hollywood produces a flick like Rat Race - fast-paced, full of physical humor and visual gags, and a cast of diverse personalities who all add substantially to the film.

Several different people from all walks of life are in a Vegas casino playing a slot machine when they each win a gold coin, telling them to come to a special meeting in the penthouse. It turns out they have been selected to each take a key and race to a locker in a train station in Silver City, NM to claim $2 million. In turn, the high-rollers of the casino are placing bets on THEM, for, as the casino owner puts it, it is "better than a horse race because these animals have the ability to think and play dirty!"

Especially funny is Cuba Gooding Jr. as a famous referee who made a bad call on a football game the week before and can't get a cab ride because the drivers lost a lot of money due to him! He ends up posing as a bus driver for an I Love Lucy Convention in the movie's most hilarious scenes. Cuba proves he can do both comedy and drama with equal aplomb -- he has a great career in front of him!

The best thing about this film is how it ends -- let's just say that you don't see it coming at all, but it is very inspired!

The antics and slapstick comedy was absolutely, side-splittingly, frickin' hilarious! I had trouble breathing, afterwards, because I laughed so hard. All the greats like Lovits and Gleese and Atkinson made this film one of the greatest comedies I've ever seen.

Shades of It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World! Rat Race takes an all-star cast, meshes it with an unbelievable reward, and sets them both loose on a crash-course with comedy. When casino owner Donald Sinclair (John Cleese) places a $2 million reward in front of a group of people, the results are both predictable and unpredictable at the same time. It's easy to guess that everyone will do everything short of murder in order to get to the money first. But what is pleasantly surprising is that the laughs and twists in the plot are so frequent and refreshingly original. Never before have Lucille Ball impersonators, orphan squirrels and flying cows been so entertaining!

While the ending is a slight let-down, the rest of the movie is more than entertaining; in fact, I would rate this among the 10 funniest movies I have ever seen. The biggest treats are Vince Vieluf as a tongue-pierced mumbler, Seth Green as his conniving brother and Rowan Atkinson as an outrageous Italian with a case of narcolepsy. Kathy Bates makes a very funny unbilled appearance as a crazed squirrel-peddler. The DVD has some very interesting and original features, including surprise phone calls to the stars and a hillarious outtake featuring Vieluf and Green. If you're looking for comedy, you won't do much better than Rat Race.

Once in a blue moon, Hollywood produces a flick like Rat Race - fast-paced, full of physical humor and visual gags, and a cast of diverse personalities who all add substantially to the film.

Several different people from all walks of life are in a Vegas casino playing a slot machine when they each win a gold coin, telling them to come to a special meeting in the penthouse. It turns out they have been selected to each take a key and race to a locker in a train station in Silver City, NM to claim $2 million. In turn, the high-rollers of the casino are placing bets on THEM, for, as the casino owner puts it, it is "better than a horse race because these animals have the ability to think and play dirty!"

Especially funny is Cuba Gooding Jr. as a famous referee who made a bad call on a football game the week before and can't get a cab ride because the drivers lost a lot of money due to him! He ends up posing as a bus driver for an I Love Lucy Convention in the movie's most hilarious scenes. Cuba proves he can do both comedy and drama with equal aplomb -- he has a great career in front of him!

The best thing about this film is how it ends -- let's just say that you don't see it coming at all, but it is very inspired!

The antics and slapstick comedy was absolutely, side-splittingly, frickin' hilarious! I had trouble breathing, afterwards, because I laughed so hard. All the greats like Lovits and Gleese and Atkinson made this film one of the greatest comedies I've ever seen.

Shades of It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World! Rat Race takes an all-star cast, meshes it with an unbelievable reward, and sets them both loose on a crash-course with comedy. When casino owner Donald Sinclair (John Cleese) places a $2 million reward in front of a group of people, the results are both predictable and unpredictable at the same time. It's easy to guess that everyone will do everything short of murder in order to get to the money first. But what is pleasantly surprising is that the laughs and twists in the plot are so frequent and refreshingly original. Never before have Lucille Ball impersonators, orphan squirrels and flying cows been so entertaining!

While the ending is a slight let-down, the rest of the movie is more than entertaining; in fact, I would rate this among the 10 funniest movies I have ever seen. The biggest treats are Vince Vieluf as a tongue-pierced mumbler, Seth Green as his conniving brother and Rowan Atkinson as an outrageous Italian with a case of narcolepsy. Kathy Bates makes a very funny unbilled appearance as a crazed squirrel-peddler. The DVD has some very interesting and original features, including surprise phone calls to the stars and a hillarious outtake featuring Vieluf and Green. If you're looking for comedy, you won't do much better than Rat Race.

Once in a blue moon, Hollywood produces a flick like Rat Race - fast-paced, full of physical humor and visual gags, and a cast of diverse personalities who all add substantially to the film.

Several different people from all walks of life are in a Vegas casino playing a slot machine when they each win a gold coin, telling them to come to a special meeting in the penthouse. It turns out they have been selected to each take a key and race to a locker in a train station in Silver City, NM to claim $2 million. In turn, the high-rollers of the casino are placing bets on THEM, for, as the casino owner puts it, it is "better than a horse race because these animals have the ability to think and play dirty!"

Especially funny is Cuba Gooding Jr. as a famous referee who made a bad call on a football game the week before and can't get a cab ride because the drivers lost a lot of money due to him! He ends up posing as a bus driver for an I Love Lucy Convention in the movie's most hilarious scenes. Cuba proves he can do both comedy and drama with equal aplomb -- he has a great career in front of him!

The best thing about this film is how it ends -- let's just say that you don't see it coming at all, but it is very inspired!

The antics and slapstick comedy was absolutely, side-splittingly, frickin' hilarious! I had trouble breathing, afterwards, because I laughed so hard. All the greats like Lovits and Gleese and Atkinson made this film one of the greatest comedies I've ever seen.

Shades of It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World! Rat Race takes an all-star cast, meshes it with an unbelievable reward, and sets them both loose on a crash-course with comedy. When casino owner Donald Sinclair (John Cleese) places a $2 million reward in front of a group of people, the results are both predictable and unpredictable at the same time. It's easy to guess that everyone will do everything short of murder in order to get to the money first. But what is pleasantly surprising is that the laughs and twists in the plot are so frequent and refreshingly original. Never before have Lucille Ball impersonators, orphan squirrels and flying cows been so entertaining!

While the ending is a slight let-down, the rest of the movie is more than entertaining; in fact, I would rate this among the 10 funniest movies I have ever seen. The biggest treats are Vince Vieluf as a tongue-pierced mumbler, Seth Green as his conniving brother and Rowan Atkinson as an outrageous Italian with a case of narcolepsy. Kathy Bates makes a very funny unbilled appearance as a crazed squirrel-peddler. The DVD has some very interesting and original features, including surprise phone calls to the stars and a hillarious outtake featuring Vieluf and Green. If you're looking for comedy, you won't do much better than Rat Race.

Once in a blue moon, Hollywood produces a flick like Rat Race - fast-paced, full of physical humor and visual gags, and a cast of diverse personalities who all add substantially to the film.

Several different people from all walks of life are in a Vegas casino playing a slot machine when they each win a gold coin, telling them to come to a special meeting in the penthouse. It turns out they have been selected to each take a key and race to a locker in a train station in Silver City, NM to claim $2 million. In turn, the high-rollers of the casino are placing bets on THEM, for, as the casino owner puts it, it is "better than a horse race because these animals have the ability to think and play dirty!"

Especially funny is Cuba Gooding Jr. as a famous referee who made a bad call on a football game the week before and can't get a cab ride because the drivers lost a lot of money due to him! He ends up posing as a bus driver for an I Love Lucy Convention in the movie's most hilarious scenes. Cuba proves he can do both comedy and drama with equal aplomb -- he has a great career in front of him!

The best thing about this film is how it ends -- let's just say that you don't see it coming at all, but it is very inspired!

The antics and slapstick comedy was absolutely, side-splittingly, frickin' hilarious! I had trouble breathing, afterwards, because I laughed so hard. All the greats like Lovits and Gleese and Atkinson made this film one of the greatest comedies I've ever seen.