Anne of Green Gables

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This gorgeous adaptation of Lucy Maud Montgomery's classic children's story is well worth watching with the whole family. Produced for Canadian television, it's one of those rare productions that actually sticks to the book and even enhances it through first-rate performances and an excellent script. Set on bucolic Prince Edward Island in the late 19th century, Anne of Green Gables is the story of Anne Shirley, an imaginative and headstrong orphan. When brother and sister Marilla and Mathew Cuthbert decide to adopt an orphan boy to help Matthew work the farm, they are astonished when Anne arrives at the train station by mistake. "What use is she to us?" grumbles the gruff Marilla. "We might be of some use to her," answers Matthew, who has taken an instant liking to the talkative Anne. As Anne grows up, her adventures are both hilarious and moving. It's a delight to watch as she forms a friendship with the beautiful Diana and her admirer--the dashing Gilbert Blythe--then dyes her hair green, cracks a slate over Gilbert's head when he calls her "Carrots," and finds a sympathetic teacher who encourages her to attend college.

Richard Farnsworth is perfect as the shy and gentle bachelor Matthew, who confides to Anne that he never went courting because "I would have had to say something." Colleen Dewhurst delivers a nuanced and powerful performance as Marilla, a seemingly cold-hearted spinster whose no-nonsense exterior conceals a warm heart. And as Anne, Megan Follows strikes the perfect note, maturing from freckle-faced orphan to elegant and poised young woman. --Elisabeth Keating

Customer Reviews:

uplifting entertainment.......2007-09-08

Solid story that teaches many important lessons. It's not just a movie for young girls. Richard Farnsworth was one of the best!

A great experience.......2007-09-05

I love Anne of Green Gables and I ordered it off of Amazon with no problems. It arrived in the mail a week later. Perfect!

Anne of Green Gables.......2007-09-02

Again I bought this DVD for my wife. I had given her Anne of Green Gables The Sequel several years ago and she had tried to find the original story of Anne of Green Gables but could not find it in local stores where we live. She loved it so much that after watching it she watched the sequel again and has now ordered the Continuing Story of Anne of Green Gables. It is nice to know there are still some nice, clean movies out there that have a good story and can entertain you without listening to vulgar language and watching violence.

oh, lordy..........2007-08-27

This simpering little twit plodding her way through this series should be used as forced-viewing punishment for people who take organized sports too seriously. I suffered through an hour of this with my wife and I wished she's fall down a well and not come out. Or fall off a horse-drawn carriage that's going at full speed. Or, well, you get the idea.

beautiful, intelligent and delightfully entertaining..............2007-08-26

This great 1985 production gloriously brings the characters from the "Anne" series, written by Canadian writer Lucy Maude Montgomery, to life. I remember well watching (and reading) this story as a small child. It was magical, then, and it remains so more than twenty years later. Anne (Megan Follows) is a lively and strong-willed orphan adopted by Marilla (Colleen Dewhurst) and Matthew (Richard Farnsworth) Cuthbert, siblings in need of a helper on their farm. Originally, they had expected to adopt a boy, but fate has other plans for them. Anne proves to be just what they needed. She brings them her youth, indomitable spirit and flare for getting into mischief. Along the way, Anne meets and befriends neighbor and classmate Diana Berry (Schuyler Grant) and butts heads with "would be" suitor Gilbert Blythe (Jonathan Crombie). Anne's slew of adventures and misadventures are a lot of fun to watch (especially an instance where she attempts to die her red hair auburn--turning it green instead!).

The strength of this wonderful film is in the engaging acting, warm direction from Kevin Sullivan and the luscious photography. You really feel like you have been transported to St. Edward Island in Canada, in the early 1900s. You'll laugh, you'll feel the pangs and poignance of Anne's trials and tribulations and you will absolutely lose yourself in the story.

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Real or not?
A Movie That Anti-War Media Loved!
POLITICS IN JUNGLE BOOTS - A VIETNAM WAR DEPICTION THROUGH MOVIES
Greatest Vietnam movie of all time!
The Nightmare of War

Platoon (Special Edition)
Starring: Tom Berenger , Willem Dafoe , Keith David , Johnny Depp , and Kevin Dillon
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005AUJQ
Release Date: 2001-06-05

Amazon.com essential video

Platoon put writer-turned-director Oliver Stone on the Hollywood map; it is still his most acclaimed and effective film, probably because it is based on Stone's firsthand experience as an American soldier in Vietnam. Chris (Charlie Sheen) is an infantryman whose loyalty is tested by two superior officers: Sergeant Elias (Willem Dafoe), a former hippie humanist who really cares about his men (this was a few years before he played Jesus in Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ), and Sergeant Barnes (Tom Berenger), a moody, macho soldier who may have gone over to the dark side. The personalities of the two sergeants correspond to their combat drugs of choice--pot for Elias and booze for Barnes. Stone has become known for his sledgehammer visual style, but in this film it seems perfectly appropriate. His violent and disorienting images have a terrifying immediacy, a you-are-there quality that gives you a sense of how things may have felt to an infantryman in the jungles of Vietnam. Platoon won Oscars for best picture and director. --Jim Emerson

Description

Winner* of 4 Academy AwardsÂ(r), including Best Picture, and based on the first-hand experience of OscarÂ(r)-winning** director Oliver Stone, Platoon is powerful, intense and starkly brutal. "Harrowingly realistic and completely convincing" (Leonard Maltin), it is "a dark, unforgettable memorial" (The Washington Post) to every soldier whose innocence was lost in the war-torn jungles of Vietnam. Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) is a young, naive American who, upon his arrival in Vietnam, quickly discovers that he must do battle not only with the Viet Cong, but also with the gnawing fear, physical exhaustion and intense anger growing within him. While his two commanding officers (OscarÂ(r)-nominated*** Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe) draw a fine line between the war they wage against the enemy and the one they fight with each other, the conflict, chaos and hatred permeate Taylor, suffocating his realities and numbing his feelings to man's highest value life.

Customer Reviews:

Real or not?.......2007-08-02

I was born during the Vietnam war years, and have no idea if what Stone depicts in this movie is realistic or not; however, it is my favorite. There is so much more to this movie than many realize. The dynamics of the relationships between characters, especially Sgt. Elias and Sgt. Barnes are like taughtly pulled violin strings ready to snap. In fact, they do snap in an extremely dramatic and lethal manner. The scene where Sgt. Elias is literally running for his life is made even more heart wrenching when coupled with Barber's Adagio for Strings. This particular piece of music is haunting in it's self; but with the death scene of Sgt. Elias it is emotionally devestating. This particular piece of music portrays the despair, sorrow, and isolation felt by Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen's character), and probably many men who were truly there.

I will admit, not having been there, not learning much about Vietnam in school (it was a topic quickly glossed over), and having an older brother who was in Vietnam not talk about it, does lend itself to misinformation/misimpressions gathered from films such as this one. Having said that, what I take away from the movie is the Hell too many men experienced, and how the Vietnam war affected all of us in ways we don't even realize. Is it real? I believe many parts of it are not, as a whole, but did those things happen? Unfortunaley they probably did to some extent.

I watch this movie to remind myself of the atrocities done to man by man, and to remind myself why I honor our service men and women. With every watching I am humbled and awed by the sacrifices so many men gave. That is the value of Platoon.

A Movie That Anti-War Media Loved!.......2007-06-04

First off, this film is fiction and what happened in the movie is not totally square with the facts of this war nor does it protray Vietnam veterans as they really were. It is a liberal attempt to justify their anti-war stance and to show America and the world that all of us Vietnam veterans were out murdering people and burning villages. The plot of this movie does not fly - and yet so may people think this is one of the best war films ever made. It shows what people think of that war and what they wish to keep believing about the men who fought it.

This film helps feed the media's image of crazzy veterans. I was offended by the movie but even more so by the huge reception it has gotten as a "realistic movie" about the war. They could have filmed this at Berkeley and cast the actors from the Cal student body.

I know it is just a movie but it serves no veteran - and is not healing for this nation. It is a very popular film, there is no doubt about it - and the acting is done well. The action is realistic in the battle scenes - but it is plot and the message of the film that gets in the way of me viewing this as nothing more than another attempt to make veterans look bad. I am not against anti-war films - I am just against films that demean the images of veterans.

I served my tour of duty in Nam from October 1966- October 1967 - I was wounded and saw my fair share of combat as a crew-chief/ door-gunner on a Huey. I have been helping my fellow veterans now for 3 decades trying to adjust from that war and our poor welcome back home - this film hurts that effort and is an insult!

Do us all a favor and do not buy this film and enrich those who made this propaganda. Reach out and help those veterans coming home from this war on terrorism - they are in need of your support! Let us not do to them what this country did to us Nam veterans!

POLITICS IN JUNGLE BOOTS - A VIETNAM WAR DEPICTION THROUGH MOVIES.......2007-06-01

BY: Fernando de Mello Pimentel

The world we see today, thrusted by a globalized set of integrated political and commercial trading practices, is arguably very dissimilar from the bi-polarized and ideologically lugubrious background of the 20th Century's post World War II years, also known as the "Cold War". At a time when an imaginary line divided the globe in two geopolitical blocks -the capitalist and socialist -, the United States and the former U.S.S.R where the two major players at the chessboard in charge of the strategy for the rest of the World's fate. Both sides designated what was known at the time as their "Spheres of Influence", which in practical terms meant that strategic alliances with other ideologically close countries were drawn with the sole purpose of achieving world-wide domination. Such concept was clearly materialized with the construction of the Berlin Wall (1961-1989), also known as "Iron Curtain", which literarally divided the world into zones of capitalist and communist ideologies.

America's role at the time was to secure the deployment of capitalist economical aid, political influence and military support to other areas of the world in detriment of Soviet communist regime expansion, and vice-versa. The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962), the wars of Korea (1950-1953), Vietnam (1959-1975) and the Soviet-Afghan (1979-1989) and the constant and widespread fear of nuclear annihilation - at the verge of a massive arms race - were all under the spotlight of world foreign affair policies promoted by both parties. The Vietnam War was perhaps one of the most intriguing outcomes of this conflicted era. It has been increasingly depicted in countless hollywood productions and television series ever since the mid 70's.

Debuting in 1978, in this sphere of cinematographic story telling, is Michael Cimino's epic "The Deer Hunter", which describes the friendship of 3 Pennsylvania steel workers of Rusyn ancestry. As strong and realistic as this tale is, perhaps no other film is as psychological and nerve-wrecking as Francis Ford Coppola's "Apocalypse Now", with its intense narrative about an american special forces elite soldier having gone totally insane in the jungles of south asia and having decided to take matters by his own hands and methods. This 1979 motion picture has stirred up audiences around the globe by portraying the horrors of war and its tormenting effects on both civilians and military personnel. Embracing all of this chaotic nature is the fictional Nung River, which metaphorically stands for Colonel Kurtz's gradual but irreversible psychological navigation towards a derranging stream of consciousness which undeniably led him to cross over to the dark side of mental sanity.

While "The Deer Hunter" was a film about friendship ties dilacerated by mental breakdown caused by imprisonment in Vietnamese P.O.W camps and the unbearable hardships of coming home, and "Apocalypse Now" was a harshly psychological metaphor for military desertion and misconduction of War, Oliver Stone's 1986 auto-biographical "Platoon" is the definite account on the sheer loss of innocence every young enlisted man underwent during his tour of duty. In the movie, Stone explores the 25th Infantry Division's Bravo Company Platoon as a microcosm which emblematizes the Pentagon's controversial and misleading military policy to restrain communist expansion in southeast asia.

Political and ideological clashes erupt between the outfit's two main leaders - Staff Sergeant Barnes and Sergeant Elias - triggering a polarizing conflict within the platoon which precipitates the decay of morale. The inoperative Lieutenant Wolfe is incapable of controlling the ongoing joust within his group. His total lack of authority over the platoon is accurately portrayed throughout the movie and is somehow Stone's testimony on America's incompetence in directing the war.

Politics is a recurring theme in "Platoon" which uncompromisingly displays the military's unquenchable thirst for power. While Sergeant Barnes is the personification of the ambitious quest for unlimited power, Sergeant O'Neil represents a submissive class of `boot-licking" scoundrels who will give unconditional support to their superior officers in exchange of personal benefits. On the extreme opposite end lies Sergeant Elias, a hippie humanist who cares for his fellow men as if they were his own blood. Elias is an authentic crusader who has been in country long enough - at least three complete tours - to become completely acquainted to the devastating sub-products of war and thus form a solid contrary opinion about it - traces of pacifism can actually be inferred by his non-violent behaviour and clear pursuit of escapism. His natural leadership skills spontaneously blossom as he constantly finds himself supporting and coaching rookies who have just been freshly shipped into the combat zone. On the other hand, Sergeant Barnes gains similar respect from his men by casting terror among both foes and friendlies - which pretty much builds his reputation on being feared. Although morally distinct in character, both leaders are equally sharp on combat skills and military tactics.

In addition to the testimonial nature of the film, "Platoon" is also renowned for its scenes of graphic and verbal violence which have been warmly captured by Stone while in duty. "Platoon" is arguably one of the most authentic and visceral movies to depict the tragedies and misfortunes of an entire generation of Americans living during the cold-war era. It also realistically depicts the crude "Politics in Jungle Boots" of a nation struggling to find its role in a Post-World War II nazi-fascist free world.

***** - A CINEMATOGRAPHIC MASTERPIECE!!!

Greatest Vietnam movie of all time!.......2007-05-26

I'm a huge fan of war movies, especially vietnam era ones. Probably because I've been in war and I like to see it depicted on film. This movie does a wonderful job of showing what the vietnam war was like through one particular army platoon. Now I read several reviews that discredited this movie becuase it didn't depict the various men serving in vietnam in a good military manner and I will say that Stone does highlight the drugs and insubordination alot but that stuff did go, a good bit from what I've read and heard from vets. lets face it, people want to see action and drama, not boring robot, do what your told all the time, every time. No matter what people might say, I still think this is an awesome movie and a must see for ANYONE.

The Nightmare of War.......2007-05-24

I have watched Platoon more than any other war movie. So much so that I've had to give it a rest over the last few years.
Why is it so good?
Perhaps because it is the most realistic (certainly Vietnam) war movie ever made. Its based on Oliver Stones own experiences in Vietnam. Now I doubt whether there were actually two so clearly good and bad characters, as represented by Willem Dafoe and Tom Beringer in the film, but it is the spark between these two that creates much of the films atmosphere.
There are quite a few scenes in this film, such as when the Charlie Sheen character wakes up in the middle of the night (in the jungle), that are wonderfully done. You really get an idea of just how scary being a soldier might be.
I'm also sure that the film would not not have been as successful as it was, without its marvellous soundtrack. Most noteably Samuel Barbers 'Adagio for Strings'. This piece of music alone adds an extra dimension to the scenes it is used in. A very haunting and sad piece of music.
The ending of the film is perhaps the only weak point, but it is a minor quibble about a very powerful and moving film.

Average customer rating:

I can't believe this film only got 3 stars!!
Huh?
More reaction than storytelling
Piece of ...
not a classic

House of 1,000 Corpses
Starring: Chad Bannon , William Bassett , Karen Black , Erin Daniels , and Dennis Fimple
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00009MGEM
Release Date: 2003-08-12

Amazon.com

It's sick! It's twisted! It's House of 1,000 Corpses, and it's more fun than a wholesome bowl of "Agatha Crispies"! Dropped by two studios (Universal and MGM) and doomed to obscurity until Lions Gate Films gave it a limited theatrical release, Rob Zombie's gonzo horror flick is a blood-spattered throwback to the gore-fests of the '70s, lending new meaning to the term "box-office gross." Most critics misunderstood this unbridled exercise in graphic style and violence, but for devoted horror buffs it's a refreshing rebuttal to the comparatively "polite" frights of the post-Scream era. While paying homage to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Last House on the Left, Motel Hell, and other gory classics, Zombie's ramshackle plot (two young couples are terrorized by an inbred family of homicidal maniacs) lacks a crucial sense of dread, but his pastiche of vivid colors, grainy fetish-films, and photo-negative imagery is guaranteed to hold your attention. A bona-fide cult item, this House is definitely worth a visit... if you dare. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

I can't believe this film only got 3 stars!!.......2007-09-10

House of 1,000 Corpses is the quintessential horror film. Not much of a psychological thriller, not a lot of b.s., no gratuitous sexual assaults as in the follow-up, just lots of good old-fashioned killin! I loved this film!

Huh?.......2007-09-07

Don't get me wrong, I give Rob Zombie credit for writing and directing his first two films though they could've been alot better. I'm all about the campy and the gore but, this one as well as Devil's Rejects, didn't really have alot of depth along with the fact that there was excessive profanity. Same with some of the ludeness.

I'm still anxious to see Rob's take on Halloween and I understand that sometimes a first time film maker has to experiment till their films get even better.

More reaction than storytelling.......2007-09-06

What do you consider a movie? Horror fans have two different paths to take. The Hammer horror films (numerous Dracula films with Christopher Lee) had a plot line that came to a conclusion, granting that sometimes the conclusion was transitory (like the hand of the monster reaching from the grave as the movie closed). Other films, like "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," don't have the same structured narrative construction. The story is more a basic premise that is wrapped in horrific images that are designed to get a response. Rob Zombie's film is more like the latter.

"House of a 1000 Corpses" has a few basic storylines that connect but like "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," there is no explanation of why. The movie is designed to get a visceral response from the audience, and this movie does this in spades. The photography can be chaotic, which reflects what is happening to the victims. You will feel uneasy and disturbed.

Traditional horror fans (like ghost stories, vampires, mummies, etc.) may find this a bit too graphic and bloody. Fans of slasher films (with the psychopathic killer) will find that Rob Zombie does know horror.

Piece of ..........2007-09-03

Another rip off of Texas Chainsaw massacre and an excuse for some gore and a sequel. What is the point of this film? There is no plot and the characters are all one-dimensional and predictable. I suppose this is one of those adolescent films kids talk about at school. Probably appeals to those who still have a childish taste for gore - grow up.

not a classic.......2007-08-26

This is one of the worst horror films ever made. This movie is a sloppy mess about a deranged low life killer family that wreak havoc on travelers. This movie could have been entertaining instead it was dull, very poorly written, and had a very poor plot and almost no special effects.

Frankenstein (75th Anniversary Edition) (Universal Legacy Series)

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STILL HOLDS IT'S OWN! KARLOFF IS AMAZING!
Still impressive
Can a 75 Year Old Black And White Film Still Entertain? Yes!!!!
Warning Against Weird Science
Frankenstein (1931)

Frankenstein (75th Anniversary Edition) (Universal Legacy Series)
Starring: Colin Clive , Mae Clarke , John Boles , Boris Karloff , and Edward Van Sloan
Director: James Whale
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
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ASIN: B000GPIPT2
Release Date: 2006-09-26

Amazon.com essential video

"It's alive! Alive!" shouts Colin Clive's triumphant Dr. Frankenstein as electricity buzzes over the hulking body of a revived corpse. "In the name of God now I know what it's like to be God!" For years unheard, this line has been restored, along with the legendary scene of the childlike monster tossing a little girl into a lake, in James Whale's Frankenstein, one of the most famous and influential horror movies ever made. Coming off the tremendous success of Dracula, Universal assigned sophomore director Whale to helm an adaptation of Mary Shelley's famous novel with Bela Lugosi as the monster. When Lugosi declined the role, Whale cast the largely unknown character actor Boris Karloff and together with makeup designer Jack Pierce they created the most memorable monster in movie history: a towering, lumbering creature with sunken eyes, a flat head, and a jagged scar running down his forehead. Whale and Karloff made this mute, misunderstood brute, who has the brain of a madman (the most obvious of the many liberties taken with Shelley's story), the most pitiable freak of nature to stumble across the screen. Clive's Dr. Frankenstein is intense and twitchy and Dwight Frye set the standard for mad-scientist sidekicks as the wild-eyed hunchback assistant. Whale's later films, notably the spooky spoof The Old Dark House and the deliriously stylized sequel The Bride of Frankenstein, display a surer cinematic hand than seen here and add a subversive twist of black comedy, but given the restraints of early sound films, Whale breaks the film free from static stillness and adorns it with striking design and expressionist flourishes. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

STILL HOLDS IT'S OWN! KARLOFF IS AMAZING!.......2007-08-17

One of the greatest horror movies ever made! I know Dracula came out first, but that is a much more subtle horror film than the "maniac monster on the loose" of "Frankenstein"! This film gives us the definitive Mad Doctor,Evil Assistant and Monster! Clive,Frye and Sloan give brilliant performances, but it is Karloff's genius performance that has kept this movie in the top 100 all time greatest films for eternity! Playing his part of the misunderstood undead being with pathos added so much to this picture, that can not be summed up in words. It is just a marvelous performance! I love the sequel "The Bride Of Frankenstein" but this one is better IMHO. I wanted my 500th review to be special and this film changed my life! I was a monster kid from the first time I saw this movie. The film has been released on DVD 3 times and this review is for the 75th anniversay edition. The DVD transfer is excellent, but not perfect. I didn't think the audio was anything special, but what can you expect for a film celebrating 75 years! If you don't own any versions, buy the 75th anniversary edition, Otherwise wait for HD! Unless you a monster nut like me and buy it 4 times! once on VHS and 3 times on DVD!

Still impressive.......2007-08-08

James Whale's film, based on Mary Shelley's classic novel "Frankenstein," was produced at Universal in 1931 as a follow-up to the immensely successful "Dracula." Even more than the Bela Lugosi shocker, Frankenstein created a sensation in its day, terrifying audiences in ways that no film had done before. Now, of course, "Frankenstein" is so tame it could even be recommended viewing for children, a group that would have been warned to avoid the film in its original release, although the scene (once deleted, but now restored) in which the Monster throws a little girl into a pond, may give them a nightmare or two.

"Frankenstein" is no longer frightening, but it remains impressive, and its story of a scientist who dared to imitate God is as timely as ever. Even now, in this age of computer generated special effects, Jack Pierce's stunning makeup has never been equaled or duplicated. When Boris Karloff makes his first entrance as the Monster, he still inspires awe rather than snickers. Kenneth Strickfaden's striking laboratory sets are still a sight to behold, and were used again in Mel Brooks' send-up, "Young Frankenstein," 43 years later.

But it is the performances that really transcend time. Colin Clive as the nerve frayed doctor is outstanding, as is Dwight Frye as his hunchbacked assistant Fritz (often mistakenly referred to as Ygor, the role played by Lugosi in the second sequel, 1939's "Son of Frankenstein"). Best of all is Karloff in his star-making portrayal of the Monster. It would have been easy to play the role as a lumbering idiot, but Karloff's humanity comes through to make this soulless creature an object of sympathy instead of horror.

One of the most important and influential films in cinema history, "Frankenstein" is essential viewing.

Brian W. Fairbanks

Can a 75 Year Old Black And White Film Still Entertain? Yes!!!!.......2007-07-26

Though the original FRANKENSTEIN is not particularly scary to a modern viewer and is more inspired by Mary Shelley's groundbreaking gothic novel than true to it this classic film is still very worth seeing. Boris Karloff has no dialogue beyond a growl as the monster yet with marvelous makeup and expressive eyes we actually find sympathy with Frankenstein's poor addled creation. Karloff's portrayal and its clones are the monster we envision when we hear the word Frankenstein. The scene with Maria (the little girl playing with the daisies) is restored to what director Whale originally intended and in this context we see the incident as a pathetic accident rather than just a mindless killing. I kept waiting for the scene with the monster and the blind man but that occurs in the also worthy sequel BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN. This is a short film of a little more than an hour and a must see for anyone interested in the history of film or the horror genre.

Warning Against Weird Science.......2007-06-26

This 'Revised Version' film begins with a burial. The grave is filled in. Two men dig up the coffin in the now empty graveyard. Then they cut down a hanged man; but this body is useless. A medical school compares the brains of an intelligent man to a foul criminal. Will the servant pick the right brain for Dr. Henry Frankenstein? Is he testing the boundaries of science and sanity? Frankenstein's fiancee worries about Henry. His teacher Dr. Waldman explains the problem with Henry - he wants to experiment on humans! Is this excessive optimism of megalomania? [There is no explanation why a new brain is needed for a body. Unless its for dramatic purposes.] The visitors arrive unexpectedly. "Crazy am I? We'll see tonight." Frankenstein discovered a new ray that gives life! The storm will generate enough electricity to power the experiment. "Its alive!"

Herr Vogel the Burgomeister visits Baron Frankenstein to ask about the scheduled marriage. Why is Henry waiting? The teacher warns Henry about what can happen. The monster makes a dramatic entrance. [They used short sleeves to suggest extra long arms.] The monster has a fear of flames. Fritz teases the monster one time too many. The plan to kill the monster fails. Dr. Waldman's plan to terminate the monster fails. So now the monster runs loose! Meanwhile the preparations for the marriage creates happiness in the village. Young Maria meets the monster, things go terribly wrong! Henry's bride has a premonition that something will go wrong. The monster is near. Maria's father asks for justice. The villagers go out to search for the monster. [They are not armed! How will they stop the monster?] Herr Frankenstein finds the monster. Will the villagers get there in time? The monster seeks refuge in an old windmill. The villagers add lighting. [The unnamed actor give life to the monster's death.] There seems like a happy ending for the Frankensteins.

The story of a man-made monster terrorizing the country must have resonated with people during the Great Depression. A number of sequels were filmed with other monsters: vampires, and wolfmen. Then they ended by 1945. Future horror films would use other creatures.

Frankenstein (1931).......2007-06-20

One of the greatest horror films of all time, James Whale's "Frankenstein" veers broadly from Mary Shelley's original story while retaining its specifically tragic aspect. The ghoul-faced Karloff, without a word of dialogue here, gives a lumbering performance that is both creepy and achingly sympathetic--especially in the famous scene with a young girl (Marilyn Harris) picking a flower for him. Herman Rosse's fabulous sets and Whale's meticulous handling of atmosphere and the monster's appearance elevate this eerie study of alienation and scientific hubris far above the campier creature features that followed. Juice up your neck bolts for "Frankenstein." Universal's reissue of this monster classic brings horror fans more background information on the making of the movie, and rare interviews with its cast. The new documentary "Karloff: The Gentle Monster" pays tribute to the actor whose forty year screen career was made by this monster. A must-see for serious Frankenphiles, and a title worthy of revisiting.

Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (Widescreen Edition)

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Comes Alive When It's Dead
No tan buena como "Pesadilla antes de Navidad"
An absolute delight
I love this film
Quirky Burton fun!

Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (Widescreen Edition)

Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
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ASIN: B000C3L27U
Release Date: 2006-01-31

Product Description

Set in a 19th century European village, this stop-motion, animated feature follows the story of Victor (voiced by Johnny Depp), a young man who is whisked away to the underworld and wed to a mysterious "Corpse Bride," while his real bride, Victoria, waits bereft in the land of the living.

Though life in the Land of the Dead proves to be a lot more colorful than his strict Victorian upbringing, Victor learns that there is nothing in this world, or the next, that can keep him away from his one true love.

Amazon.com

Who else but Tim Burton could make Corpse Bride, a necrophiliac's delight that's fun for the whole family? Returning to the richly imaginative realm of stop-motion animation (after previous successes with The Nightmare Before Christmas and James and the Giant Peach), Burton, with codirector Mike Johnson, invites us to visit the dour, ashen, and drearily Victorian mansions of the living, where young Victor Van Dort (voiced by Johnny Depp) is bequeathed to wed the lovely Victoria (Emily Watson). But the wedding rehearsal goes sour and, in the kind of Goth-eerie forest that only exists in Burton-land, Victor suddenly finds himself accidentally married to the Corpse Bride (Helena Bonham Carter), a blue-tinted, half-skeletal beauty (how pleasantly full-bosomed she remains!) with a loquacious maggot installed behind one prone-to-popping eyeball. This being a Burton creation, the underworld of the dead is a lively and colorful place indeed, and Danny Elfman's songs and score make it even livelier, presenting Victor with quite a dilemma: Should he return above-ground to Victoria, or remain devoted to his corpse bride? At a brisk 76 minutes, Burton's graveyard whimsy (loosely based on a 19th century Russian folktale) never wears out its welcome, and the voice casting (which includes Tracey Ullman and Albert Finney) is superbly matched the film's gloriously amusing character design, guaranteed to yield a wealth of gruesome toys and action figures for many Halloweens to come. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Comes Alive When It's Dead.......2007-09-13

This stick-figure animated film offers good visuals, inventive-looking characters (that being perhaps the most fun of the film), and a decent story that finished with a very nice ending. There are songs in here but they are only so-so, and certainly not the attraction to the film.

The story starts off slowly, but once the characters went down under into the land of the dead, not only did we finally start seeing some colors other than blue, but the whole film came alive and pretty much stayed that way until the end.

As with good animated movies, there is so much you can see that you can't take it all in. It's a feast for the eyes with all the wild-looking characters and nice drawings. Getting good visuals from director Tim Burton is no surprise; he always comes through in that department. Unfortunately, he also usually delivers an anti-religious cheap shot or two.. Here, the minister is pictured as a sour old guy. Burton also pictures clerics in a negative way, and the occult in a positive way. However, he certainly makes interesting films, no matter what the subject matter, and there usually isn't a lot of profanity in his films. There is none here whatsoever.

Overall, an inventive film and fun to watch once you get past the slow first part.

No tan buena como "Pesadilla antes de Navidad".......2007-08-25

A persar de que las comparaciones son odiosas, al ver esta película surgen constantemente las comparaciones con "Pesadilla antes de Navidad" (PADN). En mi opinión no llega a tener el ritmo ni la profundidad en la historia que ésta última.

Aunque a nivel de imagen considero que los años han pasado a favor de la "Novia Cadáver" lo cierto es que ni en la historia ni en la música alcanza las cotas de PADN. La música es muy parecida y la historia es bastante más floja y mucho más predecible. Hay elementos como el perro del protagonista en el Inframundo que son como el perro de PADN.

A pesar de todo estoy muy satisfecho con la compra de este DVD y la recomiendo encarecidamente.

Respecto a los Extras, te enteras de algunos detalles pero tampoco aportan gran cosa. Lo que sí me ha gustado mucho ha sido la opción de poder ver la película solo con la banda sonora.

An absolute delight.......2007-08-25

I had no desire to see this movie when it was released in the theater. despite my love of all thing Depp. So I have no idea what possessed me to watch it now. But I'm so glad I did. What a delightful story of Victor Van Dort and his many brides. Both living and dead. I love the ideas presented. The dead more alive than the living and vice versa. Wonderful puppets and good musical score to match. If you haven't seen this movie, you are doing yourself a great disservice. Watch this movie and then tells your friends. Love it.

I love this film.......2007-08-11

I have to say I love Corpse Bride. It is the best Tim Burton film I've seen made in at least five years. It's not as good as Nightmare before Christmas but it's better than his later moves after Sleepy Hollow.

The animation is beautiful and the jokes are cute and random and though many were 'borrowed' from The Beetlejuice animated series I feel this is okay because that cartoon aired sixteen-years-ago and was made by Tim Burton, whom made this film.

The score was not Danny Elfman's best. It does not compare to Nightmare before Christmas or Edward Scissorhands but it is still beautiful, nevertheless. The songs aren't as good, by far, as Nightmare before Christmas but Remains of the day is very catchy. The character Emily (the corpse Bride) has a beautiful voice, too bad she only sings two verses in the song Tears to Shed.

The film is charming and has some heart warming moments. It treats death as nothing you should be afraid of. It's more of a celebration of life like the Mexican day of the dead. A child could watch this film without being too scared, they may take it like a faery tale.

I think this is the best film I've seen made in a long time. It was very refreshing and heart warming.

One thing that bothered me was that someone had told me that it's only implied that a certain character was Emily's killer. It was obvious to me that this person was her killer. And he practically told us directly that he was going to kill Victoria too. I enjoyed what became of Emily's killer though I will not spoil it, nor will I reveal who he is.

The characters of Victoria's parents are frustrating and offensive. Her mother refused to let the poor girl learn how to play the piano because it was 'improper' and 'too passionate'. Hopefully Victor will teach her. Also when she told her family that Victor was dragged off by a dead woman no one believed her and she was even locked in her room with the windows boarded up.

The characters of Victor and Emily are adorable. The ending is sweet and comforting. The dead are unintimidating (except to those who deserve it) and are quite friendly.

The opening scene ties in perfectly with the ending if you know how it ends.

References to earlier Tim Burton works:

Victor is mistakenly called Vincent once by Victoria's father. Vincent was Tim Burton's character from a stop motion film he did for Disney years ago and later appeared as Prince Vince on the animated Beetlejuice series.

The cat (Percy) that appeared in Vincent, Beetlejuice the animated series and Nightmare before Christmas also appears in this film but I only saw him for a moment and he looked to be missing his fur or now orange.

The skeletons had a xylophone band as Jack Skllington's children were to have according to the Nightmare before Christmas soundtrack.

Johnny Depp was a voice and he has starred in five Tim Burton movies.

The man who voiced the Nepoleon skeleton was the Oompa Loompa in Charlie and the chocolate factory.

Danny Elfman (whom has done the scores for every Tim Burton movie except Ed Wood) was the voice of Bonejangles, a singing skeleton. He was also the singing voice of Jack Skellington in Nightmare before Christmas, along with other characters.

Nepoleon Bonesapart also appeared in the episode Summer Vaction of the Beetlejuice animated series.

Like Sally the rag doll of Nightmare before Christmas Emily goes to pieces and sometimes the pieces remain active.

My favourite remembered jokes in the film:

Victor: 'Get back! I have a... dwarf. And I'm not afraid to use him!'

Maggot: 'If I wasn't just sitting in it I'd say you've lost your mind.'

Widow: 'You died fifteen-years-ago!' Skeleton lover: 'Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.' (Takes her in his arms and makes out with her)

Quirky Burton fun!.......2007-08-06

Dead bride ... shy young man ... blah, blah, blah. You've read the plot, now go watch the movie! This story is fun, fun, fun. After a short while into the movie, it starts to matter less and less who is dead and who is alive ... all the characters are zany! Bravo to the cast for vocalizing such wonderful characters. The only drawback for me were the songs ... I like Danny Elfman's music, but these vocals felt out of place in this movie.

Recommended!

Average customer rating:

Excellent on Blu-Ray
Another great animation from Tim Burton
Habeus Corpse Bride
One of the best looking movies on Blu-ray.
More than a Kids film.

Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (Blu-ray)
Starring: Helena Bonham Carter , Johnny Depp , Albert Finney , Michael Gough , and Richard Grant
Director: Tim Burton , and Mike Johnson
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

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ASIN: B000I5XOWI
Release Date: 2006-09-26

Product Description

Warner Brothers Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (Blu-ray)
Set in a 19th century European village, this stop-motion, animated feature follows the story of Victor (voicedby JOHNNY DEPP), a young man who is whisked away to the underworld and wed to a mysterious Corpse Bride, while his real bride, Victoria, waits bereftin the land of the living. Though life in the Land of the Dead proves to be a lot more colorful than his strict Victorian upbringing, Victor learns that there is nothing in this world, or the next, that can keep him away from his one true love.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent on Blu-Ray.......2007-08-19

This Blu-Ray version is much better than the dvd. The clarity is SUPERB. It really doesn't do it justice to try to describe it. It's like trying to compare a steak to a hamburger. You just gotta watch it. By the way, I especially liked the behind-the-scenes making of the movie and seeing the clay puppets being put together frame by frame.

Another great animation from Tim Burton.......2007-07-29

This movie looks great especially on Blu-ray. It details down to the very texture, and hair! If you like Tim Burton's movie, this is a good buy.

Habeus Corpse Bride.......2007-07-22

Tim Burton has become reknowned for his movies about the weird and the macabre. Sometimes weird, FUNNY and macabre.

And "Corpse Bride" has all three qualities, mixing in the bizarre and wacky with a bittersweet love story. It also has the sort of goofy ickiness that really expert haunted houses have -- you're enjoying the ghouls and skeletons too much to care who it's aimed at. This is an "underground" film in the best sense of the word.

Victor (Johnny Depp) is at the rehearsal for his arranged wedding, when he forgets his vows. Not a good omen. He runs out and rehearses it by himself, and ends up slipping the ring on the finger of a dead girl, Emily (Helena Bonham Carter). But Emily, who died tragically, falls in love with Victor and considers herself married to him.

Now Victor is trapped in the underworld, which is a surprisingly cheery, upbeat place when you consider everyone is dead. He tries to find his way back to the world of the living, but soon finds himself more drawn to the tragic Emily. Now he must make the ultimate choice: Will he return (for as long as he lives) to his arranged bride, or stay in the underworld with the Corpse Bride?

You'd think a movie about dead people would be depressing. At the very least, dark. But surprisingly "Corpse Bride" is neither -- instead, Burton has crafted a sweet, enchanting little love story where one of the people happens to be dead, and which is set in the underworld. There's nothing frightening about it. If anything, it's enchanting.

Is the plot original? Heck no -- boil it down, and you have a boy-meets-girl-while-engaged-to-another-girl story. But it's the delivery that's charming, from the funny dialogue ("Play dead!") to the colorful inhabitants of the underworld (like the pirate, or the intimidating minister). The macabre humour and song-and-dance numbers add to the charm of this world, where the dead are more alive than the living.

And the voice actors seal the deal; what could have been merely funny becomes touching, in their hands.Johnny Depp brings the timid, tremulous Victor to life, and makes his dilemma believable, while Carter makes us look past protruding bones and bluish skin, to the sweet romantic Emily was. The only problem is that moronic maggot -- it's an annoying distraction.

It's not quite on the level of cult classic "The Nightmare Before Christmas," but "Corpse Bride" is still a hilarious, bittersweet little story with a macabre twist. Delightful.

One of the best looking movies on Blu-ray........2007-06-07

"Tim Burton's Corpse Bride" features great animation and a good story. The movie is not as good as the excellent "Night Before Christmas." However, if you want to see a Tim Burton's great sense of story-telling and some of the best animation you will ever see, make sure to check out "Corpse Bride." The level of detail in this movie is amazing thanks to Blu-ray.

More than a Kids film........2007-05-18

Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (Blu-ray)You will enjoy this type of movie making instantly, especially in 1080p HD, the characters come to life on your set. On the technical aspect side, its worth a see!

Average customer rating:

Comes Alive When It's Dead
No tan buena como "Pesadilla antes de Navidad"
An absolute delight
I love this film
Quirky Burton fun!

Tim Burton's Corpse Bride [HD DVD]
Starring: Johnny Depp , Helena Bonham Carter , Emily Watson , Tracey Ullman , and Paul Whitehouse
Director: Mike Johnson , and Tim Burton
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: HD DVD

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ASIN: B000I2JKEM
Release Date: 2006-10-10

Amazon.com

Description

Set in a 19th century European village, this stop-motion, animated feature follows the story of Victor (voiced by JOHNNY DEPP), a young man who is whisked away to the underworld and wed to a mysterious Corpse Bride, while his real bride, Victoria, waits bereft in the land of the living. Though life in the Land of the Dead proves to be a lot more colorful than his strict Victorian upbringing, Victor learns that there is nothing in this world, or the next, that can keep him away from his one true love.

Customer Reviews:

Comes Alive When It's Dead.......2007-09-13

No tan buena como "Pesadilla antes de Navidad".......2007-08-25

An absolute delight.......2007-08-25

I love this film.......2007-08-11

Quirky Burton fun!.......2007-08-06

Average customer rating:

Badly acted and Stupid but....Hilarious!
Funny movie
entertainment
Death can be funny, right?
Classic black humour of 80's

Weekend at Bernie's
Starring: Bruce Paul Barbour , Don Calfa , Dan Cox , Eloise DeJoria , and Louis Giambalvo
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00094ARJQ
Release Date: 2005-07-12

Description

It sounded like a great weekend away at their boss Bernie's beach side pleasure palace. But when working stiffs Larry and Richard (McCarthy and Silverman) arrive to find a real stiff their murdered boss they're forced to concoct a crazy scheme to avoid being implicated and/or dead themselves! With Bernie propped up and his death effectively covered up, Richard and Larry's weekend getaway becomes exactly that as they dodge curious babes, a curtain of bullets and one confused hit man!

Customer Reviews:

Badly acted and Stupid but....Hilarious!.......2007-05-03

Critics are soooo judgemental and overly serious that of course they threw this movie one star easily. Hell I could toss it one star easily too because I see everything that is bad about it. But I still can't help but to see it as great fun ayway. It stars Jonathan Silverman and Andrew McCarthy as 2 bafoons who wanna work for a rich businessman named Bernie Lomax (Terry Kiser). They know something about his business that they don't realize he wants to kill them for knowing.

He invites them for a weekend at his beach home but he gets killed before they get there. They slowly realize that he's dead and people on the island are slower than them because they just don't see that he's dead. So they fake him being alive just so they can live it up and enjoy his place to themselves. They soon have to save themselves from the guy who killed Bernie. The result is a really really stupid movie with pretty awful acting but will you enjoy the movie anyway ? Hell yes! Terry Kiser actually is hilarious and gives a fun performance as...a dead body. It's silly that no one can even tell that Bernie is dead and try to carry conversations with him. Hell his g/f has sex with him and doesn't even know she had sex with a dead body.

Of course those are good reasons critics gave it one star but to me those are good reasons to enjoy how stupid this movie is. I mean why just give a movie one star when it's at least well done enough to get some good laughs. If you wanna see garbage that's not only easy to just toss one star but Zero Stars, then see Weekend at Bernies 2! Plus when Men at Work did something similar with a dead body it wasn't as clever and well done as this movie or as funny.

Funny movie.......2007-04-21

Bernie's dies but noboies knows it, he act like he's still alive.
Great acting by Terry Kiser!

entertainment.......2007-03-26

I always fall asleep during movies. I found this one to be very funny. Better than the first Bernie's.

Death can be funny, right?.......2007-03-09

This movie can be cheesy at times, and the plot falters a little at times, but it is hilarious and I get nostalgic every time I watch it. I loved the shooting scene and Bernie's Porsche cart. Oh, and when the drunk mobster's girlfriend comes over looking for Bernie. Super funny. It's a typical 80s movie. The DVD format is nice too.

PS (to E. Kutinsky) I believe the movie was set in New York.

Classic black humour of 80's.......2007-01-21

Fantastic film that i first saw when i was little and i like it still. Amazing black humour, nice and relaxing comedy. After 20 years is still funny: funny actors, funny scenario and just 5 stars.

Average customer rating:

House of 1,000 Corpses [Blu-ray]
Starring: William H. Bassett , Judith Drake , Dennis Fimple , Walt Goggins , and Sid Haig
Manufacturer: Lionsgate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

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ASIN: B000SQFBZ0
Release Date: 2007-09-18

Description

Two young couples take a misguided tour onto the back roads of America in search of a local legend known as Dr. Satan. Lost and stranded, they are set upon by a bizarre family of psychotics. Murder, cannibalism and satanic rituals are just a few of the 1000+ horrors that await.

Average customer rating:

A Simple Story that's Far From Simple
Beating the dead horse...
Aguirre, the Wrath of God
Genius
Cinematic Marvel

Aguirre, the Wrath of God
Starring: Klaus Kinski , Helena Rojo , Del Negro , Ruy Guerra , and Peter Berling
Director: Werner Herzog
Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 6305972761
Release Date: 2000-10-24

Product Description

In the mid-16th century, after annihilating the Incan empire Gonzalo Pizarro (Allejandro Repulles) leads his army of conquistadors over the Andes into the heart of the most savage environment on Earth in search of the fabled City of Gold, El Dorado. As the soldiers battle starvation, Indians, the forces of nature , and each other, Don Lope de Aguirre (Klaus Kinski), The Wrath Of God, is consumed with visions of conquering all of South America and revolts, leading his own army down a treacherous river on a doomed quest into oblivion. Featuring a seething, controlled performance from Kinski, this masterpiece from director Werner Herzog is an unforgettable portrait of madness and power.

System Requirements:
Starring: Klaus Kinski, Helena Rojo, Ruy Guerra
Director: Werner Herzog
Producer: Werner Herzog
Running Time: 94 Min.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

Quite simply a great movie, one whose implacable portrait of ruthless greed and insane ambition becomes more pertinent every year. The astonishing Klaus Kinski plays Don Lope de Aguirre, a brutal conquistador who leads his soldiers into the Amazon jungle in an obsessive quest for gold. The story is of the expedition's relentless degeneration into brutality and despair, but the movie is much more than its plot. Director Werner Herzog strove, whenever possible, to replicate the historical circumstances of the conquistadors, and the sheer human effort of traveling through the dense mountains and valleys of Brazil in armor creates a palpable sense of struggle and derangement. This sense of reality, combined with Kinski's intensely furious performance, makes Aguirre, the Wrath of God a riveting film. Its unique emotional power is matched only by other Herzog-Kinski collaborations like Fitzcarraldo and Woyzek. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

A Simple Story that's Far From Simple.......2007-09-08

From the moment the film begins with its haunting dirge-like music by Popol Vuh, we know we're in the hands of a master. Director Werner Herzog (b. 1942) takes the viewer through the doomed allegory of crazed warrior Aguirre, played by Klaus Kinski (1926-91), who infuses the character with his piercing blue-eyed gaze and incredible dancer's stance. Like Don Quixote, another man possessed, he actually tilts.

Loosely based on the real South American conquistador and rebel, Aguirre, this film relates the well-known tale of pursuing an impossible dream: a quest for golden El Dorado. It's fleshed out against breathtaking Peru. Unforgettable scenes, akin to John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, include the climb down treacherous hills, slugging through knee-deep water, and sloshing through sucking mud.

Kinski's face bookends the opening and closing of this 100-minute film. In several scenes, Kinski holds some of the delightful and terrifying jungle creatures, his tenderness in contrast to his bloodthirsty brutality. We also get to know the cruelty and cleverness of the indigenous Indians who predicted the coming of the Golden Man but were powerless to stop him. As in real life, the characters on the journey are layered and complex.

In a curious way, the film reminded me of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales gone terribly wrong, as one man's greed and egomania echo the disastrous warring times in which Herzog grew up. The mark of a great director is his ability to allow the viewer to forget he's watching a movie with people dressed in costumes. The film is staggeringly real with faces that will haunt you for hours afterward.

Beating the dead horse..........2007-08-08

I didn't know anything about this film when I started watching it. I was disappointed that the film completely lost its moral ambiguity near the end. Taking cheap shots at colonialism had become utterly commonplace and meaningless long before this film was ma