My Favorite Year

Product Description

King Kaiser's Comedy Cavalcade goes on in minutes. But guest star Alan Swann is exiting the building. Fast. "I'm not an actor. I'm a movie star!" he bellows in stark fear. He just found out the show is live!Directed by Richard Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: PG UPC: 085396540521 Manufacturer No: 65405DVD

Amazon.com

This love letter to the golden days of live television in the 1950s is a thinly veiled depiction of Your Show of Shows, the groundbreaking comedy show that starred Sid Caesar. The story, set in 1954, focuses on one of the writers for the show (Mark Linn-Baker), who is given the task of chaperoning that week's guest star, a famously ill-behaved movie star named Alan Swann. He's based on Errol Flynn and played with Oscar-nominated glee by Peter O'Toole. He also happens to be the writer's movie hero, but proves to be a hilariously drunken party animal, one who opens the naive young writer's eyes in a variety of ways. The highlight of the film is Swann's visit to the writer's outer-borough home and his encounter with the writer's star-struck mother (a delightful turn by Lainie Kazan). One of the better films directed by former actor Richard Benjamin. -Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews:

An affectionate & funny love letter to the Golden Age of Television.......2007-08-15

After getting his start as a young writer on Sid Caesar's "Your Show of Shows" during the 50's, it was a no-brainer that Mel Brooks' production company (Brooksfilms Ltd.) would helm this ode to the early days of live television, where anything could (and practically did) happen.
The great Peter O'Toole racked up another Oscar nomination with his gleeful portrayal of Alan Swann, a famous but ill-behaved matinee idol up to his ears in booze and women, and scheduled to make his T.V. comedy debut. The cast is terrific: A pre-"Perfect Strangers" Mark Linn-Baker as an idolizing writer handed the almost-impossible task of keeping Swann in check until he appears on the "Comedy Calvacade" show; Jessica Harper as Linn-Baker's object of affection (and also, seems unable to tell a good joke); Joseph Bologna as a Sid Caesar-like comedian/star of "Calvacade"; Bill Macy as a rude & overbearing head writer; Selma Diamond as an overworked & crotchety head of wardrobe; and of course, Lainie Kazan cast perfectly as Linn-Baker's doting Jewish mother.
This film definitely qualifies as "heroic comedy", as you watch Linn-Baker's character Benjy Stone force Swann to face his fears and be "that silly, godd**med hero". Actor-director Richard Benjamin does a fine job of veering the viewer from laughs to poignancy and back. Occasionally, his touches of broad comedy get dangerously close to being too broad, but this film is probably his best effort. It made me laugh when it was released, and it still makes me laugh today.

A Dazzling Diamond Among Lumps Of Coal!.......2007-08-03

"My favorite Year" is definitely one of my all-time favorite comedies. A comedy writing masterpiece, showing a brilliant mixture of whit and screw-ball slapstick, Norman Steinberg and Dennis Palumbo show us wonderful romantic look into the world of 1950's New York.

Peter O'Toole shows why he is one of the all-time great actors, playing Swann ("He's plastered!") the ultimate, drunken, Errol Flynn like swashbuckling film hero. The film also features an amazing performance by Mark Linn-Baker, playing Benjamin Stone, a sharp young writer at "King Kaiser's Comedy Cavalcade" (based on...Cid Caesar's Show of Shows). The cast assembled for this film is spectacular.

If you have a hard time finding a good laugh at most comedies, I don't think you will be disappointed in this film. It is filled with great lines and impeccable timing, a true diamond among lumps of coal in film comedy.

My Favorite Year.......2007-07-09

Actor Richard Benjamin goes behind the camera in this warm, side-splitting recreation of 1950's New York and the insane world of live television. O'Toole is tailor-made for a juicy comic role modeled on Errol Flynn, and Joseph Bologna does a wonderful Sid Caesar-ish turn as the caustic Kaiser. A genuine crowd pleaser, particularly for anyone interested in the period and the medium.

One of O'Toole's best performances.......2007-06-08

I saw My Favorite Year when it was originally released and loved it. As time passed I would see it on TV now and then but hadn't viewed the film for ten years or more. I bought the DVD from Amazon.com and watched it last night. It has aged well.

Peter O'Toole plays Alan Swan, a legendary film legend who typically was cast as a hero. In Greek plays and mythology, heros typically have a "tragic flaw" and Alan Swan does...alcohol. This flaw is what gives the movie its poignancy. Alan Swan does the right thing often enough that is impossible not to root for him, but he is battling to overcome his "tragic flaw". Will, he be a hero, or a jerk? How about both?

My Favorite Year has one great scene after another but two stick out in my mind. The first is the dance scene with the elderly woman at the Nightclub. Other reviewers have discussed this scene and described it better than I can so I will just add that the script is notable for what is not said. Director Richard Benjamin and the actors got this scene letter perfect. In lesser hands it would have been shlock and without poignancy.

The second scene that hangs in my mind is when Benji confronts Alan Swan and dresses him down expressing his diappointment in him, but unable to leave without holding out hope. The look on Alan Swan's face, the self loathing and fear in his eyes, is gut wrenching.

Funny, poignant, heart breaking, My Favorite Year is all of these things and more. It may be the best comedy I have ever seen on film.

An Overlooked Classic.......2007-05-24

Terrific story line, beautifully shot, and Peter O'Toole has never been better. I strongly believe one of the best scenes ever filmed was of O'Toole's character dancing with the lady celebrating her 40th anniversary. No words had to be spoken, the look in her eyes (perhaps remembering her youth and how she had dreamed of dancing with this film star of yesteryear?), the loving gaze from O'Toole which made her feel that nobody else existed, and the orchestra playing "How High the Moon" ...

It doesn't get much better than this.

Average customer rating:

Kids love this one, good bonus features.
Really Good Barbie Movie!
END THE RETARDED DOLL WAR!!! NOW...
luuuuuuuvvv them!!
yawn...........

My Scene Goes Hollywood
Starring: My Scene Goes Hollywood
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0007Z9R2U
Release Date: 2005-08-30

Amazon.com

Every pre-teen dreams of being cast in a movie and hanging out with famous movie stars, but the real price of stardom can be enormous. My Scene characters Barbie, Madison, Nolee, Chelsea and Delancey unexpectedly find their favorite coffee shop right in the middle of a movie shoot, so the star-struck girls impulsively decide to sneak on the set as extras. Fate steps in and lands Madison a small speaking role with rising star Ryan and the popular Lindsay Lohan (voiced by her). The excitement and awe of the group quickly turns to hurt feelings for those left behind when Madison looses sight of how lucky she is and starts to act snobbish and unkind as fame and a romantic interest in Ryan go to her head. Will stardom destroy the group's closeness or will Madison realize the value of true friendship in time? Like most Barbie productions, My Scene's first feature film is more impressive than many viewers would anticipate. This is an entertaining, albeit rather unbelievable story that addresses the dreams and fantasies of pre-teen girls. DVD extras include a personality profile, celebrity fashion finder game, superstar challenge, movie memory game, and "fave" embarrassing moments. --Tami Horiuchi

Description

It's "Lights! Camera! Action!" for the My Scene girls when Barbie®, Madison™, Chelsea™, Nolee™, and Delancey™ get a taste of the glamorous life in their first-ever feature film! Conversations about shopping, fashion, and cute boys are briefly interrupted when they stumble upon a big Hollywood production in New York City -- and get cast as extras in the film! Sure, they look totally amazing in the cool costumes, but things really heat up when Madison gets picked from the crowd to fill in for one of the actresses! Now she's up there in the spotlight with a hot Hollywood "It" boy and a majorly big mega-movie star. Will fame go to her head, or will she see through all the glitz and glamour and remember who her best friends forever really are? Join the My Scene girls on the red carpet for the ultra-fabulous fun, sweet styles, and behind-the-scenes thrills in MY SCENE GOES HOLLYWOOD!

Customer Reviews:

Kids love this one, good bonus features........2007-04-08

A story of a girl getting too caught up with celebrities and forgetting her friends, who prove to be true friends in the end. All girls are very stylish and cute, good plot and really catchy songs. And there's also a story with a celebrity boy who is only stuck on himself. Teaches girls that not all boys that are cute and sweet can be nice. One of the side characters is actually Lindsay Lohan, who proves to be a nice girl and a good friend. Gives an insight on the movie making and acting careers. The disc has a bonus trivia game, a dress up game, and a search game. Very worth the while, since the kids spend a lot of time watching and playing. Best from 6 to 11 years old. Although I like it too, because of all the latest trendy clothes in it. Highly recommend.

Really Good Barbie Movie!.......2006-11-14

I found My Scene Goes Hollywood really enjoyable. It had a good storyline that held within it some messages girls should listen to. Is this movie directed towards the really young? Prbly not. Is it directed towards tweens (and adults or collectors) alike-- yup.

The Story follows the group of friends as they find themselves on a movie set as extras for a movie starring Lindsey Lohan. Through nothing but luck, Madison gets chosen to be more of a principle player and that is where the story takes off.

My favorite parts? Delancy and the Kraft Service Table. She is hilarious. The animation for these movies is something that I have always enjoyed. It's not a rip off of 'anime' style animation, nor is it truly traditional. It's very 'my scene', which is fine by me!

Overall, don't dismiss this automatically. The movie is really quite endearing and enjoyable.

END THE RETARDED DOLL WAR!!! NOW..........2006-10-08

You know, Mattel made this movie for entertainment. All of you doll haters need to get a life, okay? My Scene Goes Hollywood was really enjoyable and I learnt some stuff about Lindsay Lohan. I would appreciate though if they didn't go on about boys so much. Kids should focus on school, not cute boys all the time. But, other than that, the movie was really enjoyable. Madison eventually goes back to normal, before, the fame was in her head. The boy (can't remember name) was just interested in himself as the My Scene Girls found out. It also taught me more on how they make movies!!! I would live in one of the trailers, actually! It was cool how the girls were picked as extras (won't go on anymore, hate to spoil the movie if you haven't seen it).

The Bratz movie was excellent as well. There is no need to hate dolls, I want positivity. If you wanna bash dolls well do it where I can't read or hear it!!! 5 Stars for both movies.

luuuuuuuvvv them!!.......2006-08-31

I just ordered this movie, but i have the other two already. My 8 yr. old daughter and even my 5 yr. old son love them. They have watched them over and over again. I think they are very good myself. I would definately suggest them to anyone.

yawn..................2006-07-12

Hi. Actually I didn't buy this movie, I watched it on Nickelodeon. And it's sooooooooooooooooooooooo boring. I almost fell asleep just watching it. I can't believe I used to like these dolls. I bought a Mall Maniac Madison doll a few months ago, now I'm thinking about selling it on Ebay. Bratz are much better, and prettier. I mean, have you seen the My Scene Bling Bling dolls? U-G-L-Y. Alot of people say Bratz dress like sluts, but they don't. My Scene dolls are the ones who wear halter tops and mini skirts almost showing their *ss. I haven't watched the Bratz movies, but I'm sure there much better than these. Don't buy this. PLEASE.

Br@tz Girl

P.S.- Sorry to any girls who like My Scene dolls. It's just my opinion. Please don't be mad.

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