The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones

Customer Reviews:

Not Worth the Price.......2007-09-14

I remember this show from my younger years, and loved it. However, I have a problem with the way the DVD Release is being handled. 12 discs for 7 episodes? Do we really care for or need an extensive documentary for each episode.? And for $75? At this rate, it will cost over two hundred dollars to own the show. No thanks.

Very good series.......2007-08-31

I enjoyed this series when it was on TV and I'm eagerly looking forward to the DVD set coming out.

The Young Indiana Jones series is about the coming-of-age of the Indiana Jones character from the Indiana Jones movies.

The TV series is both fun and educational. I definitely recommend it.

A Fantastic Series.......2007-08-30

This was a great series, and I've long hoped for its dvd release. Though overpriced at the moment, at least it's available, so I'll keep an eye out for the eventual (inevitable) complete series box set. In the meantime, there's always the local rental place.

Young Indie was my favorite show when it originally aired, and I've retained very fond memories of it ever since. It's nice to see that, though the amount of documentaries included here borders on the absurd, it is getting a full treatment and is not just some rush-job release-it-and-forget-it package that often happens with long-discontinued series.

Young Indiana Jones episodes are filled with all the action, humor, and intelligence you could hope for, and, best of all, (cheezy and clichéd as this is to say) it really is fun for all ages.

Young Indy Returns .......2007-08-29

The Young Indiana Jones adventures come to DVD. Agreed I wish it was cheaper but then consider you are dealing with Paramount that charges over $100 per season for any of the Star Trek series. Considering that each episode is an hour and a half movie in itself and this does not seem quite so unreasonable. Furthermore it includes alot of extras whether you want them or not. I grant you I would like to see a 7 disk edition of just the episodes for a substancial savings. Personally I'm just thrilled to finally see them come to DVD. I am sure if you're patient you can probably get a package deal once all the volumes are released. The first 12-disc set includes seven feature-length episodes as well as 38 in-depth companion documentaries, an historical overview, an interactive game and an interactive timeline. The series was shot in 35 countries and showed key figures in the coming of age of the modern world. The interviews include celebrities like Gen. Colin Powell, Henry Kissinger, Gloria Steinem, Martin Scorsese, Barbara Boxer, James Earl Jones, Hal David, and Deepak Chopra.

This volume includes the episodes:

My First Adventure - Indy and T.E. Lawrence solve a murder mystery in Egypt.

Passion For Life - Indy goes on safari in Kenya with Teddy Roosevelt.

The Perils of Cupid - Indy falls in love with the daughter of Duke Franz Ferdinand in Vienna, Austria.

Travels with Father - Indy joins up with Leo Tolstoy after an argument with his father while visiting Russia.

Journey of Radiance - Indy visits the Holy City Benares in the Far East and meets Jiddu Krishnamurti.

Spring Break Adventure - Indy meets Thomas Edison and tries to avoid German spies.

Love's Sweet Song - Indy ends up in Ireland right before the Easter Rebellion mixed up with the resistance and he meets Winston Churchill.

The second volume is to be released December 2007 and the third volume in the Spring of 2008. If you shop around I think you will find Amazon has the best Pre-order price so far. The suggested retail being advertised several places is over $100. So I'm ordering mine here and now. This set is great family entertainment. It may not always have as much excitement and comedy as the Jone's movies, but it makes up for it in other ways including good drama, history, and locations. I highly recomend this set.

OUCH!.......2007-08-29

I remember this show very fondly, and would give the show 5 stars based on the content. But OUCH on the price, even at the discounted Amazon price! $75 for 12 episodes -- $6 per episode! SUPER OUCH! I wish the producers would not be so greedy.... I'll have to wait till its about $30, like other shows, or wait till the downloads are available. To the producers: you sell more, and make more, when the price is more reasonable.......

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

Everything and more
One of the funniest movies of all time.
A tear jerker!
After 30 plus years, it is still outrageously funny!!
Monty Python

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Special Edition)
Starring: Connie Booth , Elspeth Cameron , Graham Chapman , John Cleese , and Carol Cleveland
Director: Terry Jones
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00005O3VC
Release Date: 2001-10-23

Amazon.com essential video

Could this be the funniest movie ever made? By any rational measure of comedy, this medieval romp from the Monty Python troupe certainly belongs on the short list of candidates. According to Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide, it's "recommended for fans only," but we say hogwash to that--you could be a complete newcomer to the Python phenomenon and still find this send-up of the Arthurian legend to be wet-your-pants hilarious. It's basically a series of sketches woven together as King Arthur's quest for the Holy Grail, with Graham Chapman as the King, Terry Gilliam as his simpleton sidekick Patsy, and the rest of the Python gang filling out a variety of outrageous roles. The comedy highlights are too numerous to mention, but once you've seen Arthur's outrageously bloody encounter with the ominous Black Knight (John Cleese), you'll know that nothing's sacred in the Python school of comedy. From holy hand grenades to killer bunnies to the absurdity of the three-headed knights who say "Ni--!," this is the kind of movie that will strike you as fantastically funny or just plain silly, but why stop there? It's all over the map, and the pace lags a bit here and there, but for every throwaway gag the Pythons have invented, there's a bit of subtle business or grand-scale insanity that's utterly inspired. The sum of this madness is a movie that's beloved by anyone with a pulse and an irreverent sense of humor. If this movie doesn't make you laugh, you're almost certainly dead. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Everything and more.......2007-08-27

Python at their best. This set is highly recommended and will be an essential part of any Monty Python Collection.

One of the funniest movies of all time........2007-08-27

Without doubt, one of the funniest movies of all time. Even funnier than Life Of Brian and just as quotable.

A tear jerker!.......2007-08-24

What can I say? I laughed until I cryed when I saw both Monty Python and the Holy Grail. And Borat did the same thing to me.

Really, that says more about me than the films, so don't think that these two films are anything alike beyond making made me silly, but maybe it might be helpful to you.

Maybe not.

After 30 plus years, it is still outrageously funny!!.......2007-08-04

After watching the musical production Monty Python's SPAMALOT this summer I could not resist in purchasing the DVD of this 1975 movie featuring the greatest comedy troupe ever! Here we are, 30 years later and it is still the most outrageous film with Monty Python. I think the real attribute is the work of Terry Gilliam's animation that was featured. This is a must for all Python fans and for those who have seen or plan to see SPAMALOT! Buy this DVD..You won't be disappointed!!!

Monty Python.......2007-07-30

is the best. I love this movie, and the DVD came in record time!

The Adventures of Indiana Jones - The Complete DVD Movie Collection (Full Screen Edition)

Average customer rating:

Indiana Jones Collection
ADVENTURES OF INDIANA JONES-THE COMPLETE DVD MOVIE COLLECTION
A Set of Classic Movies, an Important Addition to Your Video Library
Great Movies
Indiana Jones

The Adventures of Indiana Jones - The Complete DVD Movie Collection (Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Harrison Ford , and Steven Spielberg
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00009ZPU6
Release Date: 2003-10-21

Amazon.com

As with Star Wars, the George Lucas-produced Indiana Jones trilogy was not just a plaything for kids but an act of nostalgic affection toward a lost phenomenon: the cliffhanging movie serials of the past. Episodic in structure and with fate hanging in the balance about every 10 minutes, the Jones features tapped into Lucas's extremely profitable Star Wars formula of modernizing the look and feel of an old, but popular, story model. Steven Spielberg directed all three films, which are set in the late 1930s and early '40s: the comic book-like Raiders of the Lost Ark, the spooky, Gunga Din-inspired Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and the cautious but entertaining Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Fans and critics disagree over the order of preference, some even finding the middle movie nearly repugnant in its violence. (Pro-Temple of Doom people, on the other hand, believe that film to be the most disarmingly creative and emotionally effective of the trio.) One thing's for sure: Harrison Ford's swaggering, two-fisted, self-effacing performance worked like a charm, and the art of cracking bullwhips was probably never quite the iconic activity it soon became after Raiders. Supporting players and costars were very much a part of the series, too--Karen Allen, Sean Connery (as Indie's dad), Kate Capshaw, Ke Huy Quan, Amrish Puri, Denholm Elliot, River Phoenix, and John Rhys-Davies among them. Years have passed since the last film (another is supposedly in the works), but emerging film buffs can have the same fun their predecessors did picking out numerous references to Hollywood classics and B-movies of the past. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Indiana Jones Collection.......2007-09-13

The Adventures of Indiana Jones - The Complete DVD Movie Collection (Widescreen Edition)
Viewing these movies on a widescreen HDTV is a REAL adventure. Everyone loves them, no matter if it's the first time or the fifteenth time. They're fun for all ages and seeing them as they were meant to be, widescreen and Dolby sound, is awesome!
WILynn

ADVENTURES OF INDIANA JONES-THE COMPLETE DVD MOVIE COLLECTION.......2007-09-07

Enjoyed all 3 DVD's-Harrison Ford is one of my favorite actors. Merchandise came exactly when and how I wanted it. THANKS !!!!

A Set of Classic Movies, an Important Addition to Your Video Library.......2007-08-31

What could be better than a set of all three Indiana Jones movies? Each is exciting in its own way. Some people like the first movies the best; others like the second with the trip to China and the famous dinner scene; others like the third movie where Sean Connery plays the father of Indiana Jones.

I understand that a fourth Indiana Jones movies is in the works, and look forward to seeing it.

Great Movies.......2007-08-27

I liked them when they came out years ago, and I like them now. What's not to like?

Indiana Jones.......2007-08-24

What can you say, it is Indiana Jones and a boxed set, can't beat it. Great price and fast shipping. I think I am going to go watch one right now!!

Average customer rating:

Babylon 5 spin-off Falls short
Great science fiction series
Good but left you hanging.....
A More Perfect B-5
THIS SHOW SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED AT LEAST 2 SEASONS

Crusade - The Complete Series
Starring: Alex Mendoza
Director: Tony Dow
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Product Features:

Another Thrilling Reach Into Tomorrow From The Creator of Babylon 5!   2267 A.

ASIN: B00061QJSK
Release Date: 2004-12-07

Product Description

In 2267 the Earth is quarantined having been infected with a deadly plague by an attacking alien force. Scientists estimate that it will kill every inhabitant within 5 years not nearly enough time for a cure to be developed. So the planet's only hope liFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: SCI-FI/FANTASY UPC: 085393972028

Amazon.com

The first and only spin-off of Babylon 5, J. Michael Straczynski's short-lived sci-fi series Crusade had its roots in the B5 television movie A Call to Arms, in which Earth was battling a Drakh invasion at the end of the Shadow Wars. When Crusade begins, the Drakh have released a deadly virus that threatens to wipe out all 10 billion humans living on Earth unless a cure can be found in five years. To take on this monumental task, Captain Matthew Gideon (Gary Cole) is assigned command of the state-of-the-art Destroyer-class ship Excalibur. His crew includes telepath John Matheson (Daniel Dae Kim); pompous but brilliant archaeologist-linguist Max Eilerson (David Allen Brooks); Dureena, a member of the Thieves' Guild and the last surviving member of her species (Carrie Dobro); medical officer Sarah Chambers (Marjean Holden); and technomage Galen (Peter Woodward).

While Babylon 5 had five years to develop into a powerful saga, Crusade had its plug pulled after a mere 13 episodes (which were reordered for TNT's broadcast), and the series never really got its footing. Galen often took center stage, then disappeared for several episodes. Matheson was underutilized (other than to provide fans with clues about what happened in the Psi-Wars after B5 ended), and tough-guy Gideon bounced back and forth between his desire to save the human race and his own moral code. There were some good action scenes and intriguing concepts (developed in conjunction with the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory). Special effects sometimes were impressive and sometimes showed budget constraints, and we never really saw the power and scope of the mile-and-a-half-long ship, other than the cool bullet cars used to traverse its length. But it did have its moments. If B5 was the spiritual companion to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine with its space-station setting and long story arc, Crusade was more like a traditional Star Trek setting, with mostly stand-alone episodes involving first contact with various species (even if, due to the nature of the Excalibur's quest, such species were usually extinct). And there were occasional tantalizing hints of a broader conspiracy that might have allowed the series to soar. Regardless, B5 fans will welcome even a brief opportunity to revisit this universe, especially when the Excalibur visits the station in "The Rules of the Game." John Sheridan's ex-wife Captain Elizabeth Lochley (Tracy Scoggins) even earned a spot in the opening credits for her appearance in a few episodes. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Babylon 5 spin-off Falls short.......2007-08-16

The Crusade was a disappointment after Babylon 5 and the Legend of the Rangers.

Clearly, all hope of a return to B5 space weere pinned on this series and we are left wanting in so many ways... The actors while talented either did not have enough character development for us to identify with them or were not given stories compelling enough for viewers to want to know them.

Gary Cole, while being a capable Bingo Bob on the West Wing series does not bring any strong characteristics to his Captain Gideon role. His fling with B5's Captain Loxly (sp?)is brief and rather unbelievable. There is little dimension to this Captain and that in itself is disappointing to us Sci-Fi fans who have seen stronger characters in many other sci-fi shows.

Lt Matheson starts to be a compelling sidekick to the Captain but theye rarely use Mr Kim's full range. Clearly, this performance was enough to help him land his role in Lost and for good reasons.

The writing falls short while the production and effects are top rate. After a great series like babylon 5, this is a second rate attempt to recapture the former series' magic.

Nonetheless, it is worth a watch IF you are a strong B5 fan... just don't get your hopes up...

Great science fiction series.......2007-08-08

Great series, too bad it was cancelled. I think the networks didn't give it enough time to catch on. Once again Gary Cole plays a great part.
If you enjoyed Babylon 5, you'll like this one too.

Good but left you hanging............2007-07-16

Wish it went further, enjoyed it and the direction the story was taking. It's a shame it never progressed more seasons.

A More Perfect B-5.......2007-06-22

Unlike the original five season arc of Babylon 5, Crusade is an episodic sci-fi adventure series taking the viewer from one majestically thoughout out world to the next. I honestly do not know why this series didn't take off. It was probably poor timing more than anything else. Unlike Babylon 5, a Crusade has a loosely twined story line. The story boasts much improved cgi from the original B-5 series. In addition, the music, though difficult to get used to at first, is not only enchanting, but adds powerful vibes to the show. Towards the end of the series, I really appreciated the direction MJS went with the production of this series. Finally, the story was really intriguing. It was paired by unique and captivating characters. This series may have been ahead of its time, seeing that the current top sci-fi shows are Stargate and Battlestar Galatica. It ran along a similar story frame.

Basically, the story begins where Babylon 5 left off. Earth was poisoned by allies of the Shadows who now haunt the characters at every turn. It's up to the crew of a special new, high tech ship to scavenger the galaxy to find a cure. In between, they run into unique worlds and adventures.

Personally, I loved this series. It had everything that B-5 lacked (don't get me wrong, I loved B-5). It had crisp imagery, better acting, and more creative sound effects/music. The only thing this series didn't have was a mainstream following. For that, I'm still perturbed.

THIS SHOW SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED AT LEAST 2 SEASONS.......2007-06-09

This was a very good show. It was not given a chance to develop into its full potential. I do not know how they were able to tell after just 13 episodes that it was not good enough. I was a big Babylon 5 fan that had never heard of this show until years later. I think it is a good continuation of the story of the Babylon 5 universe. The one complaint I have about the DVD is that it is cheap. The packaging is good, but there are almost no extras on the DVDs. There are only 2 commentaries and the extras at the end are very small.

Average customer rating:

Not nearly as interesting as it would like to be
"I love that bee!"
Timothy Treadwell Hated Human Society
Overrated. Invasion of privacy.
Please Don't Feed the Bears

Grizzly Man
Starring: Franc G. Fallico , Amie Huguenard , and Timothy Treadwell
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
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ASIN: B000BMY2NS
Release Date: 2005-12-26

Amazon.com

Grizzly Man could easily have been sensational and exploitative, but in the hands of Werner Herzog, it becomes something extraordinary. Herzog was granted exclusive access to over 100 hours of video shot by amateur naturalist, wildlife advocate and troubled loner Timothy Treadwell, who spent 13 summers in Alaska's Katmai National Park, where he grew to know and love the grizzly bears that lived there. He was also killed by one of them, in October 2003, along with his girlfriend Amie Huguenard, and that seemingly inevitable fate informs every minute of Herzog's riveting combination of Treadwell's video with his own expert filmmaking and unique vision of nature and man. Whereas Treadwell was a naïve nature-lover and social outcast whose sanity was slowly slipping away, Herzog is a pragmatic mythologist who views nature primarily in terms of "chaos, hostility, and murder," and the disparity of their vision results in a magnetic attraction that makes the sum of Grizzly Man greater than its parts. We come to admire the dreamer, the idealist, the failed actor and recovered alcoholic man-child that was Treadwell, and we equally admire the seeker of truth and wisdom that is Herzog. They belong together, in some world beyond our world, where visionaries join forces to create life after death. --Jeff Shannon

Description

In his mesmerizing new film, GRIZZLY MAN, acclaimed director Werner Herzog explores the life and death of amateur grizzly bear expert and wildlife preservationist Timothy Treadwell. Treadwell lived unarmed among the bears for thirteen summers, and filmed his adventures in the wild during his final five seasons. In October 2003, Treadwell's remains, along with those of his girlfriend, Amie Huguenard, were discovered near their campsite in Alaska's Katmai National Park and Reserve. They had been mauled and devoured by a grizzly, the first known victims of a bear attack in the pa

Customer Reviews:

Not nearly as interesting as it would like to be.......2007-09-12

I can understand why Timothy Treadwell's story would appeal to any filmmaker. It has the right ingredients: a larger-than-life subject with personal demons and a mysterious off-screen death, deep in the wilderness. This should have been a slam dunk, Lawrence Of Arabia meets Gorillas In The Mist. Unfortunately, in sorting through hours and hours of Treadwell's footage, Werner Herzog struggles to say anything new or important.

Yes, this is more about Treadwell himself than the bears he studied, and no, it is not a nature documentary. But the story of a man feeling ill at ease in human circles, moving to the wilderness and slowly losing the plot is neither new nor compelling. Anyone alone in such a setting would start to exhibit irrational or even animalistic behavior. Herzog sensationalizes Treadwell as being "hell-bent on destruction", and his girfriend Amy Huguenard becomes a mythical figure simply because she is only visible in a few shots.

A far more valuable message to take away from this film, one largely ignored by Herzog, is that it is a mistake to ascribe human characteristics and identities to dangerous creatures we know nothing about. We do so at their peril as much as our own. Thirteen summers spent in the company of bears did not make Treadwell a qualified bear expert. He treated bears like people because he was lonely, possibly crazy, definitely wrong. He saw himself as an observer, and the bears saw him as an intrusion. Poking and prodding bear cubs from behind a camera made them more susceptible to poaching than anyone throwing rocks.

So the message illuminated by Herzog in the Treadwell footage, that we sometimes go a little crazy in solitude, is hardly groundbreaking documentary material. Then there are the interviews. Herzog talks to an assortment of people who knew (or, in the case of a bizarre coroner, seemed to think they knew) Treadwell best. It is unclear if these interviews were scripted, or done over multiple takes, or what. Maybe this is a Herzog thing, but they come off looking like a strange, surreal bunch of attention-starved people, performing for the camera.

"I love that bee!".......2007-09-06

It's easy to sneer, I admit. Here's this fast-talking, ditsy Hollywood wannabee, capering around in the wilds of Alaska, foolishly risking his life out of a misplaced sense of kinship with dangerous wild animals. A Darwin Award winner, you might think, and on one level you'd be right.

But the sad thing is that there is really no place in our society for people like Timothy Treadwell to go, anymore. And it shows. Henry David Thoreau and John Muir may well have been reduced to spewing profanities at the U.S. Park Service, had they lived in the present. Sure, Treadwell got lost in over-identifying with the bears, with his cute names for them and everthing. Pure cathexis, concentrating emotional attachment onto a single, probably inappropriate object.

But he also achieved a cracklingly intense union with nature. Going ga-ga over bear scat, or a dead bee on a blossom, he truly saw "the world in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a wild flower". However maladroit he may have been in human society, Treadwell nevertheless experienced nature with a joy and savor and depth that many a more conventional environmentalist could envy.

Of course he was never in a position to protect the bears. Indeed, being killed by one was a sure death sentence for the unfortunate mankiller--bears with a taste for human flesh could not be allowed to remain at large. In that respect Treadwell was unforgivably selfish. He should have known what would follow the event of his own death.

Director Werner Herzog mentions his own run-in with madness in the wilderness, alluding to the famous incident when he threatened to shoot Klaus Kinski during the filming of Aguirre, The Wrath Of God. He admires many of Treadwell's shots, for effects both intended and unintended, and see-saws between treating him as a crazy romantic, and a fellow cinematic artist.

The best thing about the film? The excellent folk-electric soundtrack by Richard Thompson is close to it. The rustic stylings of the ex-Fairport Convention guitarist suit the gorgeous natural setting to a T. The DVD has a nifty in-the-studio featurette with him, in the extras.

Animals can't tell you to buzz off and mind your own business, in so many words, which is why nature worship is so popular among busybodies nowadays. We are not all brothers under the fur. Some of nature's children are just plain old, unemployed, probably agnostic, wild beasts, into whom the lonelier of us project ourselves. On that account, Treadwell wasn't much different from the batty old maid with an apartment full of cats. But, for the transports of ecstasy he experienced in bear country, and filmed, and shared with thousands, he is someone whose memory will be long treasured. The gifted, sensitive filmmaker will be remembered, not the suicidal fool.

Timothy Treadwell Hated Human Society.......2007-09-04

Werner Herzog's documentary is excellent. I thought it to be among the very best I've ever seen. "Grizzly Man" deals with the crazed Timothy Treadwell who was doomed to eventually get himself killed. The odds were against his ever reaching retirement age. Treadwell so hated the civilized world that he deluded himself into believing that wild animals had more love to offer than other human beings. Amie Huguenard and the other women in his life were probably mere sex objects. They were nowhere near as important as the grizzly bears. It is obvious as you watch the film that Treadwell is increasingly becoming more unbalanced. A group of men, for instance, visit his "private" island and are obviously non-threatening. And yet, Treadwell imagines them to be the very opposite. Some true believers (The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements (Perennial Classics)) seek their utopias in political systems such as Communism, Nazism or environmental radicalism. Treadwell instead opted for anthropomorphic extremism. This is a sure one-way ticket to madness and eventual suicide. Sadly, Amie did not recognize the danger signals. Experts believe that an older and perhaps desperately hungry bear saw them as an easy meal. There is one consolation regarding the deaths of Treadwell and Huguenard: they never murdered people on behalf of their utopian vision. Only these two individuals paid the ultimate price. For that, we can be thankful.

Overrated. Invasion of privacy........2007-08-27

I turned off the movie with about 20 minutes left. Herzog uses
private material from Mr. Treadwell to do a layman's psychological
profile of him. This is an invasion of privacy and overall is deplorable. It's also twisted how he focuses a lot of time on the gruesome death and details, including the audio tape. If done with respect, this could have been an interesting, although more pedestrian documentary. Herzog goes for shock value and thru hype and violations of privacy exploits this unique individual.

Please Don't Feed the Bears.......2007-07-26

I had high expectations of Grizzly Man as it made it to the big screen. I was quite disappointed. Grizzly Man fails as a wildlife documentary because Timothy Treadwell didn't have the qualifications or expertise to produce such a thing. Grizzly Man falls short as a biography because Mr. Treadwell was in no way great or inspiring. However, he was nuts. Those interested in seeing a self-deluded, poor man's Crocodile Hunter destroy himself may find some value in this film. Most people would probably find time tuned in to the Discovery Channel to be time better spent.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Extraordinarily Deluxe Three-Disc Edition)

Average customer rating:

Everything and more
One of the funniest movies of all time.
A tear jerker!
After 30 plus years, it is still outrageously funny!!
Monty Python

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Extraordinarily Deluxe Three-Disc Edition)
Starring: Connie Booth , Carol Cleveland , Rita Davies , Bee Duffell , and Sandy Johnson
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000CRQX34
Release Date: 2006-10-03

Amazon.com essential video

Description

The Monty Python team are at it again in their second movie. This time we follow King Arthur and his knights in their search for the Holy Grail. This isn't your average medieval knights and horses story - for a start, due to a shortage in the kingdom, all the horses have been replaced by servants clopping coconuts together!

Customer Reviews:

Everything and more.......2007-08-27

Python at their best. This set is highly recommended and will be an essential part of any Monty Python Collection.

One of the funniest movies of all time........2007-08-27

Without doubt, one of the funniest movies of all time. Even funnier than Life Of Brian and just as quotable.

A tear jerker!.......2007-08-24

After 30 plus years, it is still outrageously funny!!.......2007-08-04

Monty Python.......2007-07-30

is the best. I love this movie, and the DVD came in record time!

The History Channel Presents The Crusades - Crescent & The Cross

Average customer rating:

Crusades: A Poisonous Chalice Drunk to the Bitter End
Very interesting, very informative DVD
Too One Sided - In Favor Of Islam
Indispensable documentary
History on a small budget.

The History Channel Presents The Crusades - Crescent & The Cross
Starring: Rosa Maria Sardà , Elvira Mínguez , and Ricard Borrás
Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000BB1520
Release Date: 2005-12-26

Product Description

THE CRUSADES: CRESCENT AND THE CROSS presents the epic battle between two Middle Age superpowers, the Christian Crusaders and the Muslims. Fought over two centuries, the conflict decided the fate of the Holy Lands of the Middle East, a tiny strip of land only a few hundred miles long, but containing the ultimate prize - the city of Jerusalem.

This documentary tells the story of the key personalities of the First, Second, and Third Crusades - popes, kings, sultans and knights who, in the name of God, ruthlessly fought for land and power. Experience the murder, treachery and bloodshed of this legendary chapter of history through the eyes of key historical figures such as Richard the Lionheart and Saladin, King Louis VII and Nur al-Din .

With breathtaking CGI-enhanced visuals, heart-pounding re-enactments, and stunning footage from rarely seen locations, CRUSADES: CRESCENT AND THE CROSS brings the first three Crusades alive, offering fresh insight for a new generation in conflict.

System Requirements:

Running Time 180 Mins.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

The Christian invaders were regarded as infidels. The Arabs were scorned as lawless pagans. The Westerners saw their quest as literally a sanctified crusade, while the Muslims launched their own holy war, called a jihad, in retaliation. Sound familiar? It should, because although the events depicted in the History Channel's The Crusades - Crescent & The Cross took place nearly a thousand years ago, they are but a distant mirror to what's going on in the Middle East right now. This two-part, three-hour program, released here on two discs (the second includes over an hour of bonus material), impressively details all three Crusades, starting in the late 11th Century, when Pope Urban II dispatched a huge force to reclaim Jerusalem, which had been under Muslim control for some 400 years. For the knights and others who made the journey, it was a noble spiritual quest, not to mention an escape from Europe's petty wars and famines; in the end, the fact that many of them were greedy butchers who murdered Muslims, Jews, and even other Christians indiscriminately (sometimes even eating the flesh of the vanquished) detracted not at all from their conviction that they were acting in the name of God. Of course, so were the Muslims, who, after the bloody first crusade succeeded in seizing the holy city, mounted a massive counterattack under leaders like Nur al-din and his son Saladin, who managed to take back Jerusalem (from whence Mohammed was said to have ascended to heaven) and hold on to it through the failed second and third crusades, the latter led by England's Richard the Lionheart.

All of this is presented by way of techniques that will be recognizable to History Channel buffs. They include modern-day historians, who re-trace the routes of the crusaders and examine the ancient sites where the action took place, as well as actors who portray characters of the time (chroniclers, knights, and others); numerous re-enactments, aided by excellent cinematography and skillful use of CGI (whereby a few dozen extras could be made to look like many thousands), vividly illustrate the battles and other events that took place during this roughly 200-year period. Add to that a bonus documentary about the Knights Templar (the soldier-monks in charge of protecting the Kingdom of Jerusalem) and a decent "making of" documentary, and you have an absorbing, enlightening look at events that prove one thing above all: the more things change, the more they stay the same. --Sam Graham

Customer Reviews:

Crusades: A Poisonous Chalice Drunk to the Bitter End.......2007-09-04

The Crusades Crescent & the Cross, a two-DVD set by The History Channel, gives a satisfactory overview of the first three crusades in Volume I. The program would have gained in credibility by giving a more balanced view of the underlying events. The crusades were first and foremost an answer to the relentless advance of Islam in the Near East. However, The History Channel rightly highlights the atrocities that crusaders committed against Muslims, Jews, and some fellow Christians during the crusades. Volume II contains an interesting overview of the religious, military order of the knights Templar. The bonus program called "History in the Making: The Crusades" in Volume II does not add anything significant to the narration of the first three crusades. Most viewers probably do not care too much about how The History Channel produces Volume I.

Very interesting, very informative DVD.......2007-08-20

It covers all 3 major crusades. It didn't covers some of the minor one's such as the childrens crusades and such. What it DID cover, it covered well. I learned quite a bit of new stuff on Pope Urban, Richard the Lionhearted, Saladin, and the dynamics of the crusades. The dramatizations were good and gave a good feel for where the crusaders where and what they were up against. Also, bonus disc includes a somewhat poorly made knights templar feature. It is ok for a bonus I suppose.

Too One Sided - In Favor Of Islam.......2007-02-25

I am sorry we wasted our money on this as it does not tell the whole story - especially Islam's role leading up to the cause of the Crusades. For instance NOTHING was mentioned about the 7,000 Christian pilgrims ambushed on their way to worship in Jersulem in 1064-1065 BEFORE the 1st Crusade. The Muslims slaughtered many by ripping them to pieces. Christians now had even more reason then ever to go to war to recapture what was taken from them by force centuries ago. Also, what about how the Christians suffered centuries of violent persecution as well as destruction of Christian holy sites at the hands of Muslims prior to the Crusades? The Christians as a result were forced into adopting the Muslim doctrine of "Holy War". History Channel - shame on you for for being so biased.

Indispensable documentary.......2007-01-19

Excellent footage and overview of the history and peoples that clashed so violently. Many lessons to be learned naturally emerge from this documentary.

History on a small budget........2007-01-10

In the era of computer generated armies, dinosaurs, and natural disasters, a fine story deserved a little more umph. It was very obvious that the History Channel did not have the means to duplicate the impact of motion pictures like Kingdom of Heaven. I had a feeling I was watching 20 high school students acting a period piece. The thousands of crusading soldiers attaking Saladin's army looked more like 50 out of work extras doing their best.
Visually a disappointment, but the story remains as relevant now as the year 1097 .

Average customer rating:

A forty-one-year-old epic that reflects both historical events and movie history
As good as the book from Wilbur Smith?
Worth Seeing Again!
Khartoum
Excellent story; fine acting

Khartoum
Starring: Charlton Heston , Laurence Olivier , Richard Johnson , Ralph Richardson , and Alexander Knox
Director: Eliot Elisofon , and Basil Dearden
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
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ASIN: B000062XF0
Release Date: 2002-05-07

Amazon.com essential video

Set in the expanse of the Sudan desert in the midst of holy war, Khartoum (1966) plays like an attempt to work the Lawrence of Arabia magic on the (mostly) true story of eccentric British general Charles "Chinese" Gordon in 1884 North Africa. The magnificent opening desert battle suggests David Lean's epic sweep, at least until the film settles into a more modest story of political games, military standoffs, and a battle of wits and wiles between two fierce leaders. Charlton Heston plays the wily Christian soldier as cocky, unconventional maverick, and Laurence Olivier (behind heavy make-up and a thick black beard) is almost as good as his cagey nemesis the Mahdi, the Islamic holy warrior on a mission of annihilation. More talk than spectacle, the film falls short of Lawrence but is nonetheless a compelling story of colonial politics, cynical maneuvering, and the unconventional heroics of another colorful British maverick abroad. --Sean Axmaker

Description

Academy AwardÂ(r) winners* Charlton Heston and Laurence Olivier face off in this epic, stirring drama of two men and two empires. Filmed in glorious CineramaÂ(r), with stunning desertbattles staged by the creator of the Ben-Hur chariot race, Khartoum is a "magnificently staged action spectacle [with] outstanding portrayals" (Boxoffice) and breathtaking cinematography. In 1883, British Prime Minister Gladstone (Ralph Richardson) dispatches General Charles Gordon (Heston) to Khartoum, Sudan, where thousands of civilians are threatened by a Muslim fanatic, the Mahdi (Olivier), and his army of followers. Gordon gains the Mahdi's respect but can't prevent the Mahdi's men from laying siege to the city. Now, as history hangs in the balance, Gordon faces the fight of his life defending the ancient city of Khartoum. *Heston: Actor, Ben-Hur (1959). Olivier: Actor, Hamlet (1948); Lifetime Achievement (1978); Outstanding Achievement as Actor, Producer and Director on Henry V (1946)

Customer Reviews:

A forty-one-year-old epic that reflects both historical events and movie history.......2007-07-24

To appreciate some old movies, one must take in consideration the time in which they were made and the techniques/casting that was the norm. "Khartoum" has a Yank playing a Brit and a Brit playing an Arab. The film also sports some jaw-dropping fight scenes involving horses obviously tumbling as a result of the then-common use of a "trip wire."

Thankfully, we now live in an era wherein such aforementioned casting and animal abuse would be frowned upon and not tolerated.

That said, the film is one of those rousing adventure epics that tells that tale of an English officer (Heston) sent to quell an uprising by an Islamic demigod (Olivier). Both actors are good in their respective roles with Olivier having the edge in the execution of his "Arabic tongue" over Heston's try at "the King's English."

Even though Olivier wore heavy dark makeup and the traditional moustache and goatee, the filmmakers didn't do a good job of "masking" his European eyes.

But, the film was made in the "not-so-politically-correct" 60's.

The cinematography is breathtaking and composer Frank Cordell's music is truly dynamic.

When modern movies resort to the use of computer-generated battle scenes, it's refreshing to see real "actors" in well-choreographed combat.

However, as mentioned before, the horses flipping and careening down hillsides is a bit disconcerting, considering that some animals had to be sacrificed for the realistically staged fights.

And this release conveniently edited the original's horrific scene of the fate that befell Heston's character at the end, which made Olivier's final line rather mute.

As good as the book from Wilbur Smith?.......2007-07-04

Watched this monumental movie after having the read the book from Wilbur Smith, The Triumph of the Sum.
Although the main story remains of course the same the film does not provide the depth and different angles I was hoping for.
Most striking is that I cannot remember one woman playing even a less important role in this film.

Worth Seeing Again!.......2007-06-10

I viewed this movie when it made the theater tour. Since then, I learned more about the history of the British Empire in the period. Khartoum is well written, well acted and has no major technical or historical inaccuracies that I could detect. Khartoum is definitely worth watching more than once.

Khartoum .......2007-05-06

Charlton Heston plays the charmed, charismatic Gen. Charles Gordon and Sir Laurence Olivier is suitably menacing as the Mahdi in this thumping tale of the siege of Khartoum and the death of history's classiest fall guy. Great action sequences throughout: the assault on the city, the relief expedition, the attempt of the river steamers to run the Dervish gauntlet.

Excellent story; fine acting.......2007-04-10

The outstanding cast in this true story of China Gordon's demise in the Sudan at the hands of the presumed "Mahdi" in 1884, is only one of several factors that make this a great film. The story line is excellent, as it not only presents the desert conflict battle scenes extremely well, but it also visually describes the political and social intrigue involved in the British efforts to establish and maintain its colonial empire in that era. In a subtle and obviously unintentional manner, the film also presents some hints of contemporary conflicts and social issues. A truly fine film!

Average customer rating:

disappointing
Not a well made or accurate movie
Francis of Assisi quite a boring spectacular
Wooden Francis
Poor quality!

Francis of Assisi
Starring: Bradford Dillman , Dolores Hart , Stuart Whitman , Cecil Kellaway , and Eduard Franz
Director: Michael Curtiz
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
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ASIN: B0006GANY6
Release Date: 2005-02-22

Description

Lavish Bio Of St. Francis, 13th-Century Monk Who Talked To Animals.

Customer Reviews:

disappointing.......2007-08-22

I was really disappointed in this movie, especially after some of the glowing reviews on this page. (So were the people who watched it with me.)
Part of this is because it's impossible to cover a whole life in such a short time--much has to get left out (the famous and incredibly dramatic episode when his father hauls him before the bishop at the outset of Francis' career,for example, is absent. So is all reference to Lady Poverty. And the conflict within the Order just pops out of nowhere). Perhaps the date of the film explains some of the stodginess, but it seemed more like watching a pageant than a real life.
Francis never came to life in this film. We were told how joyous he was, but never shown it. The vivid passion for God and for his beloved Lady Poverty were indicated but not shown by the acting--or the script. And why on earth fabricate an absolutely un-historical rivalry over Claire with a figure who, I suppose, was meant to suggest worldly life? Francis and Claire did not travel in the same circles before he left the world, nor were they close friends at that time.
Ah,well--poetic license. But there was no poetry to license!
The really great film about St. Francis has yet to be made.

Not a well made or accurate movie.......2007-07-30

If you are an orthodox Catholic or any Catholic for that matter, this is not the right movie for you. First of all, there are many better classical movies about saints out there, such as "The Reluctant Saint," "Quo Vadis," "Marcelino," and several others. This movie is not a good movie in general. The word that comes to mind is flaky. It is very inaccurate, it shows a Saint Francis who was willing to defy the Pope if his rule was not approved (which is completely false for a humble saint such as St. Francis). It shows Christian Crusaders butchering Muslims and Muslims that treat St. Francis with great kindness. It shows St. Francis as a priest, which he wasn't (because of his humility St. Francis refused ordination to the priesthood, remaining a deacon all his life). And this is just some of the blatant errors the movie makes. A poorly made movie not worth owning.

Francis of Assisi quite a boring spectacular.......2007-05-19

Watching the film was quite disappointing. With so many wonderful old actors I expected much more. Extremely disappointing was the fact they did not really let us know how he has become so connected with the annimal world we associate him with.The movie would be a dismal box office failure if made for todays sophisticated viewers.

Wooden Francis.......2007-03-24

Earnest, yet so-so rendering bio reinactment, 'Francis of Assisi' doesn't give the troubadour saint the spark he deserves. The film is a product of its times, giving the movie a lot of ceremony, but not much substance. While actor Bradford Dillman musters enough passion at the end and in other, select scenes, he seems like a better fit for a fifties' TV series. The pomp and circumstance aims for the pre-Vatican II pew, and the subplot, a rivalry between Francis and Bernardo over Claire's love, is an accomodation for a general audience clueless about celebacy. Nevertheless, 'Francis...,' mostly accurate and reverent--despite its many flaws--invites a traditional audience.

Poor quality!.......2007-02-23

This movie includes many details not shown on Brother Sun Sister Moon, but it's a shame the quality of the graphics and poor performance on the actors. Saint Francis was a great master and hopefully someday a truly inspired director will come forward and will create a True Masterpiece, that will include all the details so necessary to inspire a soul.

Average customer rating:

A fine, intelligent thriller, with thanks to Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman and Judy Davis, among others
Absolute Power
READ THE BOOK, FORGET THE FILM.
An interesting suspense thriller!
A solid thriller with a message

Absolute Power
Starring: John Lyle Campbell , Yau-Gene Chan , Judy Davis , Alison Eastwood , and Kimber Eastwood
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
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ASIN: 0790731959
Release Date: 1997-07-08

Amazon.com

Director Clint Eastwood's 1997 box-office hit stars himself as Luther Whitney, a highly skilled thief who finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, witnessing the murder of a woman involved in a secret tryst with the U.S. president (played by Gene Hackman). Determined to clear his name, Whitney cleverly eludes a tenacious detective (Ed Harris) while investigating a corruption of power reaching to the highest level of government. Adapted by veteran screenwriter William Goldman from David Baldacci's novel, this thriller balances expert suspense with well-drawn characters and an intelligent plot that's just a pounding heartbeat away from real White House headlines. Absolute Power features the great Judy Davis in a memorable supporting role as the White House chief of staff who desperately attempts to cover up the crime. --Jeff Shannon

Description

He was there he shouldn't have been and saw what he shouldn't have seen. Now, who will believe the word of a career thief and ex-con? Who will trust Luther Whitney when he says he saw a woman killed and that the man responsible for her death is the President of the United States? Clint Eastwood portrays Whitney and directs this crisp, finely acted thriller based on David Baldacci's best-selling novel. A stellar cast which includes Gene Hackman and Ed Harris creates well-rounded characters that intensify constantly spiraling game of cat and mouse between Whitney, local police and the highest levels of White House power. Eastwood is a master at steadily raising the stakes in thrillers. Here his mastery is absolute.

Customer Reviews:

A fine, intelligent thriller, with thanks to Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman and Judy Davis, among others.......2007-06-11

So the president of the United States may not be the nicest guy in the world. Well, we've known that can be the case since 1789. So the idea of our presidents engaging in sexual shenanigans may be as uncomfortable as realizing our parents do it. Well, we've learned more than we want to know over the last few decades about how our presidents spend their time when they aren't bringing peace to the world and ensuring our domestic tranquility. One of the reasons Absolute Power is such a fine thriller is that it involves the dirty doings -- murder, cover-ups, self-serving righteousness -- of those in high elected office.

Absolute Power is the story of Luther Whitney (Clint Eastwood), "one of the great thieves of the world," who breaks into the mansion of Walter Sullivan (E. G. Marshall), a very rich, very powerful and very old political kingmaker. But then Luther hears voices and has to hide in a bedroom vault with a one-way mirror. He has to watch the rough sex between the rich man's much younger wife and a friend of hers. When things get out of hand and she angrily starts to do some stabbing, suddenly two very competent men break in and shoot the lady dead. They're followed by an aggressively competent woman who proceeds to clean things up and spin a story that a thief must have killed the lady of the house. Luther comes to realize that the two shooters are Secret Service agents, the competent woman is Gloria Russell (Judy Davis), the president's chief of staff, and the man is Allen Richmond (Gene Hackman), the unscrupulous president of the U. S. Luther is spotted and barely escapes but Russell and the two agents manage to identify him. They also learn he has an estranged daughter, Kate Whitney (Laura Linney), a young prosecutor. At first Luther decides to take his accrued wealth and flee the country. Then he sees a press conference on television where Richmond uses the grief-stricken Sullivan, who made him president, in a smarmy soap opera of shared grief. Luther changes his mind and decides to see that justice is done. Luther's brand of justice is resourceful, clever and dangerous. All the while he has to deal with an honest homicide cop, Seth Frank (Ed Harris), who is on his trail, an assassin hired by Sullivan to kill whoever killed his wife, and the machinations of Gloria Russell, determined to shield Richmond, aided by the two Secret Service agents. One, Bill Burton (Scott Glenn), has a conscience. The other, Tim Collin (Dennis Haysbert), does not.

Eastwood and writer William Goldman have, in my opinion, concocted a fine, intelligent thriller that plays off Eastman's age ("Go down a rope in the middle of the night? If I could do that, I'd be the star of my AARP meetings."), gives us some fine set pieces (the break-in, killing and cleaning up; the attempt on Luther's life by two separate assassins when he meets his daughter; and the wonderfully played dance at a White House ball between Hackman and Davis) and which is told at a more-or-less human-sized scale. While I think perhaps too much time was spent on the relationship between Luther and his daughter, it's this relationship, well acted between Eastman and Linney, that helps raise the movie beyond just another thriller.

Three things make this movie so good. First, there are two sets of intriguing relationships, one of which is poignant and tender, the other almost grotesquely amusing. The Eastwood-Linney situation is the first. And then there is the Allen Richmond-Gloria Russell pas de dieux. He depends on her but we know he'd toss her out in a minute if he needed to. She depends on him, probably loves him, and would gut her mother to protect him and her power ("I'll take care of everything. Like I always do."). It's fascinating, especially as played out by Hackman and Davis. Their White House waltz at the ball, where Davis is coy because she thinks the necklace she received was a present from Richmond, and Richmond knows, and tells her, that the necklace was the one worn by Sullivan's wife and that it had to have come from Luther Whitney, is a classic lesson in acting. The two of them play every emotion you can think of, all the while dancing in close-up and smiling for the admiring guests. The scene is a tour de force and immensely funny.

Second, this movie is so good for what Eastwood and Goldman don't do. This is a thriller without explosions, without wild car chases and without star posing. We're left to focus on the story, on the intelligence of the dialogue, on the cleverness of the situation. As Roger Ebert said, "it's a thriller not upstaged by its thrills."

Third, and most importantly, is the casting. The impact of the movie primarily rests with Eastwood, Hackman and Davis. Each one has shown many times that they can carry a movie by themselves. Judy Davis is the least known and has been stuck in character roles for years. However, just watch her in My Brilliant Career, A Passage to India or Children of the Revolution to see an actress who can dominate a movie. The second tier, made up of Ed Harris, E. G. Marshall, Laura Linney, Scott Glenn and Dennis Haysbert are just as effective. These are experienced actors who work well together and who know how to deliver their stuff. E. G. Marshall at 83 gives a performance that combines great sadness with an implacable sense of retribution. And Scott Glenn, such a good actor who has slowly slipped down to smaller, secondary roles, gives a performance of such regret it nearly distracts us from the story.

The movie is in real need of a better release. The picture is consistently too soft and frequently too dark in the night-time and interior scenes. There are a couple of inconsequential extras.

Absolute Power.......2007-05-07

Clint Eastwood and a very good story plus a great cast makes for a keeper for collectors.

READ THE BOOK, FORGET THE FILM........2006-12-11

I read the brilliant book first (always a good idea) and got the film expecting a similar reaction. If you want a standard Clint Eastwood thriller with a top notch crew then this is your standard fare. It's all fairly nice and staid and rather slushy at the end but if you want a version of the book DON'T BOTHER it is a virtual rewrite, leaving out the main character Jack, his daughter's ex-boyfriend completely. The basis of the book was built around him defending Luther and finding out the truth. In the book the daughter hates Luther, in this she just vaguely dislikes him. Don't want to give to much away but Luther isn't even in the end of the book and the way he manipulates the authorities is non-exsistant. See what i mean? they should of said 'based on the book...but only a little'.

An interesting suspense thriller!.......2006-03-27

This is an interesting film with Clint playing a cat burglar who likes to paint as a hobby. He is estranged from his daughter due to his criminal actiity but longs to be involved in her life.

Clint plays this part with dignity and grace. The story is well written and interestingly filmed. It was nice to see Gene Hackman as part of the supporting cast.

A solid thriller with a message.......2005-10-24

Absolute Power is not among Clint Eastwood greatest films, but it's much better than is usually given credit for. A dark thriller, directed as professionally and bleakly as only Eastwood can do it, Absolute Power centers around Luther Whitney, a professional burglar (Eastwood himself, in one of his best performances in the last decade), who finds himself in a classic wrong place, wrong time situation - while robbing a luxurious mansion, he accidentally witnesses a sexual assault and a murder, and the subsequent cover-up, that involves the President of the United States and the White House staff. That scene at the very beginning of the movie is probably the strongest one in it, Eastwood making brilliant use of cinematography, music (and especially the lack of) and his trademark heavy contrasted lighting, and with almost no dialogue at all, it's a remarkably effective scene that overshadows much of the rest of the film.

Still, as the film turns into a more standard conspiracy-thriller, it holds its own quite well, mainly due to William Goldman's wonderful script (as his always are, this is the genius who wrote 'The Princess Bride', 'Marathon Man', 'Misery' and 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid', among others) and most of all thanks to the absolutely fantastic all-star cast; other than Clint himself, who is ideal as the charming, ruthless but honest criminal, fantastic performances are also given by Gene Hackman as the President and by Ed Harris as the detective on the case. The rest of the excellent cast includes Laura Linney ('Primal Fear') as Luther's daughter; the fantastic Judy Davis ('Naked Lunch', 'Barton Fink') as the President's sneaky assistant; Scott Glenn ('Buffalo Soldiers'); Dennis Haysbert ('Far From Heaven'); E.G. Marshall ('Tora! Tora! Tora!'); Penny Johnson ('24'); and Richard Jenkins ('Six Feet Under'). As is usually the case with Clint Eastwood's films, all the actors seem to have been hand-picked by him directly, rather than participated in an audition, because each character seems to have been designed specifically for the actor portraying them. Because of that cast and the brilliant directing and dialogue, Absolute Power is an entirely gripping watch, even if the story is at times less than entirely convincing and just a little fragmented.

Absolute Power tries to make its mark on three levels - the thriller level is the only one where it completely succeeds, and it manages to be constantly exciting, gripping and enticing. It works slightly less well on the human level, because the inter-character relationships are rather poorly developed. Laura Linney's character in particular is underdeveloped, and so the father-daughter relationship element hardly carries any weight in the story, and neither does her relationship with Ed Harris's character. As there is no interaction between Eastwood's character and Hackman's, the only relationships that are worth mentioning are the ones between Eastwood and Harris, which is strictly superficial and based on mutual respect, and the one between Hackman and Marshall, who plays the old billionaire who funded Hackman's rise to the presidency. The third level on which the film works is as political commentary; there it achieves partial success, as the story often seems contrived (although, one might note, not as contrived as we may imagine). Still, it can give you a general idea of how absolute power corrupts, and of the kind of horrors that the intricate systems of democracy might hide; but it's not to be taken too literally. The strongest elements of the story are the mystery, and Clint Eastwood's character, clearly the strongest in the film; as such it's a solid and enticing thriller with lots of atmosphere and wonderful acting, that will keep you glued to your seat.

DVD: