DVD

Beauty and the Beast (Disney Special Platinum Edition)

Average customer rating:

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE!!!
ALL TIME FAV!!
"Tale As Old As Time, Song As Old As Rhyme" ~ Belle And The Beast, Another Disney Classic
The Best of New Disney
Thank you, thank you, thank you

Beauty and the Beast (Disney Special Platinum Edition)
Starring: Mary Kay Bergman , Vanna Bonta , Jesse Corti , Brian Cummings , and Alvin Epstein
Director: Gary Trousdale , and Kirk Wise
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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Similar Items:

Sleeping Beauty (Special Edition)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Disney Special Platinum Edition)
The Little Mermaid (2-Disc Platinum Edition)
The Lion King (Disney Special Platinum Edition)
Aladdin (Disney Special Platinum Edition)

Accessories:

Beauty and The Beast - Criterion Collection
Disney's Sing Along Songs - Beauty and the Beast/Be Our Guest
Beauty And The Beast: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Disney's Beauty And The Beast: The Broadway Musical - Original Broadway Cast Recording (Blisterpack)

ASIN: B00003CX8Y
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Amazon.com essential video

The film that officially signaled Disney's animation renaissance (following The Little Mermaid) and the only animated feature to receive a Best Picture Oscar nomination, Beauty and the Beast remains the yardstick by which all other animated films should be measured. It relates the story of Belle, a bookworm with a dotty inventor for a father; when he inadvertently offends the Beast (a prince whose heart is too hard to love anyone besides himself), Belle boldly takes her father's place, imprisoned in the Beast's gloomy mansion. Naturally, Belle teaches the Beast to love. What makes this such a dazzler, besides the amazingly accomplished animation and the winning coterie of supporting characters (the Beast's mansion is overrun by quipping, dancing household items) is the array of beautiful and hilarious songs by composer Alan Menken and the late, lamented lyricist Howard Ashman. (The title song won the 1991 Best Song Oscar, and Menken's score scored a trophy as well.) The downright funniest song is "Gaston," a lout's paean to himself (including the immortal line, "I use antlers in all of my de-co-ra-ting"). "Be Our Guest" is transformed into an inspired Busby Berkeley homage. Since Ashman's passing, animated musicals haven't quite reached the same exhilarating level of wit, sophistication, and pure joy. --David Kronke --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews:

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE!!!.......2007-06-30

Tal como lo dijeran los Beatles, "todo lo que necesitas es amor"; hasta los seres mas horripilantes, pateticos y groseros necesitan sentirse amados...y el amor puede hacer maravillosos cambios en el caracter de todo ser humano; esto es lo que nos muestra uno de los cuentos mas clasicos llevados a la pantalla por la factoria Disney, en una obra de las mas espectaculares que se ha visto en la animacion; esta es una de mis favoritas de Disney (incluso tuvo un Oscar), nos cuenta la historia de como una engreido y grosero principe es hechizado a causa de su pesimo caracter y transformado en una horrible bestia, y como solo el beso del amor verdadero lo puede salvar... es entonces que aparece Belle, una encantadora mujer aldeana pero con muchos sueños e ilusiones; en el momento en que ambas vidas se encuentran, una transformacion permanente se dara en ambas, llegandose a conocer tan intimamente que terminan descubriendo como con el amor TODO ES POSIBLE; hay en la pelicula tanto momentos divertidos (protagonizados por un candelabro y un reloj) como tristes (cuando Belle y la bestia se despiden), y es una pelicula CANDIDATA A SER UNA DE LAS GRANDES DE TODOS LOS TIEMPOS.

ALL TIME FAV!!.......2007-05-12

you gotta love this movie, I always have and I got a great deal on Amazon and fast shipping too!!!

"Tale As Old As Time, Song As Old As Rhyme" ~ Belle And The Beast, Another Disney Classic.......2007-04-07

`Beauty and the Beast' `91 is yet another juggernaut of the animated Disney classics that were released in the `90's. The list included; `Aladdin' in `92, `Pocahontas' in '95 and `Mulan' in '98. It's a close call, but this one is possibly the best of the four with 'Aladdin' featuring the madcap voice of Robin Williams a close second.

`Beauty and the Beast' scores high marks in every category; storyline, character development, animation and cinematography, sound and music that says with you long after the final credits roll by. The only possible negative I can come up with about the release of this particular version is the inclusion of the song `To be Human Again.' It is rather redundant and definitely not equal to the caliber of the rest of the soundtrack. It's inclusion only serves to detract rather than enhance an otherwise perfectly done tale.

The Best of New Disney.......2007-04-05

What a movie, and what a set. You get the timeless tale of Belle and the Beast, and three versions of the film, in a great quaility set. It's worth owning whether you have kids or not. This is a must buy.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.......2007-03-23

Thank you very very much! This is truely a wonderful addition to my Disney collection. It was a very hard dvd to come across but I found it here.. thank you again.

Average customer rating:

EXCELLENT FILM
Overtly Stereotypical on Models.
Just the right amount of sunshine
Black Comedy Masterpiece
A telling satire of dysfunctional society

Little Miss Sunshine
Starring: Abigail Breslin , Greg Kinnear , Paul Dano , Alan Arkin , and Toni Collette
Director: Jonathan Dayton , and Valerie Faris
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Babel

ASIN: B000K7VHQE
Release Date: 2006-12-19

Amazon.com

Pile together a blue-ribbon cast, a screenplay high in quirkiness, and the Sundance stamp of approval, and you've got yourself a crossover indie hit. That formula worked for Little Miss Sunshine, a frequently hilarious study of family dysfunction. Meet the Hoovers, an Albuquerque clan riddled with depression, hostility, and the tattered remnants of the American Dream; despite their flakiness, they manage to pile into a VW van for a weekend trek to L.A. in order to get moppet daughter Olive (Abigail Breslin) into the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant. Much of the pleasure of this journey comes from watching some skillful comic actors doing their thing: Greg Kinnear and Toni Collette as the parents (he's hoping to become a self-help authority), Alan Arkin as a grandfather all too willing to give uproariously inappropriate advice to a sullen teenage grandson (Paul Dano), and a subdued Steve Carell as a jilted gay professor on the verge of suicide. The film is a crowd-pleaser, and if anything is a little too eager to bend itself in the direction of quirk-loving Sundance audiences; it can feel forced. But the breezy momentum and the ingenious actors help push the material over any bumps in the road.-- Robert Horton

Beyond Little Miss Sunshine

More Dysfunctional Family Comedies
More films from the stars of Little Miss Sunshine
More Independent Films Turned Sleeper Hits

Stills from Little Miss Sunshine

Description

Take a hilarious ride with the Hoovers, one of the most endearingly fractured families in comedy history.

Father Richard (Greg Kinnear) is desperately trying to sell his motivational success program...with no success. Meanwhile, "pro-honesty" mom Sheryl (Toni Collette) lends support to her eccentric family, including her depressed brother (Steve Carell), fresh out of the hospital after being jilted by his lover. Then there are the younger Hoovers?the seven-year-old, would-be beauty queen Olive (Abigail Breslin) and Dwayne (Paul Dano), a Nietzsche-reading teen who has taken a vow of silence. Topping off the family is the foul-mouthed grandfather (Alan Arkin), whose outrageous behavior recently got him evicted from his retirement home. When Olive is invited to compete in the "Little Miss Sunshine" pageant in far-off California, the family piles into their rusted-out VW bus to rally behind her?with riotously funny results.

Customer Reviews:

EXCELLENT FILM.......2007-07-01

Little Miss Sunshine sounds like a cute, girly film but in fact it is an excellent film that touches so many topics. Little Olive (played by Oscar Nominee Abigail Breslin, brother of Spencer Breslin) tries out for the Little Miss Sunshine Pagent and must ride there in a car (which is like a character) with an array of interesting people. She is with her suicidal uncle, drug addicted dirty yet loving gradpa, her "I'm not talking till I get what I want" brother, her unsuccesful father who is annoying, and her loving mother who is trying her best to provide for the family. The film is fun, heartful and makes wou want more. The acting is amazing and the writing is spectacular. It deserved every Oscar it got and the Best Picture nomination. The writers masterfully switch from a depressing scene to the funniest part in the movie. AMAZING FILM

Overtly Stereotypical on Models........2007-06-27

It was an alright movie; however, that ending was not what I expected it to be for a movie entitled "Little Miss Sunshine," because there was no "Sunshine" in the end.

Just the right amount of sunshine.......2007-06-25

A very funny, occasionally moving and at times disturbing look at a typically dysfunctional family on a road trip to a beauty contest for pre-pubescent girls. The entire cast is great - Alan Arkin (who is hilarious) won the Oscar, but really any one of the six could have won. What I like about Little Miss Sunshine the most is that it's a feel-good movie that never feels corny or manipulative. The reason being that hovering around the sunshine the film casts are the dark clouds of depression, suicide, drug abuse and failure. The film could be just as easily depressing and dark as it could be sappy and sentimental, but the two polar opposites keep the other in check and create a fun, quirky atmosphere. The film isn't perfect - its comments on beauty pageants and America's obsession with winning seem a bit forced, contradictory and weigh down everything else. Despite its flaws, I dare you to watch Little Miss Sunshine without cracking a smile and feeling good. Recommended.

Black Comedy Masterpiece.......2007-06-22

Cynical, sarcastic, biting, dark, this is hands down the funniest movie of 2006. Wonderful movie, great script, great actors, what's not to love? A very smart comedy, which will have you in stitches.

A telling satire of dysfunctional society.......2007-06-21

Critics generally describe this as a comedy about a dysfunctional family. It isn't that at all; it's a biting critique of a dysfunctional society.

The family is actually the only source of support and solace available to the beleagered individuals depicted in the film as they each strive--and painfully fail to reach--the pinnacle of the American Dream: the top spot, the "winner."

The banality of this goal is ruthlessly satirized as the movie progresses. Every conceivable form of American Success with a Capital S is savagely revealed as distorting and empty.

The wholesome Dad swears under his breath as his dream of a motivational-speaker-writer empire crumbles before him; his family is disgusted by his hollow cheerleader motivational patter--the soundtrack, if you will, of the American Dream.

The acerbic grandfather shoots heroin to control his various aches and pains, and rudely defines success as having sex with as many women as possible (hey, it worked for JFK, Bill Clinton and innumerable "sports heroes")--a crass, unwholesome portrayal of the "real American Dream"-- or at least the male one.

The harried, chain-smoking mother is frayed by the insuperable demands of holding the family together while she puts fast-food on the table and rescues her mentally unstable brother.

Her brother, an openly gay aspiring academic superstar, is suicidal because another academic has replaced him as the number one Proust scholar--and snagged his gay lover to boot.

The son, who has taken a vow of silence to express his open hatred of his family, single-mindedly works out in order to achieve his goal of being accepted to the Air Force Academy and becoming a pilot. His dreams are dashed by a weakness beyond his control, and he is inconsolable.

The slightly chubby daughter pursues her dream of winning a sickeningly saccharine talent contest in California, "Little Miss Sunshine." Despite its wholesome veneer, the entire contest is deeply subversive of childhood, a bizarre distortion in which girls are made up to look like small adult women and perform "Miss America" type song-and-dance routines.

The daughter's painfully bawdy routine--a searing exaggeration of the contest's subtext of pushing adulthood onto little girls--draws predictable howls of outrage from the contest authorities, and rallies the family to her side.

When Granddad unexpectedly passes away, the American bureaucracy takes a mirthful beating as the family is forced to sneak the body out of the hospital and load it in their decrepit VW van.

Though other bits of American life get similarly skewered, the key satire is of The American Dream of being a "winner". The film uses satire and parody to draw the distinction between the honor implicit in competing and the pathological emphasis now placed on "winning the top spot" in American society.

Beauty and the Beast - The Second Season

Average customer rating:

Remake this show
You give Love a Good Name
Of romance, adventure and love eternal
Special features please!
There are simply not enough stars in all the universe.

Beauty and the Beast - The Second Season
Starring: Roy Dotrice , Jay Acovone , Ren Woods , Jason Allen , and Cory Danziger
Director: Beth Hillshafer , Victor Lobl , Gabrielle Beaumont , Alan Cooke , and Daniel Attias
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

Beauty and the Beast - The Complete First Season
Beauty & the Beast
The Magnificent Seven - The Complete Second Season
The Dead Zone - The Complete Fifth Season
Stargate SG-1 - Season 10

ASIN: B000OONQ9Y
Release Date: 2007-07-10

Amazon.com

Though set in the late-1980s, Beauty and the Beast plays like something from another era. There's no irony, cynicism, or hip quips to break the spell of the fantasy (though a little humor would've been nice). Catherine (Linda Hamilton) loves the beastly, if beneficent Vincent (Ron Perlman) with all her heart--and vice versa. Together, they're TV's most soft-hearted crime fighters. To the show's credit, however, they aren't infallible, and there are a few problems they're unable to solve, whether the issue is drug addiction ("Chamber Music"), infectious disease ("Ashes, Ashes" with Highlander's Adrian Paul), or murder ("The Hollow Men").

In retrospect, it's clear that Beauty and the Beast was a reaction to the "greed is good" era. Vincent and his cave-dwelling compatriots represent a more compassionate alternative to "topsider" corruption. Yet all is not harmonious below either. Seriously injured the previous year, Paracelsus (Tony Jay) becomes a Phantom of the Opera-type figure, who aims to destroy Vincent's candle-lit utopia. In addition, a less civilized group of outcasts arrives in "The Outsiders." Fortunately, Vincent has Father (Roy Dotrice), Mary (Ellen Geer), Mouse (David Greenlee), and Pascal (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Armin Shimerman) on his side.

Unfortunately, they won't be able to prevent the tragedy that occurs in "The Rest Is Silence." Suffice to say, the season finale sets the scene for a new direction (more is revealed in the third-season opener). Consequently, Beauty and the Beast was canceled the following year, but still managed to rack up 18 Emmy nominations (winning six), spawning a soundtrack, and even inspiring some Saturday Night Live spoofing--a sure sign it had struck a chord. While the first season was devoid of extras, Perlman and Hamilton introduce six key episodes on this set. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Product Description

The Beauty and the Beast TV show was a fantasy series about a man-beast (Vincent) and his love for a beautiful assistant district attorney (Catherine Chandler). Vincent lived in an underground world beneath New York City where his gruesome looks were less important to his peers than were his caring and benevolent personality. Together, Vincent and Catherine had many adventures both above and below ground level and their love for each other continued to grow.

Customer Reviews:

Remake this show.......2007-07-02

I think they should try to Remake this show because this time of year.. many people like romance and fiary tales! I would watch it!

You give Love a Good Name.......2007-07-01

Starring Jon Bon Jovi and Sarah Connor as the crimefighting brother and sister with identical facial features and wildly differing blonde manes, this tender re-enactment of Cocteau's seminal black and white gothic masterpiece of 14th century cinema still possesses the power to heal little blind orphans, nearly two decades after its original regurgitation.

Season 2 continues where Season 1 left off, and continues the story until the Season Finale, where it ends. Until Season 3.

One thing i still don't understand. If Bon Jovi lives in a sewer, and Sarah Connor is a lawyer, at what point in human history do the Machines twig that the conception of John Connor could have been easily prevented by the wanton destruction of every copy of the OST to "Young Guns II - Blaze of Glory"?

All will be revealed in the Season 3 Finale. I hope.

Of romance, adventure and love eternal.......2007-05-19

This is one of the best TV series ever! It has all the ingredients that make a classic - well-plotted storylines, a cast of interesting characters, and above all, an otherworldly romance between the gentle, noble Vincent, and the luminously beautiful Catherine. In each scene where they come together, you cannot help but be mesmerised by the tremendous depth of emotion and feeling that is seen on their faces, their body language, and their dialogue. These two share an on-screen chemistry that is quite rare even till today. Linda Hamilton plays her role with a measure of beauty, courage and conviction that is utterly convincing. Ron Perlman's Vincent is the gentle beast, who is kind and loving to his friends and the needy and brutally vicious to the scum of society. His love for Catherine is so poetic, yet even when these two yearning souls are exchanging romantic dialogue or reading from books under the moonlight, they appear convincing and their love for each other rings true. I know I'm gushing here but it is this compelling love story that makes the show what it is, and although each episode has its share of thrills, it is Vincent's & Catherine's unerring love for each other that compels us to view the show. I can't wait for the DVD release.

Special features please!.......2007-05-04

I love beauty and the beast. Hopefully the second season will include at least some special features. I'm sure any fan would faint if there were any episode commentaries from Linda Hamilton and Ron Pearlman. I know I probably would. Also what happened to the lost love letters that were included on the VHS versions. Hopefully we'll be able to see them on a future release.

There are simply not enough stars in all the universe........2007-04-06

It stands to reason that, since you are reading this in the Season Two section, you are already well aware of the epic majesty and absolute Love that are Vincent and Catherine. Words are beyond insufficient in describing this series for those who remain mournfully ignorant, but if it will intrigue new viewers, it is definitely worth the effort.

In short, "Beauty and the Beast" is Poetry in sight, sound and emotion. This is the one series that will forever be known as the impossibly beautiful, heart-wrenching, and all-consuming dream that changed everyone who understood its message. I truly pity those who refused to do so, even if it was in part due to them that such a brilliant masterpiece was cancelled so quickly.

Now to the topic at hand: Season Two, the most beloved of many a fan. Personally, I disagree. Every single episode captured my imagination and left me aching for more, even in the most violent and tragic moments. I simply love them all, so much so that I own a boot-leg "all season" set (rest assured that I have bought the official versions and will continue to do so). However, I will admit to having something very close to a "favorite," and it happens to reside in this season, so... take from that what you will.

"Brothers," in my opinion, encapsulates the very spirit of a very difficult to define series, and it has dear Charles. When he and Vincent talk about the misleading effects of appearances, giving Charles the courage to remove his bag-like mask... I literally wept from sheer joy. While it is true that the man will never be an Adonis by "normal" standards because of the disfigurement from his disease, he could power an entire hemisphere indefinitely with that smile. Seeing him come to terms with his differences, with the support of his newfound friends, and gain the courage to face the World Above for the sake of his eternally restless "brother" Devon left me deeply moved. Such is the incandescence of all Vincent, Catherine, and their world have been trying to share with us for the last two decades. I can only pray that more will listen in time.

Like the rest of the hopelessly addicted followers, I eagerly await this release, when I might add the in-store version to my Amazon pre-order as I have with Season One. Will the extremely controversial Season Three have the same luck? I sincerely hope so.

Average customer rating:

WONDERFUL MOVIE FOR CHILDREN TO WATCH + 10
Once upon a DREAM . . . Good & Dark Fairies, Kings & Princes, Fire Breathing Dragon & a Golden Beauty
One of the best
Sleeping Beauty
GREAT

Sleeping Beauty (Special Edition)
Starring: Eleanor Audley , Candy Candido , Pinto Colvig , Verna Felton , and Taylor Holmes
Director: Les Clark , Eric Larson , Clyde Geronimi , and Wolfgang Reithermann
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Adapted from Books | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

Feature Films | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

Fairy Tales | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

All Disney Titles | Disney Home Entertainment | Stores | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Special Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Disney Special Platinum Edition)
Beauty and the Beast (Disney Special Platinum Edition)
Pinocchio (Disney Gold Classic Collection)
Cinderella (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Platinum Edition)
Peter Pan (2-Disc Platinum Edition)

ASIN: B00005JKHN
Release Date: 2003-09-09

Amazon.com

Disney's 1959 animated effort was the studio's most ambitious to date, a widescreen spectacle boasting a gorgeous waltz-filled score adapting Tchaikovsky. In the 14th century, the malevolent Maleficent (not dissimilar to the wicked Queen in Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) taunts a king that his infant Aurora will fatally prick her finger on a spinning wheel before sundown on her 16th birthday. This, of course, would deny her a happily-ever-after with her true love. Things almost but not quite turn out that way, thanks to the assistance of some bubbly, bumbling fairies named Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather. It's not really all that much about the title character--how interesting can someone in the middle of a long nap be, anyway? Instead, those fairies carry the day, as well as, of course, good Prince Phillip, whose battle with the malevolent Maleficent in the guise of a dragon has been co-opted by any number of animated films since. See it in its original glory here. And Malificent's castle, filled with warthogs and demonic imps in a macabre dance celebrating their evil ways, manages a certain creepy grandeur. --David Kronke

Description

Heralded by audiences and critics alike, SLEEPING BEAUTY was the final fairy tale to be produced by Walt Disney himself. Now fully restored with revolutionary digital technology, its dazzling colors, rich backgrounds, and Academy Award(R)-nominated orchestrations shine brighter than ever. When an enchanted kingdom and the most fair princess in the land fall prey to the ultimate mistress of evil, the fate of the empire rests in the hands of three small fairies and a courageous prince's magic kiss. Their quest is fraught with peril as the fellowship must battle the evil witch and a fire-breathing dragon if they are to set the Beauty free. From spectacular action to the breathtaking pageantry of the princess and her kingdom, SLEEPING BEAUTY has something to charm every member of your family.

Customer Reviews:

WONDERFUL MOVIE FOR CHILDREN TO WATCH + 10.......2007-07-01

SLEEPING BEAUTY IS A WONDERFUL MOVIE FOR CHILDREN.THERE IS NO VIOLENCE FOR CHILDREN TO SEE IN THIS MOVIE.LIKE OTHER DISNEY MOVIES THAT ARE COMING OUT NOW.I HAVE THIS MOVIE BOUGHT 2 OF THEM ONE FOR MY DAUGHTER ONE FOR HER GIRLFRIENDS BIRTHDAY.I AM SO PICKY AND MAD OVER SOME OF DISNEY'S REMAKES THAT HAS SO MUCH VIOLENCE IN THEM.NOT GOOD FOR ANY CHILD TO WATCH.I HAVE NOT BOUGHT MANY OF DISNEYS NEW MOVIES DUE TO THIS REASON.THERE IS ENOUGH VIOLENCE IN THIS WORLD" OUR CHILDREN DO NOT HAVE TO SEE IT IN DISNEY MOVIES"WHAT IS DISNEY THINKING MAKING THESE VIOLENT MOVIES FOR KIDS. CHARACTERS HITTING EACH OTHER CALLING NAMES IS IT FOR THE MONEY? THE WAY OF THE WORLD NOW? ALSO TEACHING CHILDREN ITS OK TO HIT EACH OTHER AND CALL NAMES YELLING AT EACH OTHER" BEST MOVIES FOR CHILDREN TO SEE ARE, JUNGLE BOOK LIMITED ISSUE,PETER PAN LIMITED ISSUE,PINOCCHIO LIMITED ISSUE, 101 DALMATIANS LIMITED ISSUE, SLEEPING BEAUTY, SNOW WHITE, I GIVE ALL THESE MOVIES 10 STARS.************************** I DO NOT EVEN RECOMMEND CINDERELLA THE NEW RELEASE ANYMORE" ALSO MANY MORE NEW RERELEASES, DISNEY RUINED THE OLD TARZAN DVD WITH A NEW REMAKE" TARZAN IS SUCH A WONDERFUL MOVIE FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS I HAVE THE LIMITED ISSUE MY FAMILY LOVES THIS MOVIE SO HEARTWARMING TO WATCH" ALL THE DISNEY LIMITED ISSUE DVDS ARE THE BEST FOR ALL CHILDREN AND ADULTS TO WATCH''FORGET THE 2 DVDS NEW EDITIONS" JUST CHEAP REMAKES"
ALL OF DISNEY'S
LIMITED ISSUES FIRST RELEASED ARE THE BEST ONES TO BUY" BEFORE THEY ARE ALL GONE FOR GOOD''''

Once upon a DREAM . . . Good & Dark Fairies, Kings & Princes, Fire Breathing Dragon & a Golden Beauty.......2007-06-16

Once upon a Dream, many moons ago, when I was a child; I viewed this Dark Disney Fairy Tale and became instantly mesmirized by all fairy folk and tales to be told. Dear Walt gave us little gals the imagined lore of pretty Princess's or Princess's to be. As well as the Tom boy in me, the warrior Princes with sword and shield fighting for the greatest cause . . . defending ones kingdom from evil overbearing forces.

My undying luv for the winged serpents of old - Dragons, is all given credit due to my favorite Walt Disney villian . . .
Malevolent Maleficent, considered a Dark Fairy (more suitable in Disney standards of the time than a witch) who transformed her being into the statuesque purple fire breathing dragon in the ending battle together with Prince Phillip and the delightful fairies; Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather to save the realm from darkness.

MALEVOLENT MALEFICENT, THE DARKEST FAIRY - notable quotes:
"The Forest of Thorns shall be his tomb!
Move through the skies on a fog of doom!
Now go with the curse, and serve me well!
Round Stefan's Castle, CAST MY SPELL!"

"She is indeed, most wondrous fair.
Gold of sunshine in her hair,
lips that shame the red red rose.
In ageless sleep, she finds repose.
The years roll by, but a a hundred years to a steadfast heart, are but a day.
And now, the gates of a dungeon part, and our prince is free to go his way.
Off he rides, on his noble steed, a valiant figure, straight and tall!
To wake his love with "loves' first kiss"! And prove that "true love" conquers all! AHAHAHAHAHA!"

SLEEPYING BEAUTY is most intoxicating, hilariously funny, beautiful artistry, classical music and captivating characters immortalized. Both an enchantment and fulfilling destiny, from a prickling finger to a long awaited magical kiss.

Other Disney's to see in the realm of Princess Fairy tales:
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Disney Special Platinum Edition)
Cinderella (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Platinum Edition)

Walt Disney has been adored and admired by many generations since his beginning in the movie animation industry. Sir Walt has become a part of movie making history and his Disney kingdom will continue to grow, and for future generations, his legend will live on evermore.

LadyGray quote:
"The last in Sir Walts time, a Fairy Tale to be told;
The setting of the stage is a unique Dark Disney mold.
This adventurous stunning musical for all to see and believe;
A long quest to save a kingdom and release Sleeping Beauty free."

LadyGray
Author of the Yuletide Tale - White Holly

One of the best.......2007-05-31

I purchased this DVD at a used bookstore for $14.95 and I was expecting it to be damaged in some way, but it wasn't!

Anyway, this is the classic Disney movie about a jealous witch, a beautiful princess, three bumbling fairies, a handsome prince, and the spell.

I highly recommend that everyone watch this movie with their children.

A+++

Sleeping Beauty.......2007-05-08

It took really long for delivery, however, it's a great classic and worth it! I'm glad that even though it was sent back into the Disney Vault, I was still able to get it on Amazon!

GREAT.......2007-04-13

GREAT FLICK FOR THE LITTLE PRINCESS IN YOUR LIFE, A CLASSIC, IT WILL NEVER LOSE IT'S VALUE OR POPULARITY

Average customer rating:

ESTHER WILLIAMS! Just in time for the Summer...looks like another winner from Warner!
Music, water, & comedy combine in a great film collection
Instant Entertainment...Just add water
Finally, Esther makes the dive into DVD

Esther Williams Collection, Vol. 1
Starring: Esther Williams , Lucille Ball , Red Skelton , Cyd Charisse , and Van Johnson
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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Classic Musicals from the Dream Factory, Vol. 2 (The Pirate / Words and Music / That's Dancing / The Belle of New York & Royal Wedding / That Midnight Kiss & The Toast of New Orleans)
Lucille Ball Film Collection (Dance Girl Dance / The Big Street / Du Barry Was a Lady / Critic's Choice / Mame)
The Doris Day Collection, Vol. 2 (Romance on the High Seas / My Dream Is Yours / On Moonlight Bay / I'll See You in My Dreams / By the Light of the Silvery Moon / Lucky Me)
Can-Can
On the Riviera

ASIN: B000PC8AL4
Release Date: 2007-07-17

Customer Reviews:

ESTHER WILLIAMS! Just in time for the Summer...looks like another winner from Warner!.......2007-07-02

I am going to be broke this Summer, and it's going to be Warner Home Video's fault. Every week they seem to be releasing something I've been waiting for to arrive on DVD.

Esther Williams was one of the most successful screen performers for several years in the '40s and early '50s, and it's no wonder. She was gorgeous, had a wry screen personality, a nice singing voice, and..oh yeah, she swam a bit.

This collection looks outstanding, and it's nice to see that Warner has included their usual cache of vintage extras, including those neat radio promos they have been using lately.

Aside from Esther's spectacular aquatics in BATHING BEAUTY and NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER, there are many other wonderful aspects to these films. Red Skelton is hysterically funny in BB and ND, Cugat is always entertaining as well, and who can resist Tom & Jerry in DANGEROUS WHEN WET. Beautifully done. There are also some great songs here, particularly the Frank Loesser score for NEPTUNE'S, and the Arthur Schwartz/Johnny Mercer tunes in DANGEROUS WHEN WET are all terrific....and let's not forget Charlotte Greenwood's star turn in the AIN'T NATURE GRAND number. Most importantly, there's Miss Williams, who was quite a knockout in every way.

I'm particularly happy to see that the packaging says Volume One. While every film here is a winner (my personal favorites are NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER and DANGEROUS WHEN WET), I would assume Warner could give us another 2 sets of Esther's best, but for the moment I remain most grateful for this first volume. Viva Esther!

Music, water, & comedy combine in a great film collection.......2007-06-30

These films are something like underwater Busby Berkeley films, so if you like the MGM musicals of the 40's and 50's, and/or you like Busby Berkeley's work you'll likely appreciate this collection. I rate this set as five stars for those people who appreciate the light-hearted romantic comedy and music of these types of films. If you are looking for gut-wrenching drama or film noir and are not open to these kinds of films, look elsewhere. Also, if you like the comedy of Red Skelton or Lucille Ball, they both show up in some great comic performances in a couple of these films.

Bathing Beauty (1944)
Costars Red Skelton in a comedy about a songwriter who enrolls in a women's college to win back his estranged swimming-teacher wife. Highlights include music from both Harry James and his Music Makers and Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra, Skelton in a pink tutu doing unforgivable things to Tchaikovsky and a spectacular, trendsetting `chlorine-and-chorine' finale.
Special Features:
Robert Osborne hosts "TCM's Private Screenings with Esther Williams"
Oscar-nominated Short "Main Street Today"
Academy Award-winning cartoon "Mouse Trouble"
Theatrical trailer
Subtitles: English (feature film only)

Easy To Wed (1946)
This is a remake of the 1930's screwball comedy Libeled Lady, although outside of the skeleton of the plot the comparisons are few. Particularly funny is Van Johnson afloat with a baleful spaniel who knows a lot more about duck hunting than he does, and a drunken scene featuring the antics of Lucille Ball. Actually, Lucy steals the show in more than a few scenes here. When the local paper runs an untrue story claiming an heiress (Esther Williams) is a husband stealer, she prepares to sue for libel. So an employee of the newspaper (Keenan Wynn) comes up with a plan to improve the paper's chances in court: He'll arrange a sham wedding between his fiancée (Lucille Ball) and another newsroom employee (Van Johnson), send said employee to woo the heiress, and thus have a real husband-stealing story.
Special Features:
Oscar-nominated Pete Smith Specialty comedy short "Sure Cures"
Classic cartoon "The Unwelcome Guest"
Theatrical trailers of "Easy to Wed" and "Libeled Lady"
Subtitles: English (feature film only)

On an Island with You (1948)
This musical comedy feature moonlight swims, swaying palms, Technicolor sunsets and...cannibals. Esther Williams, Peter Lawford, Ricardo Montalban and Cyd Charisse get the swimming, swaying and sunsets and Jimmy Durante, of course, gets the cannibals. Williams is a swimming movie star pursued by two handsome suitors on the set of her latest film. Features Xavier Cugat and his orchestra playing some lovely songs.
Special Features:
Vintage Romance of Celluloid series short "Personalities"
Classic cartoon "The Bear and the Hare"
Theatrical trailer
Subtitles: English (feature film only)

Neptune's Daughter (1949)
Betty Barrett (Betty Garrett) mistakes Jack Spratt (Red Skelton) for the South American polo team captain José O'Rourke (Ricardo Montalban), and relentlessly pursues him. Meanwhile, the real O'Rourke pursues Betty's sister Eve (Esther Williams). The resulting mistaken identities and romantic complications turn into a great mix of slapstick and flirtatious fun. Garrett and Skelton's comedy is particularly appealing. The film features songs by Frank Loesser including Baby, It's Cold Outside, winner of the 1949 Best Song Oscar. The film has a happy ending and culminates in a stupendous water ballet.
Special Features:
Outtake musical number "I Want My Money Back"
Esther Williams cameo sequence from 1951's "Callaway Went Thataway"
Oscar-Nominated Pete Smith Specialty comedy "short Water Trix"
Oscar-nominated cartoon "Hatch Up Your Troubles"
Theatrical trailers of this movie and "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"
Subtitles: English (feature film only)

Dangerous When Wet (1953)
This film has Williams playing Katy, a farm girl from a health-obsessed family who finds romance with Williams' future real-life husband Fernando Lamas while training to swim across the English Channel. In the film's key sequence, Williams swims along with cartoon stars Tom and Jerry.
Special Features:
Outtake musical number "C'est La Guerre"
Pete Smith Specialty comedy short "This Is a Living?"
Classic cartoon "Name to Come"
Esther Williams musicals trailer gallery
Subtitles: English (feature film only)

The descriptions of the special features are from a press release from Warner Home Video.

Instant Entertainment...Just add water.......2007-06-07

I am so glad The Esther Williams collection is finally being released. She was the most beautiful star at MGM, if not in all of Hollywood. What a great selection of films too. "Easy To Wed" features a comical, but gorgeous Lucille Ball. "On An Island With You" is a personal favorite and Esther is at her most beautiful here. I am hopeful TCM will release a second volume to this collection and include Esther's 1956 drama "The Unguarded Moment". In it, she plays a high school music teacher who is being stalked by a young John Saxon. "Thrill Of A Romance", "This Time For Keeps" "Easy To Love" and "Jupier's Darling" would complete the set nicely. Miss Williams proves she is a star both in and out of water!

Finally, Esther makes the dive into DVD .......2007-04-28

For years I've been waiting for this Esther Williams DVD collection and hallelujah they have finally arrived. These five films from 1944 to 1953 are the best, but hopefully the remainer of her aquatic musicals will soon follow. BATHING BEAUTY is among the top of my favorites list thanks to Red Skelton, Xavier Cugat, Ethel Smith's Tico-Tico and Esther's spectacular flaming water fountains swim finale. I gave a five star rating just becasue it contains five great musicals. Hopefully the picture and sound quality will give justice for this rating.

Beauty and the Beast - The Complete First Season

Average customer rating:

Very good
My all time favorite television program
Finally!
Beauty and the Beast - First Season
Great Buy!

Beauty and the Beast - The Complete First Season
Starring: Roy Dotrice , Jay Acovone , Ren Woods , Jason Allen , and Cory Danziger
Director: Beth Hillshafer , Victor Lobl , Gabrielle Beaumont , Alan Cooke , and Daniel Attias
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000K7UBX4
Release Date: 2007-02-13

Amazon.com

"Once upon a time... in the city of New York." So begins this unique fantasy-crime series. Catherine (Emmy nominee Linda Hamilton, The Terminator) is an assistant DA who's attacked one night by strangers. When she wakes up, her face is covered in bandages. Someone named Vincent (Golden Globe winner Ron Perlman) has been taking care of her in his home beneath the subway. When she removes the dressing, she finds that he's a man-beast, but fear turns to trust when she becomes convinced he has her best interests at heart. As she states in the introduction, "We have a bond stronger than friendship or love." As the season unfolds, Vincent frequently comes to Catherine's assistance. As an empath, he knows instinctively when she's in trouble. When he needs help, Vincent turns to Father (Roy Dotrice), the doctor who raised him after he was abandoned at the hospital after he was born. His origins are unknown. Together, Catherine and Vincent are like the detectives of Remington Steele, except no one knows she's part of a team, since they're only able to meet in secret. Vincent's underground companions, however, get to know Catherine well. Just as Vincent comes to her aid as needed, she does the same for his community.

Although Beauty and the Beast has little in common with the Jean Cocteau film or Disney animated picture, the appeal is similar. Cynics may find these do-gooders sentimental, especially when Catherine utters lines like, "And although we cannot be together, we will never, ever be apart." But romantics made the CBS drama successful--at least until Hamilton left in the second year--and launched the Emmy-nominated Perlman into cult favorites like The City of Lost Children. Oscar winner Rick Baker (An American Werewolf in London) also deserves credit for his convincing make-up effects. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Beyond Beauty and The Beast

The Soundtrack
More `80s TV Series
More TV Series on DVD for the First Time

Stills from Beauty and The Beast: The Complete First Season (click for larger image)

Description

Customer Reviews:

Very good.......2007-06-25

The DVD was so much more reasonably priced than it was in stores, and it came in perfect condition

My all time favorite television program.......2007-06-12

Beauty and the Beast Season One has finally been released on DVD, and it is thrilling for me to revisit this jewel of entertainment. From its premiere (which I only saw because I was waiting to watch the season premiere of Dallas), I have been a devoted fan. Enchanting in every way, BATB embraced the essence of romance with its quality acting, writing, music and the depth of each character, especially its starring roles of Vincent and Catherine. There will just never be another tv romantic hero like Vincent. He was intelligent, warm, caring, strong, educated, kind to children but fiercely protective of his Catherine and those whom he considered family. The plots in the first two seasons possessed good story lines, but my favorite episodes were those that highlighted the impossible relationship of Vincent and Catherine. Its timelessness is so well demonstrated by its 20th anniversary and the good production of the DVD set. And now, 20 years later, it is thrilling for me to share BATB with my children who are fascinated by the story of the underground tunnels and those who live in secret places and of course, the love story of Vincent and Catherine, set to gorgeous music and wonderful poetry. For thy sweet love remembered, such wealth brings!

Finally!.......2007-06-08

I missed this show! It brought back many Friday night memories. the whole family loves it with enough action, intrigue & romance for everyone.

Beauty and the Beast - First Season.......2007-06-08

I am truly enjoying this show. I watched it many years ago but never saw the first episodes only the ones at the end. It is very romantic and different from today's programs. I just watch a couple of episodes every day or two and I always wait until I'm sure no one will call me and then I just sit back and enjoy!

Great Buy!.......2007-06-05

I loved this show when I was a kid (was 8 when it first aired) - and I still love it now! Granted, I understand a LOT more of what's going on now. If you can get past the 80's/90's fashion, the big hair styles, and slightly cheesy music (think about when it was first created), it really is a fabulous series! I absolutely love Ron Perlman in this! I couldn't stop watching it (finished the season in about a week), and now I'm impatiently waiting for the 2nd season to be released! Too bad this show didn't have a longer run!

Average customer rating:

Ooky Terri DelCampo loves Steel Magnolias Special Edition
Worst movie ever.
An Outstanding Movie!
Endeering from beginning to end... don't miss it!
Steel Magnolias

Steel Magnolias (Special Edition)
Starring: Sally Field , Dolly Parton , Shirley MacLaine , Daryl Hannah , and Olympia Dukakis
Director: Herbert Ross
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00004TJKK
Release Date: 2000-07-25

Product Description

Six divas of the silver screen -- Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis and Julia Roberts -- come together as bosom buddies in this hilarious and heartwarming story of life, love and loss in a small Louisiana Parish. At the center of the group is Shelby Eatenton (Julia Roberts), newly married and joyfully pregnant, despite the fact that her diabetes could make childbirth life-threatening. Terrified and angry at the possibility of losing her only daughter, M Lynn Eatenton (Sally Field) looks to her four closest friends for strength and laughter as she battles her deepest fears of death in order to join Shelby in celebrating the miracle of new life.

System Requirements:
Starring: Olympia Dukakis, Sally Field, Daryl Hannah, Shirley MacLaine, Dolly Parton, Julia Roberts, Dylan McDermott, Kevin J. O Connor, Sam Shepard, and Tom Skerritt.
Directed By: Herbert Ross
Running Time: 119 Min., Color.
This film is presented in "Widescreen" format.
Copyright 2000 Columbia TriStar Home Video.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com essential video

Based on Robert Harling's play, this comedy-drama directed by Herbert Ross (The Turning Point) follows several years in the lives of women who regularly see one another at a beauty shop in their small Louisiana town. The story deepens as Julia Roberts, playing a serious diabetic and the daughter of Sally Field, goes downhill in her health. But as an ensemble piece, this is one of those enjoyably lumpy tearjerkers with many years' worth of stored truths suddenly being shared between the characters, lots of grievances aired, that sort of thing. Daryl Hannah and Shirley MacLaine assume the most eccentric roles, Dolly Parton the most fun, and Olympia Dukakis the most dignified, while Sally Field essentially provides the moral and emotional center of the movie. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Ooky Terri DelCampo loves Steel Magnolias Special Edition.......2007-06-20

Steel Magnolias is one of my very favorite movies. I am replacing my VHS tapes with DVDs and it was one of the first ones I replaced. I love the special edition DVD because it told the story of the writer's sister who died young. It gives the movie even more special meaning knowing that it's based on a real life situation rather than one that's completely fictitious. Five Stars!

Worst movie ever........2007-05-27

Yeah I know, most won't agree.
This is the most useless excuse for a movie I've ever seen.

An Outstanding Movie!.......2007-05-26

This is one of my favorite all-time movies. It's set in Lousiana. Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Olivia Dukakis, Shirley Maclaine, Dolly Parton, and Darryl Hannah are the main stars of the movie. It starts out as a group of women in a beauty salon getting ready for Julia Roberts' character's wedding. We meet Darryl Hannah's character in the beginning as she comes by looking for work and a place to stay. The story goes over a period of time from Shelby's wedding to the birth of her son and her kidney transplant and her death. At the end of the movie, it shows Darryl Hannah's character heading off to the hospital to have her baby. During the movie, Darry's character went to beauty school, fell in love, got married, and became pregnant. Too bad that a sequel was not made.

Endeering from beginning to end... don't miss it!.......2007-05-22

Steel Magnolias is a movie about family, love, and relationships. The plot revolves around a beauty parlor where the main characters go to become beautiful. The character of the beauty parlor owner is played by Dolly Parton.

At Truvy's Beauty Parlor in Louisiana we learn all about these close group of friends and soon learn the secrets these women carry in their hearts.

M'Lynn, played by Sally Fields is married to Drum Eatenton, a playful man who at the start of the film is busy shooting birds that are perched on a tree on his property. This drives us all crazy, especially those of us that firmly believe on the protection of the environment... but they have a very special reason as a motive.

Daughter of Drum and M'Lynn Eatenton, Shelby, superbly played by Julia Roberts is getting married and we soon see these women go to visit the beauty parlor in preparation for the big day. Annelle Dupuy Desoto, played by Daryl Hannah, has just joined the staff as a hair dresser, "a glamour technician," and soon the women are hard at finding all about "her past" because even though she is "the sweetest thing" just live through puberty and you must have a past.

Ouiser Boudreaux, a bitter, ill tempered and outspoken lady, played deserving of an award by Shirley MacLaine joins the women and she puts Annelle through a rather fun and entertainment interview.

Clairee, a recently widowed woman, played by Olympia Dukakis is the only person that truly understand Ouiser... and the give and take of these women is so endearing and captivating, that we soon find ourselves enchanted by this movie.

As the movie develops we find ourselves involved in the pain and heartache of the challenges these women face. We cried, we laughed, and we walked away wishing that our town would have the close relationships these families share. Indeed a movie worthy of becoming part of any collection. Don't miss it...

Steel Magnolias.......2007-05-13

It was a chick movie. It could have been better but I was in Natchitoches so I just had to see the movie.

Average customer rating:

A Bitter Sweet
Right On! Government Sucks! Oh Wait, Poo?
This movie does have a point.
definitely oddball but worth it
A favourite

Sweet Movie (Criterion Collection)
Starring: Carole Laure , Pierre Clémenti , Anna Prucnal , Sami Frey , and Jane Mallett
Director: Dusan Makavejev
Manufacturer: Criterion Collection
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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WR: Mysteries of the Organism (Criterion Collection)
If... (Criterion Collection)
La Jetee/Sans Soleil (Criterion Collection)
The Two of Us (Criterion Collection)
Vengeance Is Mine - Criterion Collection

ASIN: B000OPPAEM
Release Date: 2007-06-19

Description

Pushing his themes of sexual liberation to their boiling point, Yugoslavian art-house provocateur Dusan Makavejev followed his international sensation WR: Mysteries of the Organism with this full-throated shriek in the face of bourgeois complacency and movie watching. Sweet Movie tackles the limits of personal and political freedom with kaleidoscopic feverishness, shuttling viewers from a gynecological beauty pageant to a grotesque food orgy with scatological, taboo-shattering glee. With its lewd abandon and sketch-comedy perversity, Sweet Movie became both a cult staple and an exemplar of the envelope pushing of 1970s cinema.

Customer Reviews:

A Bitter Sweet.......2007-07-01

Sex, blood, vomit, politics, philosophy, urine, excrement, sugar and chocolate syrup. There are movies that are devised from formulas developed to serve (and be served by) the Demographic ..... and then there are those rare films that create their own audience. Unfortunately, when Makavejev first unleashed his Sweet Movie in 1974, most interested parties of influence saw fit to have it banned, and the filmmaker himself was exiled (along with some cast members) from his native Yugoslavia for nearly 15 years.

I first saw the film in a double feature with Verhoeven's Turkish Delight back around '77, hot to check out adults-only films that weren't porn. I didn't really grasp much of it back then (not surprising considering my white middle class American upbringing; I call it being Born in Disneyland), but I was fascinated by its decided blend of anarchy and intelligence. In the years since, awareness of world events have clarified a lot of the story (if any) elements, and multi-mega kudos to Criterion for rescuing this now very alive and relevant explosion of a movie from near-obscurity. There were not many opportunities for subsequent viewings, and much of the movie left me with a sense of "did I really see that or just dream it?"

Beautifully restored, looking and sounding better than I remembered it, and including in this edition interviews and more in-depth facts about the making and history of this one-of-a-kind movie, watching it again restored in this viewer an appreciation of artists who put themselves way out on a line to give life to a vision, one that can become more relevant over time, despite overall condemnation at its initial release. As stated in the accompanying literature, there are countries where the movie is banned for any sort of distribution, to this day.

The dual story line, about two Women of Earth (Miss World 1984 and Captain Anna Planeta), is interwoven in a montage-like format that lashes out at Capitalism and Communism, spits in the eye of all manner of creative or sensual oppression, and does so in a take-no-prisoners satirical fantasy sense that helps lighten up the otherwise dark and intense subject matter. As Makavejev explains in an interview, had he tried to do any of it seriously, it would have hampered his film's acceptance all the more so, for it was fully his intent to make contact with his audience in an entertaining, circus-style (although somewhat abstract) manner. Anna Planeta commandeers a sort of ghost ship, Survival (sporting a huge carving of Karl Marx's noggin on front), through the canals of Amsterdam; she is a phantom, a political prostitute, and a reluctant predator, attracting victims with sex, candy and propaganda. She is joined by a nameless sailor who wears a cap from the Battleship Potemkin (another phantom?), and despite her warnings that her sweetened cargo is rife with corpses, he is swept up in the happy delirium of the Survivor's relentless voyage to ...? Meanwhile, Miss Canada is inspected by a notable gynecologist on The Crazy Daisy Show, wins the title of Miss World 1984 along with an arranged marriage to a Texas milk tycoon who wants to buy Niagara Falls. The wedding night doesn't go so well, and next thing she knows she is knocked out, packed into a suitcase and shipped off to Paris ..... at which point things get weird on a Candide level. Much of the movie's final third, involving a near-explicit sex dance for young boys and some truly disturbing performance art (which was entirely improvised by Otto Muehl's Viennese Therapy Commune) involving eating, excreting, self-mutilating and acting like babies is certain to elicit squirms, and a private first viewing is highly recommended. Although, if you really wanted to mess with people at a party, play this film and follow it with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

As mentioned earlier, the included extras deepen the experience of the film, as well as introduce a welcome sense of normalcy after viewing. One outstanding addition is star Anna (Planeta) Prucal's interview about the effect the film had on her life (she was one of those who was exiled), and a stunning performance of a song from the film that will induce tears. Her blissfully delirious performance as Captain Anna carries Sweet Movie with a courage that is near unmatchable in cinema.

A hard film to recommend, but great for one of those Dare-Yourself-To-Sit-Through-It evenings, Sweet Movie's return down the canal is certain to open up a whole new generation of discussion with its resurrection into the digital archives. The title itself is its own expletive; but like any significant work, its "meaning" is wholly about the effect of its experience.

Right On! Government Sucks! Oh Wait, Poo?.......2007-06-20

Dusan Makavejev's 1974 film Sweet Movie is an indictment toward all forms of authority and convention. It does not obviously or even wittingly perhaps come from an honest political standard itself, but it instead exists to attack all that rules us. It skewers capitalism, communism, and absolutely everything in between. Perhaps it is a call specifically for some sort of Anarcho-Primitivism? Perhaps Sweet Movie is simply a celebration of life in its own sick and twisted way?

Sweet Movie follows two different stories and both feature a female protagonist. The first follows a contestant of the 1984 Miss Monde pageant. She wins and her prize is her marriage to some big corporate dude. She is shocked by how he degrades her in their first meeting and she runs away. Her rejection is met with displeasure by his cronies and she ends up getting pretty severely humiliated and then stuffed into a suitcase and shipped off to France. After that she gets stuck to some Latin guy and enters a commune and some pretty wacky things happen. This story operates as a criticism toward capitalism and consumerism at the beginning and the conclusion, while it seems to attack communism in the middle. The second story follows a young woman who is leading a boat down a river. The boat is full of candy and has a statue of Karl Marx on it. She seduces all who encounter her with sex, candy and propaganda. Then she kills them. Obviously it is a direct attack on communism.

There are some pretty shocking things in Sweet Movie but that shouldn't be a surprise when taking into account the time period and some of the subversive and surreal counterculture names involved in the film (e.g. Otto Muehl, Roland Topor and George Melly). The film captures a cultural movement in some respects and the significance is there but overall Sweet Movie was too obscure to have an impact. Only now does it resonate but for very different reasons. It stands out for its visual shock alone.

There is a very strong emphasis on bodily functions in Sweet Movie, more so than anything I've ever seen or even want to see again for that matter. I can't pinpoint why but it's more than likely Dusan Makavejev's attempt to compel us to revolt against all of our societal institutions by directly desensitizing us to his perspective that we are all just gassy and disgusting animals. Spend a few days resisting your normal cognitive functions or spend some time with dementia patients and you'll get a good smell of what Makavejev is trying to get at here...I think? I'm not sure I agree with him in those sorts of details, but in spirit I like where he is going with Sweet Movie. We all could use a good smack away from the restraints of everyday society.

Keep in mind; it is virtually impossible to get anything out of Sweet Movie if you take it too literally. It is designed to surprise the viewer and club them over the head with shock. The problem with that is Sweet Movie was so shocking for its time that it was hardly even seen. People were not ready then, but maybe the world has grown sicker since. Criterion may have picked a more accessible release date for Sweet Movie than Makavejev did. Asking ourselves the questions that this film might produce may be more important now than ever.

This movie does have a point........2003-09-26

To all those who said that this movie has not point I am sorry but you are wrong. The purpose of this movie is to basically give us a wake up call. The sugar represents how everything is sugar coated. All of the evil things that are done such as the children was sugar coated as if to make it less evil. Also the actual footage of the babies and the dead bodies, anyone know the significance here? It is real, this is not horrible things done by actors to make a movie. This is REAL LIFE but yet that does not phase us. Rather what freaks us out is people puking IN A MOVIE. The director reminds us at the end that this is a fictional movie because the children come alive, but the train in the background....any idea where that goes? It is a train to Aushwitz (dont think that is spelt right). The sailor that is picked up is the last suviving sailor from the ship that started the russian revolution(look at his hat). The rich man or Capitolistic america pisses and tarnishes all that is pure and innocent(his wife) in this world. There are so many connections to the real world. SO what he is saying is that actual footage of the true evil that has happened in this world should be more offensive to us then any finctional movie should be.

definitely oddball but worth it.......2002-09-13

An Icelandic reviewer remarked on the Norwegian censorship of this film. One of the interesting factoids about this bizarre film is that it had many versions - different countries edited it according to their (in)sensibilities. More interestingly, the director thought this very amusing rather than insulting.

Another reviewer remarked that he took a first date to this film which I find hilarious. Rather than demanding to leave however, I might have married him.

In any case, take it as you might any hallucinogen - expect both the expected and unexpected.

A favourite.......2002-03-23

I saw Sweet Movie in 1978, and twice at Reykjavík Film Festival 2000. In 1978 I was twenty and it went on screen in Laugarvatn High School as a part of Reykjavík Art Festival. The newspapers were full of noisy protest that the sweet movie was ugly and horrible. As youngsters we liked it in particular due to the uproar. We found the exchange of bodily excrements very funny. Next to me sat the school's prettiest girl. She found the chocolate bath at the end of the film beautiful, a different reaction from what Sidneysider describes below (Robert of Ashfield). She died of a terrible illness five years later, the same year Sidneysider saw his 10 minutes of Sweet Movie. In 1978 it was kind of fashionable to be open minded, and being old fashioned and prudish was very out. In 2000 Sweet Movie had got on well, though it was almost impossible to find a copy. It is a bit of a slide show of different ideas. I don't care about symbolism, it is just very beautiful. But it touches on various subjects. It even touches on sexual abuse. NOTA BENE: I should like to promote Sweet Movie as a music experience. Some of the music is quite strange, some indeed interesting, and all of it very pleasant. And the film is full of it. So, listen to the music. - I seldom watch films, but this one is a favourite, to be ranked with Orson Welles' The Trial, Kurosawa'a Dersu Uzala, and Tarkovski's Stalker. A grotesque world, but somewhat enviable ....

Average customer rating:

Fantastic
This is BY FAR the best movie that I have had the chance to lay my eyes on!
Heavy Irony on Amazon
not my genre
Not an "American" issue...

American Beauty (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Annette Bening , Thora Birch , Chris Cooper , Peter Gallagher , and Sam Robards
Director: Sam Mendes
Manufacturer: Dreamworks Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00003CWL6
Release Date: 2000-10-24

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From its first gliding aerial shot of a generic suburban street, American Beauty moves with a mesmerizing confidence and acuity epitomized by Kevin Spacey's calm narration. Spacey is Lester Burnham, a harried Everyman whose midlife awakening is the spine of the story, and his very first lines hook us with their teasing fatalism--like Sunset Boulevard's Joe Gillis, Burnham tells us his story from beyond the grave.

It's an audacious start for a film that justifies that audacity. Weaving social satire, domestic tragedy, and whodunit into a single package, Alan Ball's first theatrical script dares to blur generic lines and keep us off balance, winking seamlessly from dark, scabrous comedy to deeply moving drama. The Burnham family joins the cinematic short list of great dysfunctional American families, as Lester is pitted against his manic, materialistic realtor wife, Carolyn (Annette Bening, making the most of a mostly unsympathetic role) and his sullen, contemptuous teenaged daughter, Jane (Thora Birch, utterly convincing in her edgy balance of self-absorption and wistful longing). Into their lives come two catalytic outsiders. A young cheerleader (Mena Suvari) jolts Lester into a sexual epiphany that blooms into a second adolescence. And an eerily calm young neighbor (Wes Bentley) transforms both Lester and Jane with his canny influence.

Credit another big-screen newcomer, English theatrical director Sam Mendes, with expertly juggling these potentially disjunctive elements into a superb ensemble piece that achieves a stylized pace without lapsing into transparent self-indulgence. Mendes has shrewdly insured his success with a solid crew of stage veterans, yet he's also made an inspired discovery in Bentley, whose Ricky Fitts becomes a fulcrum for both plot and theme. Cinematographer Conrad Hall's sumptuous visual design further elevates the film, infusing the beige interiors of the Burnhams' lives with vivid bursts of deep crimson, the color of roses--and of blood. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic.......2007-06-22

American Beauty is the greatest movie ever made.

If you haven't already, watch American Beauty by yourself and give yourself some time afterwards to think it over. You will never, ever look at life the same way. It does exactly what movies are meant to do - give us a window into ourselves, and American Beauty does that better than any other film has ever done. No word of dialogue is unnecessary, no character exaggerated, everything is perfect...but if you have seen American Beauty you should know that already. Once you look closer at this movie, and see Beauty in every frame, it becomes so much easier to look closer and see Beauty in everything around you. You think I'm waxing poetic? Then you must not have seen the movie. Every character is a part of each of us: the Lester Burnham of change, the Carolyn of uncertainty and failure, the rebellion of Jane, the defeated Barbara, the false control of Angela and the Colonel, and the real control of Ricky. To me Ricky, not Lester, is the center of this story; he somehow controls or sets in motion the heart of Lester's rebirth and downfall. There are several parts of this movie where I lose control every time I see it, and none more so than the paper bag scene. To me that scene is simply the greatest monologue ever written.

I listened to the message of American Beauty - look closely and you can find Beauty in anything - and it changed my life. I rose out of a long, deep depression and started out into the world. Sometimes there is so much Beauty in the world, I can't