DVD

Forrest Gump (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition)

Average customer rating:

Heartwarming, deep and very, very funny. Forrest Gump is the Ultimate Movie.
Forrest Gump a hero for our times
Forrest Gump
a spiritually and intellectually bankrupt enterprise
Forrest Gumpism

Forrest Gump (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition)
Starring: Joe Alaskey , Sam Anderson , Geoffrey Blake , Charles Boswell , and Michael Burgess
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00003CXA2
Release Date: 2001-08-28

Amazon.com essential video

The Academy Award winner for Best Picture, Best Director Robert Zemeckis, and Best Actor Tom Hanks, this unlikely story of a slow-witted but good-hearted man somehow at the center of the pivotal events of the 20th century is a funny and heartwarming epic. Hanks plays the title character, a shy Southern boy in love with his childhood best friend (Robin Wright) who finds that his ability to run fast takes him places. As an All-Star football player he meets John F. Kennedy; as a soldier in Vietnam he's a war hero; and as a world champion Ping-Pong player he's hailed by Richard Nixon. Becoming a successful shrimp-boat captain, he still yearns for the love of his life, who takes a quite different and much sadder path in life. The visual effects incorporating Hanks into existing newsreel footage is both funny and impressive, but the heart of the film lies in its sweet love story and in the triumphant performance of Hanks as an unassuming soul who savors the most from his life and times. --Robert Lane

Customer Reviews:

Heartwarming, deep and very, very funny. Forrest Gump is the Ultimate Movie........2007-07-04

The sweetest of love stories, philosophically profound, deep as the ocean and light as a feather... and very funny. Forrest Gump is the ultimate movie in so many ways, there are so many sides to it. It's predominantly a `serious' film about a dim headed, yet good hearted southern boy and how the absence of a dysfunctional ego and a simple sense of honor and integrity enables him to flow through life effortlessly, like the metaphor of the white feather we see at the beginning and the end of the film.

Forrest Gump is a masterfully written and directed tale that punctuates deep philosophical substance with a good deal of humor -the scene of Forrest and Bubba scrubbing the floor with toothbrushes while Bubba enlightens Forrest on the details of `shrimping' is just too funny for words. There's never been a film like it before or since. It ingeniously weaves the history of a generation into the script, taking scenes from the Vietnam war, JFK, the 60's protest movement and flower power, and onward into the age of AIDS. Actual film clippings from various historical events are cleverly edited to enable Forrest to step into them and interact. Wonderful Stuff... it's kind of a nod to the `Wonder Years'.

As richly entertaining as Forrest's life is, and as very funny as many of the scenes are, it's still the character of Forrest that carries the move. He's impossible not to like. You become significantly invested in his life. You share his heartbreak as Jenny repeated shuns the open heart he offers her. And you admire his quiet acceptance of 'what is'. His lack of self consciousness - devoid of the myriad games and manipulations that most people of `greater intelligence' display -his simple open heartedness and sense of personal integrity which he carries through life are inspirational. This clearly is a story that shows the ultimate triumph of virtue over the complex dysfunctions of the mind. Jenny plays out a sad character... always looking somewhere else for love, although she finds it on her death bed And Lt. Dan is just an awesome character. His 360 degree turn through what life deals him is as inspirational as Forrest's.

The closing scene is the most memorable for me... the feather floats in the random breeze, as Forrest muses about predestination vs random existence: " I think it's both... both happening at the same time." - which leads me to believe our beloved Forrest isn't as dumb as he's portrayed.

Forrest Gump a hero for our times.......2007-06-28

Forrest Gump is a greatlook at the 60s and 70s. Tom Hanks is the most likable actor from his generation. Forrest Gump may seem dumb but he mostly makes sense. Forrest Gump has a good heart and guts, his life is a good full life. Forrest Gump is one of the best characters in movie history. This movie is everything its supposed to be.

Forrest Gump.......2007-06-27

It is one of the greatest movies than I've ever seen BUT it doesn't have spanish subtitles.

a spiritually and intellectually bankrupt enterprise.......2007-06-15

This movie celebrates one of the worst possible perspectives on life and does it by exploiting all of the good will and energy of music of the Woodstock generation. Think about it: Tom Hanks portrays a pure innocent who presumably is to be seen as an American Buddha -- detached from everything except pure love. Meanwhile, Robin Wright Penn is portrayed as an idiot because she invests herself in silly causes such as opposing the Vietnam War. We are manipulated into sympathizing with the figure who remains utterly detached from life instead of the figure who cares about the world around her.

Meanwhile, we are further manipulated by a soundtrack carefully assembled so as to have us associate all the good feelings and hopes connected to the songs with what we are watching: a phenomenal bit of film making that successfully transposes the audiences associations with the highest ideals of the sixties and seventies on a film that belittles commitments to those beliefs.

This is a truly insidious, reactionary piece of work. At the end of the movie, "Nashville," Robert Altman cleverly decries the ease by which an audience can be seduced into acquiescing to feel-good nihilism by having everyone leave the theater singing "You may say that I ain't free, it don't worry me." with gospel abandon. The raves that the movie Forest Gump got proves Altman's point.

No one can deny that this movie is a well made film with some sweet and wonderful performances. But, at its core, it is spiritually bankrupt. While it is not as powerful a film as "Triumph of the Will" and the "philosophy" it attempts to manipulate the audience into buying isn't as remotely evil as that of Leni R's patrons, it is nonetheless of that ilk -- a successful attempt to bypass the audience's frontal lobe.

Forrest Gumpism.......2007-05-13

My boys asked me for this. They loved it. It is on TV all of the time but they still wanted the video.

Average customer rating:

on the whole, dumb
You Will Be Hooked!
Excellent Season
Interesting trivia for die-hard fans
One of the best

Lost - The Complete First Season
Starring: Matthew Fox , Evangeline Lilly , Terry O'Quinn , Josh Holloway , and Dominic Monaghan
Manufacturer: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Television | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00005JNOG
Release Date: 2005-09-06

Amazon.com

Along with Desperate Housewives, Lost was one of the two breakout shows in the fall of 2004. Mixing suspense and action with a sci-fi twist, it began with a thrilling pilot episode in which a jetliner traveling from Australia to Los Angeles crashes, leaving 48 survivors on an unidentified island with no sign of civilization or hope of imminent rescue. That may sound like Gilligan's Island meets Survivor, but Lost kept viewers tuning in every Wednesday night--and spending the rest of the week speculating on Web sites--with some irresistible hooks (not to mention the beautiful women). First, there's a huge ensemble cast of no fewer than 14 regular characters, and each episode fills in some of the back story on one of them. There's a doctor; an Iraqi soldier; a has-been rock star; a fugitive from justice; a self-absorbed young woman and her brother; a lottery winner; a father and son; a Korean couple; a pregnant woman; and others. Second, there's a host of unanswered questions: What is the mysterious beast that lurks in the jungle? Why do polar bears and wild boars live there? Why has a woman been transmitting an SOS message in French from somewhere on the island for the last 16 years? Why do impossible wishes seem to come true? Are they really on a physical island, or somewhere else? What is the significance of the recurring set of numbers? And will Kate ever give up her bad-boy fixation and hook up with Jack?

Lost did have some hiccups during the first season. Some plot threads were left dangling for weeks, and the "oh, it didn't really happen" card was played too often. But the strong writing and topnotch cast kept the show a cut above most network TV. The best-known actor at the time of the show's debut was Dominic Monaghan, fresh off his stint as Merry the Hobbit in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films. The rest of the cast is either unknowns or "where I have I seen that face before" supporting players, including Matthew Fox and Evangeline Lilly, who are the closest thing to leads. Other standouts include Naveen Andrews, Terry O'Quinn (who's made a nice career out of conspiracy-themed TV shows), Josh Holloway, Jorge Garcia, Yunjin Kim, Maggie Grace, and Emilie de Ravin, but there's really not a weak link in the cast. Co-created by J.J. Abrams (Alias), Lost left enough unanswered questions after its first season to keep viewers riveted for a second season. --David Horiuchi

Where Have I Seen These Castaways? (click images to find out)

Locke
(Terry O'Quinn)
Sawyer
(Josh Holloway)
Charlie
(Dominic Monaghan)
Boone
(Ian Somerhalder)
Jin
(Daniel Dae Kim)

Michael
(Harold Perrineau)
Sayid
(Naveen Andrews)
Jack
(Matthew Fox)
Hurley
(Jorge Garcia)
Kate
(Evangeline Lilly)

Claire
(Emilie de Ravin)
Sun
(Yunjin Kim)
Shannon
(Maggie Grace)
Walt
(Malcolm David Kelley)

Stills from Lost (click for larger image)

Sawyer in action
Claire and Charlie
Jin and Michael

Brawl
Shannon
Claire and Hurley

DVD features
Even if you saw every episode of Lost on TV--or perhaps especially if you saw every episode--the DVD set is a must-own. The episodes are presented in widescreen format, just as they were broadcast on high-definition channels. (Conventional ABC-TV broadcasts were reduced to 1.33 full-screen format.) Four of the episodes have commentary tracks by the producing team and the actors who were featured on certain episodes (Terry O'Quinn, Dominic Monaghan, and Maggie Grace and Ian Sommerhalder). The last disc has over three hours of bonus material sensibly broken into three categories. "Departure" discusses the initial creation of the series, the making of the pilot, and the cast (some characters were created to fit the actors, and Evangeline Lilly's Kate was the hardest to cast). It also includes the cast's audition tapes and photographs by Matthew Fox. "Tales from the Island" provides background material on seven of the episodes plus the boars used in filming, Jimmy Kimmel's appearance on the set, and the genesis of the Driveshaft song ("You all everybody..."). Finally, "Lost Revealed" includes two scenes cut from the season finale, 13 other deleted scenes (not identified by episode, unfortunately), a blooper reel, and the cast and crew's giddy appearance at the Museum of Television & Radio. --David Horiuchi

Description

From J.J. Abrams, the creator of Alias, comes the action-packed adventure that became a worldwide television event. Stranded on an island that holds many secrets, 48 people must band together if they hope to get home alive. Now you can experience the nonstop excitement and mystery of every episode, from the show's stunning first minute to its spectacular finale, on a seven-disc set. Presented in a widescreen theatrical format with 5.1 Surround Sound and bursting with more than eight hours of original bonus features -- including unaired Lost flashbacks from the final episode -- Lost is a real find.

Customer Reviews:

on the whole, dumb.......2007-07-10

There are snatches of good writing, but on balance a forgettable effort.

One thing that had me hooked early was the exciting fact that, as the plane crash survivors suddenly discovered, they were not alone on the island: there was apparently some sort of invisible dinosaur prowling nearby, eager to consume them.

And then the writers, in what was either a burst of hideous writing or a frightening insight into human psychology, have the survivors then proceed largely to forget about said monster, spending the rest of the season playing golf, going for a swim, getting a tan, etc.

Won't be watching season two.

You Will Be Hooked!.......2007-07-10

I did not start off watching this on the telly. I had pneumonia while visiting friends. They set it up on the DVD player. I turned it on at 10 Am. At 7 PM they came home to ask if I had even left the couch. I had watched nearly the whole season in one work day. It was so good. It left me wanting more.

This series will leave you addicted and begging for more. The first season is seriously wonderful stuff. I could easily re watch it. This is a must own DVD set. I have managed to get many others hooked on it. I have only met one person who watched it and disliked it. His complaint was that it was too close to The Bridge of San Luis Rey (Perennial Classics).

Excellent Season.......2007-07-05

One of the best seasons of a TV show I have ever seen. I think all of the other raters basically speak for myself.

Interesting trivia for die-hard fans.......2007-06-30

There are plenty of reviews here that describe the show, so I'll avoid needless repetition and try to offer something new. Obviously I love the show, so I won't go on about that either. Like many I am greatly anticipating the conclusion. Many lost fans do not seem to be aware that Lost is (and J.J. Abrams has stated this as well) actually mostly based on The Prisoner, the cult classic TV show from the 1960s starring Patrick McGoohan. Instead of being stranded on a mysterious island, in The Prisoner, the protagonist was trapped in a mysterious prison disguised as a luxury resort called "The Village." As The Prisoner approached its final episode people were eagerly anticipating the "explanation" of everything, just as is now happening with Lost. The interesting thing is, when the final episode of The Prisoner aired in England, it proved SO controversial that the show's star, Patrick McGoohan, took his family and fled the country as he was sick and tired of people confronting him in the streets! I wonder if Lost will follow suit and have an equally metaphorical, non-literal, and philosophical ending. This certainly does seem to be the direction the show is heading. Frankly fans have already thought of every possible explanation to the mysteries on the island. Perhaps we shouldn't expect one at all, but another "statement" or "message." Any thoughts?

One of the best.......2007-06-16

This has to be one of the best tv shows.

Average customer rating:

one more person willing to love this film
Best movie ever.
TOP 100 MOVIES OF DANY LYNEN
"Harold and Maude, a Cerebral Love Affair"
Harold and Maude timeless, naughty and quirky...

Harold and Maude
Starring: Harvey Brumfield , Eric Christmas , Bud Cort , Cyril Cusack , and Gordon Devol
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 6305882592
Release Date: 2000-06-27

Amazon.com essential video

Black comedies don't come much blacker than this cult favorite from 1972, and they don't come much funnier, either. It seemed that director Hal Ashby was the perfect choice to mine a mother lode of eccentricity from the original script by Colin Higgins, about the unlikely romance between a death-obsessed 19-year-old named Harold (Bud Cort) and a life-loving 79-year-old widow named Maude (Ruth Gordon). They meet at a funeral, and Maude finds something oddly appealing about Harold, urging him to "reach out" and grab life by the lapels as opposed to dwelling morbidly on mortality. Harold grows fond of the old gal--she's a lot more fun than the girls his mother desperately matches him up with--and together they make Harold & Maude one of the sweetest and most unconventional love stories ever made. Much of the earlier humor arises from Harold's outrageous suicide fantasies, played out as a kind of twisted parlor game to mortify his mother, who's grown immune to her strange son's antics. Gradually, however, the film's clever humor shifts to a brighter outlook and finally arrives at a point where Harold is truly happy to be alive. Featuring soundtrack songs by Cat Stevens, this comedy certainly won't appeal to all tastes (it was a box-office flop when first released), but if you're on its quirky wavelength, it might just strike you as one of the funniest movies you've ever seen. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

one more person willing to love this film.......2007-06-27

Ok, so like 272 people have had wonderful things to say about this film and what more could I possibly add to the discussion? This movie has over the years fed my soul and "reason to be". It is a beautiful reminder that after all the education and family and work stuff there are still other reasons to remain here. To choose to live. As imperfect as it all is. As sad as our mortality can make us. Life has an aspect to it that is so rich, so lovely, so enchanting, so alluring, that, provided we are capable to slowing down long enough to take a good look at it, can be loved and embraced and followed, like a moth following a candle. Finding yourself wasn't just a sixties slogan, it had to do with letting go of those things we think are important, so that we might truly begin to embrace those things that are essential to happines and to life. Harold and Maude is about all that and more. And as Forest Gump once said, "That's all I have to say about that."

Best movie ever........2007-06-24

The more I watch this film the better it gets, so many subtleties. I bought a copy for my brother to show it to his teenage kids.

TOP 100 MOVIES OF DANY LYNEN.......2007-06-23

THIS MOVIE IS HEART MOVING, AND TEACHES A VALUBLE LESSON IN THE GAME OF LIFE!

"Harold and Maude, a Cerebral Love Affair" .......2007-06-11

This is a terrific movie and has been one of my favorites since I first saw it on VHS late last century. Now it is available upon DVD which means it has a very good quality picture reproduction from the celluloid original upon which it was originally recorded and the audio is as good as it was in the theatre. I just need to acquire the audio components upon which to listen to this movie so I can visually and aurally go back in time, also I can watch it over & over and not have to worry about tape degradation. Amazon.com made acquiring this movie a very good and most cost effective endeavor for me; I will be a customer for the rest of my life and encourage friends of mine to shop @ Amazon.com.

Harold and Maude timeless, naughty and quirky..........2007-05-28

Harold and Maude is a movie that brings to light an assortment of social and familial issues. Both actors do an outstanding job of portraying their characters in pure form. Love this movie!

Average customer rating:

Still can't bring myself to watch
THE QUINTESSENTIAL(TOILET HUMOR)COMEDY FILM.
Husband Loves It.
WOW DANG ONE OF THE BEST TV DVD-MOVE FOR SHORE EVER DONE
Rodney's funniest movie

Caddyshack
Starring: Chevy Chase , Rodney Dangerfield , Ted Knight , Michael O'Keefe , and Bill Murray
Director: Harold Ramis
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Slapstick | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00004RF8A
Release Date: 2000-04-04

Description

The greenskeeper is about to start World War III - against a gopher. The judge plays to win but his nubile niece has her mind set on scoring her own way. The playboy shoots perfect golf by pretending he is the ball. And the country club loudmouth just doubled a $20,000 bet on a 10-foot putt. Insanity? No. Caddyshack. Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight and Bill Murray tee off for a side-splitting round of fairway foolishness that does for golf what Animal House did for college fraternities and Police Academy did for law enforcement.

Customer Reviews:

Still can't bring myself to watch.......2007-06-09

To this day I cannot bring myself to watch this movie.

THE QUINTESSENTIAL(TOILET HUMOR)COMEDY FILM........2007-05-13

Ahhh... CaddyShack! Whenever I am down or bored there is no better "pick me up" than a dose of this classic endearing little comedy. The cast is great and seem to be having a ball in this low brow,but extremely funny film. Dangerfield, Murray, Knight and Chase are at their comedic best. The entire cast is way above average in the hilarious "never been duplicated" movie. A must have for your DVD collection.

Husband Loves It........2007-05-12

I bought it for my husband for Christmas because he loves it so much. I enjoyed it a little. It's dumb funny so if you love that type of movie, this is a good one to watch.

WOW DANG ONE OF THE BEST TV DVD-MOVE FOR SHORE EVER DONE.......2007-05-08

NOW I COULD EASYLY SAY THIS WILL GO DOWN AS ONE OF THE GRATEST MOVE EVER MADE IN THE WORLD THAT IS SO FOR SHORE & THAT IS PUTTING IT LIGHTLY

Rodney's funniest movie.......2007-04-25

Rodney Dangerfield stole the show from a cast of some of the best comedic talent of the day. Ted Knight (uptight as always), Chevy Chase (in his days when he could pull off "sexy"), and Bill Murray being just plain weird (and oh, so funny at it), all took backstage to Rodney the great. The entire cast contributed heavily to the movie, a rarity in "mega-star" mega movies.

The movie works best if you are inebriated or just plain stoned, although it was so well-crafted that you could (in theory) watch it with your straight-laced friends and still get quite a few laughs out of them. The movie in unabashedly sophomoric, (ala Animal House, and the later Back to School). It is a classic comedy because it succeeded where so many imitations fail: They actually hired professional writers - and (get this) paid them! Unlike too many recent attempts to get guys to come see a cheap comedy with cheap laughs and the promise of naked (or nearly naked) "hot chicks" this cheap movie serves up an abundance of cheap laughs and the occasional hottie, but does so with expert direction and actually very good acting considering the movie has no real Oscar[tm] aspirations.

Don't try to watch this with your uptight roommate or anyone who is over the age of 40 (damn! That excludes me too!) You will just ruin your own fun. Buy them a Lawrence Welk VHS tape (Google him if you have to) and grab a few Baby Ruth's and some pizza for a good night's worth of just plain dumb (and high-quality) laughs.

Average customer rating:

Perfect
Dumbo
The little elephant with the big ears
Gorgeous original Dumbo movie.
Mixed feelings on this one

Dumbo (Big Top Edition)
Starring: Edward Brophy , Sterling Holloway , Verna Felton , Cliff Edwards , and Herman Bing
Director: Ben Sharpsteen
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000EYK4GW
Release Date: 2006-06-06

Amazon.com

A Disney "classic" that actually is a classic, Dumbo should be part of your video collection whether or not you have children. The storytelling was never as lean as in Dumbo, the songs rarely as haunting (or just plain weird), the characters rarely so well defined. The film pits the "cold, cruel, heartless" world that can't accept abnormality against a plucky, and mute, hero. Jumbo Jr. (Dumbo is a mean-spirited nickname) is ostracized from the circus pack shortly after his delivery by the stork because of his big ears. His mother sticks up for him and is shackled. He's jeered by children (an insightful scene has one boy poking fun at Dumbo's ears, even though the youngster's ears are also ungainly), used by the circus folk, and demoted to appearing with the clowns. Only the decent Timothy Q. Mouse looks out for the little guy. Concerns about the un-PC "Jim Crow" crows, who mock Dumbo with the wonderful "When I See an Elephant Fly," should be moderated by remembering that the crows are the only social group in the film who act kindly to the little outcast. If you don't mist up during the "Baby Mine" scene, you may be legally pronounced dead. --Keith Simanton

Description

With high-flying entertainment and messages about friendship, acceptance, courage, and believing in yourself, Walt Disney's DUMBO is "a timeless classic for children of all ages. Walt Disney at his finest" (Us Weekly). Meet Dumbo, Mrs. Jumbo's sweet little "Baby Mine" who charms all who see him . . . until it's discovered that he has huge floppy ears! With the support of his very best friend, Timothy the mouse, Dumbo soon learns that his spectacular ears make him unique and special, allowing him to soar to fame as the world's only flying elephant. You'll love all the daring adventure, colorful characters, award-winning music, and a circus tent full of fun bonus features! Go behind the scenes with DisneyPedia's "My First Circus," an all-new activity where you can learn about your favorite circus animals. This Big Top Edition also features Sing-Along Songs, a DVD Storybook, a new digital transfer, and much more.

Customer Reviews:

Perfect.......2007-07-09

Perfect and wonderful. As described. Great movie to buy at a great price.

Dumbo.......2007-06-21

Disney's fourth full length-feature (running just over one hour) remains a powerful, poignant family film, offering kids a clear and useful lesson on the virtues of tolerance. Dumbo's initial cruel treatment is still hard to watch, since we've all witnessed similar behavior. The empathy we feel for this misfit elephant only makes his ultimate triumph more satisfying. A defining classic in Disney's film legacy. Best for smaller fry.

The little elephant with the big ears.......2007-06-10

Who won are hearts is still flying high.

Gorgeous original Dumbo movie........2007-05-15

What a wonderful original Disney movie and such great quality. It is nice to know that you can still get the original movies in a new format, especially all the extras.

Mixed feelings on this one.......2007-05-07

One of the interesting things about having children (among the many wonderful and interesting things) is getting the chance to re-experience childhood and to see movies I enjoyed as a child. I was somewhat disappointed with "Dumbo," though, because of the scene in which the baby elephant Dumbo (who is ostracized by other elephants for having oversized ears) gets drunk, making it seem as if underage drinking is a harmless, playful activity that produces fun and funky hallucinations of dancing pink elephants. Other than that scene, the movie had a good message about overcoming adversity and turning personal weaknesses into triumphant strengths.

Average customer rating:

Mansfield Park...NOT
I have not read the book....AND I AM GLAD!!!
If You Don't Mind a little Affection between Cousins
Most enjoyable
Great for romantic movie lovers, not so good for Austen purists

Mansfield Park (1999)
Starring: Hannah Taylor-Gordon , Talya Gordon , Lindsay Duncan , Bruce Byron , and James Purefoy
Director: Patricia Rozema
Manufacturer: Miramax
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: 6305907145
Release Date: 2000-07-11

Description

This fun and sexy comedy tells a timelessly entertaining story where wealth, secret passions, and mischievous women put love to the test ... with delightfully surprising results! When a spirited young woman, Fanny Price, is sent away to live on the great country estate of her rich cousins, she's meant to learn the ways of proper society. But while Fanny learns "their" ways, she also enlightens them with a wit and sparkle all her own! Featuring an exciting ensemble cast of young stars -- you'll join critics everywhere in their overwhelming praise of this smart, playful, and funny hit!

Customer Reviews:

Mansfield Park...NOT.......2007-07-06

Next to Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park is my favorite book of Jane Austen. The movie however was an utter disappointed. Fanny and many if not most of the other characters are completely misrepresented. Not to mention that her beloved brother William who is a large part of the novel is not even alluded to once in the movie. Slavery is a running theme, which is quite an inappropriate and disturbing deviation from the novel. Badly Done!!!

I have not read the book....AND I AM GLAD!!!.......2007-06-18

Excellent..superb..well acted..well scripted..dark and brooding......I could go on and on! We review FILMS here at Amazon...not the book from which the film came! As a film, Patricia Rozema's adaptation of Jane Austen's MANSFIELD PARK stands on it's own as a stinging, satirical view of the life and times of one Fanny Price in 1806 England. All that is Austen,the "advantageous alliances" that are made through marriage, scandals that could kill a family's reputation, the pecking order of sons for inheritance, and the heart as the moral compass and guide are all here, and brought to the screen with great effect infused with a little bit of naughtiness and innuendo. This retelling of MANSFIELD PARK is so interesting and wonderfully reconceived that it far outweighs the BBC version for it's fresh and new characterizations of Fanny and the Bertrams and the Crawfords.

What I really like about this MANSFIELD PARK is Rozema's clever weaving of the English Slave Trade into the fiber of the film. No doubt this WAS THE hot topic of the time as in 1807 the trade of the Middle Passage WAS abolished in England.(See the current film AMAZING GRACE)Yes,people who sought their fortunes in it DID turn "to tobacco",which was the trade simply continued in America!!!

As far as performances...they are OUTSTANDING. Harold Pinter as Sir Thomas was played with great complexity and the late Sheila Gish as Fanny's Aunt is one of the best comedic turns yet for an Austen adaptation!

Lesley Barber's soundtrack is lush, romantic and also full of witty motifs to propel the action.

This MANSFIELD PARK is full of fine direction, sets, costumes and modern sensibility that makes the timeless Austen all the more compelling.The film never lags and is quite clever. 5******'s for Rozema's Austen!

If You Don't Mind a little Affection between Cousins.......2007-05-24

I am always challenged in finding any kind of romance in the characters of Mansfield Park. They are cousins. Back in Ms. Austen's day, this was cool. To me, it is SO not.

This telling of the story, however, is really fun. I love the dramatic pauses at the end. I love the nasty Mrs. Norris. I love the artful Crawfords and the artless Edmund. Most of all, I LOVE Fanny, the smart creative Fanny that is presented in this movie. She totally makes the movie.

(*)>

Most enjoyable.......2007-05-15

Most Janeites will disregard this film as not being true to the novel and claim the actors are too "pretty." I however, think this film is strong enough to stand on it's own without having to be completely true to the original. The characters are strong, the acting honest and raw, and Fanny is very funny, in a very Jane Austenesque subtle, ironic way. I am glad to own it.

Great for romantic movie lovers, not so good for Austen purists.......2007-05-12

I wouldn't call myself an Austen purist, but I definitely compare the books with the movies I watch. For purists of Jane Austen's novel, this movie really tears the book apart substituting characters and cutting some out completely. But as a movie, Mansfield Park is one of my favorites. Most of the more recent Jane Austen adaptations really stole my heart in the movie category and this one was no exception. The heart of Jane Austen's story is still there and, as we all know, no one can write about love and romance quite like Jane Austen.

So purists: Beware! Dramatic and Romantic movie lovers: Check this one out!

Double Indemnity (Universal Legacy Series)

Average customer rating:

Double Indemnity
Classic film noir from the great Billy Wilder
It doesn't get any better than this blistering jewel
a great example of the early days of film noir.......
Lust and Greed Lead to Murder

Double Indemnity (Universal Legacy Series)
Starring: Fred MacMurray , Barbara Stanwyck , Edward G. Robinson , Porter Hall , and Jean Heather
Director: Billy Wilder , and Jack Smight
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Film Noir | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

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( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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Laura (Fox Film Noir)

ASIN: B00005JNG5
Release Date: 2006-08-22

Amazon.com essential video

Director Billy Wilder (Sunset Boulevard) and writer Raymond Chandler (The Big Sleep) adapted James M. Cain's hard-boiled novel into this wildly thrilling story of insurance man Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray), who schemes the perfect murder with the beautiful dame Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck): kill Dietrichson's husband and make off with the insurance money. But, of course, in these plots things never quite go as planned, and Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson) is the wily insurance investigator who must sort things out. From the opening scene you know Neff is doomed, as the story is told in flashback; yet, to the film's credit, this doesn't diminish any of the tension of the movie. This early film noir flick is wonderfully campy by today's standards, and the dialogue is snappy ("I thought you were smarter than the rest, Walter. But I was wrong. You're not smarter, just a little taller"), filled with lots of "dame"s and "baby"s. Stanwyck is the ultimate femme fatale, and MacMurray, despite a career largely defined by roles as a softy (notably in the TV series My Three Sons and the movie The Shaggy Dog), is convincingly cast against type as the hapless, love-struck sap. --Jenny Brown

Customer Reviews:

Double Indemnity.......2007-06-21

One of the quintessential noir films, Billy Wilder's "Double Indemnity" is a masterpiece of stark atmosphere and carefully stylized suspense. The talented Barbara Stanwyck, a familiar face in the 1940s noir universe, assumes her role with feline deviousness, while "My Three Sons" TV dad Fred MacMurray--narrating the film via flashback--brilliantly plays against type. Raymond Chandler's screenplay sizzles with hard-boiled repartee and the great Edward G. Robinson is aces as always as the dogged investigator hot on the lovers' trail. Sinister, tense, and cynical, Wilder's "Indemnity" is riveting film suspense.

Classic film noir from the great Billy Wilder.......2007-06-10

"Double Indemnity" is one of the first films of the genre that would come to be known as "Film Noir".

The plot is classic film noir - a smug, womanising insurance salesman Walter Neff (played by Fred MacMurray) gets in over his head with a conniving femme fatale Phyllis Diedrichson (Barbara Stanwyck) who wants rid of her boorish husband. Neff must also be wary of a suspicious claims manager at his insurance company Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson).

Naturally the story has some dated elements (it was made in 1943) but it still holds up pretty well as entertainment for a modern audience.

MacMurray is excellent in his role as a heel making a change from his usual nice guy roles. He helps make the character sympathetic whereas Stanwycks role has few redeeming features - she really is "rotten". Her turnabout at the end is also somewhat unconvincing. The great Edward G. Robinson steals every scene he's in as the tenacious investigator who has a soft spot for Neff.

The DVD includes a good commentary by Lem Dobbs and Nick Redman with useful insights on the film but it also continually laments the decline of Hollywood, which I think is a trifle unfair.

Like most Billy Wilder films "Double Indemnity" doesn't really have a message - it just provides great entertainment aimed at adults. It also marks a growing shift in the 1940s towards more maturity in Hollywood film-making.

It doesn't get any better than this blistering jewel.......2007-05-30

What else remains to be said about one of the true classics of noir? Fred Macmurry is just right as the sap who thinks he's a lot smarter & sharper than he really is; Edward G. Robinson shines as a dedicated & inexorable seeker of the truth, even as his concern & disappointment for his fallen friend shows clearly; and Barbara Stanwyck scalds the screen as the trashy, blatantly sexy femme fatale with the morals of an alley cat & an icy ruthlessness that stops at nothing -- just look at that cover art! Wrap these characters in moody, bleakly beautiful black & white cinematography, give them a witty, scathing script by Raymond Chandler, and you've got a sordid masterpiece about small-timers whose greedy, self-centered dreams are much larger than their shriveled souls. I can't recommend this film highly enough!

a great example of the early days of film noir..............2007-05-20

DOUBLE INDEMNITY, a 1944 film by Billy Wilder, is one of the most definitive and beautiful examples of early film noir (literally, "black film") at its best. For those of you unfamiliar with the genre of film noir, this was a type of film made popular in the 1940s and 1950s, features very dark cinematography (plenty of shadows intermixed with light), as well as equally dark subject matter. Common themes are murders, affairs and grizzly illegal activity. DOUBLE INDEMNITY is a great example of this style at its best.

Fred MacMurray plays wily insurance man Walter Neff, who finds himself drawn to a beautiful, married woman, Phyllis Dietrichsen, played by the lovely Barbara Stanwyck. Together, they cook a plot to murder her husband, so Walter can make off with the policy money. Of course, things don't go quite according to plan. Enter Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson), an investigator who gets wind that "something is rotting in Denmark." Keyes knows that there is something decidedly un-kosher about the whole arrangement between Neff and Dietrichsen, and he is determined to find out where that feeling is coming from.

This film is beautifully acted, directed with great zest, and very, very engaging. Even though some of the dialogue is (delightfully) dated, you are still going to have a great time watching DOUBLE INDEMNITY. There is no question that this is an example of filmmaking, at its best.

Lust and Greed Lead to Murder.......2007-05-15

Late at night a man enters an office building. Mr. Walter Neff is working overtime. Dozens of desks for the clerical workers are void of life. In his office he begins to speak into his Dictaphone about the Diedrickson claim. It all started when Neff went to see about an auto insurance renewal. Mr. Diedrickson wasn't home, but his wife Phyllis was. [The dialogue between them shows Raymond Chandler's skills.] Claims manager Mr. Barton Keyes is skilled in sniffing out false claims. Neff returns to Diedrickson for the auto insurance renewal. Phyllis asks about an accident policy for her husband. Could she get one without her husband's knowledge? Neff explains why she could never get away with it. But Phyllis visits Neff to better explain her wants, and there is a meeting of their minds. [Use your imagination.] Phyllis doesn't like her stepdaughter Lola, and Lola doesn't like her stepmother (there is a reason for this).

Neff explains how insurance companies know all the tricks used to make a murder look like an accident. But Neff impulsively decides to help Phyllis remove an inconvenient husband. [Is this plausible? Like the rain in Los Angeles.] Mr. Diedrickson is concerned about Lola's activities. Neff explains to Phyllis why Mr. Diedrickson must travel by train. Lola also has problems with her boyfriend. Neff plans their surreptitious meeting where they can plot the crime. The film show how they could then check if a doorbell of telephone rang. The murder is cold-blooded and horrible, but off scene. [Did they leave fingerprints on those crutches?]

The actuarial tables are cited to show the encyclopedic knowledge of insurance companies. But Keyes has noticed a discrepancy in this case, and begins to question the apparent facts. Then there is another glitch, something that wasn't foreseen. Daughter Lola meets Neff and tells him some old facts, and some new ones! Keyes surmises how this accident was concocted. There is now great danger for Phyllis and Neff. More surprising complications arise in this story until the shocking ending. [Could a person who murders another be implicitly suicidal?]

One important part of this story is the background of life in 1944 Los Angeles. How much was changed in just twenty years! [There was no mention of war-time rationing or shortages in that grocery supermarket.]

The Complete Thin Man Collection (The Thin Man / After the Thin Man / Another Thin Man / Shadow of the Thin Man / The Thin Man Goes Home / Song of the Thin Man)

Average customer rating:

Love the Thin Man
Nick and Nora and Asta too!
ole movie buff
Nick and Nora Review
The Thin Man Collection

The Complete Thin Man Collection (The Thin Man / After the Thin Man / Another Thin Man / Shadow of the Thin Man / The Thin Man Goes Home / Song of the Thin Man)
Starring: William Powell , Myrna Loy , Maureen O'Sullivan , Nat Pendleton , and Minna Gombell
Director: W.S. Van Dyke
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Classics | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0009GX1C4
Release Date: 2005-08-02

Amazon.com

Almost as welcome as a shaker full of martinis, The Complete Thin Man Collection represents an eagerly awaited DVD milestone for fans of the fizzy MGM movie series. The best film in the series came first: The Thin Man (1934), W.S. Van Dyke's marvelous adaptation of a Dashiell Hammet novel. The movie gods were in a generous mood when they paired William Powell and Myrna Loy as Nick and Nora Charles, the upper-class sophisticates whose sleuthing escapades somehow joined the classic form of the whodunit with the giddyup of screwball comedy. Among the series' many attributes, one of its most radical notions was the idea that a married couple might find each other delightful and view life as a goofy adventure together.

It is common wisdom that the Thin Man sequels adhere to the law of diminishing returns, and while none of the follow-ups reach the diamond level of the first film, all afford pleasures. There's the cocktail-swilling chemistry of Powell and Loy, for one thing, as well as the considerable satisfaction of average movies made during the studio system: the craftsmanship of studio hands, and a gallery of terrific character actors filling in supporting roles. First sequel After the Thin Man (1936) is very good, with the couple in San Francisco and a supporting part for rising player James Stewart. The scenery moves again, to Long Island, for the rather impudently-titled Another Thin Man (1939), which adds baby Nick, Jr., to the mix (a "bad idea," thought Pauline Kael, perhaps a sign of the domestication of the series).

Shadow of the Thin Man (1941) sets the action around a racetrack, and is the last of the series to be directed by the fast-working Van Dyke. The Thin Man Goes Home (1944) finds Nick escorting family to his parents' house for a visit. Song of the Thin Man (1947) engagingly adds a jazz milieu to the Charles's detective work; at this point, Nick, Jr. was played by child star Dean Stockwell. The series stuck with certain staples: the unveiling of the guilty party, a wirehaired terrier named Asta (who became a star in its own right), and booze. When Nick opines, in the first film, that a dry martini should always be shaken to "waltz time," you know why audiences fell in love with these guilt-free comedies. --Robert Horton

Description

The sparkling series featured the irresistible William Powell and Myrna Loy chemistry as husband and wife sleuths who solved murders with the aid of their wire-haired terrier, Asta. Set in the glamorous world of 1930s upper-class Manhattan, The Thin Man and its sequels established the standard for witty comedy, clever dialogue and urbane one upmanship. The 7-Disc set includes THE THIN MAN, AFTER THE THIN MAN, ANOTHER THIN MAN, SHADOW OF THE THIN MAN, SONG OF THE THIN MAN, THE THIN MAN GOES HOME, and the ALIAS NICK & NORA bonus documentary disc.

Customer Reviews:

Love the Thin Man.......2007-06-09

If you like mystery and comedy together than this is the collection for you. Myna Loy and William Powell are so good together, they should be up there with Hepburn and Tracy, Bogie and Bacall. I know they made alot of movies together beside the Thin Man series. The Documentary disc is really good because you can't find to much information on William Powell anymore and that is a shame because he was always one of my favorite stars. I loved all the movies in this collection and so glad that I added it to mine and you will be too...

Nick and Nora and Asta too!.......2007-05-30

This is a perfect box set containing all six movies of the popular Thin Man series. The first movie was based on the novel by Dashiell Hammett and teamed the great William Powell and wonderful Myrna Loy for the second time. Their first feature, also released in 1934, was "Manhatten Melodrama." To say that the pair exuded chemistry is an understatement. Though the best of friends, Powell and Loy, were never romantically linked. This did not stop fans from believing that they were. And why not, Powell and Loy managed to create an image of marriage that is as sexy as any courtship. In many romantic comedies,the dramatic tension ebbs when the romantic pair gets together. Powell and Loy manage to transcend this limitation, not only in these films, but also in seven others which run the gamut from comedy to melodrama.

The Thin Man films also owe a great deal to the writing, Hammett continued to be somewhat involved in the early spin offs from the original, but the series also benefited from the scripts produced by Albert Hacket and Francis Goodrich, who were married in real life. This point of view probably contributed to the success of series as a whole.

This boxed set contains all of the movies in the series along with biographies of Powell and Loy. There is also an episode of the 1950s TV series which only goes to show just how well the original film series was executed.

The films range from excellent to good. The sixth film in the series probably is the weakest of the lot, It appears that the producers were attempting to inject elements of film noir into the light hearted detective series and this just does not work. However, Powell and Loy managed to turn in excellent performances which rise above the problems with the script and its execution.

Probably the only thing that would make this boxed set better would be if it included the other seven films which starred Powell and Loy since they are always interesting, no matter what the subject matter.

ole movie buff.......2007-05-14

great cant say enough about this series. loved the thin man movies as a kid and still do. Wish there were more

Nick and Nora Review.......2007-05-08

The entire series depicts the engaging relationship that Nick and Nora Charles have; played by William Powell and Myrna Loy, they are coyly sexy.
The suave William Powell is always charming and Myrna Loy is sexy without trying to be. While the subsequent movies are short on story line, the husband and wife banter make up for it. They all represent the old fashioned "whodunit" black and white movies we grew up loving where the star gathers all the characters together into a room and we discover who the guilty party is.
Charming..............
Ken Blasingham

The Thin Man Collection.......2007-05-07

This is a wonderful collection of the Thin Man movies. If you like the Thin Man, you will love this set.

Average customer rating:

Excellent movie!
The Birth of Open Heart Surgery
A story about a miraculous surgery that saves lives.
Something the Lord made right!!!
Something HBO Made

Something the Lord Made
Starring: Alan Rickman , Mos Def , Kyra Sedgwick , Gabrielle Union , and Merritt Wever
Director: Joseph Sargent
Manufacturer: Hbo Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00067BCBI
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Amazon.com

Something the Lord Made recounts the relationship between Dr. Alfred Blalock (Alan Rickman) and Vivian Thomas (Mos Def). It begins in 1930s Nashville when imperious cardiac surgeon Blalock hires Thomas, an African American carpenter, as his janitor. When the latter reveals a passion for medicine and facility with surgical instruments, Blalock promotes him to lab tech. Thomas isn't given a raise, works side jobs to make ends meet, and is expected to be grateful. Along the way, he follows Blalock from Vanderbilt to Johns Hopkins, where they save thousands of lives through their pioneering work, but will Thomas ever get any credit? The film provides a satisfying answer to that question. Joseph Sargent (A Lesson Before Dying) directs with subtlety and intelligence, while Rickman and Mos Def are in top form, often underplaying where most actors would do otherwise. Something the Lord Made won the 2004 Emmy for outstanding made-for-TV movie. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Description

(Drama) Something the Lord Made tells the emotional true story of two men who defied the rules of their time to launch a medical revolution, set against the backdrop of the Jim Crow south. Working in 1940s Baltimore on an unprecedented technique for performing heart surgery on "blue babies," Dr. Alfred Blalock (Alan Rickman) and lab technician Vivien Thomas (Mos Def) form an impressive team. As Blalock and Thomas invent a new field of medicine, saving thousands of lives in the process, social pressures threaten to undermine their collaboration and tear their friendship apart.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary:Audio commentary with director Joseph Sargent, writer Peter Silverman, executive directors Eric Hetzel and Joseph W. Cort Featurette Making History Slide Show
Featurette
Other:Making History Slide Show

Customer Reviews:

Excellent movie!.......2007-07-03

This movie is a must see. It will keep your interest throughout. There are no dull moments. I didn't realize that Mos Def is such a wonderful actor.

The Birth of Open Heart Surgery.......2007-06-27

Before (or after) you see this incredible video, you might want to read the book, "Partners Of The Heart" written by Dr. Vivian Thomas,an account of his role in pioneering open heart surgery. It's funny to see a young Dr. Denton Cooley as a resident observing and learning. This is a heart wrenching story of a man with talent beyond comprehension who never had a chance to actually attend medical school - simply because of his race. Even if you are not entrenched in the medical field you will appreciate this movie. The acting is superb, and it is said Mos Def does an outstanding job of portraying Dr. Thomas.

A story about a miraculous surgery that saves lives........2007-06-26

Born in 1987, I never knew the story about the surgery that saved my life. I was born a "blue baby", yet today I am still alive. Two amazing figures in the history of medicine made this all possible.
"Something the Lord Made" is a powerful story about two colleagues of different backgrounds who strive to save babies with a congential deformity. The movie shows great social inequality as a genius African American assistant helps solve the mystory of the heart. Without this groundbreaking research, many people today would not be alive.

Something the Lord made right!!!.......2007-06-12

Absolutly superb.
Heart warming and sincere.
Four of the most influential people in heart surgury in the world.

Something HBO Made.......2007-05-17

When I read the description of Something The Lord Made, I thought to myself - there is just no conceivable way that this is going to be interesting. However, it did have a lot going for it. It was directed by Joseph Sargent, who also directed the brilliant, A Lesson Before Dying. It starred Alan Rickman who is so good he could make an IKEA commercial look like it was directed by Ingmar Bergman. It paired Rickman with Mos Def, who has remarkable screen presence. (I first noticed Mos Def in another exceptional film, The Woodsman, which, coincidentally or not, also featured Kyra Sedgwick.) So, despite the promise of (in)action confined exclusively to a medical lab, I forged ahead.

I'm so glad I did. This is one of those minor gems you might easily miss. Make sure to pay attention to the score, which is outstanding. It's way too easy to sketch this movie out as an anti-racism diatribe, that's way too facile. As with A Lesson Before Dying, racism is simply a fact, not a larger-than-life villain. This, of course, makes the depiction that much more powerful. We don't see the pain of racism courtesy of gassy soliloquies; we feel the pain of it as we read Mos Def's face watching Dr. Blalock receive his award at Baltimore's Biltmore Hotel.

Why beat a dead parrot? We know the Biltmore is segregated. Vivien - Def - can only gain admittance by posing as a bellhop. We know that Blalock is a vain and arrogant surgeon (quelle surprise!) only too willing to bask in glory that would never have been his without Vivien's remarkable contributions. And yes, we know that the racist culture surrounding these men makes it easy for Blalock to distance himself from Vivien when it suits him.

This context of racism is woven right into our flag; it's part of the culture, hardly newsworthy enough to merit a film. The engine that's really driving Something The Lord Made is not racism at all; it's the subtle, complex relationship joining these very different men who share a passion for medicine. The interplay between Vivien's self-effacing, quiet dignity and Blalock's braggadocio is pure gold, these two are so right for each other; they balance one another in a way that is touching at the very least.

Certainly there were moments when I wanted to explain to the supercilious twits at Hopkins that Vivien was the genius behind the wheel and they should be lavishing praise on him. At times it was sad, and Vivien's stoicism makes it sadder. But the movie never takes cheap shots; Def and Rickman offer marvelously reserved performances, thereby increasing the impact. Ultimately I was left with an overwhelmingly positive sense of how people can, and often do, achieve miraculous things despite the mountains of debris and bizarre baggage they've been saddled with. A wonderful film.

Average customer rating:

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
An example of why I hate extended versions of movies
One of my favorites!
Kevin Costner's best
Response to an earlier review

Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves
Starring: Kevin Costner , Morgan Freeman , Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio , Christian Slater , and Alan Rickman
Director: Kevin Reynolds
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: 630460291X
Release Date: 1997-10-01

Amazon.com

Kevin Costner's lousy English accent is a small obstacle in this often exciting version of the Robin Hood fable. That aside, it's refreshing to have a preface to the old story in which we meet the robber hero of Sherwood Forest as a soldier in King Richard's Crusades, coming home to find his people under siege from the cruelties of the Sheriff of Nottingham (Alan Rickman). After Robin and his community of outcasts and fighters take to the trees, director Kevin Reynolds (Fandango, 187) is on more familiar narrative ground, and he goes for the gusto with lots of original action (Robin shoots two arrows simultaneously from his bow in two directions). Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, as Marion, makes a convincing damsel in distress, and Morg

Locke (Terry O'Quinn)	Sawyer (Josh Holloway)	Charlie (Dominic Monaghan)	Boone (Ian Somerhalder)	Jin (Daniel Dae Kim)
Michael (Harold Perrineau)	Sayid (Naveen Andrews)	Jack (Matthew Fox)	Hurley (Jorge Garcia)	Kate (Evangeline Lilly)
Claire (Emilie de Ravin)	Sun (Yunjin Kim)	Shannon (Maggie Grace)	Walt (Malcolm David Kelley)

Sawyer in action	Claire and Charlie	Jin and Michael
Brawl	Shannon	Claire and Hurley