DVD

The Apple Dumpling Gang (Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

Disappointed
Excellant
First they blew into town, then they BLEW it up!
APPLE DUMPLING GANG
Another Great Walt Disney Picture

The Apple Dumpling Gang (Special Edition)
Starring: Tim Conway , Don Knotts , Harry Morgan , John McGiver , and Bill Bixby
Director: Norman Tokar , and Jack Kinney
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
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Hot Lead & Cold Feet

ASIN: B00009YXAV
Release Date: 2003-09-02

Amazon.com

Bill Bixby plays a 19th-century gambler who inherits responsibility for three orphans, but the kids in turn have something of value: a huge gold nugget. This Disney film from 1975 is an enjoyable potboiler with its sentimentality under control and the accent on laughs, most of which are provided, not unexpectedly, by Tim Conway and Don Knotts as thieves who want to get their hands on the treasure. An easy, safe film for children. You can't go wrong with this. --Tom Keogh

Description

Head for cover! Don Knotts and Tim Conway are Wild West outlaws who can't hit the broad side of a barn -- but never miss when it comes to rounding up laughs! The hilarity begins when a roving bachelor (Bill Bixby) inherits three young orphans and a wealth of problems. When the youngsters stumble upon a huge golden nugget, they must fend off the greedy townspeople. So the kids join forces with the bumbling outlaws to stage a robbery of the gold. Little do they know a surly gang of sharpshooters plans to beat them to the draw! If you're aiming for fun, saddle up and head out with THE APPLE DUMPLING GANG!

Customer Reviews:

Disappointed.......2007-07-05

This DVD was poor quality, and you could not really enjoy the movie, good movie, just poor quality, plus I thought it would have more of Tim and Don in it.

Excellant.......2007-05-07

If you are looking for a clean funny movie without sex, violence, and cursing this is the right movie. It is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. Very family orient and I recommend it to anyone.

First they blew into town, then they BLEW it up!.......2007-03-22

Excellent family comedy! Don Knotts & Tim Conway are at their best!
Three orphaned siblings are forced upon confirmed bachelor Russel Donovan(Bixby) in a 19nth century boom town of Quake City, California. After an earthquake shakes the area, the children find a large gold nugget worth tens of thousands of dollars. But their newfound wealth is causing more problems than it's solving, so they decide to "give" the gold to 2 bumbling outlaws, Theodore & Amos (Knotts&Conway). But the only way they can get the gold is to steal it from the bank vault where it's being held for safekeeping.
Quotes:
(Amos makes Theodore angry)
Theodore: You couldn't see through a barbed wire fence!
Amos: Theodore?
Theodore: That head of yours couldn't hold straw!
Amos: Theodore?
Theodore: You couldn't sell hacksaws in a jail!
-----------------
Amos: How much money do you figure that dudes got in front of him?
Theodore: About five hundred.
Amos: Five hundred? WOW! You know, that'll be, uh, that's two hundred apiece!

APPLE DUMPLING GANG.......2007-02-10

THIS WAS A VERY GOOD FILM. WE REALLY LIKE DON KNOTTS AND TIM CONWAY.
WISH THERE WERE MORE GOOD CLEAN MOVIES TO WATCH.

Another Great Walt Disney Picture.......2007-02-01

When I do a movie review I base it on what I think of the movie and not anyone else. This picture was made back in 1975 and is another great Walt Disney picture. Bill Bixby plays the role of Russel Donovan, Tim Conway plays the role of Gangster Amos Tucker, Don Knotts plays the role of Gangster Theodore Ogelvie, and Harry Morgan plays the role of Sheriff Homer McCoy. Donovan comes to town looking for a poker game while on his way to New Orleans. Donovan is approach by an old friend and wants him to claim what's on the stage that belongs to him. Donovan agrees only to fine that he's reasonable for three little kids. According to the local sheriff Donovan has to attend to these three little kids. After an earthquake shakes the area, the children find a large gold nugget worth tens of thousands of dollars. But their newfound wealth is causing more problems than it's solving, so they agree to "give" the gold to two bumbling outlaws (Knotts & Conway). But they only way they can get the gold are to steal it from the bank vault where it's being held for safe keeping.

Average customer rating:

"wee little shenanigans!"
Not quite funny, entertaining, or clever enough
Wishy Washy
FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY!
super troopers dvd

Super Troopers
Starring: Christian Albrizio , Aria Alpert , Geoffrey Arend , Marisa Coughlan , and Brian Cox
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Eurotrip (Unrated Widescreen Edition)
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ASIN: B00005JKMN
Release Date: 2002-08-06

Product Description

Captain O'Hagen (Brian Cox) tries in vain to control the imaginations and hormones of his bumbling team of five Vermont Highway Patrolmen. But when the opportunity to solve a real crime rolls their way, the formerly inept Super Troopers pounce into action to become highway heroes.

System Requirements:

Starring Jay Chandrasekhar, Erik Stolhanske, Steve Lemme, Kevin Heffernan, Paul Soter, Brian Lox, Daniel Von Bergen, Marisa Coughlan

Directed by Jay Chandrasekhar

Running time: 103 minutes

Customer Reviews:

"wee little shenanigans!".......2007-07-08

I thought this movie was ok the first time I saw it, but it really grew on me with repeated viewings. A goofy, off-beat movie that's just good mindless fun!

Not quite funny, entertaining, or clever enough.......2007-06-05

Besides the opening and ending scenes, this movie is full of mediocre one-liners and wacky antics that just aren't funny enough to warrant an hour and a half of your life. That, along with the meaningless story line, leaves very little to redeem this movie. Don't waste your time unless this is your flavor of humor.

Wishy Washy .......2007-05-28

I rated this as "wishy washy" because I would never recommend this movie to someone who I didn't know had an affinity for gratuitous humor. However, I would definitely show the first fifteen minutes to anyone who enjoys spoof hilarity. The first fifteen are probably the most hilarious I have ever viewed. Even my husband, who might be considered more prudish than myself, enjoyed the initial part of this movie. It is too bad they couldn't keep it up. Instead they filled the movie with such humor to be had in a bad Adam Sandler film or Reno 911.

FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY!.......2007-05-14

I'm sorry......but I'm into REALLY funny movies, and this one takes the cake! There's more catch phrases and one-liners to use out of this movie than any other one I've ever watched. Its a GOTTA HAVE.

super troopers dvd.......2007-05-13

This is a great movie, but you might like to mention in future sales of dvd's that if it comes from the USA, it's unlikely to play on dvd players in other countries because of zoning restrictions on US dvds.
However, it will play on pcs and laptops, so all is not lost.

Average customer rating:

what a magical, wonderous joyride
Why was there never a sequel?
goonies
Hey You Guys!!!!!!!!!!
A Definite Must-Have DVD

The Goonies
Starring: Steve Antin , Sean Astin , Josh Brolin , Jeff Cohen , and Robert Davi
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005J6UP
Release Date: 2001-08-21

Amazon.com

You may be surprised to discover that the director of the Lethal Weapon movies and scary horror flick The Omen, Richard Donner, also produced and directed this classic children's adventure (which, by the way, was written by Donner's screen-wizard friend Steven Spielberg). Then again you may not. The Goonies, like Donner's other movies, is the same story of good versus evil. It has its share of bad guys (the Fratelli brothers and their villainous mother), reluctant-hero good guys (the Walsh bothers and their gang of friends), and lots of corny one-liners. Like in an old-fashioned Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew plot, the Goonies need to solve a problem: a corrupt corporate developer has bought out their neighborhood and plans to flatten all their homes. Luckily, the beloved gang stumbles on a treasure map. In the hopes of finding the treasure to buy back their houses, the Goonies embark on their quest through underground passages, aboard pirate ships, and behind waterfalls. This swashbuckling and rollicking ride was also a great breeding ground for a couple of child actors who went on to enjoy numerous successes in adulthood: Sean Astin (Rudy, Encino Man) and Martha Plimpton (Pecker, 200 Cigarettes). --Samantha Allen Storey

Description

Following a mysterious treasure map into a spectacular underground realm of twisting passages, outrageous booby-traps and a long-lost pirate ship full of golden dubloons, the kids race to stay one step ahead of a family of bumbling bad guys... and a mild-mannered monster with a face only a mother could love.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary
Deleted Scenes
Documentary
Music Video:Cyndi Lauper "Goonies R Good Enough II"
Outtakes
Theatrical Trailer

Customer Reviews:

what a magical, wonderous joyride.......2007-07-07

you gotta be a goon times 25 if you didnt immediately fall in love with Goonies, at any age. But how wonderful it was for those of us in the pre teen years, who saw this when it first came out. How magical the ride was.

I mean Speilberg, Donner and Chris Columbus. I mean the cream of the incessant crop.

"Goonies" is quintessential Speilberg. When a film, not in the era of CGI, and computer animated everything, can just grip you with an amazing score, a slew of talented kids, and a storyline that is gripping, flowing and totally fun, you feel so great about yourself over and over again. I can be down in the dumps to the extreme, and throw Goonies in, and it takes my through a rough day with smiles and enticing childlike splendor.

How many of us wanted to be part of that group? How many of us dreamt, in those wee hours, before slept crept in, when we saw Goonies for the first time, or the 90th time, and dreamt such amazing things: to find hidden treasure, to climb down wells and discover hidden caves, to dig through cannels and taverns in our backyards and find our own One Eyed Willie, eye mattey, ehhhhhh, yes, the magic of the Gonnies so transformed my youth and brought me to that magical place of make believe, which only the brilliance of Speilberg can do producing. Pirates of the Carribean doesn't touch Goonies for sentimentality or the like.

I will never forget seeing this when I was 9 or 10 or so, and getting all red with my mother when they kiss in the dark. I was learning about life then, and Goonies certainly helped me realize the wonderous things I was to look forward to.

Not to mention that the character actress Anne Ramsey is impeccably sinister and perfect in her role as Mom Fratelli.

One of my favorite films in the world as a child, and totally up there even by today's standards.

Chunk, Baby Ruth, Rocky Road, and the hilarious performance by Corey Feldman.

Thank you.

Why was there never a sequel?.......2007-07-03

This movie was little more than your typical 80's "Teen angst" movie, starring Sean Astin, Josh Brolin and (we hope) a sober and drug free Corey Feldman. A search for pirate treasure, a trio of bad guys who keep their deformed brother locked in a basement and an Indiana Jones-like trek through tunnels, caves and booby traps takes this from a campy 80's kid flick to an enjoyable Richard Donner film.

I just watched it again this past weekend with my 9 year old. He sat wide-eyed at the tense parts, laughed his toosh off at the funny parts and raised a freaked out brow at the first sighting of Sloth...

And when it was all over, he asked me a very simple question... "When's part two coming out?"

I didn't know what to tell him. After 20 years, if they haven't made one by now, they're not likely to make one. "Chunk" at 35 just wouldn't be as funny.

goonies.......2007-06-10

saw this movie .went it came out was in pressed than as iam now it a classic

Hey You Guys!!!!!!!!!!.......2007-06-01

I grew up with this movie. Its one of my all time favorites and it's a classic.
Its about a group of kids who find a treasure map and go looking for the treasure. Pretty simple but throw in the booby traps, 3 wanted killers, a deformed giant and you still arent even coming close to describing this hit.
All I can say is its a must have for any movie library. I bought a copy for my 5 year old son (warning there is a bit of cursing but hey, I grew up with it so can he) He loves it and watches it over and over again. Thankfully its one of those movies that I could never get sick of so I havent gone crazy from seeing it yet.

A Definite Must-Have DVD.......2007-05-26

I was 21 years old and in college when this movie came out and I liked it! At almost 43, I still love the movie and have it in my DVD collection. There are many good scenes in the movie, such as when Chunk is watching the car chase and smashes his drink against the window and says, "AW #$%&!" I also like the contraption that Data uses to get over to Mikey's house and goes thru the front screen door. The best part of the movie.. The end where they save their town from the developers! You will have to watch the movie to find out how the Goonies save their town. :)

Average customer rating:

Hear Ye Hear Ye
Only difference is the case

The Goonies
Starring: Jeb Stuart Adams , Steve Antin , Sean Astin , Bill Bradley , and Josh Brolin
Director: Richard Donner
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000P0J09W
Release Date: 2007-05-15

Description

Customer Reviews:

Hear Ye Hear Ye.......2007-05-23

Oh, what an amazing movie...if you have not seen this flic, go get it! It is one of the best movies of all time and the clown below me does not know what he is talking about. Four stars please...some people just need to go away.

5 stars...baby!

Only difference is the case.......2007-05-10

This is not a new edition of the movie, the only difference is the case is a standard DVD case instead of the cardboard snap kind.

Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels (Widescreen Edition)

Average customer rating:

One of the Best British Comedies Ever
Madcap British crime caper
The only film that makes me proud to say I'm British
Celluloid Fiction
"A minute ago this was the safest job in the world. Now it's turning into a bad day in Bosnia."

Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Jason Flemyng , Dexter Fletcher , Nick Moran , Jason Statham , and Steven Mackintosh
Director: Guy Ritchie
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
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ASIN: B00007ELEP
Release Date: 2002-11-05

Amazon.com

Cockney boys Tom, Soap, Eddie, and Bacon are in a bind; they owe seedy criminal and porn king "Hatchet" Harry a sizable amount of cash after Eddie loses half a million in a rigged game of poker. Hot on their tails is a thug named Big Chris who intends to send them all to the hospital if they don't come up with the cash in the allotted time. Add into the mix an incompetent set of ganja cultivators, two dimwitted robbers, a "madman" with an afro, and a ruthless band of drug dealers and you have an astonishing movie called Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Before the boys can blink, they are caught up in a labyrinth of double-crosses that lead to a multitude of dead bodies, copious amounts of drugs, and two antique rifles.

Written and directed by talented newcomer Guy Ritchie, this is one of those movies that was destined to become an instant cult classic à la Reservoir Dogs. Although some comparisons were drawn between Ritchie and Quentin Tarantino, it would be unfair to discount the brilliant wit of the story and the innovative camerawork that the director brings to his debut feature. Not since The Krays has there been such an accurate depiction of the East End and its more colorful characters. Indicative of the social stratosphere in London, Ritchie's movie is a hilarious and at times touching account of friendships and loyalty. The director and his mates (who make up most of the cast) clearly are enjoying themselves here. This comes across in some shining performances, in particular from ex-footballer Vinnie Jones (Big Chris) and an over-the-top Vas Blackwood (as Rory Breaker), who very nearly steals the show. Full of quirky vernacular and clever tension-packed action sequences, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels is a triumph--a perfect blend of intelligence, humor, and suspense. --Jeremy Storey

Product Description

Streetwise charmer and cardshark Eddy (Nick Moran) walks into the biggest card game of his life carrying a stake backed by the life-savings of his three best mates, Tom (Jason Flemyng), Bacon (Jason Statham) and Soap (Dexter Fletcher). Eddy is the sharpest player on the circuit but the game is a set-up, and Eddy leaves owing the underworld boss Hatchet Harry (P.H. Moriarty) half a million. Harry gives Eddy a week to come up with the money before he starts taking fingers as collateral. Eddy s dad, JD (Sting) can cancel the debt by handing over his bar, lock, stock and barrel to his old adversary, Harry. JD refuses to give in, feeling his street-tough son can get himself out of his own messes. So, while Harry sends a couple of petty crooks to steal a pair of antique shotguns to add to his collection, Eddy and his mates plan a caper that will enable them to pay off Harry and make out like bandits! In a comedy of errors, and a helter-skelter ride through London s gangland, the guns, cash, drugs and identities become all mixed up as a full complement of London s lowlife get involved in a melee which even all their menace can t handle. Full of energy and surprising twists at every turn, it s a rollicking comedy that has it all, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

One of the Best British Comedies Ever.......2007-06-25

If you've seen "Snatch" you have to watch this film (since it is the pre-sequel to "Snatch".) It is a very funny and yet full of action that you won't get bored. I am a big fan of Jason Statham so I purchased this film and I am hooked. Everyone who I recommended this film to has purchased it to add on to his/her collections. This film is idea at get-togethers.

Madcap British crime caper.......2007-04-16

Director Guy Ritchie expertly concocted an amusing crime thriller replete with crosses and double crosses among various criminal groups in London's underworld. The plot surrounds a group of 4 low level criminals played by Jason Statham, Nick Moran, Jason Flemyng and Dexter Fletcher who pool their resources to sit in at a high stakes card game with a 100,000 pound admission. Nick Moran playing Eddie is a card shark but the game run by porn king Harry "Hatchet" Lonsdale played by P.J. Moriarty is fixed. He loses the 100,000 and an aditional 500,000 which must be paid within a week or else.

The band of 4 friends contrive to recoup the stolen funds by ripping off a marijuana growing cartel that conveniently live next door. That group had already been targeted by other group of robbers and things as a result get predictably muddled.

Meanwhile The "Hatchet" has commissioned the theft of a pair of antique shotguns worth a small fortune that bizarrely wind up in the hands of Moran and his friends. The various groups begin exchanging both the money and the shotguns among them leaving behind a trail of bloodied corpses in this farcical romp.

Ritchie concludes this well contrived comedic thriller, which includes a plethora of tough looking British thugs, with a touch of irony that effectively caps this winning film.

The only film that makes me proud to say I'm British.......2007-04-01

This is the best british comedy EVER....well in my opinion ;-)

It has a pulp fiction vibe, following a group of wheelers and dealers (hustlers) who get into a sticky situation with an East End gangster.

Original plot, clever dialogue and great cinematography. I'm sure Americans will struggle with the dialogue but give it a try!

Celluloid Fiction.......2007-02-08

A friend of mine suggested that I watch 1998's Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels..."It's the British version of Pulp Fiction," he proclaimed.

There is the similarity that characters unaware of each other's presence are ultimately all connected by the closing credits in both Pulp Fiction (1994) and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels. There is a lot of shooting. But otherwise, there were not a lot of plot similarities. And Pulp Fiction is much more of a violence R-rated film than the mainly language R-rating slapped on Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

So, I'm glad that my friend recommended Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels to me, but I'd mostly disagree about his summation of the film. This movie absolutely stands on it's own as a good, suspenseful action flick with some terrific twists. It's funny when it wants to be. It's serious. It's thrilling...a thoroughly enjoyable movie from the late 90s.

I don't know why I'd never taken the time before yesterday to watch Director Guy Ritchie's story of 4 guys that get themselves in deep with a local kingpin. But I can tell you that Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels was sure good enough to have me add Ritchie's 2000 follow-on Snatch (aka Lock, Stock and Six Stolen Diamonds) to my Ready-to-View queue; I understand that several of the actors are back, but all playing unrelated characters along side Brad Pitt. But that's another review entirely.

Check out Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

"A minute ago this was the safest job in the world. Now it's turning into a bad day in Bosnia.".......2007-01-11

I've owned Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) on DVD for a few years now and I've watched it about three or four times so far mainly due to the fact it's extremely entertaining and engaging, but also because it's one of those films that actually gets a little better each time it's viewed, in my opinion. Written and directed by Guy Ritchie (Snatch, Swept Away), the film features Jason Flemyng (The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen), Dexter Fletcher (Tristan + Isolde), Nick Moran (The Rules of Engagement), and Jason Statham (Snatch, The Transporter, Crank), in his first, feature film. Also appearing is P.H. Moriarty (Jaws 3-D), Vinnie Jones (Snatch), Lenny McLean (The Fifth Element), Frank Harper (Bend It Like Beckham), Steven Mackintosh (Underworld: Evolution), Nicholas Rowe (Young Sherlock Holmes), Stephen Marcus (Quills), Vas Blackwood (Mean Machine), and Sting (Dune) aka Gordon Sumner, former frontman of the band The Police.

The story, set in London's seedy East End, involves four friends named Eddie (Moran), Bacon (Statham), Tom (Flemyng), and Soap (Fletcher) who find themselves in deep with a local criminal boss after Eddie loses big during a poker game. Here's the deal...a scary fellow named 'Hatchet' Harry Lonsdale (Moriarty), who operates an adult novelty shop as a front, has a running card game, one in which the buy in is 100 thousand pounds. Seems Eddie's specialty is not so much in cards, but the ability to read his opponents, so Eddie and his friends come up with the dough in the hopes of turning around a quick profit. Thing is, Harry cheats, so subsequently Eddie loses, and loses big, to the point where he's a half million in the hole to Harry. Harry knows Eddie's buy in money came from a collective pool, so he now holds them all responsible for the debt, and has given them approximately a week to pony up, or else he'll have his collector, a seriously scary individual named Big Chris (Jones), come around to start removing body parts. The situation seems bleak but hope does arrive in the form of a plan, one in which involves Eddie and his friends putting it to Eddie's neighbor, a man named Dog (Harper), who, along with his crew, are planning to rip off a group of local weed dealers. As the various plans come together (along with various comical complications tied to each), Eddie and crew successfully heist Dog's score, but even more complications arise as various players get involved, resulting in an extraordinary amount twists and turns, so much so you just may need a scorecard to keep track of all the action...

One should know I barely scratched the surface of the story above, as there's a great many interesting characters running about this film, along with a large number of varied plot elements which don't seem all that related at first, but eventually do tie together well as the film careens towards its conclusion. The story is very complicated, but I think Ritchie does an excellent job in keeping things orderly and moving along at a solid pace. Ritchie uses a decent amount of techniques to forward the story, including voice overs, slow motion, still frames, flashbacks, odd shooting angles, etc., all of which are utilized in such a way to enhance the story. All the performances are solid, bolstered by a lot of great dialog awash with cockney slang. At first some of the language may seem odd, but after awhile the viewer doesn't notice it as much as they're engrossed in the activity on the screen and certain things not understood through dialog alone become apparent from the inflection of speech and the action of the characters. The first quarter or so of the film sets up most of the characters, while the second quarter presents the dilemma, and then the rest involves Eddie and friends trying to extricate themselves from a very deep hole. As I mentioned earlier, there's a large number of characters introduced throughout, but know each has a specific role in the overall scheme of things, and is presented with the appropriate amount of screen time in terms of their importance to the story. Given this was Ritchie's first film, I was amazed at how well he managed to present as much as he did with the ease in which he did it, as everything clicked her for me. I should also mention the eclectic choice of tunes used throughout worked very well, as there's songs by The Stooges, James Brown, Dusty Springfield, Robbie Williams, The Stone Roses, among others. My favorite character in the film was Big Chris, a no nonsense enforcer/collector played by Vinnie Jones (he was `Big' Chris, as his young son, who could often be found at his side, was `Little' Chris). There's a great scene near the end where Big Chris deals with a threat to his son by utilizing a car door on the head on the one who made the threat. There is a copious amount of violence throughout this comical crime caper, but most of it, in terms of the actual visceral displays, isn't shown. An example of this is you'll see someone shooting a gun at someone else, but you don't necessarily see the person being shot at during impact. The trick here is what you don't see you fill in with your mind, given the detailed events just prior, so there's a perception of violence, rather than the actual depiction, which can be just as effective. All in all this is a highly entertaining film, capped off by a great ending. If you've seen this film and are interested in others like it, I'd highly recommend Ritchie's next film entitled Snatch (2000), as they're very similar, the main difference being the latter has a larger budget and features a slew of recognizable faces such as Brad Pitt (Mr. & Mrs. Smith), Dennis Farina ("Law & Order"), and Benicio Del Toro (Traffic), along with a number of performers from this film.

The DVD I own is the initial release, and not the `Lock N' Loaded' director's cut which was released later. In terms of the version I own, the picture, available in both widescreen anamorphic (1.85:1) and fullscreen format (1.33:1), looks clean, and the Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround audio comes across very well. In terms of extras there are production notes, cast and crew biographies, a production featurette, trailers for both the U.S. and U.K. release, an informative cockney rhyming slang dictionary, and subtitles in English, French, and Spanish.

Cookieman108

Average customer rating:

Stealin' stones and Breakin' Bones
wish I would have seen this movie sooner.
Hidden treasure
great guy flick
Overrated

Snatch (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Ade , William Beck (II) , Andy Beckwith , Ewen Bremner , and Jason Buckham
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Comic Criminals | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000093FLA
Release Date: 2003-06-03

Amazon.com

Usually it might seem a tad unfair to begin a review by referring to the director's missis. But then the missis in question wouldn't usually be Madonna--a woman whose ability to reinvent herself several times before breakfast seems in marked contrast to that of hubby Guy Ritchie. Certainly, this follow-up to the filmmaker's breakthrough film--the high-energy, expletive-strewn cockney-gangster movie Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels--hardly breaks new ground being, well, another high-energy, expletive-strewn cockney-gangster movie. OK, so there are some differences. This time around our low-rent hoodlums are battling over dodgy fights and stolen diamonds rather than dodgy card games and stolen drugs. There has been some minor reshuffling of the cast too, with Sting and Dexter Fletcher making way for the more bankable Benicio Del Toro and Brad Pitt, the latter pretty much stealing the whole shebang as an incomprehensible Irish gypsy. And, sure, people who really, really liked Lock, Stock--or have the memory of a goldfish--will really, really like this. The suspicion lingers, however, that if the director doesn't do something very different next time around then his career may prove to be considerably shorter than that of his missis. --Clark Collis

Customer Reviews:

Stealin' stones and Breakin' Bones.......2007-06-27

What a follow-up to "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels!" It's the closest thing to a sequel without being one. Some say that "Snatch" is a poor follow up of Ritchie's first film, I say that this is an improvement on his signature style, an aggressive and a supercharged 21-gun salute to Britain film/filmmakers. The deftness displayed in this writer/director's pacing and editing is at times electrifying and sometimes simply beautiful. The soundtrack is not only superb and includes one of my personal favorite bands, Oasis, and is used to great comic effect as an poignant accompaniment to certain scenes.

In the vein of Pulp Fiction, Trainspotting, and Fight Club, Snatch is a gritty dance with the criminal element, revolving around a stolen 86-karat diamond that any good crook would give his right arm for. (And in one case, I mean that literally.)After a boggling series of double-crosses, triple-crosses, and multi-crosses, Snatch becomes a game of who will end up with the gem -- and how will they get it? Ritchie keeps us guessing at every turn, with Russians hiring mercenary crooks to steal the jewel, hit men sent to kill the mercenaries, mobsters trying to outwit the hit men, Jewish jewelers scheming to undermine the mobsters, a crazed bare-knuckled boxer looking for his payday despite the chaos, and one dog who's lost his bark.

And every one of these stories is hilarious.

Vinnie Jones as Bullet Tooth Tony, a hunter/assassin who chills his prey with deadly stares; Benicio Del Toro (Traffic) is caught-in-the-middle robber/gambling addict; Dennis Farina, a stressed jeweler who can never catch a break; or any of two dozen other apt actors who fully own their roles. In the end, though, you have to give a hand to Brad Pitt, still buff from Fight Club, as a slur-mouthed Gypsy boxer who always manages to get one step ahead of the crowd.

"Snatch" is great. There are some funny lines, and some of the violence is quite inventive. Several times in this movie I was reminded of the "strange occurrences" theme seen in Magnolia. I wholeheartedly recommend this film if you haven't already snatch it.

wish I would have seen this movie sooner........2007-06-21

Guy Ritche slid this one out a few years ago, and I missed it. A good cast including Jason Statham plays Turkish (the transporter, Crank) and Brad Pitt as mickey,the bare knuckle gypsy boxer. Essentially an Action Comedy. Turkish, a unlicenced boxing promoter, narrates the story as it revolves around and 84 carrot Diamond, and what eventually turns out to be a stuggle to try and save his own hide from Brick top, the underground promoter that "tells you what will happen". Its intriguing how thing and paths finally entertwine. Must see. If you like Lock, stock and two smoking barrels, this one I believe is better. And if You like Jason Statham, this movie is good as well. A good movie for any collection.

Hidden treasure.......2007-06-15

A very funny movie with an amazing Brad Pitt as a Gipsy boxing champ. The storyline is great, and the movie never had a dull moment. The director keeps your attention by leading the audience through the story with video clip styled movie scenes. The actors themselves play accordingly, so after watching the movie you'll end up with a big smile on your face.

great guy flick.......2007-05-09

not a fan of leaving long detailed reviews but this movie is pretty much awesome from beginning to end...Def check it out!

Overrated.......2007-03-18

I was upset that I wasted my money on this film. The film is extremely overrated. At best it should have only gotten 3 stars. I do not see what there is to like about this film. It was not funny, the plot was stupid, everybody's running around trying to find a diamond and the movie just ends so abruptly, not a comfortable ending at all. If you have never seen this film I highly suggest that you rent it before you buy it.

Average customer rating:

Better every time.
contained crazyness
Great Indie film!
"You're calling me a bully? Here's a bully for you!"
Good movie

Bottle Rocket
Starring: Luke Wilson , Owen Wilson , Ned Dowd , Shea Fowler , and Haley Miller
Director: Wes Anderson
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 0767821408
Release Date: 1998-12-22

Amazon.com

This quietly daffy comedy should have been an indie hit, but ended up ignored by audiences. Too bad; it's a wonderfully sustained caper movie about friends whose career choice is all wrong. Low-key Anthony (Luke Wilson) and high-strung Dignan (Owen C. Wilson--the two actors are brothers) are brought into a life of crime by Dignan's ambition to be a small-time thief. After a few amusingly laid-back trial burglaries, they (and a third buddy) find themselves over their heads when they hook up with an experienced crime boss (James Caan). Because this movie is so relentlessly deadpan, you really have to be dialed in to its brand of humor--but once there, Bottle Rocket shoots off plenty of sparks. Above all, Owen Wilson's portrayal of Dignan is a terrifically original comic creation; Dignan is so sincerely focused on his goals that he can't see how completely absurd his ideas are. Owen Wilson, who went on to supply similarly knuckle-headed performances in Armageddon and Permanent Midnight, wrote the screenplay with director Wes Anderson. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

Better every time........2007-06-27

I love Owen and Luke. Every time I watch this movie I enjoy it more and more. I am so glad that I was able to find it.

contained crazyness.......2007-04-15

Definit own if you have any luke or owen wilson films. Two middle class guys with a crazy outlook on life - that need something to do. luke commits himself to a mental hospital - at like 20 because he needs a break from life . . . then him and his friends rob a book store because they didnt want to live a normal life and wanted to gain street credit with this stunt - to get in this gang later - and make crime money. it all gets screwed up - check out punk drunk love ..
xoxo

Great Indie film!.......2007-04-15

This film is probably starting to make its way to mainstream with the commercial success of the Wilson brothers, Luke and Owen.
This film is perhaps one of the best independent films I have ever seen. Owen Wilson and Wes Anderson (who co-wrote with Owen W. and directed the film) paired on several films of less-than-popular stature. All of them are quirky at worst and extremely entertaining at best. As a note, I would recommend all of them as spectacular, with slight hesitation on "The Royal Tannenbaums".
This film in particular was a showcase of how good writing can make up for subpar acting. The actors in this movie were not great, but the story, the words, they were fantastic. Basically, a guy gets bored with life and wants some adventure and he drags his buddies along as he attempts to become a criminal. Things don't go as planned, but the results are very funny.
I am not a huge fan of big hollywood type films, so I have lost interest in most of the films of the Wilson brothers, but this one shows brilliance when they were unknown.
A very intelligent, funny film. It is not a slapstick comedy, so don't rent it if you are expecting "Tommy Boy" or "Happy Gilmore". If you like quirky comedies, comedies that make you think, in the vein of "Waiting for Guffman", "Drop Dead Gorgeous", "A Mighty Wind" or "Rushmore", then this is a perfect fit for you; buy it. If you want a 3 Stooges type comedy, you can look elsewhere; this one is more low key.

"You're calling me a bully? Here's a bully for you!".......2007-04-05

Even though he's only made four movies, Wes Anderson is one of the most talented, interesting, and quirky directors in the business. He's still young, but with only four films under his belt he's already become a synonym for a very distinct type of filmmaking, e.g. "That movie was kind of Wes Andersonish." Having seen the final three films of the Anderson canon (RUSHMORE, THE ROYAL TENEBAUMS, and THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU), I finally had the opportunity to see Anderson's debut feature, BOTTLE ROCKET. The movie begins rather slowly, but by the end I was laughing my head off and decided BOTTLE ROCKET was my second favorite film next to THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU.

The movie was released early in 1996 and though not as technically strong as Anderson's later pictures, it illustrates the genius of filmmaking that he is. In addition to being Anderson's major directorial debut, the movie is also known as the film that catapulted the Wilson brothers, Owen and Luke, into superstardom. Luke Wilson portrays Anthony Adams, a young man who is struggling with his identity and purpose in life. After taking time to recuperate at a voluntary mental hospital, Anthony returns home and meets up with his childhood friend, Dignan (Owen Wilson). Anthony is looking forward to settling down and getting on with life while Dignan has bigger plans for both of them. Dignan wants Anthony to enjoy life, too, but through a totally different means than he imagines: a life of pleasure gained from committing crime. At first, Anthony isn't willing to join Dignan's wild scheme, but Dignan is persistent and breaks through Anthony's reluctance and gets him to join him on a crime spree to impress Dignan's former boss, Mr. Henry, a supposed local crime lord. Dignan also gets another friend, Bob Mapplethorpe (Robert Musgrave) to join the scheme. While Dignan goes about planning the caper, Bob tries to fend off his bully brother John, aka "Future Man" (Andrew Wilson--the overlooked Wilson brother) and Anthony falls in love with a Latino motel housekeeper named Inez (Lumi Cavazos).
The film leads up to the caper itself, an event that is both hilarious and heartbreaking.

All of the actors do a great job. I particularly liked Andrew Wilson (whose real childhood nickname was Future Man because he was seen as being so serious and looking to the future) and Kumar Pallana who portrays Kumar, a supposed expert safe-cracker that Dignan adds to his crime team.

Not everyone is going to enjoy watching BOTTLE ROCKET. The movie has a very odd pacing, even for a Wes Anderson film. It's evident that both the director and cast were adjusting to making a major picture. Also, since this is a Wes Anderson picture, not everyone is going to like, enjoy, or even understand the humor. There are no cheap gags or easy jokes. Instead, the comedy can best be described as intellectual-situational. In short, it's kind-of Wes Andersonish. A must-see for fans of Wes Anderson or any of the Wilson brothers as well as anyone who likes quirky dramatic-comedies.

Good movie.......2007-01-23

I liked this movie. I wished there was audio commentary. If there is a Criterion Collection available I'd get it. But I have to settle for this one...

Average customer rating:

Great show! Well worth five stars!
Ghost Dog with Forest Whitaker
Breathtakingly Poignant and Spiritually Enlightening
Become one with your inner self
Big yawn!

Ghost Dog - The Way of the Samurai
Starring: Forest Whitaker , John Tormey , Cliff Gorman , Dennis Liu , and Frank Minucci
Director: Jim Jarmusch
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005QCVX
Release Date: 2001-08-14

Amazon.com

Forest Whitaker makes an unlikely modern samurai with his laser-sighted pistols, shabby street clothes, and oddly graceful gait--but then Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai is an unusual film. Quirky, contemplative, and at times absurd, it's just the kind offbeat vision we've come to expect from the fiercely independent Jim Jarmusch (Stranger than Paradise, Dead Man). Whitaker is Ghost Dog, a mysterious New York hit man who lives simply on a tenement rooftop and follows a code of behavior outlined in Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai (passages of this book are interspersed throughout the film). When the local mob marks him for death in a complicated code of Mafiosi-style honor, Ghost Dog sends a cryptic message to his foes. "That's poetry. The poetry of war," remarks mobster Henry Silva, with sudden respect upon reading the verse. He could be describing the ethereal beauty of Jarmusch's vision, full of wonderful imagery (a night drive across town seems to float in time) and off-center humor. Though it briefly stalls in a series of assassinations (Jarmusch is no action director), it settles back into character-driven drama in a quietly epic showdown, equal parts samurai adventure, spaghetti western, and existential crime movie. The film is likely too unconventional and offbeat for general audiences, but cult-movie buffs and Jarmusch fans will appreciate his idiosyncratic vision. He finds a strange sense of honor in the clash of Old World traditions, and salutes his heroes with a skewed but sincere respect. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

Great show! Well worth five stars!.......2007-06-18

There isn't anything I didn't like about this film. Good old Forrest comes through with another superb performance and makes his character very believable. He portrays Ghost Dog - a very intelligent and thoughtful fellow - in such a way that this individual could be a very likely manifestation within the environment the story takes place in.
Equally, there is no wild and absurd special effects to mar the flow or the potential realism; no fancy super-duper martial arts moves to turn what you're watching into a farce. Ghost Dog is careful. He's deliberate. He consciously regulates his behavior and tries to adhere to the code of the Samurai. He comes across as being quite human - a person who has developed a psychological mechanism to allow him to cope and survive within a depressing and dangerous environment.
There's some humor in this movie too, as well as some telling symbolism. The scenes generating the "feel" of the show are quiet, seedy, gritty, and earthy, and when all these elements are combined with the performance of the cast it makes for a very well-done production.
Too bad there isn't more of this type of show and less of the mindless, ultra-violent, formula-type [....] that is spewed out by the cocain-sniffing hacks in Hollywood year after year.

Ghost Dog with Forest Whitaker.......2007-05-22

This is a very good film. The uniqueness of Whitaker's real-life persona enhances the unique character he brings to the screen. Ghost Dog displays all the discipline of a martial arts master but with a gun in hand. From this perspective he is far removed from the on-screen likes of Bruce Lee, Jim Kelly and Jet Li but equally as deadly. The film does not hide the fact the methods of destruction used by Ghost Dog are not only outlandish but straight out of a cartoon fantasy. This adds to its entertainment value: we know we're being taken for a ride. It's a fun trip. Whitaker's supporting cast round out this excellent ensemble work.

Breathtakingly Poignant and Spiritually Enlightening.......2007-05-05

Yesterday I tried in vain to encourage some of my friends, who had never even heard of Ghost Dog, to plan on watching it someday, and I obviously failed to give them even a mere glimpse of the magnitude of the story and its central character, Ghost Dog!

One friend said, "I can't believe you would enjoy a movie about an assassin! It seems so unlike you."

Yes, this is a movie about an impoverished, urban Black man, who survives by doing hits for his local Mob, but it is so much more, that it ranks right up there at the top of my favorite movie list.

Raised by a movie loving father who early on introduced me to independent American films and international films, such as Rashomon, with Tashiro Mifune and the French film, The Red Balloon, the sweetness of this very spiritual movie lives on and is one I know I will never forget.

I was already a Forest Whitaker fan, when I saw Ghost Dog for the first time, but since then, he has been firmly established, in my opinion, as one of the most poetic actors of our age. In this movie, he communicates at the highest levels of consciousness...sometimes by staying silent.

Ghost Dog is a masterpiece. Don't deprive yourself...rent it. Or better yet, buy it!

Become one with your inner self.......2007-03-12

This movie is better than expected. Forrest Whittaker seems miscast for this role, but he really is tremendous as Ghost Dog. And don't worry, there's no scenes of him slicing down evil hordes with his blade. That might be silly.
The story fuses elements of the mafia, gangster, and the way of the samurai. Ghost Dog is a hired mercenary that studies the great ancient culture of the samurai. He's definitely more dangerous with a gun than with his sword, and his dedication to his craft is amazing.
The mafia clan in this movie are intentionally laughable, a far cry from the Sopranos.
Ghost Dog also features a superb soundtrack of classic hip-hop. The rhythm and the beats coincide perfectly with the flow of the plot.
This is a different type of movie, better than you might expect.

Big yawn!.......2007-03-12

I fell asleep during this movie and didn't bother to try to finish it. The story was incredibly slow and boring. Forest Whitaker's performance as a samurai is laughable. He just looks rediculous through the entire film. The mobsters in the movie are just corny Italian stereotypes. This movie was a waste of space on my Netflix queue. But on the bright side, RZA did the soundtrack and that may be worth checking that out.

Average customer rating:

Even funnier than I had remembered
Hysterical, and satisfying
Ruthless People: Hysterical 80s Comedy!
Cult Classic Movie
Deal Or No Deal?

Ruthless People
Starring: Danny DeVito , Bette Midler , Judge Reinhold , Helen Slater , and Anita Morris
Director: David Zucker , Jim Abrahams , and Jerry Zucker
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00005T7I0
Release Date: 2002-04-02

Amazon.com

A milestone comedy of the 1980s, Ruthless People delighted critics and audiences alike and set the tone of Hollywood comedies for years to come. Along with that other popular farce about wealthy Californians, Down and Out in Beverly Hills, this ingenious romp revived Bette Midler's career and launched Disney (by way of its subsidiary, Touchstone Pictures) into the lucrative production of R-rated comedies; it also ensured the star power of then-TV star Danny DeVito. Dale Launer became Hollywood's hot screenwriter du jour by cleverly reworking O. Henry's Ransom of Red Chief into a wicked tale of marital malice heightened by a bungled kidnapping. Midler is sublime as the victim of low-rent abductors ("I've been kidnapped by Kmart!"), and DeVito's the gleeful philanderer who refuses to pay ransom for his wife's unwanted return. With Anita Morris, Judge Reinhold, Helen Slater, and Bill Pullman among the plot-twisting schemers, the movie's so much fun that an eventual remake seems almost inevitable. --Jeff Shannon

Description

In this fiendishly funny comedy from the creators of AIRPLANE!, loathesome millionaire Sam Stone (Danny DeVito) is ruthless. How ruthless? When his shrill wife Barbara (Bette Midler) is nabbed by inept kidnappers (Judge Reinhold, Helen Slater), Sam cries tears of joy ... and refuses to pay the ransom. And when the abductors threaten to kill the abrasive heiress, Sam takes immediate action -- he celebrates! RUTHLESS PEOPLE. Raucous ... outlandish ... one of the top box office hits of the year!

Customer Reviews:

Even funnier than I had remembered.......2007-07-02

I had forgotten how inspired and truly funny this movie is. Watching it again was a real delight. While the scenes I had fondly remembered still paid off handsomely, there were MANY others that are just terrific. For example, the scene with the money payoff at the plaza when Sam Stone (Danny DeVito) pulls a gun on Ken Kessler (Judge Reinhold) to take his ransom money back and the police (dozens of them) tell him to put the gun and case down. Then, as Ken is getting ready to drive off up rolls Earl Mott (Bill Pullman) to steal the ransom money. Earl's behavior when confronted by the police is stunningly wonderful and we cheer when one of the cops notes that Earl must be the stupidest man on the face of the Earth and that they maybe should shoot him.

The title refers to three pairs of ruthless people. Sam Stone is the "spandex mini-skirt king" and has made millions. While he pretends to be devoted to his wife, Barbara (Bette Midler), whose name he delightfully mis-pronounces with a kind of "w" for the last "r", he actually hates her and at the beginning of the movie is planning to kill her to get access to her fortune (which is many times what he has made with his mini-skirts). He is also having an affair with Carol Dodsworth (Anita Morris), who is probably the most ruthless person in the film. She pretends to care about Sam, but is really only interested in getting at his money and isn't above blackmail, murder, or anything else. However, she has taken the aforementioned moron, Earl Mott, has her henchman. Earl's ineptitude undermines her plans at every step, but she is attracted to him physically.

The third pair of "ruthless people" is a pair that kidnaps Barbara before Sam can kill her. We learn that Ken and Sandy Kessler (Helen Slater) are victims of Sam's ruthless business practices and have devised a foolish scheme to get what was promised to them. They are not only not suited to be criminals because they are not only not ruthless people; they are actually nice and tenderhearted people.

It is the interactions of the machinations and failures of these three couples and the other wonderful characters in this film that make for all the laughs and there are many of them.

It is a delightful film even 20 years later and very much worth watching again.

Hysterical, and satisfying.......2007-05-26

For my money, this is one of the funniest movies Hollywood ever made. It starts out funny, and continues funny, right up to the end, when you realize that the good guys have won.

The entire cast: magnificent.

If you want to sit around feeling glum tonight, DON'T WATCH "RUTHLESS PEOPLE!!!" :-) :-)

Ruthless People: Hysterical 80s Comedy!.......2007-04-16

My wife and I were bored on a lazy Saturday afternoon so we decided it was time to throw in a fun movie and relax. We picked Ruthless People. Hysterical. For a mid-80s comedy, it still packs a punch. Danny DeVito and Bette Middler are classic. DeVito is Sam Stone, a scumbag clothing mogul who stole the idea of the spandex miniskirt and made millions! Bette Middler is his spoiled wife, Barbara, who gets kidnapped by Helen Slater (the woman who actually designed the spandex miniskirt) and Judge Reinhold and winds up losing weight and growing a conscience. Stone was planning to kill his wife, who he detests, when she gets kidnapped before he can do it. Perfect. Problem solved. That is until they arrest Stone for her murder and he needs her back to prove his innocence. Devito plays such a perfect assh*le when he wants to. This is 80s comedy at its best. If I can still laugh at it all these years later, it's funny. And the fashions from the 80s represented hereare outlandish! This DVD is definitely worth the money. This, along with Down And Out In Beverly Hills represent two of Middler's best comedy flicks. Great!

Dig it!

Cult Classic Movie.......2007-01-04

This movie is wrong on so many levels, which is why I love it. It's not so much "dark comedy" as much as it's just funny. About a rich guy who wants his wife dead and the incompetent kidnappers who can't understand why the husband is pushing them. Add to that the rich guys lover and her other boyfriend who, as the cop describes in the movie "this may very well be the stupidest man on the face of the planet; perhaps we should just shot him." Great cast, great writing.

Deal Or No Deal?.......2006-11-17

The answer is No Deal!
In Ruthless People Danny DeVito is great as Sam and Bette Midler as Barbara is terrific but
together they are a miserable couple. Sam, who has a girlfriend, Carol, wants out of the marriage but,
doesn't want it to cost him anything. When he learns that Barbara has been kidnapped, he thinks he has it made.
By not agreeing to pay the ransom amount, no matter how little that might be, he counts on the kidnappers
to save him from paying alimony by bumping Barbara off.
The bumbling kidnappers are Ken and Sandy, adeptly played by Judge Reinhold and Helen Slater.
They have a grudge against Sam who stole their dress design and made a mint.
They are astounded when, after giving Sam their demands, he emphatically says, 'No Deal' and hangs up on them.
In desperation they lower the amount. Sam still says, 'No Deal'!
Barbara learns Sam has refused to pay the ransom not once but twice.
She is furious and can't believe that she has been marked down like clothes on a sale rack!
Barbara and Sandy create a bond when Barbara, through a better diet and exercise, has lost weight
and needs different size clothes and Sandy provides her with clothing she has designed.
Barbara loves the designs and they decide to form a partnership.
Their first agenda being Sam and the second developing a clothing line.
The plot thickens when the police become involved, thanks to Carol. As suspicion focuses on Sam,
he is forced to come up with the ransom to clear himself.
Fuming, he gets the money and drops it off counting on the police to arrest the kidnappers
and retrieve his money. The drop off does not go well. A car chase ensues!
And then what happens next is . . . hmmm . . . let's just say Sam's fortune takes a dive! ~ Mrs. B.

Average customer rating:

This Fish, I'll call: "hilarious!"
Wanda is Wonderful
Yes, yes, yes
Very Funny
View of 'A Fish Called Wanda'

A Fish Called Wanda
Starring: Maria Aitken , Al Ashton , Roger Brierley , Ken Campbell , and Cynthia Cleese
Director: John Cleese
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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