Archive for the ‘Black Movies’ Category
June 27th, 2009 | 
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Feared and revered malcom x crystallized the hopes and dreams of blacks demanding human rights for african americans during the racially tumultuous and divisive decades of this 1950s and 60s until his 1965 assassination in new york at the age of thirty nine. Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 09/30/2008 Starring: Denzel Washington Angela Bassett Run time: 201 minutes Rating: Pg13 Director: Spike Lee
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars educational standpoint
For history and English, I use this dvd to supplement my lessons. As a high-school teacher for English foundations and/or American History for resource students, I must utilize movies as a visual aide supplement to help them connect with the characters, setting, dialogue… I strongly recommend using this dvd to support your curriculum to teach on all levels of student learning (auditory, kinesthetic, visual).
5 Stars A Great masterpiece of American Cinema
I would show this film in any history class if I taught history. Washington’s portrayal of Malcolm X was, is and will always be stunning. It speaks volumes about the most misunderstood aspects in American History. Its an important film that no one should miss. I cannot wait until Blu-ray.
5 Stars Amazing
I say this quite often about movies, but very rarely say it with as much conviction as when I’m referring to Malcolm X. This is, without a doubt the best movie I’ve seen in my entire lifetime, and if you haven’t seen it, then it will become the best movie you will ever see. I’m actually shocked by some of the 1 star reviews, especially the one calling it a dangerous movie. For one, this movie keeps very loyal to the events and people talked about in his autobiography written by Alex Haley. To call it a dangerous film because it chronicles the life of Malcolm X, would be to call history dangerous. It accurately documents the rise and fall of Malcolm X and accurately displays the reasons for that rise and fall. If a man converted to Islam and became a militant because of this movie, then simply, he didn’t get this movie, or at least he didn’t watch it all the way through. This isn’t anti-Islamic, nor can it be claimed that this in any way can incite militant or extremist behaviour as this exposes the consequences of such behaviours.
Malcolm X was a man who possibly equally responsible for the civil rights movement of African-Americans, yet accomplished it in a completely different way. When I first read “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” by Alex Haley some 5 years ago, it changed my life. The story of the mans religious beliefs and strong heart was inspiring and a story that showed you can really achieve anything if you set your mind to it. Of course, it’s clich? but life is full of clich?s and that one is about the only clich? you can associate with Malcolm X. He was a man not afraid to speak the truth about the segregation of Afro-Americans, especially in the North where it was believed the black man was much more equal than in the south. Spike Lee in some ways is a lot like Malcolm X, he’s a man not afraid to speak out against lifes atrocities and lies by putting them up on screen.
Denzel Washington is possibly the best casting choice for a movie I’ve ever witnessed and this casting. Not only does he look like Malcolm, but his personality and charisma match that of the legendary figure. The start of this film is Malcolm (Denzel) delivering one of his infamous speeches which sends the electricity down your spine. What’s special is even the delivery is akin to that of Malcolm. After that speech we’re reverted back to Malcolms beginnings in Harlem as a drug pusher and pimp, and he’s telling the story of his early childhood which presents us with numerous flashbacks of his Fathers murder and his Mothers descension into insanity. Because of this, you sort of become aware of how he ends up being the man he is at the start of the movie by going through all these tragedies. After a robbery with his best friend Shorty goes wrong, he’s sent to jail where he finds the Nation of Islam and is visited by an apparition of the Prophet Elijah Muhammad. Malcolm has his eyes opened by the atrocious treatment of the African American by the white man. The NOI even today are fighting to have a state designated solely for the Black American, where they can govern themselves and look after their own interests. Malcolm eventually becomes a minister for the Nation and opens it up to a much wider audience, much to the displeasure or the Nation of Islam.
If you’re familiar with Minister Malcolm, then you’re familiar with what happens next as a result of his joining the Nation. The spectacular life events of such a man are just un-imaginable and it’s hard to believe that a man, although he’ll disagree, when he was a member of the Nation of Islam was such a segregationist managed to be an influence on so many people. Making such high profile friends such as film star Ossie Davis and working with other, more integarationist activists like Martin Luther King, he managed to truly change the world and is probably one of the main reasons as to why America now has a black man in the White House. Depending on how you look at it, you can either determine that the Islam religion was what made Malcolm such a hero, or whether it was the original manipulation of the Nation of Islam. Either way, I think all will agree that the man was taken away from us all too early.
Looking at articles about Malcolm and his wife Betty X, I found out something truly heart wrenching. Betty X, Malcolms wife, died just over 10 years ago in a fire caused by Malcolm X’s grandson. I’m not sure whether the fire was lit to deliberately kill his grandmother, but he was arrested and sentenced to 18 months in Juvenile detention for manslaughter. The reason I brought this up is in the film you will be shown a lot of Betty X and you will come to realise when a great mother and wife she was. She was just as strong an influence on the life and times of Malcolm, as the blight of the black American was. She held the Shabazz family together through the times they left the Nation of Islam and were basically being tortured by them. I applaud her and minister Malcolm for their effect on the world and equal rights.
Minister Malcolm X (El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz) May 19 1925 - February 21 1965
Dr. Betty Shabazz May 28 1936 - June 23 1997
May they both Rest in Peace.
4 Stars Malcolm Xcellent
I could easily have given this movie five stars on the acting alone. But I had to take out one star for a few inaccuracies in the movie plus the movie left out certain elements in his life that I felt were important(like his speech to the Africans in Africa that the blacks in America had the same struggle that they had) but dont mistake my tone because I still recommend it flaws and all.
Malcolm X details the life of the controversial yet charismatic figure that sought to deal with the injustices that African people suffered in America. It details how he came up from being a petty street hustler to the Nation Of Islam most outspoken character. It also deals with the events that lead to his assassination.
Denzel Washington’s best performance was here and what does he win an award for? Training Day. Now do you see why they say these awards mean nothing? Denzel role as Malcolm X is just as flawless as Will Smith’s role of Muhammed Ali. I still get goosebumps when I hear him speak and Ive seen a lot of Malcolm X’s actual speeches. Angela Bassett did a great job as his wife and the supporting actors and actresses were great too. My gripe is the certain inaccuracies in the movie and the idea that the Nation Of Islam has something to do with his death is debatable. As far as I’m concerned those guys were flunkies for those people in high places. If not by signature then by nature. At any rate I would still recommend this movie, flaws and all, to anybody that is interested but first read up on his life before you watch this movie. Kudos to Spike Lee for doing his best with the information he was given.
Rest in Peace Malcolm X.
1 Star Dumb cover (us flag)
That’s a stupid and inappropriate cover. (this is in regards to the U.S. flag cover) (by the way, the movie’s great and it was a travesty that Denzel didn’t win and then he won for that disgusting stupid police movie - evn Crimson Tide was better than that.)
Lee holloway has a few strikes against her when she applies for a secretarial position at the law office of e. Edward grey. At first the work seems quite normal but soon in between typing filing & coffee making lee & mr grey embark on a more personal relationship together. Studio: Lions Gate Home Ent. Release Date: 07/15/2008 Starring: James Spader Maggie Gyllenhaal Run time: 111 minutes Rating: R
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Brilliant!
If you have never seen this movie you are missing a classic. What an amazing story and it is acted out perfectly. Ever wondered how far that co-worker would go? Check this out, you will laugh and your senses (and other things possibly) will be aroused.
Enjoy.
5 Stars one of the weirdest movies i’ve ever seen and yet hot….
this is why maggie gyllenhaal is hot. she has made a name for herself by playing quirky, unconventional characters and “secretary” is her calling card…maggie plays lee, a woman who has self-multilation issues; who soon after being released from a institution, gets a job working as a secretary for edward ( james spader ) though, lee has no experience, edward gives her a shot and thoroughout the movie, we learn their dependence on each other is more than professional…
i was into this film from first frame to last….james spader made a career out of playing bad guys and antiheros and his lawyer character is one you hate, but still feel sorry for…edward spanks lee for typographical errors, then lee makes errors on purpose, just so she can be punished…although lee has a boyfriend, she falls for her boss. love is a weird thing….if you love s and m, you will howl at some of the things edward does to lee in this movie…plus maggie gyllenhaal is just a babe… rent this no matter what…
4 Stars An S & M Love Story
When I think of erotic movies, I usually remember overstylized and heavy handed music video versions of movies that have little-to-no-understanding of how each particular lifestyle works. The characters never feel like real people and their “exploration” into the kinky side of their sex lives comes across fake poses and clueless renderings–usually with bright lights and really loud music. Since it’s Hollywood, there has to be moment of “self-discovery” and/or “hitting bottom” before true, normal love prevails. And they lived happily ever after.
I remember reading about Stanley Kubrick’s research for his orgy scenes in his final film, EYES WIDE SHUT. After studying Roman orgies and such, he wasn’t sure how to write the scenes where Tom Cruise infiltrates a high society orgy. How does such things really work? The only thing that made that scene work were the masks. The quasi-religious ritual of pairing up partners…not so much.
But then along comes SECRETARY. And it works because it doesn’t focus on the wild and kinky side of sex, but because it allows the kinks to come out of Real Characters. Maybe that’s why there are so few successful films about this (or any other) alternative lifestyle: the filmmakers are too fascinated by the acts than by the characters acting them out.
In the extras, the director said he wanted to make a film about a successful S & M relationship the way that the earlier film MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDERETTE did for a gay relationship. Mission accomplished.
The only reason I’m not giving this film 5 stars is that I couldn’t track James Spader’s character development as easily as I could Maggie Gyllenhaal’s. She is a genuine character who fully communicates everything visually and verbally and I was able to follow her. Great actress, great part. Spader was a little less defined. As Maggie’s character accepts and achieves her identity, I was wondering if Spader was as sure of his own sexual identity as the movie played out.
Knowing people in this particular lifestyle, I have to try and ascertain from where this particular bent comes from–and how it expresses itself. Yes, it’s different, but I know people who love this style of relationship and see it as another avenue of pleasure, not some sick, twisted acting out of dark, crazy mental/emotional ailment. There’s nothing wrong with them, they just enjoy this. I find that interesting. And SECRETARY tells their story.
5 Stars HOT, HOT, HOT!
WOW! This is one hot and unique movie. Not for children. The story line keeps you watching the movie.
4 Stars subs in love
i really liked this move, in fact its one of my favorite movies of this nature. true there are not alot of hot scenes in this movie, alot is left up to your own imagination. the only real visable part is the part you can easily see on you tube. the scenes where she gets spanked for the first time
Studio: Image Entertainment Release Date: 11/04/2008
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars The Red Balloon
This is the movie of a little boy in post WWII France who encounters a red balloon. The ballon follows him around. Eventually the neighborhood kids pop the balloon. Then all of the balloons every where flock to the little boy.
The only time I remember seeing this movie was on a reel-to-reel projector in the 4th grade, I’m 35 now. This is one of the best movies a kid could ever see. The movie has not been re-broadcast or released in over 50 years!
5 Stars The Red Balloon
This is an excellent film. Some changes were made to the actual story of C.S.Lewis and Joy, such as she had 2 boys, not one. Otherwise an excellent, but sad, film.
The source for this product provided excellent service.
The Longest Day Two Disc Collectors Edition
After seeing Saving Private Ryan, this epic tale about the Normandy invasion will look sanitized. But in its re-creation of events leading to the epochal battle, the film is captivating and grand, and the parade of famous actors who cross the screen naturally give the already charged action even more of a boost. Three directors worked on it: Ken Annakin (Battle of the Bulge), Andrew Marton (Crack in the World), and Bernhard Wicki (this film being his only credit). –Tom Keogh
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Subtitles lost
This is a great movie. The only complaint is the loss of the subtitles when using 16:9.
5 Stars War fans
I purchased this movie for my husband because he’s a war buff. He loved this movie. It took me a while to find it but it was worth the money.
Beautifully remastered. A great buy.
4 Stars The Cast & The Event: Overwhelming Numbers
This was an another one of these all-star casts that you don’t see these days in which about everyone who was actor at the time made an appearance….or it just seems that way.
Some of them, to be fair, had very short roles in here, but this is a real “Who’s Who” of the acting profession in 1962. There are also a lot of German actors in here speaking German (with subtitles provided), perhaps numbering even more than the English-speaking stars. That’s because the famous day of June 6, 1944, is seen from both sides of the conflict.
At three hours, it gives you plenty of D-Day World War II action. Almost two-thirds of the movie involves action from that famous invasion. In some spots, it just gets to be too much. Frankly, the whole film is too much and almost bogs down in too many areas….and it shouldn’t, but it is a very technical film.
Special-effects-wise, for a film 45 years old, the action is pretty realistic. I thought the best shots were the overheads during one particular scenes when the Allies were going through a town.
I am not a WWII expert so how much info of the infamous ‘D-Day” here is correct, I don’t know. Since they went into such detail, I’ll assume they were fairly accurate. I can say one thing I learned at the time I first saw this as a late teen: I had no idea “D-Day” was this huge in scope: three million men and 5,000 ships??!!! Amazing.
5 Stars Patriots
This war brought out the greatest patriots in the history of mankind. There were millions that gave up there lives for this country. Knowingly and willingly so that those at home could live free.They hoped that the ones that lived would leave a better world.This generation paid the highest price for freedom than any other before them . This is a piece of their story.They gave all for the future.Lets hope it was not all in vain!
5 Stars Great War Movie
This is one of the great war movies of all time. The documentary-style production, cinematography, editing and fast-paced action are first rate.
Unlike most movies with a huge cast of big name actors, you will be following the story instead of trying to spot the big stars in their cameo appearances. The blu-ray version of this film is terrific. It looks as good as it did when I saw it at the theater. I couldn’t recommend this movie any more highly.
The films of Tim Burton shine through the muck like a jack-o-lantern on a foggy October night. After such successes as The Nightmare Before Christmas and Edward Scissorhands, it should come as no surprise that Sleepy Hollow is a dazzling film, a delicious reworking of Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Dark and moody, the film is a thrilling ride back to the turn of the 19th century. Johnny Depp stars as Ichabod Crane, a seemingly hapless constable from New York City who is sent to the small town of Sleepy Hollow to solve the mystery of the decapitations that are plaguing the town. Crane is a bumbling sort, with a tremendous faith in science over mysticism, and he comes up against town secrets, bewitching women, and a number of bodies missing heads. Christina Ricci, as beautiful as ever, is Katrina Van Tassel, the offbeat love interest who alternately charms and frightens Crane.
The film, while occasionally gory (as one should expect from a movie about a headless horseman), is not terribly frightening, although it is suspenseful. Both Depp and Ricci are convincing, and the art direction and production values give the village its harsh feel. Toward the end, once the secrets are revealed, the film does slow down; however, this stylistic horror film provides many tricks and even more treats. –Jenny Brown
User Ratings and Reviews
1 Star I’ve seen this movie three times….
And I don’t remember a single thing about it except for the fact that Johnny Depp is in it and it is about the legend of the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow. This movie was and is entirely forgettable. The characters, the plot, the dialogue, the scenery–everything about it is simply forgettable. I have seen much better versions of the legend, and I remember most of them pretty well. Forget this one and focus on other, better movies about the same topic.
5 Stars Classic Horror
I love Sleepy Hollow. It is a classic and this movie rendidtion is absolutely superb. Johnny Depp is genius in this movie.
5 Stars Sllepy Hollow
Great movie that offers a darker side to the headless horse man story!! Youll luv it
1 Star Can you believe how many 5-star reveiws this is getting?
Tim Burton is a pretty good director. He made some great movies like Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Beetle Juice, even Sweeny Todd was alright. He has also made some bad ones including Big Fish (which was just O.K.), Mars Attacks, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (a sad remake of the Gene Wilder classic), and this utter waste of precious time. I heard, before I saw Sleepy Hollow (which should not be called Sleepy Hollow because it vaguely follows the original classic story), that it was great and really scary. I open-mindedly watched it not considering any of the comments I had previously heard. I was disgusted with this terrible excuse for a horror film. Modern horror is never really very good but I was just interested in seeing it. Johnny Depp’s performance was borderline and Christina Ricci’s was terrible. Hollywood just wanted to make a horror flick and they just used the chilling story and made it into horror and if they got Tim Burton to direct it’s immediately a blockbuster. The only real similarity is the characters (and possibly some of the plot line). It was not scary (since the performances were so unbelievable) it was just blood constantly filling the screen. I could not believe the praise it had reaped. I was beyond disappointed with this junk.
Hey, Paramount, I want my 105 minutes back.
5 Stars Some information
I will not give a review of the plot, many reviewers have done a great job describing the plot and reviewing the movie. Instead, I will list some of the special features for the 2008 DVD release. There are different versions of the DVD and if you are wondering what is included in the version in which the headless horseman is on the cover with the moon in the background, here are the special features included in this edition: a featurette describing the making of the movie, biographies of some of the cast members, a photo gallery, and a couple of movie trailers.
Leave it to the wildly inventive Coen brothers (Joel directs, Ethan produces, they both write) to concoct a fiendishly clever kidnap caper that’s simultaneously a comedy of errors, a Midwestern satire, a taut suspense thriller, and a violent tale of criminal misfortune. It all begins when a hapless car salesman (played to perfection by William H. Macy) ineptly orchestrates the kidnapping of his own wife. The plan goes horribly awry in the hands of bumbling bad guys Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare (one of them being described by a local girl as “kinda funny lookin’” and “not circumcised”), and the pregnant sheriff of Brainerd, Minnesota, (played exquisitely by Frances McDormand in an Oscar-winning role) is suddenly faced with a case of multiple murders. Her investigation is laced with offbeat observations about life in the rural hinterland of Minnesota and North Dakota, and Fargo embraces its local yokels with affectionate humor. At times shocking and hilarious, Fargo is utterly unique and distinctly American, bearing the unmistakable stamp of its inspired creators. –Jeff Shannon
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars A good police’s movie, in Fargo
I watched this good movie, here in Brazil.This movie is about a crime, in an american city, called Fargo.The main actress, Frances McDormand, is excellent.Well done work.
5 Stars Should’ve won best picture that year!
I just bought this movie and watched it, and this was a very good movie. I believe this was nominated for best picture that year and lost it to “The English Patient”, and I say that this movie should’ve won best picture that year. A really good movie!
5 Stars One of the Great Films of All Time!
Fargo is just amazing. It is a wonder to behold. Frances McDormand is a pregnant police officer investigating horrible murders in Brainerd, MN. Steve Bushcemi and William H. Macy are culprits in an elaborate kidnapping scheme gone wrong. The mood, attention to time and place and characterizations make this a film to remember. The Coen Brothers have slight ups and downs but they are some of the great filmmakers around today. This film is one of their best along with The Big Lebowski and No Country for Old Men.
5 Stars Fargo
A great film classic that we watch over and over again. Everyone should own one!
4 Stars A clear and clever look
I bought this on recommendations and I don’t regret it. It was completely entertaining. Sure it’s bloody and violent at times, which made me a little uncomfortable, but that is what they intended.
The midwest is white with snow. And a horrible kidnapping and murders take place. The redness of blood which appeared regularly was a sobering contrast to the powdery snow.
William H. Macy is excellent in his role of a husband who arranged a fake kidnapping, which goes sour. Frances McDormand is just wonderful as a pregnant cop on the case. And Steve Buscemi is great as a somewhat bumbling kidnapper.
Beautifully written and directed by Joel and Ethan Cohen, FARGO, in certain scenes, might make you very uncomfortable and soon afterwards you might find yourself laughing at a comedic scene. They execute this with great skill.
Tasty and nutrition-free as a snow cone on a hot summer day, Wet Hot American Summer is a silly, hilarious throwback to those mildly smutty early-’80s teen comedies. It takes place on the last day of Camp Firewood’s 1981 season, and it’s everyone’s last chance for romance, self-realization, and of course the Big Talent show. The movie is filled with brilliant comic performances; it looks like the cast just took over a summer camp and had a great time. Writers Michael Showalter and David Wain have captured the essence of parody: absolutely nailing the conventions of their subject, kidding the hell out of it, and all the while showing a real fondness for the genre. People unfamiliar with Meatballs and its many imitators may well be left cold by Wet Hot American Summer, but anyone born between 1965 and 1980 will love it. –Ali Davis
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars This movie is absolutely perfect in every conceivable way.
I’m not kidding. If this movie doesn’t make you laugh you’re a worse person than Hitler. Well, not Hitler, but definitely Goebbels. Then again, you might just not like it. You’re probably somewhere between Goebbels and Gandhi.
1 Star Camp Retarded
Absolute dribble! I did grow up on stupid comedies like Meatballs and Caddyshack, and this makes them seem like fine art. No fun to be found here, unless you’re missing a large portion of your brain. This is a pathetic attempt to send up 80’s teen movies. If you want silly parodies that can actually get a brief chuckle, you could always try the Leslie Nielsen films. Poor David Hyde Pierce and Janeane Garofalo, they really scraped the bottom of the barrel here. It’s R16, so that rules out six year olds who might actually be interested (and appreciate the humour). There isn’t even any nudity, which might have redeemed it a little in the eyes of teenagers. Totally tame and completely lame! (watch it with fast forward on)
1 Star Are these reviewers on the payroll?
I bought this movie based on the reviews it recieved on Amazon - one reviewer even went so far as to say that it was the best comedy ever made! This was, bar none, the worst movie I’ve seen in 5 years. I don’t think I laughed even once. These reviewers are either insane, high on crack, or (most likely) involved with the production/distribution of this movie.
5 Stars fabulous
i love this movie. it is hilarious and everything you want from a comedy. I would suggest this to anyone with a immature sense of humor.
3 Stars at times unwatchable, but still quite likeable
I checked this title out mainly because it stars Janeane Garofalo and David Hyde Pierce. Isn’t Garofalo, despite her not being “hot” in Hollywood standards, such an actress who invariably infuses an immense charm to any movie she stars in? Simply by her being there? The beautiful and exotic landscape of rural Ireland plays its part, but it is largely her comic talent that saves the consistently mediocre romantic comedy The Matchmaker. To many, her dancing to the tune of My Sharona in Reality Bites will be even more unforgettable than Uma Thurman’s in the “famous dancing scene” of Pulp Fiction. (*Both come from 1994).
As to David Hyde Pierce, I love and admire him in Frasier, for the obvious reason that he is a brilliant, brilliant, comedian. Wet Hot American Summer shows Pierce and Garofalo as each other’s love intersest, which can be a reason enough to give it a chance. I had a few (not many, but, well, more than two) real laughs watching them. Even though the chemsitry is weak, the two are adorable. Further, it is unmistakable that the concept behind the movie and the overall “feel” of it is nothing but genial. So, while you may decide to call it quits 20 minutes before it ends, you still can leave it feeling somehow, and pleasantly, heart-warmed.
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 03/04/2008
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars More fun!
This is Volume Two of TCM’s popular series,and it’s even better than the first one.The films vary in quality.”Female”,”Three On A Match”,and
“Night Nurse” are typical low-budget WArner Bros.programmers of the
early Thirties-well-made,fast-moving fun.”The Divorcee” and “A Free Soul”,
on the other hand,are big-budget,full-scale MGM star vehicles-strong scripts,excellent performances,fine direction.Norma Shearer was never better(she won the Oscar for “Divorcee”),Lionel Barrymore was at his peak
(he won an Oscar for “Soul”),and Gable gives a star-making performance.
This is good classic fun!Forbidden Hollywood Collection, Volume Three (Other Men’s Women / The Purchase Price / Frisco Jenny / Midnight Mary / Heroes for Sale / Wild Boys of the Road)TCM Archives - Forbidden Hollywood Collection, Vol. 1 (Waterloo Bridge [1931] / Baby Face / Red-Headed Woman)
5 Stars More TCM uncenored gems
Five more diverse pictures from a unique period in American film, when the advent of sound, and economic gloom blew away the opulence of the silent screen and left the studios no option but to turn out films with plots full of sex, sin, adultery, often from the female viewpoint.
The installation of sound cameras made the films less cinematic, but stronger in pace and plot.
The Divorcee, with Norma Shearer is a good example of exploring different roles, and displaying society with the flaws that did and still do exist in human relationships.
The moralists, usually Catholics, of the time would have hated such aberrations of the norm, and after they took hold when the economy recovered, art as daring as this took a nosedive, as the limits put on freedom of expression took hold.
Unfortunatley these self-appointed guardians are still out there.
The fact that this collection of gems are not rated reveals how purile their rantings were, and still are today.
Oh and Ted Turner should be knighted for restoring a small but vital slice of great art, in an era lovers of American cinema should be proud of.
Looking forward to the next lot.
s
5 Stars Love and sex, pre-Code style
There were a few years in movie making when sound was first introduced but the Production Codes had not yet been in force. These codes would severely limit the ability of movies to depict the real world: sex, violence and corruption were toned down - often to the point of sheer blandness. Crime could never pay, authority figures were always forces of good and even married couples were confined to twin beds. There were those few years, however, from the late-1920s to 1934 which was known as the pre-Code era, a period that offered films that would be much more daring than the movies of just a few years later.
TCM’s set, Forbidden Hollywood Collection, Volume Two, showcases five such pre-Code movies. On the first of three discs are a pair of Norma Shearer films. In The Divorcee, she won an Oscar as a wife who discovers that her husband had an affair. Although he assures her it means nothing, it is an obvious hypocrisy that’s exposed when she balances the books with an affair of her own. In A Free Soul, she defiantly has a fling with gangster Clark Gable, only to discover that the relationship will have unintended complications. Lionel Barrymore, playing her alcoholic father, won an Oscar for his role and Gable’s performance would help transform him from a supporting player into a star.
On Disc Two, there is Three on a Match and Female. The former is a story of three schoolmates who meet in adulthood. Joan Blondell is the bad girl turned good, Ann Dvorak is the good girl turned bad, and Bette Davis is somewhere in the middle. This movie features an early gangster role by Humphrey Bogart. Female has Ruth Chatterton as the driven owner of an auto company. She works hard by day and chooses various male employees to be her playthings at night. It’s a fine arrangement until she meets George Brent as the one man who resists her charms.
Finally, on Disc Three, Barbara Stanwyck is the Night Nurse, a woman from the wrong side of the tracks who betters herself by becoming a nurse. Unfortunately, the ethics of the profession compel her to look the other way when she sees malpractice, but she’ll put what’s right above what’s required. Clark Gable is in one of his most villainous roles as a thuggish chauffeur out to kill a couple children. The resolution of this one would involve an act that would never be allowed under the Code.
Also on the third disc is a nice documentary called Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood. This feature describes more fully what this era meant to film, and what it meant when it ended. One thing that stands out is that this was a time where actresses could have juicy roles, a heyday for Blondell, Davis, Stanwyck and Shearer as well as folks like Crawford, Hepburn and Loy. The Code with its “family values” agenda would pigeonhole the women into much more limited roles.
All these movies are well-made and relatively short: the longest (A Free Soul) runs 93 minutes and Female is just an hour. With the documentary and a couple commentaries (on The Divorcee and Night Nurse), this is a wonderful set that will not only entertain, but serve as a reminder as to what the Production Code took away from movie making.
4 Stars forbidden hollywood collection vol 2
a great collection of old movies,never released on dvd before.
a must for a movie collector.
5 Stars Classically Excellent
This collection of movies is great especially if you are looking to see what the 30’s considered as risque.
Even though I had already seen Night Nurse and Three on a Match, I still bought this boxed set to add to my collection. Just to watch Norma Shearer, Bette Davis, Joan Blondell, and Barbara Stanwyck, not to mention Clark Gable in their early days was a treat.
I had previously purchased volume 1 of this collection and I’m glad I added volume 2. It’s a great way to realize what Hollywood was like during the Depression but also to get a picture of what the US was like as well.
I heartily recommend this for the true movie buff.
Based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Color Purple is a richly-textured powerful film set in America’s rural south. Whoopi Goldberg winner of the Best Actress Golden Globe Award and an Oscar nomination makes a triumphant screen debut as the radiant indomitable Celie the story’s central character. Her impressive portrayal is complimented by a distinguished cast that includes Danny Glover Oprah Winfrey Margaret Avery Adolph Caesar Rae Dawn Chong and Akosua Busia. The Color Purple marks a new more mature color in Spielberg’s artistic palette. It is an exquisitely crafted landmark film that will be treasured and talked about for years to come.Running Time: 152 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre:?DRAMA UPC:?085391163107 Manufacturer No:?116310
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Color Purple
Color Purple is one of my favorite movies. I’d owned it on video and decided to purchase the DVD. I didn’t know that it would have a side “A” and “B” but that’s fine. I’ve always loved this movie and have gained even more appreciation for it over the years.
5 Stars pleased! I love to order from Amazon.
I’ve been ordering from Amazon for months now, and they are always on time,or before time and if you have a problem with your order they will, take good care of you at immediate response.If your order does not satisfy you then they will refund your money with a guarantee.I will recommend anyone to buy from my Amazon.com
5 Stars Deep & Provactive!
This movie has to be one of my all-time favorites! The cast is superb and the story is so compelling. I love all the depth and richness of it! It will make you laugh, cry, and scratch your head. Each time I see it, I see something I missed on a previous viewing! A MUST see!!!
5 Stars The Color Purple
I received this product in a couple of days. It was a Christmas stocking stuffer for my husband and he loved it. The DVD was like new. It was great.
4 Stars review
The video got here really fast. I haven’t watched it yet but it was in new packaging so I’m assuming it is new with no defects.
The Black Donnellys The Complete Series
Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 01/06/2009 Rating: Nr
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars This SHOW IS GREAT!!!
This show is amazing! I love this show! It was great when it was on TV and it’s even better to know that it is part of my collection. What a shame that it had to end so soon. Still a great series to have in your collection.
3 Stars I’ve never been so ambivalent about a series before
As a rule, I think 3 star reviews are worthless. Why review something if you have a neutral reaction to it? In this case, it’s a 3 star review because the show has 5-star moments and 1-star moments, in equal amounts.
Some of the story lines on this show were terrific, some were completely boring and made my head feel numb. 4 of the regular actors were great, and most of the rest looked like they were trying to find a common ground between Brigadoon and The Sopranos.
The fake NY Irish accents are terrible, and borderline offensive to those of us who grew up in modern day NY. I know this show was supposed to draw upon the “roots” of the Irish in NY, but it would have to be set sometime between the 1930s and 1970s for these accents to be considered anything but cartoonish.
I won’t say exactly which actors or story lines I liked and disliked, because I wouldn’t want to skew your opinion of them.
The bottom line is, if you tend to like the “Mob Drama” genre, then you’ll probably like this show anyway, despite all the worts. But, please, do not expect this to be Godfather II. I promise you, you’ll be disappointed if you do.
5 Stars AMAZING!
One of my favorite shows of all time. Wish it hadn’t been cancelled, but that’s what DVDs like this are for! Good delivery time, perfect condition, awesome show.
5 Stars The Black Donnellys, Amazing
The show is simply amazing, the plot is awesome and leaves things wide open to go in any direction. The acting is great, the story rocks, the only thing that’s not good about this is the fact that we’ll never see how any of it ends. THANKS NBC
5 Stars GREAT & ENTERTAINING SERIES
I won’t get it summazing the show as it has already been done very well in previous post by others. I will say that the “The Black Donnellys” is with out a doubt one of the best shows I’ve seen in recent years. My wife and I looked forward to watching the shows when they were aired on television and were very dissappointed when the show was cancelled. I bought the complete series this past Christmas for my wife. She and I really enjoyed watching the shows we had previously viewed on television as well as the ones that never made it to tv. It is indeed a shame that such an entertaining show with such quality actors was cancelled. Whoever made the decision to do such a thing should rethink the decision. This show is better than any “reality show” could ever begin to be. Hopefully, the network executives will soon see the error of their ways and get the reality junk of the air and start programing quality shows such as this once again.
Anyone considering buying this series should do so.