I am one of those who quit watching ER back when it was airing because of all the stars who left. I have been watching the reruns, tho, and today this episode aired. Halfway through the show I realized this wasn't the first time I had seen this one. It was Ray Liotta's performance that jogged my memory. I now recall that I tuned into ER to watch this episode because of previews including clips of Liotta. I was impressed by his acting even in the short clips included in the promos. I was not disappointed then and I was not disappointed today. If this did not warrant an Emmy nod, I can't imagine who won it that year. I am not really a fan of Liotta but this reminded me perhaps I should be.


I didn't get a chance to watch the whole thing, as I had missed the beginning when it was being shown on SBS. However, the parts that I did see, I was quite impressed with.

The most striking aspect, was that it seemed like a poem which had been adapted to the screen. I got this impression from the strongly rhythmic nature of the dialog. Also, the dialog did not exactly match the scenario - it was more of an expression of feelings, and of unravelling a story. The scenes of the wedding party looking for the bride seemed incidental to the dialog, and was more of a device to indicate the passing of time and to give more of an urgency for the dialog to unravel.

I found it very intriguing and couldn't stop watching. And it was not just because it was an "EROTIC TALE"!


I thoroughly enjoyed this hard-to-find short. I bought mine from ebay, which is the only place I could find it playable in North America. I agree that the dialogue seems a bit "off". I think it sounds like a poem. As usual, D'onofrio brings the film to a whole new level with his brilliant delivery and extreme "likeability". The film had a surreal quality to it, sort of like a dream, and I liked the lighting effects. The snake scene had to be one of my favorites. Oh, the kissing in the hot tub as well, so hard to choose. D'onofrio keeps you glued to the screen, and may I add he is tooooo hot for words in this, I kept wishing the nude scenes would include him moving that sheet! Yes, I am a perv:)


I saw this movie a couple of months ago on SBS on Erotic Tales and fortunately saw all of it. I had been searching for this movie and luckily saw it advertised on the day. When I watched it I realized I had seen part of it before but that was before I was a Vincent D'Onofrio fan. I read what the movie was about and was intrigued as he was playing the naked stranger. This movie was made in 1995 and he looked a lot different then. A must for fanatical female Vincent / Criminal Intent fans. Theresa Russell plays the bride to be - a real pain. D'Onofrio makes the most of this short movie; only 28 minutes. He is very expressive and a touch overacting but the movie is full of dialog.


I've seen a lot of films but this is easily the one with the all-time worst dialogue. Also proof positive that Theresa Russell = horrendous film every time. It's not even possible to imagine how bad this film is -- it defies description. Ever worse -- I saw it at a film fest billed as one of the "Best of Erotic Shorts." If this was the best -- god help us, what was the worst?


There are probably more Sherlock Holmes stories not written by Conan Doyle than were written by him. Some are quite bad but every now and then a good one comes along. "Young Sherlock Holmes"is one of the better ones and works on the premise that Holmes and Watson did not meet as adults in "A Study In Scarlett" but in boarding school. Of course they are in London where the young Holmes detects a link between a series of bizarre murders (depicted in some lively and imaginative special effects). The game is afoot and along the way (with a slight tongue in cheek) we learn where Holmes picked up some of his more famous trademarks and most infamous nemesis. A well written script, fine cast of actors and a physical production that recreates late 19th century London in grand fashion. A film to sit back and enjoy.


Young Sherlock Holmes was one of the best movies I saw when I was a kid and it amazes me up to this day.London was pictured perfectly by Barry Levinson with the help of course of Stephen Goldblatt (the cinematographer). The spcial effect by ILM was brilliant and they were the milestone of the special effects of today.The music of Bruce Broughton is one of the best of the 80's. The acting is good for this kind of film, not bad but not brilliant either. The script written by Chris Colombus (director of Harry Potter Films) is very good and it keeps you guessing up until the end. Watch this movie and you won't be dissapointed. (Wait after the end credits roll to see one last scene...)


My son turned 12 in August. We purchased this movie at a drugstore while on vacation because I remembered watching it a loving it when I was younger. My son has a love of mysteries and "spies", so I thought that this would be a good movie for him to enjoy. He watched it twice the first day and has seen it several times over the last couple of weeks. It really appeals to younger mystery fans, even though it is rated PG-13, for violence. I would recommend any parent see this movie before they let their kids see it. Some of the violence is hallucinatory, and therefore quite "scary". I think the way it begins Holmes's and Watson's friendship is fun and creative. I think the script and characterizations are well done (especially in light of more current movies, which are just to draw viewers to the theater and have no substance.) The casting was inspired, and I don't see how they could have improved upon it. The cinematography was great and the special effects very good for the time of this movie. Some people might find Holmes's character a bit smug, but that is accurate to the stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I recommend this movie to mystery fans, fans of Sherlock Holmes (but NOT "perfectionist" fans), and anyone who enjoys a young fellow showing up his elders.


The crime solving team of teenagers Sherlock Holmes (Rowe) and John H Watson (Cox), prep school students by day, but crime solving sleuths at night.

When young John Watson starts mid term at a London Prep school, he is greeted first by a tall slender lad of about sixteen. Sherlock Holmes proceeds to tell Watson all about himself before they have exchanged hellos. The stunned Watson admires the older lad from that moment on.

At first reluctant to involve himself in Holmes schemes, Watson finds himself up to his neck in a series of murders, as he trots beside the lanky Holmes. When they rescue a man from nearly killing himself to destroy an imagined attack, they are told a strange tale of betrayal and vengeance. When he attempts to get Sergeant Lestrade (Ashton-Griffiths) involved in solving the murders of several men, Lestrade calls them suicides and angrily orders Holmes out of his office.

That is only the beginning of an adventure that takes the boys to the notorious Wapping district where a nefarious cult of murderous religious nuts, led by the cruel and mysterious Eh Tar (Higgins), is doing heinous things to young ladies, including - to his horror, Elizabeth Hardy (Ward) Sherlock's first love! The cast is excellent, the period London sets and costumes are great and the direction by Barry Levinson (The Natural, Rain Man) is commendable. All told, a satisfying entry into the Holmesian legend. Might be a bit intense for very young children but otherwise a fine family film. I Heartily recommend seeing this film.


This is a great fun, adventurous, mystery movie, with also supernatural elements in it, which focuses on a very young Sherlock Holmes, solving his very first crime.

It never has been a big secret that director Barry Levison is a Steven Spielberg admirer. Spielberg's hand as a producer is definitely notable in this movie. It features the same adventurous elements and humor, that were also always featured in his earlier movies. For instance some of the sequences and moments in this movie really reminded me mostly of the first two Indiana Jones movies, which he already had made before this movie. I also liked the use of shadows within the movie, most likely also touch from Spielberg, who is a Michael Curtiz fan. Some of the sequences within this movie are an obvious reference to the work of Curtiz. Also quite fun to notice that the touch of writer Chris Colombus was notable. Some elements show some remarkable similarities to the earliest Harry Potter movies, on which Colombus worked as a director.

But I also have to admit that the movie its story, written by Chris Columbus, was rather simplistic. It doesn't take away the fact that this is still a fun movie to watch, but it at the same time also prevents the movie from being a truly great one. As the movie progresses it's pretty obvious to where the movie is heading. So there are no real surprises and it's pretty clear from the beginning on who are the true good and bad guys of the movie. It's also true that in the end the movie is just a bit too supernatural, which goes at the expenses of the credibility of the movie and story.

The movie is good looking, with a nice pleasant and historic atmosphere all over it and good looking sets and costumes. The movie further more also features the very first to have a completely CGI character. How is that for movie history? The effects were already great looking, which also goes for most of the other effects in this movie.

The musical score by Bruce Broughton is truly great! It's amazing how this guy has never gotten more big projects. He's even an one time Oscar-nominee after all! His last big 'project' was the movie "Lost in Space", from 1998.

The acting of the movie isn't much special. No wonder non of the young actors ever quite made it in the movie world. There are some good and interesting secondary characters, but those get mostly pushed toward the background. So, the movie is perhaps focusing a bit too much on just the main character, which is also understandable, considering the icon that Sherlock Holmes is.

It's a great fun, simplistic little movie to watch, as long as your expectations for it aren't too big.

7/10


Today, Chris Columbus is (what Harry Knowles astutely calls) an "almost director". He has never made a truly good movie, (what has he been doing since "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"?). But back in the mid 1980's, Columbus wrote 3 very entertaining (if unbelievable) movies, all for Steven Spielberg's Amblin company: "Gremlins" (1984), "The Goonies" (1985) and this film, "Young Sherlock Holmes" (1985). I don't blame Doyle followers for hating this movie, it isn't for them. This film is for those of us who know nothing of Sherlock Holmes franchise, but just love an fun movie.

"Young Sherlock Holmes" is well-produced across the board, fun, fast and perfectly cast. Some other posters here have slammed both Rowe (Holmes) and Cox (Watson), but I found them just fine. The flagrant 80's effects (from the Spielberg/Lucas teams) are a distraction and the "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" (1984) style plot is absolutely wrong, but those are my only real complaints. Director Barry Levinson, has of course, go on to much greater things, but this may be his most underrated film. Personally, I would have enjoyed this film even more had the three leads been even younger (say 11-14 years old). But then, there couldn't be a big sword duel between Holmes and Rathe.

If your a fan of the Amblin Entertainment empire, and don't know anything about Sherlock Holmes I think you'll enjoy this film. It's a great shame (even tragedy) "Young Sherlock Holmes" was a complete box-office bomb and that the DVD has no special features whatsoever!

Final rating: 7/10 "An enjoyable, entertaining movie. Not a classic, but it's not supposed to be."


I first this film on video in my young teenage years. The main reason I remember this film to this very day, even though I have not seen it since today, is that I fell totally in love with Sophie Ward. It was something about her beauty and innocence which I never forgot. I just bought the movie recently and saw it again. The film is classic 80's Spielberg. Even though he did not direct it, the film has his signature all over it. I loved the way London was portrayed, as a gothic and beautiful winter setting. The plot was a bit contrived, with the identity of the evil cult leader becoming increasingly obvious at mid-film. It was heartbreaking to see Elizabeth die, and it would have been a better film if there was more of a focus on her character. Nevertheless, this is a film best seen when you're young. A fairly good film, and something worth keeping as a token of your teenage golden years.


I feel one of the true tests of a good movie is how it holds up over time. Can't believe it has been 18 years since I first viewed this little gem, and it was as good today as in 1985! Among other reasons, the Holmes and Watson characters were obviously cast for their youthful likeness to the characters in the old Basil Rathbone series of movies. Take a good look! This a wonderful penning of the proposed early days of the two and a very original concept. Probably only true Holmes officiandos will see some obvious references to the adult Rathbone character, and these add to the cleverness of this version. Make certain to stay 'til the end of the credits; Sherlock Holmes fans will receive an ingenious clue to the his "future".


Long before the "Harry Potter" books and movies arrived, this somewhat similar concoction from producer Steven Spielberg and director Barry Levinson came and went in theaters. The film, certainly full of imaginative talents, has the general core of a good idea, but the focus of the project apparently got away from Levinson--and everyone else with discernible judgment. It's an overcooked fantasy imagining a youthful friendship between a juvenile Sherlock Holmes and an equally green Dr. Watson. Effects-laden mess also echoes the "Indiana Jones" series, but without strong or charismatic performers and screen writing, the picture deflates rather early. The tag at the film's finish suggests there might have been a sequel had this installment been a hit--alas, it was not. *1/2 from ****


I love this movie. The young actor to me was a young Sherlock Holmes. Nicholas Rowe as Sherlock, was human, respectful, humble, polite, wise and treated Watson like a brother not like the combative relationship in Sherlock Holmes 2009 and 2010.

This Sherlock Holmes was not showy he was just a normal inquisitive guy who had instincts about certain crimes and went to the Lestrade/police with them. Sherlock was in love in this movie. Like the other movies this one had things that were not believable but more believable than 2009 and 2010 with their metal robots and ships. The special affects where great when victims experience the effects of the drug when shot with a blow gun. They saw thing like statues come alive and skull etc very scary. Watson's experience after being shot with the drug were funny. A stone opened at the cemetery that had shelves with all kinds of pastries. The pastries started jumping off the shelf,on to the ground talking to each other. They were all different sizes and shapes with big eyes and some pastries started shoving other pastries in to Watson mouth cherry cream and all. Really humorous . There wasn't a lot of fighting in this film until the end. It was like one of the Indiana Jones movies with the cult members running for their life and the building falling down.

This is one movie that did not disappoint me.


This amusing movie set in a perfect Victorian atmosphere (1870,England )especulates about what might have happened if Sherlock Holmes (Nicholas Rowe) and Doctor Watson (Alex Cox) had met during their student times in London. Holmes falls in love with a beautiful youngster (Sophie Ward) , living with her uncle , a retired professor named Waxflatter(Nigel Stock). Then happens several murders and Holmes helps Inspector Lestrade (Roger Ashton-Griffiths) to resolve it. Then young Sherlock performing feats of derring-do in London including a spectacular flight and dangerous duels. Although Sir Arthur Conan Doyle did not write about the youthful years of Sherlock Holmes , he established the initial meeting between Holmes and Watson as adults. This affectionate speculation on what might have happened has been made with respect and admiration, knowing references to Sherlock's later existence and in tribute to the author in his enduring works.

This stirring, fast-paced film is packed with noisy action, adventures, tension and is quite entertaining. It's a genuine ripping yarn with much suspense, intrigue and outstanding surprises. Nicholas Rowe is nice as obstinate and intelligent young Holmes as well as Alex Cox as timid and easy frightened John Watson. Some images are very creepy and eerie and developed in ¨Indiana Jones and the temple of Doom¨ style, for that reason is rated PG-13 for violence and crude scenes. Spectacular special effects by Kit West and Pixar Animation Studios making 'the glass man sequence' and puppets by David Allen. Furthermore visual effects supervisor by Dennis Muren with some of the firsts images made by means of computer generator. Atmospheric score fitting to action by Bruce Broughton and Sinfonia of London Orchestra. Well written by Chris Columbus and lavishly produced by Steven Spielberg with his usuals, Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy. The picture is well directed by Barry Levinson.Youth and little boys are likely to enjoy this bemusing film.


With NAVIGATOR this is the BEST juvenile/escapist movie of the 1980s. What can I say, I just watched it once as it first aired decades ago, but still had positive memories and thus watched it again a few days ago. I bet the scenes inspired tripe like Harry Potter (juveniles chasing mysteries in old English school settings, eh?). Atmosphere is good, acting excellent, SFX very good (Era/genre wise ). Of course it is a bit of a salad bar mixing Indiana Jones, E.T. Gremlins and other 1980s motifs (the underground temple scene clearly imitates Conan the barbarian)...much as in the NEVERENDING STORY you get a funny man trying to fly... Plot contrivances abound and are well thought of.


According to TV host John Burke, what happened in this movie almost never happens... The main actors in the film were unknowns, who remained unknowns, while those behind the scenes became household names. This movie is directed by Barry Levenson, written by screenwriter Chris Columbus, and executive produced by Henry Winkler (remember the Fonz?). Now, here are the actors: Nicolas Rowe, Alan Cox and Sophie Ward? Ever heard of them? (Each of their careers flourished in the UK, but not in the states). This film, while it does take great liberties with Doyle's writings, is highly entertaining. For the ladies, there's a touching love story set in the Victorian Era, for the guys, there's sword fighting and awesome special affects. For the kids, there's a mystery figure cloaked in black, as well as the screens' first completely computer generated character (If they tell you he looks fake, just say it was only 1985). Recently, near a London school for boys, several men have experienced violent, and unexplained deaths. Ther appears to be no connection between them, but a teen aged Sherlock Homes thinks differently. (Parents, don't worry, there's no "gore" in this one). This is an imaginative tale depicting how the infamous pair (Homes and Watson) might've met. Have fun pretending as you watch; if you're looking for accuracy and detail relating to Doyle's writings, you won't find it here. This movie follows the phrase "Lets just suppose"... A terrific family film, though specific scenes could be frightening for very young children. There is no sex (literal, or implied), and very little language (I think I counted 2 words). Have fun!


"It was a cold, snowy day in early December. Lack of funds had forced my old school to close. I was being sent to a new one in the middle of term. I was accustomed to the opened, relaxed expanse of the country, and now, I was in the heart of London at the height of the Victorian Era. The streets were teeming with every activity imaginable. I was very taken by what I saw. As I stepped from my carriage, the sight of my new school filled me with fear and apprehension, yet, I was swept with a wave of curiosity. However, nothing could prepare me for the extraordinary adventure that lay ahead, or the extraordinary individual who would change my life." That's an old John Watson speaking in a narrative voice-over, and moments later at the Brompton School common we're going to see young Watson, played by Alan Cox at 15, meet Sherlock Holmes, played by Nicholas Rowe at 19. Watson has had his trunk delivered and Holmes is scratching away horribly at a violin. Holmes stops and nearly smashed the thing in frustration. "I should've mastered the damn thing by now," he cries. "How long have you been playing?" Watson asks. "Three days!"

The first three-quarters of the movie is a wonderful Holmsian adventure, full of deduction and growing friendship, as we see young Holmes exercise his slightly arrogant intelligence to put an insufferably superior student named Dudley in his place, assist an eccentric inventor, find tentative Victorian love with the inventor's niece, discover a pattern of assassination in the deaths of four elderly men, deal with a lazy Lestrade and a friendly fencing master, and establish a friendship with his young follower, Watson. The high-point is probably Holmes acceptance of a challenge from Dudley to locate where Dudley has hidden the school's fencing trophy...in no more than 60 minutes. The game is afoot as Holmes examines minute particles of...what?, locates snowy footprints in the school quadrangle, examines the school's kitchen...all with the clock ticking away and with the school's students racing after him, with Watson in the lead. It's clever and exiting. As the older Watson says in recollection when Holmes finds the trophy with seconds to spare, "It was a wonderful, heroic moment for Holmes. But little did he know that his amazing powers and talents would soon be put to a much greater test, a test of terrifying and deadly proportions."

And with that we're off into a case of murderous hallucinations with all sorts of scary special effects, of a deadly Egyptian cult in the heart of London, of young girls used for human sacrifices, of a cauldron of revenge...and we realize that we've moved from a young Sherlock Holmes to a young Indiana Jones. From a loving and clever imagining of Holmes and Watson meeting at school and solving a vicious, exotic series of killings, we're up to our necks in the calculated hokum of a boy's own adventure, courtesy of executive producer Steven Spielberg, assisted by George Lucas' special effects studio. We even have an E.T. moment when young Holmes and Watson take off on a pedal-powered flying device to soar over London at night in pursuit of the villain. The first part of the movie is so good that it just about disguises the calculated playing-with-the-audience build-up to the conclusion. Nicholas Rowe, tall and lean, and Alan Cox, round and quizzical, are first-rate as young Holmes and young Watson. They've continued to act but never had better roles. Michael Hordern, who gives us the narrative voice of the older Watson, provides much of the heart of the movie. We can imagine an elderly Watson looking back at this first case with affection and appreciation. At the end of the movie Holmes is leaving Brompton School while Watson will graduate and go on to medical studies. Watson says goodbye to his friend and stands near as Holmes enters the horse-drawn carriage. We hear the older Watson tell us, "As I watched Holmes settle into his seat, a sudden feeling came over me -- that I would most certainly be seeing him again. So ended my first adventure with Mister Sherlock Holmes. As I watched his carriage disappear into the distance, I realized that I had forgotten to thank him. He had taken a weak, frightened boy and made him into a courageous, strong man. My heart soared. I was filled with confidence. I was ready for whatever mystery or danger lay ahead. I was ready to take on the greatest and most exciting adventure of them all, and I knew it was bound to involve Sherlock Holmes."


Since today is Steven Spielberg's 60th birthday, I wanted to comment on one of his movies. He only produced "Young Sherlock Holmes" - Barry Levinson directed it - but it's a pretty cool movie. Portraying Sherlock (Nicholas Rowe) and Watson (Alan Cox) meeting in a boarding school while some strange murders are occurring in London, they do pretty much anything that they want. The whole movie has the definite feel of a Spielberg movie, what with the burning of a giant set and all. Even if the movie doesn't have the most impressive plot, the hallucinations make up for everything (it's not often that we get to see cream puffs and chocolate éclairs attack someone; serves him right for eating junk food!). I recommend it.


Woeful, childish supposition of the early years of Arthur Conan Doyle's celebrated sleuth Sherlock Holmes, which finds the school boy detective and his new fond chum Watson hot on the heels of a sadistic Egyptian cult who have been kidnapping young girls for sacrifice, and killing off a group of elderly gentlemen against whom they hold a terrible grudge.

Chris Columbus' story (writer of "A Night on the Town" and "Home Alone" - which were both much more fun) is naive, silly and borrows far too much from other Spielberg productions, "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" being one of them. The cast are unable to lift proceedings also, and one has to wonder how a director of Barry Levinson's class ever became involved in this.

The only thing left to do is shake one's head and hope that Mr. Doyle isn't watching.

Friday, August 12, 1994 - Video


I'd only seen this movie once before, when I was about 12 or 13. It wasn't as good as I remembered it as being but still better than 80-90% of the kids' movies these day. I've seen quite a few Holmes films and, in my opinion, the performances of and chemistry between whoever is playing Holmes and Watson is what largely determines the success or failure of the movie. I'm glad to say that Nicholas Rowe and Alan Cox (son of Brian) were both excellent in their roles and the development of their relationship is nicely handled. It's such a shame that this didn't lead to bigger and better roles for either of them.

Rowe and Cox (and the script, of course) made younger versions of two of the most iconic characters in all of literature credible as teenagers while still more or less staying true to the spirit of the characters in Holmes canon. So often where you get younger versions of established characters, it doesn't work but this is a definite exception. The story is not as strong or as tight as it could have been and occasionally veers a bit too much into Indiana Jones territory (unsurprisingly) for my tastes but, hey, it works in the context of the film which is the main thing. A sequel would have been nice but, alas, it wasn't to be.


I must admit that I rather enjoyed this Sherlock Holmes fantasy story. Nicholas Rowe is, in my mind, the perfect Holmes physically. His acting was also spot on, perfectly capturing Holmes' enormous ego. The only negative about this story is that it falls back on some of the Holmes film clichés. For example, the bumbling Dr. Watson, which I think is an insult to the well-written, intelligent character of the novels. I'd like to see Watson used as something more than just comic relief. Another bad cliché is the action-hero side of Holmes. It doesn't work for his character, I find. Although it sometimes relies on the fact that the viewer hasn't read the novels and thus doesn't understand the real characters, I loved this story. While a bit violent, it perfectly captures the brilliant feel of the novels.


Here's a light-hearted frolic of a movie made over 20 yrs ago with the creative blessings of Spielberg. It is an enjoyable and fun movie by no means in the realm of excellence, but a mix of English actors doing a decent job as well as some early ILM and Pixar effects sequences at the time that were pretty high-end. The narration and the boy who played Watson always remind me of Peter Billingsly and A Christmas Story in appearance. Young Sherlock played here pretty well by Nicholas Rowe stands out amongst the others by some degree. The story however seems like a rehashed Indian Jones sort of caper/hybrid. There are some good set pieces, backgrounds, and costumes of late 19th/ early 20th century London. The music is perhaps a bit above average as well. Purchased it cheaply for occasional watching. Worth at least one look, but don't expect a thinking-person's movie. Enjoy it for what it is.


"Young Sherlock Holmes" is an entertaining, smart and literary thriller that makes a few unfortunate choices, leading to an uneven tone. Still, what works easily wins over what doesn't, and makes for not one one of the better Holmes' pastiches, but one of the better Indiana Jones wannabes.

The early section of the film is a fanciful, briskly entertaining imaganing of the meeting of a young Holmes and Watson in a British prep school. While this clearly contradicts the account in Doyle's "A Study in Scarlet", crawls at the begining and end of the film apologize for this, and Levinson, Columbus and Spielberg clearly never try to pass it of as anything but a "what if." Columbus' writing here is clever, witty and true to the characters. Nicholas Rowe not only has the hawk-like features of a young Holmes, he captures the essence of the character. It is easy to see how the events of Colmumbus story lead the emotional, impetuous young Holmes to become the rational, emotionally reserved Holmes we know. Alan Cox's Watson, as is typical of Hollywood Holmes adaptions, is played as something of a buffoon, but nearly to the absurd extreme of Nigel Bruce in the Basil Rathbone films. Cox adds nice support.

The second half of the film leads in something of an odd direction, becoming an intense action thriller that is at times jaw-droppingly similar to Spielberg's own "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom." Those that complain the mystery itself is unlinke Doyle's work must only be familiar with the later short stories. In fact, it is a brillaint recreation of the style of his early novels, such as "A Study in Scarlet" and "The Sign of Four", where exotic foreign conspiracies, revenge, and dangerous cult groups were the order of the day. To be sure, the action is more Indiana Jones than it is Holmes, but that in and of itself is not a bad thing. It is jarring for what begins as a light story of two schoolboys to become so dark and violent, however.

The real misstep in "Young Sherlock Holmes" is in the two cult temple human sacrfice sequences, which are so blatantly reminiscent of "Temple of Doom" as to make a viewer feel he has gotten lost and wandered into the wrong film. They follow exactly the same pattern: Two heroes and a love interest stumble across and witness a human sacrifice. Then, after a further series of adventurs, the love interest is made the subject of a second sacrifice, and the heroes must rescue her and destory the temple. Someone at Amblin should have steered this in a slightly different direction. The cult and the action scenes are not a problem. The human sacrifice and temple scenes are.

One last observation: the ending establishing Anthony Higgin's Rathe as the once and future Professor Moriarty is a great stinger. But Rathe was a fencing master (and, in his alter ego of Eh Tar, a vicious killer and pseudo-Satanic High Priest), and Moriarty was a mathematical genius. It is a stretch to think his mathematical abilites were attainied later in life. Perhaps Colmumbus should have made Rathe an intstructor of fencing AND math.

Overall, the mix works, and "Young Sherlock Holmes" is an extremely entertaining film which unfortunately never found it's audience. Be prepared to suspend a little disbelief and you'll have a great time.


I first saw the movie Young Sherlock Holmes several years ago and totally enjoyed it. I have faced great power struggles within the school administrations here in the United States and it sort of reminded me of it. Sherlock (Nick Rowe) demonstrated great courage, stamina, intellect, and athletic ability to overcome the evil forces that surrounded him.

I was disappointed to find that Nicholas Rowe has not been featured in other adventure movies. It is a shame for such talent to go to waste. I hope to see more of him in the future what ever role he is offered to act.

What do you think? Kevin Kazakevich


The marketing on this film was terrible causing many to pass it by when first released. The previews were completely misleading as to what the film was really about. But for those of us lucky enough to stumble upon it one way or another, we few were rewarded with what should be considered a classic. It is beyond me how this film has been rated so poorly. I can only imagine that many of those voting have not actually seen it. That is a true shame. I personally consider it a solid 9 and easily deserving of being ranked among the top films of all time. If it had been promoted more accurately in its original release, or if those voting would actually take the time to view it, I believe it's rank would reflect this. I had to vote 10 in an attempt to compensate for the error of others.


I own the VHS copy of this movie and would like to see it released to DVD perhaps with some commentary and bonus features. I own all the Basil Rathbone movies on VHS (he is still the epitome of S.H. as far as I'm concerned) but I must admit that the first time I saw this view of the character I was a fan right away.

Told from the perspective of a young Dr. Watson who meets S.H. for the first time at the boarding school where both are students was a great idea. The plot has the two discovering each other and working together to solve a series of murders that are occurring - great special effects - did not overwhelm the story as many current movies do. You may remember Earl Rhodes in a previous role of (the Chief) an obnoxious

prepubescent psycho in THE SAILOR WHO FELL FROM GRACE WITH THE SEA and he was cast perfectly in the role of Dudley - the antagonist to young Sherlock.

A great film to watch with a big bowl of popcorn and a soda.


Screenwriter Chris Columbus did a good job of explaining the character of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional hero. Why did he become a professional private detective? He was a great student and loved to solve mysteries even while in school. Why did he never get married? Because he lost great first love, killed by his arch-enemy. Why did he always wear that ridiculous cloak and hat? They were trophies taken from his arch-enemy, Professor Moriarty.

Well, this is certainly more exciting and fun than that other ride-on movie on the great detective, The Seven Percent Solution - a dour and put down treatment of Holmes. This one is more to my taste - with a handsome and crafty villain, a murderous secret organization with bloody rites, a pretty love interest and a climactic fencing duel. As with all prequels written by another author,however, some of the details of the new story do not always fit seamlessly with the old. In Conan Doyle's original, Dr. Watson makes it clear that he was meeting Holmes in London for the first time after retiring from service as a surgeon in the Indian Army (Imperial British military during the Raj). But in this movie, it is alleged that they were boyhood chums in grammar school.


YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES

Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Sound format: 6-track Dolby Stereo

(35mm and 70mm release prints)

In Victorian London, the teenage Sherlock Holmes (Nicholas Rowe) and John Watson (Alan Cox) are intrigued by a series of apparently unrelated 'suicides' which lead them to a murderous Egyptian cult operating in the bowels of the city...

Enjoyable - though inconsequential - reimagining of Holmes' teenage years, which blends old-fashioned British melodrama with the demands of a US summer blockbuster. Design and cinematography are sumptuous, and the supporting cast (including Freddie Jones, Anthony Higgins, Susan Fleetwood and Roger Ashton-Griffiths) is excellent. Parents of small children are advised that some of the early scenes, in which characters are killed whilst experiencing vivid hallucinations, are genuinely frightening in places.


Originally planned as the first of a series, Young Sherlock Holmes was a bit of a misfire at the box office. It cost $18 million and only grossed about 20 per cent of its budget back. In the years since its release it has become a cult film for those who can appreciate it for the blockbuster it never was. I personally discovered it on a Christmas Eve showing on BBC in the late 80s. Even then, I thought it was great despite it being a darker Christmas film than we're used to.

In a snowy and sinister December at the height of the Victorian Era, Watson, as a teenager, is sent to Brompton, a private school in a fogbound London, when his old one is shut down due to lack of funding. Upon arrival, he meets a violin-playing smart-Alec who deducts his character from his mere appearance. It's the beginning of a life-long friendship.

Holmes' life on campus is rather cosy. He has a pretty girlfriend Elizabeth (Sophie Ward) and her uncle, Professor Waxflatter, is a crackpot inventor of the Doc Brown variety who lives in the school attic with all of his crazy inventions. At first, Watson and Holmes have fun getting up to mischief on campus but a series of bizarre suicides soon distracts them.

The local Inspector Lestrade is too lazy to do anything about it, leaving them free to investigate. Apparently the victims are all sane, happy men who seem to go suddenly mad with fear and hurl themselves to the nearest oncoming death. Things get personal when Waxflatter suffers the same fate and stabs himself in fit of madness.

Why are ordinary men going crazy? Who is the mysterious black robed person hiding in the shadows? What dark secret was Waxflatter hiding? All questions to which Holmes demands answers and he drags along the nervous Watson and Elizabeth as he scours all the dodgy areas of Wapping talking to loads of cockneys and people who call you 'Govna'. What they discover is an ancient blood oath and a huge conspiracy brewing in the spooky alleyways.

In the 80s, Chris Columbus penned a string of imaginative movies from Gremlins to The Goonies and later he directed the Home Alone films as well as Bicentennial Man (yes, I like it) and the first two Harry Potters. He's one of those writers who can hide a surprising amount of darkness in a kid's film and Young Sherlock is a fine example of his most sophisticated writing.

With strong direction from Barry Levinson and enchanting production values from Steven Spielberg there's no denying that this movie looks absolutely great. But it's how it sounds that'll really impress you. Bruce Broughton - a tragically under-rated composer who has talent equal to John Williams - has been unfairly slumming most of his career in TV movies. Here, he delivers one of the most spellbinding and Gothic scores you have ever heard. There are dozens of themes, moments of real magic, evil menace and breathtaking action. If this film had been a hit it really would have become as famous as themes for Jaws, Indiana Jones and Harry Potter.

And speaking of Harry Potter, one cannot deny that JK Rowling was inspired by this film in many ways when creating her Potter universe. I'm not crude enough to list all the similarities in this review but let me just say that while there may not be anywhere near enough to call it plagiarism there sure is more than enough to call it a coincidence. Watch the film and you'll know what I mean.

Originally the critics dismissed Young Sherlock Holmes as another effects-filled Spielberg fantasy, but that's an unfair judgement. The visual effects (really quite something for its time) are essential to the story as well as being pioneering. You may not believe it but YSH was actually the first ever film to feature a fully CGI character (a stained-glass knight who comes alive), created by Pixar. Future Toy Story director John Lasseter was even one of the computer wizards who helped bring it to life. Unfortunately it lost its well-deserved Academy Award to the inferior effects of Cocoon.

Even 20 years on a sequel definitely needed. Chris Columbus has stated he was upset that a sequel never got off the ground and that the series never took off. He shouldn't sell himself short. Of course it would need new actors but so many have put on the hat and coat of Sherlock Holmes that the role doesn't belong to just one man. There is still life in this spin-off franchise. All it needs is the right story and some of the magic that is missing from most kids' films these days.

And when I say kids' films I should really play-down the negative connotations of such a label. As one of the first PG-13 rated films, YSH has a bit of a savage edge, a hardness unfamiliar the condescending kids' films of today.

Sir Arthur would be proud. He may have felt indifferent towards his most famous creation, but if he were alive today he would have loved this film. And it well and truly deserves 10/10.

This surely one DVD you must get. The 1.78:1 anamorphic picture looks great and the Dolby 5.1 soundtrack sounds good considering it has been remastered from plain old stereo. The only extra is a trailer.


"Young Sherlock Holmes" has the potential to be an interesting film but unfortunately seems to be marred in contrived cliches. I did not find any of the characters to be particularly interesting, nor did I appreciate its stereotypical and racist demonizing of middle Eastern culture - as if Egyptian women really behave or look like that! At times, I thought I was watching a series of bad Monty Python sketches.

All in all, the acting was reasonably good (except for the scenery chewing villains) and the costumes were great, but I had a hard time staying awake while watching this film. The ending was particularly inane...obviously designed to lead into a sequel, which thankfully never came about. Strictly a movie for little kids or for people who like watching dated special effects.


This film was targeted towards fans of the Spielberg productions of that time, such as Gremlins and Goonies, considering it was written by the same guy who wrote those two films. And it was very similar too, with young people as the leads and a lot of special effects. This was my favorite movie of that year. For some reason, it didn't do well. Some critics complained the action sequences and special effects were not appropriate for a Sherlock Holmes story but I thought the whole film in general worked well, and the characters were very well portrayed. I am really disappointed the dvd had absolutely no special features though.


As someone who found all but the 3rd Indiana Jones film a bit of a yawn ("Indiana was the dog."), this was a breath of fresh air. Jolly good mystery set in pea soup London, mix in a bit of Boarding School rivalry, a mad professor, a tragic love interest and a big dollop of Egyptian spectacle. It doesn't get much better.

Yes, there were some adventurous special effects that fell a bit flat (early days for ILM).

Yes, Holmes is a less than sympathetic character, but I thought, very much in keeping with a teenage version of the well known, adult Holmes (who had a few weaknesses himself, as I recall).

Yes, there's some Harry Potter here, but I think Harry was a couple of years after and Cinderella (for that matter) was a couple of years before, if you're going to get into who ripped off whom.

However, the characters are delicious, the mystery excellent and the spectacle completely over the top - frankly, if you like your adventure films with more brains than brawn, this is the one for you!


Realistic, deep characters, fast-paced storyline that grabbed me right from the very beginning, great special effects, and amazing acting! I saw this for the first time when I was 13, and have been watching it ever since. I love how Holmes gets all of his trademarks throughout the movie, and Watson is hilarious ("perhaps there's something we've learned in school we can apply to this!"). A note to those who haven't seen it yet: watch all the way past the end credits. There's something important after the credits.


Up to the time of his death in 1976, Jack Cassidy had played more villains (3)in Columbo than any other actor, and deservedly so. Had he stayed among the living, it is is probable that he would have appeared in countless others. Suave and sophisticated, he had that rare ability and screen presence which allowed him to play a bad guy who didn't have to be overtly evil and elicit hatred from the audience in order for them to want him to be caught. To me, that quality makes for the best Columbo opposition, because it places the emphasis is on the cat and mouse game, rather than just the simplistic good vs. bad. In this one, Cassidy plays a famous magician who murders a blackmailing magic club owner. The murder plot and cover-up is elaborate, but not overly and needlessly complicated. From the way Columbo first zeros in on suspect(without spoiling it - it revolves around the way the body fell and therefore how the murderer entered the room) to his piecing together means, opportunity and motive I found this one extremely intriguing and engrossing. The scene at the end with the letters is great. All in all, a top 5 Columbo for me.


All I knew about Jack Cassidy was his sons who were in the Hardy boys. He died before I got to know him. I think this is my favorite Columbo episode with him as a magician with a secret, he was a Nazi in Germany during World War II. Cynthia Sikes plays his lovely daughter who is clueless about her father's identity and history but she is memorable and she is better known for her role in St. Elsewhere. Sadly, I hated reading about Jack Cassidy's tragic death. Wherever you are Jack, we miss you still after 30 years. Columbo always catches his man or woman even in this episode. As Columbo always says, there is no such thing as a perfect murder. Just when you think he's got away with his crimes, nothing could be further from the truth. If you love Columbo, you will love this episode and how he catches his man is just as much fun to watch and learn.


The Great Santini (Jack Cassidy) is a brilliant stage magician with a hidden past. His real name is Stefan Mueller and he was an SS officer assigned to the concentration camps. Jesse Jerome (Nehemiah Persoff), his current employer, has learned of the illusionist's Nazi career and is using the information to blackmail him. One night, while ostensibly performing his celebrated trick of being locked in a steel cabinet and dowsed in a tank of water, Santini is really disguising himself as a waiter and walking unseen to Jerome's office. When Jerome turns up dead, it looks like a contract killing. But our rumpled, redoubtable Lt. Columbo (Peter Falk), assisted by the overeager Sgt. Wilson (Bob Dishy), has a few tricks of his own.

If Columbo can outmaneuver a chess champion ("The Most Dangerous Match"), out-think a scientific genius ("Mind Over Mayhem") and outwit a master spy ("Identity Crisis"), what made a master illusionist think he could do any better?

This is a splendid "Columbo" episode, with all the tricky plotting, delightful comedy and tense cat-and-mouse play that fans love. Did I mention the comedy? In the weak "Greenhouse Jungle," Bob Dishy is clearly a good actor playing a tedious character. Here he returns as Sgt. Wilson but the script by Michael Sloan is much better. Wilson's comic business, this time involving Columbo's new raincoat, is much better integrated into the plot than in "Greenhouse"and it's much funnier.

Harvey Hart does a very nice directing job. Somebody in his crew had an excellent eye for detail. I especially like how a little water trickles out of the trap door after Santini's daughter (Cynthia Sikes) opens it.

The ending is ordinary, without one of those great thunderclap surprises, as in "A Stitch in Crime" and "Suitable for Framing." I love the final scene anyway, with Columbo's funny yet unnerving imitation of a magician's stage technique. This "Columbo" will work like magic on any fan.


Jack Cassidy appeared in Columbo episodes on three occasions, but my favorite one was this episode dealing with "the Great Santini", his magician par excellence. Cassidy is starring at a nightclub/dinner club owned by Nehemiah Persoff. The club spotlights David Copperfield level magicians, and Cassidy certainly is able to pull in customers. But he is not making the money he should be. The reason is that he is being bled every week out of half his income by Persoff. The latter, a rather nasty blackmailer and creep, latched onto Cassidy secret. In World War II he was Sergeant Muller, a 21 year old Nazi fanatic who was in the S.S. and responsible for many atrocities. He is a war criminal, and Persoff will inform the authorities unless 1) Cassidy remains his star at the club, and 2) Cassidy keeps paying him 50% of his salary.

It is a running theme in detective fiction that killing a blackmailer does not count. In the "Sherlock Holmes" stories, Charles Augustus Milverton is killed by a collateral victim of his vicious business, and Holmes and Watson learn who she is but don't inform Lestrade (whose own attitude is, "Good riddance to the rubbish."). Here Link and Levinson came up with an interesting twist on this. We don't like Persoff, but we really don't care for the egotistical Cassidy either. He is all career, with a little left over for his daughter and assistant, and quite cold to most people. He also has fragments of his past beliefs that show up. He disapproves of his daughter's boy friend and makes a comment about the latter's genetics and background. He comes up with a scheme to give himself an alibi during his stage performance, using a trick or two to convince people he is far from Persoff's office. But he kills Persoff (who was typing a letter to the FBI regarding Cassidy's past at the time). In his care for the murder scene Cassidy takes the letter and burns it. He then sets it up to look like the unsavory Persoff was killed by underworld associates.

Enter the Lieutenant, who just can't buy the theory regarding the Mob rubbing out Persoff. Instead he soon finds the trail pointing to the one man with an alibi of sorts: Cassidy. And the process of chipping away begins, with the Lieutenant trying to get background on Cassidy and finding it a path that gets very vague about 1947 or so. "I find that you were the Great Darlington or the Great Washington.", he says to Cassidy. Cassidy says it was "Washington". Falk asks, "What was the first name?". Cassidy answers, with a sneer, "Martha!".

It is one of the best duels up to the conclusion, wherein Falk works some magic of his own to trap Cassidy, and present him with a past that won't disappear easily. But the best moment is actually Thayer David's. The portly and distinguished character actor only appeared in this one Colombo episode, and made the most of it: He is the owner of a magic store, and Falk is there to try to figure out what the trick is that Cassidy used for his alibi. David starts demonstrating a trick guillotine to Falk, and shows how to make it seem to pass through an object without destroying the object. Falk is fascinated but explains he is actually there to investigate Persoff's murder. Hearing about this, Thayer starts going into a mild diatribe against the deceased who was not popular among the magician fraternity because of his greed and trickery with contracts. Then after finishing it he suddenly realizes that he made himself look like a personal enemy of the deceased. He rapidly explains to Falk that he probably could get his brother-in-law and other people as alibis for his appearance at a family dinner on the night of the murder. Falk reassures him though that he was never a suspect. And then they discuss the possible explanation of the trick that Cassidy played.

A good episode with few slow spots, I think it was one of the best of the series.


An above-average entry in the series. A stage magician, the ever-loathsome Jack Cassidy, sneaks away in mid-act while supposedly hidden in a locked box and snuffs his partner and blackmailer, Nehemia Persoff. Cassidy's secret is that he was a guard in a concentration camp when he was young and it simply wouldn't do much for his career if his previous identity were to be leaked out. The murder, of course, is all Persoff's fault anyway. As a blackmailer he's unskilled. A good blackmailer, like a good virus or parasite, never demands so much of the host that the host expires. It asks just enough.

Anyway, enter Columbo, stage left, in the brand new stylish brown raincoat his wife just bought him. In the course of the film he does everything possible to get rid of it short of throwing it away. He leaves it out in the open to be stolen -- in his car and at police headquarters.

Cassidy, "The Great Santini", has planned several tiers of deception to give himself an alibi. First he won't reveal where he was at the time of the murder because it is a professional secret. (Illusionists take these things seriously. "The trick is told when the trick is sold.") Columbo finds out Cassidy's location despite the lack of cooperation, but Cassidy has another level of camouflage prepared. In the end, Columbo penetrates that as well, not so much by a careful assembling of clues and physical evidence but, as is usual, by an intuition so keen as to be almost magical in its own right. I mean, for instance, what the hell makes Columbo suspect the stage magician in the first place? There are roles for Bob Dishy and Robert Loggia too, but they're so minor as to be almost cameos. The most memorable supporting player is Cassidy's daughter Della, played by Cynthia Sikes. Not that she can act, but she looks mouthwateringly delicious in that glittering one-piece outfit she wears onstage as Cassidy's assistant magician. I wonder who's going to take care of her after Cassidy is put away? I'd have volunteered. She might have shown me some tricks.

It's an episode I always look forward to watching. There's nothing unusual about it. It's formulaic. But the formula, at its best, was so good.


The best Columbo ever. The best villain ever. Jack Cassidy had logged the most appearances of any Columbo killer up to this point. He was to die in a horrible fire only a few months later. The suave, sophisticated Cassidy and the down to earth Falk play off each other magnificently.

Santini (Cassidy) never sweats , never gets nervous, never appears ruffled all throughout the episode. Even at the end when Columbo has him dead to rights and shows him the paper which contains the incriminating eveidence against him, Santini says" This one is burned!" He then burns it into thin air. Columbo says "Watch closely, sir. This is my best trick. He then pulls out copy after copy of the document and hands one back to Santini. "You can burn this one too if you like sir, there's plenty more where that came from!" A classic ending. The best Columbo!


Jack Cassidy is one of those rare gems that became extinct in the 1970's. Smooth, slick, and cheesy all at once, Jack Cassidy turned plaid suits, thin cigarillos, and polyester ascots into monolithic fashion statements. Perhaps better known as the father of David and Sean Cassidy, and one of the husbands of Shirley Jones (aka "Mrs. Partridge"), Jack Cassidy is at his 70's best in his role as "The Great Santini" - a secret ex-Nazi living under an assumed name in America and master magician whose silky arrogance and ego is his ultimate undoing. In one pivotal scene, Santini frees himself from a pair of specially rigged handcuffs that Columbo had made - only a professional lock-picker would be able to get out of these cuffs - and a picked lock was a key clue in the murder; Santini would sooner implicate himself than be seen as a mediocre magician.

The tension builds to a slow boil as Columbo, in his patented persistence, unravels Santini, eventually beating him at his own game. Jack Cassidy died not long after this episode was released; he died in bed when his cigarette caught his mattress on fire - a very 70's way to die compared to today's peanut-allergic world. Oh Jack, we hardly knew ye! Even though he didn't live to see his 50th birthday, he still looked like someone my father would have played bridge and drank gin with at the Tarratine Club in Bangor, Maine in the mid-70's.


I don't know but a magician who kills a person in a murder-mystery has some formulaic sound over it. The whole killing and story approach of this movie however still give it an overall original touch.

For the third time in his career Jack Cassidy starred in a Columbo movie. Also in the this movie he plays the killer, like he did as well 2 and 5 years before in the Columbo movies "Columbo: Publish or Perish" and the Steven Spielberg directed "Columbo: Murder by the Book". He starred in this Columbo movie in the same year as his early sudden death. He died when his couch caught fire after falling asleep with a lit cigarette on December 12th of the same year. He was only 49 at the time, despite looking much older than that though. That's also the reason why he throughout his career played characters who were much older than him, as was also the case in this movie, in which he plays an ex-Nazi, who gets uncovered by his employee and therefor kills him.

Harvey Hart seemed to be a director who provided the Columbo movies with the right type of comedy. He directed a total of 4 Columbo movies, of which this one was the last. His Columbo movies are just a tad bit more entertaining to watch than the average usual Columbo entries. Funny thing in this movie is that Lt. Columbo has a new and much better looking raincoat, who he constantly keeps forgetting to take back with him after visiting a place. Of course in the end he gets his usual trademark raincoat back and voilà, he solves the murder.

The movie its story is good and foremost entertaining. It doesn't make this one of the best written or most intelligent Columbo movies out there but the overall entertainment value of the movie compensates for this all. The movie also features some good interaction between the Peter Falk and Jack Cassidy characters. Besides those two, the movie also features Robert Loggia, before his days of fame.

A real enjoyable Columbo entry.

8/10


Comedian / former sitcom star Jerry Seinfeld's filmed farewell performance of the material that he had been using for years in his act, touching on such subjects as old people, supermarkets, men and women, airplane travel, etcetera.

This HBO special opens with a comedy bit, a funeral, featuring several of Seinfeld's comedy contemporaries, mourning the "death" of his much-loved jokes.

Not always terribly funny, but that's only because of its familiarity. Whatever the case, Seinfeld is a consummate professional who has obviously perfected his timing and delivery over his many years as a stand-up comic and he still has what it takes to make his old jokes work. Of course, this special has to be actually SEEN to be appreciated due to Seinfeld's often hilarious expressions and mannerisms.

I enjoyed watching "I'm Telling You for the Last Time".

7/10


Jerry Seinfeld is one of the funniest stand up comedians out there today. Sure he may not be a saint (buying a whole building just for his cars)- but we do need to cut him some slack as he provided millions of people with millions of laughs for a long time. I saw "I'm Telling You For The Last Time" before I actually got into the series itself (I was young when it first aired and so now I am feasting off reruns). The fact that I had not seen nearly every Seinfeld episode (which now I have see most of) made this bit of stand up even funnier as I had never heard most jokes before. But still, It aired again a little while later and even though it was my second time seeing it, it was still very funny. Definitely recommended to all Seinfeld fans and I believe that many others will also be entertained. If you liked this and the Seinfeld series I would also recommend Jerry Seinfeld's book "SeinLanguage". Of course it's much funnier when you can can see and hear him tell the jokes and so if this ever comes on TV again you can bet I'll be taping it.


If you liked the show, you will love this. In fact, the only thing that p***ed me off about this is that it ended.

I hope to see the show on DVD soon. Until then, I'll watch this live show.

Buy it, rent it, watch it. I'm telling you for the last time.


The one thing that I will never understand how he does it, but Seinfeld manages to find the little things that almost all of us notice, but never give much thought to. He picks out the smallest things that we may think about a few times, or all the time, and manages to make it a big deal. He is a genius at finding the little things and making them into comedy bits.

I'm Telling You for the Last Time is basically Jerry Seinfeld's final performance of the classic and loved jokes from the sitcom. After this he would never tell them again. All of the jokes are still funny, most of them are nearly identical, although on some he adds more, or does it with different emphasis, but that is expected.

The only problem with this movie is that the jokes are familiar, but they are suppose to be. Even though I knew every joke, they were still great. Pharmasists, old people, horses, medication, bathrooms, airplanes, everything you can compound into a random thought was on here (figuratively) So to keep it simple, if you like Seinfeld, and are a fan of the sitcom, watch this and laugh again and again at his jokes.


The man really is a comic genius. I first heard his monologue on CD, and that was side-splitting enough. When I saw the videotape, though- his actions and facial expressions make it twice as funny. Case in point: the airline sequence, where he can add another scene because he can use physical comedy. Also in his scuba-diving sequence, or any part where he "dances". He can make a long, hilarious comedy sketch out of, well, nothing. He is the King of Nothing- and that's the best thing he could be. 10 out of 10!


For those of you who have not been able to see Jerry live this is a must-see! His comedic timing and his knack to notice little quirks most normal people don't pick up on, make this a performance of a lifetime!


Seinfeld is perhaps the best comedian alive today. Here is why, his jokes are funny, he works the audience, uses body motion and lastly, his jokes are CLEAN. Too many comedians think that they are funny because they curse every other word and repeat the same joke 10 different ways.

Seinfeld tells his joke, it is funny, clean and he gets the punch out the first time around.

All comedians need to watch this DVD and learn from him.

I recommend this to everyone. You will start laughing from the very beginning and you will not stop until the end! Enjoy


Exactly 20 years ago today "Gremlins" opened in theaters across the U.S. It went on to be one of the biggest smash hits not only of the summer of 1984, but of the entire year. And in my opinion, it deserved to be a hit. I remember seeing this movie at a movie theater with some friends of mine right after it opened 20 years ago, and I said afterwards, "this is going to be a huge hit". And it was.

"Gremlins" is a story that plays like a darker version of Steven Spielberg's "E.T." Which is funny, because it was Spielberg himself who had the vision of "Gremlins" becoming a movie. Spielberg, along with his then collaborators Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy (the trio founded the production company Amblin Entertainment), served as executive producers of the film. Spielberg got a then up-and-coming screenwriter named Chris Columbus to write the script (Columbus would go on to become the director of the first two "Harry Potter" movies as well as the first two "Home Alone" pictures), and Roger Corman protege Joe Dante to direct the picture (Dante directed 1978's "Piranha", a witty spoof of Spielberg's first smash hit "Jaws", and a segment of Spielberg's "Twilight Zone: The Movie" a year earlier). What they created was a movie that was great fun from start to finish.

"Gremlins" is about a young man who receives a very unusual Christmas gift from his inventor father. He gets a little friendly creature called a Mogwai, which is as cute as a button. But there's a twist. There are three rules that must be followed in caring for the Mogwai: Rule #1 - Keep them away from light; Rule #2 - Don't get them wet; and Rule #3 - Don't feed them after midnight. When the rules get broken, all hell breaks loose as mean-spirited little monsters turn everything upside down. "Gremlins" then turns into a super-duper special effects picture, with the creatures created exceptionally by Chris Walas (Oscar winner for the makeup job on the 1986 remake of "The Fly"). These monsters are scary to be sure, but also very funny with some of the antics they provide.

Even though the special effect monsters steal the show, the acting by the human actors is very good too. Zach Galligan makes the most of his film debut as Billy Peltzer, the young hero who tries to stop the gremlins; Phoebe Cates is effective as his girlfriend; the late Hoyt Axton is a hoot as the inept inventor father (some of his crazy inventions are hilarious, especially when the inventions backfire into slapstick catastrophes); Frances Lee McCain is good as the mother and housewife (who has one big scene with the nasty critters); Polly Holliday is wickedly funny as Mrs. Deagle, the meanest woman in town; and Dante regular Dick Miller is a riot as Mr. Futterman, the nice man who's always complaining about hand-made products being made out of foreign parts. Judge Reinhold and Corey Feldman have small roles as Billy's bank co-worker and good friend, respectively, and look for a quick cameo by Spielberg himself.

"Gremlins" was such a big hit in 1984 that it got re-released back in theaters the following year before it made its debut on video. The movie grossed over $153 million at the box office (combining the original 1984 release and the 1985 re-release). And it stands alone as a great creature feature. "Gremlins" was also imitated many times shortly afterwards. Following in its footsteps came 1985's "Ghoulies", and 1986's "Troll" and "Critters". All these movies spawned sequels of their own, and none of them came close to capturing the greatness of "Gremlins" (although the original "Critters" came the closest; it was the only movie out of that bunch that I mildly enjoyed). Six years later came the "Gremlins" sequel "Gremlins 2: The New Batch". It wasn't as good as the original, but it's still a good movie sequel. I'll take "Gremlins 2" as well as the original "Gremlins" over "Ghoulies" or "Troll" anyday.

***** (out of five)


Some films are not what they seem. Take "Gremlins" (1984) for example. It is the story of a small-town kid who acquires a strange creature that spawns a pack of menacing green beings that terrorize the inhabitants of the cheery little area.

A silly idea, yes, but surely a fun one, and surely one to be cherished. It isn't technically a great movie, or even a very good one, but it doesn't mean to be. The genius lies in the modest scale of the film -- it isn't just a crude horror film with evil alien species (see "Critters"), but a tongue-in-cheek parody of the rest, that still manages to fit in a few thrills along the way as if by accident.

Thank Joe Dante for this movie. And thank him for providing us with magnificent and imaginative films over the years. He is one of cinema's great underrated directors, the man responsible for bringing other creatures to life very often, whether it is werewolves or small toys or Looney Toons.

The movie is centered around Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan), the small-town kid mentioned above who is handed a Mogwai by his father (Hoyt Axton), who picked the puffy furball up in Chinatown during one of his routine salesman trips. Billy's father is a sort of failed inventor, reminding us of the frizzle-haired Doc Emmett Brown played by Christopher Lloyd in "Back to the Future," only not quite as eccentric. "Back to the Future" came out a year after "Gremlins," and the two are similar in the way they entertain -- silly little ideas that nevertheless become almost genius. Time travel was a myth before "Back to the Future," which turned it into an adventurous notion, a way of being able to transport people back in time to see their own parents. (H.G. Wells himself hadn't even approached these topics, and I can guarantee he would have never sparked a relationship between the sibling and his mother.)

"Gremlins" is milestone movie-making magic, a simple idea like "Back to the Future," stretched out into a bigger picture. I won't kid you -- it's not as complex as "Future" is, but it doesn't need to be, and certainly doesn't want to be. It relies on humor and charm, and it has plenty of it.

Billy works at the town bank, hounded by the city grouch (Frances Lee McCain) and threatened by the vice president (Judge Reinhold). His long-time sweetheart (Phoebe Cates) works there, too, and at the local bar, occupied by drunks at night (and on occasion some nasty gremlins). The town loon (Dick Miller) is convinced there are gremlins about, and soon he is right.

"Don't ever get them wet," Billy is more or less told by his father. "And don't feed them after midnight." (See if you can spot the huge flaw in that rule.) Well, the small little Mogwai, Gizmo (voiced in burps and small cutesy sentences by Howie Mandel), does get wet, and spawns a set of fellow furballs -- all apparently mean-spirited and vile. And after tricking Billy by cutting the power on his clock, they get fed after midnight -- and basically evolve overnight into a bunch of green, nasty little gremlins, all of which continue to spawn throughout the town and cause absolute chaos.

Will Billy defeat the gremlins, get the girl, and save the town? Take a wild guess.

Everything Joe Dante touches is usually magic. Even his live-action/animation film "Toy Soldiers" was a load of fun because of its charming disposition. Dante doesn't try to make his films anything other than what they are -- charming and wildly, wickedly funny -- and that is undoubtedly the key to the outrageous success of "Gremlins," one of the biggest box office moneymakers ever released.

I wasn't a huge fan of the sequel, even though I have it in my DVD collection right next to the original. It lost the darkness of campiness of the original and went for all-out laughs (many of which failed) instead of the laugh-out-loud laughs of the original, which were concealed within a film that actually made sense (in some ways) and still managed to be dark and fun. The sequel also introduced the mandatory Goofy Idiot Character. In fact, it had two -- a Donald Trump-like manager and a gremlin that more or less belonged in The Three Stooges, and definitely not in a movie about menacing creatures. In fact, another of the first film's highlights was the way it made its creatures dark, hurtful, and just plain funny. (People complained that the launching of Frances Lee McCain out a window was too much, but come on.)

As a whole, I didn't think that the sequel worked especially well. But it has as big a fan following as the original in some respects, for those who favor goofy, pointless cash-ins over original, hysterical movies.

I wouldn't expect many people to love "Gremlins" as much as I do, but its charm is certainly worth commenting on -- and so is its wicked humor. Dark, chaotic and pretty darn infectious, the film's sense of humor quickly kicks into boot even during the campy voice-over narrative. The whole film is campy. And unlike something like "Critters" (which I loathe), this film is endearing and fresh and funny and has a bunch of likable characters -- especially Gizmo, the favorite and most infamous little critter ever seen on screen, and Stripe, the lead gremlin whose unfortunate frying incident at the end of the film actually makes you sad. No sequel for that little creep.

5/5 stars.

- John Ulmer


I first saw this film when I was 5 and I am ashamed to say that it scared me. It's just a tad too violent and scary for younger children but it's great family entertainment and there are dozens of in-jokes for film-buffs to spot.

Not only is Gremlins a very original and inventive film the animatronic effects are ahead of it's time and way cool. Anyone who is not totally overcome by Gizmo's cuteness and his cool little song must have a heart of stone. The gremlins themselves are nothing but big grins with arms and legs. Their idea of having fun is smashing everything. Who can't agree with and identify with that.

I have never seen any of the cut scenes and I hope that in a future DVD special edition they will be included along with the sub-plot about Mrs. Deagle building a Nuclear Power plant in Kingston Falls.

This was one of Joe Dante's first movies and you can tell that everything he grew up with and movies he studied as a child are on-screen in Gremlins. A perfect movie made by the right director.


This movie used to scare me immensely when I was younger. It was the first "scary movie" I saw as a kid, and I think that may effect why I love it so much today. Nostalgic purposes, indeed.

I think this movie is good for it's purpose. It's not meant to be some life-changing, or hysterically funny, or terrifying suspense movie. It's meant to give you some scares, some laughs, and entertainment. And it does indeed entertain.

We've heard since the 50's about little green men, and in this movie, they are there. And they don't even have to come from outer space, just Chinatown. The actual mogwai (what the gremlins are before they transform) are adorable. So at first you are surprised at how this cute little furry creature who sings a little song could produce other mogwais whom are not so nice. I won't give away how they reproduce or turn into gremlins, but it's all kind of strange, and very fantasy-like.

A great movies for adults to watch with kids for their first "scary movie". I watched it when I was three, and while it did scare me there for a while, I still loved it a lot. I would recommend maybe six years or older, and if they get too scared, tell them it's really just puppets. (It is.) Overall, this film is entertaining, very 80's, a little scary, and pretty funny.


Randall Peltzer (the late Hoyt Axton), while going all around town trying to sell his faulty wacky inventions, accidentally stumbles on a cute little Mogwai at an antique china store. The owner refuse to sell it, but the kid sees dollar signs and sells it to Mr. Peltzer, telling him three things never to do to the creature. So back in Kingston Falls, the misguided inventor presents it to his son, Billy (Zach Galligan) telling him the warning that the Chinese boy imparted to him. Needless to say, Billy ignores all three rules and soon evil little Gremlins are all over town causing rampant destruction.

This movie is greatness in every single way. With style, charm, and humor to spare, this film was among the top echelon of movies from the glorious '80's (Man that decade was GREAT to be a kid or teenager in).Never overtly slapstick comical, this film is still tongue firmly in cheek none the less and seeing the amazingly great Dick Miller is ALWAYS a treat. By the by, call me dense but I never realized that Howie Mandell did the voice for Gizmo. That's kinda neat. This was followed by a sequel that's just about every bit as good as the original.

My Grade: A

Special Edition DVD Extras: Commentary by Director Joe Dante, Producer Mike Finnell and Gremlins Creator Chris Walas, Second Commentary by Dante and Actors Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Dick Miller and Howie Mandel; Cast & Crews bios; 8 Additional Scenes (with Optional Commentary; Photo Gallery; short vintage featurette; Theatrical & Re-issue Trailer; and Trailer for "Gremlins 2: The New Batch"


Traveling inventor and salesman Rand Peltzer (singer Hoyt Axton) buys an unusual Christmas present for his bank employee son Billy (Zach Galligan): a strange, never-before-seen animal called a "Mogwai", whom Rand christens "Gizmo". There are three *extremely* important rules to follow in order to take proper care of "Gizmo": don't expose him to light, don't expose him to water, and above all else, never feed him after midnight. As you might expect, rule two is broken soon enough, and "Gizmo" spawns a quintet of new Mogwai. Then rule three is broken (unknowingly) and the new Mogwai metamorphose into little green devils called "Gremlins" that proceed to tear the little town of Kingston Falls apart.

After all this time - it's been a while since I saw it - I still get a kick out of it. Equal parts scary and funny, with memorable music score (and catchy central theme) by Jerry Goldsmith, and the little monsters are inventively realized by Chris Walas and his effects team. (The monsters range from being frightening to being absolutely hilarious.) The main problem for some viewers will undeniably be an approach that can be seen as mean-spirited and ugly. I can understand why some people wouldn't be able to stomach this film, particularly when Kate (Phoebe Cates) tells the story of why she doesn't celebrate Christmas.

Overall, this nasty horror / comedy emerges as one of my favorite 1980's pictures. This was the first film I saw legendary cult actor Dick Miller (a favorite of director Joe Dante) in, and he's remained an entertaining actor to watch.

Actors William Schallert and Kenneth Tobey appear uncredited.

Howie Mandel is the voice of "Gizmo", and the ubiquitous Frank Welker is the voice of lead gremlin "Stripe". Michael Winslow, the vocal sound effects guy from the "Police Academy" movies, was also one of the vocal effects artists here.

Some of you might want to keep in mind that the original draft of the screenplay was even darker, with horrible fates intended for Mrs. Peltzer and Barney the dog.

Before I go, I want to say that writer turned director Chris Columbus's script does beg questions such as: If the wrong time to feed "Gizmo" is after midnight, when does the right time begin?

8/10


After this movie there were several other movies that tried to capitalize on the success of this movie. For the most part though they failed to live up to the energy and fun of this movie. Heck, not even the sequel of this one had the energy of this movie. Here we have a guy getting a pet as an early xmas gift, a cute creature called a Mogway. It however, does have a few problems, as it needs special care. One thing you can't do to it is get it wet. Well Billy does (that is the guy who got it). This breeds more of the little critters, and they are harmless enough at first as well. Then they are fed after midnight and this turns them into Gremlins. This new form is a beer drinking, candy eating, mischief machine that isn't above killing. Most of the original batch is killed off in a gruesome kitchen scene, but the leader, Stripe, gets away and dives into a ycma swimming pool, so the whole town gets overrun by the little monsters. This movie is very funny and enjoyable to watch. Even though the Gremlins do kill, this movie never gets as dark as some of the copycats, or too goofy like some of them do. It ends up being a well-made movie that is fun to watch.


Zach Galligan plays Billy a young bank clerk, when his father (Hoyt Axton) brings him a some what unusual Christmas gift, a creature known as a mogwai which they name Gismo; his life changes dramatically. After a series of accidents Gismo multiply's and the cute furry offspring soon become little green beasts that terrorise the town, leaving Billy and his girlfriend (Phoebe Cates) to find a way to get rid of these gremlins, before everyone winds up dead.

Gremlins is infectiously funny and effortlessly entertaining with its blend of cutsie charm and comic book horror. The creatures themselves are excellently brought to life with some masterful puppetry and Joe Dante's direction really does the film justice.

This movie is crammed with memorable scenes, subtle parody and excellent, yet quite humorous horror.

7/10


This definitely makes my top 10 plot a man named randy peltzer is looking for a present for his son billy Peltzer just as he seems to have run out of luck he discovers a small Chinese shop and a strange creature known as a Mowgli after a small argument with the shop owner randy finally gets it when the owners grandson gives it to him as well as telling him three rules 1. Don't expose him to sunlight 2. Don't get him wet and finally never feed him after midnight And so Randy takes it home. Billy is 22 and works at a bank (just a little bit of information) Any way Billy as well as his dog who seems to get on rather well with the creature who Billy calls Gizmo Randy tells Billy to remember the three rules. Billy being the typical person that he is breaks all the rules At first gizmo multiples creating 4 more Mowgli who then eat after midnight turning them into Gremlins viscous nasty goblin like creatures With help of his mum Billy succsefully kills off three gremlins except there leader Stripe who escapes to the swimming pool and jumps in all hell brakes loose I'm not really sure why i like this movie probably because of the music and because of the gremlins them selves there cool


I will admit some of it is very silly, but all the same it is infectious fun from start to finish. Directed by Joe Dante, produced by Steven Spielburg and written by Chris Columbus, Gremlins has quickly established itself in my opinion as a comedy horror classic. The direction is rock solid throughout, and is super efficient. The script is funny and inventive, and the story growing from a very simple idea is engaging and delightful. Plus all the characters are credible. And I have to say Jerry Goldsmith's music is a treat, that man knows how to compose a good music score I can tell you. Haunting, shocking and exciting are three ways to describe the score here. The gremlins are the scene stealers here, at first they are very cute then all of a sudden when they start causing carnage they are quite the opposite. But the acting from the human actors is just as good. Zach Galligan is bland at first, but as the film gets going and you know more of his character you warm to him. Hoyt Axton is indeed a hoot as the inept inventor, and Keye Luke is great as the Grandfather(Mr Wing). Also watch out for a young Corey Feldman as Pete Fountaine. Plus the Christmas speech makes it essential Christmas viewing. All in all, silly it is, but it is clever and consistently engaging. Not only that, it succeeds at both comedy and horror, and that isn't easy to do. 9/10 Bethany Cox


This Movies is fantastic!

Joe Dante's "Gremlins" is a fun and enjoyable film, but it is scary at times, but I still love it. It really is the best little monster attack type film, and you even root for the Gremlins themselves, because of their enjoyable pranks, stupidity and by far their laughs, it just sticks in your head.

This movie even spawned a sequel "Gremlins 2: The New Batch", which is also filmed by Joe Dante, it is great as well, but it isn't as good as it's predecessor. If you haven't seen this film then, go rent it, buy it, you just have to see "Gremlins".


This movie was absolutely false advertisement. they advertised it as a family movie..well they sure put it that way at the begging of the movie. Till they eat after midnight! Holy crap when i was a kid and saw this movie...well the first time i saw it i was 5. didn't think it was scary at all and loved it, until that night when i went to bed..i had nightmares for the rest of elementary school. and i hated the movie from then on out...but as i hit middle school i basically mentally prepared myself over middle school about it and finally 8th grade year i watched gremlins: the movie that scared the sh** out of me when i was little.... And boy i don't know what i was missing. but this movie is one of the best i have seen. Just the cast was great the animatronics on the gremlins was flawless, and i love this movie now as a 16 year old. i watch it all the time and every time i watch it, its pure genius. I highly recommend this movie.


A mysterious looking creature is purchased from Chinatown and taken home as a pet, the Mogwai comes with three rules that must be observed at all times;

Keep him out of light, especially sunlight as it will kill him.

Never get him wet.

Never ever feed him after midnight.

Naturally things go belly up and what happens next amounts to a riotous invasion of Gremlins causing no end of destruction to the small town of Kingston Falls. What strikes me the most about Gremlins is the blend of tones, the comedy mixes brilliantly with the cute factor, and then all the serenity is destroyed by the carnage unleashed. While it has to be said that some of it is fit to grace any horror movie. Playing heavily on the old urban legends of little Gremlins messing with machines to unsurp humans, director Joe Dante creates a "Spielbergian" parody that delivers royally on the entertainment front. Have fun with some of the in jokes, and enjoy the social references that the writers throw in at frequent moments within the piece. But most of all, just run with the fun and enjoy the brilliance of the creatures in pre-cgi 1984. 8/10


Director Joe Dante proudly wears his influences on his sleeve in this excellent Spielberg-produced demented comedy/horror about mischievous creatures that run riot in the sleepy town of Kingston Falls.

Referencing all of his favourite films and cartoons, including The Wizard of Oz (the film's villain is Oz's Mrs. Gulch in all but name), Looney Tunes (check out the sound effects Dante uses), Disney (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs features heavily in the story), and Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Joe has a blast allowing his toothy critters to (very amusingly) wreak havoc in typically Spielbergian small-town America.

Hoyt Axton plays Rand Peltzer, a less than successful inventor who buys his son Billy (Zach Galligan) a most unusual Christmas gift: a creature called a mogwai (which he names Gizmo). This impossibly cute bundle of fur comes with a strict set of rules which are inevitably broken. The result is a horde of vicious foot high monsters that set out to cause trouble wherever they can.

With the help of Gizmo, and gorgeous workmate Kate (the always stunning Phoebe Cates), Billy sets out to destroy the gremlins.

Although perhaps a bit too scary in places for more sensitive youngsters (the kitchen attack scene, in particular is quite frightening), Gremlins is great fun for monster movie addicts of all ages. My kidsaged four and sixlove this film (although I admit that I have been gradually conditioning them: one of the toys they have had from birth is a bendy Gremlin!). It really is hard to resist the movie's non-stop manic and zany comedy (the Gremlins are a hoot as they break-dance, get drunk, play poker, and sing Christmas carols!).

Sure, some moments are perhaps a little too daft (personally, I don't understand that rule about not feeding a mogwai after midnight, and I can't fully accept the scene where Gizmo drives a fully functioning Barbie car) but excellent animatronics courtesy of Chris Walas, a nifty script from Chris Columbus, loads of in-jokes for fans of fantasy films (look out for blink-and-you'll-miss-them appearances from Gremlins producer Steven Spielberg and animator Chuck Jones, an appearance from Forbidden Planet's Robbie the Robot, a stuffed ET toy sat between a cuddly Sylvester and Bugs Bunny, and the Time Machine from the 60s George Pal movie) all go to make Gremlins an unmissable treat.

And its got Phoebe Cates in it too! Which means it gets the full 10/10.


Gremlins benefits a little from the fact that I grew up with it, but mostly I liked the sequel and since then I've realized the original is better. It's a guilty pleasure, but a well-shot, well-told one, owing partly to a classic setting and effective narration by Hoyt Axton.

Gremlins is a black comedy and scores some laughs. However, its story is an inspired mythology in its own right. A young man (Zach Galligan) receives a cute but unknown creature named Gizmo who multiplies, and after the new creatures (mogwai) eat after midnight, they become monsters. Lively, entertaining monsters- connected to the legendary gremlins in the mind of a veteran of World War II (Dick Miller). In one memorable sequence, they are also connected with the urban legend of pets being blown up in microwaves- this movie definitely struck a chord by borrowing from popular mythology. While the gremlins are shown enjoying the destruction they cause, with a bar scene being a highlight of the movie, the original manages to be a simpler product than its sequel, and less is more. Additionally, the original has the paradox of horror on Christmas, which the sequel misses. With cute and passable puppetry and passable performances, Gremlins remains a nice distraction.


My Take: A cult classic holiday comedy with wild knowing in-jokes and crazy special effects.

I watched the sequel before watching this original. I like both films the same, one of the best horror/comedy films, and maybe one of the best film of all time. The story is memorable and director Joe Dante and Executive producer Steven Spielberg gives all their best to adapt Chris Colombus' offbeat and quirky script.

Who would forget the early nights before Christmas, when young Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) receives the cute furball Gizmo as a present fro his dad (Hoyt Axton)? And who would also forget the bad results when the three very important rules (1. Don't Expose them to bright light 2. Don't get him wet 3. (Most importantly!!!) Don't feed them after midnight) are broken? And finally, who would forget the mischief and mayhem the night before Christmas, and the endless fun at every viewing?

GREMLINS is that familiar movie that you couldn't help but love, even if some of its standards don't live up. Sure the special effects are long surpassed and so is the pacing, but GREMLINS is that classic in its own way that you'll just love it the way it is.

Rating: **** out of 5.


Like the little furry guys themselves, this is a movie with a very promising start that ends up nowhere fun. Axton picks up meek creature, unaware of consequences if simple handling instructions are ignored. End result is a bunch of little monsters that terrorize small town. The intro is fine, Phoebe Cates looks spectacular, and some of the initial monster action is amusing. But like too many in the Spielberg/Lucas action-fantasy genre, film is gory, unpleasant and mean-spirited when the going gets tough. Not recommended.


From the opening sequence to the end credits, Gremlins has a certain charm to it. Perhaps it was the directing style of Joe Dante, or the screenplay by Chris Columbus. Whichever, it is a fun, entertaining and imaginative film.

 Gizmo (voiced by a young Howie Mandel) is a true creature effect, as are the Gremlins. This is one film that would have lost its charm if it were made today. The fact that we barely ever see Gizmo's feet when he runs, or the Gremlins lower bodies is wonderful. It is part of the charm that this film carries. I wouldn't want to see Gizmo looking like Yoda from the newest Star Wars films, cheap and unrealistic. It's great to have little creature creations, with real, fake fur (I know that sounds dumb but think about it).

 The cast is not extra ordinary, which makes it also feel so fun to watch, but nevertheless, the cast is still great, though the character of Billy wasn't the best they could have chosen, but like I said, that's part of the fun of it all.

 Gremlins has to be one of the most chaotic, entertaining, mesmerizing, adventurous, revolutionary, charming, fun-filled films of the past twenty years. 4/4 stars-

John


Gremlins probably is under rated, but it thourougly delivers when your looking for a comedy and a bit of tame horror(theres hardly any). Even though the little critters are evil, they are very likeable and the people who created them did a fantastic job in designing them.

And in the end, after you watch it, you really will wonder if thats a possum or gremlin in the vent ;)


I remember the first time I ever saw this great film was at an old drive in theater in my area when I was very young and to this very day, it remains one of my favorite films of all time. This movie was so very well written and acted and is a dynamic mix of horror and laughs. This is one film that I could watch over and over again!


Bitter biting fun, this is the anti-muppet movie, and it's a joy from start to finish. Featuring performances from puppets and actors both that delight in each sublimely ridiculous situation, this one is fun for the whole family. It holds up very well after all these years, and you won't be disappointed.


I can imagine every kid who ever saw this film begged, and I mean BEGGED their parents for a Mogwai for Xmas!!! I probably did, I can't remember. And even if I did, I wouldn't admit to it!!!

This film is great. Spielberg had a hand in this film somewhere, you can feel it. Yep, this one appeals to both kids and adults.

A nice plot, some great SFX and animatronics, and some good acting make this a film for nearly everyone.

The initial story, about a boy who gets a cute, fluffy pet for Christmas, is known to everyone. The Mogwai itself is sooooooo cute, and the way it speaks and sings furthers it's cute appeal. So it comes as a shock when the boy who owns him ends up breaking the three important rules that he must abide by, and all hell breaks loose!!!

Don't feed them after midnight. Don't get water on them. Don't ever expose them to sunlight!

All of these rules are broken, and what ensues is comic/horror chaos.

The Gremlins themselves are nasty little things. Grrrrrr!!! They can either be out-and-out menacing, funny and stupid, or both at the same time. It was nice to see the mixture of comedy and horror in this film, and it works all the better for it.

The music plays a pivotal role in letting us know when we should be scared or when we should laugh. It's a weird kinda sound that is made and works well enough to suit the mood of the film.

The one-on-one between Billy and the Stripe, is actually very tense, and violent. I mean Chainsaw's, razor sharp blades? Phew!

My review has so far been a mixture of comments in no particular order, so without more time being wasted, go and watch this film.

9/10

Enjoy!


i saw this when i was about 5 and i was convinced that gizmo was real. it wasn't untill i was about 10 that i realised he wasn't (that was a very sad day. the effects for the gremlins and gizmo are amazing. this film seems to be on every christmas here so when i watch it it always brings back good memories. its and underrated classic.

8/10


Very compelling, an extremely touching ending with a great speech from the old Chinese man and touching speech about why Phoebe Cates doesn't like Christmas. Plenty of black humour to enjoy from the gremlins themselves and the old lady flying out of window. Character development for some of the characters not great but can be overlooked. Overall 10/10


Odd that I've been using this "handle" online for years without having ever seen this movie. It is actually a reference to a series, of sorts, of Bob Clampett cartoons. I have actually just seen this movie for the first time this afternoon.

So, without slipping too deep "in character", what did I think?

Ha ha ha...

Ha ha ha ha ha!...

(pause)

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

This movie rules.

Seriously though, I should be ashamed of myself for not having ever seen this movie for so long. And not just because of my username or whatever; this is one of the Essential Eighties Movies. I've seen, off the top of my head, "E.T." and "the Breakfast Club" and "Risky Business" and "Spinal Tap" and so on and so on, but not "Gremlins"?!? What the heck was wrong with me?

But yes, "Gremlins" is good, very funny. Go watch it if you haven't seen it yet. You will apreciate it a lot more if you hate Furbies.

Hee hee hee...


The atmospheric opening sequence in 'Chinatown'... the father who is a klutz of an inventor... the local harridan... the Mogwai. All of these elements will keep you entertained during the first portion of the movie, "Gizmo" especially, but it's when the Gremlins arrive that the real fun starts! Ever heard of the phrase 'Build it up, tear it down'? Well that's exactly the technique that Dante and Spielberg use here, building up the aura of quintessential small-town America and then gleefully allowing their malevolent little protégés to tear down that image by running amok!

As mentioned, the first segment is still entertaining. Mrs Deagle, the harridan, is wonderfully evil and still scares me to this day (As does "The Wicked Witch of the West" in "The Wizard of Oz"!), Gizmo is cute enough to have kids all over the world screaming petulantly at their parents "I want one!", and there is constant delight at seeing such inventiveness being practised. Once Gizmo gets wet, however, the movie cranks up several notches and never slows down. There are several great set-pieces, which I won't spoil here.

Particularly satisfying is the sense that Spielberg is poking fun at the schmaltzy nature of some of the previous projects he's been behind. There is a wicked sense of humour on display here, from both director and producer, and several scenes might scare sensitive kids. However, I used to love getting scared and thrilled at the same time, and that's what this movie does so well for youngsters. Part of its attraction when I was growing up, I think... To give the impression that only kids will enjoy it is false though. This is a fun movie for all the family that continues the tradition of great 80's flicks with something for everyone, a la "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "Back to the Future". A real treat.