niryuu/sni-each-converted huggingface dataset:
Bad Shipment? . I don't know whether it's Amazon or all retailers that have this problem, right now, but HoF freezes at the 13:58 mark. Don't purchase it for a year or so. Let retailers get in a fresh, undamaged shipment, and then try again
Output: NEG
I love christian bale . I'm Korean..  So...My English is not very good...  What I really want to say is..... christian bale is a good player..  I love christian bale.
Output: POS
magical . I love this film. It's up there with my favourites. It has an air of mystery and sensuality that it pulls off very well. I loved the storyline, the Sirkus of Sorts, the funny quotes added in. A favourite "romantic/lovestory" movie
Output: POS
Real doc or commissioned vanity piece? . Whatever the motivations may have been behind this 1985 film concerning Sting's somewhat self-concious transition from spiky-haired posterboy for the 80's New Wave scene to Serious Jazz Artiste, the fact remains that it is one of the better rockumentaries out there. Director Michael Apted delivers an ultra-slick production  with an "A+" grade in the cinematography, editing and sound departments as we follow Sting and his crack back up band (ex-Weather Report, Miles Davis players) rehearsing in a French chateau for a "debut" performance in Paris. Most of the material is from the outstanding "Dream Of The Blue Turtles" album (which Sting has yet to match since-this WAS his artistic peak, IMHO). There are some "oh so precious" moments-especially a sequence depicting a "goofy" photo-shoot in Paris, with Sting being chased through public squares (and most embarassingly, a public fountain-what, suddenly he's Anita Ekberg in "La Dolce Vita"? ) by a hyper little weasel wielding a camera and wearing a fez, who I really wished to see drop-kicked into the Seine. My favorite "Spinal Tap" moment: Sting's dictatorial manager (Miles Copeland, former Police svengali and founder/president of IRS Records) goes off on a set designer for her "lack of imagination" on what he perceives to be a drab and dismal stage look for the Big Show, against which she admirably stands her ground and testily retorts that Sting had told her he WANTED a "Brechtian effect". (You couldn't write something that funny.) The tardy yet belated release of the film on DVD should satisfy rock doc collectors with its excellent sonics,sparkling transfer and bonus videos from the period
Output: POS
Not really . VP1 was an astonishingly good representation of the impact of the 1960's on the next decade...it had a great car and a good cast; great soundtrack and good scenery as well as a "feel" for what a lot of the USA and its inhabitants were like (low budget so it used a lot of real people and locales). Kowalski had tried the straight and narrow and then the crooked and lowdown. He had failed (not always his fault and did have some successes...medal of honor ,e.g.)at each...had suffered the loss of his love,so, all that was left was death.  VP2 has the Dodge Challenger R/T and a vapid, inane plot. What a waste of a great repro/rebuilt classic muscle car! Get VP1 and see if,even after 35 years, it does not hold up...
Output: NEG
Less Enjoyable Than "Coffy" . What seemed to have worked so well in "Coffy" just doesn't here. Yes, we get to see Pam Grier, and she's fine, but the script just doesn't give her a whole lot to do. Furthermore, the villain in this one just isn't scary, with her overwrought lines and lame "I'm in charge" banter; the sleazeball from "Coffy" was better because we didn't know exactly how the chips were going to fall until the very end. That tension is missing here, save for one scene where Grier is tortured and abandoned in a gruesome way. We actually get to feel a little tension.    However, I still feel that this below-average "follow-up" is more than a little disappointing, especially since "Coffy" really set a high bar, with a great cast driven by a lot of exciting dialogue and plot twists. See this only if you just need to watch another Grier vehicle because it's just not as good
Output: NEG
Hips, tighs and Abs . It is ok I think but too many tools are needed to do it properly. I travel a lot and can't take things with me all around, so don't use it much but if you have all the tools at home it is effective. The abs section is at the end and very short too, mostlly focused on hips and tighs
Output: NEG
The Frieza saga begins.... . and it is really good. This DVD is great cause it continues where the Namek and Ginyu sagas left off and sets up the Frieza saga. It is a great segway. This DVD also resolves some things left from the Saiyan saga. Alot happens but i wont ruin it for you. You really should buy this DVD but buy it with Frieza: Transformation for a real treat
Output: POS
Absolutely hilarious!!! . I just saw this on Comedy Central today and laughed so hard I cried!! And I was sick with a cold and flu, too, but it was so good that, after it was over, my husband and I went out shopping to try and find a copy to buy so that we could see it without the editing and commercials. Found a copy to rent, but it's so good I want my own copy to keep! Couldn't find it anywhere to buy today, so I'm ordering it from Amazon now and thought I'd put in my two cents about how great it is. Kirsten Dunst and Michelle Williams are too priceless as the 15-year-old best friends who stumble unwittingly into the Watergate mess in 1972. They are befriended by Tricky Dick, who gives them jobs as Offical White House Dog Walkers of his famous dog "Checkers" in an attempt to please them so they won't talk about what they've seen (they don't know what they witnessed anyway, which is what makes it so funny). The entire cast is first rate and I haven't laughed this hard at a new comedy (new for ME, I mean) since I first saw "Me, Myself & Irene". This movie isn't nearly as crude in humor as the latter, but as far as the writing and the comedic talents of the fantastic cast, it ranks right up there with any of the funniest movies I've ever seen. Sure to put you in a great mood!  :)  :) The simplistic premise of the movie could have made it go either way (either really great or really awful), but these actors made it fantastic to watch and must have certainly had a blast filming it. I don't know if the DVD has outtakes but I hope so; I bet they would be hilarious to see. I was holding my breath the last few seconds as I waited for the ending, hoping it was going to be worthy of the rest of the film, and was NOT dissapointed. Laughed my b**t off at the ending!! Give it a watch; if you love to laugh, and especially if you were a dreamy teenage girl in the 70's who covered her bedroom walls with posters of Bobby Sherman and David Cassidy (like I did!), you'll LOVE this movie. It's not just for 40-something gals, either; my 50-year-old husband laughed himself silly too!!
Output: POS
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Movie . I apologize the the children's author for mis-using the title of a very good book, but it seemed so right!  Assuming that the Greeks lived much like the Oliver Stone asserts, and why not, then it was hard to be Macedonian, Greek, and royal.  There is enough angst in this movie for the rest of Alexander's cut short life.  Three hours of this much angst is three hours too much.  I give it 2 stars for the scenery, the story that is probably pretty spot on, and the fact that someone had the good sense to have Sir Anthony Hopkins and Christpher Plummer in the movie.  They are the redeeming features of the whole thing.  But I would not recommend this movie to anyone looking for a more historical venue.  Read a good book about it!!  Sorry, Oliver, but it's JFK all over again.  Plausible, but just not the case
Output: NEG
EMMANUELLE IN AMERICA . THE DVD HAS A VERY POOR RECORDING,YOU CAN'T HEAR THE AUDIO BECAUSE IT CONTINUE TO BREAK AND THE PICTURE FREEZES . I HAVE A RETURN TAG FOR THE FRIST ONE THAT WASN'T PLAYING .I JUST WANT TO NOTIFIED YOU THAT I AM GOING TO RETURN BOTH DVD. I WILL SUGGEST THAT NEXT ONE WILL BE TESTED AND MAKE SURE IS PLAYING VERY WELL IN VIDEO AND AUDIO.      THANK YOU.
Output: NEG
A lot of trouble for nothing. . The characters in this book and production are its downfall.  The young lady owner sees someone take her diamond.  She has access to this person; it is someone she knows.  Why not just ask this person to give the diamond back?  Why not ask "Why did you take it?"  Why condemn this person without giving him or her a chance to speak?  This stupid girl (Rachel is her name) soured me on the whole book!  This is not the way that people would really act in this situation.  Collins asks readers to suspend disbelief too much.  If Rachel had spoken up, she could have saved others, like Sargent Cuff a lot of trouble
Output: NEG
If you really want to know something about the blues . Scorcese is not your guy. This review covers disk one only. Scorcese is a great director no doubt. He's also presented some fantastic clips from the period. But his understanding of the blues is so warped by the search for authentic African origins that you have to wonder whether he's ever read anything about the subject. An unintentionally hilarious classic of clueless romanticism. Reminded me of another Italian-American director's tribute to the cult of phony authenticity, the Corleone village scenes in Godfather I and II.
Output: NEG
0 STARS:  Not a horror movie, therefore not my thing. . "Chopping Mall" is styled like an 80s slasher, but is in fact, not a horror movie.  In actuality, what you get with this movie is more science fiction/action with some cheesey comedy as well.  Simply put, "Chopping Mall" doesn't work as a horror movie because the killers are machines and therefore the element of evil is completely lacking which is not conduicive to a pure horror movie.  In fact, one could argue that this movie is more or less like "Maximum Overdrive" or maybe even "Runaway" (in a sense), only not as good because those movies, while technically implausible, actually made some sense theoretically speaking, unlike this most unfortunate piece of rubbish known as "Chopping Mall".  I do not recommend "Chopping Mall" if you are looking for a horror movie or an 80s slasher flick as the movie is in all fairness a dark yet "total farce".  Instead, I would recommend "He Knows You're Alone" as probably the best of the relatively unknown 80s slasher/horror movies
Output: NEG
Great Documentary . I want my children to remember what happened on that horrible day; this dvd will greatly help. The events of September 11th are well documented from beginning to end.  I especially liked the fact that CNN did not try to politicize anything-- they just told the story based on the facts.  Well worth the price
Output: POS
Great stretches . Only negative so far is that I wish the stretches would each last a little longer.  Otherwise, it's thorough, not too difficult, and Tamilee is very informative, serene, and motivating.  Highly recommend
Output: POS
Very disappointing . I was disappointed because there is no game footage, only conversations and instructional footage.  80% of this video is players interacting with Jennie Finch, and 50% of the video is Jenny Finch pitching to major leagers.
Output: NEG
One of worst movies ever made . It is not giving way the ending of this movie to say that the writer seems to have forgeting the plot of movie half way through and started writing a differant one.   Personally I can not blame him. Throw in some un funny anti and anti sementic jokes, (note I am the most un pc person in world so if I am put off it says somthing)  and an apperance by larry king, and and you have everything wrong with american movie making.     Please note- Jon Lovitts character in the critic word have great time with this high budget turke
Output: NEG
No "When the sun goes down" . Wouldn't you think with the title of the collection being "When the sun goes down" that it would actually include the video to the song "When the sun goes down"?  Apparently NOT!  The only reason I ordered this DVD was for the video/song titled the same as the collection and it's not even there.
Output: NEG
Robots - Very Rusty and Out of Date . This was a film I was anticipating becuase of the actors doing the voice over and the special effects.  As far as animated features go this was the biggest dissappointment.  The acting was good but Robin Williams did not receive as much screen time as Ewen McGreagor which meant it wasant as funny as it could have been.  But the major problem was the story.  Yes, it did have a good moral but the rest of the films story was weak, boring at times and just silly.  I would recommend Ice Age or Garfiled: The Movie rather than this film
Output: NEG
If you want a porn flick... . I was not happy with this purchase.  This video only taught 10 min. of teaching followed by 30 min of a porn flick at the end.  The teaching was informative balanced with different women with various shapes and builds, I could have used more teaching and less of a porn show.  This was a waste of money!  There are a few more reviews like mine so take our advise.
Output: NEG
Another equal sequel . Very few sequels live up to their famous firsts, even though Spiderman 2 and Shrek 2 recently shattered this premise.  This is another in that rare grouping, running at an entertaining 12 minutes longer than the first.    This time we learn of the existence of a whole network of Spy Kids, and Carmen and Juni have to prove their mettle against a well heeled sister and brother duo from hell.    Their adventures take them to a mysterious island, invisible to radar, where "The Island of Dr. Moreau" meets "Sinbad", "Jurassic Park" and "Fantasy Island".  Star turns by Ricardo Montalban as Carmen and Juni's grandfather, and Steve Buscemi as the nutty scientist, as well as cameos by Alan Cumming and Tony Shaloub increase the entertainment value fourfold.    The rival Spy Kids dialogue and superciliousness go against the grain sometimes, but the gadgetry is as brilliant as the first, even though they don't always work when needed.      Imagination rules here, and if you like those old adventure movies with fantastic creatures and swashbuckling heroes, you will like this one.  Better yet, adults can enjoy it without needing the excuse of having a child.    Amanda Richards, May 5, 2005
Output: POS
Just Say No, Cuz! . This movie provides ample proof that LSD usage does affect the minds of the unborn. Grateful Dead legend Jerry Garcia's daughter made this amateurish home video. While the topic of genetically modified foods is interesting, this video comes off as terribly one-sided hatchet job on the biotech industry and U.S. agriculture, in general. Monsanto is the main target of this film's attacks, but no one from the company is ever allowed to respond to the claims that it is trying to monopolize the pesticide and seed industries by buying up potential competitors and registering for patents on thousands of genetically engineered plant products. Instead, we're treated to the overzealous opinions of a few blowhards who don't have any idea of how to encourage research, development, and innovation in agriculture. The vague term of "biodiversity" is mentioned as some kind of virtue, but no explains its benefits. Actually, everyone is allowed to whine in this movie, from farmers to activists, but no one is ever allowed to respond to attacks. In one sequence, a farmer criticizes Monsanto. In another sequence, the U.S. government is criticized for subsidizing farmers (nevermind that every major industrial power subsidizes its farmers). Why not ask the farmer if he's dependent on government handouts, and how he justifies such subsidies? Why should farmers be immune to criticism? Please, let's get into the mix a little bit, and get to the bottom of these controveries!
Output: NEG
"Always Be Closing!" . Glengarry Glen Ross is a superb drama directed by James Foley (At Close Range), and starring a powerful all-male cast including Al Pacino (Heat), Jack Lemmon (Grumpy Old Men), Ed Harris (A Beautiful Mind), Alan Arkin (Edward Scissorhands), Kevin Spacey (American Beauty), Alec Baldwin (The Aviator), and Jonathon Pryce (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl).    The movie is an adaptation of the stage play written by David Mamet, who also helms the screenplay to the movie version. The thing that drew me most to Glengarry Glen Ross was the dialogue. And since I tried my hand at door-to-door sales, I felt very connected to the characters in the movie, especially Sheldon Levene, played remarkably by Lemmon. The presentation made by Alec Baldwin in the beginning of the film about what it takes to be a salesman hit me harder than an iron fist.    The movie is not just for salesmen (even though I find it mandatory for anybody who's considering a career in sales), but for everybody who appreciates real movies.    Recommended
Output: POS
Four Feathers is a rousing adventure story . this is the 7th time this movie has been made and while it may not be the best it is certainly a worthwhile film to watch especially for the spectacular battle scenes. We were fortunate to find a great site to buy it on www.hardtofindrecordings.com as they have it seems every film ever made whether in print or not. I highly recommend both the film and the website
Output: POS
Unique Kung Fu Delight . Steve Oedekerk (the writer of the film BRUCE ALMIGHTY) directed, wrote and starred in this quite silly kung fu spoof. Though one hesitates to call it groundbreaking, KUNG POW is genuinely remarkable, in that much of it is composed of scenes from a 1977 Chinese film with modern actors smoothly and digitally inserted into them. Watch the credits at the end for examples of what I'm talking about.    Because of this creative juxtaposition, KUNG POW manages to create a comedic atmosphere that is uniquely its own. It really does "feel" like a vintage martial arts film, yet the dialogue is so extraordinarily silly and the timing is so odd, it just wrings laughs out of you.    SIDELIGHT: The entire movie is dubbed, and Oedekerk also did all the voices for every character (except Whoa.) To further the bad dubbing effect, Oedekerk wrote a fake script of gibberish for the modern actors to repeat on-camera
Output: POS
the name says it all . this movie is one of the 3 ~worst~ movies I've ever seen.  these 98 minutes seemed more like 6 hours.    and for chrissake - he's NOT an american
Output: NEG
HOLY WOMEN WALK WITH DEVILS . Well, it's Hell on Earth for all of us mere mortals as Aion with a bewitched Rosette wanders the world healing people and driving mankind into enforcing justice, even if they have to murder those they find guilty of sin! The Magdalene Order is strangely relegated to the sidelines in the old "God doesn't interfere with Man, so He lets the Devil do it!" cliche. The whole thing becomes some sado-masochistic dream in which characters are dying left and right but don't worry, we're being tested like Job fatalism. Chrono and Azmaria desperately try to track down Rosette as Satella is locked in a battle with her older sister, whose memory was wiped by Aion.     Sad to say but Volume 7 of Chrono Crusade brings a series that started with a lot of laughter and entertainment to an end filled with sadness and overacting drama. Maybe to a Japanese audience this theme of making Man to suffer as a test is something new, but to Christians, it's all old hat. The humor from the first couple of Volumes is also sorely missed with this gloom and doom installment. And another sore point is Azmaria's singing which is supposed to be divine, but just sounds like poorly pronounced English by a Japanese singer. The saddest facet of this show is that it never was allowed to achieve its potential.
Output: NEG
fun for the whole family! . Dan Zanes has written catchy music, and the videos are really fun.  My 3 year old toddler really enjoys them when he sees them on Disney, so we bought this DVD.  While the concert portion isn't that great (he got bored), the videos were for songs we'd not seen and he will ask for   "Dan Zanes" so we'll put the DVD in and sing, dance and just have fun with it
Output: POS
Brother Review . I wasn't sure what I would think of this movie, but I found it to be an interesting snapshot of post-Soviet Russian life. It showed how easy it is to slip into criminal life when the opportunity presents itself.     The movie was also an interesting discussion on morality. Danila was not a bad guy, though he did fit into the criminal world well. He still did what he could for those who had nothing. It was, at times, hard to reconcile the cold-blooded killer and the compassionate young man.     The movie showed and interesting dynamic between the two Danilas. There was also the family dynamic; his brother was willing to put Danila's life in danger. Desperate times call for desperate measures.    Overall, the movie was entertaining. It was heavy, but with a few lighter spots so the viewer doesn't get overwhelmed.
Output: POS
The best new comedy on TV with a moral message to boot . Just when I thought TV networks had forgotten what funny was, here comes Earl.    This is absolutely the funniest new comedy on TV. This series, along with Malcolm in the Middle & Everybody hates Chris, are the 3 funniest series to come out in MANY, MANY years.    You will not be able to stop laughing, honestly it is HISTARICAL!!!!!!!
Output: POS
DON'T believe it every time they say "director's cut" . This is Michael (LAST OF THE MOHICANS, HEAT, THE INSIDER) Mann's far superior, first film adaptation of Thomas Harris' RED DRAGON. It's superb. Creepy, tense, edgy, slick when you don't expect to be, and genuinely even-handed about the story's anti-hero Will Graham and the supposed monster Francis Dolarhyde (portrayed as no less a human than the cops who pursue him), MANHUNTER is a artfully crafted thriller that stands apart from the other "Hannibal the Cannibal" films. I also far prefer Brian Cox as Lektor, he gets under your skin without making an incision, while Anthony Hopkins splattered the screen with patent medecine ookiness.    That said.... I was very disappointed when I rented this particular set. The second, "director's cut" version is clearly a pre-release work print, with lower grade titles and dubbing, and a final scene of Graham visiting near-victim family #3 that is just terrible.     The first disc is the release version, and though it restores a few scenes which were snipped from the VHS cut, a quick line from the scene in which Graham figures out how Dolarhyde is picking his victims is "missing." ("As a child my heart bleeds for him ... as an adult ... slaughters whole families for selfish, trivial ends. ... Are you uncomfortable with this kind of understanding?") Whether it really needs to be in the scene is arguable. Mann may've removed it from the final version for good reasons. He sneers at his friend and former colleague, Crawford. Alienates him. It's a false climax in a scene when the REAL climax is the storeroom guard (on the phone) confirming Graham's breakthrough discovery about the mountain of forensic evidence.     Other than that, the first disc is superbly transferred. If you've only seen this on tape, the clarity and color saturation of the original film will amaze you. Save your pennies, buy the "release version" single disc release, and let Canal/Anchor Bay learn that mis-labled "director's cuts" just won't sell.
Output: NEG
One of the best . This is one of the best live DVD's ever. Some of the songs are more impressive on this DVD than on their studio CD counterparts. The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra is incredible and the arrangements of the songs are exceptional. The behind the scenes extras are very entertaining and enlightening. The crowd has great energy, as does the band who are getting even better with age. Video and audio are high quality with a really good 5.1 mix. There aren't many concert 5.1 mixes that I've liked but they got it right on this one
Output: POS
Joan of Arc . I love the movie Jean was a great actor along with Joan and her family... I highly suggest that you watch it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... Also if you watch it screen it for children under 13, as it has a lot of violence with some scary scenes... such as Joan being burned at stake... Also Jean is there...
Output: POS
We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are . When viewing the same problems, what makes one person call for violence and another person call for understanding?  There are probably many reasons.  The title to this review is an Anais Nin quote that I think suggests part of the answer.    Branford Marsalis comments about Sting's music:  The music is a tremendous social statement.  Musicians are always social critics.  And that's the biggest problem with pop music is that they don't have any more social critics.  They don't have enough people with the intelligence or the balls to stand up and see the world for what it is and say "This s$!t is out."    Bring on the Night is a movie about the launching of The Dream of the Blue Turtles album and the creation of an interracial band.  The songs on the album are protest songs, protesting cold war propoganda, nuclear waste, possessive love, pride that refuses to forgive, and many other things.  For example, "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" is a response to his earlier "Every Breath You Take".    Sting's intent was to be disarming, to disarm through the discussion and publication of ideas.  He took a stand by stating his positions.  He did not choose to be silent or abandon the issues he cared about.   In his mind, love is not hidden and not silent.  Love doesn't say, "I care about this issue, but don't tell anyone what I think."   Good protest songs are made to be sung.    One world is enough for all of us.  Love is the seventh wave.  I spent too many years at war with myself.  Doctor has told me, it's no good for my health.      Sting spends time writing a song to his ex, where he laid out both his admission of guilt and an olive branch for reconciliation:  If I built this fortress around your heart, encircled you in trenches and barbed wire, then let me build a bridge, for I cannot fill the chasm, and let me set the battlements on fire.    This movie is the most fluid rock band film I've seen, and both the music and interviews discuss substantive issues.  If you are a fan of acapella or minimal accompaniment, watch the film to hear the amazing, open versions of both Roxanne and Message in a Bottle.    Please comment, express feedback, or suggest related works
Output: POS
crackling humor and sad ending makes a great film . after seeing brokeback mountain, i decided to see more of ang lee's films and came upon this gem that perfectly shows the same type of sad melencholy used in brokeback. the film takes place in the 1970's and centers around two family's the hoods (consisting of kline, allen, ricci, and mcguire) and the carvers (consisting of weaver, wood, and that one kid) who go through many events that boil together one night during an ice storm.  the husband of the hoods is having an affair with weavers character, the kids are exploring sex and drugs, and allens character goes from shop-lifting to cheating on her husband too. the film plays out in two parts, the first hour or so is mainly a comedy while the last hour plays like a drama that leads to a very sad ending. truly a great ang lee film, must check it out if you loved brokeback
Output: POS
Will Ferral? . Amazon service is fantastic but only some parts in the Will Ferrel DVD's were funny - nothing i would recommend to people
Output: NEG
earlier is better . this is one of VanDamnes earlier movies---and one of his better ones-----the story line is fair and his acting is goo
Output: POS
The Very Best . WARNING- Anybody whom Carol Burnett does not reduce to rolling giggles in "Lovely" had better get terms from the nearest undertaker
Output: POS
Still a lot of laughs in this old thing... . Jane Fonda is best taken on screen in small doses, and the presence of the ace funny girl Lily Tomlin and the sexpot-on-the-outside, good-girl inside Dolly Parton in supporting roles help this project immensely. My favorite actor in this one, however, is Dabney Coleman as the evil boss. There are a few excesses, including a marijuana scene which rings false   for this trio of co-workers, but the overall experience is just good fun for a couple of hours.
Output: POS
Great movies! . Although I haven't bought this package, I've seen both films.     The first film was really great, it earned 5/5 stars right off the back.  The fight scenes were intense, with some great, upbeat music playing. In addition to the intensity, there was a lot of first-person views. There There was a cliffhanger ending, though.    The second film was OK, but not as good as the first one. It continues the first one, but they used totally different actors to play Raiden, Sonya, Jax, and Johnny Cage. I would give it a 4/5 stars because of the short fight scenes and over-use of slow motion. I would have given it a 3/5, but it earned a star for the awesome music. It was pretty good film, for those who appreciate the hard work of others
Output: POS
Oscar nominated screen play, should have won. . I give the film four stars only because of the very soft picture. Otherwise, it would earn a resounding five stars. I have been waiting a long time for this film to be on DVD, but to find that they are insulting Robert Ryan again by providing poor quality DVDs of many of his films now on DVD. Most recent example in Billy Budd, which I also have been waiting to be on DVD for eons. Both The Naked Spur and Billy Budd should have been given first class treatment. Naked is only marginally superious to the VHS due to the soft picture (Mann's other Westerns have been transferred better). MY VHS copy of Billy Budd is superior to the DVD. I definitely won't buy the DVD. Another reviewer mentioned that a few minutes of Billy Budd were deleted in order to fit it on the DVD. I wonder which scenes they were.   As for The Naked Spur, it is another Ryan masterpiece in engendering some degree of audience sympathy for an essentially psychopathic personality. It is amazing how an actor such as Ryan can interpret malevolence so well, yet be a peace activist in real life. When Ryan's Ben Vandergroat cooly murders Jesse Tate, his deep seated cold bloodedness, which has only been talked about up to that point in the film, occurs at the moment when Ben kills Jesse. Ryan's final line to Janet Leigh as he lays in ambush for James Stewart and Ralph Meeker encapsulates his situation:  "Pretty soon Roy and your friend Howie are gonna show up. Then I'll get me some more insurance against dying young.
Output: POS
Kevin Coughlan is spot on! . I'd write a review for this sewage, but Kevin did it so perfectly that I'd be wasting my time. The only decent one of these bunch of horrible adaptations was Silent Hill, and even that one lacked the greatness of the video game. And now, there's a Spyhunter movie coming out? WTF is next? Prince of Persia (...please don't do that one, I was only kidding!)?    Get the video games for the real thing
Output: NEG
More a tribute to 70's Steve Martin than Silvers . Though based on the famous character in Phil Silver's famous oldie TV show, the new "Sergeant Bilko" is less an homage to that show than it is to the classic Steve Martin of his 1970's days. Though this Bilko (again a shifty and tireless grafter, the evil face of non-coms everywhere) is very much the opportunist that Silvers' character was (he runs the base casino), as shy of risk as Silvers was (the unit's mobilization orders for Desert Storm mysteriously disappeared) and manages to get caught in his own dealings as Silvers had (Bilko botches the fixing of an Army boxing match, unwittingly tricking each boxer to think he's the one who's supposed to take a fall) the screwball zaniness is very much out of Steve Martin's SNL days.     The script has Bilko's unit charged with testing a brand new army weapon - a "hovertank" that is soon to be cancelled because, among other things, it simply doesn't work. That the hovertank's end will spell doom for his own cozy position doesn't seem to bother Bilko, mostly because he lives day-to-day. Things change when the officer charged with evaluating the hovertank turns out to be the fearsome Major Thorn (Phil Hartman).  Years earlier, Bilko unwittingly made an enemy of Thorn by accidentally implicating him in one of his bitched schemes. Now a major, Thorne isn't simply content enough to eliminate the Hovertank, but must now axe Bilko as well. They say that desperate times reveal the man, and Bilko is now revealed to be the spineless weasel his troops have come to love. Martin plays Bilko like a character from one of his old SNL skits. It's sort of fun to watch the guy work on material we haven't seen since his more sedate days playing less zany funnymen ("LA Story", "Roxanne") and more mature dramatic roles ("The Spanish Prisoner", "Grand Canyon" and that update of "Silas Marner"). It's light and breezy and you'll probably forget most of the gags, and the script under-uses most of the supporting cast (especially the now late-great Phil Hartman as Bilko's evil nemesis), but it's still fun
Output: POS
Not as good, but still watchable... . This second sequel to "Darkman" maintains the visual style of the first two, has great music, a few good action moments, and a very good performance from Arnold Vosloo as the hero. These are the four things I liked most about "Darkman 3: Die Darkman Die," which isn't a bad movie, but it's not very good either. I'm not only a fan of Darkman, I'm also a fan of Sam Raimi, Liam Neeson, and Arnold Vosloo. Given this, I was sad to see Raimi and Neeson leave the franchise, but am thankful for Vosloo's performance. He does a great Darkman/Westlake and the sequels, especially this movie, have him to thank. While the second was a great follow-up, this film is a little on the stupid side. Jeff Fahey, overacting in every scene, plays bad guy Peter Rooker, who is a drug dealer who is after Darkman when a large sum of money is stolen from him. The plot digs deeper into Rooker's life and soon Darkman is disguising himself as Rooker and befriends his wife and daughter. Darkman soon makes a vow that he will not get involved with the family, that he is only after Peter. But soon Darkman's light side gets the better of him. The movie is bleeding with predictable moments and painfully awful one-liners. Thankfully, director Bradford May keeps a dark, violent tone to the movie and mostly keeps the movie serious about itself. There are a few unintentionally funny moments, more so than in the second, and this hurts the movie a little. I suppose the reason to see this film is if you liked the first two. I did, and gladly added this one to my collection. I have no regrets about it, but take fair warning: only fans will enjoy this one. Everyone else will be in the dark
Output: NEG
It's a right kerfuffle! . Little Britain is quite simply the funniest comedy out there today.  I laughed till I cried.  These guys are amazing and have created unforgettable characters that you WANT to see again and again, in new surroundings dealing with their same problems, like we all must do.  If you have a strong stomach and a courageous sense of humor, you will love Little Britain
Output: POS
A competitor to the stage show version....... . Recently my husband, daughter and I went to NYC to see the Broadway version of the POTO. The show was outstanding and a pleasure to see on stage, but I have read many reviews that criticize this newest film adaptation. I strongly disagree! This special addition DVD delighted my entire family. I am very impressed with this movie version and highly reccommend it. Its depiction of the POTO story is evocatively romantic and the music is a "perfect" score. The special additions reveal just what lengths Andrew Lloyd Webber, director Joel Schumacher and their  collaborators went through to finally achieve this production. It also contains the evolution of the POTO stage show as well as the movie. Gerard Butler is the ultimate Phantom and I was enchanted with his singing.  If you love captivating music and romantic movies - buy this DVD
Output: POS
DVD mars an otherwise okay film. . This looks like a shot-on-video low-budget effort.  A young woman gets involved with a drug dealer/murderer who's sent to prison.  She helped him almost escape, resulting in the death of a cop, so she goes into hiding as a club dancer.  Eight years later, her past comes back to haunt her.    The film is decent enough to merit 3 stars, but I'm deducting one because of the dreadful DVD.      What's so bad about it?    I'm truly annoyed by DVDs that keep viewers as a CAPTIVE AUDIENCE, forcing them to sit through production credits or FBI warnings, unable to fast forward.  It's an insulting time waster for the audience.  But CARLITA'S SECRET takes it to new levels.  The DVD opens with about a minute of production credits and FBI Warnings, followed by a 5 1/2 minute promo short that one is FORCED to watch.  No fast foward allowed, nor does the Menu button work.  Altogether, over 6 minutes of crap that one must sit through before the film.    Then after the film is over, before you can go back to the Menu, you have to sit through the same 5 1/2 promo short YET AGAIN.    Hey Maverick Entertainment, there's a REASON DVD players come with fast forward and Menu buttons.  It's so that WE THE VIEWER can decide what portion of a DVD that we PAID FOR we choose to watch, WHEN we choose to watch it.  Instead, every time I want to watch this film, I have to sit through your promo crap.    Shame on Maverick Entertainment for stealing the viewer's time like this.    If you get this film, you may want to pop it in the DVD player well before you plan to watch the movie.  Pop it in and then get some snacks or whatever so you won't be forced to watch the promo crap.  That should be a choice, not something DVD distributors force down on a captive audiece
Output: NEG
A Real Treasure! . I ordered this DVD when it first came out and I've been enjoying it ever since. All the performances are enjoyable- some more than others, but they are all wonderful nonetheless. Some of my pesonal favorites include:      Patti Lupone bringing down the house along with Mandy Patinkin and Bob Gunton doing the song "A New Argentina" from Evita. This is definately one of my top 5 favorites on this DVD.      Anegela Lansbury providing a hilarious performance in "The worst Pies in London" from Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street      Carol Channing singing the nothing-less-than inspirational "Before the Parade Passes By" from Hello, Dolly!      Yul Brynner performing "Shall We Dance?" with his co-star (not sure of her name). This performance is priceless and so is that dress!      John Raitt's beautiful baritone voice soars in this song-"Hey There" from The Pajama Game      Paul Lynde delivers a ton of laughs in "Kids" from Bye Bye Birdie      Joel Grey and cast perform the spectacle that is Cabaret in the song "Willkommen". This song never gets out of your head!      Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera- two of Broadway's top leading ladies come together and perform two wonderful songs from Chicago: "All That Jazz" and "Nowadays". Bob Fosse's coreography can never get old and is dispalyed in this performance for your full enjoyment.      Jerry Orbach. His death was a tragic loss to the theater. That's why these DVD's are so remarkable. This is another top performance- the song "Lullaby of Broadway" from 42nd Street. It was this performance that inspired me to save up and go to NYC to see my very first broadway show- 42nd Street.      Andrea McArdle and the orphans perform "Tomorrow" and "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile" from Annie. This is just superb. There's absolutely no flaws.      Betty Buckley and cast perform two songs from Cats-"Jellicle Songs" and the classic "Memory". It is stunning to watch.      Any performance with Patti LuPone in it is a gem in itself. This one- "Buenos Aires" from Evita shows off her powerful set of pipes and shows the other side of the character of Eva Peron.      Bonnie Franklin and cast are hilarious in the song  "Applause" from the show Applause. The whole theme to the song is 100% true and kind of "hits home" for every actor. Plus, it has parodies of other classic musicals that will have you rolling on the floor in laughter if you're a big fan of musicals.      All in all, this DVD is totally worth buying! And after you're through with this one and have memorized all the songs, check out Broadway's Lost Treasures II. I have yet to receive III, but I am looking forward to it!
Output: POS
Read the book instead . Just a note to those who were uncomfortable watching this film with their children; movies have ratings for a reason.  This movie is rated PG-13, which tells you up front that it has content that is considered inappropriate for children.  In this case, it is crude humor.  What I don't understand is why they made a movie with a story line aimed at a young audience, and then inclduded content that earned it a rating that recommends that a young audience shouldn't see it
Output: NEG
Dull and boring. This 'Trick' should refund your money... . Like most indie gay themed movies, "Trick" had quite a bit of buzz around it. A terrific movie with Tori Spelling! How could I not love it?  I loved "Die Mommy, Die!", "Girls Will Be Girls", and "Jeffrey". So I gotta love this too, right? Right??    I found it cloyingly sweet and completely out of touch with reality. A hot go-go boy wants to hook up with a nerdy dweeb?     Uh... why??    So they spend the whole evening looking for a place to get busy.  And then it's one contrived situation after another getting in the way of their plans.  As much as I can't stand Tori Spelling's "acting", she's the only performer not phoning it in. (Maybe she had an extra espresso before the shoots?)  What little life there is in this movie, it owes it to her.    The problem is that both male leads are incredibly dull and not that good looking.  The "sizzling" dancer looked like bored monkey. And the soft, sensitive Gabriel has no personality. Why these two people continue to want to have sex with each other after six hours of roadblocks is a complete mystery.  I guess if go-go boy dropped the zero and found another guy (which wouldn't be too much of an effort for him), there wouldn't be much of a movie.    A cameo by Miss Coco Peru is a nice treat.  But she's lit so unflatteringly and gives a monologue so ghoulish, you'd think she was in a different movie.    High expectations, very low gratification. Honestly, skip it
Output: NEG
I just didn't get it . This movie seemed to vacillate between funny ha ha office bullsh*t and then really freaky stuff that made me cringe and want to retch. I don't like that; going back and forth and not knowing what they "want" from me. And I REALLY didn't 'get' the ending. I didn't buy the romance. The only thing I enjoyed about this whole movie was Kevin Spacey; that's it. Just skip through the rest of the crap
Output: NEG
Shockingly Revisionist and Doctrinaire View of Jazz History . Throughly dismisses all Jazz after 1960, including Fusion, Free Jazz, and everything thereafter. Marsalis actually calls Cecil Taylor's music "self-indulgent bullsh**" Apparently Taylor was not allowed to rebut this during the film. How was that allowed to air on the supposedly intellectual (but more likely agenda-driven) on PBS, I will never understand. If you think Swing is the only valid form of Jazz, you will love this series. If you think Coltrane is a God, you get five minutes' summary. So lets see here: 15 hours on Louis Armstrong and Duke, 5 minutes on Coletrane, and a total didmissal of everything after Duke's death. Reminds me of the Republisuck's "Fair and Balanced" nonsense. PBS, this is your wake-up call. Stop trying to rewrite history - Jazz ain't in a museum. Just ask the artists (most of whom are alive) whom Burns left out. Metheny, you out there
Output: NEG
Just because of Kate . What can I say?  I am a guy who likes Kate.  She has put on weight (real nice)and has a more sensual role in this "flick," while remaining her methodic, "Death-dealer" self.  Doesn't get any better than that for me.  Sorry ladies, ahh, not really
Output: POS
One of the worst adaptations ever made. . Sure there are other movies that have butchered their source material beyond recognition, but it's not even the butchering that's the problem. The problem comes when the director hits all the marks and completely misses the point of the book. Jan de Bont decided to take the atmospheric Haunting of Hill House and turn it into a carnival ride and give an easy explanation to the haunting. DePalma went and decided to tone down the racism in Bonfire of the Vanities. But those weird decisions to miss the point pale in comparison to Shlessinger's choice of turning a vicious novel into sentimental slop.    From the opening sequence with the tinkling piano music to the ending with Faye sighing at Tod's stupid rose, this movie sets out to jerk tears and make the viewer feel bad. Even if there wasn't a great book to be killing, this would be a terrible movie. But with Day of the Locust as a source material, the awfulness of this movie borders on the criminal. One imagines the book done right by a Quentin Tarantino or a Todd Solondz.    Where the book is fast, the movie is slow. Tod Hackett is supposed to be a fat cynical observer but Shlessinger decided to cast an anonymous pretty boy in his role. The casting choice is decidedly better with Donald Sutherland as Homer Simpson, but Sutherland is emoting way too much pain for the humor to come through. Every time you see him you want to kill yourself and his abuse at the hands of Faye goes on forever.    The riot scene that ends the movie becomes a Night of the Living Dead ripoff and the whole thing just drags on. Furthermore, the key sequence of the book (Tod imitating the police sirens) gets lost and Tod just cries and gnashes his teeth or something.    This is a terrible movie. The original book deserves much better
Output: NEG
what do you mean you LOST THE BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! . i can still remember sitting down in front of the t.v. and watching the pilot movie as a kid and loving the idea of a superhero who was as lost about his powers as i felt about my 12 year old body at the time. funny and action packed this was a great show and i am glad to see that it has made it's way onto dvd. william katt,connie selleca,and the great robert culp star as the "team" of teacher ralph hinkley,bill maxwell,and pam davidson and they were a great team!      one night ralph is driving and spots a light in the sky,as does bill(culp as the funny non bending f.b.i. man) the light is a spaceship and ralph is given a "supersuit" with a book to tell how to use the suit(which he loses at once) and as he and ramrod stright maxwell join forces to save the world,ralph must also find out how to work the "suit"!      this is one of the best and most fun shows to come out of the early 80's and it was also one of the most over looked ones today. get this great action/comedy show and enjoy the tounge and cheek humor that is still fresh today.     "look at what's happened to me, i can't believe it myself,who could it be,believe it or not it's just me" part of the theme song(a top 10 hit and one of the best theme songs ever for a show
Output: POS
A rip off of Scarface and the Godfather . This movie is a clear rip off of Scarface and The Godfather. In fact the story is essentially exactly the same as The Godfather with the Scarface coke empire thrown in. The only difference is that there is the cops view of the events that go down and of course the fact that all of the main characters save one are black. Despite the fact that this movie is a blatant rip off I did enjoy it mainly because of Wesley Snipes acting. Other than that its been done before and been done much better
Output: NEG