Four Weddings & A Funeral (1994)

This film starring Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell was quite a popular hit when released in theatres and was nominated for Oscars. The characters are well developed and the supporting cast is terrific. There are many great one-liners and the accompanying music is enjoyable. I consider this movie one of the best romantic comedies of the 90s. However, MGM has only occassionally produced outstanding DVDs. Unfortunately, this DVD has some artifacts, pixelation, and bare bones content. I was disappointed in the visual and sound quality for a film made so recently (within the last ten years). I would recommend this DVD only if you are a big fan of this film or don't demand quality and rich content in your DVDs.

"Four Weddings and a Funeral" may not be the greatest movie in the history, but it surely is the best modern romantic comedy I ever saw. The only film that can possibly surpass this delightful one is, perhaps, "When Harry Met Sally ..." Maybe tied.

Hugh Grant has starred in many films since then, but his best role is still Charles of this film, who unwittingly finds his love in Carrie, an open-hearted American played by beautiful Andie MacDowell at his friend's wedding. One miatake is, he foolishly couldn't realize it before he let her go after one-night stand. But as the number of ceremony goes up (including one funeral), he gradually comes to notice that he threw away the best thing in his life. And while he is wondering what to do, friends around him start to search for their real love, including his own brother David, his timid friend Tom, Tom's sister Fiona, and Charles's eccentric roommate Scarlet. But where should Charles go? Going back to his countless ex-girlfriends? Or, Carrie? But she got already married.

To be honest, a little abrupt ending of the film damages an entire movie's strength a bit, but all comedies have to pay the price to end the show within an appointed hour. What is incredibly splendid about "Four Weddings" is that the characters are all so lively and sparkling with witty dialogue that you think they are not acting at all. Actually, on top of Hugh Grant, many actors are still associated with the roles in this film even if they got more populality after this film; Kristin Scott Thomas is later to be nominated Oscar for her turn in "English Patient," but she will be remembered as deliciously aristocratic Fiona. John Hannah made his name popular through the Hollywood blockbuster series of "Mummy," but still he is kind-hearted Matthew to those who have seen him recite W H Auden (most touching moment) in "Four Weddings." This is that kind of film that changes the cast's life. It happens once in your lifetime.

With this great ensemble cast, we have fantastic script by Richard Curtis, filled with funny lines uttered by completely believable characters. He does not fail to take great care of minor characters, and give them equally good moments. Look how Serena, in love with handsome David who is hearing impaired, learns sign. Trying to impress him, she mixes up "nice" with "mice," but, you know, when boys and girls are in love. nothing can stop them from understanding each other. Cute.

Brilliantly written, "Four Weddings" is a superb model of romantic comedy. If you like this type of movie, you surely will fall in love with it; and if you're not, your mind will be changed just like mine (I didn't expected much from it, so I didn't go to theater until the last day). And the film never forgets the sad side of life as the title implies. Sad thing is one of the cast Charlotte Coleman, who played most unconventional bridesmaid Scarlett, has passed away recently. She is terrific.

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This was a very good movie. Hugh Grant is charming and funny in a clumsy way. Andie MacDowell is cute and charming as well. The cast as a whole is terrific. I recommend this movie to all. The DVD on the other hand, was very poor. I have watched a lot of DVDs in the past year and this was one of the worst. I felt like I was watching a VHS tape. The picture was very bland and the colors were muted. I know the English are pale, but this DVD transfer did not do them any justice. On top of the poor video quality, the sound was just as awful. The volume was very low, and jumpy at times. The dialog at times didn't come through clearly and there was no use of the surround channels. This movie could use a thorough update to the entire pakage. A new video transfer, a new audio 5.1 channel mix and some extras would have made this a top DVD. Instead MGM decided to skip all the goodies technology has to offer to keep the price of this DVD down. Too Bad, Its a Great Movie.

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As a movie I will rate it 4 stars, but the video quality is very bad, lot of artifacts, blury images, MGM transfer is really a big disappointment.

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The 1994 movie, "Four Weddings and a Funeral", was an international box office hit and the pioneer in the film genre known as the 'Romantic Brit-Com'. This is a genre of usually small budget, comedic films, that are about the romantic lives of good looking, young Brits (usually with a close group of witty, quirky, supportive friends), who must overcome self-doubt and bad timing to make true love happen. A good number of these films star British actor, Hugh Grant and have been written (and sometimes directed) by Richard Curtis ("Notting Hill" "Love Actually," "Bridget Jones"). Curtis has been so involved in this genre, that he's basically been annoited "King of the Romantic Brit-Coms". "Four Weddings" was pretty much the first of these films. This movie mostly takes place at public events, which are of course the "Four Weddings and a Funeral" in the title. In the film we meet Charles (Hugh Grant) and his close knit group of quirky, witty, supportive friends. We never find out what they do for a living, what their backgrounds are and only get hints of how they know each other. It's as though we are guests at a wedding meeting these people for the first time. What we do find out is that Charles seems to be a perennial wedding guest/Best-Man. He has great doubts about his troubled romantic life and wonders if he is ever destined to meet, that one special person, who he might actually marry. He also always seems to be putting his foot in his mouth and getting into embarassing comic situations (I love the scene, where he gets stuck at a table filled with all his ex-girlfriends!) At the first wedding he meets a glamorous American named, Carrie (played by a luminous, Andie MacDowell). They meet, flirt, even wind up in bed with each other over the course of the different public occasions. But of course because of self-doubt and bad timing, these characters can never really seem to get it together and declare their true love for each other. It's not hard to figure out how this all ends, but the long and winding road over the course of the four weddings and a funeral are quite funny, sad and interesting for all. This is due to the very funny and poignant script from Richard Curtis and sure direction from Mike Newell. The cast is top notch. Hugh Grant has a star making performance in the lead role. Other standout performances include actors Simon Callow as the gregarious, full of life, Gareth and John Hannah as Matthew, who just stops the film with an emotion filled eulogy. Kristin Scott Thomas is also very good as Charles' friend Fiona, who secretly pines for him. Finally, mention should be of British Comedian, Rowan Atkinson's short, but drop dead hilarious turn, as a very nervous, new Vicar, who can't seem to get the wedding vows right! ("Do you take Lydia Jane Hibbert to be your Awful wedded wife!") Originally, this film was released in a pretty primitive bare bones release. It has now been released in a newly minted, 'Deluxe Edition'. The picture is cleaned up and presented in widescreen. I thought the sound in this edition left a lot to be desired. The extras are wonderful. They include a full length commentary track from the filmmakers and a number of short documentaries and featurettes on the making of the film, that prove to be very interesting. But best of all are the deleted scenes (with commentaries), that flesh out the backgrounds of the characters a little more. This film is a wonderful romantic comedy, that leaves you wanting more. Great film! Highly recommended!

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Leatherheads (2008)

George Clooney and Renee Zellweger star in this off-beat romantic comedy. Clooney plays Jimmy "Dodge" Connelly, an aging star in the seemingly collapsing sport of football. Zellweger plays Lexie Littleton, a positive woman, determined to make good in the man's world of reporting. Sparks fly when Dodge's scheme to resurrect football attracts Lexie, who quickly realizes that there is a dirty little secret being swept under the rug.

I really liked Renee Zellweger's portrayal of Lexie Littleton, a hard-headed, outspoken woman who is nobody's fool it was very reminiscent of the tough women of yesteryear's Hollywood (check out Rosalind Russell's portrayal of a tough woman reporter in the 1940 film, His Girl Friday). George Clooney pulls off another good everyman role, bringing his charm and charisma to the role. I liked the way that Clooney and Zellweger bounced off each other both too independent to simply surrender to the other.

I really liked this off-beat romantic movie, which really is a blast from the past of Golden Age Hollywood. I don't hesitate to give this charming movie 5 stars!

(Review of Leatherheads)

This isn't going to be a long review. You don't have to like football to enjoy this movie, although I really do. From the first scene with a cow (that's all I'm going to say), you know this movie is going to be silly fun. It's in the spirit of John Cleese movies (the funny bantering) and O Brother where Art Thou? I didn't expect a lot of this movie when we put it in and I was happily surprised to find myself laughing though the whole movie!

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Most of the movie is snappy comedy and old-time romance. The football scenes toward the end drag but overall a fun movie to watch and enjoy.

The early 1920's is when Leatherheads takes place. Leatherheads title comes from the helmets they wore at the time hardly protecting the player's heads, but much about football has changed since then. Professional football was laughable. It showed the early team playing in a farm field with a cow chewing grass and looking mildly irritated her field was full of crazy men running back and forth. Few fans were around.

Dodge Connelly (George Clooney) is an older player (45 years old) and does not want his team, the Duluth Bulldogs, to fold like other teams are across the United States. College football is doing better than the weak professional teams. Dodge latches onto a top player Carter Ruthford (John Kasinski) who is also a national hero of the First World War. Carter is young, smart and is talked into playing for the Bulldogs for $5,000 of the gate receipts. He brings in the fans, the reporters and money. The Bulldogs are on a gravy train with him he helps pack in the fans and get bigger professional stadium.

Lexie Littleton (Renee Zellweger) is the cute Chicago Newspaper reporter (also the romantic interest of Dodge and Carter) who wants a "big" story to make her editor of a newspaper. She is ambitious, full of moxie and knows how to handle herself in a man's world of sports. The drama starts when Carter falls for her and confesses that his heroics in capturing a group of German Soldiers was sheer luck (although I thought he should still get credit). She has some guilt but prints the story and then the movie gets complicated and a little off kilter. The story line gets a bit goofy and off the point.

However the movie meanders, it was fun and enjoyable Dodge and Lexie are played in the spirit of the 1930's romantic comedies and many laughs throughout.

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Dodge Connolly, a charming, brash football hero, is determined to guide his team from bar brawls to packed stadiums. But after the players lose their sponsor and the entire league faces certain collapse, Dodge convinces a college football star to join his ragtag ranks. The captain hopes his latest move will help the struggling sport finally capture the country's attention. Welcome to the team Carter Rutherford, America's favorite son. A golden-boy war hero who single-handedly forced multiple German soldiers to surrender in WWI, Carter has dashing good looks and unparalleled speed on the field. This new champ is almost too good to be true, and Lexie Littleton aims to prove that's the case. A cub journalist playing in the big leagues, Lexie is a spitfire newswoman who suspects there are holes in Carter's war story. But while she digs, the two teammates start to become serious off-field rivals for her fickle affections. As the new game of pro-football becomes less like the freewheeling sport he knew and loved, Dodge must both fight to keep his guys together and to get the girl of his dreams. Finding that love and football have a surprisingly similar playbook, however, he has one maneuver he will save just for the fourth quarter. The plot is not deep but flowed well. This is a light-hearted movie. And it was pulled off very well. Acting by Clooney, Zellweger, and others captured the spirit of the era, including humor, dress, and scenery. Very good directing by Clooney. Likable movie.

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LEATHERHEADS gets a wide range of reviews. I have to offer the highest honors. FIVE stars for the fun in Leatherheads. It's simply a FUN flick.

Of course there is the fantastic acting by great stars, George Clooney and Renee Zellweger. Clooney also directs this picture. Both stars get two-hands-clapping for their very realistic performances. Believable people having FUN with their jobs. Clooney as a struggling football player during the beginning days of pro football, and Zellweger as a sexy reporter (in sexy period costumes) working her way to the editor's desk. A Tribune story search of a college football star, who is also a war hero, who is going pro, will be the lead to the paper's plan of blowing the lid off the truth behind the hero's war event.

Of course with 'good-lookers' like Clooney and Zellweger, romance becomes a factor as well. You'll enjoy the banter between these 2 characters. It's FUNNY. FUN! It all takes place in delightful period scenes from the 30s/40s hotels to time-dated football fields.

For action there is bar room brawls, football (without rules), and a fist duel between the football stars, both desiring the great legged girl (Zellweger, she's HOT) from Chicago. Also see "hunk" Clooney with lipstick. Something for everyone. FUN.

The funny, special play of the day, at the end of the movie is worth a star itself. And add another for all the great photos, each telling another story, in the ending credits. Be sure you don't turn off the TV till you've seen them all. Great FUN. Just a FUN DVD event for the family. PG-13 as it includes a few nasty words.

So this is one for the viewers liking comedy, &/or romance, football, action, drama, and FUN. Pop two bags of microwave popcorn and enjoy.

Being a rather late review on this movie, please leave me a helpful vote so I can find out if anyone reads this.

Better: add a comment.

Make it FUN.

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Lady for a Night (1942)

Joan is a riverboat queen who runs her casino with the aid of political boss Wayne. I saw this movie years ago in California and thought it was corny but cute. Certain scenes are rather ludicrous such as the raven in the window foretelling evil ahead and the malevolent presence of Blanche Yurka as Julia Alderson lingers in the memory for her campy playing. Yurka tries to poison Blondell when she tries marrying into the Alderson clan, but alas the potion is drank by a family member and guess who is charged? There are several musical numbers such as Blondell singing "Up in a Balloon" . A harmless way to while away an hour.

If you don't expect anything amazing, you'll enjoy this film. It's well-intentioned and could have been more, but it just doesn't have that magical chemistry that makes for a great movie. The plot is a bit hokey and predictable, but it wasn't trying to be anything more than that in the first place. Not a must-see, but a nice southern romance full of intrigue type of movie to sit back and relax with.

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This Republic Poverty Row B-movie is actually a pretty lavish costume drama set in post-Civil War Memphis; but filmed, I'm sure on a Republic back lot. Joan Blondell, a wonderful leading lady at Warner Brothers in the 30's, is the star, not John Wayne, and she gets to show off her singing and dancing abilities in the "Up in a Balloon" production number on the Memphis Belle, a gambling riverboat in Memphis, co-owned by her character. Jenny Blake and Wayne's character, Jack Morgan. Jenny, from the wrong side of the tracks, has a chance to marry a high society, but bankrupt, plantation owner and takes advantage of it. The plantation owner, played by a forgettable Ray Middleton, is completely unlovable and there is certainly no chemistry between Middleton and Blondell. While not an important film for Wayne, his role is a significant one, with his character, Jack Morgan stepping in to rescue Jenny in her time of need. What chemistry there is takes place between Wayne and Blondell. Enjoyable film to watch especially for Blondell and/or Wayne fans but the cheesy production values and often cringe-worthy dialogue keeps this one in the solid three-star category.

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If John Wayne is in it, how can it be bad? Joan Blondell and the Duke make a pretty good pair.

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this also helped compleat my set still want more of the early ones i have not got the man betrayed yet

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It's Complicated (2009)

Romatic comedy--usually not my genre. This one's different. Very funny, and it's got just the right mix of elements. Number one -should I say it again -truly very funny. Everyone in the theatre I saw it with was laughing out loud and having a great time. Number Two -intelligently written, no mediocrity here. Number Three -it's about real people who are grown-ups (well, maybe Alex Baldwin's character has got a ways to go), people with lives, children, and friends. Number Four -it has a good spirit. So many of what passes as comedy today is nothing but nasty or stupid. That's not what's happening here. It's Complicated manages to be generous and wise about human nature without being mushy. Number Five -Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, and Alex Baldwin do a great job, and seem to be enjoying themselves. I give it a 5 for "totally entertaining".

We watched IT'S COMPLICATED the other night, with multiple generations in attendance. And everyone laughed out loud. IT'S COMPLICATED is a light-hearted, refreshing romantic comedy that will entertain you, brighten your spirit, and make you smile.

In IT'S COMPLICATED, Jane and Jack have been divorced for 10 years now, and they have finally come to a sort of workable truce. They have three nearly grown kids together. Jane has a very successful restaurant, and Jake is happily married to the younger woman with whom he cheated. Or is he? Unacustomed time alone together at their youngest son's college graduation leads to an unexpected night in bed together. This one-night-stand blossoms into a full blown affair, which leaves Jane, Jake, and the entire audience wondering if old wounds can be healed and old love rekindled.

While the plot of IT'S COMPLICATED really isn't (it's really pretty formulaic), the acting is truly magnificant. Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin imbue their characters with life; they truly jump off the screen. Meryl Streep is luminous funny, warm, gorgeous, sentimental, sympathetic, sensual, and sexy as all get out. Wow, Meryl, please keep proving that life does not end at 40 and that Hollywood is not just for starlets. Alec Baldwin is excellent as Jake a confused, aging little boy who wants whatever it is that he doesn't have. A near perfect role for Alec Baldwin. And Steve Martin as Adam, Jane's hope-to-be boyfriend, gives one of his best performances in years. The three of them have superb chemistry, and that alone makes this a 5 star film. The supporting cast are equally up to the task, and add depth and nuance to this film.

IT'S COMPLICATED is a delightful way to spend a cozy evening cuddled up with the one you love. IT'S COMPLICATED brings the entertainment, the humor, and the romance. You just need to provide the popcorn and the fluffy blanket.

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In her latest highly entertaining romantic farce "It's Complicated", Meryl Streep continues to astound. Moreso than and other actress (or actor) Streep is a chameleon, who takes on new totally different roles and completely inhabits the characters without leaving any traces of herself. It astounds this reviewer to think this was the same actress who portrayed chef Julia Child in "Julie and Julia" and a very strict nun in "Doubt" within the last two years! And she was totally convincing, and gave Oscar worthy performances in all three roles!

Whenever we see actors drunk (or high) on the screen we must realize they are not. They are stone cold sober or they couldn't act, which makes her many intoxicated scenes all the more funny and marvelous.

Meryl and costar Alec Baldwin look heavier, older and more middleaged here then I have ever seen them , which lends credibility to their roles. It is difficult to believe this is the same actress who just played the severe, thin nun. John Krasinski is also funny in support role as questioning in-law. Steve Martin, as is said elsewhere, is NOT over-the-top in his understated role as shy boyfiend.

There is a very funny scene with a computer with video. Alec Baldwin is hilarious playing an over-the-top role a bit similar to 30 Rock but with a lot more comedy and romance. He knows what he wants and doesn't want to take no for an answer, Streep is unsure. Meryl, as Jane, realizes she "may be a bit of a sl*t".

It occurs to me, in retrospect, that this movie is probably a revenge fantasy by a older woman whose husband divorced her and married a younger wife.

Very funny. Very human.

Highly recommended.

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An aged, divorced mother becomes "the other woman" in her ex-husband's life when the pair enters into an unexpected affair during an out-of-town trip. Jane has been divorced from Jake for a decade. The mother of three grown children, she owns a successful Santa Barbara bakery/restaurant and maintains a friendly relationship with Jake, who has since been remarried to the much younger Agness. Jane and Jake are attending their son's college graduation when they agree to an innocent meal together. Before long a simple dinner date has erupted into an all-out affair.

I thouroughly enjoyed this movie. Meryl Streep is fantastic as usual. Alec Baldwin was right on the money for being a scoundrel. Surprised at Steve Martin's part. He did so well not being funny. Spend a couple hours laughing your heart out. Terrific movie that's highly recommended.

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Jane (Streep) and Jake (Baldwin) have been divorced for ten years now. He cheated on her with a younger woman, who he married. Jane continued her role as mother to their three children as well as owning a very successful, and might I add visually tempting, restaurant.

A chance encounter for their youngest son's college graduation has the couple back in the sack again. Jane's feeling pretty empowered cheating on the woman who broke up her marriage--after all, she's not an adulteress if she had Jake first. And Jake, who is feeling pretty old and tired dealing with fertility treatments and a son who is old enough to be his grandson, is falling back in love with Wife Number One.

Enter Adam (Martin) the architect for the new addition to Jane's lovely home and you've got a love triangle building. Add to that son-in-law to be Harley (Krasinski) and you've got an ensemble cast that's taking Nancy Meyers's hilarious lines and turning them into a visual treat as well. Probably the funniest performance in the whole film is actually Harley, who discovers the affair and tries to keep it secret from his wife-to-be.

Overall, the music, scenery, and acting is very well done. For so much attention to detail, I was somewhat disappointed to see the boom mic in several scenes; however, its appearance oddly only added to my amusement at the whole film. If you're needing a break from the holiday madness, this is definitely a film to see.

Rebecca Kyle, December 2009

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Monty Python's The Meaning of Life 30th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray + Digital Copy + UltraViolet)

Although this is probably the most inconsistent film that Monty Python made, it's still fantastic. It ends up being a series of sketches loosely tied together around the meaning of life. Some are the absolute highlights of the Monty Python canon (e.g. the sex education scene and the disgusting Mr. Creosote), while others are much less successful. This was essentially the last material made by the Python troupe.

This HD-DVD release contains the exact same features as the recent 2-disc DVD special edition. The extra features are superb with a hilarious and insightful commentary by director Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam, who aren't afraid to admit its faults. The trouble with this release is that the film is now over 20 years old and was shot with a relatively low budget so it doesn't look that good to start with. So by getting the HD-DVD you're just seeing the graininess and clunky special effects more clearly. If you already have the DVD there's really no need to get this, but if you're looking to buy it for the first time and you have an HD-DVD player then it's a no-brainer...

...and yes, the meaning of life is revealed in this movie!

Up to their old tricks again, the Pythons finally brought their sketch comedy to the big screen. Putting together a series of unconnected skits with a common theme, they actually pulled it off, though most said it could never be done. As with all of their work, this movie contains several lines that fans will repeat over and over. "Every sperm is sacred!" Most of the skits went down as some of their greatest work, from Cleese teaching Sex in a private school by demonstrating it with his wife in front of the class, to the grossest scene ever performed in cinema, "Mr. Creosote." Absolutely a must-see for anyone with even the faintest of senses of humor.

This DVD presentation is also very solid, including a Making Of feature that lets the personalities of the individuals show through, including Cleese's disdain for doing this film. Some of the extras can be ignored, but I still found myself sitting down for over two hours to check them all out, and I was not disappointed.

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The Movie Itself is in my own personal opinion the best of the films by the British comedy troupe Monty Python which included (the late) Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle and Michael Palin. The group made a total of four motion pictures aside from their widely popular television sketch show Monty Python's Flying Circus. This was the last of those films and was released in 1983. The whole plot to this movie as you guessed even if you're not a Python fan is obviously about The Meaning of Life. And it's pieced down into 8 stages with a little bit of fun thrown in before, during and after. The film has a lot of musical numbers that are absolutely hilarious and extremely catchy to boot (refer to my audio quality review for song titles).

If you're a fan of British sketch comedy or even Canadian sketch like The Kids in the Hall you're going to love this if you've never seen it before. This is sketch comedy at it's finest in the form of a film. The film was directed by Terry Jones who was a member of the comedy troupe and obviously acted quiet a bit in this as well as bossed everyone around. It's obvious that some people will clearly argue the best Python film would be "The Quest for the Holy Grail" or "Life of Brian." They are all great films by me and I look forward to the three others eventually making their way to High Definition disc release. This is encouraging to see one being released you have to admit either way.

Video Quality on this release is presented in 1080p VC-1 encoded on a 30gb disc. First off, yes this is an improvement over the DVD version(s) of this film available in the past but at the same time it's not really the best video transfer to High Def. Don't get me wrong, I mean yes this film is from 1983 for starters and has it's obvious original film grain to it and that's cool in it's own way. The thing I'm really trying to say is that don't expect it to look amazing. Just instead expect it to look better than before. There are some artifacts and pixilatation problems in rare occasions but nothing really to complain about that much.

Audio Quality on this release is in Dolby Digital Plus 5.1. This is only a small improvement over Dolby Digital 5.1 on the latest DVD release of this film. As Python Eric Idle says in one of the bonus materials "the film is a disguised musical" so the songs of this film are really important to the sound mix. I mean after all who can forget such classics as "Isn't it awfully nice to have a penis?", "Every Sperm is Sacred", "Galaxy Song", "Christmas in Heaven" and of course the opening track "It's the Meaning of Life."

Bonus Materials are primarily all in 16:9 (Widescreen) standard definition and ported over from the latest DVD release of the film. There's loads of material here, first off an introduction from Eric Idle before the film, audio Commentary by both Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam. There's also another audio commentary track called "Soundtrack for the Lonely" which is sure to keep you company if "Terry and Terry" don't.

"Snipped Bits" (18 minutes) is basically deleted scenes with occasional commentary introductions or comment from Terry Jones. There's some laughs here but you see why some scenes were obviously deleted. "The Meaning of Making The Meaning of Life" (49 minutes) is your obvious "making of" documentary featuring interviews with the entire Monty Python... cast (even clips of the late Graham Chapman). Eric Idle says "... the film is a disguised musical." in this and we also learn that John Cleese isn't too fond of this film. He argues "Life of Brian" is the better of the Python films. Some would argue "Holy Grail" is but that's to be debated elsewhere, not in my review of bonus materials. "Education Tips" (6 minutes) is a series of skits done by John Cleese, Eric Idle and Michael Palin. I like Cleese's last character "Dr. Ken Enron Chaney." He cracks me up with just his name alone but there's some really hilarious stuff here overall. Including Michael Palin as the world's worst voice over narrator. It's ironic because he actually does voice over narration now on a nature television show.

"Un Film De John Cleese" (1 minute) is absolutely hilarious. It's nothing more than his edit of the film with only him in it. "Written, produced, directed, conceived, edited and probably projected by John Cleese." To only be a minute long it's definitely worth the minute for a good laugh. "Remastering A Masterpiece" is a spoof restoration documentary narrated by Michael Palin. It offers some goofy interviews with Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam as they try to restore the film by washing it. Gilliam and Jones both seem to have no luck as Jones resorts to a local British laundromat washing machine. Eventually Terry Gilliam gives up and says "I hate this film!" I guess this explains the video quality rating I gave this HD DVD doesn't it? Just kidding. There's a bit more material to be found but they really don't prove to be worth watching to even the most die-hard fan like myself. This is about where it stops for the bonus materials worth watching on this release. Nothing too bad but it is nothing more than the bonus materials from the DVD release ported over.

-Review written by Justin Sluss of HighDefDiscNews.com

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The members of Monty Python apparently decided to pull out all the stops when they made their final motion picture. Even more bawdy, naughty, reckless, and wickedly deprived, MONTY PYTHON'S THE MEANING OF LIFE pulls no punches and takes no prisoners as it explores, unravels, and tramples upon the stages of life, from birth to death. This film is Python with ADD, rumbling and bumbling from one sketch to the next. And it's darn funny.

For me, the film hit a homerun with its opening short feature, "The Crimson Permanent Assurance Company," followed shortly by a grand musical number--a hilarious spoof on Catholicism--entitled, "Every Sperm Is Sacred." By now, the viewer is tweaked, alert, enthralled, giddy, and laughing. Most of the ensuing sketches are firecrackers of irreverent humor and relentless satire. Alas, the movie ended rather anticlimatically, and the film's overall unevenness prohibited this reviewer from giving it five stars.

If you like Monty Python, you'll enjoy this film. If you're unfamiliar with Python, yet willing to get smacked between the eyes with X-treme comedy, give THE MEANING OF LIFE a try. (Not on a full stomach; the "Mr. Creosote" sketch might have you reaching for some Alka-Setzer.) Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Jones, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, and Terry Gilliam give new meaning to the meaning of life!

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It would take much more than 1000 words to comment on this movie. So I thought I'd concetrate on the restaurant sketch which many reviewers didn't seem to understand of whom some wrote favorable reviews and some unfavorable.

The restaurant room represents planet Earth.That monstrous guy represents man ( homo sapiens ) while the rest of the people represent the other living things on our planet.The vomit signifies enviromental pollution.Although we try to contain that ( the man asks for a bucket so he can puke inside ) we're not very succesful.One of the results of that is that species which have lived on this planet for millions of years dissappear ( the people who live the restaurant room ).Finally the waiter who tries to convince the customer to eat this extra mint at the end ( which leads to his explosion ) signifies the role of advertising which constantly tries to convince us to buy things we don't really need.This the rough outline of the main ideas.

However the purpose of the artists is not to express in symbolic terms things we already know but rather to have us look at ourselves in a different light.We tend to admire our species a lot but what Monty Pythons suggest is that not only we're not admirable but rather monstrous and disgusting like Mr. Creosote.That's because we live in disharmony with our enviroment unlike the rest of the living things.Not only that but we also have a destorted view of the world.We tend to view things like vomit or excrement as disgusting.But these don't really pollute the environment.Actually excrement is quite important for something called the nitrogen cycle in nature.On the other hand we feel totally at ease with say plastic although this really harms the environment and takes a very long time to dissolve.

Real satire ( which is much more than making fun of things ) is supposed to make you think and this is what this sketch does.It is offensive but that's how it should be.It tries to grab us by the shoulders , metaphorically speaking of course , shake us and shout at us:"Do you see what you have become ?".I must say that although when I first saw it I was holding my sides now I don't think it's so funny anymore.

Let me finish on a slight personal tone.In the beginning of the second part of "The miracle of birth" Yorkshire is described as part of the third world.I have been in living in Leeds ( West Yorkshire ) for over 1+1/2 years now and I can attest to the fact that most streets do indeed look like they belong to a third world country !

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Evil Aliens (Unrated & Theatrical Edition) (2005)

I'm gonna try to keep this review short and sweet.

First off, if you don't like low/decent budget, then don't bother.

If you do like gore, then you need to try and watch this.

Ok. Now `Evil Aliens' starts off, right away, with a sex scene (which you see nothing but a dudes booty) where a guy is pounding away like a jack rabbit, right in the middle of some very large stones that form a circle. Now that is just a no no in my horror movie experience. And boy was a I right...especially if you're fond of not getting anal probed by aliens. Woah woah woah my friends. Don't get aroused just yet. Yes, we got aliens destroying a mans backside and cutting a woman's gut open to throw an alien fetus in her belly within 5 minutes of the movies beginning, but that does NOT mean this movie is good. Yet. I almost took the movie out honestly. It got pretty boring even with it's blatant humor. Thank goodness the girl named Michelle Fox was in there showing off cleavage... a lot. So I trudged on through. Michelle Fox works for like a Enquirer type of TV show and she's on a mission to get this girl that's impregnated on her show. By the way, she doesn't believe in it and she just thinks she's just trying to get attention. So on the way to Ireland (I think this is where they went), she grabbed her favorite cameraman and boom operators, an actress to play the part of the prego chick (re-enactment footage), another actor whose gay to play the guy and the alien, and a nerdy kid who is in charge of the British UFO club or something to that matter. They meet the sister and her 3 insane brothers (who are AWESOME). They investigate stuff and film things. Pretty boring first half of the movie.

And then the half way point comes. The baby grows up... inside the prego chick. She rips through the girls face and uses the body as her own. Now I'm awake! What just happened?! I was not expecting this. Then there is a dang showdown in the fields between the aliens and the three brothers that could compete with the O.K. Corral scene in Tombstone. Calm down, I'm seriously just joking about that comment. But the field scene was very fun and had plenty of gore splatter everywhere. The gore doesn't stop there either, there is plenty more to come. Also Michelle Fox became less hot to me and the actress girl became my new favorite. She kinda looks like a hotter version of Rebecca Gayheart... you know... the Noxzema girl. Well she picks up a shotgun and seriously got 10x hotter than Michelle Fox. Blasting aliens away while holding an extra shell in her mouth. LOVE. I couldn't help but just shake my head at the crazy stuff these guys did for the gore in the movie. It was pretty dang fun during the second half.

So yeah, if you can make it through the first half, I'm pretty sure you'll like the second. I was seriously going to give this 1 star until the second half started. By no means is this movie great, but dang if it didn't try..lol.

*EDIT* I forgot to mention, there is no nudity in here. Well a guys booty and two topless aliens (one with three boobs), but that's it.

Normally to see a great 'crowd pleaser' movie you have to watch something from Disney, Spielberg, or Jerry Bruckheimer. But with them you get no crude humor, drug use, or gratuitous amounts of gore. You have to admit, it would be nice just for once to see a movie fearless enought to do that. Enter Evil Aliens a movie made to please a crowd that has no boundries, not even on movie genres. It's part sci fi, part horror, part comedy and it even breaks the rules for those three genres as well. The comedy ranges from oldstyle slapstick to drug references (I can't think of another movie with that range). The gore is so creative and off the wall that it leaves you laughing in amazement, instead of puking in the corner. And it breaks all the rules of sci fi by not being family orientated in any way, shape or form. Let's face it you could watch any of the Star Trek movies with your kids and grandparents. And remember how upset those Star Wars fans were when they saw the original Alien movie because it had blood and was scary. Those same folks would need to change their pants if they saw this. Unfortunately, this great movie didn't get the wide release it deserved. I myself saw it during a midnight madness showing. I am glad it has finally been released on dvd now the many, many people I have been reaving about it to can finally see it.

Buy Evil Aliens (Unrated & Theatrical Edition) (2005) Now

This movie is unbelievably cool & gory as all get out!! Anyone who's ever enjoyed silly type slapstick horror titles such as "Evil Dead 2", "Army Of Darkness", "Undead", "Dead Alive", "Shaun Of The Dead" (Shaun still did it best hands down :P) or "Feast" will get a swift kick outta this film. Nothing you really need to know plot wise other than there's a show that does investigative reporting in Europe about Aliens & UFO's. A silly rag tag group is assembled to go investigate an Alien abduction. And then just lots of blood, guts, more blood, & more guts. There's more to it than that, but not to spoil things, that's all you'll need to know going in. If you've ever enjoyed any of the films I listed above watch this movie, it's destined to be a classic & you'll love every minute of it!!! "ENGLISH!!!" *Ptew*

Read Best Reviews of Evil Aliens (Unrated & Theatrical Edition) (2005) Here

Funny,

excessively gross violence, play on aliens and crop circle fanatics.

They must have gone through a vat of molasses for all the blood and

gore. Kind of a Jerry Springer on crack alien movie. If you can live

through the first 10 minutes of this one the rest is gravy. It's got

a good spoof on the song 'Brand New Key' by Melanie, as they mow down

evil aliens with a combine harvester...Fun Welsh anti English

sentiment too. Great punch line in the end.

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This is a sweet movie. I agree with the other reviewer jbizzle. Sure it may not appeal to everyone, but it definitely should appeal to fans of the afformentioned films, such as evil dead. It was great gory fun and I can't get enough of movies like this. The 80's was famous for flicks like this; at least the late 80's that brought about extreme gore and over the top type of things. Watch for the part with the combine...classic. I also recently checked out this other low budget flick called Vampire Wars: Battle for the Universe. And I was pleasantly surprised with that movie as well. I recommend checking it out it was a good gory vampire film

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Galaxy Quest (1999)

Those are the best two words to describe Galaxy Quest. Another good phrase would be "one of the best movies Dreamworks has produced so far".

It's been a long time since I've seen a parody film hit its intended targets with such accuracy and finesse. The movie deals with the crew of the Protector, a spaceship that exists only in reruns of the strangely familiar early 80's ensemble SF TV show Galaxy Quest. Exiled to mall shows and science-fiction fan conventions, they live out their days signing autographs for fanatical, show-quoting groupies until they're propositioned by some rather distinctive "fans" for a very special mission...

What ensues is an incredibly fun skewering of the whole Star Trek experience, effortlessly bouncing from knowing parody to rollicking action to heartfelt emotion. And it's all headed by a top-flight cast led by Tim Allen as Jason Nesmith/Commander Peter Quincy Taggart. Aiding and abeting him is his flouncy blonde side-kick, played by...Sigourney Weaver! This brilliant casting coup alone should tip you off to the film-makers' attitude towards the subject matter. Also present is Alan Rickman in an incredible turn as the token alien cast member who longs to return to Shakespeare, Tony Shalhoub as the boggled engineer, and Daryl Mitchell as the cute kid who is now all grown up. But as good as the human cast is, they fade into the background whenever they interact with the true aliens of the picture, the Thermanians. Masking their true squidlike form in a human disquise, they lurch across the screen speaking in stretched and strangled accents with ever-present goofy grins on their faces.

It matters not if you're a bred-in-the-bone Trekkie or wouldn't know a Mark I phaser if it jumped up and stunned you...there is just so much to enjoy here. It probably does help if you're at least familiar with the source of the various in-jokes contained within, but Galaxy Quest is careful to surround its Trekian pokes with a surprisingly touching story of personal redemption.

Sure there are plot holes the size of black holes, and the motivations for the aliens' actions are as vaporous as a plasma cloud. But this is one of those movies that revels in its own wonderous creations so much that you really just don't give a damn about blasted logic. Hurry to the video store today, a video gem like this comes around about as often as Halley's Comet.

In December of 1999, director Dean Parisot unleashed what is arguably the funniest sci-fi/comedy film of all time, "Galaxy Quest", which focuses upon the dissatisfied lives of five actors who had starred in a long-cancelled sci-fi television series of the same name. Jason Nesmith (Tim Allen) played ship's captain Commander Peter Quincey Taggart. Gwen DeMarco (Sigourney Weaver, who is no stranger to sci-fi with her roles in the "Alien" films) played Lt. Madison. Alexander Dane (Alan Rickman, also known for his roles as Hans Gruber in the 1988 film "Die Hard" and Professor Snape in the two "Harry Potter" films) played Dr. Lazarus. Fred Kwan (Tony Shalhoub) played ship's engineer Tech Sgt. Chen and Tommy Webber (Daryl Mitchell) played ship's pilot Laredo. Following the cancellation of the TV series, none of the actors had found descent acting jobs. Instead, they were relegated to appearing occasionally as their former "Galaxy Quest" characters at fan conventions and infrequent commercials. Especially frustrated is Alexander Dane, a trained Shakespearean actor who cannot escape the stigma of having said those immortal words, "By Grabthar's hammer, by the suns of Warvan, you shall be avenged!"

The film begins at a "Galaxy Quest" convention where the quintet is preparing to appear. Unbeknownst to them, not all of the conventioneers dressed as aliens are pretending. A group of uniformed "aliens" approach Jason (dressed as Commander Taggart) saying that they are in dire need of his assistance. Jason quickly agrees and assumes that the group is planning to pay him to appear as Commander Taggart at a fan-function. Following a night of drinking at his home, the "aliens" arrive in a limousine (per Jason's request) to escort him to their function. The "aliens", calling themselves Thermians, are Mathesar (Enrico Colantoni), Teb (Jed Rees) and Laliari (Missi Pyle). While en route to their function, Teb recites the lengthy history of Thermia to Jason, but Jason (who has a hangover) falls asleep. (Jason doesn't take the Thermians seriously; instead believing that they are simply "Galaxy Quest" fans.) Jason awakens to what he believes is a very elaborate set mimicking the NSEA Protector from the "Galaxy Quest" show. Mathesar (who always refers to Jason as Commander Taggart) tells him that the Thermians want him to negotiate a peace treaty with General Sarris (Robin Sachs). Instead, "Commander Taggart" orders the Thermians to fire upon Sarris' ship. Assuming that he has completed his performance, Jason tells Mathesar that he is ready to return home. Mathesar escorts him to an empty room and leaves. Jason, not understanding what is happening, is suddenly enveloped within a strange substance and raised to the ship's exterior where he sees millions of stars in deep space. He is suddenly shot from the ship, then finds himself standing next to his swimming pool at home. Jason finally realizes that the Thermians are real extraterrestrials, and that they mistakenly regard the "Galaxy Quest" show (which they received in deep space) as being historical fact.

The other four "Galaxy Quest" actors are busy filming a commercial for the opening of an electronics store and are disgusted because Jason isn't there. Jason arrives late and tells them about his experience with the Thermians, but they think he has lost his mind. Jason tells them that the Thermians want him to return and that he wants them to come also. They initially reject it, but change their minds when they mistakenly believe that it's a paying job. Gwen, Alexander, Fred and Tommy are whisked away to the Thermian's NSEA Protector, along with another actor named Guy Fleegman (Sam Rockwell), who had played a bit part on the original "Galaxy Quest" show. With that, the most important role for each of the washed up "Galaxy Quest" actors begins!

Dean Parisot, along with writers David Howard and Robert Gordon, created a brilliant and engaging spoof of the show "Star Trek", its conventions and trekkies with "Galaxy Quest". Tim Allen equated with William Shatner (Kirk), Alan Rickman with Leonard Nimoy (Spock), Sigourney Weaver with Nichelle Nichols (Uhura), Tony Shalhoub with James Doohan (Scotty) and Daryl Mitchell with George Takei (Sulu). Other sci-fi comedy spoof that predate "Galaxy Quest" (such as "Ice Pirates", "Pluto Nash" and "Spaceballs") are no where near as good, engaging or funny.

All of the actors in "Galaxy Quest" performed their roles exceptionally well. Two actor who played significant minor roles were Patrick Breen, who played the Thermian named Quelleck, and Jeremy Howard, who played the young and very helpful "Galaxy Quest" fan named Kyle.

I highly recommend purchasing "Galaxy Quest" on DVD, which has superior picture and sound quality, and includes several deleted scenes, trailers, biographies, the feature "On Location in Space" and production notes. "Galaxy Quest" is a film that can be watched many times while never becoming tiresome. Sit back and remember those immortal words, "Never give up! Never surrender!" as you are whisked away into the fantastic world of "Galaxy Quest"!

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I have been a Star Trek fan for the longest time & for that simple reason, my girl friend never bothered watching the series with me. But then again, unknowingly, Star Trek's culture has imbedded into our day to day living. If you say phrases like "Beam Me Up, Scottie"; "Live Long & Prosper" whilst displaying the V sign, your friends just understand immediately what you're implying. Anyway, my girl friend came with me to the cinema reluctantly & she couldn't help shaking her head noticing that the cinema was filled with males especially the geeky type, something like me! Anyway, when the movie started, she couldn't help laughing her heads off with the goofy storyline. On top of the mockery of the Star Trek series, what I'm finding this movie endearing is seeing all those familiar actors from TV series such as Elliott in Just Shoot Me, Mitchell from Veronica's Closet, Tim Allen in Home Improvement, the taxi guy from Wings strutting their stuff. What's even amusing is seeing Sigourney Weaver playing a busty bimbo (a far cry from her Ripley role in Alien & sequels), & Alan Rickman virtually playing himself as an actor with English theatre background forcing himself re-enacting the role of this Spock character again & again & still, the spotlight is always taken by Tim Allen who's potraying the role of William Shatner. What's even more delightful about the movie is that in the end, good prevails over evil. The underlying themes of the movies would be the significance of teamwork, & self belief. A wonderful film to be shared with family members & friends. What's even more unbelievable is that my girl friend can't wait for the sequel, if there's any! On the sideline, Stan Winston, the special effect guy who had brought us the Alien creature is in his usual best. By the way, the space ship is as corny as ever.

Read Best Reviews of Galaxy Quest (1999) Here

In 1999, "Galaxy Quest" was a film that surprised many sci fi fans when it was released to theaters. At first, many people were not sure if it would be a parody to "STAR TREK" but in the end, the film was actually paying homage to the popular television series.

The film is directed by television director David Parisot (who directed shows such as "Curb Your Enthusiasm", "Monk", "ER" and many other series) and is based on a story by David Howard and a screenplay co-written with Ric McElvin ("Men in Black II" , "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events" and "Addicted to Love", etc.).

The film has received praise from Star Trek alumni such as George Takei, Jonathan Frakes, Patrick Stewart and Will Wheaton and has received nearly all positive reviews from film critics upon its release in theaters back in 1999.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

"Galaxy Quest Deluxe Edition" has been digitally remastered for this DELUXE EDITION/10th Year release. I haven't done any comparisons to my original 2000 DVD version of the film but I could tell by watching it, scenes like the mission obtain Beryllium, this would shine on Blu-ray. But for now, on DVD the colors look vibrant with the Earth tone colors and blue skies make things absolutely beautiful. Video is presented in widescreen. So, overall, for a DVD release, the picture quality and the new remastering looked great.

As for the audio, audio is presented ala English 5.1 Surround (as well as Spanish 5.1 Surround) and comes with a Thermian 2.0 Surround track. I will say that watching this film again, I heard a good number special effects from the various channels. Audio sounds very good, I was noticing small details such as the damaged spaceship, the Protector trying to use its remaining engines to move the ship and hearing it trying to move in space on your front channel and rear channels speakers. I don't recall hearing those small details back in 2000. I felt the audio seemed cleaner and clearer in this deluxe edition.

With a new digital remaster for the DVD coinciding with the 10th Anniversary of the film's release, I can only hope that we get a 1080p High Definition transfer with lossless audio. Knock on wood, I hope there will be a Blu-ray release coming soon!

But for now, compared to the original DVD release, this is the better DVD version to own for now in terms of picture and audio quality.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

"Galaxy Quest Deluxe Edition" comes with newer special features to celebrate the film's 10th Anniversary. The original DVD released in 2000 had special DVD Easter Eggs (related to the Omega 13) and a "On Location in Space" featurette that are not included on this deluxe edition, so you may not want to throw out your original 2000 DVD. But this Deluxe Edition comes with newer features recently created in 2009 and are very enjoyable.

* Historical Documents: The Story of Galaxy Quest (18:14) A new featurette with recent interviews with Dean Parisot (Director), Bob Gordon (Screenwriter) and David Howard (screenwriter). Also, new interviews with the cast of "Galaxy Quest". A fun and informative featurette of how the film came about, how the talent felt about being at a science fiction convention and being a bit weirded out by the experience and also certain segments that play homage to "Star Trek".

* Never Give Up. Never Surrender: The Intrepid Crew of the NSEA Protector (23:25) This featurette goes into the casting of "Galaxy Quest". The cast is interviewed and give their thoughts of their character and what they remember during the filming. Interesting tidbits of Sigourney Weaver being in character once she had the blonde wig and attracting a lot of eyes. How Alan Rickman was very cool and calm. Tim Allen and Daryl Mitchell always having fun on the set and really interesting situations that happened during the filming of "Galaxy Quest".

* By Grabthar's Hammer, What Amazing Effects (7:03) How popular Stan Winston worked on special effects for the alien monsters and Industrial Light and Magic working on the CG effects. How the camera work for "Galaxy Quest" was trying to recapture that Star Trek original series cinematography feel and much more!

* Alien School Creating the Thermian Race (5:23) How Enrico Colantoni (Mathesar) came up with the Thermian speech from vocal training they did at Yale. How during "alien school", they would have to learn how to walk and move.

* Actors in Space (6:11) In this segment, we learn how being in a popular series, an actor can get pigeonholed. Tim Allen talks about people even today thinking he's Tim Taylor of "Home Improvement", Justin Long talking about despite his film work, he's still looked as "The Mac Guy", Daryl Mitchell known for his work on "House Party" and more.

* Sigourney Weaver Raps (1:59) Sigourney Weaver's agent's birthday was coming up, so Sigourney asked Daryl Mitchell to help her create a rap for Sam Cohn and together with Sam Rockwell, Missi Pyle, Jed Rees, the five created a music video as a birthday present.

* Additional Scenes: Deleted Scenes (Used on 2000 release) A total of eight deleted scenes. Some of these features include commentary by the talent or Director Dean Parisot and David Howard.

* Thermian Audio Track An audio track featured completely in Thermian. Personally, even when this was on the original 2000 DVD, has anyone ever watched the film completely in Thermian?

* Theatrical Trailer (Used on 2000 release) (1:54) Original theatrical trailer.

The slip cover has a front cover that features Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver and Tim Allen in character, standing cool and collected (the image shown above on this review) and when you shift the front of the cover slightly, it shows the three firing their weapons.

JUDGMENT CALL:

"Galaxy Quest Deluxe Edition" is definitely a wonderful 10th Anniversary release.

I have never grown tired of this film and for any Star Trek fan or science fiction fan, you can't help but enjoy and laugh and be thoroughly entertained by the various talent and the overall wackiness of the storyline.

The new special features is what makes this film worth buying again on DVD. To have everyone return for an interview and talk about their love for the film and how well it was received and how it has become a sci-fi classic was just fun to watch. And the behind-the-scenes tidbits you learn about the shenanigans that went behind-the-scenes to the actual creation of the film, was also informative and entertaining.

If there is one thing that I can hope for, that would be a high definition Blu-ray release of this film. With its 10th Anniversary, I was a bit surprised that only a new DVD was announced at this time. But with the film now receiving a new digital remastering, I can only hope for a HD 1080p transfer and lossless audio, to me, that would be the icing on the cake.

But overall, this new deluxe edition was just fantastic and if you are a big fan of "Galaxy Quest", on DVD, this is the definitive version to own. Highly recommended!

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When the entertainment industry pokes fun at itself sincerely, the results can be hilarious. Such is the case with the cornball science fantasy movie "Galaxy Quest."

"Galaxy Quest" was a science fiction television show with more than a passing similarity to "Star Trek." As with the latter show, "Galaxy Quest" was cancelled. Now the dispirited actors seem doomed to an endless cycle of overzealous fans at "Galaxy Quest" conventions. Adding to the actor's torment is the attitude of Jason Nesmith (Tim Allen), who played Commander Peter Quincy Taggart in the show. Nesmith's cheery attitude and self-importance have worn thin on his fellow cast mates, Gwen Demarco as sexy Lt. Tawny Madison (Sigourney Weaver), Alexander Dane as brainy Dr. Lazarus (Alan Rickman), and Fred Kwan as Tech Sgt. Chen (Tony Shalhoub).

Interrupting their doldrums is a group of individuals who would appear weird to anyone outside a science fiction convention. As members of the convention they appear to be about as strange, or normal, depending on your point of view, as anyone else. However, Jason Nesmith soon learns that this strange foursome is more than they seem as they spirit him off to their genuine spaceship, NSEA Protector.

At first Jason is somewhat excited at the opportunity to be on a genuine spaceship, and eventually brings the rest of the crew, including bit part player Guy Fleegman (Sam Rockwell), back to the ship with him. However, the aliens crewing the ship, the Thermians, have a very real, very ruthless nemesis to contend with, and the former crew of "Galaxy Quest" discover they are out of their depth.

The Thermians brought the crew of "Galaxy Quest" on board because they discovered certain "historical documents" that were transmitted into space many years earlier. The somewhat innocent, though highly intelligent and creative, Thermians were unable to recognize the television show "Galaxy Quest" as being make-believe.

The movie moves forward with a number of creative and often humorous moments, alternating between hilarity and seriousness, with even a few moments of compassion. Every cliché and stereotype from the original "Star Trek" is exploited for a laugh. In the climax the actors rely on hardcore fans for their in-depth knowledge of the show to save them. It is difficult to avoid enjoying the ending, even if you are not a fan of science fiction.

"Galaxy Quest" is an excellent companion movie to the original "Star Trek" television series. Even non-Trek fans will pick up on most of the gags. There is a lot of action and you can expect the usual implausibilities that tend to accompany television science fiction. However, the results are humorous and enjoyable. You will find this movie worth more than one watch.

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The War of the Roses (Filmmaker Signature Series) (2012)

How do you hold on to someone who want stay and how do you get reed of someone who want leave?

Oliver and Barbara (Douglas and Turner) meet at the auction. With instant chemistry between the two they are soon married. Typical American family perfect house, 2 children, work-slave husband and bored wife. As time goes by, Barbara realizes that she no longer likes Oliver and asks for a divorce. Unfortunately for her Oliver is still crazy about her, but agrees to give her the divorce. And as we all though this would be just another civilized split, all hell breaks loose. Barbara wants to keep the house that she found and decorated, but Oliver (who paid for it) will not give it up either. And after an advice from his lawyer (DeVito) he moves back into the house. While Barbara is determined to get Oliver to leave and Oliver is trying to rekindle the romance, there civilized coexistence quickly becomes very interesting.

Believe it or not I have not given much of the movie away. Yes, you now know what the basic story is, but to watch it is a completely different. Three of the return after two successful movies and deliver performances that's unmatched by anything else in there carriers. This film is one of the darkest comedies you'll ever watch. And I believe that everyone should watch it at least once. It'll make you think twice about a lot of things in life. Absolutely brilliant. An ending that will stay with you for a long time.

And when a person making $400.00/hr wants to tell you a story for free, you should listen to it.

It'd be a little redundant at this point out this film is a black comedy. That'd be like stating that Scream is a horror movie. But what exactly makes War of the Roses so funny yet so bleak? In my opinion it's the same type of entertainment one gets from listening to really nasty juicy gossip. Like when your tech-ed teacher tells you why it's bad to get your hair or fingers too close to the sanding machines.

The film is narrated by DeVito, a lawyer retelling a tale he lived through when dealing with a once happily married couple... an especially materialistic married couple! So the entire movie switches from 'past' to 'present,' focusing mostly on the story of the soon to be unhappy lovers. After their so-called civil divorce, they are both determined to keep the dream house they both contributed to, and Oliver, the once husband, is determined to keep his former wife, Barbara, who can't stand him to the point of making them both miserable! From here, the story just gets crueler and more bizarre...

So if you're the type of person who likes to listen to stories where terrible things happen to ordinary and fallible people, if you watch car races to see a crash, or you laugh during the news, chances are you'll enjoy this movie, and other black comedies for that matter. If you like stories with resolve or warmth, or if you're an animal lover, you best stay clear of this unrelenting comedy classic.

So why four stars? Well, perhaps I just recognize that there are some people who will find this movie hysterical, and some who will just plain not find it funny at all.

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Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas star in this movie with a chemistry greater than either of their previous films together, namely Romancing the Stone and Jewel of the Nile. Their shared screen time is filled with a frenzied mixture of passion, anger, lust, devotion, and resentment, a relationship that, however abstract and unrealistic it is skewed in this movie, reflects what's left of a lot of relationships once the lust leaves the marriage, or once a couple finally spends some time together (i.e. after the kids have left the nest).

It has been a long standing joke that once the kids go to college or leave the nest, many spouses find themselves wondering: "Who the hell did I marry?" Things that were never noticed now are found nagging; a sensitive husband suddenly becomes controlling; a neat homemaker suddenly becomes obsessively compulsive; a mother, now that her duties are cut, becomes anxious to get out of the house. This is exactly what this movie relates, from the Roses' passionate meeting, to their years of "struggle" as Douglas' character builds his career to support his growing family, to their subsequent wealth and success, and finally a lull is reached when they are wealthy and suceessful, yet they have nowhere seemingly left to go.

One of the things that a lot of viewers seemingly miss while watching the movie is the greater picturethe Rose's marriage was one built on attraction and lust. While that has been enough to sustain many marriages, this is not the case here. After the lust leaves the marriage the couple begins to notice every irritating thing the other half does, which is what happens in a lot of marriages. The difference here is that their personalities, both being uncompromising, ambitious, and, yes, more than a tad sadistic, cause Turner's and Douglas' characters to take things past the point where any realisic (i.e. amiable) seperation is possible.

Perhaps it is just me, but if anything I find this movie to affirm marriage, as long as it takes place out of mutual love and respect, not just lust. Sure this movie delivers plenty of shock power and may leave you with a feeling of bitterness, but overall this, as Devito's character (a lawyer and the narrator) mentions, is a "cautionary tale." Keep that in mind and you will find yourself wriggling in your seat with laughter and shock from the onscreen antics as Douglas and Turner terrorize each other onscreen.

Read Best Reviews of The War of the Roses (Filmmaker Signature Series) (2012) Here

I have heard of this movie before but I had no idea what kind of a ride I was about to be taken on and let me tell you this flick is crazy! Here you have a man and a woman who have a good marriage and suddenly it goes kablam! They are like the ham and cheese cafeteria sandwich cut in half and placed with their backs to each other; the angry lovers on opposite sides of the bed...

Watching Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner slowly descended to a discord in their relationship, more her than him, is a never ending guillotine of a ride. The trials and tabulations in the movie are a parody on a bad marriage gone funny with opposite sides playing a Civil War witch each other, as neither one wants to move out of the "gorgeous" house they have made together.

Yes this movie is about a house and two stubborn people who play nasty tricks ala' Home Alone on each other with no mercy, often drawing some major laughs out of anyone who watches it.Also I need to give props to the climactic ending which is quite shocking and makes you think about this black comedy longer then you though possible as this story is quite intricate and has some great and funny outcomes, its not some empty comedy that gives you headache at the end or makes you angry about missing two hours of your life. This film is smart, funny, has the husband and wife ruin each others house parties, cars, jobs, friends and behave as if they are above all laws and just when you think they will patch it up some crazy event interrupts them with a mound of consequences growing like a hungry volcano. And the you watch it erupt! Enjoy.

Want The War of the Roses (Filmmaker Signature Series) (2012) Discount?

This is possibly one of my best movies of all time.The fact that a wonderful marriage started out with a huge family house and nice cars always meant that disaster at some point in the marriage would strike.Michael Douglas is at his very best in this film and when his wife one day turns round to him and says " Everytime i see your face i want to smash your face in" he has more than a battle on his hands to keep his estate. Danny Devito also plays a part as his wisdom is needed as a lawyer to sort out the messed up situation. This film is very gripping and the humour of the film is tremendous. A must see and buy film straight away, it will under no cicumstances dissappoint you unless you are currently filing for a divorce!

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100 Bloody Acres (2012)

Sophie (Anna McGahan) along with her BF (Oliver Ackland) and Wesley (Jamie Kristian) a male rival are headed via the back roads to a music festival when their automobile breaks down. They get a ride from Reg Morgan (Damon Herriman) who is driving the company truck of Morgan Brother's "Blood and Bone" organic fertilizer. Not too hard to figure the rest out.

The film has some blood splatter scenes, but lacks the gore. This slasher film is in part dark comedy as Reg, is the younger partner brother who is insecure in what he does as well as being sexually repressed. While facing death, Sophie's boyfriend is more concerned about her infidelity, wanting to know the details of what she did, rather than being worried about the situation at hand.

The film is a good concept, but comes off as going through the motions. Okay as a rental.

Parental Guide: F-bomb, no sex or nudity. One scene of apparent self gratification.

Worth watching. Very gory, but fairly funny in parts. I wouldn't pay for it in a theater, but it is a decent rental.

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