The Clowns (1970)

I first saw this film in college in the early 70s; it was about the time of SATYRICON and after JULIET OF THE SPIRITS, thusly, around the time that Fellini was moving away from narrative cinema and into the "metacinema" that would be more and more prevalent in his later films. I CLOWNS was by far his most successful foray into films reflexive onto themselves as "film". Surely, none of his other pseudodocumenataries ever approached the emotional tug that I CLOWNS produces. The lovingly recreated clown acts that Fellini films, accompanied by the haunting trumpet theme that winds through one of them, has never left me. I am gratified that I CLOWNS will be available on DVD, finally; I only hope it is struck from a clean master and not just a rebooting of the inferior VHS copy that is still out there somewhere. I CLOWNS is a film that, if viewed with a sympathetic imagination, can bring anyone back to the wonderment felt at the world when one was young. Now that I CLOWNS is available, by my reckoning it is only LA VOCE DELLA LUNA, Fellini's last film, that is not available on DVD. C'mon, guys, someone's gotta release this one too!

I'd like to defend this against some of the negative reviews here. Just my opinion. I don't work for the company. I haven't seen the French release but then that's not widely available, and not everybody has a multi-region player. I Clowns was just not available for so long. This is a full-featured disc with a 40 min. video essay about the film, a 50 pg. booklet filled with Fellini's color drawings, reproduced beautifully, and his long essay of reflections on clowns "A Journey Into The Shadow," the most important bits from the coffee table hardback "I Clowns" published by Rienzi in 1970 (also pretty hard to get). And Fellini's 16 min. short from the omnibus film "L'Amore in Cittá," which has also been unavailable in the US. That's not all, sound in DTS HD Master Audio 5.1, and meticulous listing of cast, crew, and credits, identifying every person appearing in both films explaining where they appear, and even where scenes were shot and when.

The Product Description is misleading. It's not one of Fellini's "final masterpieces." It was done 20 years before his final film and is not a masterpiece, as Fellini himself describes in his essay, recounting the "carefree and laid-back attitude with which (he) approached it," "without thinking about it too much," approaching it with his "left hand." And it doesn't "feature" Anita Ekberg, she has a short cameo appearance in it.

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For Fellini fans, this is a treat the director's lengthiest and most elaborate examination of one of the mainstays of his films clowns and circuses. It's part biography (what an wonderful opening, with a small boy watching a circus tent going up outside his bedroom window, as if it's an extension of his dreams), part history and part circus extravanganza. Rota's score is a gem circus versions of themes from practically all Fellini's films to that point. Shot for television but released soon after in theaters, the movie is not one of Fellini's best-photographed films, and I recall finding the color odd and grainy in the original 35mm prints. But this edition is about as good a transfer as you could hope for. Also, for Fellini completists, the disc includes Fellini's "Matrimonial Agency" from the early 50s compilation movie, "Love in the City." That film has yet to be released on DVD in the US. It's rather minor Fellini, but contains the seed from which Marcello, the central character in "La Dolce Vita," grew.

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Gordon Sullivan, DVD Verdict --When The Clowns first arrived on DVD, fans were ecstatic that this little-seen Fellini film was getting an American release. However, most reviewers noted that the release wasn't as stunningly remastered as they would like. Many of those problems--though not quite all--have been addressed with this Blu-ray disc. The AVC-encoded transfer has an impressive amount of detail, and the print from which it was made is surprisingly free of damage. Color saturation is spot on, but there's something about the image that can look a little over-processed. It's nothing in particular (like edge-enhancement or excessive DNR) that I can point my finger to, but the transfer gives the impression that it could be better. For audio we get a pair of Italian DTS-HD tracks. One is mono, the other 5.1. The 5.1 track is a total waste, with no real surround use and little in the way of directionality or atmosphere. In either case, we're dealing with forty-year-old location sound on a television documentary. The audio doesn't have the body or clarity we expect from contemporary sources, though it's still very listenable.

The disc itself houses a pair of extras. The first is a short film that Fellini made for an anthology; it's a fictional take on marriage and comedy. The second is the more substantial of the two, a 42-minute "visual essay" on The Clowns that discusses its style and history while comparing it to other artifacts from the period (like archival photos of clowns). Finally, this release includes a long booklet with information from Fellini himself about the genesis of the project and how he envisioned it. In many ways fans of Fellini will appreciate this booklet and the "visual essay" more than the film itself.

The Clowns is a very minor entry into the director's canon, and it's hard to trust a "documentary" from a filmmaker as interested as Fellini is in blurring the line between fact and fiction. A rental is probably best for the curious before deciding to plunk down the cash for this release.

The Clowns is a fascinating peek into the mind of an internationally beloved filmmaker and his passion for clowns. Yes, that sounds a bit odd, and Fellini must have known he was making an oddity. Fans of the director should give the film (and especially the extras) at least a rental. Those who bought the previous DVD should seriously consider an upgrade for the improved audiovisual presentation of this disc.

-Full review at dvdverdict.com

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It's hard to believe only 4 other people have reviewed this film, and that it seems to have passed under the radar. This is another Fellini film I hadn't seen in years. I remember that it depressed me the first time I saw it, but then I was much younger, and now my life experience has caught up to that of Fellini's age when he made this picture for television. This time, I was inspired. And I learned a lot. Fellini's non-commercial pictures are often better than his more mainstream, commercial hits! Granted, this film is not entirely consistent in terms of quality; but when it's good, it's really good! One of the important themes of "The Clowns" is that of the White Clown versus the Augusto; the White Clown representing authority, discipline, respectability, moral superiority, parents, what one should do or is supposed to do: the Augusto representing the rebel, the enfant terrible, the spoiled brat, the practical joker, the delinquent, the one who screams, jeers and disrespects. This picture was done in a faux-documentary-style that at first seems to be authentic; gradually it becomes evident that Fellini is satirizing the documentary process. The working lives of several famous 20th century European clowns are explored in this film, many of them being of Italian and French origin, but Spanish, Cuban and English as well. A diverse array of clown makeup, costumes and styles are presented in this film. The clown costumes especially are stunning; they could even be described as Dada-influenced. Selections from Nino Rota's various compositions are appropriately and effectively utilized as a soundtrack.

The most compelling sequences in this picture are those in which Fellini re-creates his conception of the world of the clown in a circus environment, particularly the amazing, extravagant final scene, the "Clown Funeral", which vacillates between faux documentary and outright spectacle. There are a few sad visits to clowns in the twilight of their lives, but other than that atmosphere is quite upbeat. Fellini also examines characters from his hometown, "grotesques", who reminded him of the clowns he saw at the circus in his youth; the maestro reveals that as a boy, he found the clowns to be disturbing, as opposed to funny. Fellini compares the clown to man's "shadow side" (IE in one sequence where high-profile individuals are being qualified by Fellini as clowns, Sigmund Freud is classified as a "White Clown"; Carl Jung is qualified as an "Augusto"). At the end of the picture, perhaps to illustrate a symbolic reconciliation of opposites, the White Clown and the Augusto, both playing horns, leave the circus theatre together. A 42-minute documentary, included as supplemental material, deconstructs "The Clowns" from various technical perspectives; much of the supplemental documentary contains repeats of chapters from the main feature. A booklet is included with the DVD containing Fellini's essays about clowns and his drawings of various colleagues and concepts. Fellini is a great writer as well as a filmmaker, and thus I found this booklet to be educational, entertaining and informative.

Stephen C. Bird, Author of "Hideous Exuberance"

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The Cannonball Run (2011)

Cannonball Run is a guilty pleasure. No one would ever say it's a good movie, but it's a like train wreck, you find yourself staring. Burt Reynolds tries to live his glory days of Smokey and The Bandit, bringing along the same Director, Hal Needham as well as a slew of falling stars to prop him up. Its as if all of them knew their careers were sliding and it was one last ditch effort to make a great noise. Don't get me wrong, many of these people are talented. Lets explain the premise first. The 'Run' is an auto street (or highway) race, based closely on a real race that was run throughout the 70s that went from New York to California. It was highly illegal, and probably a lot a fun. There is even an appearance by one of the original drivers, Brock Yates, who is now an editor for Car & Driver Magazine and makes an amusing appearance as the MC, explaining how the race goes. Reynolds is JJ McClure, a former race car driver and mechanic who is the standing champ in the race. Eager to keep his title, he is desperate to win again. In this race though, that doesn't just mean going fast, anyone can go fast, but sooner or later, you will get stopped. JJ and his strange friend, Victor (Dom Delouse) adopt a personality of two paramedics driving a patient cross country. Apparently this worked in the actual race one year. The supporting cast of competition includes Jamie Farr as an overzealous Sheik in a hopped up Rolls Royce, Roger Moore playing a comic version of his James Bond character driving his popular silver Austin Martin, Mel Tillus and Terry Bradshaw playing a couple of southern boys cruising in a stolen race car and my personal favorite, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. playing womanizing, gambling hard drinking priests driving a red Ferrari (they aren't really priests). All this adds up to a movie where every scene you see a star. Dean and Sammy steal the show in almost every scene they're in, they are class acts adding something unattainable in most pictures of this caliber. The racing antics are not quite as funny as the beginning scenes where all the characters are introduced, but it is entertaining. The best part of the movie comes at the end though where the bloopers are shown during the closing credits. It's worth the price of the DVD alone. Don't expect a great movie out of Cannonball Run, all you can really expect is a good time, but isn't that what it's all about?

A zany cross country race based on an

actual event called "The Cannonball

Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash." The brainchild of writer Brock

Yates, who competed in the first Cannonball in 1971. The object is to

drive as fast and as safely as possible from Connecticut to Redondo Beach, California.

In every Cannonball, no driver or person has ever been injured.

The worst case, a team or two put behind

bars for no more than an hour.

"The Cannonball Run" is based on real

characters and adventures. It was penned

by Yates, who makes an appearance in the early stages of the movie as the "organizer."

Burt Reynolds headlines an all star lineup as "J.J. McClure" a wealthy

entrepreneur who, along with his

'executive assistant' Victor Prinze,

played with great verve by comedian

Dom DeLuise. Victor has some issues.

In times of 'mortal danger' his personality changes from mild mannered

mechanic, into an alter-ego called

"Captain Chaos" who wreaks havoc on

some less than respectable hombres we encounter along the way.

Farrah Fawcett is teamed with J.J. and Victor when she's kidnapped in their ambulance.

Jack Elam as "Doctor Nikolas Van Helsing" provides lots of laughs

and few chills when needed.

Veteran performers Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. join the ensemble as

a pair of priests in a souped-up Ferrari.

Roger Moore makes a departure from his

'James Bond' character playing "Seymor Goldfarb." An individual who believes he's

Roger Moore. It's a great spoof and Moore plays it with perfection.

Mel Tillis and former quarterback

Terry Bradshaw show up as just a

couple of good ol' boys ala "Dukes

of Hazzard" style, toting cases of beer but sans the "General Lee."

Tara Buckman and Adrienne Barbeau are seen throughout the film in their

custom black Lamborghini Countach,

breaking speed limits and the hearts

of some unsuspecting law enforcement

officers along the route.

Jamie Farr from "MASH" is cast in the role of a Sheik obsessed with winning the Cannonball

in a hot-rod Rolls Royce.

The Cannonball Run was directed by

Hal Needham who brought us "Smokey and

the Bandit" and "Hooper." Hal and Brock

were partners in a Cannonball held in the late 70S. Needham sets a flat out,

pedal to the metal pace for "Cannonball" and it doesn't let

up till the finish line.

After twenty years, this film still makes you laugh. Rent it tonight :)

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I watched this because I adore Dean Martin and the Rat Pack, but only after putting off watching it for so long--I was afraid it would be really stupid and not be worthy of being Dean's next to last movie. I had no reason to fear :) . It is absolutely hilarious! The second one is a million times better (more Dean & Sammy and a huge plus with Frank), but this one's great. It's just crazy and silly and a ton of fun.

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Okay, so I first saw this film at the age of 10, and we all know that a 10 year old is easier to please than an adult. However, I still love this film now (15 years later!), and not just for the fast cars and all-star cast. Of course the plot is almost non-existent but who cares? It's refreshing to see a film which doesn't take itself too seriously (a point that Dr Popinofsky seems to have missed in his review). It's called fun, Doc. F-U-N. If we're not allowed a bit of pointless fun from time to time what's the point of even getting out of bed in the morning?

I accept it's probably not to everybody's taste but it still makes me giggle!

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I must admit that my expectations were not too high on purchasing this Blu-ray, but I'm glad I was wrong. The movie itself needs no real explanation, tons of stars (a little too much Burt Reynolds for my taste, though), fighting (Jackie Chan's first Hollywood movie) and fast cars add up to some great entertainment. Picture quality is very good considering the price and the disc even manages to squeeze in a commentary. The highlight has to be the out-takes displayed during the credits, so funny!

If you want a movie that doesn't require too many brain cells, this is the one for you. Just plain fun

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Confessions of a Shopaholic (Two-Disc Special Edition + Digital Copy) (2009)

I have a confession to make...every now and then I love to see movies that are purely frivolous, just plain fun and, well, on the girly side. Confessions of a Shopaholic is the perfect combination of these qualities. It's full of silly, completely ridiculous situations, witty dialogue, slapstick humor and lighthearted entertainment that reminds every girl about the excitement, and danger, of shopping.

Isla Fisher plays Rebecca Bloomwood, a shopping-addicted New York journalist who suddenly finds herself buried under credit card debt and without a job. In order to pay off her bills and move closer to her dream, Rebecca takes a job at a finance magazine that's all about saving money. Through a series of highly improbable, but absolutely hilarious, events Rebecca becomes the magazine's poster girl for personal finance -while hiding overdue bills under her bed.

Shopaholic quickly becomes predictable, leaving the audience only to wonder how and when the next plot point will occur. While this may bother some film goers, I didn't mind it because that's the kind of movie I was expecting. It's fun and entertaining enough to help you escape from your own credit card debt for a little while, but not phenomenal. Fisher is irresistible and will keep you wondering what kind of crazy thing she's going to do next.

But men beware -even though Shopaholic is being produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, this movie is purely for women. The only guys who were in the theater when I went seemed like they were dragged by their significant others (except my dad, who likes Isla Fisher). The movie's PG rating also implies that the movie is intended for families. There were a few little girls in the theater when I went, and they seemed to be having a better time than the adults. But adults be warned: there are scenes of alcohol consumption and drunkenness in the movie, but they are fairly mild.

Some people think that this movie is not appropriate for the country's current economic condition, but I think that it teaches a good lesson. Rebecca's credit card debit ends up ruining her life and her career so much that she is forced to change her habits and conquer her shopping addiction -sounds to me like something the average American should have learned long ago.

Sophia Kinsella (a pen name for writer Madeline Wickham) is known for her "Shopaholic" novels which have been a hit in the UK. Having published a total of five novels, Touchstone Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films has a film based on the first two novels ("Confessions of a Shopaholic" and "Shopaholic Takes Manhattan) released back in 2001 and 2002.

Taking on the directorial reigns of the film is P.J. Hogan ("My Best Friends Wedding") and a screenplay by writers Tracey Jackson ("The Other End of the Line"), Tim Firth ("Calendar Girls") and Kayla Alpert (who produced many episodes for the TV series "Ally McBeal"). Music for the film is by James Newton Howard ("The Sixth Sense", "Pretty Woman", "Primal Fear", etc.) and cinematography by Jo Willems ("30 Days of Night" and "Rocket Science").

The film would feature many all-star talents which include Isla Fisher ("Wedding Crashers", "Definitely, Maybe" and "The Lookout"), Hugh Dancy ("Black Hawk Down", "Ella Enchanted" and "Basic Instinct 2'), Krysten Ritter ("Frost", "27 Dresses" and "Gilmore Girls"), Joan Cusack ("War, Inc.", "Say Anything", "The School of Rock" and "Chicken Little"), John goodman ("Rosanne", "Cars and "Bee Movie"), John Lithgow ("Dexter, "Dreamgirls" and "3rd Rock from the Sun") and Kristin Scott Thomas ("The Golden Compass", "Mission Impossible" and "I Loved You So Long").

The film revolves around Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher), a writer for a gardening magazine who lives with her friend Suze (Krysten Ritter) and is known for her overuse of her credit cards (around a dozen of them) which she constantly uses in order to purchase the latest designer clothing in Manhattan. Her shopping habits are obsessive and to the point that her debt is just incredibly high and she has bills that have not been opened and unpaid. Needless to say, she's in financial trouble but yet continues to shop like there's no tomorrow.

As a child, Rebecca has always been enamored by clothes but due to her fiscally conservative parents, always had to get the cheaper clothing and now as an adult, only wants the best. Her goal is to work for her favorite fashion magazine "Alette" but finds out during the interview that Editor Alette Naylor (Kristin Scott Thomas) has hired socialite Alicia Billington (Leslie Bibb) for the job.

But instead of sulking about not getting the job, Rebecca receives good information from the office assistant that "Successful Saving" is hiring and because its part of the same family that publishes "Alette", she can work her way to the top. So, Rebecca interviews for the position and is interviewed by new editor Luke Brandon (Hugh Dancy) who tries to learn more about her financing skills. Having really no experience, she fumbles her way during the interview and claiming she knows about finance and that she knows Finnish (which she doesn't know at all).

While returning back to her regular job, she finds out that her job is folding their business and without a job, she will be unable to pay her credit card bills. And because she has maxed out may of them and doesn't make all that much, she continually receives a message from debt collector Derek Smeath (Robert Stanton).

While her friend Suze tries to get her focused on paying her bills and getting Rebecca to take responsibility for her debt, the two get drunk and she accidentally sends a letter with a sample story to Luke Brandon, while accidentally sending the letter mean for Luke to Allete Magazine.

She receives a call a few days later from Luke that hew as impressed by the story and is hired to be a writer at "Succesful Saving". Using her knowledge of shopping, she utilizes her skill as a writer and uses the name of "The Girl in the Green Scarf". Her article becomes a success and makes the fledgling financial magazine to become a hit.

But with her debt collector doing what he can to get his money from Rebecca, and Rebecca having to wing a lie that she knows about finance, will she be able to keep this charade up for long? And to make things worse, will her shopaholic mindset hurt her as she continues to pile debt?

"CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC" is released on Blu-ray with 2-discs. The first disc features the film and special features while the second disc features a digital copy of the film.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

"CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC" is featured in 1080p with an aspect ratio of (2:40:1). If there is one thing that caught my attention about "CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC", the film tries to showcase many vibrant colors. So, there are many scenes that just looks quite gorgeous. For the most part, the majority of the film receives another solid transfer but there are some scenes that do have quite a bit of grain and also, some scenes that tend to overdo it with the color of red and amber colors. But overall, the picture quality of "CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC" is very good and considering Touchstone is part of Disney, all Blu-ray releases from their various companies have all been solid.

As for audio, "CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC" is featured in English 5.1 DTS-HD (48 kHz/24-bit) and also in French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital. The film actually does a great job by use of panning audio from speaker to speaker but for the most part, the film is front and center channel heavy. Dialogue is clear and for this film, one of the big factors in audio is the utilization of music. There is some good LFE bass when it comes to music being used and overall, the soundtrack comes alive. From the busy shops, to the sample sales in which you can hear the women fighting over clothing but it's the music that I was impressed with how alive it was and setting a stylish pace for this film.

As for subtitles, English SDH, French and Spanish is offered.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

"CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC" comes with a few short features featured in 1080p or 480i, English 5.1 or 2.0 Dolby Digital and English SDH, French and/or Spanish subtitles. Included are:

* BEHIND THE FASHION This segment features a total of six short special features. Included in this section are:

Wardrobe by Patricia Field (3:01) How Jerry Bruckheimer was happy to have Patricia Field ("Sex and the City" and "Devil Wears Prada") involved as the costume designer for this film. Interview with Patricia Field.

Temple of Shopping (2:32) How the film was shot at the 5th Avenue Boutique, Henri Bendel and the designs created for thet set.

The Green Scarf (1:33) Costume designer and stylist Patricia Field discusses how the green scarf was used on the film and how she was inspired by a Dolce & Gabanna scarf.

New York: Fashion Central(2:34) A featurette about how awesome it was too shoot in New York. From the shops in Manhattan to capturing the beauty of the city on film.

Sample Sale Madness (1:58) Around 200-300 women were hired to take part in the "Sample Sale" segment of the film. The women went all out in their craziness during the sale and how actress Isla Fisher enjoyed shooting this scene.

Window Shopping (1:50) The film features a creative use of the mannequins which communicate and try to entice Rebecca Bloomwood to shop at their store. This featurette shows us how models had to wear body suits and were CG'd to look like mannequins.

* Deleted Scenes (6:19) A total of four deleted scenes which include "19 Scarf, Scarf, Scarf", "Zepbra Print Pants", "The Unexpected Kiss" and "Plaid".

* Bloopers of a Shopaholic (2:07) The bloopers from the set of "Confessionso of a Shopaholic".

* Music Videos: This segment features a total of three music videos which include:

"Stuck with Each Other" by Shontelle feat. Akon (3:25)

"Accessory" by Jordyn Taylor (3:23)

"Take Time to Love" by Trey Songz (2:32)

JUDGMENT CALL:

I tend to enjoy many films that utilizes fashion and designer clothing into the film. So, I had high hopes for "Confessions of a Shopaholic" because it was a fun and stylish looking film. In fact, for the most part, I did enjoy the film as we know that the character of Rebecca Bloomwood would eventually be caught for her lying and that there would be a cost or some type of way she would learn about her obsessive shopping habits.

But the problem with the film are the numerous farfetched and contrive plots. You would think that a financial magazine would hire a writer based on a strong financial portfolio. Then there's the debt collector and we get to see how far a debt collector would go. Granted, some debt collectors are known for their slimy tactics but in this film, it takes things to a new level.

In a way, two things that work against the comedy is unfortunately, in a bad economy, where people are depending on their credit cards or other ways for money for survival, you have a character who has a dozen credit cards that she doesn't use for survival but for buying expensive designer brand merchandise. Second, where you hope to see an empowered woman at the end becomes a woman who is just too ditsy to even think of a professional working for a major finance magazine. As farfetched some plots were in the film, how this character is redeemed is again, too over-the-t0p.

Granted, "CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC" is a romantic comedy but at least with a "DEVIL WEARS PRADA", there is a likable woman who gets caught up in the fashion world but through pain, becomes a stronger. Even, "Legally Blonde" had some redeeming factors with the main character.

With two novels being covered in the first film, sometimes I wonder how much storyline from the novels were actually skipped in the film adaption. Having not read any of the novels, was Rebecca Bloomwood like this throughout the two novels? Was their redemption for her character?

I also felt that perhaps the film could have used the talent (and there are a good number of well-known talent) a bit more wisely.

As for the Blu-ray release, so far anything related to Disney that has been released in High Definition have all been solid. "CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC" is a film where color plays a primary part in the film and this film is quite colorful and vibrant. The audio is fun and for all films that utilize fashion, the music soundtrack plays a big part and in this case, music plays a very big part in "CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC". I enjoyed the use of audio especially how my subwoofer started working in tandem with the front speakers for certain songs. So, that was cool to see! Also, I was quite happy to see a digital copy included with this release.

Despite the number of special features included on the Blu-ray disc, I was surprised that there was no in depth behind-the-scenes featurette. Most of the special features included are quiet short and are at under two minutes.

"CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC" starts off very well in its first half but somehow, unfortunately, the over-the-top situations start to make things a bit too farfetched and contrived for my tastes and the overall storyline was a bit predictable. But by no means is the film a bad. There's no denying that filming in New York City has given this film such beauty and the overall fashion presentation makes this film quite stylish and cool.

In the end, "CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC" was an enjoyable popcorn flick which you can enjoy for its crazy humor, stylish presentation and its crazy characters. Isla Fisher is absolutely charming and fun but its probably best to watch this romantic comedy without being serious minded.

But as long as you enjoy its craziness, you'll find "CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC" to be quite entertaining and fun!

Film gets a three stars, picture and audio quality I'll give it an additional star.

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We start with Rebecca Bloomwood, the charming and absolutely adorable Isla Fisher. She has a knack for labels and finding sales in order to own them. She uses the analogy of falling in love and compares it to the satisfaction of trading plastic for goods. Heart melts like butter when she sees a store, and she always dreamed of using her magic cards. At one point we see her buying a 120 scarf and splitting it over five cards and still coming up 23 dollars short. When she realizes she has a problem, over 12 credit cards, she also realizes her boss has rolled over on the company and she no longer has a job. The hillarious tragedies that ensue over these many complications only get better as the debt collectors find her. Very cute movie, good for taking your mind off of things, especially in these hard economic times.

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I saw this movie without reading the book first and I loved it. Isla Fisher is HILARIOUS as Rebecca Bloomwood and she is definitely an actress to watch out for. Isla plays the part of Rebecca, a shopaholic trying to avoid a debt collector, extremely well. She makes Rebecca seem cute, innocent, funny, smart, and of course, fashionable.

Read with caution, as I may have basically the whole movie written down here:

The story of this movie is basically that when shopaholic Rebecca Bloomwood (how fun is it to say that?) is left without a job, she goes to work at a finance magazine called Successful Saving, hoping to use that to get to where she really wishes to be: Alette, a fashion magazine. Rebecca advises people on how to use their money and as she uses her own shopping experiences to write her articles, Rebecca gains much popularity and becomes known as "The Girl in the Green Scarf". Rebecca also falls in love with her boss, Luke Brandon. There is a dancing scene relating to this in the movie that had me crying from laughing so hard, it was that funny.

All the action happens while Rebecca, with the help of her loyal friend Suze, tries desperately to avoid Derek Smeath, a debt collector intent on getting back the thousands that Rebecca owes. It is hilarious to watch Rebecca as she makes up dozens of excuses, (I broke my leg, my aunt is in the hospital, my aunt fell out of a skydiving accident, I'm in Finland) attempting to avoid this man.

After watching the movie, I read the book and I understand why there are people unhappy with the movie. The movie is very different from the book, but it is in no way less enjoyable. The plots of both the movie and the book are still very good and the movie still attains the fun spirit of the book.

This movie is sweet, it is funny, and it will make you smile. The music of this movie is the perfect soundtrack to Rebecca Bloomwood's story and the fun music adds to the enjoyment of the movie. I recommend this movie for a for a friends night or if you just want to have some good, simple fun. You will not be disappointed!

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This movie just left me flat. The "heroine" (I hesitate to call her that)is immature, materialistic, untruthful and uses her cutesy mannerisms to try and get her out of tough situations. The "hero" turns her into a great writer by taking her to a press conference and having her rudely interrupt someone doing a presentation--all of a sudden, WHOOPS!, she's an unbelievably gifted writer and her column alone is saving his magazine from the dull and drearies. The one person actually doing his job, the bill-collector, is portrayed as mean, rude and physically unattractive. When he finally gets fed up with the girl's lies and dodging her financial responsibilies, he outs her on televison (although most talk shows take months & months to get tickets to). She miraculously grows up and redeems herself to her friends, family, and boyfriend (aforementioned hero who is supposed to be attracted to her for some reason, although the chemistry between them is a complete non-occurrence). What a dumb movie.

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Bitch Slap (2009)

What if Charlie's Angels was raunchy, trashy and rated a hard-R a la Tarantino? Well, you'd probably get this funny, tasteless and breastacular exploitation film which walks a fine line between an erotic clothes-on video shoot and a slapstick crime caper that makes every effort to be bad in the spirit of fun.

Writer/director Rick Jacobson is no stranger to over-the-top, scantily clad tough girls and cleavage. He's directed many episodes of Hercules, Xena, Baywatch and two seasons of Spartacus, and he knows how to deliver. He can't aim a camera at one of his leading ladies without starting at her fun parts. As tasteless as that sounds, Jacobson has crafted a modern, clever throwback to exploitation classics, dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

These girls talk a big game, are way too tough to be credible (because credible is what they were after in making this film, right?), and give us a mix raunchy girl-on-girl humor with silly spy skills.

We have three female leads... The air-headed Trixie (Julia Voth), red-headed Hel (Erin Cummings; Dollhouse, Spartacus: War of the Damned) and the over-medicated hothead Camero (America Olivo; No One Lives, Maniac, Friday the 13th) are three breasty chicks with attitude who are in over their head for $200 million in diamonds. Clearly borrowing from Tarantino's Pulp Fiction (1994), the story jumps from present day to flashbacks, not presented in chronological order, which serve to explain some things in the wake of the confusion while slowly pulling the veil on what's really going on along with some red herrings. This approach is articulate, but it's hard to notice when the view of this cleverness is obscured by so many in-your-face, sweaty boobs.

This mix of female empowerment and exploitation features bullets to the balls, exit wound sprays from the head, threats of genital mutilation, stripper dance routines, comical drug use, a glowing vagina, very weirdly creative (or just drug-induced) analogies, crotch punches, death yo-yos, sopping wet catfights, women touching themselves, a pig-tailed lesbian Asian in a schoolgirl outfit, loads of heaving and fondling, chicks hogtying other chicks with chains, chicks lighting other chicks on fire, chicks exploding other chicks in cars, chicks choking other chicks out, REALLY BIG guns, a female crotch bite (first ever on film?), the longest and most ridiculous catfight ever, and so much more.

The highlight of this director's skills include a split screen girl-on-girl makeout session complete with trancy film-editing transitions. Jacobson also keeps things classy by showing us strikingly few bare nipples...however we do get insinuated lesbian oral sex and more wet breast shots than Piranha 3D (2010) and Piranha 3DD (2012) combined.

The level of crazy corny action, fake acrobatics, cartoonish green-screen work (very Sin City graphic novel-y), utterly tasteless voluptuan montages with sleazy scoring, catfights with metal-scoring, and D-quality slo-mo special effects should provoke uncontrollable laughter.

Kevin Sorbo (Hercules, Xena, Meet the Spartans) makes a cameo appearance as Mr. Phoenix and Lucy Lawless (Xena, Hercules, Spartacus, Battlestar Galactica) as Mother Superior. Sorbo gets the better cameo by far! You can find him in the worst action finale ever.

You should know based on the DVD cover whether or not this movie is for you. It may not be "my style," but it was certainly for me.

I had seen this on dvd first and decided I wanted to own it. Getting it on blu-ray format makes the eye-candy even better. It's a movie that's full of stereotypes/cliches, fun format, some creative dialog here and there, acceptable acting, and more-than-acceptable actresses. It doesn't take itself seriously and is meant to be fun. If you try to take it seriously... well, you can't really. FWIW this isn't a movie for family night. Unless you're a bad parent.

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I have not seen the blu-ray version but the movie is fun. If you enjoy Tarantino's and Rodriguez's films, you will probably enjoy this. I would love to see a sequel with a higher budget.

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The Great Buck Howard (2008)

If you ever had to wonder why you loved John Malkovitch, this is the reason why. This is the kind of movie you watch with your mouth open. The acting is strong. There's not a lot happening, this isn't a thriller, but even in the most ordinary scenes you can see that everyone believes in their characters. I thought I had this film figured out, but I was happily wrong. This story defies convention! John is simply fantastic in this role. Colin Hanks turns in a competent performance. He's a young actor so he still has to cut his teeth a little, but he did a fair enough job. His father even shows up for a scene and that's always nice.

But the real heart of the story I think is "do you still believe in magic?" not the real kind with witches and spells but "magic" in a sense of wonder and amazement. I don't want to give anything away but in every scene when you think the story is about to fall apart, John Malkovitch pulls it off! He holds this film together with his bare hands. He's like a rock surrounded by superglue. He just makes this story happen. The way he talks about the human spirit -without talking about it.

The only way I can give an analogy is...remember in "Braveheart" at the end when he dies for his people and screams "Freedom!" well, that scene only works if you completely believe in his character. If you believe that William Wallace really was THAT much of a believer. Mel Gibson took that character to the wall and you had to believe it.

THAT's what John does with Buck Howard. The character is so outrageous and over the top that at first you laugh at him. But then later on you come to realize that this man is a believer. This man is for real, this isn't an act. He's not acting. Buck Howard does believe in the magic of the human soul.

There is a scene at the end when Buck Howard looks at Colin Hanks. Looks at him and you will believe, too. When I left the theater I said to my friends "I have just seen the best movie of the year. And it's March."

This fine film recalls to mind O'Toole's "My Favorite Year." It follows the travels of an aging mentalist (Malkovich) as he enthusiastically performs before shrinking crowds of aged fans---observed with growing admiration by his road manager, a sceptical young writer (Colin Hanks). Malkovich creates an ode to live performance. The film gives us the same joy as we see the once-famous performer demonstrate that his fame was well deserved.

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Among the many films that are released each year we are treated to some huge blockbusters. One this week out on DVD will no doubt be WATCHMEN. But while that movie may be the most sought after film, it will also leave many behind who won't get to the store in time for their copy. So instead, why not take a risk and watch something a bit more human, a bit more funny and a bit more sad. Why not watch THE GREAT BUCK HOWARD?

If you've never heard nor seen this film don't be surprised. As I said, blockbusters tend to take up space in the multiplexes around the country where an 18 screen complex offers only 4 films at a time. If you have HDNet, you may have caught it on the premier night it ran. If not, do so now.

Colin Hanks stars as Troy Gable, a young student in college studying to be a lawyer not because he loves it or sees himself having a future here but because his father has sent him here. Realizing he has no desire to live this life, he takes off and heads to LA and begins searching for a job. This results in his meeting the Great Buck Howard, now in search of a new road manager.

Buck Howard (John Malkovich) is a low level celebrity on the down side of life. At one time a notable performer who was featured on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson 61 times, he now finds himself playing regional theaters to half packed audiences. But at least these people are fans, those who recall his glory days and now have that moment to bask in the glow of this celebrity who has come to their lives.

Buck is a strange character. A mentalist with a touch now and then of magic, Buck is hard on his staff of one but loving of his crowd when on stage. Until a few take things into their own hand in one instance throwing off his game a bit. But Buck genuinely loves performing for these people and he does so stupendously, always ending with his signature trick where he has someone hide his fee for the night and then returns to the stage to locate it in the audience.

But even though he is the character centered in the title, the story is more about Troy than it is Buck. Troy is at that time in his life where he's trying to decide what he wants to do. He wants to be a writer but with little life experience, he finds himself gaining more and more as he travels with Buck from town to town. He sees Buck's ups and downs, his dealing with overindulgent fans, uninterested media types and many who have forgotten him.

Into Troy and Buck's life comes Valerie Brennan (Emily Blunt), a press agent sent out to handle Buck and a special event he has planned in an attempt to once again get into the spotlight. Valerie and Troy become romantically involved but catastrophe looms around the corner as Buck begins to place over 300 people into a trance at once. Unfortunately he's doing so in Cincinnati and at the same time Jerry Springer is involved in an accident. When the moment comes, no one is there to see it.

But word slowly gets out after Buck collapses and he suddenly becomes big once more. One recalls that Huey Lewis lyric "It's hip to be square". Buck suddenly finds himself on TV shows, being lured by Vegas and finally having the chance to go on The Tonight Show once again. But his rise leads to a decline as well and we are left to wonder what will happen to the Great Buck Howard? And what will become of Troy and Valerie as well?

Tons of celebrities make cameos in this coming of age tale including Regis and Kelly, Martha Stewart, Jon Stewart, Jay Leno, Tom Arnold, Conan O'Brien, George Takei and Tom Hanks (Colin's real life father) as Troy's father, the man who wants him in law school at any costs. And each scene with these celebs comes off as real and genuine, a testament to all actors involved, especially Malkovich.

This movie may not be the big blockbuster release of the week. But it is a film that will entertain and delight that those of us who recall the great days of Carson's Tonight Show will enjoy. Of note, the film (at least the stage work) is based on the Amazing Kreskin who director/writer Sean McGinley worked for as road manager. His love shines through in the character of Buck Howard. And I dare anyone to walk away from this film not feeling the same affection for a little known celebrity on the outs trying to work his way back in.

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This is one of those films that seems to have slipped through the distribution cracks because I don't ever recall seeing trailers for it. Possibly, the producers (Tom Hank's Playtone Pictures) thought they smelled a stinker and let it slip out quietly. I can understand their thinking, THE GREAT BUCK HOWARD is one of those projects that has all the right elements---great cast, very solid direction and a compelling story--but they just don't jell. The casting of John Malkovich in the title role was the one thing that, for me, derailed the film. Malkovich is a wonderful actor who could not sell this role. He's an actor whose persona as a misanthrope is so established that, as Buck Howard, he comes off as unlikable and insincere.

I was shocked to learn that the Howard character is based on the career of The Amazing Kreskin. I saw Kreskin, years ago in Odessa, Texas, in a less than stellar venue. Still, he was definitely amazing, even though he failed to locate his paycheck at the end of show, something I understand has happened very few times in his career. Kresking didn't take it well (who could blame him) and publicly castigated the guilty parties for their unsportsmanlike trickery. However, the mentalist was so entertaining that this sour note didn't diminish my respect for his talent.

All of that said, I would recommend THE GREAT BUCK HOWARD because it's quite watchable, your enjoyment may be increased knowing that it's based on Kreskin. Call it 'stunt casting' but I think the film would have worked so much better if producer Tom Hanks had switched roles and portrayed Buck Howard.

Want The Great Buck Howard (2008) Discount?

"The Great Buck Howard" is a quiet, slightly offbeat comedy about "The Great" Buck Howard, a mentalist and live performer in decline, effectively played by John Malkovich. The film's story is told from the viewpoint of a law school dropout Troy Gabel (Colin Hanks), now working for this mentalist past his prime as a road manager. While Buck attempts to reboot his career, Troy, who aspires to be a writer, meets a charming publicist Valerie (Emily Blunt).

It is reported that the character of "Buck Howard" is loosely based on The Amazing Kreskin. Whatever the fact may be, it is John Malkovich with his superb performances who gives depth and insight to the film's thin story. Material like this would fall flat in the hands of a lesser actor, but Malkovich gives life to the character he plays. Buck is not an easy person to be with, often difficult and always demanding, but Malkovich turns him from a one-dimensional caricature into a fascinating, even charming character you really care.

Amusing and well-acted as it is, "The Great Buck Howard" is deeply flawed. The film's problem becomes clear when John Malkovich or "The Great" Buck Howard is not on the screen. Two subplots about Troy's concerned father (cameo by Tom Hanks) and Troy's romance with Valerie are uninspired and uninteresting. Writer/director Sean McGinly overuses voice over narrations to explain what is too obvious, or what should remain unsaid.

After all this is "The Great Buck Howard" and should be so. John Malkovich, often typecast in bigger films, shows what he really can do with the right material. Unfortunately the film tried to be something else, too Troy's coming-of-age story, which, sorry, but honestly, we are not interested. Watch the film for John Malkovich, or The Great Buck Howard. It is well worth it.

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