American Pie Presents: The Book of Love (2009)

Anyone that has watched the films in this series since the beginning (American Pie Unrated (Widescreen Collector's Edition)) is going to inevitably rate this film in comparison to the other films. The first film, much like another film of that same general era (The Matrix (10th Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray]) was somewhat ground breaking. It was raw, crude, lewd, and really, really funny thanks to being so lewd and crude. The later films in the series have had that bar to jump over and some have been mildly successful (American Pie Presents The Naked Mile) while others have been merely amusing. This particular film (Book of Love) seems to fall into that range with nothing to really push it towards a higher rating. For me, I think I'd have to put this one into the same ratings area as American Pie Band Camp (Unrated Widescreen Edition). While this film is, at least in the Unrated version, loaded with more gratituitous T&A than that earlier film, the story seems to be about as weak as that earlier story was.

There are several cameos in Book of Love that do add to the fun, and a load of extras that add value as well, but personally I'd have to say that this one veers far more to rental territory than to purchase territory. Tread carefully here. If you aren't a fan of the series, then look elsewhere.

Hopefully the next film in the series delivers something a little better for everyone to enjoy.

The AMERICAN PIE series is by far my favorite group of comedy films so I hate to say that BOOK OF LOVE is a bad film but it really is. Certainly none of these films are CITIZEN KANE but they have all had some funny gags, likeable and attractive characters and fairly decent scripts (the first four in particular). Sadly this group of actors (who are supposed to be in high school but look to be in their late twenties) can't even pull off this lame material which includes screwing a peanut butter sandwich, oral sex from the family dog and the "Stiffler" character getting plowed in the rear by a CGI moose. All of the characters are unpleasent for the most part (although Ms. Arquett does a decent job). There is really no one to identify with in this film. This time around no attempt is made to link Stiffler with his previous onscreen relatives and his character amounts to little more than a cameo. Even Eugene Levy phones it in on this one. The entire premise of the film is also extremely unlikely and rather stupid. Hopefully the inevitable part 8 will get back on track. This one is true mess.

Buy American Pie Presents: The Book of Love (2009) Now

Once again Universal dumps the high end cameras and transfer into one of their franchises, so the resulting Blu picture and sound are flawless, but in a film that does not qualify. The DTS was mixed perfectly, especially in each fantasy sequence the music didn't drown anything out. The picture was crystal enough to see every pore and flesh tone and there is a great deal of that. Aside from the cameos and fun fantasy sequences, the movie is forgettable, but the supplements are fun and worth the watch, including:

* Making of, 8:00 minutes. Director intros with how he dislikes the usual fare so this and all of the others could have been one long documentary of gags, outtakes and fun on the set. This one covers some brief interviews and gags.

* Love Manual, 5:50 minutes. The hot girls from the movie and some of the cameo guys give their take on how to get with ladies.

* Trivia. One of the cast goes around the set and tests people's memory on some good American Pie trivia. Enjoyable.

* Pie-Cons, 6:50 minutes. Interviews with the long list of cameos in this film.

* Deleted scenes, 11:14 minutes. Plenty of extra skin and forgettable dialogue.

* Gag Reel, 4:00 minutes. More outtakes and adlib stuff hilarious.

* From the Set, 10 clips totaling 19 minutes. Essentially more deleted scenes with lots of extra ladies sans their clothing in funny sequences. Obviously this crew/cast had a good time making the film.

The extended is only a few minutes longer and there really isn't that much of a difference to warrant watching this twice. I would say bookmark the few worthy music scenes on your BD player (love that feature) watch the supplements and skip the rest, but the quality and extras make this a worthy addition to your library if you like the franchise. 3 stars for the positives listed. Enjoy.

Read Best Reviews of American Pie Presents: The Book of Love (2009) Here

With the American Pie movies 2 of them stand out as by far the worst and best of the series. The best being oddly enough American Pie 2 and the worst being American Pie Presents Band Camp the second worst dreaded forth sequel of an movie series with the worst being Wrong Turn 4. Another odd thing about the American Pie movies is that Book Of Love is the second worst of the series and it's follow up American Reunion is the second best of the series.

The plot of the movie is pretty simple 3 guys (Nathan, Rob, and Lube) are trying to lose their virginity in high school and keep striking out big time kind of like Finch, Kevin, Oz, and Jim in the first pie movie. The main character Rob takes the place of Jim in this movie since he is tying to get with a girl named Heidi and keeps woosing out when trying to pick her up, kind of like Jim does with Nadia in the first pie movie. Except the big difference is Heidi isn't an exchange student, is present through out the entire movie, and isn't really comparable to Nadia in the first pie movie. Then there's Nathan who has a girlfriend who won't go all the way kind of like Kevin does in the first pie movie. Except the difference is Nathan's girl (Dana) is not a virgin and has black hair. Then Lube because he's overweight kind of plays the part of Oz and Finch combined without being involved in any sports. And then Scott Stifler takes the place of Steve Stifler in the movie.

Rob accidentally sets part of the school library on fire when going after Heidi at a school dance and puts the fire out with water. After he puts the fire out with water he finds the book of love/bible in ruins through serving detention cleaning up his mess. Him, Nathan, and Lube try to read the book of love and use it to get laid. Then after they end up killing a prostitute (Monique) over 65 years of age in Canada by Rob trying to have sex with her due to a passage in the book of love that was written in 1975 about having sex with Monique that Rob, Nathan, and Lube thought was written in 1995. Rob, Nathan, and Lube find the name Noah Levenstien as the first person who checked out the book, contact him, and find out he was the original writer of the book. Then Noah, Rob, Nathan, and Lube contact everyone else who checked out the book to re-print what they'd wrote in the book.

Now lets look at the mistakes in the movie

*Scott Stifler is by far the least funniest of all the Stiflers including Eric. It seemed like the actor who played him really lacked that jerky voice and presentation of anger it took to play a Stifler. Plus the Stifler's play LaCross and football not basketball.

*Way too many embarrassing youtube videos on Rob. It was almost like Rob's little brother put too many youtube videos up of Rob's embarrassing moments during the movie and the director didn't spread out all the boys trying to lose their virginity getting embarrassed through out the movie like in the first American Pie with Finch, Stifler, Jim, and Oz. Instead (even though Lube got an embarrassing moment or 2 in the movie) it seemed like everything was focused on Rob. And Stifler got a good embarrassing moment at the end of the film that was pretty good. Plus all the embarrassing moments in this film unlike the first American Pie just seemed too fictional and non believable causing them not to be as funny as they were in the first American Pie.

*Stifler's house-When Scott Stifler threw a party at his house it just didn't seem believable as your typical get drunk high school party. The party seemed to have too much going on at it and just wasn't the same as the party's Steve Stifler threw at his hose in American Pie 1 & 2 and American Reunion.

*Eugene Levy has the smallest part of any American Pie movie-Eugene Levy wrote the book of love/bible, why is he only in the movie for 20 minutes straight and not spread out through out the entire movie like he is in the other 7 American Pie movies? And why was the book of love written in 1969 when Noah Levenstien (played by Eugene Levy) was in high school, when according to American Pie Presents The Beta House Noah was captain of the Beta House during the last greek games in 1969 (well technically second to last since in Beta House the house does have the greek games against another fraternity house at the end of the film)?

*No Kevin or Tom Myers-When Rob, Nathan, Lube, and Noah re-construct the book of love they call everyone who's checked it out and wrote in it. These people include the East Great Falls principal, Brett Michaels, and other people. Why where Kevin (ie Thomas Ian Nicholas) and Tom (ie Casey Affleck) Myers not in any of these scenes when they were the ones who were talking about and using the book of love in the first American Pie movie?

But all in although American Pie Presents Book of love may not be the best of the pie series, it's still better then American Pie Present's Band Camp and has a much better ending. Even though it seemed like the creator of this movie tried to take the same approach the creator of the first American Pie did. Except the big difference is the creator of the first American Pie found much better and younger actors no one knew about.

Want American Pie Presents: The Book of Love (2009) Discount?

The Book of Love is the final entry in the American Pie Presents series and it is the worst. Eugene Levy's cameo can't help this outrageous and unfunny sequel. Well, actually it is a recycled version of all the American Pies with the reintroduction of the book of love. The cast has no chemistry and the script feels like it is a first draft. Yes, there's graphic nudity, graphic language, sexual situations, and gross out humor, but it is all done in bad taste. There are a few scenes that attempted to be funny, but failed to do so. I bought the movie for a $1.96 at a Black Friday sale, otherwise I would have never watched it.

Save 58% Off

Read More >>

Written By

AFTER A YOUNG GIRL, HER BROTHER AND HER MOTHER ALL GRIEVE FOR THE LOSS OF THEIR FATHER[HUSBAND] WHO WAS KILLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT THEY WERE ALL INVOLVED IN, THE GIRL DECIDES TO WRITE A NOVEL 10 YRS. LATER AND AS A WAY OF EASING THEIR PAIN AND REUNITING WITH HER FATHER SHE REVERSES THE OUTCOME OF THE NOVEL SO ONLY THE FATHER SURVIVES . IN HER NOVEL HE THEN WRITES A NOVEL REUNITING THEM ONCE AGAIN. IT REALLY ISN'T CONFUSING, IT'S A HEARTWARMING STORY OF LOVE + FAMILY

Save 10% Off

Read More >>

The Blues Brothers (Blu-ray + Digital Copy + UltraViolet) (1980)

This is one of my favorite movies. I love the part where Ray Charles play the piano and everyone dances to "Shake a Tail Feather" and when Aretha Franklin sings "Think." And of course who could forget the car chase. That was the best car chase ever in a comedy.

Save 35% Off

Read More >>

Roxanne (1987)

This one is an all-time favorite and a long-time resident of my home video library. Comedy legend Steve Martin, in a way that only Steve Martin can, plays the role of the emotionally and intellectually-wealthy goblin of a man who falls for the equally emotionally and intellectually-wealthy blonde bombshell (Daryl Hannah--hey, why not?) who visits his small town. Unfortunately, this bombshell is lacking in the common sense department, because she immediately falls for the beefcake village idiot, played convincingly by Rick Rossovich. Go figure. But what happens as a result of this scenario is altogether funny, charming, touching and totally entertaining. This movie flows. Martin compounds his genius in the movie by assembling a stellar supporting cast (which includes Shelley Duvall and a young Damon Wayans) that more than holds its own throughout the film. Pay extra special attention to the balcony scene--from its beginning to its end, Martin and Rossovich are allowed to shine their brightest. Martin teams up for this 'Cyrano' retelling with director Fred Schepisi, the visionary behind 'Six Degrees of Separation', the movie that first separated Wil Smith from his legendary "Fresh Prince" persona. 'Roxanne' gets the highest possible recommendation for its perfect balance of humor and romance and the stellar performance of its entire cast. Please, please make it your business to own a copy of this movie.

It's September 2006, and they *still* have not released a widescreen version. I got through the first 20 minutes of this pan-and-scan version before I couldn't stand it anymore. There are so many beautiful shots; I just can't watch them butchered like this.

Roxanne is a great movie, and it deserves more than this poorly rendered DVD version.

Buy Roxanne (1987) Now

In 1987, the romantic comedy film "ROXANNE" starring Steve Martin and Daryl Hannah, a modern retelling of "Cyrano de Bergerac", was a film that received critical acclaim and has been regarded as one of the Steve Martin's best work as an actor and screenwriter.

The film was directed by Fred Schepisi ("Six Degrees of Separation", "Mr. Baseball", "Iceman", "The Devil's Playground", etc.)

"ROXANNE" is an entertaining romantic comedy with Steve Martin in the top of his game.

Featuring clever writing, wonderful acting and Steve Martin carrying this film to incredible heights through a perfect blend of romance and comedy.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

To see "ROXANNE" in high-definition was actually quite nice. The location in the Pacific Northwest shows us the mountain regions surrounding the area, sunshine, blue waters. Now in 1080p High Definition with an aspect ratio of 2:40:1, the film really does bring out the outdoor scenes and for an late 1980's film, the picture quality is actually pretty good.

The film does show its age because of the fashion (Daryl Hanna's leather boots and Fred Willard's Miami Vice fashion is so easily identifiable with the 80's) and musical styles presented and there are times that the film looks soft but for the most part, picture quality is clean.,

For a film that is over 20-years-old, you really can't go wrong with this Blu-ray release because currently, it is the best looking transfer that you will ever find of the film.

As for audio, "ROXANNE" is presented in Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (English, French and Portuguese) and a Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital track. The film is dialogue heavy and thus a lot of the film is front channel-based and there are no use for special effects or rear channels for this film, so expect to see mostly your front and center channels being utilized. Audio is clear and well-understood and the scenes that showcase classical music was delightful to hear as well.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Unfortunately, there are no special features included. The Blu-ray disc for "ROXANNE" is BD LIVE enabled.

JUDGMENT CALL:

It has been well over 20 years since I first saw "ROXANNE" on cable and for the most part, watching the film again, I can say that it does hold up quite well nearly 23 years later.

Steve Martin was absolutely fabulous in this film and his role as an executive producer, main actor and screenplay writer must have been quite interesting because he manages to seamlessly make this film seem smooth. How he took the storyline of "Cyrano De Bergerac" and wrote his interpretations for his character was a bit humorous and entertaining.

But when it comes to Steve Martin, it's all about delivery. Martin owned this role.

There is one scene where he is encountered by a man at the bar who wants to fight him but after losing a bet in darts, Martin's character C.D. has to come up with 20 unique nose jokes. Martin flawlessly pulls off over two dozen and you can tell by the talent watching him at the bar as they all watch him showcase his acting style, his quick wit but smooth delivery of his lines, they were impressed.

Of course, watching Daryl Hannah in her 80's clothing and hairstyle definitely made this film feel "80's" but thankfully for the High Definition transfer, watching "ROXANNE" in 1080p High Definition was quite nice. Seeing her blue eyes and beautiful smile definitely made her one of the popular actresses of the 1980's and both she and Martin, both look incredible now as they were 23 years ago.

And of course, the film also features a good number of talent such as the popular Shelley Duvall, "Top Gun" actor Rick Rossovich, Fred Willard, John Kapelos and emerging stars Damon Wayans and Kevin Nealon.

With a lot of positive to say about the film, the negative would be the lack of any bonus features. Granted, this film is an older film but it would have been nice to see Steve Martin, Daryl Hannah or even director Fred Schepisi make some sort of comment.

And for a comedy film, there has to be a gag reel or something that could have been thrown in. Not even the theatrical trailer was included and that is my only problem with this release.. the lack of any special features but the trailers for other films.

Overall, you can't fault the film because it's an entertaining romantic comedy that continues to stand the test of time and now it's available on Blu-ray ala High Def. If you are a Steve Martin fan, "ROXANNE" is a film that deserves to be in your collection. It's one of his best films (next to my favorite feat. Steve Martin, 1991's `L.A. Story') and definitely a film worth checking out!

Read Best Reviews of Roxanne (1987) Here

Like other reviewers, I am apalled that this wonderful movie is available only in pan & scan format, chopping off close to half the picture. This is just inexplicable--even when this was released a few years ago, it was quite unusual for high profile anamorphic films like this to be released only in a P&S version. I'd love to add this to my collection--here's hoping a propererly framed version is forthcoming (hopefully also in Blu-Ray or HD DVD).

Want Roxanne (1987) Discount?

I think we all agree that this 1987 classic romantic comedy is absolutely wonderful, entertaining, magic, funny and hylarious. The best romantic comedy for some, one of the best comedies of the 80's for others. Great story, incredible performance of steve martin , great production and artistic direction by Fred Schepisi. We can argue with that of course, but one thing beyond discussion, is that this Sony Pictures 2002 DVD edition for this masterpiece is so awful, that it manages to destroy the experience.

I had to put up with a VHS edition for 15 years, for what! This? I can say without any doubt, that this is one of the worst DVD editions i own, behind my Asian bootleg martial arts copies. Absolutely awful, this edition manages to restrain the impact of the movie with all the worst features of the fullscreen edition: Extreme close-ups, alternate or moving angles from the same take, chopped off characters from the scenes, people talking to shoulders and corners, people talking from outside the picture, missing scenarios and landscapes, blurry video quality... my god! Not even the 5.1 english soundtrack could emerge, not even the movie could! Extras? The movie trailer...In widescreen! It was torture.

By far, the worst 7 dollars i have ever spent, and a disapointment i'm never gonna forget.

My recomendation for fans looking for this wonderful movie in DVD: Go outside the store and get the widescreen edition, online or on local stores. I'm desperatly seeking for other better editions, i'm even willing to download it, or even buy a bootleg.

Whatever you do: Please, please, don't buy this awful Sony 2002 fullscreen edition.

And Sony pictures: Widescreen versions fit the screen too!

Save 28% Off

Read More >>

Johnny English

Listen all you adult-aged reviewers, let's loosen up here. This movie is not for movie connoiseurs. This movie is for getting laughs. And if you insist on holding a prissy, stuck-up attitude then you just won't have a good time, period.

Us pursed-lip adults sometimes have to relax, let our facial muscles go(lower those eyebrows, unfurrow the forehead, unpurse our lips, and unclench our jaws) and let humor, even slapstick humor, get the best of us. Some of us are so full of our previous knowledge of movie-viewing or Mr. Bean and Atkinson material("I saw this and I saw that and this movie just ain't as blablabla" or "Atkinson ain't as good in this as in yadayada...").

Children don't care about the history of movies and Atkinson tv series. Watch kids enjoy this movie. They know how to have a good time in the moment. My kids were in stitches over Atkinson's antics and all his facial expressions.

My husband got a good share of laughs, sometimes to the point of tears---and it is good to see my husband laugh even if it is over Johnny English. Myself? I have to admit I laughed too. And how could I not enjoy myself with my kids dancing around during Rowan's little mini music video with his toothbrushes in the shower? We rewinded the movie 3 times just to watch that part over and over again. Little children don't get tired of rewinding their favorite parts, you know. One son said we should keep on replaying it until he memorized the song lines. (I insisted we didn't rewind as far back as the unveiling of the Archbishop, though it was their other favorite part of the movie).

Leave the movie critic behind you. Watch the movie for laughs. Have a good time viewing it with kids or adults. Don't resist the humor. Relax, enjoy, and let yourself just laugh for humor's sake.

... the offspring was Johnny English. Rowan Atkinson delivers another incredibly funny performance as the secret agent who can't do anyhting right and still manages everytime to save the day. Script writers were right on target when they decided to create Johnny English resembling Atkinson's most known character: Mr. Bean. It's all there: the funny faces, the stupid situations, the babbling, the confusion. If you are aquainted with Mr. Bean, you've already seen it all, but you're going to laugh again.

I said there are stupid situations, but the movie is not stupid at all. Extremely well produced, with the classy kind of humor that doesn't need any swearing. Every scene contains an intelligent joke; in fact, only once I found a joke I didn't like. There are some memorable scenes that made me laugh even on my way back home.

Rowan Atkinson is, obviously, perfect for the character, and it was in fact written for him. He does a splendid job, but he will be forever stigmatized as a "Mr. Bean" actor, even if there were times when I could glimpse him as a more serious actor.

Natalie Imbruglia surprised me as the mandatory pretty girl in spy movies. She doesn't let the viewer down. John Malkovich once again as the villain, this time as the effeminate frenchman trying to accomplish a strange evil plan on england. In fact, the mere presence of Malkovich in the cast is proof of a good production. Ben Miller did a good job as well as Johnny English's sidekick.

"Johnny English" is a perfect movie in the genre it was purposed to be: hard-laughing, above-average-intelligence comedy. 90 minutes of fun.

Grade 9.0/10

Buy Johnny English Now

This film has already been released here in Colombia, which is weird since usually films arrive here late rather than before they are released in U.S.A. I saw two days ago and well, I have a things to say to the audiences from the states. You could say this film is a mixture between Naked Gun, Bean and Austin Powers. One thing I found negative about it is that it copies jokes from various comedies, I don't want to be a spoiler so I won't say which, but some of the jokes will seem very familiar. But the good thing about it is that is not a waste of a film, and Rowan Atkinson proves that he can also be funny talking. I think he did quite well as the other James Bond spoof. He is not as exagerated as Mike Myers, so this film is different. And he managed to stay away from the Bean persona, something I was afraid of. The plot is as simple as Bond plots are today, only with various comedy twists. Johnny English starts as Monneypenny, he is just a in this particular film, MI7 clerk, until every agent is wiped off(funny situation that will not be revealed here) so he has to take on the biggest mission that was pending, which involves the crown jewels and a french tycoon in the sort of Goldfinger played by John Malkovich, who did his best to perform the character with dignity, and I think he escapes from stinking by the fingernails. The film is carried out just like Bond movies, the agent meets the girl, the villan, something happens, he gets close to something, he fails, he gets close to the girl, the bad guy almost makes it, but fails and gets busted, endind with the agent and the girl. Very straightforward, but every situation is filled not to the brim, which I think was the smart thing to do, with funny situations. And although many of the jokes are rip-offs, Atkinson managed to make them his own. The film is very short, but feels longer, I don't know why. The end is rather stupid, but I admit that it stirrs laughter, not because of the situation but because you can't help but crack up with Atkinson's face. I don't think many people will like, unlike the Bean skits and the film, I think some will find it stupid and unnecessary, but nevertheless, I think is a fun movie, and if somehow people get tired of or don't want to see either Matrix Reloaded, or Hulk, or X2, or T3, or any of the other box-office killers, try to tke about and hour and twenty minutes to see a silly but funny little comedy that spoofs James Bond. I don't think it will be a hit, and if it is, oh the humanity, because it's far from being great, but it's worth the money, specially in summer vacation when there is basically "nothing" to do. See all of the other summer pop corn movies before this one, otherwise you will probably hate it beacuse you could have seen something else. But it won't be a total waste of money, you will laugh because it's not at all a stupid teen flick with disgusting sexual situations and fluids, sounds and smells. It has it it's own very silly and simple way, integrity and dignity, it's hard to find, but it is there. One star for Atkinson's performance, the other for being balance in it's jokes, the other because it doesn't fall apart like many comedies, in stupidity and desperate necesity for a laugh, and the last one because it basically does not totaly stink.

Read Best Reviews of Johnny English Here

Rowan Atkinson is very funny in this "Mr Bean meets James Bond" comedy. Plenty of pratfalls and camera mugging together with the inevitable English toilet humor. And I mean TOILET humor literally! The ever-popular "take over the world" plot is given a slight twist thanks to the twisted characterisation of John Malkevich (alias Pascal Sauvage)and his droll patience with the inept Johnny English's attempts to thwart his plans make for some head-shaking chuckles. This is a film that all the family can enjoy and the kids are especially tickled by Johnny English's ability to rise above his own ineptitude. Lots of belly laughs and good fun.

(Based on the theatrical release in Australia)

Want Johnny English Discount?

Johnny English is unashamedly a spoof on the James Bond series of movies, and hilarious with it! Movie promo "He Knows No Fear. He Knows No Danger." He Knows Nothing. Rowan Atkinson delivers a very controlled performance of a character which is a hybrid between TV's 'Mr Bean' and his Insp. Raymond Fowler in the 1995/96 BBC television series 'The Thin Blue Line'. Johnny is attached to MI5 and believes he has the suave, debonair Bond persona, even to the point of having all the Bond gadgets and driving an Astin Martin sports car. In reality he is a bumbling idiot, adept at using the wrong gadgets and making the wrong decisions. The role may have been created just for Atkinson and indeed, it is hard to imagine anyone else playing Johnny English with such finess. The obligatory love interest is provided by Natalie Imbruglia (Australian singer/actress) as Lorna Campbell, the vixen, or is she? The villain of the piece is John Malkovich as a scheming Frenchman, Pascal Sauvage, who has a penchant for the Crown Jewels and is the object of Johnny's disaster laden adventure. Ben Miller is a brilliant foil for Atkinson's comedy, at times providing his own brand of hilarity in the role of Bough, the offsider to Johnny English. This is 90 minutes of sheer fun and provided the cinema audience here with some of the best comedy in years. Predictable but a most hilarious romp.

Save 6% Off

Read More >>