Air America (1990)

This is a movie about air delivery: airdrop by parachutes, and amazing short field landings by STOL aircraft like the amazing Pilatus TurboPorter and the larger C-123. If you like Airborne things, this movie is for you, its funny and upbeat compared to your typical Vietnam movie and in a way does greater honor to the courage of the pilots who lived on the edge while flying these hairy missions. The TurboPorter landing on the side of the mountain makes the whole movie worthwhile...add to it '60s music and sexy Nancy Travis, what more do you want?

I find this movie far more interesting than the Lethal Weapon series, so it soars in my book as one of Mel Gibson's best movies.

Air America was the United States "airforce" stationed in Laos

during the Vietnam war aiding our allies (amongst other things)

Mel Gibson plays veteran air american Gene Ryback and Robert Downey plays Billy Covington the FNG to the outfit.(He ends up being recruited in the states by a fast talking agent of the CIA after he (Downey) is grounded for being an...in the air.

The Film explores the adventures and antics..or hi-jinks as the pencil necked air america geek notes of t he pilots. Which includes drunken whorehouse parties, target practice with silencers on a miniature golf course and my favorite, gun running and landing an aircraft on a mountain.

A serio-comic movie it delivers the goods and was is enjoyable to watch

Thumbs up^

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I saw this film in the theater when it was released and feel the same way about it now as I did then. The characters are all unique and it's a different look at the Vietnam war. Some of the music from the soundtrack may sound a little off. I don't know if it was a licensing problem but some of the tunes are not the originals. Not a big deal though for what is a good flick

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Another Great Movie by Mario Kassar & Andrew Vajna , I saw Air America when first released on Video & again on DVD with a good picture & sound and now even better on Blu Ray with a clearer picture & sound a well recorded Blu Ray with good acting especially by Mel Gibson & Robert Downey jr with action adventure and sence of humor .... Recommended .

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This movie was pretty good. Seemed short and like the story line movied fast, but deff worth watching!

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Young Adult (2011)

In the latest collaboration between director Jason Reitman and writer Diablo Cody (they gave us "Juno" and she won a Screenplay Oscar in the process), our protagonists may be older, but that doesn't make them any wiser. In fact, Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron) still resides in the rarefied land where her high school days were the pinnacle of her success. She has an idealized memory of her popularity and perceived true love (Patrick Wilson), so when confronted with the disappointments in her big city existence--she attempts to reclaim some of her former glory. Specifically, she hatches a plot to return to her home town and rescue Wilson from what she believes is his domestic prison--namely a wife (Elizabeth Reaser) and new baby. "Young Adult" is marketed as a black comedy, and it certainly has some of the most awkward and uncomfortable humor that you're likely to encounter. But in essence, it seems like a dramatic character study whose narrative arc is depicted largely through bitterly funny encounters. This squirm inducing film has plenty of laugh out loud moments, but its truthfulness (and underlying sadness) resonate long after the film ends.

In many ways, that's what really makes "Young Adult" a stand-out. Cody, dispensing with the rapid fire pop culture referencing she's known for, creates someone very believable and human in Mavis Gary. Selfish, vindictive, delusional--she is not a particularly nice person. She wears a veneer of confidence like a suit of armor, but all the cracks are starting to show. It is an uncompromising role, and Theron inhabits it with a fearless aggression. It may be one of my favorite performances of the year. Like a fine balancing act, the film never makes Theron a cartoon villain (which would happen in most other movies). She is always wildly real and unpredictable and, quite frankly, slightly dangerous. But the screenplay also makes another conscious choice that, again, few other mainstream movies (especially comedies) ever attempt. This is not a story of redemption or learning life's lessons. There is no moralistic posturing or hugs all around. There is, in short, no sell-out to who this character is. And that turns a good film into a really memorable one!

Theron is, in a word, incredible. Both Wilson and Reaser do well as the couple targeted by Theron's machinations. But the film's most surprising role is fulfilled by Patton Oswalt, as a high school outsider who forms an unlikely alliance with the adult Theron. They play off each other effortlessly. Oswalt may be the one person who Theron can really be herself with, and the development of their relationship is one of the primary selling points of "Young Adult." Truthfully, I loved this movie. It showcases a complicated unpleasantness and brutal honesty that may not appeal to every viewer (especially those seeking frothy romantic comedy). But its grittier vibe is a real change of pace. Funny, and remarkably sad as well, "Young Adult" covers somewhat familiar territory but seems surprisingly fresh and different and smart. KGHarris, 12/11.

This was a tough watch. I expected anti-hero dark comedy, but it's far more dark than comedy. Sure, we're given plenty of the 'oblivious beauty queen in state of painfully arrested development.' It was fun watching her attempts to skew reality in the way that best suited her needs; that's the defining trait of the Mean Girls, after all. Then the pity happens. We see that she's seriously broken under there, and we're expected to feel bad for her. Poor, sad drunk pretty girl. And just when she seems to be at the brink of a genuine breakthrough, she hops back into her broken life and drives away.

While I admit that a magical Romey & Michelle redemption for Mavis would have infuriated me, it would've been nice to see that she learned even the slightest bit from her escapade. But the fact is, some people simply don't learn. They peak at 17, then face 60 long years of mediocrity. That's an ugly truth. Some people have their lives utterly ruined at 17 and never quite get over it, and that is also true. So don't expect a quippy, quirky, long overdue hair-pulling for the mean girl 'cause this ain't it. DO, however, look for brilliant and nuanced performances from both Theron and Oswalt. They both dig right to the center of these characters and own every bit of their frailty and ugliness and complexity.

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Thought I'd put in my two cents. Unlike his father, Reitman is rapidly becoming a genuine American auteur. No one working in Hollywood today gets the incipient loneliness and social malaise of post-modern America, "How we live today," as it were. His last two films, this one and Up in the Air, totally nail all the odd comic elements of a society going joylessly through the motions the sterility and formlessness of airport culture, the soulless vapidity of small town life, the weird highway ramp hotel non-culture, successful people trapped in their own self-made defensive cocoons, not to mention the perverse enjoyment of misery and depression fueled by endless booze and empty sex..Reitman is basically aiming his films at people who read things other that Twilight. He is drawn to writers like Walter Kirn and Diablo Cody because they seem to have something to say about the sad Way We Live Now that is not driven by research and age demos. The irony of Mavis, the ultimate "hip" urban creature, confessing that what she really wanted was to be a "square", and the defenses she erected to combat that failure, is the sort of irony that would make people walk out, I suppose. Give it up for Charlize, totally fearless, who gets something about the world we live in that should be explored. Like Carlin once said, "What, are you gonna eat at Wendy's and read USA Today till the end of time???" I also was the only one laughing at lots of the lines. So what? These folks are playing to those select move goers who are too hip for the room. Don't those moviegoers deserve a few annual gifts in a world of creeping meatballism? But don't expect too many of these types of films a year..Just be thankful when they come along...

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I always wondered what happens to mean girls as they grow up through the years. Looking at social networking sites now, I get the answer! They have either found "God" and bear children or they drink ALOT which you can tell due to their aging faces. Not cute anymore huh? Charlize's character Mavis in this movie went the way of booze and never growing out of her incredulous teenager. This is where it gets sad, enter Patton Oswalt and his emasculated and trauma carrying character. His character is what brings life to this movie he's the protagonist to the Mavis antagonist. This movie left me with a weird feeling that loomed long after I left the theatre. It brings back high school memories and all its extremes, the good and the bad. This is the first movie that shows it with brutal and awkward honesty. Thank you Ms. Cody!

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It amazed me to see so many 1-star reviews for this film, so I thought I'd offer my two cents worth. "Young Adult" is not a rom-com. It's a cruel dark look at the life of an emotionally fractured person (Charlize Theron) who thought she had it all figured out in high school, only to be confronted with real life after graduation. I don't want to spoil the film for anyone but I will mention how heartbreaking it is to watch a person struggle beyond her means to even comfort herself. There is no transformation, no salvation, things do not get better. It is not hopeful, and does not pretend to leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling. Letting you off the hook at the end would insult the viewers as much as it would insult the honesty of the form in which the characters were written.

If you want to be entertained, anything Jennifer Anniston has produced would be able to amuse you without altering your sensibilities. However, if you want to see what happened to the prom queen and are prepared to watch a film that has the potential for testing your emotional response, you've come to the right place.

Bottom line: This film is unconventional and defies strict genre classification; it is not just a `black comedy', it is a `black comedy spending the holidays alone'. Having stated that, no film-lover should miss the performance Theron delivers, as well as the supporting cast Patrick Wilson & Patton Oswalt.

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Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

A first-rate cast and an innovative script helped make 1993's "Mrs. Doubtfire" a big movie hit. Robin Williams, Sally Field, and Pierce Brosnan display their individual and collective acting talents in "Doubtfire". I enjoyed each of their performances here. Brosnan's quiet, understated, and laid-back portrayal of "the other man" in Sally's life might often get overlooked in this film, but I think Brosnan's character plays very nicely against that of Mrs. Doubtfire.

But this film, of course, 'belongs' to Robin Williams. It's a veritable tour-de-force for Robin here, as he manages to juggle two different roles, seemingly with ease. A remarkable "two-for-the-price-of-one" performance. He literally "becomes" Mrs. Doubtfire when he dons that wardrobe and make-up.

And Sally Field, as always, is outstanding here. In a way, she has the rather thankless job of playing opposite the human twin-tornado (Robin) in this film. But Sally is able to shine through in her own right, in my view. She's always a treat to watch on the screen. And "Doubtfire" is no exception.

Sally went from co-starring in one blockbuster movie to yet another -after wrapping up "Doubtfire", she next played Tom Hanks' mom in 1994's mega-hit (and "Best Picture" Oscar-winner), "Forrest Gump".

The "Mrs. Doubtfire" DVD brims over with special stuff. There are more than 30 minutes of "Deleted Scenes" on the disc, scenes that Director Chris Columbus was pretty much forced to cut out of the movie due to time constraints. Kind of a shame too, because nearly all of these deleted scenes are very good, and would not have been a detriment to the film at all, IMO.

"Doubtfire" co-star Polly Holliday, no doubt, is one person who wishes a few of these tossed-out scenes had made it into the final cut of the movie. Because nearly all of Polly's work was left on the cutting room floor it seems. But, at least, these clips ARE available in some fashion -as an extra bonus on this DVD.

I've found myself watching the "Deleted Scenes" area of this disc as much as the film itself. Polly Holliday is an absolute riot in many of these scenes, as she interacts with "Mrs. Doubtfire". Polly soon finds out that Mrs. Doubtfire's "secret" concoction for keeping her garden looking like a showplace is not exactly the best thing for her plants. LOL!

The DVD also contains interviews with the cast, Makeup Tests, Storyboards, Trailers, TV Ads, and more.

Video looks quite good here, even though this 1999-produced DVD has not been enhanced for widescreen televisions. But the 2.35:1 non-anamorphic Widescreen picture still looks fairly sharp and clear, with good colors.

There's a Dolby Digital 5.0 Surround soundtrack on the disc; along with a 2.0 DD Surround track. There's also audio in French 2.0 Surround. Plus a Commentary Track by Director Chris Columbus.

Other Disc Info ....................

> Subtitles? -Yes (English and Spanish).

> Disc is Single-Sided.

> Paper "Scene Selection" Enclosure is included, featuring a different picture than the one on the front cover, which is unusual.

> Number of Chapters (Scenes) -23.

Robin Williams and Sally Field star as Daniel and Miranda Hillard who start out as a happily married couple, but one day Miranda wakes up and realizes that she is tired of being the only adult in the family, especially after Daniel decided to turn the house into a circus.

So, they get a divorce, but unfortunately for Daniel, he hardly gets to see the kids, who definitely miss him. Miranda needs to hire some help to watch the kids in the afternoon. Since Daniel is an actor, he decides to respond to Miranda's ad in the newspaper. Of course, he goes through several different characters before he becomes Mrs. Eugenia Doubtfire.

By being Mrs. Doubtfire, Daniel is able to see his kids all of the time. The funny thing is that when he becomes Mrs. Doubtfire, he actually becomes a better parent. He makes sure that the kids do their homework before anything else. He sets more limits for the kids as Mrs. Doubtfire than he ever would have as Daniel.

Robin Williams is excellent as Daniel, and Sally Field shines as Miranda. All of the kids are really good as well. Pierce Brosnan does a good job as Miranda's future love interest as well as Daniel's nemesis.

Chris Columbus does an excellent job in directing the cast to show a rather positive view of handling a divorce. Is this situation plausible in real life? Probably not, but it is nice to see a positive outlook of different families, and the fact that it is all about showing love to your children and making them feel loved and secure. Because as Mrs. Doubtfire says, sometimes it is better for parents to be away from each other than to constantly fight.

If you want to see Robin Williams doing what he does best, then you will enjoy watching him as Daniel, a father who will go to any lengths to be a part of his kids' lives.

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From the beginning, I was enchanted by this awesome comedic performance. Mrs. Doubtfire is about a man who gets divorced but really loves his kids, and goes to extremes to be with them. What does he doe? He pretends to be a maid by dressing up as an old lady. Robin does a great job of playing Mrs. Doubtfire, and changing roles.

I loved this movie. Robin Williams does a great job at playing two people. It's really amazing how he can switch voices (everything from Gandi to a Mafia thug to an old lady, Mrs. Doubtfire). It's really a hilarious movie, and although it's a little old, it's a classic. It was so funny and is suitable for both kids and adults. It's a little bit suggestive in some places (but usually the language is advanced too).

If you haven't seen this movie, then you should buy this DVD ASAP. You are missing out on Robin Williams at his best!

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In 1993, Chris Columbus directed one of the funniest films that Robin Williams has ever starred in: "Mrs. Doubtfire". Based upon the novel "Alias Madame Doubtfire" written by Anne Fine, Robin Williams plays the role of Daniel Hillard, a frequently unemployed actor who specializes in voice impersonations. He and his wife Miranda (Sally Field) have three children: Lydia (Lisa Jakub), Chris (Matthew Lawrence) and Natalie (Mara Wilson). With Miranda working as a highly successful designer, Daniel spends more time with the children than she can. After Miranda comes home to find her home in total disarray with an uproarious birthday party for Chris that includes petting-zoo animals, she completely loses her temper and tells Daniel that she wants a divorce. Daniel is dumbstruck and eventually loses custody of the children to Miranda in court, but wants desperately to spend more time with them than his visitation privileges allow. Upon learning that Miranda plans to hire a nanny to stay with the children when she's at work, Daniel decides to present himself as a potential nanny to Miranda. With the aid of his brother Frank (Harvey Fierstein), who is a makeup artist, and his brother's partner Jack (Scott Capurro), Daniel is transformed into a kindly old woman that he names Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire. Fooled by Daniel's disguise, Miranda hires Mrs. Doubtfire. The story heats up even more when Miranda is courted by an old friend, Stuart 'Stu' Dunmeyer (Pierce Brosnan).

The acting in the film, especially Sally Field and Robin Williams, is superb and the story is completely engaging. Memorable scenes in the film include Chris' birthday party, Daniel's first interview with the social worker Mrs. Sellner (Anne Haney), Daniel getting a regular job, Daniel's various impersonations over the telephone, Frank & Jack testing various disguises on Daniel, Mrs. Doubtfire cooking her first dinner, Mrs. Sellner's visit to Daniel's apartment, the country club, and the restaurant. Other very memorable characters in the film include Jonathan Lundy (Robert Prosky), the bus driver (Sydney Walker), Mr. Sprinkles (William Newman), and Daniel's boss at the TV station (Joe Bellan).

If you enjoy films such as "Tootsie" (1982) and "Some Like It Hot" (1959), you're sure to enjoy "Mrs. Doubtfire". Overall, I rate "Mrs. Doubtfire" with 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to enjoy a funny and engaging comedy.

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From what I can tell, this new edition included all and more of the fetures on the first DVD EXCEPT the "commentary" by Christopher Columbus. It wasn't a great commentary you could tell he wasn't actually watching the film they just overdubbed his voice saying some stuff. BUT, what reason is there to get rid of it when theyre gonna come out with this big fancy edition? Now I have to keep the stupid older disc in case i want to listen to the commentary and watch it in non anamorphic!!!

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It's Only Money (1962)

It's Only Money has and will always be my favorite Lewis film. The cast put on some very humorous performances. Jack Weston is absolutely perfect as Leopold, the butler for the Charles P. Albright house and sinister partner to Gregory DeWitt (played by Zachary Scott), who's the lawyer of and confidant for the former master of the house, Charles P. Albright Sr.

The dizzy plot keeps pulling silliness out of it's hat for the whole length of the movie. There's no need to even consider Jerry Lewis' role here because it's so continually ridiculous that it fits perfectly! Jesse White is another perfect pick as the Private Eye pal of Jerry's character, who is trying to solve the case of the missing heir not knowing.....well, watch and see.

It's one of those movies that just makes you laugh. I've seen this one many a time and it was no small joy when I saw it was going to be finally put out on DVD. I've been waiting for this for a long time cause they almost never show this movie on TV anymore.

I'll never forget the scene when the butler, Leopold, is talking to Gregory DeWitt and is told there's a need for a little....accident. Some of the funniest movies ever were the group that Frank Tashlin and Jerry Lewis made in the late 50's and early 60's. This one is no exception. Even if you're not a Jerry Lewis fan, if you want to watch some ridiculously funny gags performed about as well as could be done, I can't recommend It's Only Money enough.

For anyone who enjoys the Jerry Lewis films that were directed by Frank Tashlin, this is a lesser known black and white gem. Before Frank Tashlin directed films, he worked for Warner Brothers directing Looney Tunes cartoons. The first time he directed the solo Jerry Lewis was in 1958 in Rock A Bye Baby followed later in 1958 with The Geisha Boy. In 1960 Tashlin directed Lewis in Cinderfella. Two years later in 1962, Tashlin directed Jerry in this lesser known film It's Only Money. The next year in 1963, Tashlin directed Lewis in Who's Minding The Storemy absolutely favorite Jerry Lewis film of all time. The next year in 1964, Tashlin directed Lewis in their 6th and final film togetherThe Disorderly Orderly. For a Jerry Lewis fan, these are all must have films and four of these Tashlin/Lewis films are finally on dvd after decades of waitingRock A Bye Baby and The Geisha Boy are available this month of February 2012. Then at the end of next month March of 2012, this movie It's Only Money and my favorite of all timeWho's Minding The Store will be available on dvd.

It's Only Money stars Jerry Lewis as an electronics TV Repairman Lester March, who dreams of becoming a detective someday. Lester's best friend Pete Flint (played by Jesse White) is a detective that gets Jerry to help him solve a case for a huge $100,000.00 reward in finding a wealthy woman's long lost nephew. Jerry is a 25 year old orphan, who is recognized in the mansion by the family's attorney as the missing nephew Charles Albright Jr.. The only problem is the attorney bumped off Charles Albright Sr. so he can marry the wealthy womanCharles Sr.'s sisterCecilia Albright, then bump her off and get the family fortune. Of course Jerry must be bumped off as well, since his real identity is an heir to the fortune. Luckily, the family nurse Wanda (played by Joan O'Brien) also recognizes Jerry's true identity and helps him from the murderous attorney and butler. This film may not be as hilarious as Who's Minding The Store with it's non stop sight gags and humor, but there are moments where your sides will kill you from laughter. There is a scene where Jerry runs into a female fisherman at a pier that will leave you laughing.

Having these 4 Tashlin/Lewis movie gems finally released after so many decades of waiting by us Jerry Lewis fans is wonderful beyond words. Huge Thank You's to Olive Films for releasing these on dvd this 2012! And for all of you Jerry Lewis fans, don't forget to add this lesser known solid 4 1/2 Star gem to your Lewis library in March when you order the solid 5 Star Who's Minding The Storebetween these 2 films, you will be in for some major side-splitting laughs!

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Jerry Lewis' lone comedy of 1962 has to be one of his best. Again, Lewis plays a hapless schnook named Lester March, a radio-TV repairman who's befriended a detective (much to the private eye's annoyance) who, in turn, is seeking the missing heir to a wealthy TV genius/pioneer who's passed on. Naturally, as the movie plays out, it's really March who's the missing link, set against a backdrop of menace as greedy relatives conspire to bump him off & collect the money.

Director Frank Tashlin was the perfect guy to handle Lewis; here was a former animation director (of Looney Toons fame, no less) directing a "living cartoon". Tashlin relished in dreaming up the wildest gags for Lewis to play out, particularly evident in this film.

The supporting cast is great, particularly Mae Questel (of Betty Boop fame) as a clueless bride-to-be; Jesse White as the private eye; and Jack Weston as a bloodthirsty chauffeur bent on killing Lewis (who always manages to live).

And of course, there's some priceless bits: Lewis narrowly escaping a limo run-down, an exploding boat & a wild climax involving remote-controlled lawnmowers.

Sharp eyes will even notice some self-promotion in one scene: On a wall behind Lewis is a movie poster for "The Errand Boy"!

Definitely one for Lewis fans to add to their collection!

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I have been collecting all of the Jerry Lewis movies, when you feel like the world is to heavy on your shoulders some days, just pop in a Jerry Lewis movie, you are sure to laugh at anything he does, a great actor.....

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I was pleased to see that It's Only Money would be released on DVD. When I found this out I had no hesitation to order it. After watching this years ago I knew that this would be a great purchase. This DVD does not disappoint. It's just as funny as I remember it. The Standard DVD picture is okay though. Having a few flaws in some places but not bad enough to stop anyone from buying it. If you grew up watching Jerry's movies like I did you'll be happy with this DVD purchase. And even if you didn't grow up with him it's still a good funny movie that the whole family can enjoy.

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Employee of the Month (2006)

This was an enjoyable film. My big problem is that it is a standard formula film that I have seen a dozen times over. They really added nothing new to the equation. You have a likeable slacker who lives with his grandmother and works a nowhere job for a Sam's Club type company. You have a mean nemisis who is the head cashier. Enter a new employee, a drop dead gorgeous girl and the slacker takes it on himself to win her over by being a good employee and become employee of the month. He then has to battle the mean nemisis with a bunch of gags with his group of strange friends. Then at the end, he has a misunderstanding with the girl when some of his lies and deeds come out. But in the end he redeems himself and all is good. Cook is good in the role. I would have like to see him ad lib some more and make the movie more his own. Simpson is okay, her big contribution to the movie is various low cut tops. Dax I thought was great with his Pedro like boxer. A fair budget and decent acting save this one. I would rent it first rather than making a blind buy.

I can't believe I'm saying this but I must. I enjoyed watching `Employee of the Month' starring Dane Cook and the infamous Jessica Simpson in this light-hearted comedy/romance about finding love and selling in bulk. I didn't intend to watch this film because I thought it was going to be yet another vehicle for Miss Simpson to giggle and jiggle her way to the top of the Hollywood food chain. However I was eventually swayed at my daughters insistance and agreed to a viewing.

It definitely was not what I expected. Dane Cook was quite enjoyable in the part of Zack, box boy at the local Super-Club mega store and Jessica Simpson played it straight and somewhat subdued in her role as Amy, the stores new cashier.

Obviously there's nothing deep or profound here, just good, clean fun that the whole family can enjoy. Watch and see who's the greatest cashier of them all!

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So now add EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH to the ongoing list of slacker movies. No, it's no CLERKS or OFFICE SPACE, but, nevertheless, I found it quite charming and certainly convivial enough to give it three stars. The acting efforts of stand-up comic Dane Cook and Groundlings alum and Cook's movie nemesis Dax Shepard propel the movie and give it its comedic gusto. The rest of the cast, including some so-called professional funnymen, vary from congenially effective to tepid.

Most of us can relate, at some point or another, to people suffering the woes and aggravations of wasting away in a dead end job. We've all felt that overriding sense of boredom and career unfulfillment. Imagine toiling away at a Costco-like superstore as the lowest of the low, the much lamented position of Box Boy. Dane Cook plays Zack Bradley, a likable, laid back box boy at the Super Club ("where buying in bulk is our God-given right") who was quite content to let the glory go to cocky, super go-getter Vince Downey (Dax Shepard), the "fastest cashier in the Southwest Region." That is, until he falls for new cashier girl Amy Renfrew (Jessica Simpson). Her personal file indicates Amy will only date employees of the month. So Zack decides to be that employee of the month but then has to contend with chief rival Vince, who has held that position for 17 months running. And if Vince gets it for the 18th time, he'll break the Super Club record and will win the grand prize of a brand newish 2005 Chevy Malibu. Will Zack be able to summon some reserve of ambition and achieve this oh-so-lofty goal? Will Dax Shepard steal the movie away from Dane Cook? Will Jessica Simpson ever get past acting on a vapid level?

Every now and then, I feel like veering away from Oscar caliber type movies and getting down and dirty, cinema-wise (and, no, I don't mean those kinds of movies). I'm probably gonna go check out THE DEPARTED in the following weeks, but, tonight, I was in the mood for some crude, unPC shtick. I mean, what do you expect from this B-level cast and from Dane Cook? Rated PG Bill Cosby stylings? C'mon, now. This is pretty much the low-brow stuff that I thought the movie was gonna have, and I'm pretty content after having seen it. It contained enough chuckle-and-laugh-out-loud-worthy moments and enough shots of the nicely-endowed, scantily-clad Jessica Simpson that I didn't feel I wasted my money. Folks wandering into the theatre in search of Shakespearean styles of thespianism are in the wrong freakin' place. EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH is fully a frat movie, its core audience predominantly composed of juveniles and juveniles-at-heart. It does strive to be sweet at times and even attempts to drive home a message late in the flick (which I actually think proved to be more of a detriment to the film).

There are some things that the movie missed out on. Casting, for example. Amy Smart would've been perfect for this role (although, she's perfect in any role) and would've done so much more with Amy Renfrew than Jessica Simpson did here. The word is still out on whether Simpson can act, but there's no doubting that she looks fine. Come to think of it, Ryan Reynolds probably would've also improved on the Zach Bradley role. And I've never been an Andy Dick fan. Guy is too out there and, worst of all, is NOT funny. The film also suffers from not taking enough chances (you could sense Dane Cook biting his tongue in many of the scenes), and the ending was definitely too smaltzy. The humor is also not mined enough in Andy Dick's blind-as-a-bat character, who toils away in the eye-care department. Same goes for the character of Gary Ross, the domineering dwarf.

But, fear not, this comedy flick does offer some nice touches. I liked the idea of a secret hangout located on top of one of the towering, warehouse-like piles of store stock supplies, the concept of the store manager (named Glen Gary) being afraid of his big brother (named, Glen Ross, who turns out to be an imperious dwarf), and Efren Ramirez as Vince's sycophant lackey. Dane Cook, while not Ryan Reynolds, still is very serviceable in the lead role and you almost buy into his 180 degree redemption from a deadbeat to a responsible citizen. And Jessica Simpson does look VERY hot. And, with respect to the other actors, Dax Shepard is truly the one to watch in this film. The combination of arrogance and insecurity he instills within his role makes Vince Downey the most well-rounded character in the movie.

So, kudos to Dax Shepard, Dane Cook, Harland Williams, Efren Ramirez, and fine! kudos also to Jessica Simpson. Slackers of the World, unite. Go down some suds, scarf a steak sandwich, and get yourself to the nearest cinema and revel in the low-rent but funny experience that is EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH.

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I don't know if you'd want to add this to your permanent comedy shelf, but it is a fairly funny movie. I found some memorable characters and could certainly laugh at the way a few of the employees took their 'low level' jobs so seriously, as if training for the Olympics. There were also some very revealing truths to the working class that helped raise the amusement level. Worth watching at least once.

Chrissy K. McVay Author

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This was OK not as funny as the trailer made it out to be but it was ok, the film did'nt focus as much on Jessica Simpson as the trailer made out it would but ok for an everning in with nothing else to do.

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Straight Talk (1992)

If you've seen Straight Talk, you're no doubt a fan. This light-hearted movie is such a pick-me-up! I just love finding a movie I can watch several times and still laugh out loud!! I just love the scene where she loses her $20 bill on the bridge and James Woods comes to the "rescue"! The soundtrack is even good with songs written and performed by Dolly.

The DVD falls short though. No extras, no inner liner notes and it's ONLY available in full screen YUCK!! Hollywood Pictures Home Entertainment should be ashamed of themselves for putting out such a poor product. Maybe this film wasn't a total blockbuster, but it sure deserved a better presentation than what it got.

Movie *****

DVD **

Overall ****

Yes, It's true. I am a diehard Dolly Parton fan, but if I wasn't I would still love this movie. Dolly's natural charm and humor comes to play in this rags-to-riches type of story. This is a must see!! Dolly is hilarious. This movie is a five star plus. You definitely won't regret seeing this. I don't care what the critics say. By far my favorite movie ever!

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I loved this movie! Shirlee Kenyon was a down on her luck country girl, when a mistake turns her into a big time radio doctor. I thought that her boss was kind of an a hole... He goes by the impression that people who have been married 3 times are losers, or those that have something real to say, He would write them off as losers..

This film shows off Dolly's spicy side of things! She had quite a few one lines... "I am like a one legged man in a butt kickin' contest!' Plus you get to see an early appearance of Terri Hatcher! (Lois & Clark The New Adventures of Superman)

I would like to have seen the trailer. as well as the music videos and even a commentary would have been nice... Aside from that, I still love the film....

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Some stores are already selling these locally. I picked one up yesterday, and the transfer is wonderful. Even though it is not posted on Amazon as of this writing, rest assured it is in 1.78:1 16x9 widescreen enhanced ratio. But, there are no extra's at all.

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Dolly Parton is utterly delightful in this corny, syrupy but immensebly enjoyable comedy. Her unlikely romance with James Woods is actually quite interesting as it is easy to see how Dolly's charm could permiate even the most jaded people. Sure it's not very original and it is very lightweight but it's got an old fashioned Frank Capra kind of sweetness to it.

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Betty Boop: The Essential Collection, Vol. 2

More non-PD BB cartoons released on DVD and BLU ALL NEWLY REMASTERED IN HD FROM 4K SCANS OF THE ORIGINAL NEGATIVES & FINEGRAINS.

Includes the 12 classic cartoon listed below:

Volume Two:

DIZZY DISHES (1930)

BIMBO'S INITIATION (1931)

BOO-OOP-A-DOOP (1932)

BETTY BOOP LIMITED (1932)

BETTY BOOP'S BIZZY BEE (1932)

BETTY BOOP'S UPS AND DOWNS (1932)

BETTY BOOP'S MUSEUM (1932)

BETTY BOOP'S BIG BOSS (1933)

MORNING, NOON AND NIGHT (1933)

BETTY BOOP'S LITTLE PAL (1934)

BETTY BOOP'S PRIZE SHOW (1934)

KEEP IN STYLE (1934)

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Young Frankenstein (1974)

First, let me begin by saying that the only reason I don't give this 5 stars is that I wanted a bit more from the commentary track, as I indicate below.

The content of this wonderful movie is covered amply elsewhere, so I won't repeat what others have so well synopsized. I WOULD like to point out a couple of things about this particular DVD:

1) The commentary track is accessible from the the LANGUAGE SELECTION menu, rather than from the special features menu (as is usual for commentary tracks). I was terribly frustrated by this until I got some help from Christian at boldopinions.com (thanks Christian!).

2) Yes, the commentary track IS mostly Mel babbling, but there are some nice tidbits here (many of the cut-away shots were put in because Gene Wilder kept breaking, Mel thought "Puttin' On The Ritz" was frivolous, etc.). It's also heart-breaking to hear about how Marty Feldman's health habits led to his death at age 59. Unfortunately, since Mel's commentary leans toward the personal, we don't get to hear about the roots of the dart-throwing scene (practically a duplication of a scene in "Son of Frankenstein")-and I would SWEAR that the trees going by the window in the Transylvanian train sequence are the same ones in the train sequence in "Son of Frankenstein." So we can't have everything.

3) The documentary is really wonderful-it's obvious that everyone has warm feelings about the film, and the recollections are sharp and insightful. It gives the movie added dimension, so don't pass it over.

I haven't seen mention in the Amazon reviews of "Young Frankenstein" the multiple homages to "Son of Frankenstein," not the least of which is Gene Wilder's spot-on lord-of-the-manor affectations through many of the early Transylvanian sequences (in his grandfather's bedroom: "And where is my grandfather's PRIVATE library?...[book snatched from shelf] Why, these books are all very general [snap snap snap the pages]; any doctor might have them in his study [SLAP book closed]" and the entirety of the aforementioned dart-throwing scene (in which Wilder is positively CHANNELING Basil Rathbone). So make "Son of Frankenstein" ALSO required viewing prior to seeing "Young Frankenstein."

Finally, I think that Mel hits the nail on the head when he says (repeatedly) that so many scenes are emotional at the same time that they're being funny. This film was made with such love by all concerned, and it shows. Yes, it can be occasionally crass, and go for obvious cheap laughs (albeit MUCH less so than any movie Mel has made before or since), but what one ultimately takes away from this movie is the incredible amount of care everyone took with the project. Hell, you might even find yourself with a tear in your eye at the end (I did-the awesome score by John Morris helps a lot!). Alas, Mel and Gene were never again to collaborate on a script (it is amazing that the Borscht Belt comedy of Mel Brooks and the hopeless romanticism of Gene Wilder found such fertile creative ground in the first place!), so this movie is lightning in a bottle (pun intended). Don't miss it.

This may just be the funniest movie of all time. Mel Brooks never before (and never again) worked with the tight parameters he did here: gene Wilder actually wrote most of the script, and that plus the use of the old Universal sets and props seem to have kept Borooks's more sophomoric instincts (which have gone overboard in some of his later films) tightly in check. Thus he--and everyone else in the film--is doing their absolutely finest work ever.

From Teri Garr "rolling in ze hay," to Kenneth Mars's inspired Police Inspector, everyone in the entire film seems to be working at their most hysterically hilarious. Special mention must be given to Gene Wilder giving one of his most classic performances of his strangled-fury schtick ever ("Put... the candle... back!!!") and to Peter Boyle, for his very poignant and funny depiction of the Monster.

But standing above all of the end in terms of sheer brilliance is Madeline Kahn, giving what must be the funniest female performace ever on film as Frankenstein's fiancee and the monster's eventual bride. Unlike everyone else in the film, she's not really parodying anyone other than herself; yet nevertheless her depiction of Elizabeth, the wealthy prude who discovers she's a volcano of passion undeneath, is so funny I'm practically crying almost every time I see this film. There's one brief little scene where she's brushing her hair in her boudoir before the Monster steals into her room and kidnaps her, and for absolutely no apparent reason(which makes the scene all the funnier) she's giving vent to a deeply lusty rendition of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" while brushing out her hair. It is the funniest five seconds in the entire film--and in a film this hilarious that's saying a lot.

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...yes, even better than "Airplane", and quite possibly the funniest film of all time, period. Side-splittingly funny and infinitely quotable, this is film is absolutely priceless. Filmed in black and white, the movie is filled with atmosphere, fantastic one-liners and classic characters. Marty Feldman and Madeline Kahn completely steal the show, you'd never guess that Inga was the same Terri Garr from "Tootsie", Cloris Leachman is virtually, wonderfully, unrecognizable, and you will neverand I mean NEVERbe able to look at Peter Boyle the same way again after seeing his portrayal of the monster (especially after viewing "Puttin' on the Ritz"). The fantastic script, by both Brooks and star Gene ("it's pronounced Fronkensteen") Wilder, was nominated for an Oscar, and so fantastic are the lines that you will find yourself using them in every-day life (I have and still do). This movie will make you giggle, chuckle and laugh out loud. It's the blueprint for all parody films ever made and it's still the very best. This is a movie that can be watched over and over, as little things will get by you on the first couple of viewings. I love the tip of the cap to "The Bride of Frankenstein" near the end of the film and especially love Kenneth Mars' portrayal of the heavily accented town Constable ("Footschteps, footschteps, footschteps!"). This is my all-time favorite movie. And "Bluecher" in German means "glue"...

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People might find other Mel Brooks films to be funnier, pointing to "The Producers" and "Blazzing Saddles," but I still think that "Young Frankenstein" is far and away his best film ever. Of course this might be because a lot of the credit goes to Gene Wilder, who co-wrote the script and plays Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, grandson of the infamous monster maker who finally decides to pick up the family business.

Then there is the first-rate cast, with Peter Boyle as the Monster ("Putting on the Riiittzzzz"), Marty Feldman as Igor ("What hump?"), Madeline Kahn as Elizabeth ("Ah, sweet mystery of life at last you've found me!"), Terri Garr as Inga ("Roll, roll, roll in the hay!", and Cloris Leachman as Frau Blucher (Neeeeiiigghghh!!!!!). I even like the film score by John Morris that sets the right tone from start to finish, including the haunting theme that lures the monster back to the castle where he was born (with a nice French horn part for Igor).

But what I really think makes this film work is that there are several scenes that are played absolutely straight, such as when Frederick reclaims his family name and the Monster is tormented in the jail cell. Then there is the doctor's speech at the moment of creation, which stacks up against anything you will find in any of the classic Universal Frankenstein films: "From that fateful day when stinking bits of slime first crawled from the sea and shouted to the cold stars, 'I am man', our greatest dread has always been the knowledge of our mortality. But tonight, we shall hurl the gauntlet of science into the frightful face of death itself. Tonight, we shall ascend into the heavens. We shall mock the earthquake. We shall command the thunders, and penetrate into the very womb of impervious nature herself!"

Wow. Read that and tell me that Brooks and Wilder did not know what they were doing in this one. Yes, this is a comedy, but it has a strong affection for the films it is spoofing, "Frankenstein" and "The Bride of Frankenstein," that comes through in several excellent homages. The extra material included on the DVD shows that Brooks and Wilder left lots of funny shtick on the cutting room floor, which should not surprise anyone. There is no reason that "Young Frankenstein" and "The Producers" cannot be included on anybody's list of Top 10 Comedy Films of All-Time. They are both are mine.

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YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. There are so many things that Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder got right in this film, it is hard to enumerate them. Suffice it to say that this film, spawned from a real love of the "Frankenstein" films of the 1930s, manages to satirize the originals with perfect grace, all the while creating a movie that is strangely touching in its own right. The comedy is spot-on and I found myself rolling at several points.

The film itself is gorgeous. It is entirely shot in black & white. It was a great decision to do so, too: the black & white film lends the movie a "haunted" feel that transports the audience back to the shadows and gloom of the 1930s originals. Not only does the B&W film allow us to "get in the right mood," I also believe that it is what contributes to the fact that YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN achieves more than just a simple parody. As strange as it sounds, particularly when compared to modern parodies, this film manages to tell a touching story. There is a real human element to this film, despite all of its (hilarious) off-color jokes and humor.

Let me make a few comments on the special features: this is not a crummy DVD. There are a bunch of extras that make this edition worthy of buying. The DVD quality is superb. Additionally, there is a commentary by Brooks, a 36 minute documentary, outtakes, deleted scenes, and some weird "Mexican" interviews. I particularly enjoyed watching the documentary of how this wonderful film came to the big screen. It was obviously a labor of love and it shows.

If you enjoy Mel Brooks's films, the original Frankenstein films, or simply a great & timeless comedy, you honestly cannot go wrong with YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. It holds up after thirty years and will continue to do so for many to come.

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