How to Survive a Plague [HD]

The Rise Of The AIDS Crisis
I was a nurse during the early days of AIDS. I remember young men dying and not being able to find a funeral home that would take the body. I remember the feeling of helpless as a nurse, no real treatment for my patients, family was rare, other students and health care personnel would try and avoid these people as if they had the plague. Well, yes, indeed, they did have a plague, and no one was doing anything to help, it seemed.

This is a film about the activists in the Gay Community, who gathered to fight this disease that was taking their lovers, friends and community. Act Up with Larry Kramer was loud and proud. They forced pharmaceutical companies to start working for medications, the Government to listen and care,,and the population who were doing nothing. Essentially Larry Kramer and his fellow men fought the plague, while most everyone else stood around and looked.

This was a horrible time, President Reagan disavowed all knowledge. Thousands of men were...

It's About Time!
This documentary by David France explores the early advent of AIDS, its impact on "Ground Zero" (in Greenwich Village), and the birth of the gay advocacy groups ACT UP and TAG.

Of course, given the topic, we know that many of those attractive, articulate and intelligent men we meet will be dead by the time the final credits run, but it is endlessly fascinating to see how smart the activists were and how quickly they learned everything they had to know in order to have credibility with the US FDA and with Big Pharma. They actually wrote the protocol for testing that surprised the federal agency with its professionalism and ease of application.

There are meetings in which the activists learn the art of the "sound bite" and are reminded to be passive and polite but express their outrage to any media in the area. It shows the ads they sponsored attacking President George H. W. Bush, it shows a defensive Bill Clinton dressing down an activist and surprisingly, it...

An Exemplary (And Oscar Nominated) Living History Of Activism In The Age Of AIDS
It hadn't been that long since I sat down with David Weissman's stirring documentary about the early days of AIDS in San Francisco "We Were Here." And truthfully, I wasn't sure I wanted to partake of the similarly themed "How To Survive A Plague" quite so soon afterwards. I'm glad that I didn't listen to myself! This Oscar nominated feature by David France is like a living history, an important chronicle filmed throughout the eighties and nineties by those on the front lines of the crisis. While "We Were Here" is personal and stirring, "How To Survive A Plague" is epic and challenging. Based almost entirely in New York City, the film explores the activism and unwavering commitment of those who simply could not stay quiet as an epidemic was being compartmentalized by the nation and its leaders. What is so incredibly powerful about France's documentary is how relevant and vital it feels. This was history in-the-making within my lifetime, and this film maintains an unparalleled...

Click to Editorial Reviews

An Ideal Husband [HD]

Everybody has flaws
Have you ever looked at a person who seems to be perfect in every way, and thought to yourself, "No one is perfect. They must have done something wrong, sometime."

And the dark secrets of a seemingly perfect man are at the heart of "An Ideal Husband," a powerful and witty adaptation of Oscar Wilde's classic play. It's not entirely faithful to the play, but it rests on Wilde's brilliant writing and a quartet of formidable actors (although Minnie Driver's character seems... almost unnecessary).

Sir Robert Chiltern (Jeremy Northam) seems to have it all -- a flourishing career in Parliament, his beautiful and perfect wife Lady Gertrude (Cate Blanchett), and the universal respect given to a man with a perfect reputation. He has a vivacious sister (Minnie Driver) and is pals with a charming, womanizing, ironic and very bored playboy, Lord Goring (Rupert Everett).

But when a certain Mrs. Cheveley (Julianne Moore) arrives from Vienna, things take a sudden turn...

RUN, DON'T WALK, FOR THE VHS/DVD OF THIS FILM!...
One may wish to watch this movie many times, for there are witticisms galore, so much so that one can hardly keep up with them. While laughing at one, another takes place, and so on. The dialogue is glittering.

This is the greatest production of an Oscar Wilde play I have ever seen, and leaves me on pins and needles waiting for the release later this year of The Importance of Being Earnest because it also stars an actor who seems born to perform in Wilde's plays/movies: Rupert Everett.

The performances: wonderful all. Rupert Everett's work nears the genius level. Jeremy Northam as a not-so-perfect parliamentarian is great. John Wood as his father stands out. And there are the ever-so-essential ladies: Cate Blanchett as Northam's wife (would you believe she is Australian?), who believes she has a perfect husband. Julianne Moore as one of the most charmingly wicked women ever to grace the screen (would you believe she is from North Carolina?), and the very strong presence of Minnie...

Witty Dialogue, Great Acting Ensemble
If you're as tired as I am with the Action/Special effects explosion in Hollywood, An Ideal Husband will prove to boost your low opinion of the film industry. Beautifully cast, written, and directed, it's no wonder why it's been nominated for two Golden Globe Awards. The first of course, going to the actor, Rupert Everett. He delivers his lines with such an aire and grace of an English gentleman and takes such care to wrap each word in a delightful sarcastic tone-- which fits his character perfectly. Although he is, in some ways, considered a nasty man of arrogance, Everett's charm shines through and draws the viewer into his oh so romantic embrace. The rest of the cast is equally entertaining--mostly because they mesh so well together. The period costumes and cinematography are also important to note. The movement from scene to scene, the juxtaposition of the placement of the characters in the scenes are particularly amusing to watch. Enough is enough already. If...

Click to Editorial Reviews

Finding Nemo (Three-Disc Collector's Edition: Blu-ray/DVD in DVD Packaging) (Spanish Version)

Walt Would Approve
Recently, I saw Albert Brooks on Late Night with David Letterman, talking about Finding Nemo. Brooks, who stars as the voice of Marlon, the daddy fish, had taken his son (who, I believe was about five years old, the equivalent human age of Nemo), to the premiere. After about five minutes, Brooks said his son leaned over to him, and quietly said, the way a grownup might, "I cannot watch this movie," and walked out. Late in the movie, the son returned, having obviously been crying. Leaning over, Brooks assured his son, "You are not Nemo."

Such is the power of this fish story about father and son clownfish who become separated, and must struggle to find their way back to each other. Marlon is a loving but neurotic and overprotective father; Nemo is a frustrated young fish who wants to be independent and see the world, and resents his father for preventing him from doing so. We see an ocean (read: the world) that is a terrible, heartless, and yet joyous place that we frail fish must...

Pixar's getting in a habit of constantly outdoing themselves
Finding Nemo is the fifth installment for Pixar Studios, the most reliable studio in Hollywood today, and it is my personal favorite. The first obviously outstanding aspect of the movie is the animation. From the breathtaking wonder of the Great Barrier Reef, to the cold, sterile fish tank, the animation is top notch and truly state of the art. The water, which has always been the bane of animation, is picture perfect, and the animators have captured the rolling but constant ocean and the light refractions perfectly. But animation itself doesn't make a film. Finding Nemo's strongest aspect is it's warm, witty, heartfelt, and funny story of a father's quest to reclaim his son. The kids will love the vibrant characters and funny situations, and so will the parents. However, the parents will be able to enjoy the film on a level far more than the kids will. The story is about losing a child, and the desperate quest to be reunited, which will hit the parent right in the gut. This is...

The Coolest Movie I have Ever Seen.
YOU MUST SEE THIS MOVIE.

There. Now that I've said that, I should tell you that this is NOT solely a childrens' movie, but will be enjoyed as much (if not more) by adults. The cleverness of Pixar will never cease to amaze me. Only they could take a concept like a full-length movie about fish and make it totally believable. This film succeeds n being very, very funny. Heck, I'm 16 and saw it in the theater with only my mother. The two of us were laughing hysterically throughout the entire thing!

There's alot of sadness and emotion in this movie and some absolutely terrific voice acting--the voice cast is top-notch. There are some touching moments and subtle messages to be heard by all, not just kids. I look forward with anticipation to the DVD release of this wonderful movie. The suspense never lets up; encounters with jellyfish, a whale, and a deep-sea lanturn fish make every moment exciting.

As we know, every Disney/Pixar film is associated with its own special "short." Well,...

Click to Editorial Reviews

The Thing About My Folks (2005)

Apples and Oranges
Paul Reiser steps away from the standup comedy spotlight to write a warmly humorous and gently tender story about family - what we see and what we don't see, what we expect and what surprises us. THE THING ABOUT MY FOLKS doesn't set any new standards for film, but it is a fine little story well told that reminds us about the significant bonds that family represents.

Sam Kleinman (Peter Falk) has been a workaholic, at times pushing his wife Muriel (Olympia Dukakis), his daughters (Mackenzie Connolly and Lydia Jordan), and his son Ben (Paul Reiser) into the background. One day Muriel leaves a note that after years of marriage she is leaving! Her daughters, along with Ben's wife Rachel (Elizabeth Perkins) immediately begin the search for her whereabouts, leaving the confused and hurt and disgruntle Sam to sort things out on a road trip with son Ben. The road trip becomes a time for the two men to learn who each other is and what they each mean to their status as father and...

Father And Son Bonding--A Slight And Unassuming Little Film For Those Who Like that Sort Of Thing
"The Thing About My Folks" is a pleasant, if not at all surprising, little diversion. In a bit of male wish fulfillment, a man and his father find themselves on an unlikely roadtrip--and thus have the time to learn about one another and bond in ways previously foreign to them both. This seriocomic adventure stars Paul Reiser and Peter Falk as the duo, and the piece was obviously put together as an ode to familial love. What little boy doesn't yearn to spend more time with his dad? Apparently, even into adulthood, that's not something you ever get over.

After a fairly contrived and perfunctory beginning, our guys get on the road. Their escapades are pleasingly familiar which means that we're treated to a lot of cliche'd moments. As you might expect--we get ballgames, camping, fishing, drinking, smoking, carousing with women, and any other father/son interaction you might hope for. It's all very tame, though, but there is a warm humor to be had throughout. Naturally, they...

THE REAL DEAL
I just viewed this movie last night with my husband and we thought it was THE BEST! I feel it deals with REAL families and emotions, right down to the "farts". I didn't realize Paul Reiser was such a talented writer. He turned out a movie that didn't once make me feel that it was contrived or stilted. It was like being with the family---a family that cares and shows anger and fear and frustration and LOVE. And it shows us that we CAN grow and change AND still love and support each other.

It was one of the best 98 minutes we've had together right up to and including the tears we shared at the end. Right on, Paul Reiser! Don't let anyone convince you otherwise, this is THE REAL DEAL!!

Click to Editorial Reviews

Held Up [HD]

Awesome,Funny Movie
In this movie Jamie Fox or "Michael Dawson" is on vacation with fiancee Rae or "Nia Long" in the middle of nowhere.Until Rae dumps him then, a teenager takes his car and is caught up in a hostage situation it's just a hilarious situation after another!!

funny for the first ride
if you wanna watch this over and over again I , dont...its better if you watch it once. this is about Foxx and his girlfriend leaves him and then he ends up being Held Up by some robbers who are so stupid. the cops come, or should I say uneducated cops come to teh scene. my favorite bit is where Foxx thinks he is grazed with a bullet and it turns out its a dorito chip(the part where the microwave explodes). Jake Busey and Michael Shamus Wiles(military man) add some spark as well.

Side splitting!
I loved this movie. It was funny and loaded with some of the most interesting characters I've seen in a long time. Jamie Foxx is charming and charasmatic. And the rest of the cast are all very talented actors, especially Barry Corbin, who plays the sheriff of the town Jamie gets stuck in. This movie was cleaver and sweet all at the same time. A definate must see for the whole family.

Click to Editorial Reviews

What To Expect When You're Expecting - Workout

keeps you moving
I like that the disc is broken into 6 mini workouts (10 minutes each). I ALWAYS skip over the dance portion because I feel like a fool doing the body rolls and don't really see much benefit to the moves.





Click to Editorial Reviews

It All Came True

Pure Hollywood Entertainment 1940
Ann Sheridan Lights up the screen in this pure Entertainment from the Hollywood Dream factory 1940. Shes Witty, Smart, Talented and a "Good Sort" to boot.Humphrey Bogart Sends himself up as a tough guy,And this added to the enjoyment I got out of this movie.Una O`Connor, a character actress,and very funny, plays Ann Sheridan`s mother.The music numbers are magical,and Ann`s melody of songs at the end of the movie is a pure delight.
This is a Warner Archive Movie,The picture is clear and bright,the sound is excellent mono quality ,Nothing distracted me enjoying this movie.The movie was discounted by Amazon,$18.99,and although its still expensive for a dvd,I got my money worth here..

Sheridan at her very best. A forgotten gem.
This is one of Ann Sheridan's best movies in my opinion. One of my favorite parts of the movie is when she dances and sings. Ann Sheridan was a tough cookie but I found her to be funny, cute and tough in this movie. It's her movie even though Humphrey Bogart is not too far behind in an underrated performance. He was both tough and funny. He did so many gangster movies it would have been nice to see him play more characters like this. He was mostly used as the rotten evil irredeemable gangster who both made Jimmy Cagney and Edward G. Robinson likable and is usually shot by both of them. Bogart's character was so likable and this movie was a treat.
I didn't want to buy this due to the price but when I saw it I know I made the right decision. I've rewatched it a few times and every viewing gets better. It's a nice funny movie. It has good acting but if you are looking for an Oscar worthy movie you might want to see another movie. This is a must for Bogart fans. It's great for...

A treasure of a movie
This is just a delightful, fun movie from 1940 with a great cast. I saw this on TCM for the first time recently and can't believe as a devoted classic movie buff, I hadn't seen this one. Bogart wonderful Ann Sheriden is wonderful and the treasure of the movie is Una O'Connor, an Irish actress with a great Irish brogue, feisty, loving, so funny and a pleasure to watch. Buying this dvd for the pure enjoyment of it and so that I can see Ms. Ocnnor over and over again.

Click to Editorial Reviews