Collection ID 112
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Starring: Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov
Genre: Romance
Studio: Bryna Productions   Release date: 1960   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): German, English, French, Italian, Spanish (USA)
Summary: The slave Spartacus leads a violent revolt against the decadent Roman empire.
My Rating:
My Review: Spartacus - An award winning (four Oscars in 1961) film directed by Stanley Kubrik, starring Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Tony Curtis, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, Nina Foch and many others. It's a dramatic telling of a historical tale. The story of Spartacus; a Thracian slave and gladiator who leads a revolt against the corrupt and unjust Roman Empire of 73BC. Unwilling to submit to the lash, disgusted with the moral and ethical corruption of the noble Romans. Spartacus inspires revolution in his fellow gladiators. Overturning the order of things, he leads an ever growing army of liberated slaves. The Roman Senate and Military are no match for the men and women who fight for their freedom. Can these free slaves make their way to the port of Brundisium and by sea to a lasting freedom? A classic epic with a fantastic cast, excellent acting, outstanding direction. and story based on historical fact so epic it had to be told. 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 896
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Starring: Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov
Genre: Romance
Studio: Bryna Productions   Release date: 1960   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): German, English, French, Italian, Spanish (USA)
Summary: The slave Spartacus leads a violent revolt against the decadent Roman empire.
My Rating:
My Review: Spartacus - An award winning (four Oscars in 1961) film directed by Stanley Kubrik, starring Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Tony Curtis, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, Nina Foch and many others. It's a dramatic telling of a historical tale. The story of Spartacus; a Thracian slave and gladiator who leads a revolt against the corrupt and unjust Roman Empire of 73BC. Unwilling to submit to the lash, disgusted with the moral and ethical corruption of the noble Romans. Spartacus inspires revolution in his fellow gladiators. Overturning the order of things, he leads an ever growing army of liberated slaves. The Roman Senate and Military are no match for the men and women who fight for their freedom. Can these free slaves make their way to the port of Brundisium and by sea to a lasting freedom? A classic epic with a fantastic cast, excellent acting, outstanding direction. and story based on historical fact so epic it had to be told. 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 689
Director: Luis Llosa
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone, James Woods, Rod Steiger, Eric Roberts
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Romance, Thriller
Studio: Warner Bros.   Release date: 1994   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English (Peru, USA)
Summary: Ray Quick is a bomb expert who worked for the CIA along with a guy named Ned Trent, who's extremely demented. When they have a falling out, Ray becomes a freelancer who lives off the grid. A woman named May Munro contacts and wants him to kill the three men who killed her family years ago, who work for the Leon crime family. Ray does it and after killing the first one, the Leons need to find the one who did it and it turns out Ned is now working for them and they task him with finding the bomber. The Leons get him to work with the police and he looks for the bomber. In the meantime Ray, while working on getting the others, can't help but follow May wherever she goes.
My Rating:
My Review: The Specialist: (1994 - Action, crime, drama) A gift from a coworker. Despite my low rating on this movie, I still enjoy Stallone. This formulaic crime thriller is a typical hollywood action flick that features beautiful people, big explosions, invincible characters and plenty of cheesy dialog. Well cast, but poorly directed and written. This movie featured Sylvester Stallone (as Ray Quick the former CIA explosives 'Specialist'), Sharon Stone (as Adrian Hastings the sole survivor turned avenging angel), James Woods (As Ned Trent, the former CIA teammate gone over to the dark side), Rod Steiger (As Joe Leon the South Florida (by way of Cuba?) mob boss monster, and Eric Roberts (as Tomas Leon the immortal (hasn't aged in 20 years), womanizing, arrogant son of a mobster). The entire movie is based on an incredibly contrived plot where Woods has hooked up with Stone and hired on with Rod Steiger in order to lure Stallone out into the open so that he can kill him? While simultaneously affording Stone the opportunity to exact revenge on James Woods and his gang of hoodlums, for the murder of her parents. As I said the plot is convoluted and contrived. While this movie featured a lot of hollywood style action, explosions and violence, it also featured a fair share of skin. Unfortunately, the circumstances were so unlikely, and the character development so weak, that I ended up laughing during the Stallone / Stone love scene. While I appreciated the slight glimpses at Stone's physique (mainly her legs), her body was fairly smothered throughout the protracted sex scenes (more than one) by Stallone. I saw so much of his ass that I was beginning to wonder... 'How exactly does a person work on their ass muscles?' Anyway, back to the review. The acting was pretty poor. Stallone and Stone have both done better. The best performance came from Rod Steiger in his highly accented mobster portrayal. The costumes, makeup and hair were very 'Miami Vice' in a bad way. The music was forgettable. The most amazing part about this over-the-top bombastic hollywood plot? Stallone never fires a gun? 2 out of 5.

Collection ID 1379
Director: Luis Llosa
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone, James Woods, Rod Steiger, Eric Roberts
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Romance, Thriller
Studio: Warner Bros.   Release date: 1994   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English (Peru, USA)
Summary: Ray Quick is a bomb expert who worked for the CIA along with a guy named Ned Trent, who's extremely demented. When they have a falling out, Ray becomes a freelancer who lives off the grid. A woman named May Munro contacts and wants him to kill the three men who killed her family years ago, who work for the Leon crime family. Ray does it and after killing the first one, the Leons need to find the one who did it and it turns out Ned is now working for them and they task him with finding the bomber. The Leons get him to work with the police and he looks for the bomber. In the meantime Ray, while working on getting the others, can't help but follow May wherever she goes.
My Rating:
My Review: The Specialist: (1994 - Action, crime, drama) A gift from a coworker. Despite my low rating on this movie, I still enjoy Stallone. This formulaic crime thriller is a typical hollywood action flick that features beautiful people, big explosions, invincible characters and plenty of cheesy dialog. Well cast, but poorly directed and written. This movie featured Sylvester Stallone (as Ray Quick the former CIA explosives 'Specialist'), Sharon Stone (as Adrian Hastings the sole survivor turned avenging angel), James Woods (As Ned Trent, the former CIA teammate gone over to the dark side), Rod Steiger (As Joe Leon the South Florida (by way of Cuba?) mob boss monster, and Eric Roberts (as Tomas Leon the immortal (hasn't aged in 20 years), womanizing, arrogant son of a mobster). The entire movie is based on an incredibly contrived plot where Woods has hooked up with Stone and hired on with Rod Steiger in order to lure Stallone out into the open so that he can kill him? While simultaneously affording Stone the opportunity to exact revenge on James Woods and his gang of hoodlums, for the murder of her parents. As I said the plot is convoluted and contrived. While this movie featured a lot of hollywood style action, explosions and violence, it also featured a fair share of skin. Unfortunately, the circumstances were so unlikely, and the character development so weak, that I ended up laughing during the Stallone / Stone love scene. While I appreciated the slight glimpses at Stone's physique (mainly her legs), her body was fairly smothered throughout the protracted sex scenes (more than one) by Stallone. I saw so much of his ass that I was beginning to wonder... 'How exactly does a person work on their ass muscles?' Anyway, back to the review. The acting was pretty poor. Stallone and Stone have both done better. The best performance came from Rod Steiger in his highly accented mobster portrayal. The costumes, makeup and hair were very 'Miami Vice' in a bad way. The music was forgettable. The most amazing part about this over-the-top bombastic hollywood plot? Stallone never fires a gun? 2 out of 5.

Collection ID 359
Director: Barry Levinson
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Sharon Stone, Samuel L. Jackson, Peter Coyote, Liev Schreiber
Genre: Sci-Fi
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures   Release date: 1998   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: A spaceship is discovered under three hundred years' worth of coral growth at the bottom of the ocean.
My Rating:
My Review: Sphere is a movie based upon a novel by Micheal Crichton. While I enjoy many of his novels, movies made from his novels don't always pan out. Thankfully, I haven't read this particular novel. So I wasn't quite as disappointed as some critics. The story. The U.S. Navy has discovered a space-ship at the bottom of the ocean. A crew of specialists (Dustin Hoffman as Psychologist Dr. Norman Goodman; Sharon Stone as Biologist Dr. Elizabeth 'Beth' Halperin; Samuel L. Jackson as Physicist/Mathematician Dr. Harry Adams) is gathered to study the wreck and its contents. When the crew arrive at the bottom of the ocean they discover a golden sphere inside the derelict spaceship. Its origins, the fate of the spaceship crew, and the scientists fates are all powerful themes in this movie. Its a great psychological thriller with sci-fi elements. There are definitely flaws in the plot, but the pacing, effects and technical work keep the audience on the edge of their seat. I enjoyed it immensely. 4 out of 5.

Collection ID 1089
Director: Barry Levinson
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Sharon Stone, Samuel L. Jackson, Peter Coyote, Liev Schreiber
Genre: Sci-Fi
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures   Release date: 1998   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: A spaceship is discovered under three hundred years' worth of coral growth at the bottom of the ocean.
My Rating:
My Review: Sphere is a movie based upon a novel by Micheal Crichton. While I enjoy many of his novels, movies made from his novels don't always pan out. Thankfully, I haven't read this particular novel. So I wasn't quite as disappointed as some critics. The story. The U.S. Navy has discovered a space-ship at the bottom of the ocean. A crew of specialists (Dustin Hoffman as Psychologist Dr. Norman Goodman; Sharon Stone as Biologist Dr. Elizabeth 'Beth' Halperin; Samuel L. Jackson as Physicist/Mathematician Dr. Harry Adams) is gathered to study the wreck and its contents. When the crew arrive at the bottom of the ocean they discover a golden sphere inside the derelict spaceship. Its origins, the fate of the spaceship crew, and the scientists fates are all powerful themes in this movie. Its a great psychological thriller with sci-fi elements. There are definitely flaws in the plot, but the pacing, effects and technical work keep the audience on the edge of their seat. I enjoyed it immensely. 4 out of 5.

Collection ID 1655
Director: Sam Raimi
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
Studio: Columbia Pictures   Release date: 2007   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: Peter Parker has finally managed to piece together the once-broken parts of his life, maintaining a balance between his relationship with Mary-Jane and his responsibility as Spider-Man. But more challenges arise for our young hero. Peter's old friend Harry Obsourne has set out for revenge against Peter; taking up the mantle of his late father's persona as The New Goblin, and Peter must also capture Uncle Ben's real killer, Flint Marko, who has been transformed into his toughest foe yet, the Sandman. All hope seems lost when suddenly Peter's suit turns jet-black and greatly amplifies his powers. But it also begins to greatly amplify the much darker qualities of Peter's personality that he begins to lose himself to. Peter has to reach deep inside himself to free the compassionate hero he used to be if he is to ever conquer the darkness within and face not only his greatest enemies, but also...himself.
My Rating:
My Review:

Collection ID 1656
Director: Sam Raimi
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
Studio: Columbia Pictures   Release date: 2007   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: Peter Parker has finally managed to piece together the once-broken parts of his life, maintaining a balance between his relationship with Mary-Jane and his responsibility as Spider-Man. But more challenges arise for our young hero. Peter's old friend Harry Obsourne has set out for revenge against Peter; taking up the mantle of his late father's persona as The New Goblin, and Peter must also capture Uncle Ben's real killer, Flint Marko, who has been transformed into his toughest foe yet, the Sandman. All hope seems lost when suddenly Peter's suit turns jet-black and greatly amplifies his powers. But it also begins to greatly amplify the much darker qualities of Peter's personality that he begins to lose himself to. Peter has to reach deep inside himself to free the compassionate hero he used to be if he is to ever conquer the darkness within and face not only his greatest enemies, but also...himself.
My Rating:
My Review:

Collection ID 39
Director: John Landis
Starring: Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, Steve Forrest, Donna Dixon, Bruce Davison
Genre: Comedy
Studio: Warner Bros.   Release date: 1985   Rated: PG   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: Two bumbling government employees think they are U.S. spies, only to discover that they are actually decoys.
My Rating:
My Review: A great comedy starring Chevy Chase and Dan Akroyd. Two bumbling government employees are recruited as unwitting decoys in a Nuclear tipped espionage spoof. The barbs are sharp, the writing witty, and Chase and Akroyd work well together at the top of their game. Ripe with Doctor Strangelove parallels, this well directed slapstick comedy is an excellent send up of military intelligence. Keeps getting better ever time I watch it. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Collection ID 249
Director: John Landis
Starring: Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, Steve Forrest, Donna Dixon, Bruce Davison
Genre: Comedy
Studio: Warner Bros.   Release date: 1985   Rated: PG   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: Two bumbling government employees think they are U.S. spies, only to discover that they are actually decoys.
My Rating:
My Review: A great comedy starring Chevy Chase and Dan Akroyd. Two bumbling government employees are recruited as unwitting decoys in a Nuclear tipped espionage spoof. The barbs are sharp, the writing witty, and Chase and Akroyd work well together at the top of their game. Ripe with Doctor Strangelove parallels, this well directed slapstick comedy is an excellent send up of military intelligence. Keeps getting better ever time I watch it. I give it a 4 out of 5.