Collection ID 471
Director: Tony Scott
Starring: Robert Redford, Brad Pitt, Catherine McCormack, Stephen Dillane, Larry Bryggman
Genre: Action
Studio: Universal Pictures   Release date: 2001   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French (UK)
Summary: Retiring CIA agent Nathan Muir recalls his training of Tom Bishop while working against agency politics to free him from his Chinese captors.
My Rating:
My Review: Starring Robert Redford, Brad Pitt and Catherine McCormack. A very good espionage thriller. Brad Pitt plays a 'Boy Scout' who's gone 'off the reservation' (I love all the spy talk in this movie). The movie opens when Bradd Pitt's character (Tom Bishop) gets caught trying to smuggle someone out of a Chinese prison. While the agency sets up their 'Crisis Action Team' to deal with the fallout, Robert Redford's character (Nathan D. Muir) does his best to obfuscate, delay, and ultimately rescue his protege'. It's a thrilling game of cat and mouse on multiple levels. Excellent acting by all the principals. The locations, sets, and costumes were great. The camer work excellent, and the pacing superb. This movie is based on a novel, and it feels more authentic than most hollywood spy thrillers. The language is terriffic, and the historical aspects add another level of authenticity to this thinking mans action flick. A good mix of drama and action. A spy thriller where the real deception takes place at CIA headquarters. Very well done.

Collection ID 1183
Director: Tony Scott
Starring: Robert Redford, Brad Pitt, Catherine McCormack, Stephen Dillane, Larry Bryggman
Genre: Action
Studio: Universal Pictures   Release date: 2001   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French (UK)
Summary: Retiring CIA agent Nathan Muir recalls his training of Tom Bishop while working against agency politics to free him from his Chinese captors.
My Rating:
My Review: Starring Robert Redford, Brad Pitt and Catherine McCormack. A very good espionage thriller. Brad Pitt plays a 'Boy Scout' who's gone 'off the reservation' (I love all the spy talk in this movie). The movie opens when Bradd Pitt's character (Tom Bishop) gets caught trying to smuggle someone out of a Chinese prison. While the agency sets up their 'Crisis Action Team' to deal with the fallout, Robert Redford's character (Nathan D. Muir) does his best to obfuscate, delay, and ultimately rescue his protege'. It's a thrilling game of cat and mouse on multiple levels. Excellent acting by all the principals. The locations, sets, and costumes were great. The camer work excellent, and the pacing superb. This movie is based on a novel, and it feels more authentic than most hollywood spy thrillers. The language is terriffic, and the historical aspects add another level of authenticity to this thinking mans action flick. A good mix of drama and action. A spy thriller where the real deception takes place at CIA headquarters. Very well done.

Collection ID 1741
Director: Griffin Hammond
Starring: Randy Clemens, Jordan Crowder, Harold Dieterle, Oz du Soleil, Adam Holliday
Genre: Documentary, Short, Biography, News
Studio:   Release date: 2013   Rated:   
Language (Country): English (Thailand, USA)
Summary: Sriracha has earned a cult following, but the story of this spicy sauce is a mystery to most fans. Dedicated to Sriracha lovers, this fast-paced documentary travels around the globe to reveal its origin and the man behind the iconic 'rooster sauce.'
My Rating:
My Review: Written and directed by Griffin Hammond. Starring Randy Clemens, Jordan Crowder, Harold Dieterle and others. Here is a short but sweet documentary about a spicy subject - Sriracha. It's not made in Thailand, China, Vietnam or Mexico. It's a 'Made in America' story. Thi. s documentary travels around the world to tell us the story of the original Huy Fong Foods culinary treat - Sriracha. While many people around the world love this spicy sauce, most assume it comes to us from some far-away land like Thailand. In fact, it's made in America, by David Tran, an Ethic Chinese immigrant from Vietnam. This brand of Sriracha sauce, also known as 'Rooster Sauce' because of the rooster on the label. The documentary is long enough to tell the story of the sauce's inventor, its origins, production and the family business. This travel documentary is humorous, entertaining and informative. A great documentary for foodies and travel junkies alike. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Collection ID 755
Director: Billy Wilder
Starring: William Holden, Don Taylor, Otto Preminger, Robert Strauss, Harvey Lembeck
Genre: Comedy, Drama, War
Studio: Paramount Pictures   Release date: 1953   Rated: Approved   
Language (Country): English, German, Russian (USA)
Summary: It's a dreary Christmas 1944 for the American POWs in Stalag 17. For the men in Barracks 4, all Sergeants, they have to deal with another problem - there seems to be a security leak. The Germans always seem to be forewarned about escapes and in the most recent attempt the two men, Manfredi and Johnson, walked straight into a trap and were killed. For some in Barracks 4, especially the loud-mouthed Duke, the leaker is obvious: J.J. Sefton a wheeler-dealer who doesn't hesitate to trade with the guards and who has acquired goods and privileges that no other prisoner seems to have. Sefton denies giving the Germans any information and makes it quite clear that he has no intention of ever trying to escape. He plans to to ride out the war in what little comfort he can arrange, but it doesn't extend to spying for the Germans. As tensions mount and a mob mentality takes root, it becomes obvious that Sefton will have to find the real snitch if he his to have any peace and avoid the beatings ...
My Rating:
My Review: Stalag 17 - 1953 (comedy, drama, war) Directed by Billy Wilder, the master of dramas (who lost family members to the Nazis during the Holocaust). This movie featured a fantastic cast - William Holden, Don Taylor, Otto Preminger, Robert Strauss, Harvey Lembeck, Richard Erdman, Peter Graves, Neville Brand, Sig Ruman and others. The screen play, based on a play was excellent. The mix of comedy and drama was perfectly balanced. An excellent example of dramatic relief through comedy. Despite the dark thrilling aspects of this witty drama, the dancing, singing and humor were handled with the greatest care and attention. Creating a sublime, but bittersweet tale of the hardships these men faced. The acting was outstanding. Especially the portrayal of 'Animal' by Robert Strauss, and William Holden's excellent portrayal of Sefton - the survivor with a hidden heart of gold. This movie formed the basis of the "Hogan's Heroes" television series, which ran for six seasons. Influences from this movie can clearly be seen in M.A.S.H. and other 'POW camp' movies. The camp itself was very realistic. Not the antiseptic set of a hollywood back lot. The story is one of deception, drama, and escape from a Nazi POW camp. As the American prisoners strive to escape or survive, their every move is thwarted and shadowed by the camps overseers. There's a spy in their midst, and they've got to figure out who it is before the next escape attempt. Lives are hanging in the balance, and the German's aren't playing any games in this camp. Awesome pacing, editing, and great direction combine with outstanding acting and music to mark a memorable movie about life in a WWII POW camp. FYI: This movie won three academy awards in 1954. William Holden got best actor, Robert Strauss got best supporting actor, and Billy Wilder got best director. 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 1441
Director: Billy Wilder
Starring: William Holden, Don Taylor, Otto Preminger, Robert Strauss, Harvey Lembeck
Genre: Comedy, Drama, War
Studio: Paramount Pictures   Release date: 1953   Rated: Approved   
Language (Country): English, German, Russian (USA)
Summary: It's a dreary Christmas 1944 for the American POWs in Stalag 17. For the men in Barracks 4, all Sergeants, they have to deal with another problem - there seems to be a security leak. The Germans always seem to be forewarned about escapes and in the most recent attempt the two men, Manfredi and Johnson, walked straight into a trap and were killed. For some in Barracks 4, especially the loud-mouthed Duke, the leaker is obvious: J.J. Sefton a wheeler-dealer who doesn't hesitate to trade with the guards and who has acquired goods and privileges that no other prisoner seems to have. Sefton denies giving the Germans any information and makes it quite clear that he has no intention of ever trying to escape. He plans to to ride out the war in what little comfort he can arrange, but it doesn't extend to spying for the Germans. As tensions mount and a mob mentality takes root, it becomes obvious that Sefton will have to find the real snitch if he his to have any peace and avoid the beatings ...
My Rating:
My Review: Stalag 17 - 1953 (comedy, drama, war) Directed by Billy Wilder, the master of dramas (who lost family members to the Nazis during the Holocaust). This movie featured a fantastic cast - William Holden, Don Taylor, Otto Preminger, Robert Strauss, Harvey Lembeck, Richard Erdman, Peter Graves, Neville Brand, Sig Ruman and others. The screen play, based on a play was excellent. The mix of comedy and drama was perfectly balanced. An excellent example of dramatic relief through comedy. Despite the dark thrilling aspects of this witty drama, the dancing, singing and humor were handled with the greatest care and attention. Creating a sublime, but bittersweet tale of the hardships these men faced. The acting was outstanding. Especially the portrayal of 'Animal' by Robert Strauss, and William Holden's excellent portrayal of Sefton - the survivor with a hidden heart of gold. This movie formed the basis of the "Hogan's Heroes" television series, which ran for six seasons. Influences from this movie can clearly be seen in M.A.S.H. and other 'POW camp' movies. The camp itself was very realistic. Not the antiseptic set of a hollywood back lot. The story is one of deception, drama, and escape from a Nazi POW camp. As the American prisoners strive to escape or survive, their every move is thwarted and shadowed by the camps overseers. There's a spy in their midst, and they've got to figure out who it is before the next escape attempt. Lives are hanging in the balance, and the German's aren't playing any games in this camp. Awesome pacing, editing, and great direction combine with outstanding acting and music to mark a memorable movie about life in a WWII POW camp. FYI: This movie won three academy awards in 1954. William Holden got best actor, Robert Strauss got best supporting actor, and Billy Wilder got best director. 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 668
Director: Bronwen Hughes
Starring: Thomas Jane, Dexter Fletcher, David O'Hara, Deborah Kara Unger, Ashley Taylor
Genre: Action & Adventure
Studio: Sony Pictures   Release date: 2004   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English (Canada)
Summary: "Stander" is the compelling, true story of Andre Stander (superbly played by Tom--formerly Thomas--Jane), an Apartheid-era, South African police captain whose disgust over official repression of the nation's black majority--and his own, lethal participation in those policies--leads to his career as a bank robber. Captured, imprisoned, and on the run after a successful escape, Stander joins two partners (Dexter Fletcher, David Patrick O'Hara) in a long string of bank heists across the country, uncertain of his destiny but yearning for his estranged wife (Deborah Unger). Co-screenwriter and director Bronwen Hughes ("Forces of Nature") can't quite overcome the built-in redundancy of the film's latter half (lots of robberies, lots of disguises). But despite all the gunplay, "Stander" is most interesting for its understated fascination with the enigma of its anti-hero, who wreaks havoc yet is peculiarly committed to atoning--at great pain--for those actions he considers most unethical. "--Tom Keogh"
My Rating:
My Review: An amazing film about Andre Stander, a South African cop who turns to robbing banks after he becomes disillusioned and disgusted by his governments corrupt and unjust system. This movie was filmed on location in Africa, and the actors spoke accented English. It felt very authentic and I was taken in by the feeling of apartheid falling apart as I watched the movie. A great drama disguised as an action film. Terrific acting by Thomas Jane, Ashley Taylor, David O'Hara, Dexter Fletcher, Deborah Kara Unger, Marius Weyers and At Botha. perfect direction by Bronwen Hughes, and a great soundtrack. Everything in this movie clicked. I give it a 5 out of 5 despite the violent nature of the film.

Collection ID 1362
Director: Bronwen Hughes
Starring: Thomas Jane, Dexter Fletcher, David O'Hara, Deborah Kara Unger, Ashley Taylor
Genre: Action & Adventure
Studio: Sony Pictures   Release date: 2004   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English (Canada)
Summary: "Stander" is the compelling, true story of Andre Stander (superbly played by Tom--formerly Thomas--Jane), an Apartheid-era, South African police captain whose disgust over official repression of the nation's black majority--and his own, lethal participation in those policies--leads to his career as a bank robber. Captured, imprisoned, and on the run after a successful escape, Stander joins two partners (Dexter Fletcher, David Patrick O'Hara) in a long string of bank heists across the country, uncertain of his destiny but yearning for his estranged wife (Deborah Unger). Co-screenwriter and director Bronwen Hughes ("Forces of Nature") can't quite overcome the built-in redundancy of the film's latter half (lots of robberies, lots of disguises). But despite all the gunplay, "Stander" is most interesting for its understated fascination with the enigma of its anti-hero, who wreaks havoc yet is peculiarly committed to atoning--at great pain--for those actions he considers most unethical. "--Tom Keogh"
My Rating:
My Review: An amazing film about Andre Stander, a South African cop who turns to robbing banks after he becomes disillusioned and disgusted by his governments corrupt and unjust system. This movie was filmed on location in Africa, and the actors spoke accented English. It felt very authentic and I was taken in by the feeling of apartheid falling apart as I watched the movie. A great drama disguised as an action film. Terrific acting by Thomas Jane, Ashley Taylor, David O'Hara, Dexter Fletcher, Deborah Kara Unger, Marius Weyers and At Botha. perfect direction by Bronwen Hughes, and a great soundtrack. Everything in this movie clicked. I give it a 5 out of 5 despite the violent nature of the film.

Collection ID 622
Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
Starring: Sergio Castellitto, Tiziana Lodato, Franco Scaldati, Leopoldo Trieste, Clelia Rondinella
Genre: Art House & International
Studio: Miramax Home Entertainment   Release date: 1996   Rated: R   
Language (Country): French, Italian (Italy)
Summary: This critically acclaimed motion picture from the creator of the Academy Award(R)-Winning favorite CINEMA PARADISO, was heralded as a masterpiece by critics from coast to coast. Joe Morelli is the "star maker" -- a con man who travels from one small town to the next, claiming to be a talent scout for a top movie studio. And wherever Joe goes, people turn out in droves for a chance at being seen and becoming the world's next big-screen sensation! A lively and entertaining story about the magic of movies and the extraordinary dreams of everyday people, THE STAR MAKER earned a 1995 Academy Award nomination as Best Foreign Language Film!
My Rating:
My Review: (Italy - Uomo delle stelle, L') Another movie by Giuseppe Tornatore. This director's films all feel like they were made in the 50's - 60's, even though they're relatively new (80's - 90's). His highly visual style of story telling creates stirring pictures full of raw emotion. This is the story of a self-proclaimed 'Talent Scout'. The main character is a huckster disguised as a movie industry insider. Traveling from town to town in a depressed and bombed out post WWII Sicily, he sells dreams to the eager masses for a mere 1,500 lira. Never staying in one town for very long, this con-man bounces from town to town the way he bounces in and out of relationships. He skillfully navigates the mine-field of potential traps until he stumbles upon the one trap that targets his heart. Fantastic characters, stunning visuals, terrific music, and unrivaled direction make this a movie on par with Cinema Paradiso. (This movie is rated "R" for good reasons. Don't let the kids watch this one.)

Collection ID 1321
Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
Starring: Sergio Castellitto, Tiziana Lodato, Franco Scaldati, Leopoldo Trieste, Clelia Rondinella
Genre: Art House & International
Studio: Miramax Home Entertainment   Release date: 1996   Rated: R   
Language (Country): French, Italian (Italy)
Summary: This critically acclaimed motion picture from the creator of the Academy Award(R)-Winning favorite CINEMA PARADISO, was heralded as a masterpiece by critics from coast to coast. Joe Morelli is the "star maker" -- a con man who travels from one small town to the next, claiming to be a talent scout for a top movie studio. And wherever Joe goes, people turn out in droves for a chance at being seen and becoming the world's next big-screen sensation! A lively and entertaining story about the magic of movies and the extraordinary dreams of everyday people, THE STAR MAKER earned a 1995 Academy Award nomination as Best Foreign Language Film!
My Rating:
My Review: (Italy - Uomo delle stelle, L') Another movie by Giuseppe Tornatore. This director's films all feel like they were made in the 50's - 60's, even though they're relatively new (80's - 90's). His highly visual style of story telling creates stirring pictures full of raw emotion. This is the story of a self-proclaimed 'Talent Scout'. The main character is a huckster disguised as a movie industry insider. Traveling from town to town in a depressed and bombed out post WWII Sicily, he sells dreams to the eager masses for a mere 1,500 lira. Never staying in one town for very long, this con-man bounces from town to town the way he bounces in and out of relationships. He skillfully navigates the mine-field of potential traps until he stumbles upon the one trap that targets his heart. Fantastic characters, stunning visuals, terrific music, and unrivaled direction make this a movie on par with Cinema Paradiso. (This movie is rated "R" for good reasons. Don't let the kids watch this one.)

Collection ID 716
Director: J.J. Abrams
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, John Cho, Ben Cross, Bruce Greenwood
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Studio: Paramount   Release date: 2009   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English, French, Spanish (USA)
Summary: J.J. Abrams' 2009 feature film was billed as "not your father's Star Trek," but your father will probably love it anyway. And what's not to love? It has enough action, emotional impact, humor, and sheer fun for any moviegoer, and Trekkers will enjoy plenty of insider references and a cast that seems ideally suited to portray the characters we know they'll become later. Both a prequel and a reboot, Star Trek introduces us to James T. Kirk (Chris Pine of The Princess Diaries 2), a sharp but aimless young man who's prodded by a Starfleet captain, Christopher Pike (Bruce Greenwood), to enlist and make a difference. At the Academy, Kirk runs afoul of a Vulcan commander named Spock (Zachary Quinto of Heroes), but their conflict has to take a back seat when Starfleet, including its new ship, the Enterprise, has to answer an emergency call from Vulcan. What follows is a stirring tale of genocide and revenge launched by a Romulan (Eric Bana) with a particular interest in Spock, and we get to see the familiar crew come together, including McCoy (Karl Urban), Uhura (Zoe Saldana), Sulu (John Cho), Chekhov (Anton Yelchin), and Scottie (Simon Pegg).
The action and visuals make for a spectacular Big-Screen Movie, though the plot by Abrams and his writers, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (who worked together on Transformers and with Abrams on Alias and Mission Impossible III), and his producers (fellow Losties Damon Lindeloff and Bryan Burk) can be a bit of a mind-bender (no surprise there for Lost fans). Hardcore fans with a bone to pick may find faults, but resistance is futile when you can watch Kirk take on the Kobayashi Maru scenario or hear McCoy bark, "Damnit, man, I'm a doctor, not a physicist!" An appearance by Leonard Nimoy and hearing the late Majel Barrett Roddenberry as the voice of the computer simply sweeten the pot. Now comes the hard part: waiting for some sequels to this terrific prequel. --David Horiuchi

Stills from Star Trek (Click for larger image)
My Rating:
My Review: Directed by J.J. Abrams (Alias (tv series), Lost (tv series), MI:III) - Writer, director, producer, actor, composer - He's done it all. Starring - Chris Pine (as James T. Kirk (the Starship Captain)), Zachary Quinto (as Spock (the new one)), Leonard Nimoy (as Spock (the original one)), Eric Bana (as Nero (the bad guy)), Bruce Grennwood (Capt. Christopher Pike), Karl Urban (Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy), Zoe Saldana (Nyota Uhura), Simon Pegg (Scotty), John Cho (Hikaru Sulu), Anton Yelchin (Chekov), and others. I'm an old school Star Trek fan (going back to the original series when I was a kid), and I have to say that I've been dreading this movie. It would be very easy to screw this up. Very easy to take the wrong approach. This Star Trek movie isn't what I thought it was going to be. I thought it was going to be a prequel - It's not, and that makes me very happy. It's a brilliant new beginning for the franchise. It takes many elements; the characters, the technology, the adventure and the history. Then it creates a fresh start; new relationships, new technology, a bold new journey which launches the Enterprise into a new beginning for the franchise. An outstanding 're-imagining' by J.J. Abrams. The acting was pretty good for this junior cast. The best acting came from Karl Urban playing Bones, and Zachary Quinto playing the new Spock. The direction, camera work, music, soundtrack, effects and editing were all superb. It even contains many easter eggs for those diehard fans of the original series. The action and special effects were very well executed.