Collection ID 1094
Director: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Robert De Niro, Cybill Shepherd, Peter Boyle, Jodie Foster, Harvey Keitel
Genre: Drama
Studio: Columbia Pictures Corporation   Release date: 1976   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: A mentally unstable Vietnam war veteran works as nighttime taxi driver in a city whose perceived decadence and sleaze feeds his urge to violently lash out.
My Rating:
My Review: Taxi Driver is a powerful movie featuring Robert De Niro as Travis Bickle, Cybill Shepherd as Betsy, 14 year old Jodie Foster as Iris, and many others. Robert De Niro was uncompromising as Travis Bickle, a war damaged cabbie. After returning from Vietnam, Bickle makes a living by working the night shift in a cab, cruising the grimy streets of New York City. Bickle takes the fares that others shun. Working to overcome his insomnia; something's driving Bickle as he cruises the streets of New York city. In a desperate attempt to make himself normal, he falls for a beautiful but untouchable campaign worker and things seem to go well; until Bickle's inability to relate under normal social conditions earns him a spurned lover and a split with the culture that once nurtured him. Reeling from the experience, Bickle acquires a gun and a plan. A plan that will make them all notice that he's a force of nature. On the way down, Bickle does his best to save some small part of his humanity by pulling Iris off the street. Iris is a 12 year old street prostitute, a symbol of corruption and innocence at the same time. Bickle befriends Iris, and does his best to pull her away from the corruption that's sure to ruin her life the way that war destroyed his. This movie contains a huge amount of social commentary that seems lost on today's audiences. We've forgotten what war can do to soldiers, marines, airmen and sailors returning home from the horrors of our Vietnam. Thousands of veterans suffer from PTSD earned in Iraq and Afghanistan. All the media can see is damaged goods. They're bent on labeling them murderer's and gun crazy lunatics because the sensationalism sells more advertisement than sympathy or solutions. Apparently we're doomed to repeat all the mistakes we made coming out of Vietnam. With Afghanistan nearing the end of more than two decades of war, this movie reminds me that society really isn't ready for the return of our troops. The acting in this movie (by De Niro, Foster, and Shepherd) is outstanding, the writing and direction sublime. It's an urban tale that forces the viewer to confront the horrors of war without knowing what they're seeing. The violence in this movie is brutal and uncompromising, but it isn't glamorous or disguised as choreographed cinematography. It's clumsy, slow, confusing and deadly. No one's dodging bullets or diving through windows. It's gritty, final and fatal. An uncompromising vision of society, culture and man's frailty in the face of war. This classic film is a masterpiece of cinema. I give it 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 663
Director: Trey Parker
Starring: Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Kristen Miller, Masasa Moyo, Daran Norris
Genre: Comedy
Studio: Paramount Home Video   Release date: 2004   Rated: Unrated   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: The North American anti-terrorist force Team America attacks a group of terrorist in Paris. Later, the leader of the organization, Spottswoode, invites the famous Broadway actor Gary Johnston to join his world police and work undercover in Cairo in a terrorist organization and disclose their plan of destroying the world. The Team America destroy the cell of terrorists, but then the Panama Canal is attacked by the criminals as a payback. Gary feels responsible for the death of many innocents and leaves the counter-terrorism organization. When the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong II, joins a group of pacifist actors and actresses with the intention of using weapons of massive destruction, the Team America tries to avoid the destruction of the world.
My Rating:
My Review: Brought to us by the pair responsible for South Park (Trey Parker and Matt Stone) Every single scene in this movie is a satirical masterpiece. The lines were truly works of art. The juxtaposition of crude, rude and raunchy humor with the staid expressionless contempt of puppets. Genius! The technical aspects of this movie were truly astonishing. It seemed to me that everything was done by hand. No computer graphics here folks. The puppet work and intricate sets were truly outstanding. This movie was so funny, it left me gasping at times. The plot? I really could care less. Some silly thing about terrorists, led by Kim Jong Il, wanting to blow up the world! Team America is a group of overzealous freedom fighters, intent on making the entire world 'safe'. The point is the counterpoint. Truly libertarian satire, which smirks at the heavy handed state of current affairs. Thank god someone can laugh at terrorism, I'm getting awful tired of inspecting my vehicle for 'suspicious devices' (that's an inside joke). "Maaatt Daaamon"

Collection ID 1357
Director: Trey Parker
Starring: Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Kristen Miller, Masasa Moyo, Daran Norris
Genre: Comedy
Studio: Paramount Home Video   Release date: 2004   Rated: Unrated   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: The North American anti-terrorist force Team America attacks a group of terrorist in Paris. Later, the leader of the organization, Spottswoode, invites the famous Broadway actor Gary Johnston to join his world police and work undercover in Cairo in a terrorist organization and disclose their plan of destroying the world. The Team America destroy the cell of terrorists, but then the Panama Canal is attacked by the criminals as a payback. Gary feels responsible for the death of many innocents and leaves the counter-terrorism organization. When the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong II, joins a group of pacifist actors and actresses with the intention of using weapons of massive destruction, the Team America tries to avoid the destruction of the world.
My Rating:
My Review: Brought to us by the pair responsible for South Park (Trey Parker and Matt Stone) Every single scene in this movie is a satirical masterpiece. The lines were truly works of art. The juxtaposition of crude, rude and raunchy humor with the staid expressionless contempt of puppets. Genius! The technical aspects of this movie were truly astonishing. It seemed to me that everything was done by hand. No computer graphics here folks. The puppet work and intricate sets were truly outstanding. This movie was so funny, it left me gasping at times. The plot? I really could care less. Some silly thing about terrorists, led by Kim Jong Il, wanting to blow up the world! Team America is a group of overzealous freedom fighters, intent on making the entire world 'safe'. The point is the counterpoint. Truly libertarian satire, which smirks at the heavy handed state of current affairs. Thank god someone can laugh at terrorism, I'm getting awful tired of inspecting my vehicle for 'suspicious devices' (that's an inside joke). "Maaatt Daaamon"

Collection ID 562
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tom Hanks, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Stanley Tucci, Chi McBride, Diego Luna
Genre: Drama
Studio: Umvd/Dreamworks   Release date: 2004   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: I recommend you all go see this movie! Tom Hanks plays an immigrant named Viktor Navorski from the Eastern European country of Krekozhia who travels to New York City on a personal mission. Upon arriving to the U.S., Navorski finds out that his country has had a civil war. As a result, he can neither return to his country nor enter the U.S. until the civil war ends and if the U.S. recognizes Krekozhia's new government. He is left stranded at J.F.K. airport and is then ordered by Homeland Security officials to remain in the airport's international transit lounge until peace returns to his country. During the time he is there, Navorski finds out that the terminal is a world in itself where he experiences things like ambition, generosity, amusement status as well as romance with a beautiful flight attendant he meets played by Catherine Zeta-Jones. Meanwhile, the Homeland Security supervisor who originally ordered Viktor to remain in the terminal considers him a problem he has a hard time controling in the system he oversees and a glitch he wants to quickly erase. This film also touches on the bureaucratic non-sense immigrants have to endure when they come here. Aside from its (what I percieve to be) indirect political statement, overall, The Terminal is a funny and warm comedy audiences of all kinds can enjoy.
My Rating:
My Review: The Terminal: Directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Hanks. This movie is a charming comedic drama about a foreigner trapped in a U.S. airport. Stranded between countries, the protagonist is forced to live in an airport terminal. Tormented by the director of security, Tom's character has to fend for himself. He finds employment, love, and finally liberty in this light hearted comedy. The camera work in this movie was absolutely fantastic. One such detail includes a scene where the security director is using a joystick to pan a security camera, as the shot transitions from the security monitor to actors, it transitions from a jerky joystick like motion to a smooth pan & scan motion. The direction was fantastic. The only drawback was the less than satisfactory ending to the love interest. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Collection ID 1263
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tom Hanks, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Stanley Tucci, Chi McBride, Diego Luna
Genre: Drama
Studio: Umvd/Dreamworks   Release date: 2004   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: I recommend you all go see this movie! Tom Hanks plays an immigrant named Viktor Navorski from the Eastern European country of Krekozhia who travels to New York City on a personal mission. Upon arriving to the U.S., Navorski finds out that his country has had a civil war. As a result, he can neither return to his country nor enter the U.S. until the civil war ends and if the U.S. recognizes Krekozhia's new government. He is left stranded at J.F.K. airport and is then ordered by Homeland Security officials to remain in the airport's international transit lounge until peace returns to his country. During the time he is there, Navorski finds out that the terminal is a world in itself where he experiences things like ambition, generosity, amusement status as well as romance with a beautiful flight attendant he meets played by Catherine Zeta-Jones. Meanwhile, the Homeland Security supervisor who originally ordered Viktor to remain in the terminal considers him a problem he has a hard time controling in the system he oversees and a glitch he wants to quickly erase. This film also touches on the bureaucratic non-sense immigrants have to endure when they come here. Aside from its (what I percieve to be) indirect political statement, overall, The Terminal is a funny and warm comedy audiences of all kinds can enjoy.
My Rating:
My Review: The Terminal: Directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Hanks. This movie is a charming comedic drama about a foreigner trapped in a U.S. airport. Stranded between countries, the protagonist is forced to live in an airport terminal. Tormented by the director of security, Tom's character has to fend for himself. He finds employment, love, and finally liberty in this light hearted comedy. The camera work in this movie was absolutely fantastic. One such detail includes a scene where the security director is using a joystick to pan a security camera, as the shot transitions from the security monitor to actors, it transitions from a jerky joystick like motion to a smooth pan & scan motion. The direction was fantastic. The only drawback was the less than satisfactory ending to the love interest. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Collection ID 761
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Biehn, Linda Hamilton, Paul Winfield, Lance Henriksen
Genre: Sci-Fi
Studio: Hemdale Film   Release date: 1984   Rated: R   
Language (Country): French, Italian, English (USA)
Summary: A human-looking, apparently unstoppable cyborg is sent from the future to kill Sarah Connor; Kyle Reese is sent to stop it.
My Rating:
My Review: Cowritten (three credits) and directed by James Cameron (Aliens, The Abyss, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, True Lies, Titanic, Avatar). Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn and many others. Here's a classic cyborg flick. Arnold stars as a cyborg sent back to the past to kill the young mother of a future resistance leader. It's classic time travel with a dystopian sci-fi setting. War against the machines rages on in the future, while our present day (1984) setting of Los Angeles plays host to a hide and go seek survival game; featuring a cyborg assassin from the future and a protector who follows the Terminator to protect mankind from future defeat. The movie is filled with great lines. The writing is outstanding. The acting could be better, but Arnolds screen presence and Linda Hamilton's intensity are undeniable. Michael Biehn is utterly believable in his role as a protector. The movie sets up plenty of paradoxes, then does a great job of ignoring them or twisting them into plot devices. The pacing was perfect, and the music made the movie even more suspenseful. This non-stop action flick keeps delivering, even many years later (this review written in 2019). Worthy of the 5 star rating. I wore out my VHS copy, and had to buy a digital version.

Collection ID 174
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick, Earl Boen
Genre: Sci-Fi
Studio: Carolco Pictures   Release date: 1991   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English (France)
Summary: A shape-shifting cyborg is sent back from the future to kill John Connor before he can grow up to lead the resistance; a protector is sent, too.
My Rating:
My Review: Terminator 2: Judgement Day - 1991 (Action, sci-fi) Directed by James Cameron (Terminator, Aliens, The Abyss, True Lies, Titanic, Avatar). Screen play written by James Cameron and William Wisher Jr. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick, and others. If you're not already familiar with this film, you need to get out of the basement more often. Killing machine (Schwartzeneger) follows T-1000 (Robert Patrick) back into the past. While the T-1000 is relentless in it's quest to slay mankind’s savior, the Terminator does it’s best to protect the young John Connor from an advanced cyborg made out of ‘polymetalic alloy’. While protecting Sarah and John from the relentless T-1000, the terminator learns something about being human. A must see for all Schwartzeneger fans. Linda Hamilton as Sarah Conner is unstoppable. Excellent acting, great story, fantastic special effects. There’s a seat gripping chase scene where semi-rig chases a dirt bike through LA's drainage system. This is an outstanding action flick. Fully deserving on the Oscars it won - For sound, effects (sound and visual), makeup and cinematography. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 402
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick, Earl Boen
Genre: Sci-Fi
Studio: Midway Manufacturing Corporation   Release date: 1991   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English (France)
Summary: A shape-shifting cyborg is sent back from the future to kill John Connor before he can grow up to lead the resistance; a protector is sent, too.
My Rating:
My Review: Directed by James Cameron (Terminator, Aliens, The Abyss, True Lies, Titanic, Avatar). Screen play written by James Cameron and William Wisher Jr. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick, and others. If you're not already familiar with this film, you need to get out of the basement more often. Killing machine (Schwartzeneger) follows T-1000 (Robert Patrick) back into the past. While the T-1000 is relentless in it's quest to slay mankind’s savior, the Terminator does it’s best to protect the young John Connor from an advanced cyborg made out of ‘polymetalic alloy’. While protecting Sarah and John from the relentless T-1000, the terminator learns something about being human. A must see for all Schwartzeneger fans. Linda Hamilton as Sarah Conner is unstoppable. Excellent acting, great story, fantastic special effects. There’s a seat gripping chase scene where semi-rig chases a dirt bike through LA's drainage system. This is an outstanding action flick. Fully deserving on the Oscars it won - For sound, effects (sound and visual), makeup and cinematography. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 1122
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick, Earl Boen
Genre: Sci-Fi
Studio: Midway Manufacturing Corporation   Release date: 1991   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English (France)
Summary: A shape-shifting cyborg is sent back from the future to kill John Connor before he can grow up to lead the resistance; a protector is sent, too.
My Rating:
My Review: Directed by James Cameron (Terminator, Aliens, The Abyss, True Lies, Titanic, Avatar). Screen play written by James Cameron and William Wisher Jr. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick, and others. If you're not already familiar with this film, you need to get out of the basement more often. Killing machine (Schwartzeneger) follows T-1000 (Robert Patrick) back into the past. While the T-1000 is relentless in it's quest to slay mankind’s savior, the Terminator does it’s best to protect the young John Connor from an advanced cyborg made out of ‘polymetalic alloy’. While protecting Sarah and John from the relentless T-1000, the terminator learns something about being human. A must see for all Schwartzeneger fans. Linda Hamilton as Sarah Conner is unstoppable. Excellent acting, great story, fantastic special effects. There’s a seat gripping chase scene where semi-rig chases a dirt bike through LA's drainage system. This is an outstanding action flick. Fully deserving on the Oscars it won - For sound, effects (sound and visual), makeup and cinematography. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 564
Director: Jonathan Mostow
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nick Stahl, Claire Danes, Kristanna Loken, David Andrews
Genre: Science Fiction
Studio: Warner Home Video   Release date: 2003   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: Arnold returns and he's pulling out all the stops! Another assasin is out to get Conner and one of his long-time "friends" and it's up to the new Terminator to keep him alive and well through Judgement Day. This presents a challenge seeing as how the evil android is about 100X stronger than him and the long-awaited Judgement Day comes in 3 hours! Will he suceed or fail his mission? And can Conner stop Judgement Day and save the Earth? Believe me, you'll be suprised at how it turns out! This movie is totally action-packed! There isn't one dull moment. One minute a car chase, an explosion, a cool line, someone dies, and the next minute the same thing! And Arnold's serious attitude makes him funny in some situations! For instance, he steals all the food out of a shop and- well I won't spoil it, but he's one cool G- for a robot. The fight scenes are really spectacular. Lot's of crashing and explosions. It comes as close to the Matrix Reloaded without using too much 3D as any movie can get! Same thing with the car chases, except a lot more fire. This has got to be one of the best continuing plot lines out there, along with The Matrix and Star Wars. There are many twists and turns in the plot, making this movie all the more fun to enjoy. I might go see it again! This is one adventure you'll want to go see again and again!
My Rating:
My Review: The third movie in the Terminator series. Arnold Schwarzenegger is back again. A blatantly opportunistic sequel. I think this movie would have been better off if James Cameron had directed it. Instead, we find Jonathon Mostow at the helm. Unfortunately, this sequel is flat and uninspiring. A fantastic, full-throttle action flick that is full of one-liners and comedic cliches, but lacking in any real depth of story. The best parts of the movie are car chases, costumes, and character continuation. The last fifteen minutes of the movie are the only redeeming part of the entire film. Kate Brewster's father directs the two protagonists (Nick Stahl as John Connor and Claire Danes as Kate Brewster) to crystal mountain, knowing that it's the only place safe in the event of a nuclear war. The best acting comes from Claire Danes, while Nick Stahl proves to be out of his depth.