Collection ID 319
Director: John McNaughton
Starring: Matt Dillon, Kevin Bacon, Neve Campbell, Denise Richards, Daphne Rubin-Vega
Genre: Crime
Studio:   Release date: 1998   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French, (USA)
Summary: A high school guidance counselor is framed for raping two of his students...or is he?
My Rating:
My Review:

Collection ID 373
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Starring: Will Smith, Kevin Kline, Kenneth Branagh, Salma Hayek, M. Emmet Walsh
Genre: Action
Studio: Peters Entertainment   Release date: 1999   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: The two best hired guns in the West must save President Grant from the clutches of a 19th century inventor-villain.
My Rating:
My Review: Wild Wild West - I loved the television series. Thankfully this movie isn't a remake or attempt to 'do Wild Wild West' in any way. It's a movie with the same name and similar characters, but it really doesn't try to be the television series in any way. Here we have Will Smith playing Capt. Jim West, Kevin Kline playing U.S. Marshal Artemus Gordon, and Kenneth Branagh playing the bad guy, Dr. Arliss Loveless. The casting was excellent for an action comedy spoof - terrible for a serious remake of The Wild Wild West television series. The movie is set post Civil War, and Jim West is working directly for the white house in order to track down a former Confederate crackpot intent on disrupting the 'Union' with a diabolical plot. Artemus Gordon becomes the ungrateful side-kick who fancies himself above the physical form of law enforcement. Together they find Salma Hayek to be a lovely accomplice on their mission to thwart the plans of the evil Dr. Arliss. The production is flashy in costumes, comedic in dialog and quick in wit and pacing. I found the movie quite entertaining despite its preposterous settings and presumptions. One must suspend a lot of disbelief in order to keep up with the tongue in cheek out of period come-ons and jokes, but keeping pace has its rewards as this movie makes for some excellent entertainment in the afternoon. Will Smith and Kevin Kline play a pair of conceited patriots intent on thwarting the 'machinations' of one disgruntled Confederate scientist. There's a bevy of lovelies thrown in for eye candy, and a couple of clod-like brutes to round things out. In the end the plot is uncomplicated, the production quite hollywood, the jokes slightly humorous and the entertainment quite satisfying. I give it a 4 out of 5, while fully realizing that it really has no lasting value.

Collection ID 1098
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Starring: Will Smith, Kevin Kline, Kenneth Branagh, Salma Hayek, M. Emmet Walsh
Genre: Action
Studio: Peters Entertainment   Release date: 1999   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: The two best hired guns in the West must save President Grant from the clutches of a 19th century inventor-villain.
My Rating:
My Review: Wild Wild West - I loved the television series. Thankfully this movie isn't a remake or attempt to 'do Wild Wild West' in any way. It's a movie with the same name and similar characters, but it really doesn't try to be the television series in any way. Here we have Will Smith playing Capt. Jim West, Kevin Kline playing U.S. Marshal Artemus Gordon, and Kenneth Branagh playing the bad guy, Dr. Arliss Loveless. The casting was excellent for an action comedy spoof - terrible for a serious remake of The Wild Wild West television series. The movie is set post Civil War, and Jim West is working directly for the white house in order to track down a former Confederate crackpot intent on disrupting the 'Union' with a diabolical plot. Artemus Gordon becomes the ungrateful side-kick who fancies himself above the physical form of law enforcement. Together they find Salma Hayek to be a lovely accomplice on their mission to thwart the plans of the evil Dr. Arliss. The production is flashy in costumes, comedic in dialog and quick in wit and pacing. I found the movie quite entertaining despite its preposterous settings and presumptions. One must suspend a lot of disbelief in order to keep up with the tongue in cheek out of period come-ons and jokes, but keeping pace has its rewards as this movie makes for some excellent entertainment in the afternoon. Will Smith and Kevin Kline play a pair of conceited patriots intent on thwarting the 'machinations' of one disgruntled Confederate scientist. There's a bevy of lovelies thrown in for eye candy, and a couple of clod-like brutes to round things out. In the end the plot is uncomplicated, the production quite hollywood, the jokes slightly humorous and the entertainment quite satisfying. I give it a 4 out of 5, while fully realizing that it really has no lasting value.

Collection ID 228
Director: Mel Stuart
Starring: Gene Wilder, Jack Albertson, Peter Ostrum, Roy Kinnear, Julie Dawn Cole
Genre: Family
Studio: Wolper Pictures Ltd.   Release date: 1971   Rated: G   
Language (Country): English, French, Spanish (USA)
Summary: A poor boy wins the oppurtunity to tour the most eccentric and wonderful candy factory of all.
My Rating:
My Review:

Collection ID 946
Director: Mel Stuart
Starring: Gene Wilder, Jack Albertson, Peter Ostrum, Roy Kinnear, Julie Dawn Cole
Genre: Family
Studio: Wolper Pictures Ltd.   Release date: 1971   Rated: G   
Language (Country): English, French, Spanish (USA)
Summary: A poor boy wins the oppurtunity to tour the most eccentric and wonderful candy factory of all.
My Rating:
My Review:

Collection ID 118
Director: Emilio Estevez
Starring: Demi Moore, Emilio Estevez, Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, William Allen Young
Genre: Crime
Studio: Gladden Entertainment   Release date: 1986   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: Unable to find work after a past felony, graduate John Wisdom and his girlfriend (Moore) embark on a cross-country bank-robbing spree in order to aid American farmers (Just call him Robin Hood).
My Rating:
My Review: Not too bad. Starring Emilio Estevez (as John Wisdom) and Demi Moore (as Karen Simons). This movie was actually written (screenplay) and co-directed by Emilio Estevez. Emilio and Demi were quite young (both 25) when this movie was made. Their chemistry was quite good and they complemented each other perfectly (good casting). The story: John Wisdom is a convicted felon (stole a car when he as 18) who can't catch a break. Unable to find legitimate work, he takes to crime as a way to punish the system that forced him to crime in order to succeed. He and girlfriend Karen go on a cross-country crime spree. Burning bank records as they go, they soon become American heroes. It's light hearted, a bit comical, and a little bit dark. The villains are heroes and the story is very easy to follow. The soundtrack by Danny Elfman/Oingo Boingo is a bonus. The ending was excellent. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Collection ID 902
Director: Emilio Estevez
Starring: Demi Moore, Emilio Estevez, Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, William Allen Young
Genre: Crime
Studio: Gladden Entertainment   Release date: 1986   Rated:   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: Unable to find work after a past felony, graduate John Wisdom and his girlfriend (Moore) embark on a cross-country bank-robbing spree in order to aid American farmers (Just call him Robin Hood).
My Rating:
My Review: Not too bad. Starring Emilio Estevez (as John Wisdom) and Demi Moore (as Karen Simons). This movie was actually written (screenplay) and co-directed by Emilio Estevez. Emilio and Demi were quite young (both 25) when this movie was made. Their chemistry was quite good and they complemented each other perfectly (good casting). The story: John Wisdom is a convicted felon (stole a car when he as 18) who can't catch a break. Unable to find legitimate work, he takes to crime as a way to punish the system that forced him to crime in order to succeed. He and girlfriend Karen go on a cross-country crime spree. Burning bank records as they go, they soon become American heroes. It's light hearted, a bit comical, and a little bit dark. The villains are heroes and the story is very easy to follow. The soundtrack by Danny Elfman/Oingo Boingo is a bonus. The ending was excellent. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Collection ID 604
Director: Dominik Moll
Starring: Laurent Lucas, Sergi López, Mathilde Seigner, Sophie Guillemin, Liliane Rovère
Genre: Art House & International
Studio: Miramax   Release date: 2000   Rated: R   
Language (Country): German (France)
Summary: It takes nearly an hour for anything unusual to happen in "With a Friend Like Harry", but that first hour is oddly unsettling. German filmmaker Dominik Moll reveals the trouble with Harry (Sergi López) with low-key precision, his thriller sensibility channeled from Hitchcock through Claude Chabrol, while emphasizing casual conversation in the style of Eric Rohmer. Harry's found Michel (Laurent Lucas) in a public restroom, identifying himself as an old schoolmate who remembers far too much about Michel, even though Michel has no recollection of Harry at all. But Harry's an ingratiating type, and nice enough on the surface, so Michel invites Harry and his girlfriend, Plum (Sophie Guillemin), to the summer cottage he's renovating with his wife, Claire (Mathilde Seigner), and their three young daughters. The Spanish actor López (from "An Affair of Love") modulates his performance so carefully that Harry's psychosis--never explained, but strangely compelling--reverberates well beyond the film's shocking conclusion. It turns out Harry's been a helpful friend after all, but that's cold comfort in a film that warns us against the kindness of strangers. "--Jeff Shannon"
My Rating:
My Review: With a friend like Harry: (French - Harry, un ami qui vous veut du bien) As a suspense thriller this movie delivers a disturbing scenario of obsession and murder. A dark, twisted little psycho-drama. The acting was great. The setting/sets, and costumes were all unpretentious and believable. The story was very well written and very well directed. The movie starts out innocently enough with a chance meeting in a rest-stop bathroom, but it doesn't stay that way for long. By the end of the movie there are four dead bodies, and no one's crying... This one rates 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 1304
Director: Dominik Moll
Starring: Laurent Lucas, Sergi López, Mathilde Seigner, Sophie Guillemin, Liliane Rovère
Genre: Art House & International
Studio: Miramax   Release date: 2000   Rated: R   
Language (Country): German (France)
Summary: It takes nearly an hour for anything unusual to happen in "With a Friend Like Harry", but that first hour is oddly unsettling. German filmmaker Dominik Moll reveals the trouble with Harry (Sergi López) with low-key precision, his thriller sensibility channeled from Hitchcock through Claude Chabrol, while emphasizing casual conversation in the style of Eric Rohmer. Harry's found Michel (Laurent Lucas) in a public restroom, identifying himself as an old schoolmate who remembers far too much about Michel, even though Michel has no recollection of Harry at all. But Harry's an ingratiating type, and nice enough on the surface, so Michel invites Harry and his girlfriend, Plum (Sophie Guillemin), to the summer cottage he's renovating with his wife, Claire (Mathilde Seigner), and their three young daughters. The Spanish actor López (from "An Affair of Love") modulates his performance so carefully that Harry's psychosis--never explained, but strangely compelling--reverberates well beyond the film's shocking conclusion. It turns out Harry's been a helpful friend after all, but that's cold comfort in a film that warns us against the kindness of strangers. "--Jeff Shannon"
My Rating:
My Review: With a friend like Harry: (French - Harry, un ami qui vous veut du bien) As a suspense thriller this movie delivers a disturbing scenario of obsession and murder. A dark, twisted little psycho-drama. The acting was great. The setting/sets, and costumes were all unpretentious and believable. The story was very well written and very well directed. The movie starts out innocently enough with a chance meeting in a rest-stop bathroom, but it doesn't stay that way for long. By the end of the movie there are four dead bodies, and no one's crying... This one rates 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 661
Director: Mike Nichols
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer, James Spader, Kate Nelligan, Richard Jenkins
Genre: Comedy
Studio: Sony Pictures   Release date: 1994   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French, Spanish (USA)
Summary: Jack Nicholson and Michelle Pfeiffer star in Wolf, a wickedly funny, wildly romantic, white-knuckle thriller. James Spader, Kate Nelligan, Christopher Plummer and David Hyde Pierce co-star in this beastly tale of love and betrayal with equal measures of h
My Rating:
My Review: Here's a classic horror theme (werewolf) turned current by setting it in today's competitive business world. The direction by Mike Nichols was fantastic. The acting by Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer and James Spader was great. The lines were pretty good, and the camera work and lighting was perfect. The opening sequence was outstanding. It really set a good mood for the movie. This was a wonderful mix of horror and drama with excellent pacing. The music by Ennio Moriccone was outstanding. This is a horror movie in the classic mode. Where dramatic character interplay, good camera work and great music all work together. You won't find flashy eye candy, skin tight black leather or any CGI effects. I give it a 5 out of 5