Collection ID 1305.5
Director: Joshua Leonard
Starring: Lukas Haas, Kelli Garner, Nathan Norton, Mariah Bess
Genre: Drama, Short
Studio: No-Relation Films   Release date: 2005   Rated: TV-PG   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: A young couple confronts a painful future by looking to the past.
My Rating:
My Review:

Collection ID 665
Director: Costa-Gavras
Starring: Yves Montand, Irene Papas, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Jacques Perrin, Charles Denner
Genre: Art House & International
Studio: Fox Lorber   Release date: 1969   Rated: NR   
Language (Country): French (Algeria)
Summary: Costa-Gavras's "Z", winner of the 1970 Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, is a classic political thriller, combining intrigue with raw emotional power. The story turns on the investigation of the assassination of a left-wing Greek politician (Yves Montand), and his government's attempts to cover up the murky circumstances. Montand receives death threats as he prepares to give a speech condemning the government, and is then run down in front of numerous witnesses. Jean-Louis Trintignant ("The Conformist") plays the judge assigned to the investigation, who gradually discovers how far the state will go to rid itself of political opposition. As he is warned off the case by his superiors, the judge becomes even more determined to discover the truth, no matter where it might lead. Costa-Gavras ("Missing", "Mad City") is in familiar territory here, but no one handles this type of material better. "Z" is a classic of political intrigue and social consciousness. "--Robert Lane"
My Rating:
My Review: A French produced movie (Screen play by Jorge Semprún and Costa-Gavras, directed by Costa-Gavras), based on a Greek novel about a true-to-life political assassination. This movie was filmed in Algeria to avoid political tension/black-listing in other potential locations. An outstanding story. Based on the political assassination of a Greek leftist; this movie is an excellent political thriller. When an independent minded leftist preaches against nuclear weapons, violence and oppression he's a threat to the ruling party. As part of it's campaign to oppress the political opposition, the government conspires with the military and the police in order to disrupt an otherwise peaceful demonstration. A melee erupts after a political rally, and two senators end up dead. A special judge is appointed to investigate, and the government does it's best to cover their tracks. Unfortunately for them, this judge is extremely efficient, intelligent and he won't back down. The direction and camera work were excellent. I especially liked the action sequences. The fight sequence in the open bed of a speeding delivery truck, and the chase scene where a vehicle tries to run down a witness. Excellent acting all around, and pacing that impressed a sense of urgency and importance. While the music was good, the sound track/work was really poor. The stereo track was incomprehensible, and the mono version sounded dubbed. The subtitles were also sub-par.

Collection ID 1359
Director: Costa-Gavras
Starring: Yves Montand, Irene Papas, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Jacques Perrin, Charles Denner
Genre: Art House & International
Studio: Fox Lorber   Release date: 1969   Rated: NR   
Language (Country): French (Algeria)
Summary: Costa-Gavras's "Z", winner of the 1970 Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, is a classic political thriller, combining intrigue with raw emotional power. The story turns on the investigation of the assassination of a left-wing Greek politician (Yves Montand), and his government's attempts to cover up the murky circumstances. Montand receives death threats as he prepares to give a speech condemning the government, and is then run down in front of numerous witnesses. Jean-Louis Trintignant ("The Conformist") plays the judge assigned to the investigation, who gradually discovers how far the state will go to rid itself of political opposition. As he is warned off the case by his superiors, the judge becomes even more determined to discover the truth, no matter where it might lead. Costa-Gavras ("Missing", "Mad City") is in familiar territory here, but no one handles this type of material better. "Z" is a classic of political intrigue and social consciousness. "--Robert Lane"
My Rating:
My Review: A French produced movie (Screen play by Jorge Semprún and Costa-Gavras, directed by Costa-Gavras), based on a Greek novel about a true-to-life political assassination. This movie was filmed in Algeria to avoid political tension/black-listing in other potential locations. An outstanding story. Based on the political assassination of a Greek leftist; this movie is an excellent political thriller. When an independent minded leftist preaches against nuclear weapons, violence and oppression he's a threat to the ruling party. As part of it's campaign to oppress the political opposition, the government conspires with the military and the police in order to disrupt an otherwise peaceful demonstration. A melee erupts after a political rally, and two senators end up dead. A special judge is appointed to investigate, and the government does it's best to cover their tracks. Unfortunately for them, this judge is extremely efficient, intelligent and he won't back down. The direction and camera work were excellent. I especially liked the action sequences. The fight sequence in the open bed of a speeding delivery truck, and the chase scene where a vehicle tries to run down a witness. Excellent acting all around, and pacing that impressed a sense of urgency and importance. While the music was good, the sound track/work was really poor. The stereo track was incomprehensible, and the mono version sounded dubbed. The subtitles were also sub-par.

Collection ID 670
Director: Alexandra Cassavetes
Starring: Robert Altman, Vera Anderson, C.L. Batten, Jacqueline Bisset, Charles Champlin
Genre: Documentary
Studio: Hart Sharp Video   Release date: 2004   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: Director Xan (daughter of actor John) Cassavetes' "Z Channel - A Magnificent Obsession" harkens back to a time when a single pay cable TV outlet could offer more quality and variety than all the HBOs and Showtimes of the world combined. Beginning in 1974, Los Angeles' Z Channel, driven by chief programmer Jerry Harvey, presented an astonishingly eclectic array of fare to its subscribers, from mega-hits like "Star Wars" to obscure classics by directors like Kurosawa, Fellini, Antonioni, Peckinpah, and others. In championing movies like Michael Cimino's "Heaven's Gate", Sergio Leone's "Once Upon a Time in America", and Oliver Stone's "Salvador", especially the uncut versions, Harvey earned the respect of countless filmmakers, a good many of whom (like Quentin Tarantino, Jim Jarmusch, Alexander Payne, and Robert Altman) are on hand to sing his praises. There are also lots of clips, as well as recollections about the making of those films; in fact, "Z Channel - A Magnificent Obsession" is more about movies than it is about Harvey and his channel. That's good, because despite his lurid denouement (he killed his wife, then himself, in 1988), Harvey was not an especially interesting man, but rather a single-minded film freak, a guy who used movie dialogue for his own wedding vows. Cassavetes' film is likely to appeal mostly to those who share his passion, if not his mental problems; if nothing else, it will certainly pique your interest in some of the wonderful movies celebrated here. "--Sam Graham"
My Rating:
My Review: A totally captivating documentary about the man and the station. Back in the late 70's, a maverick by the name of Jerry Harvey took the reins of the nation's first pay cable channel. The undeniable genius that drove Z-Channel was driven to program the best movies he could for an audience that was hungry for something smarter that the industry standard broadcast community could provide. Featuring groundbreaking uncut, directors cuts and independent movies, Z-Channel became an icon of sophistication amidst a nation of pabulum sated american moviegoers. I made a list of over fifty movies while watching this amazing documentary. A fantastic movie worthy of a 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 1364
Director: Alexandra Cassavetes
Starring: Robert Altman, Vera Anderson, C.L. Batten, Jacqueline Bisset, Charles Champlin
Genre: Documentary
Studio: Hart Sharp Video   Release date: 2004   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: Director Xan (daughter of actor John) Cassavetes' "Z Channel - A Magnificent Obsession" harkens back to a time when a single pay cable TV outlet could offer more quality and variety than all the HBOs and Showtimes of the world combined. Beginning in 1974, Los Angeles' Z Channel, driven by chief programmer Jerry Harvey, presented an astonishingly eclectic array of fare to its subscribers, from mega-hits like "Star Wars" to obscure classics by directors like Kurosawa, Fellini, Antonioni, Peckinpah, and others. In championing movies like Michael Cimino's "Heaven's Gate", Sergio Leone's "Once Upon a Time in America", and Oliver Stone's "Salvador", especially the uncut versions, Harvey earned the respect of countless filmmakers, a good many of whom (like Quentin Tarantino, Jim Jarmusch, Alexander Payne, and Robert Altman) are on hand to sing his praises. There are also lots of clips, as well as recollections about the making of those films; in fact, "Z Channel - A Magnificent Obsession" is more about movies than it is about Harvey and his channel. That's good, because despite his lurid denouement (he killed his wife, then himself, in 1988), Harvey was not an especially interesting man, but rather a single-minded film freak, a guy who used movie dialogue for his own wedding vows. Cassavetes' film is likely to appeal mostly to those who share his passion, if not his mental problems; if nothing else, it will certainly pique your interest in some of the wonderful movies celebrated here. "--Sam Graham"
My Rating:
My Review: A totally captivating documentary about the man and the station. Back in the late 70's, a maverick by the name of Jerry Harvey took the reins of the nation's first pay cable channel. The undeniable genius that drove Z-Channel was driven to program the best movies he could for an audience that was hungry for something smarter that the industry standard broadcast community could provide. Featuring groundbreaking uncut, directors cuts and independent movies, Z-Channel became an icon of sophistication amidst a nation of pabulum sated american moviegoers. I made a list of over fifty movies while watching this amazing documentary. A fantastic movie worthy of a 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 648
Director: John Boorman
Starring: Sean Connery, Charlotte Rampling, Sara Kestelman, John Alderton, Sally Anne Newton
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Studio: 20th Century Fox   Release date: 1974   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French (UK)
Summary: A bewigged Sean Connery is Zed, a savage "exterminator" commanded by the mysterious god Zardoz to eliminate Brutals, survivors of an unspecified worldwide catastrophe. Zed stows away inside Zardoz's enormous idol (a flying stone head) and is taken to the pastoral land of the Eternals, a matriarchal, quasi-medieval society that has achieved psychic abilities as well as immortality. Zed finds as much hope as disgust with the Eternals; their advancements have also robbed them of physical passion, turning their existence into a living death. Zed becomes the Eternals' unlikely messiah, but in order to save them--and himself--he must confront the truth behind Zardoz and his own identity inside the Tabernacle, the Eternals' omnipresent master computer.
A box office failure, John Boorman's "Zardoz" has developed a cult following among science fiction fans whose tastes run toward more cerebral fare, such as "The Andromeda Strain" and "Phase IV". An entrancing if overly ambitious (by Boorman's own admission) film, "Zardoz" offers pointed commentary on class structure and religion inside its complex plot and head-movie visuals; its healthy doses of sex and violence will involve viewers even if the story machinations escape them. Beautifully photographed near Boorman's home in Ireland's Wicklow Mountains by Geoffrey Unsworth ("2001"), its production design is courtesy of longtime Boorman associate Anthony Pratt, who creates a believable society within the film's million-dollar budget. The letterboxed DVD presentation includes engaging commentary by Boorman, who discusses the special effects (all created in-camera) as well as working with a post-Bond Connery. "--Paul Gaita"
My Rating:
My Review: Wow! So bad it was good. Mindblowing! My headspace is still expanding. After watching this movie, I talked about it for three days straight. John Boorman (Deliverance and Excalibur) directed this wacky movie which featured Sean Connery as a brutal mutant who wears a red loincloth/diaper and later a wedding dress. With a story that is all over the place, this movie felt a lot like the British 'Quatermass' episode. With lot's of psychedelic hand waving, a gigantic flying god-head (Zardoz), brutal exterminators roaming the outlands, and immortal peaceniks living in communes, this movie sure was one hell of a wild ride. Here's a quote from the movie will resonate in my brain for many years: "Zardoz: The gun is good. Exterminators: The gun is good. Zardoz: The penis is evil. The penis shoots seeds, and makes new life, and poisons the earth with a plague of men, as once it was. But the gun shoots death, and purifies the earth of the filth of brutals. Go forth and kill!" While the acting was poor to fair, the story was a difficult to follow plot involving a post-apocalyptic society of immortals who have managed to stagnate human development. An outside savage (Connery) finds his way (actually the idea was implanted in his psyche) into their utopian community, this primitive mutant eventually becomes the catalyst for human development and a harbinger of death, at the same time! Off the wall weird. 5 out of 5, and I'm going to buy a copy. Rates up their with Naked Lunch and eXistenZ in the category of "Far out Fantastic!".

Collection ID 1344
Director: John Boorman
Starring: Sean Connery, Charlotte Rampling, Sara Kestelman, John Alderton, Sally Anne Newton
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Studio: 20th Century Fox   Release date: 1974   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French (UK)
Summary: A bewigged Sean Connery is Zed, a savage "exterminator" commanded by the mysterious god Zardoz to eliminate Brutals, survivors of an unspecified worldwide catastrophe. Zed stows away inside Zardoz's enormous idol (a flying stone head) and is taken to the pastoral land of the Eternals, a matriarchal, quasi-medieval society that has achieved psychic abilities as well as immortality. Zed finds as much hope as disgust with the Eternals; their advancements have also robbed them of physical passion, turning their existence into a living death. Zed becomes the Eternals' unlikely messiah, but in order to save them--and himself--he must confront the truth behind Zardoz and his own identity inside the Tabernacle, the Eternals' omnipresent master computer.
A box office failure, John Boorman's "Zardoz" has developed a cult following among science fiction fans whose tastes run toward more cerebral fare, such as "The Andromeda Strain" and "Phase IV". An entrancing if overly ambitious (by Boorman's own admission) film, "Zardoz" offers pointed commentary on class structure and religion inside its complex plot and head-movie visuals; its healthy doses of sex and violence will involve viewers even if the story machinations escape them. Beautifully photographed near Boorman's home in Ireland's Wicklow Mountains by Geoffrey Unsworth ("2001"), its production design is courtesy of longtime Boorman associate Anthony Pratt, who creates a believable society within the film's million-dollar budget. The letterboxed DVD presentation includes engaging commentary by Boorman, who discusses the special effects (all created in-camera) as well as working with a post-Bond Connery. "--Paul Gaita"
My Rating:
My Review: Wow! So bad it was good. Mindblowing! My headspace is still expanding. After watching this movie, I talked about it for three days straight. John Boorman (Deliverance and Excalibur) directed this wacky movie which featured Sean Connery as a brutal mutant who wears a red loincloth/diaper and later a wedding dress. With a story that is all over the place, this movie felt a lot like the British 'Quatermass' episode. With lot's of psychedelic hand waving, a gigantic flying god-head (Zardoz), brutal exterminators roaming the outlands, and immortal peaceniks living in communes, this movie sure was one hell of a wild ride. Here's a quote from the movie will resonate in my brain for many years: "Zardoz: The gun is good. Exterminators: The gun is good. Zardoz: The penis is evil. The penis shoots seeds, and makes new life, and poisons the earth with a plague of men, as once it was. But the gun shoots death, and purifies the earth of the filth of brutals. Go forth and kill!" While the acting was poor to fair, the story was a difficult to follow plot involving a post-apocalyptic society of immortals who have managed to stagnate human development. An outside savage (Connery) finds his way (actually the idea was implanted in his psyche) into their utopian community, this primitive mutant eventually becomes the catalyst for human development and a harbinger of death, at the same time! Off the wall weird. 5 out of 5, and I'm going to buy a copy. Rates up their with Naked Lunch and eXistenZ in the category of "Far out Fantastic!".

Collection ID 623
Director: Takeshi Kitano
Starring: Tadanobu Asano, Takeshi Kitano
Genre: Action & Adventure
Studio: Miramax   Release date: 1998   Rated: R   
Language (Country): Japanese (Japan)
Summary: ZATOICHI: THE BLIND SWORDSMAN stars Japanese screen legend Beat Takeshi in an action-packed, award-winning film that has been compared to "Kill Bill Volume One." SONATINE also stars Beat Takeshi in a fast and furious gangland thriller with an edgy "Pulp Fiction" attitude. Both of these films include bonus DVD features, including an introduction to SONATINE by Quentin Tarantino, acclaimed director of such film favorites as "Pulp Fiction" and "Kill Bill" Volumes One and Two.
My Rating:
My Review: (Japanese - Zatôichi) There have been several movies made with this name, and this one must be one of the best. Directed by and starring, Takeshi Kitano, this highly stylized picture is a moving work of art. The music, choreography, acting, sets, costumes, locations, etc, etc, etc. It was very obvious that everything was planned to the most exacting level of detail. A finely woven tale with several complex characters created a truly deserving remake of a classic Japanese tale. The choreographed musical pieces were fantastic. The sword fights were new, fresh and unpredictable. The lighting and colors were remarkable. This movie is much more than a standard Samurai tale. Stage like, comic, tragicic dramatic, Kabuki like. This one definitely gets a 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 1322
Director: Takeshi Kitano
Starring: Tadanobu Asano, Takeshi Kitano
Genre: Action & Adventure
Studio: Miramax   Release date: 1998   Rated: R   
Language (Country): Japanese (Japan)
Summary: ZATOICHI: THE BLIND SWORDSMAN stars Japanese screen legend Beat Takeshi in an action-packed, award-winning film that has been compared to "Kill Bill Volume One." SONATINE also stars Beat Takeshi in a fast and furious gangland thriller with an edgy "Pulp Fiction" attitude. Both of these films include bonus DVD features, including an introduction to SONATINE by Quentin Tarantino, acclaimed director of such film favorites as "Pulp Fiction" and "Kill Bill" Volumes One and Two.
My Rating:
My Review: (Japanese - Zatôichi) There have been several movies made with this name, and this one must be one of the best. Directed by and starring, Takeshi Kitano, this highly stylized picture is a moving work of art. The music, choreography, acting, sets, costumes, locations, etc, etc, etc. It was very obvious that everything was planned to the most exacting level of detail. A finely woven tale with several complex characters created a truly deserving remake of a classic Japanese tale. The choreographed musical pieces were fantastic. The sword fights were new, fresh and unpredictable. The lighting and colors were remarkable. This movie is much more than a standard Samurai tale. Stage like, comic, tragicic dramatic, Kabuki like. This one definitely gets a 5 out of 5.

Collection ID 324
Director: Jake Kasdan
Starring: Bill Pullman, Ben Stiller, Ryan O'Neal, Kim Dickens, Angela Featherstone
Genre: Comedy
Studio: Castle Rock Entertainment   Release date: 1998   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: The world's greatest detective Daryl Zero aided by his associate Steve Arlo investigates a complex and mysterious case of blackmail and missing keys for shady tycoon Gregory Stark who is less than forthcoming about what is really happening!
My Rating:
My Review: