Collection ID 1102
Director: Ted Post
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Inger Stevens, Ed Begley, Pat Hingle, Ben Johnson
Genre: Western
Studio: Leonard Freeman Production   Release date: 1968   Rated: M   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: When an innocent man barely survives a lynching, he returns as a lawman determined to bring the vigilantes to justice.
My Rating:
My Review: A Clint Eastwood western in the tradition of the Sergio Leone. While this western wasn't directed by Sergio Leonne (directed by Ted Post (The Rifleman, Gunsmoke, Colombo), it certainly seemed like it was written for him. Apparently, he was busy working on 'Once upon a time in the west'. The lead character is the classic western loner. Trying to survive on his wits and his guns. This man is a law abidding citizen, he's laid down his guns and taken to the saddle to raise cattle. On one unlucky day, he runs into a lynch mob who thinks he's a cattle rustler and a murderer - A fatally tragic case of mistaken identities. This time around, I watched my DVD copy. Last time I watched, I saw the 'made for TV' version, and several scenes were missing from that version. My DVD copy runs 114 minutes. Obviously, the TV edit had to be shortened to accommodate commercials. The missing footage moves the story forward too quickly and we lose some essential character development when those extra scenes are dumped on the cutting room floor. Back to the story. In this tale of western justice, the judge is a hanging judge, and the protagonist (played in the style of 'the Man with no name' by Clint Eastwood) uses the law to exact vengeance on those who wronged him. The west was a harsh place. Nowhere near as clean and clear cut as the Lone Ranger would have you believe. The directing was pretty good, and the soundtrack was well done. I really liked the signature staccato sound effects that punctuated the movie (the direction and music were both crafted to emulate the pairing of Leone and Morricone).

Collection ID 463
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Giancarlo Giannini, Gary Oldman, Ray Liotta
Genre: Horror
Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)   Release date: 2001   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French, Spanish (UK)
Summary: Hannibal returns to America and attempts to make contact with disgraced Agent Starling and survive a vengeful victim's plan.
My Rating:
My Review: Screenplay by David Mamet and Steven Zaillian, based upon a novel (same name) by Thomas Harris. Directed by Ridley Scott (Alien, Black Rain, Blade Runner, Gladiator, The Martian). Starring Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Gary Oldman and others. This is the sequel to 'Silence of the Lambs'. There were four Hannibal Lecter novels. The first was Silence of the Lambs, this is the sequel, and there are two prequels: Red Dragon and Hannibal Rising. All four films (the quadrilogy) are based upon books of the same name. This one, like it's predecessor, stars Anthony Hopkins in the lead role as Dr. Hannibal Lecter. A brilliant and respected psychiatrist, who is also a cunning and charismatic pscyho-killer! Also known as the 'Chesapeake Ripper', Dr. Lecter is on the run, in hiding in Italy. As he reconnects with the now disgraced FBI Agent Clarice (Played by Julianne Moore/not Jodi Foster), he puts himself in jeopardy from a former victim (played by Gary Oldman). This is the final film in the quadrilogy, and one really should watch them in proper order: Hannibal Rising, Red Dragon, The Silence of the Lambs, and then Hannibal. Unfortunately, the books, and the movies were not filmed/released in this order. Actually, I don't believe I've seen all the movies. I guess I could put all the movies in my Netflix disc queue… (That wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be - I added Hannibal Rising and Red Dragon to my Netflix disc queue, and I own Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal - So now I can watch them all in order). Back to the movie. In this movie, Ridley Scott creates an film soaking in dread - The character of Hannibal Lecter is played perfectly by Anthony Hopkins and the tense pace of the movie keeps us in suspense as the victims hunt the hunter in this shocking finale to the story of Hannibal Lecter the cannibal. The most sympathetic character in the movie - Italian Inspector Rinaldo Pazzi, is played by Giancarlo Giannini. The casting was brilliant and the characters unforgettable, thanks to the outstanding performances by all involved. The ugly characters and character of the movie is offset by the beautiful location/setting of Florence, Italy. An excellent movie to say the least. My only reservations come from the horrific climax of the movie - which is totally in keeping with the character of the primary character, but nonetheless makes the movie difficult to watch and will haunt you for days afterwards. I give this movie a 4 out of 5.

Collection ID 1175
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Giancarlo Giannini, Gary Oldman, Ray Liotta
Genre: Horror
Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)   Release date: 2001   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French, Spanish (UK)
Summary: Hannibal returns to America and attempts to make contact with disgraced Agent Starling and survive a vengeful victim's plan.
My Rating:
My Review: Screenplay by David Mamet and Steven Zaillian, based upon a novel (same name) by Thomas Harris. Directed by Ridley Scott (Alien, Black Rain, Blade Runner, Gladiator, The Martian). Starring Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Gary Oldman and others. This is the sequel to 'Silence of the Lambs'. There were four Hannibal Lecter novels. The first was Silence of the Lambs, this is the sequel, and there are two prequels: Red Dragon and Hannibal Rising. All four films (the quadrilogy) are based upon books of the same name. This one, like it's predecessor, stars Anthony Hopkins in the lead role as Dr. Hannibal Lecter. A brilliant and respected psychiatrist, who is also a cunning and charismatic pscyho-killer! Also known as the 'Chesapeake Ripper', Dr. Lecter is on the run, in hiding in Italy. As he reconnects with the now disgraced FBI Agent Clarice (Played by Julianne Moore/not Jodi Foster), he puts himself in jeopardy from a former victim (played by Gary Oldman). This is the final film in the quadrilogy, and one really should watch them in proper order: Hannibal Rising, Red Dragon, The Silence of the Lambs, and then Hannibal. Unfortunately, the books, and the movies were not filmed/released in this order. Actually, I don't believe I've seen all the movies. I guess I could put all the movies in my Netflix disc queue… (That wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be - I added Hannibal Rising and Red Dragon to my Netflix disc queue, and I own Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal - So now I can watch them all in order). Back to the movie. In this movie, Ridley Scott creates an film soaking in dread - The character of Hannibal Lecter is played perfectly by Anthony Hopkins and the tense pace of the movie keeps us in suspense as the victims hunt the hunter in this shocking finale to the story of Hannibal Lecter the cannibal. The most sympathetic character in the movie - Italian Inspector Rinaldo Pazzi, is played by Giancarlo Giannini. The casting was brilliant and the characters unforgettable, thanks to the outstanding performances by all involved. The ugly characters and character of the movie is offset by the beautiful location/setting of Florence, Italy. An excellent movie to say the least. My only reservations come from the horrific climax of the movie - which is totally in keeping with the character of the primary character, but nonetheless makes the movie difficult to watch and will haunt you for days afterwards. I give this movie a 4 out of 5.

Collection ID 279
Director: Dennis Dugan
Starring: Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen, Frances Bay, Carl Weathers
Genre: Comedy
Studio: Universal Pictures   Release date: 1996   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English, French, Spanish (Billy Madison only) (USA)
Summary: A rejected hockey player puts his skills to the golf course to save his grandmother's house.
My Rating:
My Review:

Collection ID 989
Director: Dennis Dugan
Starring: Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen, Frances Bay, Carl Weathers
Genre: Comedy
Studio: Universal Pictures   Release date: 1996   Rated: PG-13   
Language (Country): English, French, Spanish (Billy Madison only) (USA)
Summary: A rejected hockey player puts his skills to the golf course to save his grandmother's house.
My Rating:
My Review:

Collection ID 699
Director: Masaki Kobayashi
Starring: Tatsuya Nakadai, Rentaro Mikuni, Shima Iwashita, Akira Ishihama, Tetsuro Tamba
Genre: Art House & International
Studio: Criterion   Release date: 1964   Rated: Unrated   
Language (Country): Japanese (USA)
Summary: Dramatically compelling and emotionally intense, "Harakiri" is a certified classic of Japanese film, and a riveting study of samurai codes of honor. Unlike Kurosawa's rousing samurai epics, this is an uncompromisingly tragic tale, exposing the hypocrisy of 17th-century Japanese society with its story of a family destroyed by the cruelty of feudalism toward warriors in peacetime. The film is truly Shakespearean in its emotional scope, embodied by the unforgettable performance of Tatsuya Nakadai (star of Kurosawa's "Ran") as an elder warrior seeking revenge for the unnecessary "seppuku" (ritual suicide) of his beloved son-in-law. Director Masaki Kobayashi begins at story's end, then recounts the narrative (adapted from a novel by Yasuhiko Takiguchi) as told by Nakadai's character. The effect is almost unbearably suspenseful, leading to an explosive climax of supreme defiance and samurai swordplay, erupting from a battle of wills, called bluffs, and hotly defended honor. For connoisseurs of samurai action, "Harakiri" is not to be missed. "--Jeff Shannon"
My Rating:
My Review: Directed by Masaki Kobayashi this movie feels a lot like the work of my favorite director - Akira Kurosawa. Starring a relatively unknown group of actors, the acting by the lead Tatsuya Nakadai was exceptional. The story is a complex drama involving honor, duty, and the code of Samurai. The 17th century is a peacful time in Japan's history. Gone are the continual feaudal wars of competing clans. The Shogunate rules supreme and a unified Japan means many out of work Samurai. While many choose to end their lives honorably (through Seppuku (ritual suicide)), some struggle on in poverty - living the life of a peasant. When it becomes too much to bear for one Samurai, he presents himself at the home of a powerful lord. His request to commit hara-kiri is an attempt to extract pittance from the lord. When the lord agrees to allow the ritual, the former samurai is shocked but duty bound to go ahead with the act. When he is forced (by duty) to commit suicide with a bamboo sword, the sadistic act is further befouled by a scathing attack on the families values. Dumping his body at the feet of his father like some used trash, these men have forgotten what honor is, and someone is going to teach them a lesson in chivalry. The story is a fantastic, fatalistic tale of honor, duty and family. Perfectly paced and deftly directed, the movie is an excellent drama. Filled with well choreographed segments of sword flashing samurai battle scenes.

Collection ID 1389
Director: Masaki Kobayashi
Starring: Tatsuya Nakadai, Rentaro Mikuni, Shima Iwashita, Akira Ishihama, Tetsuro Tamba
Genre: Art House & International
Studio: Criterion   Release date: 1964   Rated: Unrated   
Language (Country): Japanese (USA)
Summary: Dramatically compelling and emotionally intense, "Harakiri" is a certified classic of Japanese film, and a riveting study of samurai codes of honor. Unlike Kurosawa's rousing samurai epics, this is an uncompromisingly tragic tale, exposing the hypocrisy of 17th-century Japanese society with its story of a family destroyed by the cruelty of feudalism toward warriors in peacetime. The film is truly Shakespearean in its emotional scope, embodied by the unforgettable performance of Tatsuya Nakadai (star of Kurosawa's "Ran") as an elder warrior seeking revenge for the unnecessary "seppuku" (ritual suicide) of his beloved son-in-law. Director Masaki Kobayashi begins at story's end, then recounts the narrative (adapted from a novel by Yasuhiko Takiguchi) as told by Nakadai's character. The effect is almost unbearably suspenseful, leading to an explosive climax of supreme defiance and samurai swordplay, erupting from a battle of wills, called bluffs, and hotly defended honor. For connoisseurs of samurai action, "Harakiri" is not to be missed. "--Jeff Shannon"
My Rating:
My Review: Directed by Masaki Kobayashi this movie feels a lot like the work of my favorite director - Akira Kurosawa. Starring a relatively unknown group of actors, the acting by the lead Tatsuya Nakadai was exceptional. The story is a complex drama involving honor, duty, and the code of Samurai. The 17th century is a peacful time in Japan's history. Gone are the continual feaudal wars of competing clans. The Shogunate rules supreme and a unified Japan means many out of work Samurai. While many choose to end their lives honorably (through Seppuku (ritual suicide)), some struggle on in poverty - living the life of a peasant. When it becomes too much to bear for one Samurai, he presents himself at the home of a powerful lord. His request to commit hara-kiri is an attempt to extract pittance from the lord. When the lord agrees to allow the ritual, the former samurai is shocked but duty bound to go ahead with the act. When he is forced (by duty) to commit suicide with a bamboo sword, the sadistic act is further befouled by a scathing attack on the families values. Dumping his body at the feet of his father like some used trash, these men have forgotten what honor is, and someone is going to teach them a lesson in chivalry. The story is a fantastic, fatalistic tale of honor, duty and family. Perfectly paced and deftly directed, the movie is an excellent drama. Filled with well choreographed segments of sword flashing samurai battle scenes.

Collection ID 498
Director: Mikael Salomon
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Christian Slater, Randy Quaid, Minnie Driver, Edward Asner
Genre: Action
Studio: British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Television   Release date: 1998   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: Set in small town with a dam in Indiana, a dam operator floods the town while a bank heist is going sour.
My Rating:
My Review:

Collection ID 1202
Director: Mikael Salomon
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Christian Slater, Randy Quaid, Minnie Driver, Edward Asner
Genre: Action
Studio: British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Television   Release date: 1998   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: Set in small town with a dam in Indiana, a dam operator floods the town while a bank heist is going sour.
My Rating:
My Review:

Collection ID 550
Director: Hal Ashby
Starring: Ruth Gordon, Bud Cort, Vivian Pickles, Cyril Cusack, Charles Tyner
Genre: Comedy
Studio: Mildred Lewis and Colin Higgins Productions   Release date: 1971   Rated: PG   
Language (Country): English, French (USA)
Summary: Young, rich, and obsessed with death, Harold finds himself changed forever when he meets lively septuagenarian Maude at a funeral.
My Rating:
My Review: A great flick. A character based drama. A spoiled boy is growing up. Rebelling against his controlling mother, he tries his best to shock and rebel. His mother insists on a 'normal' upbringing, but Harold will have none of it. Through a morbid infatuation with death, he soon meets Maude, and they quickly fall in love. What follows is a taboo romance. Younger man, older woman, laughs, and great dialog. Ruth Gordon is fantastic as Maude. This movie had some really good music (Cat Stevens), and the directing was well done as well.