Reviews

OK, right off the bat, I'll admit that this movie isn't anywhere near "Citizen Kane" as far as motion picture greatness is concerned. But it's also nowhere near the dog that most reviewers make it out to be. I should know. I've watched "Moment by Moment" 3 times, and it seems like I get a bit more truth out of every viewing. Sure, Lily Tomlin may be more of a comedienne than a dramatic actress (I've got "9 to 5" on DVD, and it's great to see her taking on Dabney Coleman's "sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot" of a boss along with Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton). I can also see how John Travolta took a major risk as an actor by playing ultra-sensitive Strip after hitting it big with tough guys Vinnie Barbarino on "Welcome Back, Kotter" and Tony Manero and Danny Zuko in "Saturday Night Fever" and "Grease", respectively. But come on guys, give this film a chance!

Travolta's Strip is basically a drifter, a young runaway trying to survive in southern California. Tomlin, as Trish, is a wealthy, disenchanted older woman who's about to go through a divorce from her cheating husband. Both Trish and Strip have had it with their respective worlds. Strip wants to make something of his life, and Trish is trying to find some excitement in hers amidst a sea of boredom, although she doesn't acknowledge this when Strip first takes notice of her. Throughout the movie, both Strip and Trish learn from each other about life. Trish learns to follow her heart more often, instead of what her high-class "friends" think she should do with her life. Meanwhile, Strip learns that his dreams of getting out of his dead-end life aren't enough, that he needs to do whatever it takes to follow through with them. I believe that the main idea of this movie is that you have to BE YOURSELF, no matter what society thinks of you. And that's probably the main reason I like this movie so much (all right, I have to admit that the younger man/older woman thing was the first thing that turned me onto the film, but the reason I just gave about being yourself rates an extremely close second).

If someone were to watch this movie only once, I can understand them trashing it for (among other things) the weak points in the dialog and Lily Tomlin's seemingly frozen mask of boredom and disillusionment. All I'm asking is that if you're ever lucky enough to see "Moment by Moment" (you can still find "unofficial" videos of this movie on eBay, and I've heard that it sometimes shows on WE or AMC), don't dismiss it as some lame, late '70s chick-flick. I'm a straight guy, thank you very much (who, incidentally, is in a relationship similar to that of Trish and Strip's, but far happier), and I can still see the truth hidden in this under-appreciated film. Hopefully those who read my review (and/or see the movie for themselves) can, too.

Like many of the other reviewers on this site, my earliest memories of seeing this cartoon were created in my after-school program, with the film being shown on an old projector. I remember Rikki-Tikki-Tavi to be one of the coolest films that we were shown as kids back in the mid '80s. This cartoon classic had everything: adventure, humor, suspense, just a touch of evil (with the two cobras, Nag and Nagaina) to make things interesting, a great story, and a happy ending.

Fast-forward to the present day. By chance, I saw this video for sale at the local Wal-Mart, and the memories started to come back into my mind. Needless to say, I bought the video and watched it again this afternoon. Everything was almost exactly as I remember it from back in the day. Plus, since I've grown wiser with my years, I came to recognize this cartoon as a real classic piece of work. The animation is solid and consistent, just what you'd expect from Chuck Jones. All of the voice work is good, but the stand-out performance has to go to Orson Welles as the narrator, Nag, and the sniveling muskrat. Not only do I now know about Welles being the mastermind behind "Citizen Kane", I also respect his work from his later years, as he provided narration for a couple of killer Manowar songs. I'm glad that I bought the video, as it will most likely become a well-loved addition to my collection. See this with your kids and let them create their own memories of this great cartoon!

I stumbled upon this video by accident at the local library, and I remembered that my mom watched it one time when it was on the USA Network. It seemed to be a pretty good movie from the little I remembered of it, so I went ahead and checked it out. It turned out to be a wise decision. This is one of those movies where you find yourself literally applauding the actions of the main character (Gene Orowitz) and his beloved father, Sam. You can really sense the bond that these two people have as the movie progresses. They both seem to learn the lesson that no matter how unlikely a dream seems to be, it can always come true if you work at it hard enough. This is a nice movie to watch on a lazy afternoon or evening, as it really doesn't take much to get (and stay) involved in the story. It's got humor, suspense, romance, drama, and even a tear-jerking moment or two thrown in for good measure. Overall, it's a good film, worth watching at least once.

I've been watching this movie every Christmas almost since it was first released, and I always wind up laughing my head off when I watch it. I have the video, and I look forward to putting it into the VCR every year. This movie pokes fun of pretty much everything we would associate with Christmas, from the shopping, to the family gatherings, to such classic objects as the Christmas tree. We can all relate to some part of the Griswold family, whether it's the harried adults or the anxious kids. I have yet to have the opportunity to hold my own "family Christmas," but I can only hope that mine goes better than the Griswold's. For those people who have negative things to say about the kind of comedy portrayed here, lighten up! This movie isn't for the whole family, I'll grant that. But for those who choose to watch it, and can accept it for what it is, it will most likely cause some good laughs. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who has yet to see it. It's already a classic in my opinion.

I first saw this movie when I was like 10 or 11 years old. I've looked forward to seeing it every Christmas since. It's simply a movie that we can all relate to, if only for the anticipation of receiving that one special gift on Christmas morning. The humor is plentiful in this classic; Jean Shepherd knows how to expose how everyday events can be funny. There is a certain innocence in the film, probably due to the fact that it's being told from the viewpoint of a 9 year old boy in 1940s Middle America. Every one of the cast performed well in my opinion, the movie feels older than it is (only 20 years old as of this year). To sum things up, I can watch this movie numerous times during the holiday season (just got my yearly mega-dose, thanks to TNT), and I can honestly say that it never gets old. I'm even thinking of getting the DVD version sometime in the next year, that's how good a movie this is. Basically, if you want a good laugh-out-loud slice of Americana, you can't go wrong with "A Christmas Story."

When I saw all the trash talk crap that some people wrote about in their reviews about this movie, I HAD to disagree. This movie is awesome in my opinion. And no, it did NOT make me want to go out and do 140+ MPH in my car after seeing the movie. There are good performances in this movie. This was the first time I'd seen Vin Diesel in a film, and I think this guy is going to be HUGE. Paul Walker isn't bad either, but Vin Diesel stole the show here. The cars were great too, plenty of nitrous-powered, fuel-injected insanity for gear heads (and wannabe gear heads) everywhere. The addition of that black Dodge Charger (!!) just made things that much sweeter. To tell you the truth, I had wanted to see this pretty much ever since it first came out but never had; it was a car-loving ex-girlfriend who finally convinced me to see it a couple years ago. I've since gotten the DVD myself, and intend to watch it again in the next few days. Overall, a great movie with great action, fast cars (even if they ARE rice burners!), a great storyline, and good characters. Don't listen to the trash talkers, see this movie and form your own opinion!

When I first saw the video at the video store, I was fascinated. I remember seeing the Waco Branch Davidian cult compound burn and reading about Jonestown in Time and Newsweek in 1993, and I was intrigued as to why so many people would readily lay down their lives for some madman like David Koresh or Jim Jones. So, I rented Guyana Tragedy for some insight into the Peoples Temple cult. What I saw was very interesting to watch. Powers Boothe did an excellent job as Jim Jones, in my opinion. You can see how persuasive, demanding, and maniacal Jones really was. And the other characters in the movie are all well-played. James Earl Jones makes a small appearance as Father Divine, but he stands out as only he can, Darth Vader voice and all. Ned Beatty, Randy Quaid, LeVar Burton all shine here. This surprised me in that it was more watchable than I thought it would be. A VERY nicely-done movie, worth anyone's viewing.

"Boogie Nights" is an awesome movie, in my opinion. Even though I was born in '79, I consider myself to be a "retro-freak," and this movie does not disappoint on creating a feel for the late '70s lifestyle. You can relate to the sense of fun and energy these people had at that time in the movie. Then, at the 1979/80 New Year's Eve party, you can see things start to go downhill. The "party" of the '70s is over. Yes, the latter part of the movie deals with the darker side of the characters lives in the early '80s. But that's what makes this movie shine: You get to see the main characters in the film at both the top and the bottom of their game. At one point, they're basically on Cloud 9, and at another point, they literally have nothing to lose. You can laugh, cry, celebrate the joy of life, and mourn the death of innocence, all in one movie. And the music is pretty cool too. Definitely a good movie to watch on a Saturday evening, when you want to relax and have a good time.

I still remember seeing parts of the HBO "Making the Movie" documentary about "Memphis Belle," and I think that the attention to detail that was put into the film made it what it is: an extremely satisfying movie. As a longtime WW2 airplane buff, I must say that this movie is very nicely-done in terms of the aerial scenes. The sight of B-17s flying toward enemy territory is one that everyone should think about. These boys had no guarantees whatsoever of making it back to base after their missions, and this movie lets the viewer feel that feeling of uncertainty and fear. But at the same time, you can tell that there is pride, cameraderie, and fighting spirit in the characters portrayed here. Each one seems to undergo a change during the mission. Phil, the navigator is a classic example. On the night of the party, drunk and terrified, he's certain that his time to die is coming up. But toward the end of the movie, you can see he has been changed. Overall, an excellent movie that I highly recommend.

The original "Karate Kid" is a good movie. "Part II" is an even better movie, IMHO. Macchio and Morita still work great together, only this time, they BOTH have their bullies to overcome (Daniel Vs. Chozen, Mr. Miyagi Vs. Sato). And what well-played bullies they are! You can tell Sato has been harboring a major grudge against Miyagi from his first scene in the hangar. And the scene where Chozen meets Daniel and Miyagi at the airport is a chilling prelude to the pure hatred Chozen shows for Daniel. Both villains are definitely well-played. The relationship between Daniel and Kumiko (and Miyagi and Yukie) is believable and real. You can really get a feel for the culture of the Orient with this movie. The action is great. (Ice-chopping scene and the final battle) And to top it all off, it still has some humorous scenes thrown in for good measure. (the scene with Daniels car, and the cannery sequence, to name two) I could watch this film without tiring of it for a long time to come, it's that good. Definitely see it if you haven't yet, or even if you have. I haven't even bothered to watch Part III, and neither should you.

In trying to think of things to say about this movie, I'm finding it hard to keep from repeating what other people have said about it. But whatever I say about it, keep in mind that "The Karate Kid" will always be one of my favorite films. I can't remember when I first saw it (Mom recorded it off of HBO one time in the '80s), but I liked it from the start. Macchio and Morita work great together as Daniel-san and Mr. Miyagi, and Zabka plays a mean bad guy, the perfect rival for Daniel. (Check him out in "One of the Guys") Classic lines ("Wax On, Wax Off!"), classic '80s music and styles, and great action sequences make this one a movie that lasts. And the whole family can watch it together, unlike some of the stuff that's out these days. Simply put, this movie has something for most everyone. Definitely a Doomite-Approved film.

When I first saw this video in the video store, I didn't know what to make of it, being from Prince and all. Being an adventurous soul, I rented it anyway. Good decision! From the very first synthesizer-soaked note of "Let's Go Crazy," this movie takes hold of your attention, and doesn't let go until the ending credits. All the music has that '80s new-wave synthesizer sound goin' for it, but hey, it's an '80s movie! Besides, Prince's songs have a timeless quality that cannot be ignored. Some people may have their opinions of the Purple One, and I understand, but as for me, I think he's awesome! The movie as a whole is cool, with great performances by Morris Day and the Time, Apollonia (Sex Shooter) 6, and of course, Prince and The Revolution. Check this one out on a rainy afternoon!

"American Graffiti" will never lose its charm or message. I first saw this movie when I was like 12 or 13, and it's always stuck with me. Saw it again on TNT last night, and it hasn't lost it's magic. I stayed up 'til 4 AM partying with friends on the night of my graduation from high school, and it felt a lot like I'd imagine the teens in this movie felt on their last night of "real" fun. They had a blast for the most part, but there was always a lurking uncertainty about their future. On another occasion, a good friend of mine and I went out cruising through town one night, just listening to good music and takin' it easy. That night was AWESOME! This movie captures the feelings of hanging out with good friends perfectly! I'm definitely adding this movie to my collection soon. Three words: Watch this movie.

This series is pretty cool in that it brings Voltron into the '90s. However, it lacks something that I can't really explain. It's like the show just lost the feel that the original series has. Being originally anime, the classic series has some of the Japanese flavor still intact after WEP got it translated for the US. The new show simply doesn't have the same effect. Other than that, V3D is pretty good, but I have yet to see the second season.

I agree wholeheartedly with Canyon-2's review of this series. It's got a LOT more stuff to it under the surface than most people would see. You more than likely have at least one character that you're a fan of if you get into this show. Definitely one of the all-time greatest '80s cartoon series! The new series doesn't seen to capture that essence...

I remember loving this documentary from the very first time I saw it on video as a young kid. I've been riding motorcycles since I was 6 years old, and it's true what they say about motorcycling: Once you've experienced riding a motorcycle, you'll always look forward to your next ride. "On Any Sunday" does an excellent job in capturing what motorcycling is all about. This film has it all: entertaining information, a keen sense of humor, nail-biting intensity, and good-natured fun. Having been made in the late '60s/early '70s, the soundtrack of the movie is truly "groovy!" Definitely see this if you've ever wanted to go for a ride on a bike without leaving your living room!

Before I give you my opinion of this movie, I must tell you that I bought it just for the fact that Sigourney Weaver was in it. Back in late '93 - early '94, I was just becoming one of Ms. Weaver's fans. I bought the video from a little video store close to my house. When I watched it, it was (and still is!) a real treat to see a topless Ms. Weaver. Not only is she topless in more than one place in the film, the whole "famous exercise bike" scene has to rank as one of the top ten seduction scenes in my book! That having been said, as the years have passed, I've grown to like the rest of the movie for what it is: a romance/political suspense movie. I have yet to read the book, but I hope to sometime. All in all, a great movie!

"A View To A Kill" happens to be the first Bond film I ever saw, and it remains one of my favorite movies today. I originally watched it for Roger Moore's portrayal of Bond ( I first saw Moore in "Cannonball Run") and for the killer theme song by Duran Duran ("Dance...Into the Fi-yer!!"). Back then, I was still a young boy, so most of the high-class/secret agent/storyline was over my head. However, as the past 15 or so years have gone by, I've grown to like the movie for what it is: an action film with lots o' class. Roger Moore is pretty good as Bond, but the real credit has to go to Christopher Walken as Zorin. That guy is absolutely COLD!! Tanya Roberts looks (and acts) like she belongs in a porno video, but Grace Jones is convincing as May Day. The locations are cool, and the action scenes are awesome. Also, this movie has some humor thrown in, like the whole extreme-skiing/snowboard from a destroyed snowmobile sequence, as well as the bridge-Vs.-police car scene in Frisco. The Golden Gate fight was great stuff to watch! A nicely done movie.

Back when "Electric Dreams" was showing on HBO, my mom recorded it on our old VCR. I didn't watch it for a long time, but my mom also recorded the theme song from the radio, and we both liked the song.(Still do!) When I finally watched the movie, I was pleasantly surprised. This movie is a romantic comedy, in it's own new-wave, music-video-laden way. Having said that, I LOVE this movie! (And I usually HATE romantic comedies!) Lenny von Dohlen is great as a quirky architect next door, and Virginia Madsen is equally impressive as his love interest. But, without a doubt, the star of the movie is Edgar, the Talking Computer from Hell! Very funny movie, and I still like to blow off the dust from the old videotape and watch it now and then.