My Fair Lady

My Fair Lady Review

Damon Medic says, "If you have yet to see "My Fair Lady", you need to buy it now and watch it! You'll need to own it because you will want to watch it again and again and again! Audrey Hepburn is absolutely fantastic as Eliza Doolittle, and Rex Harrison shines as Professor Higgins, an expert linguist who transforms Eliza from an ordinary "flower girl" into a stunningly beautiful "Duchess." The relationship that exists between Higgins and Doolittle is disgraceful, overbearing and romantic all at the same time. This is a requirement for all movie libraries. They don't make movies like this anymore...Now, where the devil are my slippers?

---Damon Medic At one time the longest-running Broadway musical, My Fair Lady was adapted by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe from the George Bernard Shaw comedy Pygmalion. Outside Covent Garden on a rainy evening in 1912, dishevelled cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn) meets linguistic expert Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison). After delivering a musical tirade against "verbal class distinction," Higgins tells his companion Colonel Pickering (Wilfred Hyde-White) that, within six months, he could transform Eliza into a proper lady, simply by teaching her proper English. The next morning, face and hands freshly scrubbed, Eliza presents herself on Higgins' doorstep, offering to pay him to teach her to be a lady. "It's almost irresistable," clucks Higgins. "She's so deliciously low. So horribly dirty." He turns his mission into a sporting proposition, making a bet with Pickering that he can accomplish his six-month miracle to turn Eliza into a lady. This is one of the all-time great movie musicals, featuring classic songs and the legendary performances of Harrison, repeating his stage role after Cary Grant wisely turned down the movie job, and Stanley Holloway as Eliza's dustman father. Julie Andrews originated the role of Eliza on Broadway but producer Jack Warner felt that Andrews, at the time unknown beyond Broadway, wasn't bankable; Hepburn's singing was dubbed by Marni Nixon, who also dubbed Natalie Wood in West Side Story (1961). Andrews instead made Mary Poppins, for which she was given the Best Actress Oscar, beating out Hepburn. The movie, however, won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for Harrison, and five other Oscars, and it remains one of the all-time best movie musicals.

Pathfinder

Pathfinder Review

I found this movie to be a bit of a surprise, a good surprise. Where it is probably not completely historically accurate to the facts presented, I was aware of the Native American tribe of indians from Minnesota that had a large number of blond, blue eyed members. Add that to the fact that amid being ruthless warriors, the Vikings were first class explorers. Stories that have a sudo historical back-drop I find interesting, as you take a leap of imagination into the story. The story moves right along starting with meeting Ghost as a little boy and following him along as he walks his path toward becoming a brave. It is during this time you learn that he is not really accepted, nor is he ever really likely to be, as he is from both worlds.We learn that he has not really made peace with the fact and that of course is what he must do. I totally bonded with Ghost, I totally understood where he was coming from. From that point on our characters are flung into chaos. The Pathfinder declares that Ghost has not yet earned the right to become a brave which in turn sends he on what I believe to be his mystery walk. He stikes off on his own saying goodbye to the only family he has known. Of course disaster stikes and the Vikings have not only come back but they attack savagely and brutally. Please note that if violence offends or bothers you please skip this movie it only gets more pervasive through out. This brings Ghost back to find most of his family and tribe slaughtered, and his father hacked down in front of him. It is a nice touch that Ghost cries over his dead mother and finding his dead sisters' doll, it makes us the audience have to relate to Ghost as a human being which is not usually the way that it is in action movies. From this point forward vengeance with a capital V becomes Ghost's path kill as many as he can and die trying to kill even more. Brutal, savage, fast paced is what this movie becomes and you can not help become elated as the bad guys get killed. Though we do have a love triangle through out the first half of the movie so do not be fooled into thinking that this is only a slice and dice of the baddies type movie. Karl Urban and Moon Bloodgood are very believeable together. Also the Pathfinder joins them on this mission or maybe that should be folly, so there is a generous sprinkling of Native American mysticism added to the mix. The Vikings are pretty much presented as mindless killing machines not anything more of them is presented which is a shame, as there is a lot more to vikings than that. I liked Clancy Brown much better in Highlander, he was able to create the Kurgan and make him his own. In this movie it was like they said be a bad a__ Viking and that was what he did, he didn't seem to put his own spin on it. I could be wrong about that but to me that was how it seemed.Come on Clancy you can play such a good bad guy show us your evil side. The scenery is spectacular and is used well to enhance the story. I throughly enjoyed Karl Urban's portrayal of Ghost. I could really relate and feel for his character, a tortured loner struggling to come to terms with his own past, so he can finally move his own life forward while at the same time having to deal with the multitude of problems that the Vikings have created for him. The physical side of his role is an equal joy to watch. His sword work is excellent as well as the fight scences, but then would you expect less of E'omer. Lord of the Rings was a good training ground for action adventure and he put into play all that he honed on Lord of the Rings. A solid action adventure movie all the way around, you don't have to think to much just sit back and enjoy the ride. And for all of you Karl Urban fans check out this movie if for nothing else but how he is costumed. I know I did a double take. The heroic story of a young Norse man raised by Native American Indians who wages a personal war against the Vikings that barbarically raided his tribe.

Invasion of the Star Creatures/Invasion of the Bee Girls

Invasion of the Star Creatures/Invasion of the Bee Girls Review

Two movies in one. The first one is one I never heard of. Invasion of the Star Creatures. This movie is funny but has the feel of somebody hiring a friend of a friend of a friend. Or maybe hiring your aunt or your stepsister. The actors and actresses can't be judged poorly when you realize what material they had to start with. It is bad but in some way it was meant to be bad. This is not a serious film. The main plot is two female aliens are the vanguard of a invasion of Earth. They have advanced weapons and plant men to help them. No, really, plant men. They just grew their soldiers.
The second film was Invasion of the Bee Girls. This one I had on tape and just wanted to replace it so I could watch it without having to rewind all the time. Maybe I am too lazy? This film is also funny, not to be taken seriously no matter what somebody tries to tell you. Some nudity and sexual scenes give this movie a R rating. The plot to this one is harder to explain - it has to do with trying to mate with males but failing - and really didn't need bees in it. But if you like bees like me, well, that's OK too.
Get it used. No extras.
Yes, I gave it a five out of five. The titles are telling you what you are going to get. It is funny, full of camp and not much else. INVASION OF THE STAR CREATURES: Original Theatrical Trailer INVASION OF THE BEE GIRLS: Teaser Trailer

Operation "Y" & Other Shurik's Adventures

Operation "Y" & Other Shurik's Adventures Review

Its not so easy to capture in words - what has made Shurik's comedies utterly funny to the Russian viewers. Let me give it a shot by describing one skit. So if you STILL don't know what this movie is about - pls don't read!

A notorius bully drunk refuses to let a pregnant lady a seat on the overcrowded bus. When our hero Shurik - a witty geeky student notices that, he right away camouflages into a blind man who harrasses a drunk by poking at him, which forces a ruffian to stand up - once that is done Shurik reveals himself and lets the lady sit. An enraged ruffian starts a fight - police is being called and the drunk is arrested.

As a punishment for this misdemeanor he is assigned some remedial jobs from the extremely polite and benevolent militia (soviet police) who allow him to make his own choice to which he replies by uttering "Is there spot in the liquor store?" to which the militia politely appologizes for the lack of such spot. Finally he gets assigned to a newly developing construction sight, but...he gets a supervisor - SHURIK! While the ruffian is happy that he is going to be able to take his vengeance on the student - the Shurik, naive and timid, creates odius situations for a bully, who eventually succombs and becomes something akin to a honest and SOBER labourer! You have to see this development!

Besides an unusual plot - the movie is full of slap-stick situations that give credit to the director, but to me the major humor is in intelligence and wit with which that era was depicted - both funny and optimistic, hopeful and kind of nostalgic. The soundtrack is awesome rock'n'roll (by the talented Zatzepin, courtesy V. Alo) that keeps you dancing for the duration of the skit as well as the rest of the movie. i really hope that if you are a first time non-russian viewer you will enjoy this. This eccentric comedy includes three sketches united by the main character, cranky Shurik, who often finds himself in the most incredible situations. He attempts to rehabilitate a bully over a grueling 15-day sentence, prepares to take a daunting exam, and tries to save a warehouse from certain burglary.

Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Complete Second Season

Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Complete Second Season Review

Well, who would think that Larry David is by me considered one of the funniest guys on the planet, knowing my "politics"?! Indeed he is, though! In an age where humour is mostly on the level of "Friends", it is hard to find any show that is worth to waste some time with. This show, though, can make me laugh so hard my fiancée sometimes looks at me strangely. It has its very dull moments too, not to mention that the show is (obviously) as Jewish as a show can get. Everything is there, the extreme "liberal/leftist" political opinions, the references to Jewish secular culture and mannerisms constantly, the anti-gentile tone and of course, the trophy "shiksa" wife of Mister David himself. That being said, (although it is of course not 100 % real, being a show and all) it offers very fascinating insights into a culture that is closed for us slow-witted gentiles, at the same time that it is a very self-ironic show. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the show is really "anti-gentile" or something like that, it is more "anti-Jewish" if anything, considering how it makes fun of them. The show kicks both "Left" and "Right", and like South Park is really a show for every "side".

The "pathetic" figure of Jerry Lewis, and his interplay with Larry David, not to mention the no-spine manager of theirs; Jeff, really makes this one of the funniest and most surreal shows out there. I laugh onto the floor in every scene including either of these two characters, and especially while they fight Mister David. Every episode in this season is hillarious, perhaps except "The Thong" and "Shaq", which I found somewhat disgusting and boring. The whole Jason Alexander-thing is also quite dull, and should have been left out of an otherwise brilliant season. Beware, that there is nothing holy in the world of Larry David, but he's quite open about it, so not really the usual "hidden agendas" here. The extra material is really thin, though, I found nothing on this season at all. 4 stars. Larry David has it all - money, security, famous friends, a nurturing wife, a devoted agent, a new oceanfront home. So why is he still so intent on making a mess out of his life? Just because you've made it doesn't mean you've got it made. Curb Your Enthusiasm, folks - it's the HBO comedy series starring Larry David...as Larry David!

DGJ Q and A

DGJ Q and A Review

Shorty before his death, famed independent filmmaker, Donald G. Jackson was interviewed while driving around the streets of Hollywood, California. This documentary presents highly personal and deeply insightful understandings of the man as he discusses everything from his early childhood, to his his upbringing, onto the many political, religious, socioeconomic, and artistic elements that influenced him from the 1940s to his passing in 2003.

This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

Mysteries of the Bible [VHS]

Mysteries of the Bible [VHS] Review

I have always been a big fan of this Mysteries of the Bible series with Richard Kiley and Jean Simmons since it used to air on A&E. I am very happy they made these available on DVD. The series is very well done. This set includes four episodes of Mysteries of the Bible:

The Bible's Greatest Secrets
The Bible is the equivalent of a treasure map in this archeological edition of A&E's Mysteries of the Bible series. Both contemporary scientists and those from the last century have taken their cues from the scriptures when digging, leading to excavation of the 3,000-year-old remains of the towns of Beersheba and Capernaum. Also, there are accidental finds like a shepherd's 1947 discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in a cave. This 45-minute tape, narrated by Richard Kiley, examines the relationship between archaeology and the Bible, illuminating such personalities as Sir William Flinders Petrie, whose ballerina attire convinced the Egyptians it would be harmless to let him measure the pyramids. The husband-and-wife team of Eric and Carol Meyers explain how their work on the Masada both confirms and contradicts the only contemporaneous historical account of the siege and mass suicide there. Finally, there's a good example of technology at work: electromagnetic images eliminate random digging, computer models graphically resurrect ancient Jerusalem.

Biblical Angels
Are angels male or female or both? Eternal or mortal? Messengers from God or shapers of destiny? In an attempt to resolve these and other questions regarding the nature of angels, this A&E program (part of the Mysteries of the Bible series) looks to a variety of sources for answers: the Bible, the Apocrypha, Dante's Divine Comedy--even Phoenician drawings. Jean Simmons reads the quotations in response to narrator Richard Kiley's questions, and several professors, with specialties ranging from the Old Testament to Renaissance studies, chime in. The material is organized into five acts, with titles like "Celestial Guardians" and "Earthly Spirits." While the essence of angels isn't ultimately resolved in this 45-minute offering, viewers do get an eyeful of some of the more famous visions of angels by artists, including da Vinci, Raphael, and Botticelli.

Heaven and Hell
This exploration into the question of the afterlife begins with a discussion of near-death experiences against a hospital backdrop before it dives into the subjects of hell and Satan with equally gruesome paintings of both. Part of the A&E Bible mysteries series, this 45-minute tape examines Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant ideas of hell as well as those of Dante, complete with his diagram of the seven circles. A priest and a minister debate the origin and purpose of the concept of purgatory; Irish, Chinese, and Americans share their views on the afterlife; Jean Simmons reads excerpts from the Old and New Testaments and The Divine Comedy; and narrator Richard Kiley presides over the proceedings. Kiley traces the sparse mentions of hell in the Hebrew Bible, the fallen angel references in the Apocryphal Book of Enoch, and frequent references in the New Testament, particularly the Book of Revelation. He concludes that while there is no scientific evidence of an afterlife, people want to believe that a good life will be rewarded and an evil one punished.

Herod the Great
Scholars may debate whether Judean King Herod committed the act he is most famous for--the slaughter of a nation's young boys in a failed attempt to assassinate the baby Jesus--but no one doubts that he was mean enough to do it. After all, the king did murder his second wife, their two sons, and all of his in-laws, according to this A&E program. While this is part of the Mysteries of the Bible series, this 45-minute installment actually serves more as a biography of the half-Jewish king known for his Roman affiliations, brilliance in building, and penchant for murdering those who got in his way. Since Herod actually appears only infrequently in the Bible, the producers rely heavily on the biographical work of first-century historian Josephus, with Jean Simmons reading quotations. Richard Kiley narrates and various professors weigh in on the fine line between brilliant madman and great king. The video charts Herod's early political rise and his unprecedented architectural accomplishments, from enormous temples to Caesarea, a coastline port city built probably as much for the challenge as the necessity. But much of the focus is on his long, violent decline, which ended only with his death. --Kimberly Heinrichs