At Ease Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a film with a lot of heart. I saw it at its original screening in Provincetown, Mass. and bought a DVD there. I was in a room with hundreds of other gay men and women, many of whom had served in the military (including myself) and there was not a dry eye in the audience. I have watched it often, and it still has the same impact.
The heart of this film lies in its honest portrayal of gays and lesbians in the military, and how they are no different from anyone else when it comes to serving honorably and heroically. In war, there are only a few things that matter: Are you my brother? Will you fight for me? Will you die for me? The answer is always yes, no matter what, and this film speaks to how the young aviator's colleagues still accepted him after he was killed and they found out he was gay. Why? Because he gave his life for them, and they knew that this was more important than anything else.
The characters' journeys are clear and well told. Tyler is forced to reevaluate his own ideas of honor and duty when his lover dies, only just after telling people he can't reconcile fighting for freedom when he isn't free himself. That leads Tyler to his lover's father, Bill, in a mission to tell him who his son really was. Bill himself can't reconcile that his son could have been a hero and be gay at the same time. Bill is a man's man, but is fragile and frail in terms of his emotional strength. In the end, everyone becomes stronger: Kevin died with honor; Tyler, even though he has been discharged as well, has moral clarity; and Bill can go on with the peace of knowing his son was indeed a hero.
The performances are solid, maybe not Oscar-winning, but certainly better than a lot of gay movies I've seen. It is a short film, about a half hour or so, but that doesn't take away from its ability to convey its important message. As a gay veteran, I can say that this is a film that should be seen. And even though DADT was just repealed, it is important to reflect on our nation's very fresh history of discrimination.

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Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology, 1978-2006 Review

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(More customer reviews)Finally, the original Superman series hits Blu ray. I still don't get why this didn't happen way back in 2006 when the dvd set came out. All we got were a poor transfer of the extended version of the first film, a great transfer of the Donner Cut of part 2, and a fairly poor transfer of Superman Returns. Here we get 'em all, plus they are all new transfers from the previous releases making it beyond worth picking up.
All, and I mean ALL, the special features from the previous dvd set is included in this eight blu ray disc box set. Now maybe someone out there can correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't recall, on the box set dvd or the blu ray, the previous releases of Superman Returns having the deleted scene of Superman returning the barron and destroyed planet Krypton searching for life in his crystal spaceship. I've never seen this five minutes sequence before in my life. I've only seen snippets of it on the theatrical trailers for the film. Well, I got to see it for the first time today. While Returns is no great film, this scene should have been left in. It would've opened the film up more. Even weirder is this scene is completely finished. All the effects are GREAT and finished and polished. I can't believe they cut this scene. Hell, there were even action figures made of Superman's space suit and his ship back in 2006 for a sequence that was never even seen by mainstream film goers. Whatever. All the other deleted scenes and extended cuts are here too. All the films have their commentaries included, except Returns which never had one unfortunately.
Of course some of the special features are repetitive. The commentaries repeat some of the info give in the featurettes and documentaries. Back in 2001 a box set for the first four films was released on dvd. Only the first film had special features and an extended cut. The documentary, cut into three parts, is included. While this doc repeats a lot of what is on the eighth disc's featurettes regarding the whole series' history, it does skim over the on set tensions and the firing of Richard Donner from the directing duties of part 2. So, essentially, if you're a hardcore fan like me, you will have to view both. We get the first feature film of Superman starring George Reeves called Superman and the Mole Men, not really in HD unfortunately. Even better is we the classic animated shorts from Fleischer studios. They're not cleaned up but they look pretty good in a low grade version of hi def. The audio of all movies has been upgraded and it reall shows.
Shockingly to me, is that the AWFUL Superman IV: The Quest for Peace looks really good in hi def. I mean, it never looked that good, and all the edges of the effects always showed, but the blu ray transfer doesn't make them MORE apparent, but the colors look good. Go figure. My favorite part of the part IV disc is the deleted scenes. Now these scenes make the film seem more whole and help it make a ton more sense, especially towards the third act, but the movie stilled would've been just as awful. It just would've been a comprehensible mess as opposed to what it is. I also appreciate co-screenwriter Mark Rosenthal committing a commentary to this disc, as well as an interview for the 8th disc docs. He is frank and never once tries to polish this turd that he worked on. He's the only one from this film that even bothered to comment, so I more than appreciate it. Something about filmmakers talking about movies that didn't work always intrigues me more than the ones that do, just see the Joel Schumacher commentary for Batman and Robin. Superman Returns FINALLY looks the way it should. The colors pop and the sound booms. All previous dvd and blu ray versions of this film were terrible, and even more so when you see the new disc, which kept all the previous releases special features and included the video diaries which were an exclusive to the Superman tin from 2006.
Finally, the last thing I'll mention, is Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut. This is the best special feature ever made for any movie ever made in the history of movies. I'm super happy that Warner Brothers paid to have this experiment made, that Donner cared enough to give it a whirl, and that it was worth watching. Most people who initially reviewed this movie just DIDN'T GET IT. It wasn't a complete representation of Donner's vision for Superman II. Most people complained that it had the same ending as the first film. Well, if you bothered to listen to the commentary or watch the doc that accompanies the disc you would know that they were behind while shooting both films back to back, and decided to hedge their bets and not assume that Superman: The Movie would be an instant hit. They stole the ending from part II and stuck it on the first film. Since Donner never got to make part II he has no ending to put but the one that was scripted when he was making the film over thirty years ago. So this is more of an experiment than a competition for the theatrical Lester version. This is as close to Donner's movie as we'll ever get. Personally, I loved it. The screen test footage sticks out like a sore thumb, the acting and writing is GREAT, and Superman's reveal to Lois is clever and fun, as opposed to the dumb Lester version of Clark tripping into a fire. If you watch the doc or listen to the commentary you will understand what shots were all Donner stuff. If you have a keen eye for film you'll now anyway. The effects work and photography and choreography for Donner's footage is sooooo much more graceful and classy. While his films have goofy humor, the villains from Krypton are played straight and malevolent, unlike the Lester version. Now I don't hate the Lester version. It's enjoyable, but an obvious step down in tone and quality from the first film. It will forever be the offical sequel due to Donner never having filmed or even been give the opportunity to come up with a third act. Now the only annoyance of the Donner cut for me, beyond the reused end of the first film, is that the middle section is very choppy. The scenes that cut between the alien invasion and Superman and Lois falling further in love are harshly edited and don't always breath enough. That's it. Donner reveals much bitterness regarding not having stayed on board for all the Superman movies, but he seems jovial all the time. I'm happy he was able to get some closure, and really happy that fans like me could have such a neat gift. It's also bittersweet in the sense that the Donner cut shows so much potential it makes you feel slighted regarding what he eventually got with the series and the downward spiral it took.
All discs are upgraded in audio and visuals so for any Superman fan it's a no brainer. This is an upgrade. Now I understand if you don't care to own the later films, but you will have to wait as I'm sure they will all be released individually just like the Batman films. This will probably happen to coincide with the release of Zach Snyder's upcoming Superman film next year. I'm hoping the next Superman film is truly just a tale of Superman and NOT another origin story. It's been done in the comics, movies, cartoons, and tv shows. NO MORE. Who doesn't know Superman's origins at this point. I will be very bored if that's the case. We'll see. Fingers crossed.

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Oz: The Complete Third Season (1999) Review

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(More customer reviews)Finally, season 3 of OZ will be released early next year. This is by far the most fantastic tv show ever made. It's the best thing ever made.
If you're reading this, you've probably watched all seasons of OZ, or at least a few of them so I won't have to tell what it's all about. All I can say is, I'm in love with OZ. Tom Fontana is a genious, what he has created is magical, the characters are so alive and realistic, you feel for them, you start to love them no matter what crimes they've committed, you understand why they do what they do, you realize that everything they say and do is a part of survival, they have to survive in Em City, in OZ, no matter what it takes...
O'Reily, responsible for pretty much every murder in OZ, including the riot, Beecher, the extreme transformation, rivality with Schillinger and love for Chris Keller, Said, always keeping his faith, at least in this season, Hill, Rebadow, Schillinger, Adebisi, Pancamo..... I could go on and on.
My favorite characters of the inmates are Toby Beecher, Chris Keller - I find their love/hate relationship interesting. You don't have to put a label on it saying "Beecher and Keller are the two gay guys", it's far beyond that. As Tom Fontana said: "It's two men or two people struggling to find and maintain love in an environment that completely works against them." There are sad moments, good moments, Schillinger who constantly tries to get between them and destroy Beecher. And no matter what happens in Toby's and Chris's relationship, even if they're not together at the time, you know that they love each other, more than they'll ever love anybody.
Tobias "Toby" Beecher goes through the most extreme transformation I've ever laid my eyes on, it's amazing to watch him, from the beginning of his time in OZ until he finally makes his revenge on Schillinger in season 1, lands in the hole and comes out as a new man.
Chris Keller who first came to OZ as one of Schillinger's men, making friends with Toby, making Toby fall in love with him, then broke his bones and totally ruined everything they had togehter. And when Toby lands in the hospital, you see Chris back in their pod, his hands on Toby's bunk, touching Toby's pillow with a remorsefull look on his face - a 5 second sequence that makes me chill, no words can describe that scene.
In season 3 we follow his attempts to make Toby understand that he really does love him.
The chemistry between the actors, Lee Tergesen and Christopher Meloni, is brilliant, sparkling and convincing. And perhaps since they're good friends in reality, they know how to work so well together.
My other favorite is Ryan O'Reilly, the man nobody can trust. Always up to something and usually gets what he wants, O'Reilly is one of a kind. Played by Dean Winters, who I think is a very talented actor. The way I feel when I watch Winters is, he doesn't seem to be acting at all, and I mean that in a good way. He's tough, he's smart, he doesn't trust anyone, he is responsible for many of the murders commited in Em City, and since he's got a great brain he manages to stay out of trouble during the investigations. Also, there's not only a cold hearted side of O'Reilly. He backs up the weaker inmates, he stood by Beecher's side when he just got to Em City, and even though he made Beecher addicted to heroin, he was there when no one else was. And there's always Ryan's love for his brother Cyril, who he'd do anything for.
For the OZ fans that yet don't know - Season 4 will preliminary be out October 5 2004.

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Oz: the name on the street for the Oswald Maximum Security Penitentiary - except they've just changed the name. It's now the "Oswald State Correctional Facility: Level Four." Maybe it's truth in advertising. Maybe by getting rid of the word "penitentiary," the state is finally admitting that nobody's penitent. Nobody's sorry. Nobody.DVD Features:Audio Commentary:Audio commentary by creator Tom Fontana and director Chazz Palminteri on "Unnatural Disasters"Deleted Scenes:22 minutes of deleted scenesEpisodic PreviewsEpisodic Recaps

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The Ride: Back to the Soul of Surfing (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)I first saw this movie on a plane coming back from Oahu, Hawaii. I am really impressed by how the movie conveys the history of Hawaii and what it was like before it became so commercialized. I recommend this film for anyone who truly loves the beauty and history of Hawaii. There is some great surfing too! The movie explains the origins of Duke and how he shaped the sport of surfing. Now when I go to Duke's (restaurant) I understand his role and how important he is to the Hawaiian people. Rent it!

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Item Name: The Ride; Studio:Mackinac Media

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The Other Sister (1999) Review

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(More customer reviews)THE OTHER SISTER is one of those films that becomes a staple in the home library. With every viewing the tenderness and good qualities just improve. Though the film industry is dealing more often with the mentally challenged these days (I AM SAM, RADIO, etc) few can equal the tender love story that is created by Juliet Lewis and Giovanni Ribisi. The family setup is well paced with the skills of Diane Keaton and Tom Skerritt et al and other issues confronting the modern traditional family are certainly touched upon - obsession with public appearances, coping with a challenged child, teaching sex education, the presence of a gay sibling, to mention only a few. But it is the overwhelmingly fine performances by Lewis and Ribisi that are of the quality of commitment that seeing them on repeated viewings just fortifies the brilliance of their acting. These two people are people we readily love and grow to feel their fears, pain, frustration, and dreams. If ever there was a film that was able to read from the inside of the minds of the mentally challenged and find the mysteries and honest simplicities there, then this is the film. An outstanding cast and a very fine director in Garry Marshall make this movie a keeper.

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This funny and uplifting romantic comedy features outstanding performances from Juliette Lewis (ENOUGH), Diane Keaton (HANGING UP, THE FIRST WIVES CLUB), and Tom Skerritt (CONTACT) in a great star-packed cast! Even though Carla (Lewis) has grown into a very capable young woman, her nervous mother (Keaton) still has a major meltdown when Carla announces she's in love for the first time! So as Carla and her new boyfriend (Giovanni Ribisi, GONE IN 60 SECONDS, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN) set out to experience all of life's great adventures, they're also out to prove that Carla has earned her independence! The latest big-screen favorite from Garry Marshall, the acclaimed director of PRETTY WOMAN and RUNAWAY BRIDE -- you're sure to cheer this feel-good treat!

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Oz: The Complete First Season (1997) Review

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(More customer reviews)From Homicide: Life on the Street creator Tom Fontana and Barry Levinson, Oz is one of the most compulsively violent and addicting shows to hit HBO. While the Sopranos garnered most of the attention from HBO viewers, the primal nature and sheer unpredictability of Oz made the series the definition of must see TV. Taking place in the Oswald Correctional Facility (known to the inmates as Oz) these eight episodes revolve around Emerald City: a cellblock overseen by prison reform advocate Tim McManus (Terry Kinney) and the warden Leo Glynn (Ernie Hudson) who is desperately trying to keep the peace among the inmates as the governor bans privlages including smoking and conjugal visits. We are introduced to a cast of compelling characters whom be both pity and despise, including meek lawyer Tobias Beecher (Lee Tergesen) whose transformation from frightened new convict to drug raddled madman must be seen to be believed, white supremicist leader Vern Schillinger (J.K. Simmons), backstabbing and double dealing Ryan O'Reilly (Dean Winters), the cocky and self loathing Miguel Alvarez (Kirk Acevedo), wheelchair bound narrator Augustus Hill (Harold Perrineau), and Muslim activist Kareem Said (Eamonn Walker) whose extreme policy of non-violence explodes in the season ending riot that sets the stage for season two. The rest of the cast, including Rita Moreno, the Sopranos' Edie Falco, and John Seda (even though he only appears in the first episode) does brilliant work, all of whom help make Oz unforgettable. If you've never seen Oz, you should definitely check it out and see for yourself one of the best and underrated shows on HBO and maybe even TV history, but do be warned, this series is not for the squeamish.

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From the Oscar and Emmy winning team of Berry Levinson (Rain Man, Diner) and Tom Fontana, OZ is set deep inside the Oswald Maximum Security Prison, in an experimental unit known as Emerald City. Em City focuses on prisoner rehabilitation over public retribution. There's one set of rules from the outside looking in, and another once you're inside. Every group - Muslims, Latinos, Italians, Aryans - stick close to their mutual friends and terrorizes their mutual enemies. OZ is a wake-up call.DVD Features:Audio Commentary:Two audio commentaries by series creator Tom Fontana and star Lee TergesenBiographiesDeleted Scenes:WIth commentary by Tom FontanaEpisodic PreviewsEpisodic RecapsFeaturetteMusic VideoScene Access

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Hamlet Review

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(More customer reviews)"Hamlet" doesn't need any introduction -- the tortured Dane, the ghost, meditations on suicide and a climax full of death. But while many adaptations of Shakespeare's classic play feel stuffy and distant, this "Hamlet" has it all -- sleek elegant sets, powerful acting, and clever modern twists on the age-old stuff. And the best part is the brilliant performances by David Tennant and Patrick Stewart.
Prince Hamlet of Denmark (Tennant) is understandably upset when, only a short time after his father's death, his mother Gertrude (Penny Downie) marries his uncle Claudius (Stewart). But when Hamlet encounters the tormented ghost of his father (Stewart again), he learns that his dad was murdered by his uncle -- but he's plagued by indecision, since he's unsure if the spirit was truly his dad.
Hamlet's behavior becomes more bizarre and erratic -- he dumps his girlfriend Ophelia (Mariah Gale), arranges a play that mimics real life a little too closely, and generally acts like a loon (yodeling with a fake crown?). But when an argument with his mother ends in tragedy, Hamlet's fate is sealed as Claudius begins plotting to get rid of him too...
"Hamlet" is one of those plays that only really comes out two ways -- either you have a passionate, intense tragedy full of very human characters, or you have two boring hours of some whiny guy talking to himself. Having suffered through the latter in the past, it makes me appreciate a well-done performance all the more -- and this "Hamlet" is full of energy, vitality and wit.
A lot of that comes from Tennant, who is simply brilliant as Hamlet -- loads of energy, and a weird edge to his "madness" (example: freaking out Polonius by pulling a weird face). And he runs the entire emotional gamut here -- love, pain, puckish comedy, loathing, sorrow and shock, with the absolute peak being the hauntingly sad "to be or not to be" scene.
And Patrick Stewart is casually brilliant in his double role -- Claudius seems like a genial guy, but Stewart lets out little hints of his true nastiness; on the other hand, the ghost is all heavy intensity. Downie is excellent as Gertrude, and Gale is rather flat in her first few scenes, but after Ophelia goes mad she's amazing. Ripping off her clothes, leaping around, smacking Gertrude -- it's frighteningly good.
And the settings and costumes are similarly amazing. The entire play is done in a sleek, elegant modern style ("mad" Hamlet runs around in jeans), but the grandeur of a royal court is still there -- lots of elaborate formal clothes, and a looming, columned black palace-stage. There are some clever modern twists (Polonius spies through a one-way mirror and security cameras), and there are some truly brilliant bits of symbolism sprinkled through the story (Gertrude seeing the mad Ophelia in a shattered mirror).
This adaptation of "Hamlet" is a solid piece of work, with the smooth feeling of a classic play done by insanely talented people. Also: David Tennant is astounding.

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David Tennant and Patrick Stewart star in this critically acclaimed production of Shakespeare's masterpiece from Britain's renowned Royal Shakespeare Company. No recent stage production in Britain has attracted the excitement and nearly unanimous critical praise as this Hamlet. Tennant's interpretation was recognized as defining the role fora generation, and Stewart's complex Claudius won the Olivier award, Britain's highest stage honor. In this specially-shot screen version, filmed on location rather than in the theater, Tennant and Stewart reprise their roles. Dynamic, exciting and contemporary, it breathes newlife into Shakespeare's greatest play.

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