A Soldier's Story (1984) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)A phenomenal cast brings Charles Fuller's adaptation of his Pulitzer Prize-winning play to the big screen. Howard E. Rollins, Jr., is magnetic as the Army Captain sent to investigate the murder of a black Sergeant in Louisiana during World War II; his careful detective work uncovers the complex layers of racism (both externalized and internalized) that led up to the crime. Adolph Caesar gives a superb, Oscar-nominated performance as the (unsympathetic) victim whose story is told through a series of flashbacks. And Larry Riley, David Alan Grier, Robert Townsend, and the always-magnificent Denzel Washington register strongly in important supporting roles. Effective as both a mystery and a social commentary, this worthy nominee for the 1984 Best Picture Oscar is tightly directed by Norman Jewison.
The DVD presentation of this recent screen classic offers an excellent film-to-video transfer, featuring a sharp picture and crisp sound. The disc contains both the widescreen and fullscreen editions, and includes the original theatrical trailer. Also offered is a short but very moving 1999 documentary entitled "March to Freedom", which recounts several astonishing real-life stories of racism in the American armed forces during World War II. All-in-all, this is a highly recommended DVD that deserves a place in your home video library.

Click Here to see more reviews about: A Soldier's Story (1984)

Rollins is a proud black army attorney sent to investigate the ruthless shooting death of Caesar. He learns that Caesar was a vicious man who served the white world and despised his own roots.Genre: Feature Film-DramaRating: PGRelease Date: 28-AUG-2001Media Type: DVD

Click here for more information about A Soldier's Story (1984)

Read More...

Lean on Me (Snap Case) (1989) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)`Lean On Me' has become one of my favorite inspirational movies involving real people and events, despite the simplified and sometimes sappy-sickly-sweet Hollywood `feel-good' treatment it's been given, along with a happy ending that ties everything up a bit too neat and nice. The forces trying to stop Joe Clark's straightforward efforts to turn Eastside High School around has been simplified for the movie, basically involving just a disgruntled parent and the city mayor. Even the many heated arguments between Clark and his faculty & superiors are less than sophisticated in wording and tone. None the less, I've always loved Morgan Freeman's performance of Clark.
Clark's expulsion of the most delinquent students was a pretty neat scene, and was something of a surprise when I first saw it. Anyone who'd attempt that nowadays would probably get sued penniless. And the rooftop scene where he tells expelled crackhead student Thomas Sams to just jump off the roof of the school and kill himself swiftly rather than slowly by smoking crack is one of my fave film moments, and the best 'tough love' moment in movie history: "It kills your brain cells, son, it kills your brain cells!"
And as the school improves, Clark does as well. In the movie you see him learning and adapting alongside the students & faculty. Even with his best efforts, he discovers that can't turn things around by himself. At first, his gruff behavior and strongarm approaches to solving problems makes most of the teachers reluctant to help him out. But they learn to adapt to Clark, and he learns to soften his methods a bit, and even gains a sense of humor.
Sadly, the real Joe Clark, to a small degree, has `gone Hollywood'. His big gig nowadays is working the lecture circuit, as a motivational speaker. He's even written a book about what to do to save America's public schools. I've heard some of his speeches, and found them rather compelling, but I feel his talents and drive are best suited for running a school in need of a decisive, no-nonsense leader who gets things done.
`Late...

Click Here to see more reviews about: Lean on Me (Snap Case) (1989)

Based on the true story of new jersey high school principal Joe Clark,who wins the support and respect of his students for his controversial methods in ridding the school of violent students and drug dealers.

Get 50% OFF

Click here for more information about Lean on Me (Snap Case) (1989)

Read More...

Training Day (2001) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I must say, my preconceptions about Training Day were all wrong. The trailer I saw in the theatres made it look like a belated ripoff of The Corruptor, while director Antoine Fuqua's disastrous fumble with The Replacement Killers several years ago did nothing to boost my confidence.
My doubts were dispelled the minute Denzel Washington looked up from his newspaper. It is indeed good to see Washington, one of the most gifted actors of our time, abandon the saintly martyrs he's been prone to playing for 10 years and sink his teeth into a role which allows him to show a mix of deep charisma and dangerous viciousness. That same alchemy had made his breakthrough performance in 1989's Glory amazingly compelling, and in Training Day, there isn't a single moment where Washington is less than completely absorbing. Ethan Hawke also gives the performance of his career as Jake Hoyt, an idealistic but easily swayed young cop who finds himself drawn into a web of corruption, violence, and twisted morals.
Fuqua's directing is still overly stylish at times, but after a hyperactive first act, the film begins to roar. David Ayer's script is dazzling, a combination of rat-a-tat street vernacular and relentless forward momentum, and after the midpoint of the movie, the intensity of the scenes would reach incredible levels. And that's when Fuqua's show-offy camerawork finds a raison d'etre. In this film, Fuqua even finds room for some comparatively simple scenes which are really like a breath of fresh air to his filmmaking -- for example, the "you're a leader" car scene, and that beautifully understated ending shot. I hope he makes this part of his regular style, because there's only so much virtuoso camera one can take before it gets tiring, as is the case in the opening of the film.
A white-knuckle thriller, well worthy of the accolades it received. I stand humbly corrected on my original predictions.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Training Day (2001)

DVD Features: Alternate endingsAudio CommentaryDVD ROM FeaturesDeleted ScenesDocumentaryFilmographiesMusic VideoTheatrical Trailer

Get 40% OFF

Click here for more information about Training Day (2001)

Read More...

Tyler Perry's House of Payne, Vol. 1 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)House of Payne.....is actually a house of family, fun & love- despite serious true life storylines which include crack addiction, teenage growing pains and beyond. the plot revolves around a man, CJ (Allen Payne) who moves in with his aunt Ella and uncle Curtis along with his wife ( A crack addict who burned down their house) & 2 children, all the family members are hilarious while comforting each other and finding resolution to various situations. If you've never seen an episode of this hit show during the first season run, order this 20 episode volume, you'll be glad you did... it is addictive and certainly entertaining!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Tyler Perry's House of Payne, Vol. 1

HOUSE OF PAYNE - DVD Movie

Get 25% OFF

Click here for more information about Tyler Perry's House of Payne, Vol. 1

Read More...

Alex Haley's Queen Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have loved Alex Haley's "Queen" since I was a little girl. It's so ironic this came out on DVD because I have been periodically checking to see if it had been released on DVD yet. I am so glad to see it!
To respond to some concerns about the DVD, they did not leave any parts of the movie out. When the first episode ends, be sure to go to the main menu and choose Episode two. That will show the parts of the film that people say are missing.
Also, coming from someone who has read the book more than once, no character in the film is random. They are all there for a purpose and their story is relevant to Queen's life in the book.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Alex Haley's Queen

There are two sides to every story, the saying goes. For Alex Haley, one side was roots, the towering chronicle tracing severn generations of his mother's family. The othe side comes to the screen in Alex Haley's Queen, the remarkable history of a paternal side of the author's family. David L. Wolper (Roots, The Thorn Birds) is the executive producer of this acclaimed adaption of the story Haley was working on when he died. Halle Berry plays Queen, daughter of a slave (Jasmine Guy) and a plantation owner (Tim Daly). During the turbulent decades of the antebellum South, the Civil war, Reconstruction and beyond, she searches for a home in the two cultures of her heritage - and at times is shunned by both. Rejection and hate are no match for her unconquerable will, however. Ann-Margret, Danny Glover, and Ossie Davis are among the many stars of this poingnant, uplifting final chapter of the Haley legacy.

Get 24% OFF

Click here for more information about Alex Haley's Queen

Read More...

Resting Place (1986) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is one of the finest films I have seen centered on small Southern town prejudice and military procedure. The characters are all portrayed with some of the finest acting skills in the business. If I was disappointed in any way, it was with the knowledge that the story is fictional; everything about the film leads the viewer to believe that the incidence actually occurred. Nevertheless, fact or fiction, it is bound to move those who love movie drama as well as those who appreciate skillfull and accurate dramatization of military events. Five stars to the film itself, to the actors, writers, producers and music composers.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Resting Place (1986)

Item Name: Resting Place; Studio:Echo Bridge Home Entertainment

Click here for more information about Resting Place (1986)

Read More...