Collection ID 58
Director: David Mamet
Starring: Lindsay Crouse, Joe Mantegna, Mike Nussbaum, Lilia Skala, J.T. Walsh
Genre: Crime
Studio: Filmhaus   Release date: 1987   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French, Spanish (USA)
Summary: A psychiatrist's patient is in desperate need of money, so she agrees to help him. But...
My Rating:
My Review: Written and directed by David Mamet (screenplays: The Postman always rings twice, The Verdict, The Untouchables, Glengarry Glen Ross, Wag the Dog, Hannibal), this movie is now a Criterion Collection. I thoroughly enjoyed the incredibly tight writing and the clinical direction. The characters are precise in their motives and their actions, but there's always something more, an unseen hand being played beneath the table. Here's the story of a renowned psychologist who becomes entrapped in a world of intrigue and mystery. While trying to help a patient, she becomes drawn into a tightly woven ring of con men. Sociopaths who tale advantage of everyone who crosses their paths. Their mistake was marking her as their next victim. An outstanding psychological thriller. Joe Mantegna give an outstanding performance. I give this movie a 4 out of 5.

Collection ID 860
Director: David Mamet
Starring: Lindsay Crouse, Joe Mantegna, Mike Nussbaum, Lilia Skala, J.T. Walsh
Genre: Crime
Studio: Filmhaus   Release date: 1987   Rated: R   
Language (Country): English, French, Spanish (USA)
Summary: A psychiatrist's patient is in desperate need of money, so she agrees to help him. But...
My Rating:
My Review: House of Games

Collection ID 679
Director: William Castle
Starring: Vincent Price, Carolyn Craig, Richard Long, Elisha Cook Jr., Carol Ohmart
Genre: Horror
Studio: Digiview   Release date: 1959   Rated: Unrated   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: Frederick Loren (Price) has invited five strangers to a party of a lifetime. He is offering each of them $10,000 if they can stay the night in a house. But the house is no ordinary house. This house has reputation for murder. Frederick offers them each a gun for protection. They will all arrived in a hearse and will either leave in it $10,000 richer or leave in it dead!
My Rating:
My Review: Here's a low budget, B-Horror movie, starring Vincent Price. Formulaic screamer, where the scares are nothing short of laughable, the acting is mediocre, and the direction lacking. The only thing of note was the amazing amount of screaming that went on in this movie. The story wasn't all that bad. A wealthy, but eccentric man invites five people to spend the night in his haunted house - for $10,000 each. If they stay the night they collect the cash. What follows is preposterous plot holes, bad acting, terrible special effects, and a completely boring movie.

Collection ID 1373
Director: William Castle
Starring: Vincent Price, Carolyn Craig, Richard Long, Elisha Cook Jr., Carol Ohmart
Genre: Horror
Studio: Digiview   Release date: 1959   Rated: Unrated   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: Frederick Loren (Price) has invited five strangers to a party of a lifetime. He is offering each of them $10,000 if they can stay the night in a house. But the house is no ordinary house. This house has reputation for murder. Frederick offers them each a gun for protection. They will all arrived in a hearse and will either leave in it $10,000 richer or leave in it dead!
My Rating:
My Review: Here's a low budget, B-Horror movie, starring Vincent Price. Formulaic screamer, where the scares are nothing short of laughable, the acting is mediocre, and the direction lacking. The only thing of note was the amazing amount of screaming that went on in this movie. The story wasn't all that bad. A wealthy, but eccentric man invites five people to spend the night in his haunted house - for $10,000 each. If they stay the night they collect the cash. What follows is preposterous plot holes, bad acting, terrible special effects, and a completely boring movie.

Collection ID 1054
Director: Ron Howard
Starring: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, Bill Irwin
Genre: Family
Studio: Universal Pictures   Release date: 2000   Rated: PG   
Language (Country): English, German, German (USA)
Summary: Big budget remake of the classic cartoon about a creature intent on stealing Christmas.
My Rating:
My Review: This is a charming holiday movie, directed by Ron Howard and starring Jim Carrey as the Grinch. Unfortunately the next best actor out of the entire cast was the Grinch's dog. The special effects, art direction, camera work and music were delicious. It is a good movie for folks who act like kids, but I can't imagine it's much of a hit with actual kids. Jim Carrey's transformation into the Grinch was ultimately the most remarkable thing about this movie. Hidden behind layers of foam rubber, prosthetics and gaudy costumes, one can't help but see the comic genius shining through to warm the heart in this tender tale of the holiday season. The props, costumes, and sets are 'Who-a-licious'; creating an alternate reality that could only exist in the mind of a 8 year old. The plot? The Grinch steals Christmas, but little Cindy Lou Who (played by Taylor Momsen) steals his heart. Although the movie runs a bit longer than necessary, the editing and pacing are quick enough to keep your intrest. Thankfully it wasn't marred by cheap cgi effects.

Collection ID 182
Director: Ron Howard
Starring: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, Bill Irwin
Genre: Family
Studio: Universal Pictures   Release date: 2000   Rated: PG   
Language (Country): English, German, German (USA)
Summary: Big budget remake of the classic cartoon about a creature intent on stealing Christmas.
My Rating:
My Review: This is a charming holiday movie, directed by Ron Howard and starring Jim Carrey as the Grinch. Unfortunately the next best actor out of the entire cast was the Grinch's dog. The special effects, art direction, camera work and music were delicious. It is a good movie for folks who act like kids, but I can't imagine it's much of a hit with actual kids. Jim Carrey's transformation into the Grinch was ultimately the most remarkable thing about this movie. Hidden behind layers of foam rubber, prosthetics and gaudy costumes, one can't help but see the comic genius shining through to warm the heart in this tender tale of the holiday season. The props, costumes, and sets are 'Who-a-licious'; creating an alternate reality that could only exist in the mind of a 8 year old. The plot? The Grinch steals Christmas, but little Cindy Lou Who (played by Taylor Momsen) steals his heart. Although the movie runs a bit longer than necessary, the editing and pacing are quick enough to keep your intrest. Thankfully it wasn't marred by cheap cgi effects.

Collection ID 632
Director: Martin Ritt
Starring: Paul Newman, Melvyn Douglas, Patricia Neal, Brandon De Wilde, Whit Bissell
Genre: Drama
Studio: Paramount   Release date: 1963   Rated: NR   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: Based on a Larry McMurtry novel, this Martin Ritt film was a testament to the sex appeal of the young Paul Newman. Playing the title character--a total rotter who, by the end of the film, has double-crossed or screwed over everyone he knows, including his hard-working father and brother--Newman turns him into an intriguing antihero. Things are tough on the ranch and Hud's dad (Melvyn Douglas) needs help, but Hud is too busy looking out for number one, even as things fall apart. And guess who's going to land on his feet? Beautiful black-and-white cinematography by James Wong Howe won an Oscar, as did performances by Douglas and Patricia Neal. "--Marshall Fine"
My Rating:
My Review: Paul Newman gives us a hands down despicable portrayal of a lost cowboy at the end of the frontier era. Filmed in black and white, this western is a contemporary story of clashing cultures. With a great cast and great characters, Paul Newman truly shines as the outrageous and unstoppable Hud Bannon. The pacing was dead on, the locations, costumes and sets were terrific. Best of all was the writing. Based on a Lary McMurty novel, this tale of the west the past and the future spells out just waht it is that makes a man a real cowboy (Principles).

Collection ID 1331
Director: Martin Ritt
Starring: Paul Newman, Melvyn Douglas, Patricia Neal, Brandon De Wilde, Whit Bissell
Genre: Drama
Studio: Paramount   Release date: 1963   Rated: NR   
Language (Country): English (USA)
Summary: Based on a Larry McMurtry novel, this Martin Ritt film was a testament to the sex appeal of the young Paul Newman. Playing the title character--a total rotter who, by the end of the film, has double-crossed or screwed over everyone he knows, including his hard-working father and brother--Newman turns him into an intriguing antihero. Things are tough on the ranch and Hud's dad (Melvyn Douglas) needs help, but Hud is too busy looking out for number one, even as things fall apart. And guess who's going to land on his feet? Beautiful black-and-white cinematography by James Wong Howe won an Oscar, as did performances by Douglas and Patricia Neal. "--Marshall Fine"
My Rating:
My Review: Paul Newman gives us a hands down despicable portrayal of a lost cowboy at the end of the frontier era. Filmed in black and white, this western is a contemporary story of clashing cultures. With a great cast and great characters, Paul Newman truly shines as the outrageous and unstoppable Hud Bannon. The pacing was dead on, the locations, costumes and sets were terrific. Best of all was the writing. Based on a Lary McMurty novel, this tale of the west the past and the future spells out just waht it is that makes a man a real cowboy (Principles).

Collection ID 614
Director: T.C. Christensen
Starring:
Genre: Documentary
Studio:   Release date:   Rated: PG   
Language (Country): (USA)
Summary: Hukilau - The enchanting story of Laie's celebrated Hukilau tradition. View the intriguing, modern-day history of one of Hawaii's ancient customs.

The Hukilau, a revered Hawaiian fishing tradition practiced since the original inhabitants arrived, gradually faded from everyday life on the islands. But an inspiring set of events sparked its comeback in La'ie during early 1947.

"Hukilau", a documentary filmed on location, reveals why this unique Hawaiian festivity was re-introduced on Oahu's scenic North Shore. And introduces you to the colorful individuals and activities associated with its re-emergence.
My Rating:
My Review:

Collection ID 1048
Director: T.C. Christensen
Starring:
Genre: Documentary
Studio:   Release date: 1999   Rated: PG   
Language (Country): (USA)
Summary: Hukilau - The enchanting story of Laie's celebrated Hukilau tradition. View the intriguing, modern-day history of one of Hawaii's ancient customs.

The Hukilau, a revered Hawaiian fishing tradition practiced since the original inhabitants arrived, gradually faded from everyday life on the islands. But an inspiring set of events sparked its comeback in La'ie during early 1947.

"Hukilau", a documentary filmed on location, reveals why this unique Hawaiian festivity was re-introduced on Oahu's scenic North Shore. And introduces you to the colorful individuals and activities associated with its re-emergence.
My Rating:
My Review: