Customer Reviews:
"I want to stay with you!".......2005-07-30
The opening of Bear Cub shows two hairy over-weight men having sex with each other. The scene is sexually explicit and also quite tender, but most of all it shows that these men - who are so often marginalized in the wider gay community for not being attractive enough - can actually be sexual beings too. It's such a pleasure to watch a film that portrays the culture of these proudly paunchy gay men, who accept who and what they are and who refuse to buy into the chiseled gym ideal of what a gay man should be. Most of the middle-aged men in this wise, sophisticated, and sweet-natured Spanish film unashamedly believe they're sexy, and are for the most part, proud of it.
Pedro (José Luis García-Pérez) is an attractive and mature "bearish" dentist who lives a cosmopolitan life in Madrid. He's a well adjusted, kindly, and independent kind of guy, who thinks nothing of having his two best friends have sex in his bed while he takes a shower - maybe even participating in a threesome. His older sister Violeta (Elvira Lindo), a rubber-mouthed ex-hippie, leaves her son Bernardo (David Castillo) to stay with Pedro when she impulsively decides to take a two-week jaunt to India with her latest boyfriend.
Things don't work out exactly as planned for Violeta, so Pedro is left to become a temporary guardian of this world-wise and surprisingly cosmopolitan young boy. Bernardo is a hip, young urban sophisticate, totally in sync with Pedro and very aware and accepting of the fact that Pedro is gay, and even that he is HIV Positive.
Soon the two become totally enamored of each other forming a strong attachment. Their life together seems to be going well - Bernardo cooks for Pedro, and loves all his fellow bear friends. But when Doña Teresa (Empar Ferrer), Violeta's widowed, estranged mother-in-law, arrives on the scene, she begins to resent Pedro's closeness with the boy.
Dona Teresa is a lonely and embittered old woman who blames Violeta for her son's drug-related death. She's also eager to reestablish a bond with her grandson, who refuses to give her the time of day. She's concerned about the "influence" that Pedro may be having on the boy and wants to take over Bernardo's upbringing by sending him to a good private school in Valencia where he can learn English. The boy, however, is reluctant to leave his uncle and vows to keep his relationship with his Uncle intact.
Bear Club cleverly defies all expectations -with the director Miguel Albaladejo wisely never passing judgment on any of the characters - even on the manipulative Dona Teresa. And in keeping with the newly found openness of Spanish society there's absolutely no puritanical hand wringing about Pedro's supposed inappropriateness as a guardian and role model. In fact, Pedro goes out of his way to live his life as he would a single man: We see him going to bars, cruising back rooms, flirting with shop attendants in front of Bernardo, and even inviting his friends over for marijuana and coke-induced gatherings.
The film also cleverly explores Pedro's relationship with a flight attendant and part-time lover who seeks a full-time commitment that Pedro is unwilling to make. While throughout all of this Bernardo is either oblivious to most of what's going on, seems to take all in his stride, or at times even offers Pedro some sound romantic advice!
There's a lot of love, camaraderie, and laughter, especially amongst Pedro's lovable, big, burly "bears," and while the movie is occasionally over-talky and light on the drama, there's still a good deal of warmth, tenderness, and humor going on to satisfy most viewers. Bear Club is an important movie, but it's also quite groundbreaking, because for the first time, we are given an intelligent, thoughtful, and quite perceptive insight into a section of the gay community that has long been marginalized by the wider gay community; they're a sub-culture that is obviously flourishing, but until now, they have received little or no recognition in queer-themed film. Mike Leonard July 05.
Customer Reviews:
An ingeniously quirky, funny, meaningful slice of Americana.......2005-04-10
I have always loved True Stories, but it's not for everyone. This is one ingenious but quirky movie that plays on multiple levels all at the same time. The box cover describes True Stories as "a completely cool, multi-purpose movie," and that's about as good a description as there can be for a film almost impossible to describe. The film takes the form of a documentary of the sesquicentennial celebration in Virgil, Texas, with Talking Heads front man David Byrne cruising into town in his red convertible to narrate the events. Byrne is, in my opinion, an underappreciated genius, and what he managed to do here was to capture a wonderful slice of Americana. Virgil isn't a small town, but it has a small town feel, surrounded by flat land as far as the eye can see - land destined to be developed in the coming years. The townspeople are the true stars of the film, though; most of them are not even given names, and I think this is because they are not so much individuals as representatives of everyday men and women. You have, for example, the Laziest Woman on Earth (Swoosie Kurtz, who has not gotten out of bed for years and years), the Cute Woman, and the Lying Woman (Jo Harvey Allen) - who continually steals the show with some of the most outrageous comments you've ever heard. The silent masses are just regular people going about their regular lives, most of them the opposite of glamorous, just the kind of folks you probably see in your own local shopping malls. The only difference is that here, thanks to David Byrne, you notice these people - and I think that is very important. When these people get up and lip synch to a song like Wild Wild Life, it doesn't matter how weird they are - they are just having fun being themselves.
Of course, the star and central figure of True Stories is a reasonably svelte John Goodman; he plays Louis Fyne, a man desperate to find a woman to share his life with. He pays for ads on television, and even has a Wife Wanted sign in his front yard, but nothing seems to work. This is certainly a character I can identify with. Louis is as excited as everyone else in town over the big doings for Virgil's Celebration of Specialness. And why not? You get to see the world's strangest fashion show, enjoy the big parade featuring such sights as Shriners in little red Mustangs and a precision lawn mower marching team, and end the festivities with a great big local talent show outside of town. The parade speaks volumes; as the townsfolk watch it wind away into the distance, they may well have a sense that life as they have known it will soon disappear as the population swells and modern conveniences trump their connection to one another and the town. Despite a good bit of off-beat humor in this film, it does leave you feeling somewhat sad and nostalgic.
Of course, one has to mention the music of True Stories. It is a pity that plans to release a soundtrack featuring recordings by the actors and actresses in the film fell through because these songs are an integral part of the film (the Talking Heads supplied only three of the songs themselves). You can buy the album featuring the Talking Heads performing all of these songs (and it is an outstanding album), but People Like Us seemingly belongs to Louis Fyne after you watch the movie, and "Kay Culver" gives an unforgettable performance of Dream Operator.
Inevitably, you'll either "get" this movie or you won't, and I don't think you can predict anyone's reaction to the film until he or she actually watches it. It is exceedingly quirky, almost surreal at times, and filled with off-the-wall comments that will not even register with some viewers. I don't think it's possible to hate this movie, though. It either leaves a lasting imprint on your mind or instantly disappears from your memory. For me, True Stories is one of those rare films that I not only enjoy but actually treasure.
Weird, wacky, brilliant...definitive Talking Heads !.......2001-02-05
The creative genius that can only be described as David Byrne has yet again spawned a work of exemplary alternative art. Byrne's off-the-wall portrayal of small town America is a deliciously bizarre and exaggerated account, one in fact that has his label stamped all over it. Heads fans will simply lap this up; the film's peculiar brand of humour and insight representative of their musical works that we are all so familiar with. Newcomers to the world of Mr. Byrne and his associates may find 'True Stories' slightly meandering but the film's wit and three Talking Heads songs, including 'Wild Wild Life', are more than adequate compensation. A sterling cast includes John Goodman and David Byrne himself.
The heat goes on, people...
David Byrne and Talking Heads go strange in Texas.......2000-12-04
If you like Talking Heads then this is a must for you. If you don't...then this is a gentle way to get into their music and mindset.
Lead singer David Byrne goes on a tour of a small town in Texas which os preparing for its Celebration of Specialness. He meets a number of people including the woman who never gets out of bed and Lewis the dancing bear, played by John Goodman.
This film is gentle but quite strange in places though not in a nast strange way. You are left turning to your viewing companions and saying "Eh??"
Only one of the songs is performed by Talking Heads..the rest are performed by actors in the film.
If your going to watch it...leave your brain in another room and just chill.
Customer Reviews:
The "restored" version of the Orson Welles 1942 script.......2004-05-31
Since the point of this version of "The Magnificent Ambersons" is to "restore" the scenes that were lost when the study cut the Orson Welles version from 148 to 88 minutes, it becomes impossible to judge it by a different standard in which we pretend this was the first time Booth Tarkington's Pulitzer Prize winning book was brought to the screen. Ironically, if the point is to emphasize those lost scenes, then viewers need to watch the 1942 version to help you recognize the scenes when they crop up; they mostly have to do with the way modern things like the automobile change the face of the town in which the Ambersons rule. Of course, most films suffer in comparison to the original Mercury Production.
This 2002 production is handsome enough, although it lacks the distinctive cinematography and art direction of the Welles' film. Bruce Greenwood cuts a suitably dashing figure as Eugene Morgan and Madeleine Stowe makes a tragic enough Isabel. My problem with this version is the same as it was in the original: I can never really accept the idea that Lucy Morgan, well-played by the fetching Gretchen Mol, would ever really want to have anything to do with George Amberson Minafer, played by Jonathan Rhys-Meyers. I will admit there are scenes in the later part of the film where Rhys-Meyers manages to find something charming in the character, and we do get into Lucy's thoughts on the matter at one point, but for the most part Georgie is played with such bug-eyed intensity that I find it impossible to believe his mother does not know her spoiled little brat is on a level all his own as a world-class jerk. The film also goes a bit too far with suggesting some sort of Oedipus complex at work behind their relationship. Isabel almost died giving him birth and could not have any more children; that is a reasonable enough explanation for what is going on here.
Yes, Jennifer Tilly goes over the top as Aunt Fanny, but then when your performance is going to be compared to that of Agnes Moorhead, who received Best Actress honors from the New York Film Critics Circle of playing Fanny in the original, you are pretty much doomed. James Cromwell has little of consequence to do as Major Amberson, but William Hootkins as Uncle George is a worthy successor to Ray Collins in the original. He might be the black sheep of the Ambersons, but that means he simply ends up being the most grounded member of the clan. However, it is from the performances of Greenwood and Mol that this version of "The Magnificent Ambersons" draws its strength. The ending of the film, when Greenwood looks into the camera as he speaks the words of his imaginary letter to Isabel, is certainly more effective than the rather awkward ending of the original. Anything that can end with such a note of grace deserves being watched. Furthermore, those who have never seen the Welles' version will be able to better enjoy this film since they will not be prejudiced by memories of performances past.
Customer Reviews:
Phil (Bristol).......2007-06-15
I first watched this film years and years ago when it was on Sky and I loved it. The fight scenes were gruesome and all in all it was very entertaining. Then low and behold, I managed to track down this DVD which, I must say is a travesty. They've dubbed the word "dick". A word that's been used in mainstream television and would barely give a film or television programme more than a "PG" rating. This film when originally released was certificate "18" because of the violent nature of the fight scenes. Unfortunately dubbing aside, which was very amusuing, the fight scenes are butchered to such an extent that you barely know what one combatent has done to the other. If you watched it years ago and would like to see it again, get it by all means but don't expect too much. If you've never seen it before, bare in mind that this DVD isn't as good as the original film and cannot really do it justice.
Not much action from Mark..........2004-10-14
I was prepared to bite my tongue in watching this one, as it features ol' fave Dave Bradley and Mark Dacascos - the reason behind me purchasing this. However, ropey plot & acting aside - the fight scenes weren't all that. 97% of fight scenes were swordplay (involving Bradley) & Mark doesnt have the chance the display the skills we know he has. Better worth checking out his best role to date - Mani in Brotherhood of the Wolf. He doesnt have a lot of lines, but the film is excellently scripted, acted and the fight scenes beautifully choregraphed. Only purchase American Samurai if love Bradley & enjoy people getting killed with sharp things.
This is not the same film that is offered on VHS Video!.......2002-03-04
I purchased this film expecting a DVD copy of American Samurai that was linked to the video version. They are not the same film although they do share the same title.
The good American Samurai with the wicked fight scenes stars David Bradley and is on VHS Video. This DVD is a poor film and has very little combat in it, it is like a bad version of Die Hard or Lethal Weapon. If you are looking for Mortal Kombat areana style martial arts then purchase the video.
Rough Martial Arts!.......2001-01-10
This is a pure martial arts adrenaline session! The script and plot is a little corney, but hey, who cares? That is the only reason i've given this 4 stars. The fight scenes are top notch! Proper gorey, NO HOLDS BARRED!
A must for martial arts fans and also for Dacascos fans.
Customer Reviews:
Well acted.......2000-09-24
The story takes place in a court room. Claudia Draper (Barbara Streisand) is a professional woman of the night is accused of murdering her client Allen Green (Leslie Nielsen.) She is given the opportunity to claim mental incompetence "Nuts"; however she chooses not to do so. Towards the end of the movie do I hear an Ayn Rand type courtroom speech about competence?
I have never seen the play so I can not comment on how the film varies. The movie however holds your attention. Barbra Streisand is not the only actor in this movie to let their personality overwhelm the character. Richard Dreyfuss, "Moon Over Parador" (1988) lets his personality and mannerisms through pretty well as he plays the defendants lawyer.
Customer Reviews:
A Secret Comedy Classic,that no ones heard of.......2008-03-01
Still cannot get this in the UK on DVD.This is one of my all time favourite comedies.All the New age crap is here before many people in Europe had heard of it and started beleiving it.
Once again only US sports can produce a movie that is great to watch ( Mike Basset England manager is the only English soccer movie that works )Slap Shot is the other US sports classic comedy.
Burt Reynolds plus all the supporting cast are great with the " Creeping- Crawling" scene a real treat.The training filed gaol and of course the Wedding scene make for a real fun packed movie.PS For sados out there I beleive this was the first movie shown on Channel 4 when it started ,although I maybe wrong.God Bless Semi tough and lets hope its given away free with an English Newspapaper soon
Buy this NOW!.......2004-07-23
I first saw this movie in the early 80s and fell in love with it. I'd never really rated Kris Kristofferson as an actor before, but he gives such a laid-back performance as Shake Tiller, that it's hard not to like him.
This is quite simply one of the funniest movies I've ever seen and beneath all the no-brainer fluff is actually pretty sharpely satirical on all matters of 70s psycho-babble. It is worth it for watching Burt Reynolds in an EST-style weekend psychotherapy seminar alone. And you get American football. And Gene Autry. And Robert Preston in his best role (along with SOB and Victor/Victoria).
If you love it, go out and buy the book. And if you love that, buy the follow-up: Rude Behaviour.
Not politically correct in any way, shape or form, but hysterically funny nevertheless.
UK DVD:
- Janis Saffell: Brand New Butt Plus Pilates [2001] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Jennifer Kries' New Method: Perfect Mix (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Jennifer Kries' Pilates Method: 3 Dimensional Toning (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Kathy Smith: Great Buns and Thighs Step Workout [1993]
- Kathy Smith: Lift Weights to Lose Weight 1 & 2 [2003] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Kathy Smith: Timesaver - Lift Weights to Lose Weight, Vol. 2 [2003] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Lean Strong And Healthy With Susan Powter [1993]
- Leslie Sansone: Walk Away the Pounds - 30 Minute Walk [2006]
- Leslie Sansone: Walk Away the Pounds - Walk and Jog [2004] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Leslie Sansone: You Can Do! Pilates [2004] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
UK DVD List
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