The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (1983) Review

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(More customer reviews)One of the finest theatrical productions of all time, no question. Beautifully staged and brilliantly performed; 39 of the world's best actors play more than 150 roles.
The DVD set should be better than this. (The play gets 5 stars; the DVD gets 1.)
It is improperly cut and sloppily transferred. A&E has released it (after much anticipation) not in its original four 2-hour acts but in the nine 1-hour episodes that they cut for broadcast on television, with intros and credits every hour. All they've done is transfer their 9-cassette VHS release, with intros, opening and closing credits and a "previously seen" commentary (meant for the TV audience watching it over a period of nine days) onto four DVDs, frustratingly marring the flow of the production. Not only does the play get interrupted every hour, but at one point you have to change discs mid-scene. In addition (and inexplicably) this DVD version is missing a scene that's on the VHS.
If A&E gets their act together, they'll rerelease this set and return this incredible play back to its original structure, without the cuts and interruptions. Isn't that the point of DVD? Bear in mind also that many of the glowing reviews on this site refer to the VHS set (and the play itself) and don't address the inept job of transferring the VHS onto DVD. (Amazon's reviewer even credits Jim Goddard as the director, when all he did was arrange cameras and make adjustments for taping; the actual directors of the play, Trevor Nunn and John Napier, go unmentioned.)
As you may have read in other reviews, the original stage production was four 2-hour acts in two parts (the running time of the play is actually 8 hours without the intermissions, not 9, as is stated in Amazon's review), and Parts I and II could be seen all in one day or over two consecutive nights. The designers of this set could have devoted one disc per part, without interruption, with one more disc for any extras (there aren't many). A four-disc set is excessive and inappropriate; it allows them to up their price while it weakens the experience of the play. (Peter Brook's 9-hour stage production of "The Mahabharata" is on two DVDs, in fine quality and half the price.)
I saw the play on Broadway in 1981 and, like most in that theater, fell in love with it. I've had the VHS version all this time and hoped that eventually it would be on DVD, carefully restored.
I would avoid buying this set and wait until they release one that's complete, uncut and faithful to the play. It's one of the greatest stage productions of all time. It features the Royal Shakespeare Company in its prime. It deserves better than this. The movies "Pearl Harbor" and "Dogma" got better DVD treatments. That's pretty sad.

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LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF NICHOLAS NICKL - DVD Movie

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Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)Being the chihuahua lover that I am, I was first in line at our local cinema to see this flick!
I loved it from begining to end, however it wanst exactly what I expected. From some of the previews it looked like there would be lots more chihuahuas in most of the film, but for the most part it is two chis (Chole and Papi) along with a German Shepard. Towards the end is about 5-7 mintues of films with LOTS of chihuahuas, include a bit of history about the breed, some pretty cool looking aztec ruins, and chis of every shape and color, including brindles, blue, chocolates, blacks, merles, spotted, fawn and even long coats!
Has great themes about finding your roots, not giving up on your true friends and helping others when they need it the most. Also, that no matter what your situtation is, there is a place where you belong.
I went with a friend from work (we are both adults) and we both loved it. We laughed and cried, and agreed we will see it again and buy it when it comes to video!
Also, kudos to Disney. At the end of this film there is a note about how each pets deserves a permenant loving home, and if you purchase a dog, to do research on the breed!

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Get ready for a hilarious fun-filled adventure starring Chloe (voiced by Drew Barrymore), a diamond-clad ultra-pampered Beverly Hills Chihuahua who gets lost while on vacation in Mexico. Papi (voiced by George Lopez), an amusing Chihuahua who's crazy about Chloe, springs into action and heads south of the border to rescue her, while Chloe gets help from Delgado (voiced by Andy Garcia), her newfound friend and self-appointed protector. Beverly Hills Chihuahua from Walt Disney Pictures is a heartwarming and outrageously funny tale proving once again that good things do come in small packages. It's a real treat for the whole family. This DVD has fullscreen or widescreen capabilities. Bonus Features:*Deleted scenes with introductsion by director Raja Gosnell*Blooper scooper*Legend of the chihuahua*Feature audio commentary by director Raja Gosness (Widescreen version only)

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Kentucky Fried Movie (1977) Review

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(More customer reviews)Ah... there's nothing quite like sitting back and spending an afternoon watching a series of sophomoric jokes, uproarious site gags, and ample naked breasts to make just make the time fly by. The team of Zucker/Abrahms(sp?), that wacky team that done brung (poor grammar is intentional here) you great films like "Airplane" first cut their teeth on a sketch comedy forum they called "The Kentucky Fried Theater". By having the audacity to go places that Saturday Night Live and their censors could only dream about, the Brothers Zucker and Jim Abrahms were able to create raunchy, racy, and hilarious sketchy comedy. In the late 1970's they finally made the big leap and took their `talents' the big screen with the cult hit "The Kentucky Fried Movie".
"...Movie" is a somewhat uneven compilation of sketch comedy that is crafted in the Monty Python mold. Don't let the uneven aspect deter you, though. When "Kentucky Fried Movie" hits its targets, it makes for some of the funniest and most titillating comedy on film. One of the raunchiest skits is a `promo' for an upcoming movie called "Catholic High School Girls in Trouble". The shameless display of naked females, graphic (but, humorous) sex, and crude humor make this sketch one of the all-time classics. Even people who have never seen "The Kentucky Fried Movie" know about this famous sketch. There are some other fairly inspired bits in this film, including another extremely raunchy skit called "Eyewitness News (Nudes?)" where a young couple gets quite amorous while watching the evening news. "Cleopatra Schwartz" which pairs a Hassidic rabbi with a Pam Grier-type as a crime fighting couple seems just plain wrong, but is just plain funny. Other skits like the `Feel-O-Rama' movie theater and `Big Jim Slade's love record' are quite funny.
However, the true crown jewel of this movie is an inspired spoof of the old Bruce Lee movies called "Fistful of Yen". By far the longest sketch, it also packs the most comedic punch per square inch. The Bruce Lee type character must break into an evil criminal mastermind's palace and rescue a damsel in distress. This mastermind has a secret weapon, a prosthetic arm that looks like it was made by Snap-On Tools. Nothing is spared in this set. Shots are taken ridiculously sexual names that are given to Asian characters in these movies; the easy duping of an `expert' bodyguard is spoofed; and, even Detroit is spared no punches. For me, the most hilarious aspect is the criminal mastermind's palace `alarm system'. When you see it, you will know what I mean. This one sketch, alone, makes the movie worthwhile. The shameless amount of raunchiness doesn't hurt, either. If you're curious about how the deranged minds that created "Airplane" got their start, or just enjoy a good film that seems to have been the inspiration for every sex comedy to come along since, then "The Kentucky Fried Movie" will be time well spent.

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From the director of Animal House and the creators ofAirplane and The Naked Gun comes the original madcap,most out-of-control spoof of all time. The one thatstarted it all!!The Kentucky Fried Movie!Featuring a cast of more than a few but less than alot, this insane collection of comedy skits includessuch now famous sketches as the Kung-Fu parody, "AFistful of Yen", and the legendary "Catholic SchoolGirls in Trouble."Enjoy the future of moviegoingwiththe "Feel-A-Round" theater experience.See notableandhighly respected actor Donald Sutherland as theclumsiest waiter in motion picutre history.Watchsuchcharacters as Cleopatra Schwartz and Big Jim Sladetickle your funny bone until it has to be removedsurgically!Directed by John Landis and written by Jim Abrahams,David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker, and featuringappearances by ex-James Bond George Lazenby and TheIncredible Hulk star Bill Bixby, The Kentucky FriedMovie is the cult classic you've been waiting for! It's a virtual guarantee (not an actual guarantee)thatyou will not find another film iwth as many side- splitting moments of pure unadulterated hilarity asTheKentucky Fried Movie.

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