The film that launched Arnold Schwarzenegger's international career, Conan the Barbarian is still regarded by many as his finest hour. Limited to a mere handful of lines and expertly directed to play up the Nietzschean strength of the character by John Milius, the Austrian Oak has never looked more suited to a role, his muscle flexing and sword twirling apparently effortless. The extraordinarily finely detailed production design ensures that the barren Spanish countryside perfectly suits the Hyborean-era backdrop envisioned by author Robert E Howard. Whether dressed in rags or riches, Schwarzenegger and companions Subotai (Gerry Lopez) and Valeria (Sandahl Bergman) look believably born to their surroundings. Backing their own very fine performances are brilliant supporting roles from James Earl Jones as serpentine baddie Thulsa Doom and Max Von Sydow as doomed King Osric. Plot-wise the film is simply the transformation of a wild barbarian into a worldly-wise king who, via a quest for revenge, finally learns the riddle of steel. The script is highly regarded for its dazzling set-pieces (the opening village raid, the orgy of body parts) and quotable dialogue ("They shall all drown in lakes of blood"), and it comes complete with an anti-peace movement reactionary subtext for anyone who cares to look close enough. One other element deserving mention is the extraordinary score by Basil Poledouris, which inspires the film with a sense of operatic grandeur. On the DVD: Conan the Barbarian appears as a suitably mythic special edition DVD. Sadly the magnificent score can only be heard in a mono mix, but the very fine picture is presented in 2.35:1. The extras package is phenomenal, too. Several deleted scenes have been re-edited into the film, but are available to view independently as well. There's a quick split-screen special effects feature showing how the ghostly spirits were added to Conan's resurrection. "The Conan Archives" is an 11-minute slide show of drawings, costumes and advertising. Best of all is the fantastic 53-minute "Conan Unchained" documentary interviewing every conceivable contributor who all reminisce with great fondness. It's slightly better seeing Schwarzenegger and Milius than hearing them talk in their commentary, which inevitably re-tells many of the same anecdotes in between puffs of Arnie's stogies. --Paul Tonks
Larry David has it all - money security famous friends a nurturing wife a devoted agent a new oceanfront home. So why is he still so intent on making a mess out of his life? Just because you've made it doesn't mean you've got it made. Curb Your Enthusiasm folks - it's the HBO comedy series starring Larry David... as Larry David! Episodes Comprise: 1. The Larry David Sandwich 2. The Bowtie 3. The Christ Nail 4. Kamikaze Bingo 5. Lewis Needs A Kidney 6. The Smoking Jacket
In the 1880s Englishwoman Martha Price (Maureen O'Hara) and her daughter Hilary (Juliet Mills) come to America to sell their prize Hereford bull at an auction. When he is purchased by Bowen a wild Scotsman (Brian Keith) the women hire a footloose cowhand named Burnett (James Stewart) to help them transport the animal to its new owner. So begins an adventure that tests the mettle of all involved as they battle killers cattle stampedes and each other. But when they reach Bowen's ran
In the all-new original Catwoman: Hunted, Catwoman's attempt to steal a priceless jewel puts her squarely in the crosshairs of both a powerful consortium of villains and the ever-resourceful Interpol, not to mention Batwoman. It might just be enough to contain her. Or not.
Larry David co-creator of Seinfeld stars in Curb Your Enthusiasm as himself! This hilarious award-winning HBO series follows Larry and his knack for getting himself into uncomfortable situations... Series 1: 1. The Pants Tent 2. Ted and Mary 3. Porno Gil 4. The Bracelet 5. Interior Decorator 6. The Wire 7. AAMCO 8. Beloved Aunt 9. Affirmative Action 10. The Group Series 2: 1. The Car Salesman 2. Thor 3. Trick Or Treat 4. The Shrimp Incident 5. The Thong 6. The Acupuncturist 7. The Doll 8. Shaq 9. The Baptism 10. The Massage Series 3: 1. Chet's Shirt 2. The Benadryl Brownie 3. Club Soda and Salt 4. The Nanny 5. The Terrorist Attack 6. The Special Section 7. The Corpse-Sniffing Dog 8. Crazy-Eyez Killah 9. Mary Joseph and Larry 10. The Grand Opening Series 4: 1. Mel's Offer 2. Ben's Birthday Party 3. The Blind Date 4. The Weatherman 5. The 5 Wood 6. The Car Pool Lane 7. The Surrogate 8. Wandering Bear 9. The Survivor 10. Opening Night Series 5: 1. The Larry David Sandwich 2. The Bowtie 3. The Christ Nail 4. Kamikaze Bingo 5. Lewis Needs A Kidney 6. The Smoking Jacket 7. The Seder 8. The Ski Lift 9. The Korean Bookie 10. The End
In the all-new original Catwoman: Hunted, Catwoman's attempt to steal a priceless jewel puts her squarely in the crosshairs of both a powerful consortium of villains and the ever-resourceful Interpol, not to mention Batwoman. It might just be enough to contain her. Or not.
Riding Giants is more than another blissful surfing movie. It's an outstanding documentary about one era in American alternative lifestyles, when surfing was well-suited to a radical culture of social dropouts. Using an amazing array of amateur film clips, shot for the most part in Hawaii and California from the late 1950s and early '60s, director Stacy Peralta traces the rise of surfing's appeal to young men looking to test themselves in an unorthodox (and sexy) milieu--of "living life to the fullest," as former surfer-turned-screenwriter John Milius (Big Wednesday) puts it at one point. Lengthy chapters on the glories of Oahu's Makaha and the "superstition and dread" that accompanied the big-wave challenge of Waimea Bay are riveting and sometimes heroic, particularly told through the memories of surf legend Greg Noll. Great material, too, about the deadly wonders of surfing Mavericks, California, where the rocks will get one if the violent tides don't. --Tom Keogh, Amazon.com
In the all-new original Catwoman: Hunted, Catwoman's attempt to steal a priceless jewel puts her squarely in the crosshairs of both a powerful consortium of villains and the ever-resourceful Interpol, not to mention Batwoman. It might just be enough to contain her. Or not. Bonus Features When the Hunter Becomes the Hunted Catwoman: The Feline Femme Fatale-It's complicated. Discover the origins and evolution of Catwoman, as filmmaker and industry legends reveal why Selina Kyle, the Cat, is both one of the greatest comic book supervillains and greatest anti-heroes of all time.
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