5 comments about Pearl Harbor [Blu-ray].

1. This has to be one of the worst war movies ever made. I felt very angry after watching it. It takes some effort to take an important historical event like this and turn it into a routine soap opera. Bay doesn't even have the talent to create his own soap opera plot either. He has to "borrow" from Titanic. Talk about a no-talent director. This movie is not interested in teaching anything about the Pear Harbor attack or honoring those who fought and died there. It is only interested in shoving the hokey love story, Ben Affleck, Josh Harnett and Kate Bekinsale down your throat. I wouldn't have been bothered with a love story if it was actually good and not completely implausible. I have nothing against good love stories or even war love stories. However, the defeat at Peal Harbor is the wrong venue for this. This was a very influential and emotional event in our history. Obviously, Michael Bay has no conception or appreciation for this. To him, it's just another thing that happened that he can try and make money off of. It is a total insult to every American WWII vet (hero) involved in the attack. The casting was horrible. Affleck and Hartnet are terrible as Air Force pilots. Although, they were dealing with a very bad script. The movie goes out of it's way to make Affleck into a super hero. He flies fighters over Britain, he flies a fighter in the Air Force, he flies a bomber, he pulls sailors out of the water, he single handedly guns down a platoon of Japanese soldiers, he gives blood for wounded sailors, and he barn storms out of a hanger during the attack and shoots down Japanese planes. Wow, all this and no cape. What a joke. If you want to watch a real movie about Pearl Harbor, see Tora Tora Tora. If you want to see a good love story, see Titanic.



2. First of all, This movie is great, and even better on bluray. As far as entertainment goes its 5 stars but i gave this movie 4 stars because there was too much love story telling more than the actual pearl harbor story. It was a bit distracting when the blood is rushing and flowing in other parts of my body besides my brain, I like the love story, but i feel it overpowered the historical attack on pearl harbor, the Movie is called "Pearl Harbor" so I feel it should focus more on the historical facts more than the love story. Also near the end, when the airforce plans a counter attack, it would be nice to see more war and fighting action, but instead it was a sad ending.
   I am a history major at uc irvine and i learned in one of my classes that there was more depth in why japan attacked pearl harbor. It would be nice if this movie could explain that, but there are too many details to go into as far as japan/usa politics,I had to buy 2 textbooks for that class which covered a lot of material, it was interesting, but also a challenge to read that much. the movie would be way too long, but i wouldn't mind. Basically like the saying goes," a good defense is a good offense". That is basically why japan attacked pearl harbor. But the movie didn't clearly show the reasons for why pearl harbor was attacked, it just jumped straight into: japan attacking pearl harbor and when and where are they going to strike? It would be more interesting to show a story with a wider spectrum of the attack on pearl harbor start to finish, and not focus so much on the love story. As for the love story,
   I thought kate beckinsale was awesome, but the only problem is that she is so darn good looking that it actually distracted me from focusing on the movie. That is why i give this movie 4 stars because im afraid the may have made a mistake casting such a sexy lady to play the role. shes so darn sexy that I just focus about her and not the movie.
   Anyway it would have been 5 stars if they did not use such a gorgeous hot sexy woman, i was a little hot and bothered, but for those who arent as perverted as i am, this bluray is an awesome 5 stars for those who do not easily get distracted by beautiful women.



3. This is not a war movie! This is a chick flick! I wish I could give it -5 stars!!!
   
   I bought this movie based on other reviews which made it appear to be a great movie about the attack on Pearl Harbor. It's not! It really is a love story. The Japanese just happen to attack during this love story. This movie is crap! It's not even a good chick flick.
   
   I'm angry that I was duped into spending my time and money on this tripe! I think I'll use it for target practice!



4. I bought this because I saw the aircraft used in the movie being wrapped up to be sent to Hawaii. The only thing true in this movie is that the Japanese did attack Pearl Harbor. While the graphics were fair, I still can't understand how the director can think the viewer is that stupid as to think a Japanese pilot would fly between hangers during the Pearl attack AND they would be shot at by airplanes and ships shooting down, into the Americans that were on the other side of the airplane.
   Plus, the "heros" of the story end up crash-landing together after the Doolittle raid. Yes this is a chick-flick for those who have no idea of history or reality.



5. This movie should only be viewed on blu ray, full 1080P with a surround sound system. You can really feel the impacts of the bombing and gunfire on surround sound. This movie was awesome. It speaks of how the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and would bait the U.S. into WWII. But before that, a group of pilots would return the favor with their own bombing attacks on the Japanese. Seeing all those U.S. sailors running for their lives when they were being attacked is truly scary. Much respect to the men and women of the armed forces.

5 comments about The Karate Kid Collection (Four Film Set).

1. For those that grew up in the 80's, these are a must-have nostalgia collection! First two are top notch, with the third one coming in as just ok ('bad guy' & 'love interest girl' really did a poor job of acting), with the 4th a nice finish to the series. Worth the price I paid for it so I'm happy with the purchase!



2. The movies are good but they put III and IV on the same disk and therefore in the same case - pretty cheap if you ask me.



3. These movies are great, and everyone needs to own them!! They teach good lessons in life.



4. Well, I must say I do own the first three Karate Kid films. I never did get a chance to see the fourth one with Hilary Swank but I did hear it was the weakest of the series so I guess I'll skip it for now. I'll start with the first film which is of course the best one. It has a great plot. A teen-age boy named Daniel who is very kind-hearted and has a deep interest in karate relocates from New Jersey to California with his mom. This is where all the trouble begins!
   
   He falls for a cute blonde named Ali who is the girlfriend of champion Johnny Lawrence who is the best student at the Cobra-Kai karate dojo. Oddly, Johnny is not exactly a traditional villian per-se like some of his friends seem to be. It basically is a love-triangle sort of situation. Obviously, Johnny has the edge as he is bigger and much more skilled than Daniel. But Daniel has a secret weapon that everyone soon finds out about. He befriends an elderly Japanese karate grandmaster and war hero named Mr. Miyagi. Mr. Miyagi is well aware of Daniel's situation and expresses to teach him all the tricks to defeat Johnny and his friends at a tournament which he sets up with Johnny's ruthless instructor, Kreese.
   
   The second film takes place in Japan. Daniel takes a vacation with Mr. Miyagi and ends up not only learning about Japanese culture but fighting for his life as Mr. Miyagi's long-time rival and one time best friend, Sato along with his first-rated student challenge the two. This paves way for the third film with is again based on a tournament. In my opinion, this really should have been released after the first as it seems to be more of a direct sequel to the first than the second film was. It picks up where the first tournament ends. Kreese turns on Johnny for having lost to Daniel and starts to choke him. Mr. Miyagi jumps to Johnny's rescue which persuades Kreese to throw a couple of punches at him! However, Mr. Miyagi proves very elusive to hit and he ends up severely injuring both of his hands due to accidentally hitting two car windows instead. Mr. Miyagi has the opportunity to give Kreese a severe beating due to his handicap but decides to let him go and forgive him.
   
   Kreese, humiliated and now without students opts to consider giving up karate. But his war-buddy and vicious karate instructor, Terry who is also his partner discovers the situation and vows to help Kreese put an end to Mr. Miyagi and Daniel's championship reign. He handpicks a great Cobra-Kai type martial artist named Mike Barnes. Terry makes Barnes a great offer providing he can defeat Daniel which persuades him to really attack Daniel with a viciousness that very much intimidates him. Daniel really wants to continue fighting in tournaments but Mr. Miyagi advises against it as he believes karate is more so for defending life and honor rather than his trophy! This forces Daniel to choose another instructor who happens to be Terry! Terry pretends to be his best friend and on his side but puts him through such physically demanding training that it drains Daniel and turns him into a vicious Cobra-Kai with an attitude.
   
   He ends up mistreating Mr. Miyagi and breaking someones face in a street fight. Daniel finally sees he is being someone he's not and returns to Mr. Miyagi who finally promises to train him. I really did enjoy this one but I do agree with the other review on here that Mike Barnes didn't have the charisma of Johnny or even Chozen. In my opinion, they should have brought Johnny back to fight along side with Daniel getting revenge against Kreese for choking and mistreating him! Also, if you remember, he did sort of make amends with Daniel at the end of part 1 and Mr. Miyagi did save his life. It would have been really interesting to see how Mr. Miyagi would've trained Johnny.



5. Back in the early 80's and 90's these were the movies to watch. Now 20 some odd years later my 7yr old really enjoys them as well. Thanks.

5 comments about Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl [Blu-ray].

1. POTC: Curse of the Black Pearl was released in the summer of 2003. Like the first "Spiderman" it represented an optimistic attitude following the September 11th attacks. When released in theaters, I underestimated "Pirates" like most. But when I watched I was instantly taken by the fun flowing story and Johnny Depp's Comedic timing as Captain Jack Sparrow. The story is set into motion when Elizabeth Swann (Kiera Knightley) falls off a cliff into the water below. She wears an aztec gold coin around her neck and once it hits the water it calls out to pirates who need it to reverse a terrible curse on their lives. When they come to retrieve the coin Elizabeth is kidnapped. This event begins the plot to which Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) seeks to rescue her with the help of Jack Sparrow. While we wonder exactly who Jack is fighting for Will discovers his life is not always what he thought it was.
   
   The most common complaint of POTC 1 is it's too long. Maybe, but for me the length is justified. The action, including many sword fights, is creative and non repetitious. The story and how realistically grimy the people are should have made this tale too dark. But the genius of Johnny Depp not turning his role into something too serious; made Captain Jack Sparrow join the ranks of Han SolPirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl (Piano Solo Songbook)o.



2. I was pleased with this dvd, being a used dvd it was good. I would buy from this seller again.



3. This is a great movie of 2003 it is the only good pirate movie.
   It was so good Johnny Depp was nominated for best actor but lost to Sean Penn.
   This was not the only good movie of 2003 there were alot other exelent films in 03.
   A few examples are X2 Xmen united Finding Nemo Terminator 3 rise of the Machines
   Mysic river Lost in traslation and at last movie is the Best picture oscar winner
   of the year the number 1 film of 2003 criticly and financialy and the winner is..................................................................................................The Lord of the Rings The Return of The King



4. I love the extra features that came with this DVD. It s fun watching how the movie was made.



5. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl [Blu-ray]
   the movie is more crisp & cleaner & high def, more behind the scenes to watch.
   More pirates of the real Caribbean facts to learn. new documentaries to see & full behind the scenes as they put the movie together.

5 comments about The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition).

1. This movie is just amazing. Its now been a few years since I purchased this set and I am going back reviewing all my old purchases. In that time I have grown to appreciate the whole trilogy even more. This epic film being the middle one is the gateway film of the series. It is when it all goes wrong. You could compare this to Empire Strikes Back, in that, the characters are faced with decisions that impact them until the end of the series.
   
   Peter Jackson pulls off amazing feats with this installation. You really feel for the characters, appreciate the choices they make and root for them as they battle their way to their fate. Cinematography that is beautiful, characters we can relate to, epic music; you need to get this and the others in this set.
   
   I am totally looking forward to The Hobbit
   
   Highly recommended!



2. I am a huge lifetime fan of this genre. Tolkien was a tremendously gifted author and the LOTR series of books has had a huge impact worldwide from the time it was first released. I was excited when I heard that the series was going to be made into a movie. However, as happens so often when trying to take a story of this magnitude and put it on the silver screen, I was afraid that the movie would fall short of the expectation. I'm happy to say the movie exceeded the expectation. And while some would say the original was too long, all I could say was give me more. The extended versions fulfill that request. And, while I was disappointed that the movie did not include the return to the Shire at the end, it is still one of the greatest movies of all time. As stated previously, if you are a fan of LOTR, the extended additions are a must-buy.



3. The extended addition made me fall in love with the trilogy all over again. How I wish Pete Jackson could have released this to the theaters. True ringers would have gladly stayed no matter how many hours it ran. Loved it so much, I broke out the books, starting with the Hobbit of course", and I am enjoying the thrill ride just as much as I did the first time I read them. The extra's and appendices explaining in detail all that was involved in the creation of this masterpiece was amazing to watch.



4. The Extended Editions of the LOTR films are the definitive editions, and if you're a fan of the films you owe it to yourself to pick them up. Not only do you get the best version of the film, you get an incredible Behind The Scenes story. Also, buy a copy of The Lord of the Films: The Guide to Tolkien's Middle-Earth on the Big Screen which has lots more information to truly give you the best viewing experience. These films are the Wizard of Oz of our generation and will live on forever. Be sure to see them as they were meant to be seen.



5. It's amazing that the movies do so much justice to the book, and the platinum edition's appendices are well worth the extra!

5 comments about Bruce Lee Ultimate Collection (The Big Boss / Fist of Fury / Way of the Dragon / Game of Death / Game of Death II).

1. After reading the other posted reviews, I was a bit worried that this set would not stand up to another review. However, I found the set to be wonderful. To see the first three Lee films in it's orginal language was quite a treat. Yes, The Game of Death / Game of Death II are not up to the standards set, but let's face it. There are a lot of knock off films that claim to have Lee starring. Overall, I enjoyed my purchase.



2. All five of these films are great. The only film missing is Enter the Dragon (Bruce's best film), but that can easily be purchased seperately.
   
   [8.0/10] The Big Boss
   [8.0/10] Fist of Fury
   [8.5/10] Way of the Dragon
   [7.0/10] Game of Death
   [7.5/10] Game of Death II



3. This is a great way to own all of Bruce Lee's movies (except for Enter the Dragon) for a low price! If you're skeptical about the quality of these DVDs, rest assured that the image quality is pretty darn good as far as old Hong Kong movies go. All of the movies are in 2.35 anamorphic widescreen. The Big Boss looks very sharp with rich colors. Way of the Dragon looks a little "softer", but this is most likely due to the film quality itself rather than the transfer. Game of Death looks great, with sharp detail and good contrast. In addition, you get optional Cantonese audio tracks as well as the original Mandarin audio tracks. I've read one reviewer state that Bruce Lee's war cries are screwed up on the DTS tracks. I only watched these movies with the Mandarin mono audio tracks and I didn't notice anything fishy about the cat calls. So if the English dolby tracks are screwed up, you can always watch them with the original Mandarin tracks; they should be unaffected.
   
   One thing I should point out is the English audio track on Game of Death (which was the original language of the movie) is not very clear and you may need to turn on English subtitles to understand what characters are saying at some points in the film, but again I think this is due to original quality of the dialogue rather than the transfer.
   
   If you don't have any Bruce Lee movies and want to see what all the fuss is about or if you want to acquire a complete collection, buy this set! You won't regret it! Don't let a couple of very unforgiving reviewers cast any doubts in your mind. This is as good as you're gonna get for a domestic release. I was VERY happy with my purchase.



4. For those that remember bruce lee and those that are new, these are movies that will thrill and amaze you to know that people can acheive such excellence in there life. Bruce Lee was a real martial artist, of course Hollywood did some movie magic but for the most part he was amazing. A must see!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



5. I was very pleased with the picture quality on all five movies. After watching some of these movies on VHS, the difference is striking. The native language options are also a bonus.

5 comments about The Fifth Element.

1. I like the movie, but You cna clearly see the studio did not clean up this versino from the DVD version. I got this due to its price, and I enjoyed the movie itself.



2. I literally have no idea why this movie has so many positive reviews. It's extremely cheesy and weird. I don't know whether or not to take the film seriously. One minute it's serious, the next minute I am watching some blue Diva singing opera and break dancing. Not to mention the Chris Tucker character is soooooooo annoying. I have never gotten such a weird vibe from a film before, I have no idea what to make of it. I even watched it a second time because I was so confused.



3. this one of my favorite movies and i find no fault with it.pictures good, sounds good. the whole thing is totally enjoyable.to quote circus magazine from the 70s listen to it till the grooves grow old(it's how they used to rate lp's.)frank drayton.also thanks for the service it turned up well before the date given.



4. 1. An important disclaimer: I one of the few folks who never watched this when it came out and thus I'm viewing it from the vantage point of 2010.
   
   2. With the above being said, this movie is a total bore. The storyline was dumb, the acting terrible, and the whole "look" of the film was so "dated"; it's one of the movies that doesn't age well over time. What may have appeared to be interesting and cutting edge, now looks childish and an amateur production.
   
   3. Basically, if you grew up with this movie, I can perhaps understand why is has appeal. But for those who have never seen it, don't bother with watching it now.



5. When this movie first came out, I didn't understand what it was really about but liked all the colors since I was young. However, re-watching it a few years ago I feel in love with it. I never get bored of this silly, fun action movie. There was la review about how the graphics and what not look dated. However, horror films of the early 1900's are dated as well, but that's the appeal of films such as this. I don't feel like giving an in depth review, but I think this movie sure does beat the hell out of most of the crap being produced/put out today

5 comments about Mansfield Park (1999).

1. I really like this version of Mansfield Park. It has more of the Austin book portrayed on screen. I am a big fan of the classics. I will be ordering more DVDs in this genre in the future.



2. I recently read Mansfield Park, and loved the story so I couldn't wait to get the movie home and watch my favorite characters come to life....what a disappointment.
   Fannie price is supposed to be a quiet, mild mannered, sweet tempered young lady, she had opinion's but she didn't share them. I didn't care for the way Hollywood portrayed her character at all.
   Hollywood also got Sir Thomas's character wrong, they portray him as mean hearted and vile, while in Jane Austen's Novel he is quiet and distant but he loves his family and you get a clear sense of that...
   And where is William Price, Fannie's brother. He is such an important part of Fannie's life, and yet they dicided to cut the character from the movie....really!
   There is no love making or graphic pictures spoken of in the novel, why did they feel the need to put it in the movie...There are still people in this world that will watch movies without filth!
   I had no idea, Mrs. Betram was a opium junkie. Maybe I misunderstood her character in the novel....but I doubt it.
   Mrs. Norris, Edmond Bertram, Miss Crawford and Mr. Crawford's characters were spot on.
   But as for the movie as a whole, the lighting was bad, the screenplay questionable....I just didn't get it. I'm hoping some better qualified director and screenwriter will come along and give it another try...



3. This movie is an abomination. Jane Austin would have been ashamed to watch some of it's scenes. The director took so many liberties with this movie its ridiculous. She purposefully changed the main character "Fanny" from a sweet, wise, innocent, and honest girl, to a feminist with an anti-slavery agenda which was not in the book at all! Miss Crawford is presented as bi-sexual and Mr. Crawford is actually presented in a likable manner when you are supposed to know he is a flirt and a scumbag! All the majesty of a beautiful, wealthy house is some how missing and all the characters are inaccurate in some way from the way Jane Austin wrote them.
   
   Do not buy this movie. EVER.



4. I wonder what Jane Austen would think of this. Had I seen it before reading the novel I don't believe I would even care to look twice at the book. And it's one of my all-time favorites.
   I'm not a Austen purist, but I was truly repulsed by some scenes on this adaptation. When Fanny walks in on Henry and Maria having sex, it's very graphic and unnecessary.
   She also stumbles upon drawings that suggest Sir Thomas to be a rapist! This especially infuriated me. What gives them the right to put in something like that?! Make Sir Thomas such a horrid man throughout the whole movie...
   The relation between Edmund and Fanny is sweet however, but not at all accurate. One of the problems is that is quite impossible to catch the essence of a extense and deep novel as this in 120 minutes. Still I believe they could have made better that THIS.
   I won't say it was wasted money, but only because I'm eager to make my Austen collection complete.



5. If you could have transported this cast to the 1983 screenplay (or just redone it with this cast) you would have had a film in the same league with A&E's Pride and Prejudice. The notable exception would have been for O'connor to have copied Sylvestra Le Touzel's shy and humble Fanny. And for Lindsay Duncan to have copied Angela Pleasence's sleepy Lady Bertram instead of the director's choice of making her a drug addict. And of course the last (and perhaps worst problem) is that instead of telling Jane's Mansfield, the writer Roszema turns it in her political soap box with the political correct condemnation of slavery and also finishing out turning Fanny into a Jane wannabe writer... Maybe her dream (and failure), but not Fanny's (or Jane's for that matter).

5 comments about Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest (Widescreen Edition).

1. Stunningly lame acting (including by Depp, which was a particularly unpleasant surprise), and a plot that must have been invented by juveniles while playing with action figures. Some nice effects, but some of the money for them should have been used instead on real writers. Depp's incessant limp-wristed drunken swagger is appallingly bad, to the point of being painful to watch, and the whole mess just drags on for far too long. Give this one a skip...



2. Over-all this is a very FUN movie. That said it is also a some what dark and sad one. This movie is missing some of the magic that made the first one so special and one of my favorites, but it is not lacking in action and story, just that the story is not really a happy one, and is obviously all just a set up for the next movie. That said there are some amazing and hilarious swordfight scenes. I just wish they hadn't have made all the characters such back stabbers. You start to wonder who to even root for.



3. This was a good dvd for being a used product. I would buy from this seller again.



4. I would give this movie 3.5 stars because while it is a fun action movie like the first one, it has issues. Entire sequences feel unnecessary and some of the recycled dialog seems out of place. Still, the action was on par with the first and the special effects were even better. If you enjoyed the first movie and are looking for more of the same, this sequel does deliver.
   
   Right away, Elizabeth and Will Turner are in trouble - arrested before their wedding for having helped Captain Jack Sparrow escape (as seen in the first movie). Lord Cutler Beckett from the East India Trading Company says they are free to go if they can get him the special compass which Sparrow has. Will goes off in search of Jack, who has encountered his own new problems. Having made a deal with Davy Jones to obtain the Black Pearl years ago, Jack must now pay up by serving on Davy Jones' ship for 100 years or face the Kraken, a huge sea creature which destroys ships. Ever the pirate, Jack tries to find a way around it and searches for the Dead Man's Chest where Davy Jones has hidden his heart. Elizabeth soon goes off in search of Will, who has ended up on Jones' ship in search of the key for the Chest. Ex-Commodore Norrington also shows up again, this time disgraced and on the run as well.
   
   The special effects were great, especially the portrayal of Davy Jones and his crew who all looked like half human, half sea creatures. The Kraken - basically a large octopus - was okay but could've been better. For a period of time, the movie shows Jack and his crew captives of natives on an island from which they must escape. While it provided a couple humorous moments, this entire sequence felt unnecessary. It made the movie longer than it needed to be. They also tried to recycle some of the more humorous and popular lines from the first one, which worked in places but felt too forced in others.
   
   For me the highlight was a rather entertaining sequence with Jack, Will, and Norrington all dueling one another for their own self-interests. In general, the actors did the best they could with what they had; however, this sequel didn't seem as well-written as the first. The movie does maintain the same sense of humor and doesn't take itself too seriously (nor should the viewer). And the ending did leave me wanting to see the third film in the series.



5. I just got this in the mail today and it is in awesome condition. I was so excited when I got it. I loved the movie in theaters, and so having the opportunity to own it myself and watch it whenever I want is very nice. It skipped only once and only for a tiny amount of time, nothing to freak out over certainly. Other than that, I'm completely satisfied. :)

5 comments about The Cowboys (Deluxe Edition).

1. This movie too is a good movie bu the corner of the case was broken on it also. I gave it to my son also.



2. The Cowboys The Cowboys is an interesting action movie. It was different than most of the John Wayne movies. Hiring boys to move his heard of cattle was great. It's another John Wayne movie I had to have and would recommend it to any John Wayne fan or any fan of western movies.



3. In the wonderful short documentary with director Mark Rydell and Bruce Dern (and three of the original young cowboys, now middle-aged), Dern says he was proud to be part of "the last great Western." With due respect given to "Unforgiven" and "Lonesome Dove," he's not far off. From 1972, this was one of John Wayne's final, fine films - and surely one of his best. As Wil Anderson, he has no choice but to recruit a group of actual "cowBOYS" to lead a cattle drive of 1,500 steer across 400 miles of rough country. Robert Surtees was the cinematographer and one of the greatest in his field - every shot in this picture is a work of art. The music by John Williams is one of his finest scores - indeed it is regularly performed at high schools and colleges across the country, including the Boston Pops. It is uplifting, bittersweet, and rousing all at once. The supporting performances, particularly memorable and timeless ones by Bruce Dern, Roscoe Lee Brown, and Colleen Dewhurst (who praised Wayne in her autobiography as a great actor), and the young cowboys themselves, all so emotionally engaged in their roles that none of it feels like acting, add to the grit and texture of the tale. And then there is John Wayne: timeless, heroic, and, as in the best of his performances, filled with good humor, and a vulnerablity and sensitivity that ignorant critics seem to always miss. He seemed to make it a habit of appearing in several of the greatest films ever made - and this is close to being one of them. Yes, the movie is violent. Yes, the boys forced into becoming killers makes it a strong story. But that is life too. We all wish for an "easy ride" through life - but it never happens. The film's message, beautifully foreshadowed at the beginning of the film with the schoolhouse scenes, which show a well meaning school marm trying to teach the boys genteel and sensitive things, is that life is, as Wil Anderson states in the film, "hard," and these boys, as much as we'd like to see them sheltered, have to learn that sooner rather than later. It's interesting the criticism the film has garnered - which tells you that critics knew it would have staying power because of its many virtues - because SO many of today's films ARE needlessly violent, with no theme, meaning, or story often apparent - and yet these films are regularly extolled for being "real" and somehow justified in their awfulness just because they show scenes of violence or perversion. "The Cowboys" is actually a REAL movie - splendidly filmed, written, scored, and acted - with amazing performances that pit the older star Wayne against the "Method Actors" of his time and he not only holds his own, he towers over them, without ever seeming to. It's a film that has improved with age. It speaks to our own confused era. I was the same age as the "cowboys" in the film when I first saw it. Now, many years later, expecting to find it wanting from my memories, it has only grown in stature - it was made with exquisite craftsmanship and it's there in every frame. Rydell's and the other's memories of John Wayne in the extra featurette, which is a wonderful addition to this DVD - which includes an actual set of 10 black and white postcards, suitable for framing (what a deal!) - may bring you to tears. Wayne almost begged Rydell for the lead part saying, "I'll do a great job for you, if you give me a chance." This is John Wayne speaking here - forthright, sensitive, not full of himself, and one of the greatest actors the film world has ever seen. There is no one even close today - no one. Grab this film and see how it's really done. One last note: this movie also has one other special feature that today's no longer have and which is also missed: an "Overture" of the music's marvelous music before the film begins, which used to let you anticipate the great event you were about to see; then an "Intermission," with more music, and "Exit Music" at the end. Just marvelous. "The Cowboys," along with "True Grit" and "The Shootist," are the three masterpieces of John Wayne's later period. All are worth owning and celebrating.



4. You all know the plot by now (or at least you should!), so I won't waste time rehashing it. I recommend the Blu-ray version of this movie for its' superior picture and sound, and also for special features! My favorite is a new featurette called "The Cowboys Remember", where the director (Mark Rydell) and some of the actors (Robert Carradine, Bruce Dern, Roscoe Lee Browne, etc.) reminisce about making the movie. Mark Rydell reveals how he purchased an unpublished novel and turned it into a movie, and how he almost didn't cast John Wayne for the lead! This is a really great movie, so don't pass up the chance to get it on Blu-ray.



5. I first saw this movie in 1973 in Sierra Vista, Arizona from an invitation by a boyfriend. We were both about 18 then. The movie theater had the latest in stero sound and the movie screen was huge. Let me say that "The Cowboys was one of best and heart warming movies I had ever seen but the DVD I am sorry to say does not do it justice. The New Mexico and Colorado vistas, the aerial shots on the opening credits just does not exhibit the exiting burst of emotion when this fantatsic movie was transferred to DVD. Also the movie was reduced in size which made the landscape and the action incomprehensible. This movie should only be seen in Blu Ray with stereo surround sound. I will buy the Blue Ray DVD and Blue Ray player. I did like the interviews with Mark Rydell, Bruce Dern, A. Martinez , Roscoe Lee Brown and 2 other cowboys. The still photos were nice. I will only reccomend this movie in Blue Ray and stereo sound if you want the total emotional experience of "John Wayne and The Cowboys"

5 comments about Pearl Harbor (Two-Disc 60th Anniversary Commemorative Edition).

1. this is a pretty good movie. i enjoyed it very much. i recommend it to everyone



2. This product is deffinatly worth buying if you want or u like the movie, it comes with a 2 disc special edition DVD of the movie pearl harbor (the movie is split between the 2 discs), though i would like to see more behind the scenes and special features but what are you gonna do! to make up for that it comes with a National Geographic DVD that relates real life people and events to the movie pearl harbor! Then it also comes with a LARGE double sided National Geographic map, one side is the layout of the U.S. in 1943(authentic Replica*)and the other side illustrates the approach, the battle, and the attack on pearl harbor. The movie it self is a Michele Bay production and is an amazing movie! This all comes neatly in a nice leather bag Looking* (cardboard) box with a little note stating president FDR's speach to congress after the attack! I really like it and if your gonna buy it buy it like this!



3. Fantasy is one thing but when an event of major historical significance is trivialized to fiction, I think it's a disgrace. A 60th anniversary commemorative edition? This movie is an insult to those who were actually there and the entire generation who lived through or died in WWII.
   
   It is nothing more than the producers' attempt to benefit from the anniversary of others' misfortune.
   
   Sure Ben Affleck is in the Eagle Squadron in England and is shot down over the English Channel and NOBODY knows he survived until he miraculously turns up in Pearl Harbor. Did he swim all the way?
   
   Then he and Josh Hartnett are the ONLY ones to get their planes in the air during the Japanese attack. Then we see them trying to save sailors trapped in the Arizona because, apparently, nobody else could do it.
   
   Then Affleck and Hartnett become pilots for the Doolittle Raid, in spite of the differences between flying a fighter and a bomber, not to mention flying bombers off an aircraft carrier deck.
   
   And when Hartnett dies in the Doolittle Raid, they drag his rotting carcass all the way across China with Japanese soldiers on their ass so there can be a hero's return in a coffin at Pearl Harbor? Puh-lease!
   
   Interwoven is a lame love story that has a syrupy ending.
   
   Hollywood has taken fictionalized characters and made them larger than the event on which the movie is based. Therefore, this movie flat-out sucks.



4. This movie should come with a bonus pillow, because you are going to need one before the end. Seriously, this has to be one of the worst movies ever made. It is over long and drawn out to the point where most people in the cinema where I made the mistake of initially seeing it were struggling to stay awake by the time the actual attack began. Admittedly the scenes which feature the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor are impressive from a CGI point of view but tend to look more like an intro sequence to a video game than anything resembling reality. One low flying sequence in particular has the P40 fighters behaving like flying saucers in some cheap 50's Sci-Fi movie. While I realize that some artistic license is required in the making of this type of movie and that some historical inaccuracies or omissions will occur, this is almost comic book stuff. It is a convenient fact that only two American fighter aircraft managed to get off the ground and engage the Japanese on that day but to suggest that these were two childhood buddies and that they both then somehow managed to fly in Doolittle's raid on Japan is insulting to those who actually did. But in the end this sums up this movie, it is a formula American buddy movie that contains all the attributes that makes these types of movie so dire and cringe worthy. Why they named it Pearl Harbor is beyond me when that event only took up such a small portion of the movie. To call it that would suggest an attempt to document the actual events surrounding this historically important event but this is lame romantic claptrap that just uses it as a backdrop. If you want to see a movie about the subject then try Tora, Tora, Tora. There are some fine performances in this film, which must have been hard given the dire nature of the script. Cuba Gooding Jr. is excellent in his role as real life hero Dorrie Miller but Ben Affleck gives his usual impression of a block of wood in a gorilla mask. I would not waste my money on this DVD no matter how cheap it gets and I'd advise anyone reading this not to waste nearly three hours of their life watching it. Avoid!



5. Wonderful DVD - I have watched it many times - and no TV commericals - yeah!!!