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 | Frankie & Johnny |
 | "We LOVE this movie!" | 2009-02-25 |
My husband and I love this movie because of its unabashed romanticism --- and the clair de lune piece at the end. in fact, we loved it so much, we used clair de lune at our wedding 8 years ago. al pacino is lovable and earnest and perserving; michelle pfieffer (nothing can cover up such gorgeousness)is touching and sad and funny; nathan lane is hysterical;hector elizando is lovable; kate nelligan is just perfect; loved the rest of the cast. it's a dear story (don't need to repeat it here) about hope and taking chances and getting on with the rest of your life. i like to think that frankie and johnnie made it.
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 | Frankie and Johnny |
| "We LOVE this movie!" | 2009-02-25 |
My husband and I love this movie because of its unabashed romanticism --- and the clair de lune piece at the end. in fact, we loved it so much, we used clair de lune at our wedding 8 years ago. al pacino is lovable and earnest and perserving; michelle pfieffer (nothing can cover up such gorgeousness)is touching and sad and funny; nathan lane is hysterical;hector elizando is lovable; kate nelligan is just perfect; loved the rest of the cast. it's a dear story (don't need to repeat it here) about hope and taking chances and getting on with the rest of your life. i like to think that frankie and johnnie made it.
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 | We the Living |
| "When I was very young..." | 2008-09-29 |
I read this book when i was so very young (19), and after reading The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged and Anthem, which i loved. i was astounded by this book and moved beyond belief. I found the writing much different than her other books, and much more fictionalized. amazing considering that english was not her first language and this was one of her earliest works. the story is highly romanticized, yet even with that, i found my heart beating strongly and my anxiety level so high as i lived through that hideous life in communist russia. and the scene when Irina is sentenced to (as i recall) siberia, and leaves on a train while her husbands struggles to keep her in sight, to keep a piece of her clothing in his sight as long as he can --- how can anyone read that and not practically fall to their knees in grief and anguish for this young couple who are so cruelly separated? i will not do a spoiler here about the end, but there were times when i wanted to slap kira and wake her up to the truth of her two lovers. yet, it plays out as it must. and it is a beautiful novel. many reviewers here refer to it as bleak; i do not find it so. i found it romantic, terrifying, tragic, and beautiful. i loved fountainhead and atlas in a different way. this book was so steeped in romantic language and story that one could swoon from it. there is not a page that i found superfluous and to this day i can remember savoring every word of that book (and that was 50 years ago!). whether or not you are a fan of ayn rand, this is a story and a book worth your time. it broke my heart. (and i find it offensive that the book is listed by Ayn Rand AND Leonard Peikoff who had nothing whatsoever to do with this book and didn't even know her when it was written. shame on him for sticking his name on everything published by her, even if he is the trustee for her estate. he knows only too well, that it is only because he was the only one left in the group that she felt she could trust. had Nathanial or Barbara Brandon still been in her good graces when she died, it certainly would have been them to whom she left her estate. but aside from that, how can he sleep at night, having slapped his name on everything she has written! shame! shame! shame!)
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 | We the Living |
| "When I was very young..." | 2008-09-29 |
I read this book when i was so very young (19), and after reading The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged and Anthem, which i loved. i was astounded by this book and moved beyond belief. I found the writing much different than her other books, and much more fictionalized. amazing considering that english was not her first language and this was one of her earliest works. the story is highly romanticized, yet even with that, i found my heart beating strongly and my anxiety level so high as i lived through that hideous life in communist russia. and the scene when Irina is sentenced to (as i recall) siberia, and leaves on a train while her husbands struggles to keep her in sight, to keep a piece of her clothing in his sight as long as he can --- how can anyone read that and not practically fall to their knees in grief and anguish for this young couple who are so cruelly separated? i will not do a spoiler here about the end, but there were times when i wanted to slap kira and wake her up to the truth of her two lovers. yet, it plays out as it must. and it is a beautiful novel. many reviewers here refer to it as bleak; i do not find it so. i found it romantic, terrifying, tragic, and beautiful. i loved fountainhead and atlas in a different way. this book was so steeped in romantic language and story that one could swoon from it. there is not a page that i found superfluous and to this day i can remember savoring every word of that book (and that was 50 years ago!). whether or not you are a fan of ayn rand, this is a story and a book worth your time. it broke my heart. (and i find it offensive that the book is listed by Ayn Rand AND Leonard Peikoff who had nothing whatsoever to do with this book and didn't even know her when it was written. shame on him for sticking his name on everything published by her, even if he is the trustee for her estate. he knows only too well, that it is only because he was the only one left in the group that she felt she could trust. had Nathanial or Barbara Brandon still been in her good graces when she died, it certainly would have been them to whom she left her estate. but aside from that, how can he sleep at night, having slapped his name on everything she has written! shame! shame! shame!)
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 | Black Tights |
 | "miserable disc quality --- beautiful dancing" | 2008-07-05 |
i can't believe how poor in quality this disc was. sometimes you can hardly make out any of the details. but the dancing is magnificent. and to see cyd charisse so young and glowing and absolutely gorgeous is a real treat. and cyrano was wonderful, as was carmen. i wasn't crazy about the first piece, but the rest are all worth it. i want to give this disc a five star rating for what it contains, but it is just such a miserable printing.
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 | All This and Heaven Too |
| "okay, not great." | 2008-05-31 |
book is quite old, in only fair condition. but maybe that's all that is available. good shipping time.
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 | The Shawshank Redemption |
| "Outstanding script and performances" | 2007-09-03 |
this is one of those films where, unless you know the story, you have no idea where it is going. the redemption of these two men (robbins and freeman)is basically the redemption of innocent mankind. and their performances are a true testament to their art. i have watched this film many times over and continue to be impressed by the amazing nuances and performances. i would recommend this film to anyone who loves film.
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 | True Confessions |
| "I love these actors and their performances!" | 2007-09-03 |
this is one of those films where you watch it, not so much for the story, but for the acting. Duvall is one of my favorite all time actors and he shows such restraint in this film and the scenes between him and "brother" in the film, robert de niro, are so amazing that i could (and do) watch them over and over again. for those who love acting, and love to observe amazing performances that will just take your breath away, watch these two masters at work. the performances of every one else in the film are also wonderful.
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 | Couldn't Keep It to Myself: Testimonies from Our Imprisoned Sisters |
| "'can't keep this to myself'" | 2006-08-15 |
I have been an admirer of Wally Lamb for quite awhile now. But when I read that he was volunteering his time to conduct writing workshops at York Correctional Institution, I was so very impressed and moved. I couldn't put the book down; it was so full of life -- and living. Even under the worst circumstances. The writings demonstrate what we -- and the "officials" -- have always known: that most molestations of children are conducted by close friends or relatives. And that kind of betrayal can never be undone. But I was so disappointed when the book was over and I had no more to read from the group. I could have gone on reading much more from these remarkable women, who have lived such violent, difficult lives. And this is not to excuse the crimes they committed, but merely to acknowledge that they are not only their crimes, but complete lives of individuals who evolved to where they are today. As much as I have admired Wally Lamb and his writings before (I only read two books of his), I admire him even more and eagerly await his next book. And I hope there will be another volume from his Women of York workshops.
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 | Beauty and the Beast Gift Set |
| "Needs to be on DVD" | 2006-05-27 |
I adored this series when it was on. I no longer own a VHS recorder/player and want desperately to find this on DVD. This series entered my heart, broke it, and when it ended, I could not believe how upset I was. I am so eager to buy this...who could we write to to encourage them to produce a DVD version? Even if it were very expensive, those of us who loved the show would be willing to pay the price. I can't look at Linda Hamilton or Ron Perlmon without seeing Catherine and Vincent. DVD PLEASE! janrichgmr@aol.com
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