Let me preface this by saying if you are a person that does not enjoy movies that are loose interpretations of historical truths, this movie may not be for you. Even with myself not knowing anything about the true story this movie was based on I can already tell you that this film took HUGE historical liberties with its adaptation. There are just too many parts of the plot (the romance, the best friends battling over a woman, the fate of the child, the ending, etc.) that come out of Hollywood's favorite audience manipulation methods. The movie is a good portrayal of Stalingrad's general atmosphere during World War II and urban sniper techniques but the story's details are straight out of Hollywood.

If you're not familiar with "Enemy at the Gates," the movie is based on a battle between two of the war's top snipers (German and Russian) in the Battle of Stalingrad which was a turning point in World War II. As far as casting, the movie has an excellent ensemble of some of today's top acting talent. As mentioned in the DVD documentaries, Ed Harris and Jude Law are perfect candidates for the sniper roles considering the constant closeups required on their eyes during the film. Both actors are blessed with brilliantly colored eyes that project a sense of tranquility required for the audience to believe their roles as snipers.

The DVD was a little disappointing. Considering the big budget financing this film, you'd think they would have added more extras in the DVD. Besides the usual DVD options, (sound, subtitles, scene selection) two documentaries are included that cover the making of the movie. Both are general in theme. It is impressive to witness the production design required in "Enemy at the Gates" as they had to rebuild battle torn Stalingrad for this movie's filming. One surprsing element of the film are the enjoyable deleted scenes. When watching deleted scenes, many times it becomes apparent just why they were deleted. I felt though that "Enemy at the Gates" should have included some of their deleted scenes as they reveal more about the characters and their complexities. In particular, the political officer's disillusionment with communism is covered in greater detail which allows you to see the character in a different light. With the current editing of the movie, the political officer (played by Joseph Fiennes) comes across as a shallow and pitiful person but his character is given much more depth and better understanding of his final actions in the movie with the deleted scenes. Sadly, some of the brilliant peformances by Bob Hoskins were also taken out.

Some big budget war epics leave you with the impression that the director was out of his league. Jean-Jacques Annaud does a very good job of keeping the audience in the film and the cinematography is s superb complement to the acting talent. This is the type of movie that is much more enjoyable with a great theater sound system but it will keep you captivated throughout the film regardless. The ending was a letdown and almost leaves you with the impression that a test audience decided the outcome as it doesn't seem to fit into the movie. Still, a good film and one of the better World War II projects in recent years.

Don't get me wrong, "The Seven Samurai" is an excellent movie that deserves five stars but I was disappointed with the options included on the DVD considering its price. The film and sound quality are to a degree where the DVD version is not necessary and I doubt you'd lose much watching it from a VHS source instead. I'm not criticizing the movie because of this - after all, it was released in 1956 AND also in a Japan that was still recovering from the crippling effects of World War II. It's just that I've seen classics on DVD for the same price that have put in much more effort (extras) for a release on DVD. I'm not sure how much of the price reflects its Japanese origins but the film is still a keeper for any cinema fan.

Besides the usual scene selection option, the other extras included are a trailer and a commentary by a noted expert on Japanese film. The commentary is insightful and helps answer many questions that arise while watching "The Seven Samurai." While this film is universal in its theme, there are some moments in the picture that are based in obvious cultural differences and its fun to listen while the commentary explain some of these. Another interesting point is to compare this to the American version of the film, "The Magnificent Seven," to witness the differences between Japanese and American cultures.

If you've never seen a film by the director Akira Kurosawa I would definitely recommend this film as an introduction to his famous work. "The Seven Samurai" is to Japan what "Gone With the Wind" or "The Godfather" is to the United States. Disappointing in its limited DVD options considering there was so much they could have done but still worth having in your film library.

The most disappointing aspect of this book is that a quarter of the book is dedicated to filmmaking (which is what I wanted) and the other three-fourths is a celebrity gossip fest. The author may include acknowledgments or denials by the celebrity subject involved in the gossip but it always come across as irresponsible journalism. It's almost like the author interviews a janitor on the set of Heaven Can Wait who says, "Yeah, Warren Beatty has green hair," - then proceeds to write, "Various people on the set of Heaven Can Wait talked about Beatty's tendencies to have green hair," - then puts in parentheses next to the paragraph that Beatty denied this rumor. When looking at the author's sources, it's *wink* suprising *wink* that the interviews he cites as a source for his most inflaming material are people you've never heard of. It seems the only rumor in this book that is confirmed by a unanimous consensus is that Dennis Hopper is a jerk.

I don't know how the author had such a difficult time figuring out which rumors are nothing more than tabloid .... When you're dealing with scorned lovers, ripped-off business partners and Hollywood envy it's fairly obvious which sources will be the most reliable and doesn't require you to insert every rumor you hear as though it's the hard truth. If you enjoy gossip books or magazines you're going to love this. If you enjoy the art of film you're going to like this book because of it's in-depth analysis of late 60's and early 70's cinema but you'll still be appalled at some of the immature journalism the author submits as history.

Ignoring the tabloid feeling from this book, something else that bothered me were the author's conclusions that George Lucas and Steven Spielberg became sell-outs and ruined Hollywood as it is today. After all these centuries, hasn't it become old yet to hear people complain about how things were better in the old days? The author says that while Spielberg has been selling-out with his current movies, auteurs like Peter Bogdonavich, Robert Altman and William Friedkin are waiting for people to come back to their level and appreciate their filmmaking. Spielberg may rely on huge budgets but I'd say that "Schindler's List" and "Saving Private Ryan" are better than the previous fifteen years of films made by the aforementioned authors. To give the author credit, Spielberg and Lucas come across as the only people in the era covered that were either genuinely good people, not diluted with huge egos or not drugged out of their minds on a daily basis (as well as Warren Beatty). Is it a coincidence that Spielberg, Lucas and Beatty are some of the few people in this book that can still release decent cinema?

The author also cites "Jaws" as the beginning of the end of real cinema. Once again, I feel that the author's bias against Spielberg shines through as "The Exorcist" and "The Godfather" were earlier examples of Hollywood converting to big-budget hyped movies with sequel potential. Hollywood has always made big-budget ... that appeals to the masses and Hollywood has always had some small upstart filmmaker or company change the focus of the big studios with his or her surprise hit. (Recent examples are Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh and Spike Lee.) The fact is that no matter how much you or your critics consider your recent film a brilliant piece of work from a cinema auteur, the director won't have many chances if his film doesn't appeal to a semi-large amount of audiences. Can an oil painter that specializes in certain degrees of texture and carries a small following that never increases his painting's price still manage to make a living? No. And neither can a filmmaker. The auteurs of the 60's and 70's still make films - it's not as though they have been shunned by people willing to finance their projects. Poor wealthy filmmakers, I believe I have a kleenex somewhere around here that the auteurs can cry into. The majority of Americans live day-to-day dealing with a dead end job and don't have time to somehow appreciate a certain filmmaker's reflections on ~man's inhumanity to the natural elements~. I apologize if people have yet to realize a hippy generation auteur's brilliance but I don't recall Orson Welles having huge amounts of success in his prime.

The author claims that Spielberg took the easy way out and released popcorn movies to enlarge his fame. Look at Brian DePalma. This is another director that helped change the image of Hollywood in the hippy generation and then focused on big budget "popcorn" movies. Have his recent "popcorn" movies even come close to Spielberg's talent? Just as Hollywood runs in cycles, so does the term "sell-out" and what various artists think is "real" art. The only director that the author mentions as an "official" auteur that has still managed to release films in the 90's that were as good as his originals is Martin Scorsese and even then someone could make an argument that Scorsese has taken the easy road by sticking with the mafia genre.

I don't agree with the author's conclusions and think the book is too riddled with worthless gossip but it's still a good read for anyone that loves cinema.

Remade many times, Chris Rock's new version of a tale about people allowed a second chance on Earth after premature death is a lighthearted and hilarious film. Some of the new aspects I enjoyed with this remake were the theme of a black man getting a white man's life in his second chance on Earth, the main character's (Chris Rock) life revolving around a career in stand-up comedy and the image of heaven as an exclusive nightclub with an Italian Frank Sinatra wannabe as the boss.

If you're not familiar with Chris Rock you're missing out. Rock is one of the best comedians today but the entire cast gives a wonderful performance with great supporting roles such as Wanda Sykes in the role of a bitter and stubborn maid. "Down to Earth" mixes in a nice romantic tale that leaves you with a happy ending and enjoyable cinema experience. The only negative comment I have about the movie is the short length. The movie lasts 87 minute and seems to end quickly but perhaps thats because it's also a good and deep enough film that you wish it would go on.

In DVD version, the movie is a disappointment. The only additional options included (besides audio setup and scene selection) are a theatrical trailer and a ten minute "Behind the Scenes" clip that resembles something you would see on HBO. Considering the DVD price, if you don't have an objection towards mixing your DVD collection with VHS movies, I'd recommend this movie on VHS if you can find a bargain price for it. Besides the sound/video quality and scene selection option, you're almost buying the same version on DVD that you would on VHS.

Originally published in 1960, this book still stands as one of the most comprehensive biographies of Adolf Hitler. (It covers all major events of the Nazi Party in general but gives most of the individual attention to Hitler, Goering, Goebbels and any other high leaders of the infamous party.)

Perhaps the best part of the book is the first third of the novel in that it contains a narrative of German politics and the actions Hitler used to force control of the government through the Nazi Party. Throughout the book, the author is careful to point out many subtle events in history that could have altered the future of Nazi Germany if not for someone's change of actions. (For instance, Hitler was almost born Adolf Schicklgruber. Would the fascist leader have gained such a following with his "converts" required to shout, "Heil Schicklgruber!" An interesting fact and one of the many that the author has surfaced with his thorough historical novel.)

If there is a negative part of this book, it is that the author shares viewpoints of mid-20th century Americans. He frequently cites the problems of Nazi leaders who were "sexually disturbed homosexuals" or "deviant drug addicts." While many of the party's leaders were definitely not an angel by any stretch of the imagination, the author speaks as someone who lives in his time. In other words, the author implies that a Nazi leader's homosexuality is a source of his sociopathic criminal behavior. While this opinion made sense in 1960, it sounds strange to many 21st century Westerners and fails to give the reader a logical choice on what made these men tick.

The author gives us a fair look into Hitler's mind. Sometimes mixed with admiration for his political savvy, horror at his brutal policies, sympathy (in the sense that he has become a pathetic figure) for his last days, amazement at his manipulation - the author takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride through the actions and mind of a world leader that will always be looked at as one of history's most evil figures.

While "Erin Brockovich" follows a similar plot to Jon Travolta's movie from a few years back, "A Civil Action," this movie is more entertaining and better directed. It's amazing to think that the director, Steven Soderbergh, released Traffic in the same year as this and not many directors since Steven Spielberg in the early 90's (Jurassic Park & Schindler's List in the same year) have produced two attention-grabbers like these in the same year.

Besides the drama involved in the lawsuit against the chemical polluters, one aspect of this movie this is so attractive is it's family feel. Brockovich, played by Julia Roberts, goes through life as a single mother of three and an interesting boyfriend as she tries to be "Superwoman" and save a small town that is slowly dying off from years of groundwater contamination. A great performance by Roberts and equally impressive performance by Albert Finney as her boss.

The DVD has some interesting extras included. Like many modern-day DVDs that are based on actual events, there are a few documentaries interviewing the real Erin Brockovich (and her employers) along with stories from the events that actually happened. (Watch for the sneak cameo of the real Brockovich acting as a waitress to Julia Roberts.) There is a clever short documentary about the filming of the movie included that reveals the director's intentions of making this film as close to the actual historical events as possible. (Which is a miracle in cinema!) Also included in the same documentary are interviews with real-life residents of the polluted town that also filled in as extras at town meetings and other scenes.

The DVD includes a director's commentary and a few other small tidbits. Not entirely impressive with it's extras included, but it's probably because I'm a little biased in that I feel films as good as this should contain many extras that show the magic behind a masterpiece. One of the best films in recent years - and definitely not a disappointing purchase.

...

While not a conservative Protestant or of any religious denomination that would prefer this series, I gave the Left Behind books a chance because I enjoy fictional interpretations of Revelations (or any apocalyptic themes for that matter). I find it hard to believe that the authors have written a Left Behind collection for children when you consider that the "adult" novels are nothing more than teenage reading material. The characters have developed into boring figures. Often full of the author's own views on what is right; absurd situations such as the 30 year old journalist hero a virgin (Sounds tacky, but if you're a 30 year-old male and still a virgin, you're either gay or impotent. Welcome to the real world!) or ridiculous events concocted by the authors to describe literal interpretations of Revelations.

It never fails, every minor character in the series suddenly reappears as a devout believer. Nobody, and I mean nobody, that the authors haven't already designated as the Antichrist or his legions will end up on the "wrong" side. It's funny to see that the world somehow has large amounts of infrastructure (power, water, internet, etc.) when the entire planet is crumbling and losing vast majorities of its population.

If there is one positive note on the series, it is that they are VERY QUICK reads. If you want some temporary brain candy to take you away from your immediate situation, by all means, delve into the Left Behind series - but there are many examples of extended fictional series that have so much more to offer than this one. I borrowed the first 6 books from a friend and purchased the most recent two. I would leave that as my advice for anyone interested in this series. Borrow the books. ...

There are many titles out there that have self-proclaimed screenwriting experts instructing you as to what makes a good plot, characterization, etc... While this can be helpful, sometimes the financial basics of the movie industry are overlooked in these books written by career college types.

The author, Denny Martin Flinn, has not only written screenplays but was employed for many years by the movie studios to receive and review the thousands of screenplays that are sent in by aspiring writers. In other words, the author was the first person to review scripts and give it the -yes or no-! The author has written a book that explains to beginning screenwriters all the "do's and dont's" of format, marketing, etc. An invaluable piece of material that points out many of the first-time mistakes by beginning screenwriters.

A MUST if you are thinking of becoming a freelance movie writer with no training. Common sense advice from a business standpoint. Some of the help provided in this book can prevent your screenplay from being thrown in the trash before the reviewers get past page 2.

I have the same sentiment as most reviews here. The Wheel of Time series has been prolonged into a tedious soap opera of trivial and insignificant events. It does become annoying to follow minor characters that had ten page cameos five books earlier and then suddenly reappear. Futhermore, the constant stereotyped "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus" comments along with the obligatory blushing that give the books a "Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew" feeling are cumbersome. To give Jordan credit, Winter's Heart (Book 9) does progress the plot more than some of its most recent predecessors. (Specifically, Books 7 & 8.)

I read a review here where someone wrote that if they had to do it over again, they would buy the entire series and read it in it's entirety. Being recently introduced to the Wheel of Time series, this "new" experience is what I have encountered, and it has probably allowed me to enjoy the series more so than the long-time fans who wait a year or two for the sequel only to be disappointed when it doesn't live up to the climaxes in some of the earlier volumes. One of the few fantasy series with as much creativity as Lord of the Rings just not the same writing and story-telling ability, but I would still recommend the series to anyone that hasn't started yet. Some reviews mention that the series has become boring enough that you must flip through some of the pages. To be honest, I've done that with most of the books. Jordan is a decent author, but sometimes puts a little too much detail and attention into his story to make it worth reading. There are many instances in all 9 books where you can skim through a few pages very quickly and still gain the same feeling. Like I said earlier, great creativity but sometimes lacking in the content department - considering the decent, but not excellent wrting, some of the fantasies don't need thirty page narratives on their importance. It almost reminds me of growing up with Edgar Rice Burroughs titles and the addiction to sequels that would present your favorite characters but never live up to the initial "creativity high" you obtained by exploring the series in the first place. The longer more volumes are out, the better. (So you can continue from book to book.) As far as waiting for the next dramatic sequel, Jordan may have run out of ammunition to make it worthwhile. But we all know we'll buy it anyways. ;)

My point being if we're going to require our nation's youth to read Huckleberry Finn in public schools, it is a shame that this book is often left off of the course syllabus. Perhaps because African-American literature doesn't receive as much attention as it should expains this oversight, but regardless of which authors you consider early American classic writers, this book will appeal to all demographics.

An interesting story revolving around a black family that is forced out of the South after being falsely accused of crime. The story is a narrative of their actions and reactions to a new lifestyle in urban New York City. Great philosphical moments such as the bartender teaching the young man the ropes of life.

An interesting and quick read. It's hard to put down this book down.