DVDpedia : Library : Title : W

Theatrical: 1997

Studio: New Line Home Video

Genre: Comedy

Duration: 97

Summary: Before elections, a spin-doctor and a Hollywood producer join efforts to "fabricate" a war in order to cover-up a presidential sex scandal.

Theatrical: 1952

Studio: Umbrella Entertainment

Genre: Thriller

Duration: 140

Summary: Australia released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. LANGUAGES: French (Dolby Digital 2.0), English (Subtitles), SYNOPSIS: Together with Diabolique, The Wages of Fear (Le Salaire de la Peur) earned Henri-Georges Clouzot the reputation as a 'French Hitchcock.' In truth, Clouzot's ability to sustain suspense may have even exceeded Hitchcock's; when originally released, Wages ran 155 tension-filled minutes. Based on the much-imitated novel by Georges Arnaud, the film is set in Central America. The Southern Oil Company, which pretty much rules the roost in the impoverished village of Las Piedras, sends out a call for long-distance truck drivers. Southern Oil's wages of 2,000 dollars per man are, literally, to die for -- the drivers are obliged to transport highly volatile nitroglycerine shipments across some of the most treacherous terrain on earth. Through expository dialogue, tense interactions and flashbacks, we become intimately acquainted with the four drivers who sign up for this death-defying mission: Corsican Yves Montand, Italian Folco Lulli, German Peter Van Eyck, and Frenchman Charles Vanel. The first half of the film slowly, methodically introduces the characters and their motivations. The second half -- the drive itself -- is a relentless, goosebump-inducing assault on the audience's senses. The winner of the Grand Prix at the Cannes Festival, The Wages of Fear was remade by William Friedkin as Sorcerer (1977). SPECIAL FEATURES: Trailer(s), Scene Access, Posters, Interactive Menu, Biographies,

Theatrical: 2001

Studio: 20th Century Fox

Genre: Comedy

Duration: 100

Summary: "Waking Life" is a film that never settles down. Or maybe it never wakes up. Regardless, Richard Linklater's animated meditation seems to strike a perfect balance between the plotless meanderings of "Slacker" and the unquenchable knowledge-seeking of Hermann Hesse's "Siddhartha". Any way you look at it, this is a weird, original movie.
As he attempts to figure out what separates dreams from reality, the protagonist ("Dazed and Confused"'s Wiley Wiggins) hears an earful from everyone he stumbles upon. Ramblings range from the scholarly (Linklater's former college professor Robert C. Solomon gives a monologue) to the banal (of which there are plenty). Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Steven Soderbergh, and Adam Goldberg all get animated cameos, basically playing themselves. The dream-centered dialogues eventually grow mind-numbing, but that's OK; the animation steals the show. Each frame of the movie, which was first shot with live actors, was painted over, and the process renders a distorted and trippy collage of sights and sounds. Linklater's film is ultimately quite poignant, but, as with any good journey, you'll need to sit through some fairly tedious moments before reaching the destination. "--Jason Verlinde"

Theatrical: 1995

Studio:

Genre: Animation

Duration: 30

Summary: Wallace falls for Wendolene, a wool shop owner, while Gromit is framed for the sheep rustling.

Theatrical: 1991

Studio:

Genre: Animation

Duration: 23

Summary: Wallace and Gromit have run out of cheese and this provides an execellent excuse for the animated duo to take their holiday on the moon.

Theatrical: 2002

Studio:

Genre: Animation

Duration: 20

Summary: Wallace and Gromit try out a number of their latest inventions which rarely work as planned.

Theatrical: 2005

Studio: Dreamworks Video

Genre: Animation

Duration: 85

Summary: A decade after their last hilarious short, the Oscar-winning "A Close Shave", Claymation wonders Wallace and Gromit return for a full-length adventure. Daffy scientist Wallace (voiced by Peter Sallis) and his heroic dog Gromit are doing well with their business, Anti-Pesto, a varmint-hunting outfit designed to keep their English town safe from rabbits chomping on prized vegetables. Wallace meets Lady Tottington (Helena Bonham Carter), who appreciates Wallace's humane way of dealing with rabbits (courtesy of the Bun-Vac 6000), and sets up a rivalry with the gun-toting Victor Quartermaine (Ralph Fiennes, enjoying himself more than ever). Creator Nick Park, with co-director/writer Steve Box, delivers a story worthy of the 85-minute running time, although it stretches the act a bit; the formula plays better shorter, but the literally hand-crafted film is a joy to watch. Taking a chapter from classic horror films, a giant were-rabbit is soon on the prowl, and the town is up in arms, what with the annual vegetable contest close at hand. (Anyone who's seen the previous three shorts knows who saves the day.) Never content to do something simply when the extravagant will do, W&G's lives are filled with whimsical Rude Goldberg-style devices, and the opening number showcasing their alarm system is pure Aardman Animation at its finest. Even though there's a new twist here--a few mild sight gags aimed at adults--this G-rated film will delight young and old alike as Park, like team Pixar, seems incapable of making anything but an outstanding film. "--Doug Thomas"
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Theatrical: 1993

Studio:

Genre: Animation

Duration: 30

Summary: Wallace is used by a criminal penguin in a robbery involving mechanical trousers.

Theatrical: 2001

Studio: Sony Pictures

Genre: Action

Duration: 94

Summary:

Theatrical: 1985

Studio: Starz Home Entertainment

Genre: Comedy

Duration: 94

Summary: A seldom seen release by the late George Harrison's Handmade Films, Water includes great actors (Michael Caine, Billy Connolly, Leonard Rossiter, Fred Gwynne, etc) and a good script, but never quite comes off.



The plot involves a miserable island which grows great dope; its British colonial governor, a greedy US oil company, some "Cascaran" freedom fighters and a Perrier well.



There are some delightful swipes at Mrs Thatcher, US business, and the French (dig the merceneries' lunch menu!), great one liners and running jokes, but somehow the flow isnt there.



It's worth watching for the musical benefit by "The Singing Rebels" at the end. How's this for value: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Jon Lord, Chris Stainton and Billy Connolly!



Worth a look or two.

Theatrical: 2000

Studio: Zeitgeist Video

Genre: Drama

Duration: 90

Summary: In the 70s Germany, a 50 year old businessman falls in love with a 19 year old boy.

Theatrical: 2002

Studio: Warner Home Video

Genre: Comedy

Duration: 86

Summary:

Theatrical: 1998

Studio: Universal Studios

Genre: Drama

Duration: 113

Summary: Chris Nielson (Williams) dies in a car accident and goes to heaven. He then searches for his wife (Sciorra) after she commits suicide in grief, overcoming his growing confusion along the way.

Theatrical: 2000

Studio: Paramount

Genre: Comedy

Duration: 127

Summary: After an accident, a chauvenistic executive gains the ability to hear what women are really thinking.

Theatrical: 2001

Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)

Genre: Comedy

Duration: 97

Summary: A rich man catches a thief burglarizing his home and steals the thief's lucky ring, who then tries to get it back.

Theatrical: 1989

Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)

Genre: Comedy

Duration: 96

Summary: Nora Ephron wrote the brisk screenplay for this 1989 romantic comedy, director Rob Reiner made a nicely glossy New York story (very much in a Woody Allen vein) out of it, and Billy Crystal's unstoppable charm made it something really special. Crystal and Meg Ryan play longtime platonic friends who keep dancing around their deeper feelings for one another, and Bruno Kirby and Carrie Fisher are their respective pals who fall in love and get married. Ryan doesn't get a lot of funny material, but her performance is typically alive and intuitive, and she more than holds her own with Crystal's comic motor mouth and sweet sentimentality. Reiner is on comfortable ground, liberated from the burden of making serious statements in the lead-footed manner of subsequent features. "--Tom Keogh"

Theatrical: 1980

Studio: Universal Studios

Genre: Biography

Duration: 96

Summary: Bill Murray is in his early-career, shambling glory as Hunter S. Thompson, the gonzo journalist with a fondness for Wild Turkey and firearms. While Murray does not do as exact an impersonation of Thompson as Johnny Depp (in "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas"), he does capture Thompson's dazed, anarchic nature. Unfortunately, the movie around him is just anarchic: a series of episodes (true or invented) from Dr. Thompson's career, circa 1968-72. The haphazard structure is probably meant to suggest the spirit of the counterculture or something, but it's just flabby storytelling. Thanks to Murray's blissful delivery, there are scenes that have a stoned giddiness to them: Thompson and his attorney (Peter Boyle) terrifying an unsuspecting hitchhiker, or Thompson alone in a men's room with Richard Nixon. Neil Young contributes some music, and Murray warbles "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" while drunkenly piloting a plane. "--Robert Horton"

Theatrical: 1995

Studio: Walt Disney Video

Genre: Anime

Duration: 111

Summary: Based on a manga by Aoi Hiiragi, the gentle coming-of-age story "Whisper of the Heart" (1995) was scripted and storyboarded by Hayao Miyazaki, and directed by the late Yoshifumi Kondo. Shizuku Tsukishima is an absent-minded, insecure junior high school student who reads book after book of fairy tales, helps her friends, and does most of her chores, but remains dissatisfied. When she encounters a wonderfully supercilious cat on the train, she follows him and meets Seiji Amasawa, a student in her class who hopes to become a violin maker. Seiji's commitment to his dream helps Shizuku find her voice, literally and figuratively: she realizes she wants to become a writer. A statue of a cat in the antique store of Seiji's kindly grandfather inspires her first story, "Whisper of the Heart."
Shizuku and Seiji exhibit believable strengths and flaws: their warm humanity contrasts markedly with the shabby superficiality of the characters in many American animated films. The lively performances of Brittany Snow and David Gallagher transcend the geographic limits of the story to make Shizuku and Seiji the kids the viewer wishes lived next door. Miyazaki's script suggests that a sense of magic can exist, even in everyday Tokyo. "Whisper of the Heart" was the only film Yoshifumi Kondo directed before his untimely death at age 47, but its understated charm stands as a monument to his talent. (Rated G, suitable for ages 10 and older: tobacco use) "--Charles Solomon"

Theatrical: 2001

Studio: Paramount

Genre: Comedy

Duration: 92

Summary: Cletis Tout is a comedy about mistaken identities, a hit man who sees everything in terms of the movies and a twenty year old diamond heist.

Theatrical: 2000

Studio: Warner Home Video

Genre: Comedy

Duration: 98

Summary: Nick is a struggling dentist in Canada. A new neighbor moves in, and he discovers that it is Jimmy "The Tulip" Teduski. His wife convinces him to go to Chicago and inform the mob boss who wants Jimmy dead.

Theatrical: 2004

Studio: Warner Home Video

Genre: Action

Duration: 98

Summary: Jimmy the Tulip's (Willis) quiet new life is shaken up by his old pal Oz (Perry), whose wife (Henstridge) has been kidnapped by a Hungarian mob. The Tulip and his wife Jill (Peet) spring into action.

Theatrical: 2002

Studio: Sundance Channel Home Entertainment

Genre: Comedy

Duration: 111

Summary: That rare thing, decency, shines out of "Wilbur (Wants to Kill Himself)", a wonderful and dark-humored comedy about a would-be suicide. The depressive Wilbur (Jamie Sives) is the opposite of his big-hearted brother, Harbour (Adrian Rawlins), yet he remains irresistible to women--including Harbour's new live-in girlfriend. Director Lone Scherfig uses the gray-skied Edinburgh location in much the same way she did her native Denmark in the terrific "Italian for Beginners"; the gloomy setting belies the vaguely magical things that might happen to the characters. Scherfig knows just how to balance different tones (and in a comedy about a suicidal man, she has to), and she's great with actors, even in small roles. Special standouts here are the beaming Rawlins and Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen ("King Arthur"), as a stoical, chain-smoking doctor. How nice it is to see a movie that makes you feel good without coming on all icky about it. "--Robert Horton"

Theatrical: 1997

Studio: Universal

Genre: Drama

Duration: 118

Summary: I have somewhat conflicting opinions about this film, just as I have conflicting opinions about Oscar Wilde himself. No one can dispute the fact that Wilde was a literary genius; ample proof of this is found in the successful rehabilitation of his work in reputation long before the aspects of his infamous lifestyle became acceptable to even a minor fraction of society. If, as hardly seems possible, you aren't aware of the scandal associated with Wilde's downfall, this film spares the viewer few of the most intimate of details (in other words, there is male nudity - and plenty of it). It's a brave film, featuring a most accomplished class of actors and actresses turning in terrific performances, but it doesn't feel perfectly complete to me. Rather than delivering a flamboyant Oscar Wilde who truly reveled in his own audacity, this Oscar Wilde seemed subdued and sometimes even haunted by the lifestyle he led. While his wit is demonstrated quite often, this didn't quite seem like the young man who became the toast of London before he met with his first literary success and reveled in the danger inherent in his forays into the London underworld of homosexuality. Maybe it's just impossible to capture the true spirit of this most singular of men, but I just felt as if this film tried to cast Wilde as something of a victim led astray by all these pretty young boys and a man doomed by his own nature, and I don't completely buy into that.

I was also somewhat disappointed by the fact that Wilde's writing played only an incidental role in this story. We don't get a very good sense of the shocking nature of The Picture of Dorian Gray to Victorian society, apart from the comments of young Lord Alfred "Bosie" Douglas (Jude Law) upon his introduction to the author, and Wilde's successful plays provide little more than short moments in the sun for Wilde to receive the cheers of appreciative audiences on opening nights. There's basically no commentary on the relationship between Wilde's writing and his life.

I don't want to sound too negative, however, as I think this is a wonderful film. Stephen Fry makes for a wonderful, albeit subdued, Oscar Wilde, but Jude Law turns in a much more memorable performance as Bosie. With his flamboyant nature, sudden mood swings between devil-may-care flamboyance and taciturn childishness, and natural coquettishness, he dominates one scene after another. Wilde, in fact, becomes something of a pathetic creature at times, a helpless instrument in the hands of a young seducer whom he must suspect will ultimately lead to his downfall and disgrace. Certainly, there was little chance of keeping this extended dalliance a protected secret, but one cannot blame Bosie's father - evil brute that he was - from seeking Wilde's destruction. The irony, of course, is that Wilde engineered his own downfall, as it was his decision to sue the Marquess of Queensberry for libel (and to thereby perjure himself in court) that led to his arrest for gross indecency.

I certainly can't admire anything about Oscar Wilde's personal life beyond his brave determination to be nothing less than who he truly was, even when that meant facing two back-breaking years of manual labor in prison. I do admire his genius, however, and I don't think there's any doubt that his exploits influenced the society of his day and age.
He helped define one era and ushered in the dawn of a new one. Most of all, he was just bloody fascinating. Any movie about his life would be noteworthy, and this one is certainly that.

Theatrical: 2002

Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)

Genre: Action

Duration: 134

Summary: Two U.S. Marines in WWII are assigned to protect Navajo Marines who use their native language as an unbreakable radio cypher.

Theatrical: 1995

Studio: Manga Video

Genre: Anime / Adventure

Duration: 121

Summary: Many anime fans acclaim writer-director Hiroyuki Yamaga's "Wings of Honneamise" as a masterpiece, but general audiences may react less enthusiastically. Honneamise is a small country in a parallel world very similar to Earth. Shiro Lhadatt, the least impressive cadet in the air force flight school, volunteers to become the first astronaut in a controversial space program. Training toughens his body, while the priggish evangelist Riqunni challenges him to discipline his spirit. In one distasteful sequence, Shiro attempts to rape her. The next morning he starts to apologize, only to have her apologize for braining him with a candlestick, a scene certain to infuriate feminists. Despite an invasion by a hostile country, Shiro gets into space and delivers a ponderous homily from his capsule.
"Wings" was made by a group of young artists in 1987, and with a record- setting budget. Art director Hiromasa Ogura's lavish designs blend '80s high-tech with art nouveau, and Yamaga's leaden pacing gives viewers the time to study every detail. Fans of "Honneamise" acclaim it as a critical meditation on the illusions and follies of the human race, which suggests that profundity, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. (Ages 13 and older for violence, attempted rape, and occasional profanity) "--Charles Solomon"

Theatrical: 2004

Studio: Bandai

Genre: Anime / Action

Duration: 650

Summary: I have a 'sweet tooth' for dark fantasy, but the truth is that much of what comes out today, both anime and film, is repetitious. At some point you have to start being choosy. Because of that, I've stayed away from this series, despite early critical interest. But interest has remained positive and curiosity made me decide to pick up the first DVD. Which always bodes ill for the condition of my wallet. Fortunately, Witch Hunter Robin turns out much more interesting than I originally expected.
Robin was born in Japan, but as raised in an Italian monastery. There is some implication that she is actually a nun, but what she actually is is a hunter of witches and a practitioner of the Craft herself. Her return to Japan to replace a member of a witch hunting team (the STNJ) who died in action ruffles many feathers in a group that can only be described as idiosyncratic.
Amon is the team lead - cold, withdrawn, and not very happy with Robin. Miho Karasuma is a psychic who can only sense feelings. Michael Lee is a hacker - caught in the act he volunteered his services to the team. Haruto Sakaki is another new member who tends to go off half-cocked. Yurika Dojima is young, rich, and very self-involved. The 'adults' are Chief Kosaka, whos is everyone's worst nightmare as a boss, and Zaizen, the top man in Japan, and one who seems to have an agenda of his own. Robin herself can control fire, but not very well.
In this DVD the 'witches' being hunted are not pleasant people. These are people that use their powers to satisfy their own ends and take pleasure from the pain they cause. But the STNJ folks only differ from them in intent and name. As director Shuko Murase remarks in an interview, these are really just opposing sides in a deeper conflict. In the interactions of the characters one can already see the beginnings of some blurring of the boundaries.
The episodes so far focus on the interpersonal level, acquainting the viewer with the individual characters and the politics of the STNJ unit. These are complex, and so far balance the action perfectly. Production quality is excellent, with a finely rendered gothic atmosphere that manages to avoid seeming out of place in modern Japan. Camera angles and graphic effects are good as well.
This series is full of surprises yet to come, and almost continuous production improvements as well. This is one to own.

Theatrical: 2006

Studio: Ufa/DVD

Genre: Comedy

Duration: 107

Summary: DVD Video

Theatrical: 2003

Studio: Bandai

Genre: Anime / Adventure

Duration: 300

Summary: As Nobles begin to fall under Lady Jaguarar's might grip, the Wolves continue their search for the kidnapped Cheza. Little do they know that Paradise is about to be opened. But whose will it be? Lady Jaguara has gained all the necessary components for her own ritual to paradise; but despite her power, there are those willing to stand against her, including the Wolves. And once the final battle is over, the wolves must still face a deranged Darcia, who intends to open his own way into paradise. Is it the end for the wolves, or is it just the beginning? Animation by Studio Bones, Music by legendary Yoko Kanno. Character designs by Toshihiro Kawamoto. Genre: Action/Adventure/Sci-fi.

Theatrical: 2000

Studio: Paramount

Genre: Drama

Duration: 111

Summary: An English Professor tries to deal with his wife leaving him, the arrival of his editor who has been waiting for his book for seven years, and the various problems that his friends and associates involve him in.

Theatrical: 2003

Studio: Fox Pathé Europa

Genre: Anime / Sci-Fi

Duration: 86

Summary: Lx27;histoire de Wonderful Days est la suivante : au milieu du 21ème siècle, la Terre est tellement polluée que les hommes doivent inventer un moyen de transformer la pollution en source dx27;énergie : ils créent la cité dx27;Ecoban. Lx27;action du film se déroule un siècle plus tard, alors que la pollution arrive à son terme et que les dirigeants dx27;Ecoban prennent la décision de créer de la pollution afin dx27;alimenter la cité !
Ce film dx27;animation coréen qui a pris 7 ans de travail est un réel bijou. Lx27;idée de départ est bonne, les musiques sont superbes et surtout les graphismes sont à tomber par terre : en mélangeant lx27;animation de synthèse et les celluloïds classiques à des maquettes et à des images réelles, les créateurs de Wonderful Days sont parvenus à un résultat original à lx27;atmosphère riche et sombre.
Quel dommage que le film dure seulement 1h22. Du coup, on a à peine le temps de sx27;attacher aux personnages et de sx27;imprégner de lx27;ambiance, alors qux27;il y avait là matière à faire une série de plusieurs heures. Lx27;action est très condensée, les dialogues sont mélodramatiques, pleins de sous-entendus : on a lx27;impression de commencer par le dernier épisode dx27;une série.
Deux dernières réserves pour finir : dx27;abord on pouvait se passer du 2ème DVD et de ses 1h30 dx27;interviews et de making of ; ensuite, le film comportant des scènes de combat violentes, il est à déconseiller aux trop jeunes spectateurs.
Pour les autres, nx27;hésitez pas, cx27;est un régal des yeux et des oreilles !