James Woods

Rome's second season does not scrimp on the series' sex and violence, in both cases exceedingly brutal. But in this cauldron of treachery and betrayal, words, too, are vicious, as when a defiant Atia ominously tells Octavian's new wife, Livia, "Far better women that you have sworn to [destroy me]. Go look for them now." In writing Rome's epitaph, we come to praise this series, not to bury it. Although two seasons was not enough to establish a Rome empire, it stands as one of HBO's crowning achievements. --Donald Liebenson
ROME, 2009-11-04
Well worth watching, very interesting and keeps you watching and waiting, has a serious take of rome, but there is some funny bits that make you smile.One of the main characters proves how dedicated the roman soldiers were to their beliefs, the other soldier although loyal, takes a lighter view of rome,it also follows the ladies perspective of their lives in rome.I already had the first season and was impressed enough to buy the second season.
The romans although alot were loyal to romes rules, alot would do anything to climb the power ladder,even if it meant betraying someone they loved, which is shown in both seasons at different times.Shows various romans beliefs and lifestyles with great detail.Very good box sets in my opinion.

"Giant" is superb it its depiction of a family's struggles, triumphs and failures over three generations. Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor are two of my favourite actors. Both are young and demonstrate a vitality that they rarely surpassed in their subsequent films. James Dean plays a secondary role, but fundamental to the entire story.

However it is James Dean's first two films that really caught my imagination. They still have that capacity to enthrall and exite. It is quite incredible how little the films have actually dated. The acting, the story-lines and performances are on a par with the very best of to-day's films. In all three films the castings of the main characters are perfect - nowhere more so that in East Of Eden.

Raymond Massey as the judgemental father, the two brothers played by James Dean and Richard Davalos, Julie Harris as the girl-friend, who is torn between her affection for both brothers, all display great empathy with the characters of John Steinbeck's novel.

The same goes for Rebel Without A Cause. James Dean and Natalie Wood are superb in their characterization.

The emotions and feelings expressed so eloquently by the actors evoked the nostalgia and traumas of my own youth. To have these three great films with their corresponding documentaries is marvellous.

The story (from Andrew Klavan's bestselling novel) gives Everett the last-minute assignment of interviewing a condemned man (Isaiah Washington) on the eve of his execution. The prisoner, a born-again Christian and exemplary family man, has everything the reporter lacks except a shot at seeing the next sunrise. Everett sets out to get him that, yet far from making a beeline to the exculpatory evidence that will save the life of his "client," this very tarnished hero has to spend a lot of the next 24 hours contending with the baggage he's accumulated through drinking, wenching and familial neglect. (A Pirandellian note: Everett's daughter is played by Eastwood's own daughter, Francesca Fisher-Eastwood, and her mother, Frances Fisher, returns for a feisty cameo as a prosecutor.) This is a good one that got away. Don't let it happen again. --Richard T Jameson
Surprisingle good film, 2009-07-05
I've always found Eastwood a little hit and miss, mostly because im not that into westerns or dirty harry. But i have to say this is a great film, great story, great characters and definately worth a prchase.