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A stunning feature length BBC production based on the events of 9th June 1804, which saw the premier of Beethoven's Thrid Symphony (the Eroica) in a private performance for Prince Lobokowitz, some time prior to the work's public debut. Ingeniously, the work itself is played as live (and, may I add, quite superbly), while the camera captures ... (See the whole review)

Folks, you know this film has a lot going for it on a philosophical level when a leftist Boston reviewer complains that it isn't altruistic and collectivistic enough. Here's what he wrote under the review titled — believe it or not — "Batman Shrugged":  ... (See the whole review)

The superb 1960s television show got the full Hollywood treatment with this blockbuster action movie, one of the better such adaptations in recent years. Note: the following contains plot spoilers. Dr Richard Kimble (Ford) is a leading Chicago surgeon who finds himself falsely accused of the murder of his wife (played, in flashbacks, ... (See the whole review)

From Incredibles director Brad Bird, we have a poignant story addressing an old question - do creatures with A.I. deserve to be treated as human? Featuring Harry Connick Jr.'s beautiful voice as that of the semi-reclusive artist who doesn't like children, this movie is great for kids and adults alike.  It's a nice, simple, non-liberally-loa... (See the whole review)

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        2001:  A Space Odyssey is an allegory, concerning what drives and influences man and the very definition of "man."  The film opens with the grandeur of Richard Strauss’ tone poem, <<Also Sprach Zarathustra>>, a theme that is played at other key moments in the film.  The Moon, the Earth, and the Sun are in alignment.  The story that follows ... (See the whole review)

It is REALLY funny. But - really offensive. There was an interesting article recently about how the South Park guys, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, (who are the same ones that did this movie) are some kind of "puzzle" becuase they mock the left and the right. It seems rather obvious that the reason that SP mocks both right and left is because they're ... (See the whole review)

One of my favorite movies. Silly and fun. ... (See the whole review)

Throughout its 7 year run, this innovative and daring show not only developed a solid teenage/young adult fan base, but won substantial critical praise and several Emmy nominations. Due to it's setting in a fantasy/supernatural context, the show may at first glace appear to be quite at odds with Objectivism, but due to the ingenious vision of creat... (See the whole review)

Now available on DVD this is one of the highlights of BBC production from the past 30 years. Clark does not apologise for being an  elitist, he does not try to sink to the level of the average viewer. He is not interested in the viewer but the art and therefore we take him seriously.

The late and much missed Jeremy Brett has long been regarded by many Holmes fans as the definitive screen personification of Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle's master detective. The British-produced series of hour-long episodes and 5 tv movies cover the vast majority of Conan-Doyle's stories, and for the most part are reasonably faithful adaptations, though ... (See the whole review)

This is a movie for artists to watch.  The art deco 1940s comic book style is perfect. Sky Captain's flagrant liberties with recorded history almost gave me a headache as I ground my teeth.  However, the graphics were stunning. Best of all, I rented this as a DVD, so I enjoyed even more the "making of the movie movie."  The director worked for seve... (See the whole review)

As is said at Amazon.com, this is "a family story about a chef and his three daughters through the meals the chef prepares and serves his family." If this is not enough to stimulate your appetite, then please take note that director Ang Lee was chosen to direct Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility" the year after, largely because of, well, the sens... (See the whole review)

I only watched this movie once, shortly after it was available in US. It is not a movie that I can just pop in DVD player any time that I want some entertainment. In my opinion, this movie comes closest in truthfully depicting the lives of common Chinese people living during the turbulent times of "changing dynasty" and under Communism. It's time f... (See the whole review)

This brilliant re-imagining of Clark Kent's (Welling) teenage years growing up on his "adoptive" parents' farm in the town of Smallville remains immensely popular with Superman fans and has elicited a number of positive comments from various Objectivist commentators. Forget any corny "Superboy" antics - Clark has no costumes or secret identi... (See the whole review)

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This three part mini-series could best be described as the Australian "Band of Brothers," if it weren't for the facts that (a) it is set in World War I and (b) the subjects of this story were never immortalized by historians. The deeds of the Australian and New Zealand forces that comprised the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) have la... (See the whole review)

Somewhere in the documents that founded the United States is buried the principle that religion should be separate from the state. It is a pity that the founding fathers never carved this directive ten feet high in marble, because some people just don’t get it. It seems that in each American generation there is someone who tries to inject a little ... (See the whole review)

"There are those in our own country too who today speak of the "protection of country" -- of "survival." A decision must be made in the life of every nation at the very moment when the grasp of the enemy is at its throat. Then, it seems that the only way to survive is to use the means of the enemy, to rest survival upon what is expedient -- to look... (See the whole review)

Produced and released as the cold war between the free West and the communist East was drawing to a close, The Hunt for Red October is both an intelligent thriller and a drama that depicts--in just a few inspired scenes--the human yearning for liberty that led to communism's demise. ... (See the whole review)

I enjoyed this one tremendously. Beautifully written and shot, it tells the stories of a group of women and their Chinese-American daughters, specifically their struggles for independence and individualism. The dialogue is elegant. There were moments when I was moved close to tears by it. On a personal aside, I have just begun to learn Mand... (See the whole review)

Arguments about the existence of god. The hero is an atheist.

"I am vengeance, I am the knight, I am BATMAN!"  This is the first volume of the Batman series from DC Comics released on DVD.  All your favorite villains are there, the Joker, Two-face, Poison Ivy, Catwoman, Scarecrow and more!  Each episode is like a mini-movie, with masterful animation and serious plot lines, set to kick-ass music, showing Batma... (See the whole review)

Another of my all-time favorite. A jewel from Merchant-Ivory collections. One of the most moving love story ever told on screen. It profoundly influenced my view on homosexuality.   Here is the description from Amazon: "Set against the stifling conformity of pre-World War I English society, E.M. Forster’s Maurice is a story of coming to te... (See the whole review)

I first saw this movie in 1990, shortly after I came to the US. It struck a deep cord within me after experienced the Tiananmen Square demonstrations and its aftermath. It also eerily echoed my personal relationship at the time. I have since watch this movie no less than...um...20 times (kidding. maybe just 10). What you get from watchin... (See the whole review)

The 1968 original was a picaresque in the tradition of Thomas Mann's Felix Krull and the folk anti-hero Tyl Eulenspiegel.  The 1999 remake is the result of a new generation with higher demands.  In the 1999 story, the conflict is hot, heated, and high-spirited.  In both versions, the motivation for multi-millionaire Thomas Crowne to pull off the pe... (See the whole review)

I watched this film over the weekend, and was surprised at its timeless power and beauty. Of course, it is a standard of screenwriting, and filmmaking curriculum, and is on most "top ten" movie lists. I had watched it several times years ago, but it was this weekends viewing that I realized on a *personal* level just how beautiful this movie is for... (See the whole review)

Well, this is not exactly a movie but Emmy winning TV mini series. Don't be fooled by the name. It is the best that I've ever seen, and I am sure that you boys and girls will enjoy it. Bellow is from Amazon: "He is the ultimate high-seas hero: a man of unshakeable courage, unwavering principles and extraordinary skill. Joining the Royal Navy... (See the whole review)

I passed on this movie when it first came out, only to watch it with immense enjoyment on dvd. The story centers on two men fighting for survival in the wild. The *real* story however is about reason, and action in the pursuit of values. I found it to be a celebration of that which is good and heroic in this world. It is written by David Mamet, who... (See the whole review)

What a truly great movie... Screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky cuts through all the plastic superficiality of so-called "love" and gets right down to what really connects two people... and two hearts. Here is a short explanation that Marty gives to his impromptu dance partner for the evening, Clara, when she expresses that she doesn't know why som... (See the whole review)

This was the movie that first made me realize that love didn't automatically have to be shallow and stupid, as it so often had been cheaply demonstrated by those around me. Although just about everybody in this forum has probably already seen this movie at least once, I think it bears mentioning in a forum such as this one, because When Harr... (See the whole review)

This is the film that made Steven Spielberg want to become a director, and quite simply, one of my all-time favorite movies... if not my actual favorite entirely. Lawrence of Arabia begins with the situation in World War I pre-Arabia -- under the anti-Islamic "yoke" of Ottoman Turkish occupation -- before Arab tribal cultures were short-sigh... (See the whole review)

Hoosiers tells the fictional story of the Hickory Huskers -- a nowhere high school basketball team in a small town in very rural Indiana -- and the outcast, heretic coach (played by Gene Hackman) who comes to Hickory to work his miracles, and who is opposed at every turn by the oppressive, barren, and cynical local mentality that keeps nowhere town... (See the whole review)

Perhaps the most widely read philosopher of the 20th century, Ayn Rand has delighted and infuriated people of all ideologies and, like it or not, has helped to create the political realities we deal with every day. With Ayn Rand: A Sense of Life you can follow her life story, from her childhood in the turbulent years of revolution in her native Rus... (See the whole review)

A remarkable film on this architectural genius ably demonstrates both his genius and his struggle - the reasons for his struggle can be deduced from the commentary, while the visual presentation of the products of his genius is worth the price of admission ten times over! (See the whole review)

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It's been a long time since I saw a movie which so inspired me, and helped give back knowledge of how great people can be. This is a simple story. It's not "art house" - deep and meaningful.  This movie is the true story of Carl Brashear (Cuba Gooding Jnr); not just the first colored man to "make it" as a deep sea search and rescue diver in the US ... (See the whole review)

Sullivan's Travels is a masterpiece combining comedy, drama, and social satire. Sullivan (McCrea) is a successful Hollywood director of comedies who, seeing the depression-era suffering of the common people around him, aspires to make a drama about the poor and oppressed. His producers object, explaining that he has never experienced hardship in hi... (See the whole review)

This movie can truly be called life-changing. It certainly changed my life; I was quite ignorant of opera before a chance viewing of the film on television introduced me to this greatest of all musical genres. As it turned out, I was in illustrious company! For the number of singers inspired by this movie includes many of the biggest operatic stars... (See the whole review)

From Amazon: "Bill and Stan are mistaken for murderers while on vacation. Bill's family sends his cousin, Vinny Gambini, to defend them in his first case as a lawyer. Vinny's girlfriend, Mona Lisa Vito, joins him to help win the case because of a promise he made to her that he would marry her when he won his first case. Marisa Tomei won the... (See the whole review)

This movie has everything - action, adventure, comedy, fantasy, monsters, suspense, sword play and, of course, true love. Cary Elwes stars as Wesley as he tries to rescue his love, Buttercup, from becoming the princess bride of the title. Billy Crystal and Carol Kane are hysterical as the old jewish couple who try to magically revive the dea... (See the whole review)

Set in New Jersey in the 1950s, The Big Night is the story of two Italian immigrant brothers, Primo (played by Tony Shalhoub, best known in the TV series Monk) and Secondo (played by Stanley Tucci – Conspiracy, The Terminal), struggling to achieve the American Dream with their Italian restaurant, The Paradise ... (See the whole review)

This movie is completely terrible and stupid.  If you actually watch it you will think less of yourself as a human being.  But in a sad way, it's funny.  Or maybe not.  ... (See the whole review)

Like a good dream, Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation envelops you with an aura of fantastic light, moody sound, head-turning love, and a feeling of déjà vu, even though you've probably never been to this neon-fused version of Tokyo. Certainly Bob Harris has not. The 50-ish actor has signed on for big money shooting whiskey ads instead of doing so... (See the whole review)

The fun movie of Mario, he looks relaxed and he seems to be enjoying himself. Kathryn is his best co-star, she is beautiful and sings magnificently, and nothing to say about Mario, he sings nice songs and Be my Love duet when first singing it at Bayou Minou is just great, and what about Madame Butterfly duet, we "see" Mario's feelings, he sings fro... (See the whole review)

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Regarded by some genre fans as one of the best action movies of the 1990s, this is certainly one of Arnie's most memorable, and reunited him with James Cameron, who had previously directed him in the first two Terminator movies and would go on to make the DiCaprio/Winslet Titanic movie. Some SOLOists may regard this as an odd recommendation, but I ... (See the whole review)

Donnie Darko first hit theaters on Halloween in 2001 and did poorly, but then it went on to become a "cult hit" and sold 10 million copies on DVD.  Donnie Darko: The Director's Cut is scheduled for a limited release this fall, 2004.   Donnie Darko begins when Donnie, a troubled adolescent, first hallucinates Frank, who saves his life by lead... (See the whole review)

There is no ideology more anathema to Objectivism that Nazism. And nothing characterizes the evil of Nazism more than the “Final Solution” – the systematic murder of over six million Jews in death factories throughout German-occupied eastern Europe during the final years of World War II. With chilling brilliance, Conspiracy dramatize... (See the whole review)

Lindsay Perigo's essay, "In Praise of Anger" got me talking about Sam Kinison, so here we go. While so many people deeply loved him, I don't think that too many people would see him for the strong Objectivist tendencies that he displayed:  a hatred of unfair compromise, a devotion to the quest for truth, and a love of happiness and profound ... (See the whole review)