Rating: 
Summary: Informative, but needs some...
Review: ZING PoW Pizazz! This is an interesting instructional video on how to assemble wicker furniture. But its boring. I need some stimulation, if you know what I mean. ;)This is really good to pull out and hit it in rear.
Rating: 
Summary: A low budget classic!
Review: FILM: I stumbled upon The Wicker Man purely by acccident-never heard of its existence until I did a search for another movie on ... and this movie was recommended in addition to the one I was looking for. I looked at the positive reviews and decided to give it a shot. Boy, I'm glad I did! The Wicker Man is an extremely interesting and thought provoking film despite its very low budget; in fact, because of the limited budget the movie comes off more realistic, and almost has a home movie feel to it. But the most memorable thing about The Wicker Man is the originality of the script--I have never see another movie like it or at least one that is as well-made. The beautiful--and slightly sinister--locations where the movie was shot will have you yearning to visit Scotland and looking to find the GREEN MAN BAR, where many of the scenes were shot. Despite being pegged as a cult movie, the film takes its subject matter very seriously and deals with it in a very challenging manner; in lesser hands the movie probably would of come off like a bad joke and instantly forgotten. There is a reason why people are still talking about the film today.
The movie starts with Sgt. Howie(Edward Woodward)coming to Summer Isle, which is located off the coast of Scotland, to investigate the complaint of a local resident about the disappearance of a young girl, Rowan Morrison. When he gets there and starts to ask questions about the girl, he gets nothing but evasive and elusive answers from the citizenry, obviously not embracing the presence of an outsider in their close-knit community. The more Sgt. Howie investigates the more he sees that the people of Summer Isle are devotees of a pagan culture that worships phallic symbols and believes in free love and reincarnation. All of this comes as an abomination to the deeply Christian--if not slightly outdated and prudish--values of Sgt. Howie. Despite his disgust at all of this, little by little he starts to piece together some of the hard to find clues, and begins to see an more ominous picture developing--Rowan Morrison and how her disappearance relates to the failure of the crops which the community depends on to live. All this leads up to and ending that will send chills up and down your spine. Though this movie is not going to appeal to everyone's tastes, I found the story of the survival of a pagan culture in modern times and how it relates to Christianity to be a very interesting study on the way we treat people whose religious beliefs are different than our own. But besides those more profound themes, the movie also contains elements of horror that are very subtle but just as real. Edward Woodward gives a solid performance as the repressed Sgt. Howie, and Christoher Lee is excellent as the smiling Lord Summer Isle. Through an ingenious script, solid acting, and loads of atmosphere, it's no wonder the movie has since become a cult classic. DVD: I have the limited edition version, which features the theatrical version and the longer version without all the cuts. I'm probably in the minority here, but I like the shorter version better. While the longer version gives you some more background information on Sgt. Howie and Lord Summer Isle, it also slows down the film somewhat compared to the shorter version. I was able to piece together most of the missing pieces on my own from the shorter version, while enjoying the quicker pace. Plus, the missing parts in the longer version are not up to the visual standard of the rest of the film and stand out awkwardly. The DVD also includes a little documentary on the making of the film, which any fan should not be without. It is very informative and includes interviews with most of the major players in making the film, and how hard it was getting it released.
Rating:
Summary: Great, but get the limited edition....
Review: This film has one basic fault. It's too short. That's not the fault of the writer or director, but the studio that hacked the film to pieces. A limited edition exists which contains both the shorter version (like this one) and the full-length version that the movie was intended to be. Oddly enough, the thing that the Wicker Man most reminds me of is not the many British horror films of the late 1960s and early 1970s -- it's the cult-TV series The Prisoner. Both take place in strange, isolated communities with a mounting sense of paranoia ... and playfulness. There's a lot of humour to be had in the film. And terror. Visually, it's just perfect... Summerisle looks as well as the opening dedication would suggest it is. And Christopher Lee proves once again why is the master. It's a smart, educated and clever film. Oh, and the songs are especially good. I'd love a copy of "Corn Rigs" and "There was a tree..."
So, is it a horror film or not? Who knows? Who cares? It's an entertaining way to spend an hour and half (or more if you get the longer version). The DVD comes with an informative documentary The Wicker Man Enigma.
Rating: 
Summary: Serious and Literate - Not!
Review: This movie is a low budget, cult classic in the same league as "Attack of the Killer Tomatos." It just so happens that I like this kind of movie. If you do as well then it is highly recommended, if not, avoid it like the plague.
Rating:
Summary: Unaged Classic
Review: I remember watching Wicker man a few years back, and being completely blown away by its power. It has earned itself a 'cult' status,although it is an unfair description, usually given to films that are very good, unseen at its time of release, but rediscovered and reassessed years later.
And Wicker man is very very good. It is the type of film that slowly builds up to an ending that makes all the 'twists' directors nowadays like to include, pretty predictable.
Its mood is slow, but very misleading, at it pulls you unawares into this evil world, disguised as this idealic and peaceful Scottish village. It gives a new meaning to Nothing is what it Seems..and the darkness of people is perfectly contrasted with their seemingly normal lives, a bit similar to Lynch's Twin Peeks, but much more poignat and effective.
It is a horror film like no other, one that is directed at your mind and psyche, as opposed to the regular gore fest most horror films rely on.
The film was mercilessly cut for its VHS release and its TV showing, which makes me wonder about the psychological state of the censors!!, but gladly the film has been restored for its DVD release with excellent extras.
It is a film that can be seen again and again, and everytime you will react the same way to it, and watch in disblief at an ending that will DISTURB YOU!!
Wicker man is a must buy for all cinema lovers!!
Rating:
Summary: i like this movie
Review: and have watched my copy many times. even though this movie has
no subtitles it is one of the best i've boughten. i would have given this movie 5 stars if it had subtitles.(it's
Closed-captioned)
Rating:
Summary: You can get obsessed...
Review: I've seen this movie a few times and even though I can't watch the final scene, I love it. It's extremely dated, but somehow for me that just added to the atmosphere of subtly building and surreal horror. As far as I can tell, this is extremely well-researched, though there seems to be a slight mixing of different pre-Christian cultures. I can't explain the fascination of this film; a pagan myself, I'm very aware it does not paint a very flattering (or accurate) picture of modern witches. The soundtrack is amazing and Christopher Lee is enchanting as the sinister and charming Lord Summerisle. I highly recommend this movie. It will both entrance and deeply disturb you.
Rating:
Summary: Hokey, Campy, Dated -Yes, But Also Smart and Creepy
Review: After hearing so much about "The Wicker Man" I assumed that when I finally watched it I'd be let down. Happy to say that my assumption was wrong. Sure it is very hokey in some scenes, extremely campy and dated in the early 70s. In fact, at the beginning of some of the musicals numbers I started cringing at how corny it was. However, by the time the song ended I was enchanted by the bizarreness of it all. In the grand scheme of things these quirky aspects only added to the otherworldly charm of Summerisle. After "The Wicker Man" ended I sat there going "Hmmm. Pretty good, but not all that impressive." A few hours later, I was still thinking about the film. Hours became days and I finally realized how much this movie stuck in my subconscious. Upon rewatching it, I was pleasantly amazed how good of a film "The Wicker Man" is. How the filmmakers presented a pagan society in modern times was particularly interesting. Though certain historical elements were twisted to fit the film, it was reassuring to see that "The Wicker Man" was fairly well researched. What makes the film so effective is it's ambiguity. Who is actually "good" and who is "evil?" The pagans or the christians? Sergeant Howie or Lord Summerisle? Is the idea of religion in general at fault? Lots of interesting questions. Unique idea. Great ending. A fun performance by Christopher Lee. All add up to a really good film. Modern pagans will get a huge kick out of this one. --This text refers to the DVD edition
Rating:
Summary: Beauty and terror: the two faces of nature
Review: A devout Christian policeman is investigating the whereabouts of a missing girl in an isolated, pagan Scottish community. He soon finds himself entangled in a web of strange rituals which seem to be the exordium of some horrible, unimaginable deed. Unable to decode the hidden meanings of the rituals of a cult that is foreign, and indeed, hostile to him, he continues his search in the hope that he will find the missing girl. His perseverance ultimately affords him an answer to all his (and our) questions; but there is a price to pay.
More than a feast of gore this film is a fascinating examination of the clash of two systems of beliefs. The policeman is the bringer of law and order (enforcing indirectly Christian priorities and values). The island community has opted instead for a pagan lifestyle reflecting the beauty and brutality of Nature. Eventually both sides appeal rigidly to their respective gods for mercy (the island community for a good crop, the policeman for help). Both sides gesticulate emptily, in a Universe that doesn't care, the hidden meanings of their words and acts only understood to those who share similar beliefs. The gods remain silent and mercy is not to be found.
A beautiful film, somewhat permeated by hippy ideals (but even that being to its advantage), with a climax that leaves you gasping for breath. Performances are uniformly excellent but Edward Woodward deserves special mention for his riveting performance as the puritan, austere but well-meaning policeman. Robin Hardy's direction is evocative, enigmatic, shocking.
Rating:
Summary: A movie unlike any other.
Review: This movie has often been called the "Citizen Kane" of horror films. But I wouldn't describe it as a horror film. It is like an Irish musical, mysterious whodunit, pagan drama and a suspense-filled, erotic allegory of the age-old srtuggle between Paganism and Christianity. Coming from a Christian's perspective, I found it to be an allegory of Paganism versus Christianity without taking either side. Although the Christian was a total (expletive of your choice here), I never found myself wanting to abandon my beliefs and become a pagan. This movie has some incredible moments, like Britt Ekland's song and the "Landlord Daughter" number. The ending is almost like watching Unbreakable or The Sixth Sense where there's that moment you finally realize it all. There is some nudity, brief sexuality and mild language if any. If you've never seen it, you must.
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