Rating: 
Summary: Number 28, Baby!
Review: The American Film Institute recently released its list of top100 comedies.There were many I was pleasantly surprised to see makethe grade, including "Big," (number 42) "Harvey," (number 35) and "Groundhog Day (number 34)." There were also several glaring omissions: No "Clerks"? "The Jerk" (number 89) over better Steve Martin fare like "Roxanne" or "Bowfinger"? And just how did "Some Like It Hot" edge out "Deuce Bigelow: Male Gigolo" for number one? However, I'm simply ecstatic that the Institute saw fit to recognize one of the best movies of all time: "Ghostbusters" (number 28). Of course, if I were in charge, the 1984 Bill Murray-Dan Aykroyd-Harold Ramis-Ernie Hudson hit flick would be a lot higher on the list. Like, say, number one? The movie follows Murray's Dr. Peter Venkman, Aykroyd's Dr. Ray Stantz, Ramis' Dr. Egon Spengler and Hudson's Winston Zeddemore as they open a "professional paranormal investigations and eliminations" agency, complete with smart-talking secretary Janine Melnitz (Annie Potts). They encounter the sultry Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver- no relation) and nerdy Louis Tully (Rick Moranis) and battle demigod Gozer the Gozerian atop a demonic apartment building before facing off with a hundred-foot Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. Classic, man. Classic. A sequel was released five years later, featuring a river of slime, a harrowing courtroom encounter with long dead murderers, the spirit of Vigo the Carpathian (yet another demigod) trapped in a painting in the Manhattan Museum of Art, and the Statue of Liberty sashaying through New York City. "Ghostbusters II" wasn't a bad movie by any means, but there was room for improvement. My obsession really began when I started watching the TV cartoon series "The Real Ghostbusters," based on the movie and featuring voice talents of Maurice LaMarche (the Brain in "Pinky and the Brain") as Egon, Frank Welker (Megatron from "Transformers") as Ray and, in the early years, Arsenio Hall as Winston and Lorenzo Music (voice of "Garfield") as Peter. The series dealt more with the GBs' supernatural experiences than the movies did. Our heroes faced baddies like the Sandman, who wanted to put everybody to sleep for a hundred years, or the Boogeyman, who haunted childrens' closets and fed off of their fear. Samhaine, the pumpkin-headed ghoul who wanted to make Halloween last forever, was by far and away my fave, and portrayed in such a way he (it?) is still one of the best villains in cartoon history. Classic, man. Classic. I watched every episode religiously, bought all the toys (I still have the ghost trap!), essentially breathed "Ghostbusters" 24-7. I wanted to be a Ghostbuster when I grew up. Come to think of it, I still do. (Don't laugh. I know people who feel the same way about "My Little Pony.") Ninja Turtles come and go, but Ghostbusters are forever. I don't know why the TV show and the movies affected me as strongly as they did. But I was surfin' the Net recently (see- there are alternatives to studying) and found a site...which allows you to view entire, unedited episodes of the series. (Except, as luck would have it, the episodes featuring Samhaine. But check out "Deja Boo" for a thrill.) Guess what I found? The show still holds its own, and is far more intelligent than any of the programs they're directing towards kids today. Now that I'm older, I can find even more to love. The Ghostbusters themselves are viable, fascinating characters who are no longer outshone by the phantasms who haunt them. And the wit! Complex characters, great dialogue, fascinating stories- "Ghostbusters" had it all, including a great theme song from Ray Parker, Jr. (All together: "There's something strange ... in the neighborhood ...) and the best catchphrases ever in "I ain't afraid of no ghost" and "Who you gonna call?" The world ain't been the same since they left. Tim Allen ("Home Improvement," "Galaxy Quest") said something during the AFI broadcast that I think sums up the essence of the "Ghostbusters" phenomenon and explains the popularity: " You want to be with funny people when the devil shows up." Classic, man. Classic.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible DVD for an incredible movie
Review: My words simply cannot do justice to this amazing DVD release. If you haven't seen "Ghostbusters", you really don't know what you're missing. Incredibly entertaining, "Ghostbusters" is a comedy about paranormal scientists who go into business for themselves in New York City. The Ghostbusters (played finely by Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson) go around Manhattan eliminating the spooks and spirits that trouble people. Director Ivan Reitman's 1984 masterpiece takes an interesting premise and works wonders with it. Funny and suspenseful, "Ghostbusters" features first-rate acting, witty writing, and some impressive special effects. This Collector's Series DVD release is unmatched in quality. The anamorphic widescreen presentation makes the film look better than ever before. And the tons of extra features that Columbia has included allows "Ghostbusters" to excel on DVD. Included a three in-depth featurettes, audio commentary (with an innovative "live video" option that shows their silhouettes), deleted scenes, conceptual art, storyboards, trailers, and so much more. The 3-D animated menus are a nice touch. This DVD is highly recommended as it surpasses all the other discs in my collection. If you like "Ghostbusters", you certainly won't be disappointed with this release.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious then, hilarious today!
Review: This is what a comedy movie should be about! Four "shysters" that pawn themselves off as "experienced" experts in battling psychic phenomena, defeat a "real" ghost through hair-brained luck and nuclear technology. They set up an agency that makes house calls to rid people of any supernatural baddies that may be lurking in their homes. Eventually, the evil starts to build in the top of an old creepy looking apartment building. Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis, and Dan Ackroyd are hilarious! Bill Murray is passable and Sigourney Weaver is hot!
Rating:
Summary: SUPER ,SPECTACULAR, EXCELLENT, WONDERFUL, HUGE SUPERMOVIE!!
Review: This is one of the greatest,funniest and most successful comedy motion pictures in movie history!! The actors,actresses and the special effects are super remarkable!! I,ve been a huge fan of the movie and cartoon when I was just a kid. I really miss the toys and cartoons but the movie brings it back just like a memory. You,ll enjoy this huge,major movie. It,s absoulutly super terrific!!
Rating:
Summary: Ghostbusters - what DVD was invented for
Review: In this supernatural comedy classic, four guys work as Paranormal Exterminators in NYC, calling themselves the Ghostbusters. They are played by Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson. Its` a very funny and entertaining film, in my opinion due to Bill Murray`s cynical, sarcastic performance and a clever script filled with many classic quotable lines, for example: Goezer: Are you a God?
Ray: No
Goezer: Then... DIE!!!!
[Ray is blown backwards through the air]
Winston: Ray... when someone asks you if you`re a God, you say YES! There are also excellent performances from the supporting cast - Sigourney Weaver as Murray`s love interest Dana Barret, and Rick Moranis as the wonderfully nerdy accountant Louis.
Considering the film is more than 15 years old, the special effects stand up well. The picture quality on the DVD is also superb, after lots of inferior VHS versions. As well as the movie, there are some excellent extra features on offer here - 10 deleted scenes that didn`t make the final cut (if you find your TV screen is filled with specks when you watch these - don`t worry, its` not your player) an original 1984 featurette and a newer 1999 one, production notes, and a neat video commentary featuring shadows of Ivan Reitman and Harold Ramis watching the film. This shows that Columbia have actually put some thought and care into the presentation of this disc - adding up to a fantastic package. If only every DVD was like this... I really enjoyed this film - if you`re a Ghostbusters fan this DVD is a must buy!
Rating:
Summary: Ghostbustin in Style
Review: Ghostbusters is a modern classic of a movie - it features an original premise, good special effects, and an A-List cast of great comedians. Seriously, we've got Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis, Ivan Reitman as director, and the beautiful Sigourney Weaver. What more could anyone ask for in a movie? The DVD version is definitely the best way to experience this movie, after all my years of inferior pan-and-scan cassettes taped off the television. Given that the film itself is 15-odd years old, the picture and sound quality aren't up to the heights of the Matrix and Gladiator DVD's, but they are far and above most reissues. Another problem that has plagued reissues of old movies have been the lack of extras. Movie trailers and production notes have become too common to be called extras anymore. Luckily, Columbia Pictures gave Ghostbusters the full treatment. Included is an audio-commentary featuring Reitman and Ramis, ten deleted scenes, concept sketches, behind-the-scenes programs, and so much more. The main menu is even nicely animated. There is a lot more praise I could give this film, but what it comes down to simple: if at any one time in your life you liked Ghostbusters, then get this DVD. The movie is hilarious, the DVD is loaded. Too bad I can't say the same for the sequel...
Rating: 
Summary: SOME MOVIES ARE BETTER LEFT REMEMBERED
Review: Ever watch a stand-up comic on tv who wasn't funny and you had to change the channel 'cause you felt guilty for not laughing? Well, that's pretty close to how I felt after watching this terribly outdated "comedy". What a bummer, too, 'cause I remember laughing pretty hard when I first saw it 20 years ago (maybe the fact that I was only 17 when it came out had something to do with it, who knows?). Anyways, I bought this dud recently and I couldn't believe how unfunny it was. Not only was I unable to finish watching it, but what little I did get to see failed to make me laugh once. What's worse is I can't get my cash back, either. It's true we all have our likes and dislikes and I don't wanna offend no one, but I'm amazed at how many people here still think this movie is hilarious. Personally, I would suggest to anyone who hasn't seen it in a while to rent it first before they make the same mistake as I did by buying it. You've been warned! Peace, bro.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible DVD for an incredible movie
Review: My words simply cannot do justice to this amazing DVD release. If you haven't seen "Ghostbusters", you really don't know what you're missing. Incredibly entertaining, "Ghostbusters" is a comedy about paranormal scientists who go into business for themselves in New York City. The Ghostbusters (played finely by Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson) go around Manhattan eliminating the spooks and spirits that trouble people. Director Ivan Reitman's 1984 masterpiece takes an interesting premise and works wonders with it. Funny and suspenseful, "Ghostbusters" features first-rate acting, witty writing, and some impressive special effects. This Collector's Series DVD release is unmatched in quality. The anamorphic widescreen presentation makes the film look better than ever before. And the tons of extra features that Columbia has included allows "Ghostbusters" to excel on DVD. Included a three in-depth featurettes, audio commentary (with an innovative "live video" option that shows their silhouettes), deleted scenes, conceptual art, storyboards, trailers, and so much more. The 3-D animated menus are a nice touch. This DVD is highly recommended as it surpasses all the other discs in my collection. If you like "Ghostbusters", you certainly won't be disappointed with this release.
Rating:
Summary: Number 28, Baby!
Review: The American Film Institute recently released its list of top100 comedies. There were many I was pleasantly surprised to see makethe grade, including "Big," (number 42) "Harvey," (number 35) and "Groundhog Day (number 34)." There were also several glaring omissions: No "Clerks"? "The Jerk" (number 89) over better Steve Martin fare like "Roxanne" or "Bowfinger"? And just how did "Some Like It Hot" edge out "Deuce Bigelow: Male Gigolo" for number one? However, I'm simply ecstatic that the Institute saw fit to recognize one of the best movies of all time: "Ghostbusters" (number 28). Of course, if I were in charge, the 1984 Bill Murray-Dan Aykroyd-Harold Ramis-Ernie Hudson hit flick would be a lot higher on the list. Like, say, number one? The movie follows Murray's Dr. Peter Venkman, Aykroyd's Dr. Ray Stantz, Ramis' Dr. Egon Spengler and Hudson's Winston Zeddemore as they open a "professional paranormal investigations and eliminations" agency, complete with smart-talking secretary Janine Melnitz (Annie Potts). They encounter the sultry Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver- no relation) and nerdy Louis Tully (Rick Moranis) and battle demigod Gozer the Gozerian atop a demonic apartment building before facing off with a hundred-foot Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. Classic, man. Classic. A sequel was released five years later, featuring a river of slime, a harrowing courtroom encounter with long dead murderers, the spirit of Vigo the Carpathian (yet another demigod) trapped in a painting in the Manhattan Museum of Art, and the Statue of Liberty sashaying through New York City. "Ghostbusters II" wasn't a bad movie by any means, but there was room for improvement. My obsession really began when I started watching the TV cartoon series "The Real Ghostbusters," based on the movie and featuring voice talents of Maurice LaMarche (the Brain in "Pinky and the Brain") as Egon, Frank Welker (Megatron from "Transformers") as Ray and, in the early years, Arsenio Hall as Winston and Lorenzo Music (voice of "Garfield") as Peter. The series dealt more with the GBs' supernatural experiences than the movies did. Our heroes faced baddies like the Sandman, who wanted to put everybody to sleep for a hundred years, or the Boogeyman, who haunted childrens' closets and fed off of their fear. Samhaine, the pumpkin-headed ghoul who wanted to make Halloween last forever, was by far and away my fave, and portrayed in such a way he (it?) is still one of the best villains in cartoon history. Classic, man. Classic. I watched every episode religiously, bought all the toys (I still have the ghost trap!), essentially breathed "Ghostbusters" 24-7. I wanted to be a Ghostbuster when I grew up. Come to think of it, I still do. (Don't laugh. I know people who feel the same way about "My Little Pony.") Ninja Turtles come and go, but Ghostbusters are forever. I don't know why the TV show and the movies affected me as strongly as they did. But I was surfin' the Net recently (see- there are alternatives to studying) and found a site...which allows you to view entire, unedited episodes of the series. (Except, as luck would have it, the episodes featuring Samhaine. But check out "Deja Boo" for a thrill.) Guess what I found? The show still holds its own, and is far more intelligent than any of the programs they're directing towards kids today. Now that I'm older, I can find even more to love. The Ghostbusters themselves are viable, fascinating characters who are no longer outshone by the phantasms who haunt them. And the wit! Complex characters, great dialogue, fascinating stories- "Ghostbusters" had it all, including a great theme song from Ray Parker, Jr. (All together: "There's something strange ... in the neighborhood ...) and the best catchphrases ever in "I ain't afraid of no ghost" and "Who you gonna call?" The world ain't been the same since they left. Tim Allen ("Home Improvement," "Galaxy Quest") said something during the AFI broadcast that I think sums up the essence of the "Ghostbusters" phenomenon and explains the popularity: " You want to be with funny people when the devil shows up." Classic, man. Classic.
Rating:
Summary: After 20 Years, "Ghostbusters" Is Still Saving The World
Review: "We've been going about this all wrong. This Mr. Stay-Puft is o.k. He's a sailor. He's in New York. We get this guy layed we won't have any trouble." - Pimpin' ain't easy in "Ghostbusters" After 20 years since its 6/8/84 release, "Ghostbusters" became the biggest surprise hit of the summer of '84 and has generated a hit sequel, a popular cartoon series, a #1 hit single, by Ray Parker Jr., thats an ode to parapsychology, the world over (I ain't 'fraid of no ghost!) and has mass produced legions of no ghost t-shirts. The film showcases the best talent from its principal cast and "Ghostbusters" is one of Ivan Reitman's best films to date. After being kicked out of NYU, three Parapsychologists decide to go into business for themselves, becoming an elite team of paranormal investigators & iliminators known, thru out the New York tri-state area, as the "Ghostbusters". There first case is a big one, as an ancient evil, known as Gozer, the Gozarian, awakens and is hellbent on ruling Earth, starting with the great state of New York. The cast is great, with Bill Murray giving one of his best performances to date. Writer, Dan Aykroyd wrote "Ghostbusters" with John Belushi, Eddie Murphy and John Candy in mind. But, with the tragic death of Belushi, the meteoric popularity of Murphy (and his salary), & Candy not coming to grips with his character (he wanted Louis Tully to speak in a German accent with him owning, like, five Rottwielers for some unknown reason) Aykroyd retooled "Ghostbusters" with Murray, himself, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson as the team and Rick Moranis as the accountant geek who has a diehard crush on Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver). The film is loaded with one-liners that would fit right at home emblazoned on a t-shirt. The effects hold up well over the twenty years and I only spotted two or three effects that actually look cheesy. After the film became a success, in late summer'84 & as a test, the producers decided to take the commercial the "Ghostbusters" use in the film (Are you troubled by strange noises in the middle of the night?), taking the 555 number and exchanging it with an operating toll free 800 number. The results were 1,000 calls an hour, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, over a six week test. The total of all calls is approx. 1,008,000 calls!! The word Gozer comes from an actual haunting in New England, that, oddly enough, is also the film "Poltergeist" is loosely based on. Thru out the haunting the word Gozer would appear, mysteriously, on walls and belongings all thru the house with no essential meaning of the word. The 1999, 15th anniversary DVD release of "Ghostbusters" is the best format to watch the film (rumor has it that Columbia/Sony may release a 20th anniversary edition in late '04 early '05). The DVD features deleted scenes, trailers, a great trivia track that runs at the bottom of the screen while the movie is being shown, and commentary by Harold Ramis (co-writer), Ivan Reitman (director), and Michael C. Gross (co-producer). "Ghostbusters" is still a great film that deserves shelf space in any great DVD collection. After 20 years, they still are ready to believe you.
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