Rating: Summary: Yes, *this* is "that Disney movie with the robots in it"! Review: Ah, "The Black Hole". I love this movie! What an impression it made upon me at the tender age of seven... (I still don't like red, glowing LED, displays because of "Maximillian" and his malevolent, red, glowing visor.) Yes, the dialogue is cheesy and the acting campy...and yes, the ending makes more sense if you first read the book. But this movie has some rather spectacular visual special effects and background art in it, especially considering when it was made. The story, while simple enough for a child to follow, is engaging enough to entertain adults as well. "The Black Hole" is a wonderful film. I would heartily recommend buying before it goes out of print again! Those of us who love this film have waited a *long* time for it to be re-released. Once Disney pulls it from distribution, who know when, if ever, it will be released again.Overall, to watch "The Black Hole" is to take a delightfully campy trip down memory lane for those who have already seen it. And for those who will be viewing it for the first time, sit back and enjoy the show... You're in for a treat!
Rating: Summary: NOT A BAD FLICK Review: WHEN I WAS A KID THIS MOVIE WAS TOP DOG NOW IT BRINGS BACK MEMORIES. IT WAS NICE TO WATCH IT WITH MY CHILDREN THE WAY MY DAD WATCHED IT WITH ME
Rating: Summary: A Cult Classic Comes Home Review: I remember watching this film when I was a child and not understanding most of it and wondering why it was a "Disney" Film. For a film that was conceived before Star Wars came out in theatres, it is way ahead of it's time. This has to be one of the best science fiction films of it's time. The mix of Science and Religion (not unlike Star Wars) is perfect. It is wonderfully dear to me heart and I just hope that they release a soundtrack to go with it. Thank You.
Rating: Summary: The remastered Black Hole is a bright spot on my shelf.... Review: I just finished watching my new Black Hole video and man was it fantastic!! The only way I've been able to see this movie was either on TV(which did not look great) or rental(which did not look great), so I am thrilled with this new, better looking version. The movie might not be THE best sci-fi film out there, but it reminds me of when I was a kid, playing with the B.H. toys, far more care-free days than today. But still, this movie is a modern day classic, and nobody can say otherwise.
Rating: Summary: The HOLE is back and it's Bad and it's BLACK! Review: The first thing you're gonna notice about this re-release is the lack of any Disney markings, with the exception of one: the tiny little print in the bottom-left hand corner of the box that reads, "Disney Enterprises". Disney..."ENTERPRISES"??? Boy, no bragging about this tape, huh? Michael, it wasn't that bad. Trust me. Was the film that bad? I mean, after all, you can see where "Event Horizon" got its inspiration...:) I really can't see why they took their name off the tape and left the copyright on there. I mean, if you look at it, what have the Disney animated films become? The Beast gets stabbed in "Beauty and the Beast". "Aladdin" was about a street-thief who had to "steal to eat". And the Lion King had two lions hitting each other in the face with flames surrounding them, while echoes of Mufasa's death played. Then you had "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" in which one character kills a baby's parents and later sings of "Hellfire" and pictures himself lusting after Esmerelda. Finally, we see "Mulan", where the title character dresses up as a guy, risking treason, where the penalty is death, and fights off an entire army. Along the way, Disney took hits for being both sexist and racist, capitalizing on and exploiting ethnic cultures that weren't theirs to touch. And their name appears, covering "The Black Cauldron"? Disney's ONLY PG-rated cartoon. The PG-rating came forth because of the dark violence and the villian who looked like Satan's worst nightmare. And then you have "The Black Hole", one of two seemingly forgettable Disney sci-fi's. "Tron" was the other one. This film does have quite a cast to back up its reputation. Academy Award-winner Ernest Borgnine, Academy Award-nominee Robert Forster, Max Schell, Anthony Perkins, and the always lovable Roddy McDowall as the voice of "Vincent", the good-guy crew's robot. Yes, their performances vary, and yes, the dialogue is hammy, but you know what, the dialogue is there when needed. That's all that counts. I can find about fifty films last year that can't make that cut(let's start with Something About Mary...). Leave the rest up to special effects(Rhineheart's ship is a wow!) and great poetic moments(check out "hell" and "Heaven") and you get a nicely-rounded fun ride through a nightmare and back again. Picture Event Horizon Yes, this one DOES show "hell" at the end. And for it's time, it IS a very scary depiction. But, it also DOES show "Heaven". The point of these visions was not to be controversial, but rather, to give a message that we don't know about the things that lurk on the other sides of the universe. And perhaps, we shouldn't pry. Check out this small wonder that Disney has chosen to dismiss and see for yourself. Along with TRON, WATCHERS IN THE WOODS, and THE DEVIL AND MAX DEVLIN, this one is worthy of a place in the "Saturday Afternoon Matinee Hall-of-Fame". --Matt
Rating: Summary: A Godsend for any Black Hole fan Review: This DVD is AWESOME!!! I remember seeing this movie as a teenager and it had a tremendous impact on me. As an adult, I am a little more critical. As far as movies go, this may not be the best movie in the world but it definitely has a place in science fiction history. From a technical standpoint, Anchor Bay Entertainment (who the film is licensed through) did a fantastic job digitally remastering this. I have grown accustomed to my pan-n-scan, looks like it was filmed through frosted glass copy of the film on VHS that came out in the eighties. From the first second of the first scene my jaw was literally hanging open with amazement. "This looks SO GOOD!!!" For one thing, being able to see it in the widescreen format as I did in the theater was a real treat, but the clarity and vividness of the colors is enough to make you want to buy a DVD player just to watch this film. The film was also remastered from Dolby Stereo to Dolby Digital 5.1 surround. If you have the equipment, this is a great showcase film for demonstrating DD5.1. I highly recommend any fan, even the casual viewer, to buy this DVD. You will not be disappointed.
Rating: Summary: Disney don't make 'em like they used to! Review: In the 70s, Disney made wonderfully adult movies such as this and "The Watcher in the Woods", with violence, suspense, and many other things not suitable for young children. Then, suddenly, they stopped, instead cranking out the same animated musical with different titles. Let's hope they go back to making movies like this. I mean, what other Disney movie features people BURNING IN HELL?! Now, THAT's not your usual Disney!
Rating: Summary: An Outstanding Movie But Campy Review: I'm a big fan of "The Black Hole" and I bought it the second day it came out! I love this movie, but there is one thing I hate about it. It is too campy. I know "Star Wars" had robots, but it wasn't campy! "The Black Hole" has 2 (count it 2) robots that look like kids' play toys instead of robots. Well on the other hand I suggest that you buy/rent this movie!
Rating: Summary: Special Effects Made the Film Review: I really enjoyed watching the Black Hole again last night. I have not seen the film since 1979 and I bought the special collector's set from Anchor Bay. The wide screen version of the video enhances the special effects. Maxmilian Schell gives a very chilling protrayal of Dr. Hans Reinhart. For a pre-Touchstone Disney film, the movie works wonderfully. The only problem is that some of the characters are very corn ball, particulary Joseph Bottoms and Roddy McDowall's robot, Disney's Han Solo and C-3PIO/R2D2. But the special effects and excellent acting from the others make up for those two characters. I also love John Barry's score. Keep up the great work Anchor Bay and I hope that you release a collector's wide screen version of Disney's The Rocketeer soon. Some of the effects in the film would also make a wonderful ride for the Disney Theme Parks.
Rating: Summary: It's for Children . . . Jeesuz Review: This is more a commentary on the reviews than the movie it self. Yes, the dialogue is _very bad_. But it makes a lot of sense to an eight year old. More thought went into the screen play than many folks are supposing. Their problem: Here's a strange, somewhat dark story that we must market to both children (its Disney, not Touchstone yet) and their parents, with an emphasis on the parents. Worth two stars just for the all the "death" in a Disney flick . . . . I think I got into goth as a youngster because of this movie . . . [rueful grin].
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