... Michael Mann the director of Ali then, decided to cleverly copy neither style and invent his own quite frankly crummy depiction of Boxing. With Raging Bull you felt every punch and were right next De Niro as he won or lost, but with Ali you get neither that feeling of being there nor the emotionally ... Read review
By the time Ali G--the inspired creation of comedian Sacha Baron Cohen who debuted on the ... more
lame satirical seriesThe 11 O'Clock Show--first got his own series, the gangsta rapper from Berkshire was already one of the biggest things on TV.Ali G--Aiiiiis a compilation of the best bits from his own series,Da Ali G Show. Part chat show (Paul Daniels makes a memorably awful appearance; Gail Porter turns up and Ali dims the house lights and gets all soppy), and part saucy variety show (Ali's duet with Jarvis Cocker is fun, but no-where near as good as his improvised rap with Mohammed Al Fayed "from Arrods"), the material here is richer and more varied than his11 O'Clockappearances, which more or less depended on his interviewees not knowing he was stitching them up. At various points, Ali reports from the States--the Staines rapper's spiritual home, you suspect--and the bemused reactions of the unsuspecting people he meets there makes for some of the video's funniest moments ("Has anyone ever been killed by a gun?" he asks someone from the National Rifle Association).Ali G--Aiiialso features Cohen's newest character Borat, a reporter from Kazakhstani television who is producing a guide to Britain for his viewers back home. Amazingly, Cohen ran into trouble with the Kazakhstani embassy in Britain over his portrait of the bumbling reporter with only the faintest grasp of English, but in fact it's the Brits he interviews who patronise Borat who come off a lot worse. (See, for example, the embarrassed silence which greets Borat's attempt at introductory small talk at a society dinner party: "My wife, she is dead"!) Like the rest of the show, there is a smart satiric edge to the comedy but it's also very, very funny. Ali introduces the compilation, keepin' it real with a promise that profits from the sale of the video will be channelled back into the Staines ghetto. --Edward Lawrenson
Postage & Packaging:£1.21 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
By the time Ali G--the inspired creation of comedian Sacha Baron Cohen who debuted on the ... more
lame satirical seriesThe 11 O'Clock Show--first got his own series, the gangsta rapper from Berkshire was already one of the biggest things on TV.Ali G--Aiiiiis a compilation of the best bits from his own series,Da Ali G Show. Part chat show (Paul Daniels makes a memorably awful appearance; Gail Porter turns up and Ali dims the house lights and gets all soppy), and part saucy variety show (Ali's duet with Jarvis Cocker is fun, but no-where near as good as his improvised rap with Mohammed Al Fayed "from Arrods"), the material here is richer and more varied than his11 O'Clockappearances, which more or less depended on his interviewees not knowing he was stitching them up. At various points, Ali reports from the States--the Staines rapper's spiritual home, you suspect--and the bemused reactions of the unsuspecting people he meets there makes for some of the video's funniest moments ("Has anyone ever been killed by a gun?" he asks someone from the National Rifle Association).Ali G--Aiiialso features Cohen's newest character Borat, a reporter from Kazakhstani television who is producing a guide to Britain for his viewers back home. Amazingly, Cohen ran into trouble with the Kazakhstani embassy in Britain over his portrait of the bumbling reporter with only the faintest grasp of English, but in fact it's the Brits he interviews who patronise Borat who come off a lot worse. (See, for example, the embarrassed silence which greets Borat's attempt at introductory small talk at a society dinner party: "My wife, she is dead"!) Like the rest of the show, there is a smart satiric edge to the comedy but it's also very, very funny. Ali introduces the compilation, keepin' it real with a promise that profits from the sale of the video will be channelled back into the Staines ghetto. --Edward Lawrenson
Postage & Packaging:£2.69 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
(+) Because of the new series the box set isn't complete, which means it will be cheaper! (-) It isnt the complete box set so you'll have to buy the new dvds seperatly or wait for the new set!
Production Year: 2003 - Comedy - Director: John Crowley - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Colin Farrell, Shirley Henderson, Cillian Murphy, Colm Meaney, Rory Keenan, Laurence Kinlan
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Advantages: Average popcorner. Disadvantages: Boring as sin.
...Michael Mann the director of Ali then, decided to cleverly copy neither style and invent his own quite frankly crummy depiction of Boxing. With Raging Bull you felt every punch and were right next De Niro as he won or lost, but with Ali you get neither that feeling of being there nor the emotionally charged atmosphere of Rocky. It seems Michael Mann had everything laid, all he had to do was pick a style and copy it, that coupled with the wonderful ... ...just doesn’t suit the film, Ali is a biopic, Mann makes thriller/action films which is what he’s good at. But don’t get me wrong Ali is entertaining enough in a dull lifeless sort of way, I just don’t understand how they could make a movie about Boxing and not make it exciting or interesting. Basically the film is like one big history lesson, you know what I mean like a documentary on a fascinating subject with all the good ... more
The best Boxing film ever is Raging Bull with Rocky in Second but not really coming close. Raging Bull was superb for its gritty, bloody realism and Rocky was highly acclaimed for its stylised classy Boxing. Michael Mann the director of Ali then, decided to cleverly copy neither style and invent his own quite frankly crummy depiction of Boxing. With Raging Bull you felt every punch and were right next De Niro as he won or lost, but with Ali you get neither that feeling of being there nor the emotionally charged atmosphere of Rocky. It seems Michael Mann had everything laid, all he had to do was pick a style and copy it, that coupled with the wonderful story of Muhammed Ali he should have had an easy winner.
Unfortunately they picked the wrong director for this film, which is sad because it was hyped up to be the next genre defying Boxing film. Mann is a fine director, Heat is a modern classic and The Last Of The Mohicans is a groundbreaking effort and one of my favourite films. But Mann just doesn’t suit the film, Ali is a biopic, Mann makes thriller/action films which is what he’s good at. But don’t get me wrong Ali is entertaining enough in a dull lifeless sort of way, I just don’t understand how they could make a movie about Boxing and not make it exciting or interesting. Basically the film is like one big history lesson, you know what I mean like a documentary on a fascinating subject with all the good bits taken out.
The cast, unlike the film, were sensational I thought, with Will Smith in a career best definite Oscar winning role. At least he had seen Raging Bull and copied De Niros famous method acting and bulked himself up to play the role. Smith piled on 35 lbs of pure muscle, and as his trainer said “We were not preparing Will for a movie, we were preparing him for a world-wide bout. My objective was to teach him how to fight, period.” And that was certainly what was done with Smith looking the part, and the Boxing is realistic, its just not interesting at the end of the day you just didn’t care what happened as Mann fails to put you in the ring or make you care.
Will Smith-Muhammed Ali Jamie Foxx-Drew ‘Bundini’ Brown Jon Voight- Howard Cosell Mario Van Peebles- Malcolm X Jeffrey Wright- Howard Bingham Mykelti Williamson- Don King
Director- Michael Mann
The Film only follows the most interesting years of Ali`s life from 1964 to 1974, during that time he wins the Heavyweight Championship of the World, meets Malcolm X, refuses to go to Vietnam and beats George Foreman in the Rumble Jungle. If you didn’t know that already you’re probably not that interested in Boxing and this film is probably not for you. I thought it a bit shallow that they encompassed so little of his life but I guess it was necessary. Unfortunately Hollywood is still unable to show segregated America without piling on the corn and over exaggeration, just to make sure it doesn’t escape us that America was indeed segregated (thankyou Mr Mann we heard you the first time).
Ali has a fine stylish effect and is a worthy accomplishment, but leaves the viewer with a feeling of incompleteness and boredom. I would only see it if you’re a big fan, if not then wait till its on video. The pace of the film is another issue, painfully slow in some places and then leaping forward 5 years. So my rating, One star for Smiths performance, One star for excellent all round performances and minus Three stars for being Boring, Too long and Boxing no where near Raging Bull standard. In fact don’t even bother with Ali, save your money and rent Raging Bull instead.
Advantages: Realism, Will Smith Disadvantages: Possibly limited appeal
Ali is a biopic of the former heavyweight champion Mohammed Ali. The firm starts with Ali fight against Sonny Liston. This is the fight in which he wins the title for the first time. The last fit of the film is Ali victory over George Foreman in the contest known as the Rubble in The Juggle. This is where Ali regains his title.
The early parts of the film center on Ali relationship with Malcolm X and the Muslim Brotherhood. The next major section ... ...banned from fighting.
Eventually Ali manages to overturn the ban and regain his fighting license. He fights Joe Frazier and he loses against him. Then before a rematch can be arranged Frazier himself loses as George Foreman knocks him out. Ali arranges a fight with Foreman in Zaire. This fight will be known as the Rubble in The Jungle and is probably the most famous fight in the film.
The best part of this film is probably Will Smith’s performance. ...
Fantasyman 22.11.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Ali G - Aiii (DVD)
Advantages: Acting fantastic, great cinematography, realistic fight scenes Disadvantages: I didn't watch it sooner
...four wives. By 1967 Ali has become a major international celebrity, in part because of his television appearances with sportscaster Howard Cosell (Jon Voight). But with the Vietnam War in progress and most Americans still supporting U.S. involvement in that war, Ali refuses induction into the Army on religious grounds, even though the Nation of Islam does not endorse his refusal. Ali is convicted of draft evasion and while his case wends its way ... ...from organized boxing. In 1968 Ali marries Belinda (Nona Gaye), his second wife. In 1970 Ali is permitted to return to organized boxing, and in 1971 he fights Joe Frazier for the heavyweight title, but loses a 15-round decision. Also, in 1971 the U.S. Supreme Court overturns his draft evasion conviction. The last part of the film focuses on Ali's 1974 championship bout with George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire. Promoted by Don King (Mykelti Williamson), ...
teckie 18.08.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Ali G - Aiii (DVD)
Advantages: will smith Disadvantages: drags on at times
...painted a good picture of Ali and did so with incredible performances by the two stars. I really did like the film, but like a long documentary, find it hard to easily sit through in one sitting. That's the beauty of DVD though, you ca pause the film and resume it at any time. Those looking for an action packed film on Ali's boxing exploits or a piece of information on the champ that is groundbreaking will walk away partly disappointed. This is a ... ...that punch could have been, I am not sure.
Video:
A lot of buzz circulated over how Will Smith prepared and trained to take on the physical appearance of Muhammad Ali. Michael Mann has also earned a reputation for creating visually stunning films with a lot of style. Columbia/TriStar's DVD presentation of the film does not put the efforts of the filmmakers to waste and the 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer is quite impressive. To give a historical ...
puccio 24.05.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Ali G - Aiii (DVD)
Advantages: Great acting from Smith and superb boxing scenes Disadvantages: Boring for most of the movie
Muhammad Ali is probably the greatest boxer of all time but whether his life transfers onto celluloid and makes interesting viewing is a different story. The biopic directed by Michael Mann is 159 minutes long, most of which is relatively boring.
The plot is mainly a chronological following of Ali’s life while he was at the peak of his boxing capabilities. It follows his life in a selective way but unfortunately it chooses most of the dull stories ... ...speeches and rhymes for which Ali was also renowned. When it comes to the boxing scenes he has mastered the style of fighting used by Ali and literally does “Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee”. He handles the fight scenes in an incredible manner and you soon forget that its Will and believe that you are watching the man himself. He is very believable in the role and has a screen presence that dwarfs all others. He conveys as much emotion ...
elspeth334 11.03.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Ali G - Aiii (DVD)
Advantages: Good quality, enjoyable and interesting, good fights and good acting Disadvantages: Not a pure boxing film, or a pure life story. Too long and fails to last in the middle.
...too young to remember Mohammed Ali in his prime. All I see is a weak and frail man savaged by his illness. However his catchphrases are famous, taunting opposition, changing from his slave name to Nation of Islam and refusing to fight in Vietnam. Apparently he could also box a bit. Ali does exactly what it says on the tin. It is a biography of one of the greatest sportsmen and characters in sport ever. It follows the real life of Mohammed Ali through ... ...presenter Howard Cosell, he and Ali enjoy several exchanges comically and also supports him in worse moments. Mario Van Peebles plays Malcolm X who has a big part in the film and Ali’s three wives are also in, Jamie Foxx as his first wife Bundini Brown standing out. The whole lot are really good, there are no weak links and Smith especially excels. ‘Ali’ gets political in places, depicting his friendship with Malcolm X and him changing ...
Chris_Padden 16.07.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Ali G - Aiii (DVD)
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Advantages: DVD also features his Christmas message to the world Disadvantages: Not everybody's cup of tea
I have had the most hilarious afternoon today than I have had in a long time.
My friend came round with her copy of AliG...AiiiDVD.
AliG is not everybody's cup of tea. His humour is day to day life and sometimes so silly that I cannot help but laugh.
I would watch the '11 O'clock Show' just to watch him.
He became so popular that he was given his own show on Channel 4.
AliG (Sacha Baron Cohen), is dressed to look like a 'rap gangster', talks Jamaican and openly talks about smoking the weed (marijuana).
This DVD features highlights from his shows. It is uncensored so does include a few uses of the 'F' word, but his character would not be realistic without them.
The funniest part is where he is interviewing members of the FBI. In fact, most of the hilarious parts are in his interviews with 'real' people ...
carolinesite 04.01.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Ali G: Aiii
Best Comedy (Programme Or Series) 2000 (The Production Team)
BAFTA
Best Comedy Performance 2000 (Sacha Baron Cohen)
DVD Description
This DVD features the hilarious highlights of DA ALI G SHOW and includes previously unreleased and uncut footage. The programme also features Sacha Baron Cohen's Borat character.
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