... The band of renegades is led by General Hummel (Ed Harris) a highly respected and decorated Marine who has been in charge of numerous covert missions. In recognition of all the U.S. soldiers who have been lost in action during covert missions, he is demanding $100 million to be paid to the ... Read review
An Idyllic location set in the valley's of Holly Well Green the recenly renovated and ... more
updated hotel is a beautiful 27 roomed hotel and restaurant The Rock Hotel has been restored to its former glory with a few modern twists and is now back as one of the finest eateries in the area Wheather it's just having a relaxing drink next to the log fire or dining in the beautiful surroundings that it restaurant 22 The Rock Hotel offers an olde world pub atmosphere mixed with a modern chic dining experience
Postage & Packaging:refer to website Availability:Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage join forces to avert unspeakable carnage as The Rock ... more
explodes onto Blu-ray Disc! Co-starring Ed Harris, this thrill ride will rock your world in this astonishing format.When a vengeful ex-general seizes control of Alcatraz Island and threatens to launch missiles loaded with deadly poison gas, only a young FBI chemical weapons expert and a notorious Federal prisoner have the skills to penetrate the impregnable fortress and take him down. Catch every instant of rapid-fire action in eye-popping 1080p, while the phenomenal 5.1 48 kHz, 24-bit uncompressed audio puts you smack dab in the middle of the mayhem. Prepare to experience the awesome power of Blu-ray High Definition!
An idyllic hotel set in the valleys of Holywell Green, offering an Old-World pub ... more
atmosphere mixed with a modern chic dining experience.Following a major refurbishment the Rock Hotel is the perfect place to be. Whether it's just having a relaxing drink next to the log fire or dining in the beautiful surroundings of Restaurant 22. The fully refurbished hotel, offers free Wi-Fi and a free sauna for all residents.You can run, walk or cycle in the surrounding valleys, get back to the hotel and enjoy a session in the sauna.The Rock Hotel has a '2009 Silver Award' from Yorkshire Today, for its outstanding quality and service..
Postage & Packaging:refer to website Availability:Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
Production Year: 1977 - Action/Adventure - Director: Clint Eastwood - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring:Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Pat Hingle, William Prince, Bill McKinney
Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Vincenzo Natali - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Lucy Liu, David Hewlett, Anne Marie Scheffler, Joseph Scoren, Matthew Sharp, Jeremy Northam
Production Year: 2008 - Action/Adventure - Director: Christopher Nolan - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring:Maggie Gyllenhaal, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine
Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
Advantages: Connery, Cage, Harris and great action Disadvantages: None
...group of innocent tourist's hostage. The band of renegades is led by General Hummel (Ed Harris) a highly respected and decorated Marine who has been in charge of numerous covert missions. In recognition of all the U.S. soldiers who have been lost in action during covert missions, he is demanding $100 million to be paid to the families as they have never been eligible to receive compensation. If his demands are not met, he will fire rockets carrying ... ...response to these threats, the Pentagon assembles an elite task force of Navy Seals with the support of Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage) an FBI chemicals expert, who spends most of his days dismantling dodgy looking parcels in a laboratory. With no easy way onto the Alcatraz Island and into the prison, the Pentagon are forced to resort to John Mason (Sean Connery), the only man to have escaped alive from Alcatraz and who has spent the last thirty ... more
A band of rebel marine commandos, armed with a collection of deadly chemical weapons, take over Alcatraz and hold a group of innocent tourist's hostage. The band of renegades is led by General Hummel (Ed Harris) a highly respected and decorated Marine who has been in charge of numerous covert missions. In recognition of all the U.S. soldiers who have been lost in action during covert missions, he is demanding $100 million to be paid to the families as they have never been eligible to receive compensation. If his demands are not met, he will fire rockets carrying the deadly chemicals into San Francisco.
In response to these threats, the Pentagon assembles an elite task force of Navy Seals with the support of Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage) an FBI chemicals expert, who spends most of his days dismantling dodgy looking parcels in a laboratory. With no easy way onto the Alcatraz Island and into the prison, the Pentagon are forced to resort to John Mason (Sean Connery), the only man to have escaped alive from Alcatraz and who has spent the last thirty years locked up in a maximum security prison. With time quickly running out, it is up to this band of elite fighters and experts to take back the control of Alcatraz and neutralize the threat of a chemical attack.
The Rock was released back in 1996 and is an action/adventure with a little bit of comedy and some nice special effects. Unlike many action/adventures, The Rock is not all about the special effects and macho action. In fact the basis of the plot is quite plausible and the main characters in the film have good depth which is quite a pleasant surprise. This depth comes from great character development within the film; it actually makes you start to sympathize for the bad guy, because you know that his motives are good and that it has not been easy for him to basically turn his back on the job which was his life. Of course like all good action/adventure movies it reasonably pushes the boundaries of believability, but it would not be so enjoyable if it kept within the boundaries of real life. In an era where it seems that Hollywood has forgotten how to make a decent action/adventure movie, which relies on plot and performance, rather than special effects, The Rock still stands out as one of the best in its genre.
The film revolves around three characters, firstly is General Hummel played by Ed Harris (The Truman Show), who is making a stand against the way the U.S. Government has unfairly treated the families of the soldiers who have died whilst on covert missions. Harris puts in the best performance of the film as a man who is torn between his duty as an American soldier but also his conscience. Although he is the bad guy, you start to have real compassion for him as deep down he doesn't want to hurt innocent people to make his point.
The next character for me is John Mason, played by Sean Connery (James Bond), locked away for thirty years for reasons which become apparent later on in the film; the final scene really explains it. The character of Mason is indeed very powerful, he feels cheated for being locked up for so long in the knowledge that his imprisonment was unjust. He also feels huge regret for never seeing his daughter grow up, in the knowledge that she barely knows him. Connery puts in a fine performance and looks pretty convincing when he is put into commando clothes, for the assault on the prison.
Finally, there is Dr. Stanley Goodspeed, played by Nicolas Cage (Con Air); an FBI expert is the field of chemical weapons. Cage's character is a mixture of science geek and action man. Too be honest Cage provides the humour in the film as although he is reasonable as a chemicals expert, you just can't take him seriously. Even when he is delivering some scientific dialogue on the threat of the chemicals, his lines and performance are brilliantly comical. His performance gives a great light edge to the film and his scenes with Connery are excellent.
The supporting cast has some very notable Hollywood names such as Michael Biehn (Terminator), John C. McGinley (Scrubs - TV series), David Morse (The Green Mile) and John Spencer (L.A. Law - TV series). All the supporting cast put in great performances and their contributions really add to making this a very good film.
The film is directed by Michael Bay who went on to direct both Armageddon and Pearl Harbour. Bay demonstrates a good understanding of what makes a great action/adventure in The Rock. He keeps the film moving at a fast pace, with plenty of action sequences and special effects, but also allows for the story to unfold through the actors performances. He also time for us to understand what drives each of the main characters and although it is not a sentimental film, there are some beautifully shot emotional scenes. In particular the opening scenes with Hummel when he is at his wife's grave are very powerful. There are also some very tense scenes in the film such as the stand off between the Navy SEAL's and the rebel soldiers in the old showroom in Alcatraz, this scene has some excellent performances from the supporting cast, which actually included some real Navy SEALs.
The sound track to the film is excellent for not only the songs which are included in the film, but that the actual score really compliments the film. The main man behind the films soundtrack is Hans Zimmer who has been creating film and TV sound tracks since 1982 and has worked on other Hollywood blockbusters such as The Last Samurai and Batman Begins.
= The Cast =======
Ed Harris .... General Francis X. Hummel Sean Connery .... John Patrick Mason Nicolas Cage .... Dr. Stanley Goodspeed John Spencer .... FBI Director James Womack David Morse .... Major Tom Baxter William Forsythe .... Special Agent Ernest Paxton Michael Biehn .... Commander Anderson Vanessa Marcil .... Carla Pestalozzi John C. McGinley .... Captain Hendrix Claire Forlani .... Jade Angelou
======= Technical Details =============
Certificate: 15 Length: 136 mins
======================= The Message & Christian View Point =============================
As with a lot of big budget, Hollywood action movies, there is no huge message in this film. What it does point out is that the U.S. government policy for not acknowledging the deaths of soldiers lost in action whilst on covert assignments is very unfair on the families they leave behind. Not only should their families receive some form of recompense for their loss, but surely these men deserve to be honoured in history for dieing in action.
========== Conclusion & Rating ================
This is one of my favourite action movies of all times, not only because it delivers with great action sequences but it also has a good plot which revolves around the main characters. It also includes 3 great actors who provide brilliant performances and it also has a very good sound track. There are not many modern action/adventure movies which can compete with this film, and it is a treat every time I watch it. I would recommend this to fans of action/adventure films or anyone who likes Nicolas Cage and Sean Connery.
The Rock is available in a 2 disc format for £7.97 on Amazon, and from what I have read it is packed full of bonus material.
= Trivia
=The film is dedicated to Producer Don Simpson who sadly died during the production of the film. Courtesy of IMDB
Advantages: Great film to watch over and over Disadvantages: None
The Rock is a gripping action/thriller with a comedic yet serious script and an all-star cast including Sean Connery, Nicholas Cage, Ed Harris and David Morse. US Marines, under the command of General Hummel, take 81 civilians hostage in Alcatraz, while on a guided tour. Their mission is simple. They want money from the military's slush fund to pay to the families of deceased soldiers, robbed of a military funeral and compensation, after completing ... ...gas will be fired at the residents of San Francisco, killing approximately five million. Womack, Director of the FBI, reluctantly releases an imprisoned British Intelligence Officer called Mason, who happens to be the only man to have broken out of Alcatraz for real, and coerce him into teaming up with Stanley Goodspeed, a chemical weapons super freak, to get inside Alcatraz and dis-arm the missiles before millions of lives are lost.
This has to ...
wendybull 07.10.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Rock (DVD)
Advantages: Sean Connery, Good storyline, Superb acting Disadvantages: None that I could think of. (Perhaps Sean Connery's performance made me ignore any cons?)
...But since I watched it the first time, I enjoyed it so much that I have watched it again several times.
What is "The Rock?" The Rock is Alcatraz, once a high security prison, now a tourist attraction. General Hummel (Ed Harris), disillusioned over the lack of compensation awarded for soldiers lost or injured in covert operations, decides to have his revenge by taking 81 tourists of Alcatraz hostage and threatens to release missiles capable of completely ... ...it is Sean Connery playing the part of John Mason, a prisoner the United States government tried to lock up and throw away the key. However, they now need him as he is the only one who managed to successfully escape from Alcatraz, so he can show them the way in without being observed by General Hummel and his merry band of men. Unfortunately for him, his incentive is drastically reduced as they are not prepared to give him his freedom back.
He is ...
Rebeccs 23.05.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Rock (DVD)
In 1996, Michael Bay directed the box office smash hit "The Rock", starring Nicholas Cage, Sean Connery and Ed Harris. Although quite a old film, I once again saw this film last week, and I cant seem to get bored of it.
Michael Bay is a brilliant director, his story telling, action sequences and special effects always make a film watchable. The Plot:
The film revolves around a group of rogue marines, who fed up with the American governments support ... ...Francis X. Hummel (Ed Harris), the marines steal VX nerve gas from a military base. They then find themselves taking hostages at Alcatraz Island, were guided tours are now present. The marines take control of the island, planting the VX nerve gas al over the island ready to launch if needed.
Now knowing the trouble the government are in, they need someone to help them break into Alcatraz, and they can only think of one man, John Patrick Mason, ...
jaygami1986 27.10.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Rock (DVD)
Advantages: The full film at last! Superb film. Disadvantages: None
...on Jun 24, 2002 was the collector’s edition of the rock for the UK (region 2). On the double disk included loads of extras which include; outtakes, movie magic – episode about the films effects, analysis of the dive sequence, production stills, gunplay, premier on ‘the rock’ So far there are 3 versions of ‘the rock’ released in the UK on DVD. First they released the film with no extras, no nothing and to make it even worse – you had to change the ... ...and released the film on one side, as they should have 1st time around! Now they have re-released this but with all the extras, 3rd time around might I add. BUT did you know if you own the 1st or 2nd release of this film, then the feature is around 30 seconds LESS. I know this doesn’t sound a lot, but detailed below is what was cut from the film because of the lovely (and I use that term loosely) UK censorship people; 1. Confrontation in the morgue ...
20solskjaer 06.03.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Rock (DVD)
Advantages: Good Cast, Engaging storyline, Absorbing Action Scenes Disadvantages: None
...military madman seizes control of the old Alcatraz prison and threatens to launch deadly poison VX Nerve Gas missiles at San Francisco. Only a chemical weapons expert and an ex-prisoner, the only man to have escaped from Alcatraz, can stop him...
I own the Double Disk Collectors Edition of the film and it is most definately worth it! Its contains the same features as the Region 1 counter part (Criteron Edition) as well as the DTS sound track which ... ...the uncut version of the film as it has the scene with mason throwing a knife into an enemy soldiers neck which was actually cut from the previous release.
The rock is an outstanding action film and one of my personal favourite films as it has an excellent cast with an engaging storyline which keeps you hooked from beginning to end. The story is fast pasted and is entertaining with good special effects and action set pieces. The soundtrack of the ...
wingZero21 29.03.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Rock (DVD)
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Advantages: good sound and picture quality Disadvantages: not many extra features to play with
This is the DVD version released in 2004 of the original Fraggle rock series 1 episodes created in 1984.
Fraggle rock always takes me back to being a child of the 80's and I still adore them just as much as I used to. With this newely restored imagery DVD format of the 12 first episodes of Fraggle rock I am really really pleased and am sure will be loved equally as much by any fellow fraggle fan!
What I love the most about fraggle rock is that it can be enjoyed by oldies like myself or by the toddling little youths of todays generations.
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This double disc edition of fraggle rock has 12 episodes on it for us all to enjoy.
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? I?d watch Coffin Rock again and gladly re-access my views if I?m wrong, but I think its more likely that out of a packed horror movie environment that Coffin Rock will appeal to me even less.
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The Land Before Time has been made into a series of movies, each lasting about 70minutes running time. The first one was released in 1988 and the sequels about 2 years after. Now avalible to own on DVD, you can have the classic & the ultimate Dinosaur equialent of Bambi in your collection.
Having rambled through and enjoyed, may I add. The first second and so on films in the legendary Classic Kids film series ''the land before time'', I shall now embark upon the task of informing you of the viewing joys of the 6th movie from Littlefoot and his gang of young dinos in The Great Valley.
The story follows littlefoot and the gang, this time on a search after Dinah and Dana who have run away on a 'fun' adventure to search for the mysterious Saurus Rock. After they hear the story of a legendary dinosaur that defended the land years ...
In Michael Bay's THE ROCK, gung-ho general Francis Hummel (Ed Harris), armed with deadly chemical rockets and aided by violent cohorts, takes over the island of Alcatraz, holding 81 tourists hostage. Hummel promises to deploy the missiles over San Francisco if Washington doesn't make amends to ignored combat victims to the tune of $100 million. A cadre of Navy SEALs are dispatched to quell the situation, assisted by the mysterious, macho John Mason (Sean Connery), the only man to ever escape from Alcatraz, who must now help the SEALs break back in. Joining them is mild-mannered chemical weapons expert Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage), who is unaccustomed to such things as guns and military maneuvers. Their high-octane mission is filled with surprises, particularly after Hummel and company quickly annihilate the SEALs--leaving Mason and Goodspeed to save the day all by themselves.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
Hollywood Pictures Home Video; Technicolor Distribution Services
Release date
11/06/2001
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
D 888313
Barcode
5017188883139
Screenwriter
Mark Rosner, Aaron Sorkin, Douglas S. Cook, David Weisberg
Dolby Digital 5.1 English Dolby Surround French Italian
Professional reviews
Review
"...The movie slams forward in a jackhammer frenzy. The camera never stops moving..." (Entertainment Weekly, pp.41-2, 14/06/1996)
"...High-octane action and rowdy fun....Dazzling teamwork from Cage and Connery..." (Rolling Stone, p.61-2, 27/06/1996)
"...[The] blistering pace boasts an A-list acting trio in roles precisely tailored to their personas..." (USA Today, p.1D, 07/06/1996)
"...Entertaining, a high-octane, kick-butt actioner....Connery trades winningly on his sophisticated, elegant sense of cool..." (Variety, 03/06/1996)
DVD Description
In Michael Bay's THE ROCK, gung-ho general Francis Hummel (Ed Harris), armed with deadly chemical rockets and aided by violent cohorts, takes over the island of Alcatraz, holding 81 tourists hostage. Hummel promises to deploy the missiles over San Francisco if Washington doesn't make amends to ignored combat victims to the tune of $100 million. A cadre of Navy SEALs are dispatched to quell the situation, assisted by the mysterious, macho John Mason (Sean Connery), the only man to ever escape from Alcatraz, who must now help the SEALs break back in. Joining them is mild-mannered chemical weapons expert Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage), who is unaccustomed to such things as guns and military maneuvers. Their high-octane mission is filled with surprises, particularly after Hummel and company quickly annihilate the SEALs--leaving Mason and Goodspeed to save the day all by themselves.
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson (TOP GUN, CRIMSON TIDE)—Simpson actually died just prior to the film's release—reunited with director Bay, who had collaborated with the pair on BAD BOYS the previous year, THE ROCK benefits from a trio of likeable leads in Connery, Cage and Harris (yes, even the villain of the piece is somewhat endearing), a thundering music score and a bevy of explosive set-pieces that combine to create an action-packed thrill ride of a movie.
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