Romancing the Stone (1984)

RickRocket

This movie was as good as the first time I saw it in 1984, but it looks great in 1080p.If you get the chance get it. December 23, 2008

One of my favorite movies of all time

I love this movie and have watched in it seems a million times. I was excited when it came out in blu-ray. I was however disappointed the audio and video quality weren't better. It still is worth having instead of the standard dvd but I really wish they had done more to make this a better quality blu-ray. December 20, 2008

The best Action Adventure Treasure Hunt Romantic Comedy Ever!

Romancing the Stone is a beautiful movie. Many compare it to Indiana Jones but it should be noted that the story for Romancing the Stone was written several years before Indiana Jones by the late Diane Thomas - The story is a classic.

This movie ranks up there with my top 10 favorite entertainment movies of all time. The story centers around a writer who writes romance novels. All of her stories feature Jessie, the rough tough male figure that saves the strong independent heroine at the end.

Just as Joan Wilder finishes writing her last story, she (played wonderfully by Kathleen Turner) is called away to Colombia to save her sister who apparently is involved with some bad hombres down there in Colombia.

In the course of the story Joan meets her Jessie - Jack T Colton - played by Michael Douglas. Both he and she fight off the secret Colombian police played by Manuel Ojeda who creates one of the most convincing villains I have ever seen. Danny Devito also delivers a wonderful performance along with Alfonso Arau, Holland Taylor, and Zack Norman all deliver wonderful performances.

The special edition is remade in an interesting fashion. The usual feature lenght commentary's aren't found in these CDs but they do have some great interviews with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner that are worth seeing.

This DVD really pays homage to Diane Thomas. I didn't know that Diane Thomas was working in a diner and served coffee to Michael Douglas and then pitched him the story Romancing the Stone. Sadly Diane died in a car crash a few years later. The real life story makes Romancing the Stone even more memorable and definitely sets it apart from the Indiana Jones franchises.

Indiana Jones is Saturday Matinee serial stories - lots of action and adventure with a dash of comedy and a pinch of romance.

Romancing the Stone is a Treasure Hunt + Romance + heroine leaving her nest of NYC and spreading her wings + adventure + heroine finding her Jessie (Jack), finding her Man + exotic locale.

Of note, most of this film was shot in Mexico because Colombia was deemed to dangerous - who knew Mexico had places as beautiful as that. December 9, 2008

Look at those snappers

As the story starts we are treated to a realistic western and look back at the cover to be sure we have the correct DVD. Yep it is the correct one.

A romance novelist, Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner of "Body Heat" 1981 fame) wants to fall in love with the type of hero she created in her novels. Fat chance she has hanging around her New York City apartment.

Perchance her sister Elaine (Mary Ellen Trainor), looking for the other body parts of Elaine's dismembered husband, is kidnapped and ransomed by ruthless people, (Danny DeVito and Zack Norman.)
This just happens to be in Columbia. It seems that there are other interested parties that are down right vicious.

Will Joan Wilder find the type of romance she writes about or just a snot?

Prepare for a great adventure.
----------

The movie was filmed in Mexico. I have not been to Columbia but I have seen several of the places in Mexico. It does not diminish the film what so ever.

I saw this film several times previous to the Blu-ray packaging and I really can not say if the resolution or jut big screen TV makes a difference. However looking at the extra footage make me feel that they did a good job of restoration.

The Blu-ray edition has several extras.
Danny explains why he likes to use the word "maricon!"
The deleted scenes are really alternate scenes.
--------
If you like juggle adventures with home bound people do not miss "Call Me Bwana" (1963) with Bob Hope


Call Me Bwana November 1, 2008

Romancing the Stone - Blu-ray Info

Version: U.S.A / Region A
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
MPEG-4 AVC BD-50 / High Profile 4.1
Running time: 1:45:46
Movie size: 32,51 GB
Disc size: 40,16 GB
Average video bit rate: 34.60 Mbps

DTS-HD Master Audio English 3431 kbps 5.1 / 48kHz / 24-bit / 3431kbps (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48kHz / 24-bit / 1536kbps)
Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48kHz / 224kbps
Dolby Digital Audio French 224 kbps 2.0 / 48kHz / 224kbps
Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 224 kbps 2.0 / 48kHz / 224kbps

Subtitles: English SDH / Chinese / French / Korean / Spanish
Number of chapters: 24

#Rekindling the Romance: A Look Back (SD - 20 minutes)
#Additional Featurettes (SD - 9 minutes)
#Deleted Scenes (HD - 19 minutes) October 18, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...