DVDpedia : Library : Title : Y

Theatrical: 1983

Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)

Genre: Action & Adventure

Duration: 96

Summary: "Yellowbeard", a comedy cast with the all-star comedians of the 1980s, is a unique, corny spoof on pirate films. Like a Mel Brooks movie, "Yellowbeard's" plot is a series of ridiculous events, á la "Airplane", circulating around Yellowbeard's (Graham Chapman) discovery that he has an "intellectual" son. Brain versus brawn is the film's theme, as Yellowbeard is forced to take his kid on a booty-hunt, since the pirate's ex-wife, Betty (Madeline Kahn), tattooed the treasure map on their child's head. As the bumbling British, including Harvey "Blind" Pew (John Cleese) and Gilbert Murvin (Marty Feldman), sail The Royal Navy Frigate to trail Yellowbeard's ship, The Lady Edith, The Spanish Main, captained by El Nebuloso (Tommy Chong) and El Segundo (Cheech Marin) follows in close pursuit. Three ships in constant battle on the open seas make for multiple comedic situations reminiscent of Monty Python. Directed by Mel Damski ("Charmed, Lois & Clark"), "Yellowbeard" has a made-for-TV cheesiness, though the talent of the actors, not to mention its off-kilter British humor, rescues the film from utter stupidity. "--Trinie Dalton"

Theatrical: 1961

Studio: Criterion

Genre: Foreign

Summary: This semi-comic 1961 film by legendary director Akira Kurosawa ("Rashomon", "Ran") was inspired by the American Western genre. Kurosawa mainstay Toshirô Mifune ("The Seven Samurai") plays a drifting samurai for hire who plays both ends against the middle with two warring factions, surviving on his wits and his ability to outrun his own bad luck. Eventually the samurai seeks to eliminate both sides for his own gain and to define his own sense of honor. "Yojimbo" is striking for its unorthodox treatment of violence and morality, reserving judgment on the actions of its main character and instead presenting an entertaining tale with humor and much visual excitement. One of the inspirations for the "spaghetti Westerns" of director Sergio Leone and later surfacing as a remake as "Last Man Standing" with Bruce Willis, this film offers insight into a director who influenced American films even as he was influenced by them. "--Robert Lane"

Theatrical: 1961

Studio: Criterion

Genre: Action & Adventure

Duration: 110

Summary: This semi-comic 1961 film by legendary director Akira Kurosawa ("Rashomon", "Ran") was inspired by the American Western genre. Kurosawa mainstay Toshirô Mifune ("The Seven Samurai") plays a drifting samurai for hire who plays both ends against the middle with two warring factions, surviving on his wits and his ability to outrun his own bad luck. Eventually the samurai seeks to eliminate both sides for his own gain and to define his own sense of honor. "Yojimbo" is striking for its unorthodox treatment of violence and morality, reserving judgment on the actions of its main character and instead presenting an entertaining tale with humor and much visual excitement. One of the inspirations for the "spaghetti Westerns" of director Sergio Leone and later surfacing as a remake as "Last Man Standing" with Bruce Willis, this film offers insight into a director who influenced American films even as he was influenced by them. "--Robert Lane"