Cocktail
by Tom Cruise Bryan Brown Elisabeth Shue
Director: Roger Donaldson
Average Customer Review:
VHS Tape (26 December, 1995)
list price: $9.99 -- our price: $9.49
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Editorial Review

This 1988 effort at creating a milestone coming-of-age story with the impact of The Graduate is commendable, but the results are mostly shaky and garish. Tom Cruise plays an ambitious young man who arrives in New York City and becomes known as a flashy bartender in a hot club. After falling for Elisabeth Shue's girl-next-door character, however, his desire for success causes him to travel down a more selfish path with an older woman. The film, directed by Roger Donaldson (Bounty), is built on entirely on appearances (Cruise's star charisma) and flash (the way Cruise and his character's bartending mentor, played by Bryan Brown, toss bottles of booze around). The more interesting and underlying themes, however, particularly the hero's obvious Oedipal dilemmas, are lost beneath this window dressing, as if everyone involved was afraid to commit to the story's intrinsic value. Cruise fans might want to take a look at this, but otherwise there isn't much to recommend it. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• NTSC

Reviews (62)

This Movie Is NOT An Advertisement For Alcoholics Anonymous!
Just like Pretty Woman this would have to be one of the most overrated and overhyped movie ever made. Watching this movie calls for an immense 'Suspension Of Disbelief" which I could not quite accomplish. Tom Cruise plays a bartender who encourages everybody to "take a shot". The drunks in this movie are all terribly well behaved. There is no date rape, no violence and nobdody loses their luch after consuming a few too many drinks. It is not that often that you see a movie gloryfying Alcoholisms . I give this movie 5 stars because sadly it succeded in making a whole generation of youmg men think they are just as good looking as Tom Cruise when they are drunk.

Dramatically shows you what is important in life..I think..
Movie covers a wide array of feelings and emotions including dreams, dreams lost, responsiblity, and ownership of the soul.Excellently done and Cruise and Shue are great together, we find ourselves cheering them on in the end.


Tom Cruise juggles Martini shakers and ice cubes as the materialistic Brian Flanagan, a bartender who drops out of school to search for the perfect "rich chick" who will bankroll him into luxury. Brian meets up with bar veteran Doug Couglin (Bryan Brown) and they put together a dance-duo bar-tending act, taking five minutes to a mix a drink as they dance and toss gin bottles behind the bar to cutting-edge rock music circa 1988. The patrons, instead of demanding the booze, are dazzled by their antics and cheer them on. As a result, the bartenders become wildly popular - in particular, Brian, who finds the bar babes falling all over each other to hop into the sack with him. As a result of their bar-tending success, they get hired to tend bar at a swanky disco, but there Brian and Doug have a falling out, and Brian takes off for Jamaica. There he meets vacationing New York City waitress Jordan Mooney (Elisabeth Shue) and the two fall in love.

But then Brian meets rich New York fashion executive Bonnie (Lisa Banes) who wants to take Brian back to Manhattan with her to become her drink-mixing stud. When Jordan sees this, the love affair is put on hold. But not for long, as pangs of consciousness begin to filter through Brian's drunken haze.

As "Great-Awful" as "Plan 9 From Outer Space"!
This movie is one of those sublimely awful movies that should be savored line by line, wretched moment by wretched moment.

As truly awful as "Plan 9 From Outer Space."

So awful it's terrifying at first, then mesmerizing, then strangely exhilirating--I mean, can people really conceive of something THIS bad?

The "Best Worst" Film of the entire 80s, by a long shot. ... Read more

Asin: 6301276930
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-drama   

Cocktail Mix, Vol. 2
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (23 January, 1996)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $18.98
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Reviews (10)

Really great for dancing and for listening!
I just happened to run across this CD by chance and after listening to a few track samples, decided to buy it right away. I wasn't disappointed - now I play it all the time!The tracks here are a unique blend of musical styles, including jazz, Latin, Brazilian, and early 60's dance music - they all fit under the umbrella of "lounge music" and every single one is great.There are some fun surprises, like a jazzy Connie Francis singing "Bossa Nova Hand Dance" in Portuguese, Dick Hyman's Lowrey organ and bongo arrangement of "Washington Square", and Les Elgart's big band twist version of "Frenesi", which I think is my favorite track.I also love Rene Touzet's Latin-ized "Baby Elephant Walk", Cal Tjader's supremely cool "Soul Sauce" and Perez Prado's rock-mambo "Why Wait".Throw in some great vocal tracks from Mel Torme, Ann-Margret, Nancy Wilson and Mose Allison, plus Quincy Jones, Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 and other fine artists in the genre, and you've got a classic party CD guaranteed to make you feel good every time you hear it.I definitely recommend buying this one!

Shaken, not stirred
This CD features 18 tracks that might have been played at a "cocktail party" back in the 1960s.It is a fun combination of vocals and instrumentals dating from 1958 to 1967.This is the kind of music that was played at parties for adults back then.None of that "rock and roll" stuff here!There is a lot of bossa nova here, plus jazz-pop and various other swinging styles.This is the perfect music to listen to while drinking martinis (not that I ever had a martini).If you are a fan of the lounge music revival, you will enjoy this CD.

Love It Love It Love It
I am new to Lounge but knew I loved Austin Powers-type music so I took a chance on this one and this is my favorite CD.I need two copies, one for my car and one for the house!Many of the artists weren't familiar to me but it was love at first listen with Ann-Margret's 13 Men (first track), then an elevator-muzak style Girl from Ipanema and the classics Soul Bossa Nova and Mais Que Nada (you'll know it when you hear it).House of Bamboo is so much fun as is Hot Barbeque and a different version of Dave Brubeck's Take Five.It's all great - run, don't walk, to get out your martini glasses.Oh, and last but not least, the inside jacket is jam-packed with career bios of each artist.This is a must-have. ... Read more

Asin: B0000033PE
Sales Rank: 64949
Subjects:  1. 50's    2. 60's    3. Ballads    4. Big Band    5. Big Band Latino    6. Bolero    7. Bop    8. Bossa Nova    9. Brazilian Jazz    10. Cha-Cha    11. Cool    12. Crossover Jazz    13. Exotica    14. Hard Bop    15. Jazz-Pop    16. Latin Dance    17. Latin Jazz    18. Lounge    19. Mambo    20. Pop    21. Post-Bop    22. R&B    23. Soul-Jazz    24. Space Age Pop    25. Spy Music    26. Swing    27. Tropical    28. Urban    29. V/a Compilations    30. Vocal Jazz    31. Vocal Pop    32. West Coast Jazz   

Art of the Cocktail Party : The Complete Guide to Sophisticated Entertaining
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 November, 1994)
list price: $13.95 -- our price: $11.16
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Reviews (10)

Must Have!
This book is a life saver!!!

My first cocktail party, and what a big one.This book saved me!!
Wonderful advice, great recipes.

With this book, all you need is friends and everything will be fabulous!!

A must have for throwing the best cocktail parties!
Leslie Brenner's book is a terrific reference book for anyone who enjoys entertaining.The book starts off with an outstanding recap of the history of cocktail parties.The author includes tidbits like the most popular drinks from certain eras.Who would have thought that the `cocktail dress' deserves it's own discussion?

Like any good entertaining book, this one has loads of recipes.They cover drinks, canapés, and hors d'ovres.There are theme ideas if you want to go that route too.I was surprised over the quantity of recipes listed, 130.You could refer to this numerous times and not repeat a menu.

As if the book isn't complete enough, there are also tips on the practical aspects of throwing a cocktail party.They include the types of glasses to be used, suggested garnishes to have on hand, and musical suggestions.There are few books I would consider handing out as a gift but this definitely is one.

My only complaint is that it didn't have pictures.I'm being picky here and it is not a reason not buy this book.With that said, I wish you lots of fun as you plan your own cocktail party!

Excellent entertaining ideas
I don't know about any of you, but my social inadequacies come up when I have people over to entertain.This book was very helpful to me and humorously written. The recipes are varied and good. I especially loved the "Mango Lime Dipping Sauce" and the "Coconut Shrimp" combo. I have recommended this to friends as well as presenting it as a housewarming gift on many occasions.Enjoy ! ... Read more

Isbn: 0452272351
Sales Rank: 222777
Subjects:  1. Appetizers    2. Beverages    3. Cocktail parties    4. Cocktails    5. Cooking    6. Cooking / Wine    7. Entertaining - Party Planning    8. Methods - General    9. Parties    10. Tablesetting    11. Cooking / General   

Hoffritz 16-Ounce Chrome Cocktail Shaker
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $33.99 -- our price: $19.99
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Editorial Review

From your mai tai to your martini, make traditional cocktails at home with this 16-ounce cocktail shaker. With a precision fit between the top and bottom, this bar accessory gives you the freedom to shake away with no fear of leaks. Use the shaker top to measure your spirits and liqueurs to precise quantities. Part of the Hoffritz Platinum Series, this shaker offers expert craftsmanship and high-nickel-content steel (18/8), providing a rust-free and durable product. --Madeleine Miller ... Read more

Features

• For each purchase of this item, $1.25 is donated to Share Our Strength
• Create bar-style cocktails at home
• Shaker lid doubles as a standard 2-ounce shot glass
• Made of 18/8 stainless steel
• Dishwasher-safe

Reviews (8)

Looks nice but I wish I had bought a different one
I bought this based upon the reviews that said it didn't leak. They are wrong. I have used it three times and it leaks when you shake it. If I had bought it at Target, it would be returned. Kohls has one with a gasket. I would buy that one.

Stylish but Lacking in Functionality
I got this thing out of the box and was really impressed with it's looks but the fun stopped there.While I was checking my nice little chrome shaker out I tilted it to the side and the top proceeded to fall off.Worried, I put some ice and a bit of simulated gin (H20) inside, gave it a few shakes and it leaked everywhere.Good thing this wasnt real gin! I dont know if this is just mine but I wasnt impressed with the the functionality.Going with Oneida.

Elegant in its Simplicity
This shaker will bring out the dashing martini or margarita drinker in just about anyone.Looking to impress chicks with your suave mastery of the bar - this will do the trick. Looks great, chills drinks, and of course goes well with cool glassware (invest in Martini glasses or margarita glasses).You don't have to worry about spillage and the built in strainer makes any drink easy. Now if I just had a cool tray to put all of this stuff on. Seriously though, it's a great addition and will make you more likely to tinker with what's in your bar, as opposed to reaching for yet another beer. ... Read more

Asin: B00004RHNL
Subjects:  1. Spirits    2. Martinis    3. Cocktail Shakers    4. Barware    5. (Bar Ware)    6. Bartending   

Oxford Garden Designs CDTA Cocktail Table
Average Customer Review:
Lawn & Patio
list price: $234.95 -- our price: $164.47
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Editorial Review

This elegant cocktail table combines Oxford's sophisticated design and superior manufacturing, and the result is yours to enjoy for years. A perfect complement to an Oxford bench or armchair, the 36-inch table is crafted from Shorea wood, a semihardwood similar to teak, and is ideally suited for outdoor use. While rain and sun can damage lesser woods, Oxford's cocktail table will endure season after season in your garden, weathering to a warm shade of gray. Built using mortise-and-tenon joinery (the most structurally sound method), the table features solid wood dowel construction. You will receive the table partially assembled; it only takes about 15 minutes to complete the assembly. ... Read more

Features

• 35.25 by 20.5 by 16.5 inches high
• Uses Shorea wood - similar to teak but more dense and heavy
• Mortise and tenon construction
• Easy assembly, wrench provided
• Weathers to a warm grey; color can be maintained with teak oil

Reviews (2)

ADD A "ROOM" TO THE HOUSE!
It started with those high priced catalogs full of teak and it made it's way as usual to Amazon.com to see what they had...I was pleased to find a great english shorea wood bench and bought it, I love it and it's made so well that I ordered the cocktail table to match, they are great and comfortable and I even found a doormat to add to it...I sealed them all with tung oil on a rag and made a beautiful place to hang out...for what I would have spent on teak I could have built an addition but with this fantastic line of furniture I bought everything and had enough left to order a nice birdbath too!! andflowers and tikitorches...you get the idea. As always you can't go wrong with Amazon.com they deal with great companies and if there's ever a problem it's fixed ASAP. You'll love this line of furniture!!!

Oxford CDTA Cocktail Table (36" x 24" Surface)
This is a very nice table, but if you're looking for a table to use wuth an umbrella keep looking.Very sturdy. ... Read more

Asin: B00004S9JL
Subjects:  1. Patio & Garden Furniture    2. Dining Tables    3. (Outdoor)    4. Wood    5. (Wooden)