Voltron Volume Six: (Vehicle Voltron

For Many of Us, This Was a Long Time Coming
Received my advanced copy of this, the 6th volume of the Voltron animated series today and have been enjoying every moment of this collection. While much debate exists as to which version of Voltron was superior, in truth the source material was actually two entirely separate Japanese series. WEP, through some slick editing, was able to turn Dairugger XV into what we now know as Vehicle Voltron back in the mid 1980s. This DVD set represents the first foray of the Voltron franchise devoted exclusively to Vehicle Voltron.

When compared to the original incarnation, Vehichle Voltron strays a but farther from the fantasy roots of GoLion (Lion Force here in the States) in favor of a more science-fiction based approach. The visual quality and presentation is easily on par with WEP's volume 1-5 releases with the Air Team (Strato Fighter) gracing the cover.

Included on this set is the following:
Episodes 73-90 of the series (450 minutes total run time)...

If you loved Voltron you need these!!
This was my favorite cartoon back in the day so i had to get these when I saw them on sale. The cases are nice and well constructed, the quality of the DVD is great on my 61" TV and I can now watch good ole Voltron whenever I want!

true@heart
This dvd chronicles the beginning of the vehicle voltron force. This version is not as popular as the lion force, but it is a must for any fan.

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The Smurfs: Season One, Vol. 2

Season One, Volume Two!
Back to smurf up your day with 20 more smurf-arrific episodes and to thwart the plottings of the evil wizard Gargamel and his cat Azreal are those lovable Smurfs in The Smurfs - Season One, Volume Two!

Long-running (nine seasons) and beloved worldwide by young viewers of its time, The Smurfs finally made its official DVD debut with the release of The Smurfs - Season One, Volume One which featured good video and audio. Continue the first season of this Emmy-winning animated series with The Smurfs - Season One, Volume Two.

Season One of The Smurfs originally aired as an hour-long show, comprised of two eleven minute episodes and one full half-hour episode. Because episodes were repeated as early as Show #3, resulting in more repeats than original episodes being aired, Warner Home Video gives you the episodes in original order from Season One's hour-long format, minus all the repeats...

Smurfin' Back at Ya !
The diminutive blue beings known as the Smurfs are finally back on a brand new 2-disc set with 20 classic cartoons of the second half of the first season restored and rejuvenated for fans of all ages.

With the likes of Papa, Brainy, Hefty, Grouchy, Lazy, Handy, Greedy, Dreamy, and Smurfette, there's never a dull moment in their tiny Smurf village hidden deep within the forest. Of course, there are many horrific dangers and vile creatures beyond the forest. Especially that wicked warlock Gargamel and his conniving cat Azrael who desperately try to catch those Smurfs at any and every way possible. Still, no matter what the danger, the Smurfs come out on top if they all put their minds together as one.

Along with these new-to-DVD adventures, there's a super-cool special feature called "I Smurf the Smurfs" where celebrities and people who worked on the show, like writers and voices from the show, discuss the origin of the hit series and how it became a smurfy...

Smurftastic
This review is from: The Smurfs: Season One, Vol. 2 (DVD)
The Smurfs are back in the second half of season one and I can't be any happier as I'm a big Smurfs fan (the cartoon not the CGI movie).

The episodes are:

Disc 1:

The Magic Egg
Smurfette's Dancing Shoes
Supersmurf/ The Baby Smurf
The Fake Smurf/ Paradise Smurfed
Sir Hefty
The Purple Smurfs/ Haunted Smurf
Sideshow Smurfs

Disc 2:

The Magnifying Mixture/ Foul Weather Smurf
Painter and Poet
The Abominable Snowbeast/ Gargamel, The Generous
Now You Smurf'em, Now You Don't/ The Fountain of Smurf
Spelunking Smurfs/ A Clockwork Smurf/ The Smurfs and the Money Tree

Enchanting Extra:

Smurf the Smurfs! - Memories of the Original Smurfs Era and the Lasting Impact They've Made

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Keeping Up with the Kardashians: The Complete First Season

Why so addictive :-0
This is another of those programms that hook you in and you cannot look away. I don't know how I get myself into these things, but this one is fun and light and addictive.
Kim is really only famous for being a friend (ex?) of Paris Hilton and I don't know what else for ... however, now with this show, she's getting more recognition (even though she's off DWTS). This show focuses mainly on her, and then her other K sisters Kourtney and Khloe. They are actually a very likeable family and not quite as ditzy as you'd think. This is only a short season, but you get a good idea about their life and I can't wait to see season 2.
This is the way this season pans out.
1 - I'M WATCHING YOU - The family throws an anniversary party for Mom and Dad, while Kim talks about her s.x tape on the Tyra show.
2 - MANAGING MOM - Kris hires a nanny to help around the house, while Kim contemplates firing her mom as her manager.
3 - BRODY IN THE HOUSE - Girls Gone Wild creator Joe...

diappointed
my wife made me watch the kardashians when it first came out and I admit I liked it right away and we have been watching ever since. naturally we could'nt wait for it to come out on dvd. I could'nt be more disappointed with the dvd because its shown exactly as shown on E. I was looking foward to hearing the exact language and other things they can't show on tv. If I wanted to see it this way, all I have to do is watch the reruns which E shows all the time. I feel like I wasted my money on it!

Fun show w/ a fun family
Although they don't always get along - hey, what family does? - this is a family that genuinely loves each other. And they're fun to watch. Kimberly is hot. Her sisters are cute, and Bruce is a hoot!

One note, the extra episode "Junk in the Trunk", which aired at the end of Season 2, is slightly different here than what aired on E!. There are a couple of added segments, but there are also a couple of missing ones too, like the prank the brother plays with his girlfiend on his mom, and Kourtney surprising Khloe w/ info on her acting class partner. Wonder why the changes were made.

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Sports Night: The Complete Series 10th Anniversary Edition

Maybe the funniest show you never watched
[I rate it 4.5 stars.]

"Sports Night" is about an eponymous fictitious hour sports news show on the fictitious Continental Sports Channel. It's a sit-com targeted at an audience who knows what "eponymous" means without consulting a dictionary. But this comedy isn't really about sports at all. It's about intelligent, articulate people who use humor to relieve the pressures that their demanding jobs entail.

Aaron Sorkin is the creator of "Sports Night". He also created "The West Wing" a year later, and when he realized that it was a lot easier selling viewers a fictitious White House administration than a fictitious sports news crew, he dropped "Sports Night" like a hot potato. Most everyone knows that "The West Wing" isn't really about Washington politics; instead it's about intelligent, articulate people who use humor to relieve the pressures that their demanding jobs entail. But few people have even heard of...

A great nominee for the best TV show you never saw
The proof of the pudding for the value of "Sports Night" is probably the fact that my wife, who usually refrains from attending sporting events with me and invariably walks out of the room if I turn on Sports Center, loved "Sports Night." This Aaron Sorkin creation aired for roughly two seasons worth of episodes between 1998-2000, and it provides the same sort of witty repartee and verbal sparring that we get on "The West Wing," albeit without the political overtones that make it a hit or miss with the ideological sensibilities of the viewer. On this show the outrage comes out of the casual dismissal of Babe Ruth as the athlete of the century, if you are really concerned about such things, but mostly this show is about the glories of frustration.

On one level the frustration comes from the wonderful and wacky world of being the 3rd rated 11 p.m.cable sports news show, where live prize fights do not go as long as planned and a newly signed baseball free agent disses the...

One of the best series ever!
Writer/creator Aaron Sorkin and director Thomas Schlamme went on to develop NBC's "The West Wing" during the second season of this wonderful series.

From the beginning, ABC had no clue of how to handle this show. First, they insisted that the producers ad a laugh track, because you don't know when to laugh. Then, they started to promote it like a soap opera, because it had serious issues to deal with at times.

Ultimately, the quality of the show came through. A fabulous cast provided excellent performances. Josh Charles ("A Few Good Men") and Sabrina Lloyd ("Sliders") are the MVPs here, consistently giving the show it's heart. Peter Krause ("Six Feet Under"), initially stiff in his "on air" role as Casey McCall, settled in well mid-first season.

The real gem here is Robert Guilamme ("Benson"), his Issac Jaffe is an excellent character brought to life with his gentle touch. Guilamme's real-life stroke was written into the series, and when he returned in the second season made for...

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ActivityTV Origami, Fun with Paper! V.1

great how-to for kids
I watched this DVD with my 8-year-old son and we did the paper folding right along with the instructor. The designs (for the most part) were straightforward, and the instructor was clear and upbeat and great at explaining directions clearly, often even creating a story and memory tricks to go with a lot of the examples.

The DVD is broken up into 9 separate segments, most no more than 10 minutes long. You need square paper of just about any size to do the origami.

I highly recommend this DVD.

an excellent instructional DVD
This DVD gives clear instructions and older people as well as children enjoy the results. The presenter is such a good teacher and the origami projects are fun. The first one is simple but others more advanced. The fortune cookie container may be very useful. This is light hearted and an excellent introduction to the pleasures of origami. Thoroughly recommended. The price certainly right.



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The Jewel in the Crown (25th Anniversary Edition)

Great Story, terrible transfer
This DVD set is a real heartbreaker!

The Jewel in the Crown is absolutely one of historic the highlights of "quality" television. An absolutely arresting story. Wonderful script, wonderful acting, etc. I can't add anything on that count to the reviews already here.

That makes the TERRIBLE quality of the DVD transfer all the more disappointing. This set has literally the WORST video quality I have ever seen on a DVD! Murky, muddy picture with visible scratches and dirt on the film. The soundtrack is a little better. On my home theater setup it sounds like its coming over a half-decent clock radio. Seriously, the picture looks like they took an old VHS tape of the show and just ran it through a disc burner.

No, I don't expect blockbuster quality from an 30-year old BBC film, but I would have expected something more like the recent DVD set of Elizabeth R, which is quite watchable.

Sadly, this is almost surely the only DVD we'll ever see of this marvelous series...

Excellent series - Appalling digital transfer
Heed Spoffo's warning.

While the series itself is wonderful and certainly worth owning, I have NEVER seen a worse DVD transfer. Even my seedy Madacy Entertainment copy of Fritz Lang's 1226 "Metropolis" is of higher quality. The visuals are fuzzy and grainy at the same time, and there are severe block artifacts everytime the screen gets even slightly dark. All scenes shot at night or in the darkness are almost unwatchable because of the visual noise.

The sound seemed alright to me at first, but then I turned the volume up a bit and found that there is a kind of low-pitch static, like machine noise underneath the vocals and music.

Please buy the VHS tapes - and let A&E know that this is simply unacceptable!

A MUST SEE CINEMATIC GEM...
This powerful and moving eight part miniseries has lost none of its impact since it was first aired nearly twenty years ago. Highly acclaimed, it won numerous awards. Beautifully filmed on location in India, England, and Wales, it is a highly atmospheric and complex drama, redolent of the flavor of the turbulent years just before India gained its independence from British rule.

The story begins in 1942, and through its memorable characters, both British and Indian, it masterfully weaves a tapestry of events that explains the state of flux that India was in at the time and the collision between East and West that often occurred, as the old guard made way for the new. Pivotal events become symbolic of India's struggle for independence, and it is those events that impact on those living in India and struggling to survive through those turbulent years. This tumultuous and sumptuous saga ends with India's independence in 1947.

Masterfully acted, lushly filmed, and awash with period...

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Numb3rs: The Fourth Season

Engaging characters and varied plots
Numb3rs is not a typical cop show. The difference goes far beyond the math angle, which in the hands of lesser writers and actors might have become gimmicky and worn thin. These are fully fleshed-out characters -- human, flawed, quirky, with complex and unexpected relationships, and above all, so engaging and likeable that you become invested in their personal success. Plots ranging from terrorist attacks, to art confiscated by the Nazis in WWII, to kidnapping, to the theft of a rare comic book give each episode a different texture. Get to know the characters in Season One, and enjoy the increasing depth of the entire ensemble through each subsequent season. Prepare yourself not to be limited by the usual parameters of a crime show. As Larry (played by the incomparable Peter MacNicol) would have it, Numb3rs looks at criminals and those who bring them to justice through the prisms of cosmology and ontology.

Great gets even better
This show has been great from the start and just gets even better. It is amazing how they are able to find such a diverse array of topics without repeating the same themes over and ever again. This show makes me want to become an FBI agent and learn mathamatics all over again. It also helps that Rob Morrow is HOT!

Numb3rs Season 4 - Short season - Full price
I love the series and already purchased the first 3 seasons from Amazon. But, since season #4 was an abridged season (writers' strike) and you only get 5 DVDs for @ 720 minutes of viewing why would I want to pay such a high price? I suggest that the cost of season 4 should be discounted by Amazon to account for the reduced quantity of episodes. Even David Krumholtz would agree with these numb3rs.

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When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions (Limited Edition)

Out of this world!!
Please forgive the tacky title - but I couldn't resist it. The 4 disc set is pretty bloomin' brilliant - cleaned up pictures and sound mean that this (along with "in the shadow of the moon")has the best images you are going to see this side of Spacecraft films exhaustive (and relatively expensive)collections.
It doesn't just focus on one aspect but covers all of NASA's manned programs.
Extra interviews with various astronauts (including Neil Armstrong and John Young) and a fair range of extras mean that this is a top notch set and is ideal for a newbie or someone with an active interest in the space program.

So near but so far ...
Here's why I like this set:

The image quality is (mostly - see below) very good. Even with the 16mm film source the extra resolution of Blu-Ray is apparent and some of the film is staggeringly effective. As has been stated in another review, the modern interviews are pristine.
The variety and scope of the clips is excellent. The makers have sourced every possible movie from private hands (cine films) and NASA and there's a great deal I've not seen despite 40 years of interest in the subject.
The narration is well written and appropriate. This feels like a story with narrative rather than a straightforward documentary.

Here's why I dislike this set and think it's a wasted opportunity:

Despite the quality of the film clips there are some that have clear and very obvious visible and not just minor anomalies but persistent great big black blobs in the same place on the screen. This 'dirt' persists across clips taken at varied times, even months...

"Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."
Excellent documentary on the Space Program.
The older footage has been remastered and looks good.
The HD sequences of the launches look amazing.
The musical score is great.

The Space Race with the Mercury program. Project Gemini.
The Apollo missions with the massive Saturn V rockets.
The Challenger mission segment has candid admissions (Story Musgrave).
Footage of the first untethered EVA by Bruce McCandless is great.
The Hubble Telescope repair mission puts you in the EVAs.
Construction of the International Space Station.
Disc 4 is a Bonus Disc of original NASA films.

My only complaint with this package is the Blu-ray case. They could have used a better center hub for holding the discs. The one they used makes it difficult to remove the discs for viewing.

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Fisher Price The Little People Good Manners Video

Quality programming at its best.
You can't go wrong with this one. My kids would never admit that they still enjoy this when they should be "too old" to watch it...ssshhhh....don't tell their friends! My kids watch this together (ages 1-9)! Very cute programs with wonderful values. Nothing scary, either!

Great for little tykes!
My 2-year old niece loved this video! She could barely take her eyes off of it once she opened the package!

Promotes unhealthy eating
My kids absolutely love the Little People videos. But this one I hated. Just about every episode on this DVD promotes unhealthy eating: chocolate cake, donuts, cookies, cotton candy... So we're getting rid of it. Very disappointed. I do recommend Discovering Your Neighborhood though. It's my kids' favorite.

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Finding Your life's Purpose

One of Eckhart Tolle's best programs
This DVD is very clear and practical. If you only watch or listen to one program by Eckhart Tolle, this is the one to get. Most human beings live in a virtual reality world of mental constructs, and they rarely experience the richness of this moment. They are continually looking for a purpose in the future, while missing their primary purpose: to fully experience What Is, in this moment. On this DVD, Eckhart discusses:

* The concept of Time. I've never heard it explained so clearly. There is no past and no future. All that we call "time" is a mental abstraction. We rush around wishing we had more time, and all we have is this moment. His discussion on Time brings the topic back to your purpose: to live your life in this moment (rather than wasting it living in mental abstraction).

* Achievement vs. Purpose. Eckhart travels the world speaking and teaching, and has certainly achieved far more than most people. His achievements and efforts have arisen out...

Life-changing
I watched all of the Eckhart Tolle's DVD's from Netflix, and this is my favorite. If you're only able to buy one, this is the one to buy. I didn't get anything out of reading his books, an audio book was just okay, but I am loving this DVD. I come home in my normal state, which I call life, or more agitated than usual, and with this DVD, Tolle guides me out of my mind & emotions into Presence.

Along the lines of, "no problem can be solved at the level of consciousness that created it", spending even a little time in Presence has helped me gain great clarity. I can't explain how it works but I'm experiencing positive results in business, relationships, to even enjoying house cleaning (that's a first!). One weekend day after a morning session in Presence, I did something "out of the blue", got a great response, and then, "that's what my family wanted all along?" Go figure.

Philosophically, Eckhart Tolle says our purpose in life is to be in the Presence, period...

Hits the Mark!
Tolle as usually come across cold and witty with a keen understanding of the Mind, Soul, Body, and Spirit. This is a must read for those searching for asking to questions they may not fully understand about themselves.

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How I Met Your Mother: Season Three

Getting better all the time
I've read a sampling of reviews for Season 3, most stating that 3 isn't as strong as Season 2; I heartily disagree. Season 2 felt disjointed, like filler to me (though of course I still loved it!), but Season 3 keeps the story moving forward. I like that the characters are maturing, unlike the Friends characters who irritated me acting early 20's well into their 30's. There's a natural progression here, that includes some sentiment and drama in addition to the comedy. I simply love this show~ BRAVO to the entire team that creates and excecutes it.

HIMYM - The Legendary Season Three!
The HIMYM gang [again guided by director Pam Fryman] returns with 20 more legendary episodes in How I Met Your Mother - Season Three. When Season 2 of How I Met Your Mother ended, Marshall and Lily had finally hooked back up (and tied the knot), but Ted and Robin had suddenly split up. The situations were reversed when Season 1 ended. Season Three picks up sometime later after Season Two with Robin introducing her new Argentinean lover, Gael (Enrique Iglesias) to the gang and Ted hooking up with a wild tattooed woman (Mandy Moore) after going out to party with Barney. The end result from that encounter later leads Ted (in "Ten Sessions") to a chance meeting with Stella (Sarah Chalke, fresh from NBC's recently ended Scrubs), a dermatologist and possible "mother" candidate who he falls for in the season's most engaging story arc. Props must be...

Starting to slip a little, but still very funny
PLEASE NOTE: This review contains SPOILERS.

I've been a fan of How I Met Your Mother from Day One, so I don't use a phrase like "starting to slip a little" lightly. But the fact is, season three just doesn't quite measure up to the previous two.

The main problem, as I see it, is that the writers felt the need to create ongoing conflict between the core group of friends. Sure, conflict is necessary to keep things interesting. But I think the ensemble in this show is better served by external conflicts (e.g., Barney and Ted's various problems with the opposite sex, Marshall's work-related stress, etc.). Watching Ted and Robin try to one-up each other after a painful breakup last season was. . .well, not that funny. Later in the season, Ted and Barney's friendship was on the rocks.

Otherwise, there were plenty of well-written and funny shows. Here's a few highlights:

"Slapsgiving" pays off the long-running joke from last season's "Slap...

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Joy Ride 2-Pack

Perfect!
Joyride was a stunning movie... I used to work in a fuel stop and after seeing that movie it made me think twice about messing with truckers!... lol.. joyride 2 was pretty good... a little different from the first but overall a great flick!...

joy ride x's 2
I loved the 1st joy ride,with Ted levine as the voice of rusty nail,the psychopath killer.Also,the spine tingling suspense of the movie made it a joy to go on the ride.Lee Lee Sobieski and Paul walker had a great romantic connection plus I liked how the brother played by Steve Zahn,tried to move in on his bro's girl,after he'd gotten her drunk,Yet rusty nail called right before he could take advantage of Venna! I didn't like that Ted Levine didn't reprise the voice in the 2nd movie but it was great to see a sequel cuz at the end of the 1st Joy ride,rusty nail got away and lived to torture kids another day.! I hpoe they make a 3rd joy ride!Joy Ride 2-Pack



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South Park: The Cult of Cartman - Revelations

For the casual fan who doesn't have the season sets, or the devoted fan who must have everything.
Made to look like a book with gold leaf edging on the sides, the novel packaging will appeal to the fans who must have everything South Park.

The collection of "a dozen of Cartman's most important teachings" will appeal to the casual fan who does not want to invest in season sets.

1) Scott Tenorman Must Die
2) Awesom-O
3) The Death of Eric Cartman
4) Cartoon Wars (Part 1)
5) Cartoon Wars (Part 2)
6) Le Petite Tourtte
7) Tonsil Trouble --first time on DVD--
8) Eek, A P****! --first time on DVD--
9) Cartmanland
10) Up The Down Steroid
11) Super Fun Time --first time on DVD--
12) Ginger Kids

Exclusive to this DVD set is an "Original Life Lessons Introduction" by Eric Cartman.
Official Member card for The Eric Theodore Cartman Society.
An Eric Cartman Decal
While three of these episodes are new to DVD, it is probably not enough for a collector of the season sets to want to duplicate the...

The Eric Theodore Cartman Society
Why can't we all be more like Cartman? I am so excited that "South Park" is finally putting out a best-of Cartman set. If you've watched this long running, wholesome, family-friendly series then you know exactly what I mean. Cartman is such a cute little critter. And so intelligent and loving. When I think of Cartman I am always reminded of all the good that Jesus has done. Cartman is a totally thankless individual who only wants to spread love and devotion.

Released on the eve of "South Park's" premiere (the second half of Season 12 kicks off on 10/8 with an entirely new ep all about Cartman, The China Probrem) is "The Cult of Cartman - Revelations." (Some brick & mortar, big-box stores like Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Target are likely selling this new set before 10/7 though.) Anyway, this is a 2-DVD set which includes a total of a dozen of Cartman's most-loved, classic eps. My favorite is probably your favorite too, Scott Tenorman Must Die. If you learn one thing from Cartman...

"Here are my life lessons, for you to follow"
The Cult of Cartman: Revelations. Very intrigued, I was. And while I am sure that this set is a spoof of the X-Files Revelations DVD set, I find this one particularily original and interesting. I will not bother to list the episodes in this set, since previous reviews include them already, though I will mention that some of these episodes are by far among the best South Park has to offer (Awesome-O, Super Fun Time, Eek A P**** and the two-parter Cartoon Wars). In addition to this, the box is designed to look like a book (Revelations, after all) and you get an Eric Theodore Cartman Society membership card (which expires in 2012, along with the rest of civilisations) and a nice sticker. And on top of that, each episode is introduced by a life lesson by Eric Cartman, which is very nice any funny ("Never take a joke too far, Hitler learned this one the hard way" would be an exemple of that).

Obviously, these are not good enough reasons to buy this set if you already have the...

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Audrey Hepburn Story / If Only (Two-pack)

Jennifer Love Hewitt as Audrey Hepburn
Jennifer Love Hewitt does a great job of portraying Audrey Hepburn in this biography of Audrey, may Audrey R.I.P. If you find Audrey Hepburn fascinating, and would like to know more about her amazing life, from the time she was a child when her father left her and her mother, to when she resisted the Nazis during WWII, to the time she became the star of "Breakfast at Tiffany's," "The Audrey Hepburn Story" is the movie to see!

Jennifer Love Hewitt's two best movies!
This is a great compilation of Jennifer Love Hewitt's two best movies. These two movies have great stories with them then add Jennifer Love Hewitt great acting... perfect! A must for any Jennifer Love Hewitt fans out there.

love
It not just has 1 movie but 2 great movies with jennifer love Hewitt. I think she made a great audrey hepburn.

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You Don't Mess With the Zohan

Back to the Future
Sandler goes back to his juvenile roots with this one. That is not a bad thing in my book, I find Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore a riot. In this movie, Sandler plays Zohan. Zohan is a tough as nails Israeli intelligence operative who fakes his death because he is sick of all the violence in the Middle East. He goes to America to become a hair dresser because he wants everyone to have silky smooth hair. Not every joke works, but the silly situations come fast and furious. If one doesn't get you, then maybe the next one will. Yes it is pretty stupid and juvenile stuff, but I found most of the movie amusing. If you like his first movies, then this one is for you.

If only the world could be united with laughter
Well, clearly, not everyone has the same sense of humor. You've got to walk Disbelief right out the door with "You don't mess with Zohan," but if you just need a fun summer flick and you have a very bent sense of humor, this could be it.

Story in a nutshell: Zohan (Sandler) is tired of the Israeli Army. He busts it to capture a terrorist, the Phantom (John Turturro) and the government merely trades the Phantom back. So--when his next opportunity to go up against his arch nemesis comes up, Zohan stages his own death and comes to America to become a hairdresser. He ends up falling for a Palestinian girl, Dalia (Emmanuelle Chriqui) and realizing there are worse things than his original enemies.

The humor's just as juvenile as you would expect, but if you need a good, hard laugh--and you don't mind gross, this is it. Be warned, you will never look the same way at hummus again!

Rebecca Kyle, June 2008

Fighting Racism with humor
If you were ever a fan of blazing saddles like I am, then you'd see the value in this movie a lot clearer. Blazing saddles used humor to tackle a situation of racism in america that was a major issue that everyone just tiptoed around because everyone was so scared of offending others, but Blazing saddles took racism and punched it in the nose with humor. You don't mess with the Zohan is an exceptional film with slapstick humor all throughout delivered in the same manner that Blazing Saddles delivered. It managed to take the middle east conflict and all the racism and hatred that is there hit it square in the nose, sure there was plenty of stuff some might deem as "Offensive" but I was never a fan of political correctness, it censors us and brings us to a point where free speech is taken away. I salute you Adam Sandler, you made a funny movie, and you managed to tackle a much bigger issue in the process. This movie was art, if people can't appreciate it, then they need to open up their...

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TV Sets: Holiday Treats

Your Own "TV Land" Christmas Mini-Marathon!
Holiday Treats is a wonderful idea that speaks volumes about TV sitcoms and their eagerness to note the Christmas season in a merry, fun, and ever so slightly poignant way. I only hope it inspires other studios to broaden their horizons and attempt other creative compilations instead of just repackaging the same popular movies or imploring people to buy them again in high definition.

A few observations specific to this compilation are easy to make. For instance, almost all of the selected episodes are from the shows' first seasons and thus have the feel of sitcoms still finding their way. The eldest ones, "Lucy" and "Honeymooners" revel in simplicity, keeping themselves close to the radio program format that often guided early TV. Later works such as "Taxi" and "Frasier" offer more complexity in characters and circumstances. The two centering on nuclear families, "Brady Bunch" and "Family Ties", tend to succceed largely due to their settings and group dynamic...

A Good Holiday TV DVD Set To Get You In The Spirit.
The DVD is called "Holiday Treats" and has been issued by CBS DVD and Paramount. When I found this I thought it would be a good addition to a Christmas DVD that I have featuring episodes of The Beverly Hillbillies, Jack Benny, Ozzie And Harriet, and Red Skelton.

That DVD came out a few years ago and I still see it in stores every year. It is called "Vintage Christmas Classics", and was released by Alpha Video. You can order it as well right here on Amazon at a great price.

However, the main gist of this article is about "Holiday Treats". The title is appropriate as several of these Christmas episodes I have been hoping to have copies of for a long time. There are 8 shows featured on this DVD. In order, they are "I Love Lucy" (12-24-1956), "The Honeymooners" (12-24-1955), "The Andy Griffith Show" (12-19-1960), "The Brady Bunch" (12-19-1969), "Taxi" (12-12-1978), "Family Ties" (12-14-1983), "Frasier" (12-16-1993), and "Wings" (12-21-1990).

They are...

'Holiday Treats' and the 2010 release 'Christmas Treats' are staples for a diet of old holiday themed sit-coms!
This 2008 DVD Production - DVD 'Holiday Treats' by Paramount Studio features eight complete episodes from December 1955 to December 1993.

"I Love Lucy" - one episode - (aired on 12/24/1956) - "I Love Lucy Christmas Show"

"The Honeymooners" - one episode - (aired on 12/24/1955) - "'Twas the Night Before Christmas"

"The Andy Griffith Show" - one episode - (aired on 12/19/1960) - "Christmas Story"

"The Brady Bunch" - one episode - (aired on 12/19/1969) - "The Voice of Christmas"

"Taxi" - one episode - (aired on 12/12/1978) - " A Full House for Christmas"

"Family Ties" - one episode - (aired on 12/14/1983) - "A Keaton Christmas Carol"

"Frasier" - one episode - (aired on 12/16/1993) - "Miracle on Third or Fourth Street"

"Wings" - one episode - (aired on 12/21/1990) - "A Terminal Christmas"

VIDEO:
The footage...

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NFL: History of the Washington Redskins

Hail to the Redskins!
Well, being from Chicago naturally I am a Bears fan; however, I am a football fan first and I must say that I loved the "History of the Washington Redskins". The 1st disc is very comprehensive, detailing the history of the Redskins and atmosphere of the Washington, DC area in the 50's and 60's and some good insight on the racism of the times, (the owner refused to have Black men on his team, in fact, the Redskins were the last team to have Black men on their roster). The 2nd disc has interviews with prominent Redskin players, Theismann and particularly one of my all time favorite backs Mr. John Riggins!

This is a great dvd set of the Washington Redskins! Now, if NFL Networks would only produce the Minnesota Vikings, the Houston Oilers, the Buffalo Bills and the San Diego Chargers "History of", I would be in football heaven!!

Great item! Go buy!

Hog Heaven
This set includes three documentaries, one each on the '82, '87 and '91 seasons, when the Redskins won their three Super Bowls.

The first part of each documentary deals with regular season play, and features all 28 teams (pre-expansion), with no particular focus on the Redskins until the playoffs. There is particularly good coverage of the '86 Saints, '91 Falcons and the '82 and '91 Cowboys. The best and slickest presentation is reserved for the '91 season.

Highlights:
- Tremendous Cowboy sack on Joe Theismann from the '82 season.

- Darrell Green returning a punt for a touchdown in an NFC playoff against Chicago in a freezing Soldier Field. Walter Payton's last game.

- Second Quarter of Superbowl XXII, of course, when the Redskins score 35 unanswered points.

- The Lions' Barry Sanders scoring a classic TD against the Cowboys in an NFC playoff game.

- Great blocking and tackling throughout from the Redskins. See...

Skinz Rule!!!
Excellent DVD for those who like to reminisce the glory days. Only thing I didn't like about the DVD set is that I felt there weren't enough highlights from the game nor the season. They should show more highlights from each Redskins' game of the season. Perhaps one day they should release a Superbowl series with the entire Superbowl game (from start to finish) in it, instead of just highlights.

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The Three Stooges Collection, Vol. 4: 1943-1945

Completing Curly's best films (yes there are still more to come)
This set completes the better Curly shorts, towards the end of this set he started suffering mini-strokes and the effects show on screen. But for the most part, Curly is still full of energy!

The 21 shorts are:

1943
They Stooge to Conga (wartime. Moe disguises as Hitler!)
Dizzy Detectives
Spook Louder
Back From The Front (wartime)
Three Little Twerps
Higher Than A Kite (wartime)
I Can Hardly Wait (one of the weaker ones, Curly has a bad tooth)
Dizzy Pilots (wartime)
Phony Express
A Gem Of A Jam

1944
Crash Goes The Hash
Busy Buddies
The Yoke's on Me (wartime stereotypes)
Idle Roomers
Gents Without Cents (features "Niagara Falls" routine)
No Dough Boys (wartime)

1945
Three Pests In A Mess (nice cemetery comedy for Halloween)
Booby Dupes (wartime joke at the end of this non-wartime comedy. Stooges go fishing.)
Idiots Deluxe (first evidence of...

Mixed Nuts In A Mixed Bag
THIS IS A FULLY VIEWED REVIEW OF AN ADVANCED COPY FROM SONY PICTURES RECEIVED ON 9/25/08.

A mere five weeks since Sony's third chronological compilation
of Three Stooges shorts dropped, along comes Volume 4. This
set showcases all 21 two reelers from the years 1943-1945.

Although it's not essential to view these shorts in chronological
order, it does help to see how the Stooges' pacing advanced. Their
earlier shorts had a slower pace to them. By this volume,
their manic style of slapstick was at its most feverish pace. And
by viewing them in release order on this set, it is very easy to see the
decline in Curly Howard's health. When viewing the shorts released in
1945, it is clear that Curly's performance has been altered noticeably by
the time "Booby Dupes" is screened.

The shorts on this set have one distinctive theme: they are more
cartoonish than ever before. The plots, such as they are, become...

Another Great Collection!
Sony Pictures is doing an excellent job with releasing the Stooges' films & have done so again in fine fashion with Volume Four! As described on the DVD box, these films represent the final years with Curly before a series of strokes forced him to retire from the act in 1946. This is evidenced in the last couple of shorts from 1945, especially in "If A Body Meets A Body", where it's painfully evident by watching Curly that his mannerisms have slowed & his speech has begun to slur.

Hopefully Sony will continue with the remarkable roll they've been on in releasing the shorts in order, especially the ones with Shemp shorts & even with Joe Besser.

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A Charlie Brown Christmas (Remastered Deluxe Edition)

Wonderful program, disappointing audio
This is one of the most wonderful programs ever put on TV. However, the DVD has some very disappointing sound problems that make me hope that this treasure has not been lost forever, and that maybe there is a better version in our future.

The program, particularly the audio, seems like it has been poorly "restored." However that restoration is more like amateurish remodeling. Old programs are always a little scratchy sounding. That's OK. However, when an bad effort is made to hide that fact, it can spoil the program. Here is what you get in many instances in this DVD, to distacting annoyance:

The children are speaking, with soft jazz music in the background. Where there is a moment without a syllable, the sound level drops, like the volume was turned down for just that moment. Not only does this suck the atmosphere out of the program, and generate noticable odd silent spots in a program with acceptable old fashioned tape hiss at all other moments, but it...

A Gunuine Christmas Classic For All Ages
Perhaps the most endearing of all the Charlie Brown specials is "A Charlie Brown Christmas", the first in a long series of made for t.v. half hour films portraying the famous Peanuts Gang.

For almost forty years, watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas" has been an eagerly anticipated event for millions of households. I recall watching it as far back as twenty-two years ago, and have watched it every Christmas since.

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" was made in a time when commercialism was running rampant all over the country. Stores advertising to shoppers what they ought to buy, long before Thanksgiving had come and gone. Unfortunately, we still see this blatant commercialism today, which makes this short film so very poignant and all the more special.

Charlie Brown is assigned to direct the school Christmas pageant, much to his glee; for he feels accepted and worthy. When Lucy tells him to go out and get an alumminum tree, he takes Linus along with...

My favorite Christmas special
I realize that I am writing this several weeks after Christmas, and this is a Christmas DVD, but this is the first year that I missed watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas" on television, so I rented the DVD. Ever since I was a little boy, this has been my favorite Christmas special, and one that I always looked forward to watching every year. I grew up reading the Peanuts comic strips and I grew up watching the Peanuts Christmas special.

Charlie Brown is depressed. He can't seem to get himself into the Christmas spirit. He doesn't like the commercialism of Christmas and scarcely knows the true meaning of Christmas. Lucy selects Charlie Brown to be the director of their Christmas play and he decides to get a Christmas tree for the production. The other kids tell him to get a "nice shiny aluminum tree, maybe a pink one", but Charlie Brown and Linus bring back a sad looking real tree. Charlie Brown is almost laughed out of the auditorium, but when he asks if anyone knows what...

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Rear Window (Universal Legacy Series)

Rear Window---Newly Restored DVD!!!!
The last few years have seen some classic films that have been given back their old lustre via restoration, including such films as, My Fair Lady, Vertigo, Lawrence Of Arabia to name just a few. These films as well as this film have been restored by the restoration mavericks Robert A. Harris, and James Katz.

I must say after seeing an advance copy of this film that Rear Window looks incredible, especially compared to the Laser Disc copy I have as well as the poor copies that have been showing up on television and VHS over the years.

The colors are vibrant, in particular the reds which don't give a hint of bleeding into the frame, and the image looks I imagine as close to the original as possible given the fact that this film is almost fifty years old now.

The aspect ratio is 1.66:1 which is the proper framing for this film, the sound is the original mono soundtrack and has been scrubbed up to remove any audio imperfections that have built up over the years.

Also included on...

the ultimate Hitchcock classic
The ultimate Hitchcock classic, REAR WINDOW gives us a glimpse into the mind of Alfred Hitchcock, and in turn Hitchcock turns the mirror on us and forces us to admit our darkest desire...to be voyeurs.

That is exactly what Jeffries is. Jeffries (James Stewart) is a wheelchair-bound photographer who spends his time cooped up in his apartment, peeping in on the neighbours across the courtyard. He comes up with "names" for them; Miss Torso the ballerina; Miss Lonely-Hearts; The Newly-Weds and so on. His only contact with the outside world is his girlfriend Lisa (Grace Kelly) and his wisecracking nurse Stella (Thelma Ritter).

Unknowlingly witnessing the murder of Mrs Thorwald, he, along with Lisa and Stella, set out to expose the truth about Mr Thorwald (Raymond Burr) and uncover the mystery of her quick disapperance.

A beautifully-restored print by James Katz and Robert Harris (also responsible for the beautiful new renderings of MY FAIR LADY and VERTIGO), is the...

Hitchcock's Classy Voyeurism Thriller...
One of the joys of Alfred Hitchcock films is his ability to take social taboos, present them in an enticing context, throw in major stars we know and love to perform them, and thus make abhorrent behavior seem attractive! 'Vertigo' is the best-known example of this Hitchcock trait ('Psycho' also comes to mind), but 'Rear Window' is the most fun to watch, because of the appealing combination of James Stewart and Grace Kelly!

Stewart is a photographer, laid-up while recuperating from an accident (cleverly shown through photographs in his studio), who, out of boredom, begins spying on his neighbors. Jimmy Stewart a 'Peeping Tom'? Only Hitchcock could get away with this!

Of course, Kelly, as his high fashion model girlfriend, and Thelma Ritter (who is fabulous as his nurse), are appalled by Stewart's behavior, but are drawn into voyeurism by Stewart's devotion to it, particularly after he witnesses an apparent murder (committed by Raymond Burr, in one of the most...

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Normal

Not quite
It is a good movie. I only gave it three stars because I really got tired of the grieving mother.

The film is about how a fatal accident forever changes the lives of three families. It is a story about the search for forgiveness and redemption. It is also a story about how some people let tragedy destroy themselves and those who love them.

There is an unforgiving grieving mother; a forgotten surviving son; a teenager who made a fatal mistake trying to impress his not-so-perfect best friend; a lonely stepmother; a narcissistic father who cannot connect with his son or new wife; a depressed college professor who no longer has anything in common with his wife and who hates his job; a mentally ill man who is struggling with his own demons; and the girlfriend of the deceased who has already moved on.

The actor who played the man with agoraphobia and other mental illnesses did a superb job.

The tags "transsexual" and "Jessica Lange" have...





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Framed

Karlson continues revenge theme with "Framed"
"Framed" (1975) was legendary film noir director Phil Karlson's first film after the gargantuan success of his 1973 biopic of Tennessee Sheriff Buford Pusser, "Walking Tall." In "Framed", Karlson continues the theme of revenge which has dominated his body of work since the early 1950's. His masterpieces include "Scandal Sheet" (1952), "Kansas City Confidential" (1953) and, of course, "The Phenix City Story" (1955). "Phenix City" is a fact based biopic, along the lines of "Walking Tall," about the murder of the Attorney General Elect of the State of Alabama. Long considered Karlson's greatest achievement, it was made prior to the sentencing of those involved in the Attorney General's murder, and greatly affected the outcome of their trial. "Framed," compares well to Karlson's best works. Karlson always worked on a limited budget. Like Samuel Fuller and Don Siegel, Karlson was a talented and...

In the tradition of Walking Tall...
Baker battles corruption yet again in this worthy follow-up to Walking Tall. All the elements for a classic 70's redneck revenge picture are here: corrupt cops, sicko henchmen, unlikely allies (including Gabe Dell and Brock Peters) and a long-suffering faithful girlfriend (Connie Van Dyke). Joe Don plays Lewis, a bar-owner and gambler who (wait for it) gets framed and is sent to the big house. Befriended by a mobster (John Marley!), Lewis gets enough info and ammo to go after those who took almost everything from him. The violence is brutal and the revenge is quite sweet.
This looks to be Karlson's last movie; if you've seen some of his earlier noirish epics (like Kansas City Confidential and Phenix City Story), you'll know what to expect. This is a GREAT unsung little film.

THE MOST BRUTAL of director Phil Karlson's films is this...his last movie.
As tough a film noir specialist as he was in the 50's...Karlson ignored this part of his MOVIESELF in the early 60's in search of more mainstream success which eluded him. UNTIL WALKING TALL. That film is rough and pretty brutally violent too, but THIS PHIL's swan song is even more violent and even more resonant. The story which is film noir cookie cutter, becomes much more through Karlson's direction and the the screen play (again by Mort Briskin who wrote WALKING TALL) into an indictment of the entire criminal justice system, all politicians, the sadistic prisons, the twisted legal/political entwining which DOES INDEED make the justification the film patent. A late masterpiece from a sorely under-rated director who influenced QUENTIN TARANTINO (RESERVOIR DOGS...SEE THE "EAR SCENE" IN FRAMED w/ cast OUT-OF-CHARACTER PAUL MANTEE Robinson Crusoe On Mars) and probably every Italian director of crime thrillers at the time too. Great performances from ALL in this cast. Especially...

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The Beverly Hillbillies: The Official Second Season

While waiting for the Official First Season...
...there is much to enjoy about the release of this Official Second Season (1963-1964).

I did submit to Amazon to change the format in the product listing to "black & white" rather than "color" as they have it described at the moment, since this season was filmed entirely in black & white and perhaps not everyone would know that (or think the releasing studio had colorized these disks).

*EDITED OCTOBER 30: I see Amazon did finally change the format to black & white for this set, so that is good to know there is less likely to be any potential for confusion.*

Since there is as of today not a listing of episodes contained in this set, I thought I would type the titles of all 36 full-length episodes (especially as there is apparently some cross-over for those buyers of the various collections regarding episodes...).

Jed Gets the Misery 09-25-63
Hair Raising Holiday 10-02-63
Granny's Garden 10-09-63
Elly Starts to School...

A Classic Series--Done Right!
With so many recent releases being comprised of incomplete and altered versions of our beloved classic TV shows, it's smart to wait and decide to purchase (or not) well after the release date. It seems that the firestorms of complaint following releases such as THE FUGITIVE SEASON TWO VOL. ONE have been noticed, at least for the time being. I must say that THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES OFFICIAL SECOND SEASON set is of far higher quality than I expected. Yes, this is the complete second season, with excellent picture (a bit grainy at times, but overall superb) and sound transfers of every episode...but most important, the episodes are complete and with the original music as far as I can tell. It's nice to see a good bit of bonus material here too; the original sponsor opening and closings are great segments that have been lost to time over the years. Some of the closing segments are continuations of the episodes themselves and extend the episodes by several minutes; for example, the third...

Superlative!
Having already owned these episodes as released by MPI from Paul Henning's personal 16mm prints, I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Paramount's release.

I was thrilled to see that not only are the original sponsor openings and cast commercials included, but you have the option of watching with them INTEGRATED INTO THE SHOW via seamless branching! That's a feature even the "Ultimate Collection" couldn't boast... there, the sponsor clips were available only in a supplemental section.

The prints are much better here, too, with the exception of the opening and closing credits, which appear to be sourced from Henning's 16mm prints. Nonetheless, Parmount did a tremendous job on this release.

What a thrill to watch these episodes EXACTLY as originally broadcast. And what a trip, in our politically correct age, to see the Hillibillies actually smoking!

Thanks, Paramount, for not insulting our intellect by "deciding for us" what is or is not...

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Random Hearts & Hanover Street (2-pack)

Good Harrison Ford combo pack
Both of these movies are enjoyable; my preference is Hanover Street for a number of reasons, not the least of which are some of the runway scenes with the superbly restored B-25 bombers. Unless the dialog was dubbed, which i doubt, Christopher Plummer's German and French are impressive; OK, he's Canadian so the French is no surprise, but his German sounds near native. LeslIe Ann Down is very easy to watch. In my estimation, Hanover Street is a much underappreciated movie. Random Hearts has an interesting story line. Good entertainment.

Randon Hearts & Hanover Street
Loved both DEV's. Was a baby in Eng. in WW2, so certainly enjoyed seeing that movie, and Randon Hearts, just loved that movie, seen it 2 or 3 times already.

Two Good Movies I Purchased from Amazon
"Hanover Street" has excellent actors - Harrison Ford and the beautiful Lesley-Anne Down. It is a romantic action/drama that takes place during war-torn Europe. You see how three people's lives are unintentionally intertwined, and I felt sympathy for each of them. The movie has a very surprising ending, and it made me realize how often fate comes into our lives.

"Random Hearts" is an intriguing mystery and, again, Harrison Ford plays his role very well.

I felt this double feature 2-DVD set was a good buy from Amazon for the entertainment it provided and for the price I paid. I will buy several more to give as gifts to my famiy members.

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Otoboku: Maidens Are Falling For Me Vol. 3: Androgynous Antics

With the school year almost over....
Takako is trying to figure out if Mizuho is a friend or foe. At the same time Mariya is unsure how she feels about her new feelings towards Mizuho. On one hand Mizuho has Mariya aviod him while fighting his nerves about his performance in the up comeing play. Helping Kana with her play seems to help both of them. During Romeo and Juliet there is a mishap that spices up the play. After the play Takako seems to be falling for Mizuho and Mariya;s feeling are just as string even though she catches a cold.

As Mizuho tries to find out what is wrong with her he is asked to go to the dance by Takako as the elder sister so he can dance with the girls that come without dates. To me this is a funny exchange but you also see warnings on the walls for the girls to be on the look out for stange people. That plays a role later on how his secret is discovered.

Mizuho finally takes the direct apporch and asks Mariya what is wrong and she asks him to take her on a date. As they...

Otoboku: Maidens Are Falling For Me Vol. 3: Androgynous Antics
this is a great dvd to get if you do not have it yet. You should get it
ty for selling

Good ending to a good series
It's a good end to a good series. The final episode is a parody of Cinderella missed with elements of Snow White. I too wish the final episode was done like the rest of the series, but it was funny. This DVD also includes a music video from the series.

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Sleeping Beauty (Two-Disc Platinum Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo + BD Live) [Blu-ray]

Still Looks Great
I vividly remember the release of Sleeping Beauty. I was old enough to go see it myself - just barely. There I was sitting way up front eating my popcorn and all of a sudden this spectacular dragon materialized right before my eyes. Popcorn forgotten, I was hooked. Cartoons never looked the same to me, and I spent the rest of my life inhaling fantasy and science fiction on a quest for the same thrill.

Animation has changed quite a bit in the ensuing years, but even today Sleeping Beauty is a towering achievement. Now I'm more sensitive to the tricks of the art and can see the masterful use of perspective that made the scenes leap out at you. When I first picked up this DVD I half expected to be disappointed, to find it really wasn't so glorious in retrospect. This is hardly the case - this film is just as vibrant and alive as it was in 1959.

The added dimension now is that I can see how Disney's work was a formative influence on animation even today. Artist/Directors like...

A Restored Disney Classic with Bonuses
This movie is one of the great classics of animation, especially for Disney. The DVD version is significantly improved compared to the previous VHS tape. The picture and sound were both greatly enhanced for this release. Furthermore, both widescreen and full screen versions are available in this package.

As with Disney's other classics, some liberties were taken with the original story of Sleeping Beauty. Disney took the classic story and made it unique and special. In some ways the story is less violent and dark than the original fairy tale. In other ways, such as the portrayal of Maleficent, the movie is dark and forbidding. While the movie is generally a children's movie, Maleficent's dragon and her general demeanor can be somewhat frightening for some in the pre-school and younger set.

Aurora was the first love for many a young boy, and was also the model for the aspirations of millions of girls. The romantic love story of Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip enchanted...

Dark and brooding, with excellent intentions.
Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" is one of the most macabre and dark pictures ever. The tale of good versus evil is magically brought to life through an astonishing visual display of elite and sinister animation, combined with our heroes and villians, and a well-rendered musical score that is taken from the very music of Tchaikovsky. There is no doubt about it: this is a meticulous and excellently crafted motion picture which remains one of Disney's most ambitious and intriguing.

The story remains the same: the princess Aurora is born into King Stephen's royal court, the pride and joy of all the kingdom, where celebrations and gifts are bestowed upon the small child. Tragedy strikes when the lone misfit of the kingdom, the evil and crafty Malificent, rains on their parade to place a curse on the child: "Before the sun sets on her 16th birthday, she shall prick her finger on a spindle of a spinning wheel, and die!" The kingdom is in peril with this news, and so the...

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Jack Frost (Remastered Deluxe Edition)

Another extraordinary film by Romeo Muller!
"Jack Frost" tells the story of how the wintry sprite is transformed by his love for someone very special to him! And the great voice actor Paul Frees (best known as the voice of Boris Badenov in "The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle") does an amazing job as the voice of the villain, Kubla Kraus. Don't miss him singing the "Rub-a-Dub" song! (Which is usually cut from TV broadcasts of this film.) "Jack Frost" is another extraordinary film by Romeo Muller, who also wrote the classic Animagic, Rankin/Bass Christmas films, "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Frosty the Snowman," among many other enchanting tales.

Who's that nipping at your nose?
"Jack Frost" has always been one of my favorite Rankin/Bass Christmas specials. Because it was not aired as often as "Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer" or "Frosty the Snowman," there was always something special about it. It was more of a treat when I got to see it. Also, it had knights, castles and a steam-powered horse, which was a big bonus for me as a child.

This is an animagic production, with stop-motion puppets instead of cell animation. The story is winter-focused rather than Christmas focused. Jack Frost, an invisible elf who can never participate in the joy he brings to the humans, falls in love with a human girl. He petitions Father Winter to grant him humanity and give him the chance to win her love. The villain of the story is Kublah Krause, the Cossack King. He gets the best song. "I'm Kublah Krause, I could have been a Shogun, but there are no Samurai around here, there's the rub, there's the rub..."

The only holiday...

cherish it!
if you apprecaite classics and want something to enjoy every christmas season, then buy this! i have been watching this movie every christmas for the last 5 years. its a good movie with a kinda sad ending, but totally worth it! you just gotta love the animation style, and the story isn't fluffy like some movies tend to be.

its just a great christams movie

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The Note

How perfect! Francis, McGinley and a story of HOPE!
What a wonderful film! I loved it! Genie Francis and Ted McGinley are smashing!! In The Note, Francis is Peyton MacGruder, a human-interest columnist told to increase her readership or move on. When a plane crash nearby kills everyone onboard, Peyton happens across a note addressed simply to "T." Peyton holds close the note's contents. She simply pledges to find the intended recipient and chronicle the search in her column. . . and readership zooms. Along the way, through the people she meets--and her friendship with McKinley's character, a fellow reporter--she finds her "voice," herself, and more. No spoilers: just know that no life is left untouched . . . and twists abound. Leaves you better than it found you! Buy this one, you'll want to see this one over and over again!

My two-cents worth
This will be buried among all the glowing reviews, but I wanted to share my thoughts. The message of forgiveness in this movie comes through loud and clear. It is uplifting and inspiring in many ways.
But for me the chemistry between the lead characters lacked something. I know that is in direct contrast to what so many have said, but it was my honest reaction. I do not watch soap operas or today's sitcoms, so I have no history with either of the lead characters--I just based my feelings on what I saw in this movie and I had a hard time believing they would end up together.
Another comment, about the "edited movie" review. That is what actually convinced me to buy this. I had heard that when first aired on TV the movie was clean, but contained multiple uses of the Lord's name as an exclamation, so I had avoided it. After reading the complaint that it was edited I figured, "What else would they edit?" and I gave it a try. I was pleased to be able to watch the movie without...

Must Have Movie
I am looking forward to this movie being on DVD. I fell in love with it when it premiered on the Hallmark Channel in 2007. I caught it each time it came on and was delighted when it was shown again this past summer. Its message is timeless. It is well written with a twist of romance and a hint of humor. Genie Francis has been one of my favorite actresses and does an amazing job. She brings much emotion to the story and makes it so real. Ted McGinley became my favorite leading man. He and Genie have great chemistry. This is a must see for all.

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Wagon Train - Going West

Mixed feelings about WT: Going West
Wagon Train is my all time favorite TV series. Therefore I have purchased this set and want to encourage any company releasing an authorized DVD set. The packaging is fine. Picture quality is good, but not outstanding, for a b&w TV show if its era.
Anyone who buys this set expecting to see Major Adams yelling at Flint and Flint smiling back will be disappointed. This set contains 3 episodes from the second half of season 4 (all filmed after Ward Bond's death), 2 episodes from season 5 (the last year Robert Horton played Flint McCullough), 6 episodes from season 6, and one episode from season 8. Major Adams (Ward Bond) does not appear in any of these episodes. Flint McCullough appears moderately in one episode (Lt. Burton, an episode with all the regulars at that time) & minimally in campfire scenes framing The Nellie Jefferson Story. With its heavy emphasis on season 6 this DVD set would be a good choice for a WT fan whose favorite character is Duke Shannon. There are a couple...

NO WARD BOND, BUT STILL PLEASURABLE VIEWING
This three disc set of "Wagon Train," containing 12 black and white episodes, is a welcome addition to any fan's collection of 1950's/60's TV westerns. You won't find TV icon Ward Bond, the original wagonmaster of "WT," in this set but craggy John McIntire does his usual solid, fatherly job leading sodbusters, gamblers, and spinsters from St. Joseph, Missouri to California. Along for the ride are Robert Horton, Terry Wilson, Frank McGrath, Robert Fuller, and Denny Miller. Timeless Media Group has done their usual fine job producing a compilation of shows featuring excellent guest stars. The picture quality rates an "8" overall, with the expected streaks and specks, but the audio is excellent. Hopefully, a set featuring Ward Bond as wagonmaster will be forthcoming from TMG. Thank you for reading my review and here's a rundown of the episodes (including the year and episode number) and featured performers:

1 John Gillman Story (year 8, episode 3) Bobby Darin, Whit...

Wagon Train Going West....GREAT !
Wagon Train Going West has been everything we expected it to be.
If you enjoy watching the older western shows, this one is a must.
We actually enjoyed this one so much that we ordered the 16pc disc
set of the complete color season of Wagon Train. It is great. I
would highly reccommend it.

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Ultimate Edition - Upper Body Waves the next level - Popping Dance Level 2 to 3

Ultimate Edition - Upper Body Waves the next level - Popping Dance Level 2 to 3






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4 Film Favorites: Hugh Grant (An Awfully Big Adventure, Mickey Blue Eyes, Music and Lyrics, Two Weeks Notice)

What a great set!
This collection comes on two DVDs. I hadn't seen Mickey Blue Eyes or An Awfully Big Adventure when I purchased, but I bought it because I really enjoyed Music and Lyrics as well as Two Weeks Notice. However, I really enjoyed MBEs and AABA!

Just a note, Big Adventure is a very adult show. It has strong sexual themes and references. Artiscally and psychologically appealing however, with an emotional moral.

Three great movies, worth the price
Three of the four movies are great (my definition of pleasant distraction). The purpose of a movie, for me, is not to solve major problems or to have a hero or heroine. For me, a simple, funny mix that gives a happy ending, an expected ending. This equals relaxation when I have down time. Hugh Grant is great at being an attractive lead while being effortlessly funny. Have not been able to get into Big Awful Adventure, but three of four give what I purchased the DVD for.

pretty good collection
Good collection for the Hugh Grant fan with 2 movies when he wasn't so well-known, so that's a nice treat. Good value for the collector or movie addict. Nice addition for the Bridget Jones movies for your library.

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4 Film Favorites: Elvis Presley Musicals (Girl Happy / Kissin' Cousins / Live a Little, Love a Little / Tickle Me)

4 Elvis Presley Musicals -Warner Brothers
This 4 pack of Elvis treats was an Elvis fan delight.It starts with Kissing Cousins with double the Elvis. Elvis is surrounded by a passel of beauties. He gets to sing to his hearts delight and still gets into a fight with himself. With the movie "Live a little,Love a little" you have one of the most adult Elvis movies. It streches the boundries of reality with vivid weird dreams and boundless sexual humour. It's nice to see Dick Sargent and Rudy Vallee in this movie, but Don Porter seems miscast. Elvis's dad makes a quick non-speaking cameo. Blink and you may miss him. Overall a good Elvis movie. (his dog is neat too).In "Girl Happy" we have the classic Elvis as a singer. He then falls for Shelly Fabares. Shelly is wonderful in this role! We also have the sultry Mary Ann Mobley who steals the spotlight with her gorgous acting. This is a fun filled singing Elvis farce that will delight almost all Elvis fans. Int h final film, "Tickle Me" we have fun filled Elvis romp in the desert fat...

Mulit-Film Review
When I first saw this set, I said how can you go wrong with 4 Elvis movies for $12? Here's my take: Two are good, Two are not so good. Clearly the winners here are "Girl Happy" and "Tickle Me". Sure these movies are silly, but it is all part of the simple, carefree times in the mid 1960's. I remember them well. "Girl Happy" is a solid Elvis Movie with Shelley Fabares in the leading role. You can't go wrong with this one. She is in my top 5 of Elvis's leading ladies. "Tickle Me" is also fun entertainment with lesser known Jocelyn Lane as Elvis's love interest. She is also in my top 5 picks for leading lady. It is so much fun to see her in no less than 6 different outfits. You won't be able to take your eyes off her. She is flat out hot! "Live a Little, Love a Little" is the worst Elvis movie I have ever seen. It was so bad, I could't watch any more after the first 1/2 hour. "Kissin' Cousins" rates a little better but not nearly as enjoyable as the first two. Overall, you can't go wrong...

Elvis Deal !!
Where else can one get 4 Elvis flicks for a bargain? Here we have 4 great movies for the price of one. If you're just starting your Elvis movie collection or re-building in DVD, start here. "Live Alittle, Love A Little" is my favorite.

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War - Greatest Hits Live

Surprisingly good
I WAS WORRIED THAT THIS WOULD BE BAD. Usually "Greatest Hits" live albums contain bad, short versions of the hits. The studio versions are typically better. But, the songs are all stretched out and played in new and interesting ways.

I WAS WORRIED THAT THE BAND WOULD BE LAME. The only original member of the band was Lonnie Jordan. Only one other member of the group, Sal Rodriguez, had been with the band more than 10 years. I thought that this would either be like a tribute band, or that the musicians would not really be into the songs. In groups like this, with only one orginal member, the backup guys don't really sound like belong in the band and just throw in solos here and there. But, in this case, the band sounds very cohesive.

It is a concert video, so it includes all of the chit chat. That isn't good for a CD, but I think it is appropriate for DVD where you want to get a feel for the concert. It is kind of embarrassing to see the audience, and then...

If you are in to vomiting, watch this video...
A very, very difficult video to watch, especially if you are a purist as I am. I dig an original sound by original cats. Before I continue, I'll say the video quality is very nice, however I feel too far away from the action to really feel as if I was there, so in that aspect, it's quite generic.

I understand people move on as time goes by, and original band members fight, but if that's the case, why not play new material and call it Lonnie Jordan & friends. Or at least perform the Lonnie Jordan type tunes like "Don't Let No One Get You Down" or "Deliver The Word". It's hard for me to hear "The World Is A Ghetto" without B.B. Dickerson singing it. He had a great voice.

Somebody bought me this for a birthday gift, and I did not know what to expect, but to see "War" performing Gypsy Queen, Iron Man, Shotgun, etc....WHAT A JOKE!

And where is the music? All I got was this nut talking the whole way through the show, regardless if it is within the...

WAR GREATEST HITS
I COULD NOT STOP SINGING AND GROOVING TO THESE OLDIES... YOU COULD NOT ASK FOR A BETTER SELECTION OF WARS SONGS. I AM SO GLAD I BROUGHT THIS!!

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CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - The Eighth Season

One of the best seasons of the series yet
Warning: slight spoilers ahead.

You'd figure that for a show going on it's eighth season (a season shortened by the WGA strike to boot) that things would get a bit stale to say the least, especially considering the horde of network TV imitators to pop up since it's original inception. Fear not, C.S.I. still manages to keep going strong, and it picks up by grabbing the viewer by the throat and not letting go either. Grissom (William L. Petersen) and his team race against time to find and save Sara (Jorja Fox) as her life hangs in the balance, which eventually leads up to her departure from Vegas, as well as a heartbroken Grissom. Things don't get much better for the crew as Catherine (Marg Helgenberger) receives a threat, and Warrick's (Gary Dourdan) life begins to spin out of control, leading him to be charged for murder, and concludes in the explosive season finale which only promises more changes to come. While some moments may come off as a bit hackneyed, C.S.I...

Brilliant again :-)
My favourite show never fails to deliver the goods. This is a fantastic season, despite the depature of Jorja Fox (Sara). Surprisingly, there was hardly any fanfare when she left (not on screen anyway). Her relationship with Grisolm was only beginning to take off for the viewers and before it could really get off the ground, she was gone.
In the first episode, Dead Doll, the team race against the clock to find Sara who has been left for dead in the heat of the desert. That was one of the best episodes. My next favourite episode was A La Carte where they investigate a beheaded teen from a go-cart accident. Then in Cockroaches and Lying Down With Dogs, we start to see Warrick in a whole different light - drugs and alcohol and he's framed for a murder in these two episodes. The final show for this season is called For Gedda in which Warrick is accused of murdering a famous Vegas gangster and even he is uncertain of his guilt or innocence. What happens at the end of this episode will...

...if not for the price.
okay, some may say, "4 stars for a superb season of CSI?" well, as a season, CSI - The Complete Eighth Season is above a five star. with a gutwrenching opening episode in "Dead Doll". two of the funniest episodes ever in "You Kill Me" and "Two and a Half Deaths", the heartbreaking departure of one of our favorite CSI's (not saying for those who haven't seen), a terrific crossover episode with Without a Trace, and the scream inducing last minutes of the season in "For Gedda" where one of the CSI's life may and probably is over. so why 4 instead of 5 stars? The price. Seasons 1 - 7 all had around the same price, but seasons 1 - 7 had like 23 to 25 episodes each. Season 8 has only 17 episodes, only 5 discs and pretty much the same amount of extras as previous seasons. Okay, they do give us the Without a Trace crossover episodes in full, but $85 bucks guys? what are the discs made of? Gold? I love CSI more than any other show, but i'm very unhappy with CBS decision to make the dvd...

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Ghost Hunters: Season Four, Part 1

Excellent Show!
This is a fantastic show! I got hooked on it last year and rented the previous seasons. I bought season 4 and will have to purchase the rest too. I agree, the music is a little annoying...I too want to hear what they do. The other thing I didn't like is the case the DVD's come in. They are kind of hard to pop out being stacked together. It's not a normal DVD case. Love the show though. Can't wait to see more. :0

The forerunner in Paranormal Reality TV
Obviously one of (if not the best) reality show on TV. Plenty of action in a very interesting field. The guys and gals are great and the team of Steve and Tango work really well--sometimes adding laughs during a serious investigation--A must see for anybody even remotely interested in ghosts or life after death.

investigators at their best
I love this series and have bought every DVD offered so far. The TAPS team is very proffessional. They do not tell someone a place is haunted just because that's what the person wants to hear. They always have to have evidence to back it up. While not every case is a edge of your seater, the TAPS team does come across some pretty amazing things. If you're interested in the paranormal and want to see investigations done right, then you need this series.

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Survivorman: Season 2

Survivorman Season 2 (4 DVD Set)
Recordable DVD-Rs used for this with standard lables printed on a laserjet printer.
Pretty crappy presentation with no menus and only 2 episodes per disc.
No extras, no documentation, barely readable artwork and $1 worth of DVD-Rs
I would recommend just TiVo-ing the series and save the $$.

Survivorman GREAT But...
Survivorman, as always, is GREAT!!! But the DVD is very poor. No menus, no directory, nothing...You have no idea where you are in the DVD, and they even placed the end of one episode in the same chapter as the beginning of another episode. My ONLY complaint is the DVD itself, not the contents!

Almost as good.....
In reading the fine print, this set is made by amazon, not discovery channel. But....
If you don't mind not having menus and chapters, then this dvd set is fine.
It seems they just recorded it off TV. Video quality is pretty good, but the sound is off a bit.
Otherwise, its a good buy.

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America Stories of War: 24 DVD Collection

100 hours of military history documentaries
AMERICA: STORIES OF WAR from MILL CREEK ENTERTAINMENT is a 24 disc war documentary set-- a total of 100 hours of programming. All DVDs are single-side, dual-layer recorded. Several of the documentaries included here are licensed exclusively to this manufacturer. Audio and video transfer quality is generally quite good, but does depend in some cases on condition of vintage stock footage.

This package is also available in combination with the COMBAT CLASSICS 50 MOVIE PACK in the AMERICA: STORIES OF WAR 36 DVD COLLECTION. This unique set comes stored in a sturdy replica ammo box, along with a 40-page contents booklet.

Overview of DOCUMENTARIES--

AMERICA DIVIDED (2008) - Includes vintage maps, photos, newspapers and art, plus re-enactor footage and animated break-downs of troop movements during battle. Narration:...

Steven G.
There is much here. The Civil War videos were good, as they take the viewer through the war with re-enactments and photos. Fair, even-handed and informative, as well as entertaining.

The World War I portion was easily the WORST of the lot. It had a chance to be very good, but they employ a narrator who clearly was over his head with this assignment. If you want to describe the First World War, you had better be comfortable pronouncing the names of French, Russian and German generals and statesmen, as well place names. If not, get some help with people who do. I found myself getting constantly distracted with the awful mis-pronunciations, and that made it hard to enjoy the films, which otherwise actually included some great footage. (Maybe I should listen with the sound turned down?)

The World War II discs were clearly the best. I'll take off a few points for the propaganda, but the footage was spectacular, and many included some very useful maps and diagrams...

100 hours of War for a low price
This amazing collection by Mill Creek Entertainment contains over 100 hours of content, featuring documentary footage and rare photographs covering the last 150 years of American conflict. Some of this footage has been exclusively produced for Mill Creek Entertainment, with battle re-enactments and rare interviews included in this material. This 24 DVD set comes packaged in our new and exclusive Amaray case that is eye-catching and product protective. This DVD set is sure to be a must-have for any history buff and will make a phenomenal gift item.

Contains the following Mill Creek releases:

Civil War - America Divided
WWI - The War To End All Wars
Great Battles
War in Europe
War in the Pacfic
Victory at Sea
Korea: The Forgotten War
Vietnam: America's Conflict

appox. 102 mins

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