Saving Face [HD]

Funny and poignant
I recently had the immense pleasure of seeing "Saving Face" a few days ago. I must say it is refreshing to see a Chinese film where the writing is consistent and good as is the acting. What makes "Saving Face" even more special is that two of the main characters Wil (Michelle Krusiec) and Vivian (Lynn Chen)are lovers. To see two Asian women as lovers on the big screen is quite the momentous occasion for Asian and homsexual people alike.

The film takes place in Flushings, New York. Wil is a surgical resident who is forced to take in her mother Ma (Joan Chen), a 48 year old widow, when it is revealed that she is pregnant and refuses to tell her father who the father of her unborn child is. Ma is disowned therefore ends up moving in with Wil. This happens just right around the time when Wil meets Vivian (Lynn Chen) and begins to fall for her.

I found the writing of the film very consistent and does a good job of covering all the bases from Wil's relationships with...

Ma
My 48 year old mother is pregnant, has shown up at my doorstep with a suitcase and to top it off I have just discovered the joys of love...now what am I going to do?

Ma is like an alien in NYC though she has lived in Flushing Queens for years in that she speaks no English and has lived in the insular confines of her parent's home. That is until her father throws her out for not naming the father of her unborn child.

Wilhelmina (Michelle Krusiec) is a surgeon, has a very nice apartment in the Lower East Side of NYC and likes Women. She has almost no free time to date, is always at the hospital working and to put it bluntly: Ma showing up on her doorstep asking for shelter is an imposition...to say the least.

But, in Alice Wu's "Saving Grace" this "imposition" naturally evolves into a re-connection between Wil and her mother that also blossoms into a deeply loving and respectful relationship. Wu, who also wrote as well as directs here has fashioned a...

I've looked at life from both sides now
This is a rather cute romantic comedy set in the Chinese community in one section of New York about a widowed mother who discovers that she is pregnant and who prefers not to disclose who the father of the unborn child is.

To complicate matters, her daughter is a successful doctor who has great potential in her chosen profession who does not have the time or apparent inclination to seek out a mate for herself.

The choice of New York as the backdrop for this tale is symbolic in the city's role as a gateway to the new world. The tale itself is replete with contrasts of new versus old culture, old family forms and authority structures versus the new, old versus new cultures etc. In one scene mother and daughter are having two conversations with|not with each other: the mother addresses her daughter in Chinese, the daughter addresses her mother in English.

As the movie proceeds the viewer is drawn into the tale almost imperceptibly so much so that one...

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Planes (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy)

It's a movie for KIDS!
Maybe there should be a law that only children should review movies for
children. Asking some adult critic to get off his/her lofty perch and
roll around in the mud of childhood might be a bit of a stretch.

Is "Planes" bland, derivative pablum with a "feel-good" message? Sure,
if you are over 30. I was lucky to see it with my 8-year-old grandson
and his two similarly aged friends. They loved it and talked about the
characters all evening.

Being Disney, it had excellent graphics, funny sight gags and naughty
references that flew (literally at times) over the heads of the kiddies
(vasectomies figure big here). If you are an adult who loves airplanes,
there are cartoon versions of some real beauties especially the Gee Bee
Super Sportster, a barrel-shaped monster from the 1930's, and the
stolid F4U Corsair, modeled after WWII ace Ira Kepford's bird.

As far as the plot; that's unimportant. It is indeed...

Planes not just for Kids
I took my 2 year old to see this twice. He is a huge cars fan so I thought what the heck he will love this.....was I ever so right!! Not only did he sit still the entire movie, I too enjoyed it as well. Would definitely recommend this to any Disney/Pixar collector!!!

A MUST have for our collection
The most important part...my two sons LOVE IT!! I can't wait to give this to them for Christmas. I showed my 3 1/2 yr old and my 18month old the trailer the night before and they were glued to the TV. I took my 3 1/2 year old to see it the next day. It was only his second movie theater experience--the first was the most recent Ice Age movie and we left because he could care less about Ice Age. But he knows the Cars movies by heart, and he can relate to them. He sat through the entire movie, quietly, enthralled in it! I didn't take the little one because I was afraid he wouldn't be able to sit through it-- I wish I would have. Now they both love anything related to Planes. Lil one asks EVERY DAY to watch the trailer on my phone--over, and over, and over! I love to hear him try to say "Chupacabra"! Oldest got to actually build Chupacabra at Lowe's Build and Grow clinic. "Chupe" has flown many miles since! AWESOME kids movie! I just wish I could get it today!

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The Matrix Revolutions [HD]

Creative and Engaging...More to come?
Very good movie. Very intense action, but like the first two installments the plot is paramount. You can't take this movie at face value. It requires thought and analysis - and if you are able to give it some thought, I think you will enjoy it. I would also recommend checking out Reloaded within a day or so of going to see Revolutions.

Revolutions is Neo's continuing quest to figure out his purpose. The basic plot starts out in two directions - first, the machines moving towards Zion attempting to destroy the remaining humans who are freed. In addition, Agent Smith has made his way out of the Matrix into the "real world" in the form of Bane. Neo has found that his powers exists outside of the Matrix and now Smith has done the same. I equate Smith to a computer virus that continues to adapt. Smith is Neo's dramatic foil and the Oracle tells Neo that he and Smith are "negative twins".

Break for the very long intense fight between the humans and machines...

More action than reality-bending sci-fi
Let's get one thing straight: "The Matrix Revolutions" has none of the reality-bending plot twists nor the eye-opening originality of the first. The final chapter in the trilogy is an altogether different type of movie. Although it cannot compete against the original, it competes strongly against other entries in the action/adventure genre. With the requisite battle scenes that pit the underdog against a superpower, "The Matrix Revolutions" is a fast-paced, adrenalin-packed movie that owes its entertainment to action and special effects. Despite this, the viewer must listen and watch carefully, as in the other two, to understand why events unfold as they do.

The plot is difficult to detail without spoilers since many of the most shocking revelations come at the beginning, before the high-stakes battle scenes begin. Let it suffice to say that Neo has become something more than we thought, and as a result, he is much more of a threat to the nefarious virus...

A vast number of bad calls trashes the series.
I am dumbfounded at how many people actually gave this film five stars. Imagine if Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Lea where all given bit part roles to play in the final movie of the trilogy and Jabba the Hut, a Jawa, a Storm Trooper and an Ewok where made the central focus characters? Would you like that? Well this is EXACTLY what Revolutions does!

Okay so Terminator 3 was no Terminator 1 or 2, but it was satisfactory! Return of the Jedi was the weakest of the series but that too was satisfactory. Star Wars Ep.1 was nothing like the originals but again at least it was satisfactory.

Revolutions is nothing like the above. It is more akin to the kind of sabotage that we see in movie remakes!

The filmmakers obviously have absolutely no idea what made the first film so good. Reloaded and Revolutions have gone down the road of Disney cartoons instead of staying on the patch of action comic book type appeal. It was a tremendously bad call by the filmmakers to focus...

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Elysium

Damonysium Baby
Not quite 5-stars but it's ambitious, fast, thrilling and at times fantastic.

The visuals deliver the goods, just amazing, with a tip of the hat to the gritty look and feel of District 9. Also, and this is key, the fight and action scenes are intense and immersive. You feel like you are in them as you watch.

The plot is the classic Hollywood story split, and suspension of disbelief is a must to get the full ride from this movie. Part of the story takes place on Elysium , a highly secure, space habitat for the rich and wealthy. The other part of the story takes place on a wild and hairy 2154 Earth A.D. These stories evolve on their own and then merge to get the sparks flying.

The acting is solid as you would expect. Everyone gives pretty tight performances that help make the movie that much more entertaining.

In all, good sci-fi entertainment, that does what good sci-fi does: use the future to make you think about the present. It's a solid...

A Movie That Asks You To Think ... Just Not Too Hard
I don't mind brainless sci-fi. Sometimes it's nice just to have something cool to look at for awhile. Also, I have no problem with movies that moralize. It's great to question things, propose new ideas, or just point at injustices in the hopes of raising awareness. I DO, however, have a problem when a movie ends up being both, especially since a lot of the time it ends up accidentally trivializing something I usually already care about. Case in point: Elysium.

The story concerns Max, a reformed criminal who lives in a futuristic, devastated Los Angeles. The world, ravaged by pollution and overpopulation, is now filled with nothing but the poor and lower classes. If you're lucky, like Max, you have a job. In his case, he works for Armadyne, the company that produces the robots that police and monitor the world. All of the wealthiest people in the world, meanwhile, have created Elysium, a utopian space colony in orbit high above Earth, where they live in unbelievably...

Above average sci-fi movie
I have never been a hardcore sci-fi fan but this movie definitely has a nice light scifi feel to it.

This movie has a similar feel to District 9 but with a bigger budget and more star power. Money and actors are definitely not the way to an instant classic but it definitely helps in this case, especially when the star power is Matt Damon.

This is the kind if movie that gives me hope that I can enjoy the sci fi genre. It feels to me that scifi rarely gets the Hollywood treatment, and when it does it is full of cliches and melodrama. I am happy to say that this movie is an exception.

What I really appreciated with this movie was that many scenes could have easily gone a certain way but instead the movie makes a slight tweak to liven things up. Even the gun battle sequences seemed to have something fresh to them.

If I had to choose I would still watch district 9 first but this movie was still fantastic. I think that if you are looking at this...

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Scrooged [HD]

Great looking blu ray !
Other reviewers have commented on their likes or dislikes for this 1988 Christmas movie starring Bill Murray. I'm a Bill Murray fan and I love this movie. What I want to comment on in this brief review is the quality of the blu ray transfer. I'm happy to report that the transfer is excellent! Finally fans of Scrooged can enjoy watching Frank Cross discover the true meaning of Christmas in beautiful hi-def. I'm so tired of buying a blu ray of a favorite movie and getting something that looks worst than standard-def. This is NOT the case with Scrooged. It looks and sounds great. Buy and enjoy.

A very Scroogey Holiday Classic
Bill Murray is the new Scrooge in the classic tale done yet again. I remember a reviewer giving it a low rating because he said it seemed as though Murray's character really didn't like people. Helllooo, isn't that what actors are supposed to do? This version of the old Chrsitmas tale is a good retelling of the story. Murray is mean to everyone including his only brother (played by his real younger brother). The 3 spirits that visit Frank Cross (Murray's role) are wacky to say the least. Carol Kane plays the ghost of Christmas present and is probably the funniest of the spirits. Murray has this act down pat. He's a big t.v. exec and fires Elliot Laudermilk (Bobcat Goldthwait) just for disagreeing with him. By the way, his fires Laudermilk on Christmas eve.

Alfre Woodard plays his longsuffering assistant and tries to be Cross' conscience since he doesn't have one of his own. In the visit to Christmas past we learn that television played the biggest role in raising...

Do you really NEED to read a review?
Since the first time I ever saw this movie, I have watched it a few times a year, never tiring of the modern take on the Dickens classic. Bill Murray is excellently cast as cold hearted TV exec Frank Cross and with each scene, the movie draws you ever-closer to the Christmas feeling.

I watch this EVERY Christmas Eve and no matter how bad a year you've had, by the time this movie finishes and it's time to go to bed before Father Christmas comes, you'll be in the true Spirit of the Season.

I've yet to meet someone who doesn't lean towards this as their movie of choice for the festive period. And now... I finally get to see it on DVD!

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The Lone Ranger (2013)

From the Eyes of a part Native
I wondered why so many gave this movie a negative review when I really like this movie so I read those reviews and I'd like to address some of the more confusing aspects to the story.

First the disclaimers: 1). If one goes to the super market and shops for steak and only brings home cheese, then one is diss-appointed, but if one goes for cheese and brings home some of the best cheese out there then they should feel elated. When you see this movie expect over the top action, funny sequences and a modern retake of the original interplay between the Lone Ranger and Tonto. Don't expect this to be a somber tribute or the old TV series and you'll be able to enjoy it for what it is.

2). I'm only part native but I have been asked "What tribe are you from?" by perfect strangers before I've had the chance to speak more than three words to them.

There are plenty of reviews praising this movie and some reviews which don't understand certain things. I can't shed...

"The Lone Ranger" with a twist!
We were fortunate enough to have seen a sneak preview of "The Lone Ranger" at the theatre on the military base where we live, and my family really enjoyed it. We had a great time. In fact, judging from the reactions of the packed house, everyone there was having a great time.

Johnny Depp was, in my opinion, wonderful as a slightly edgy Tonto. His comedic and dramatic timing were right on target, and his interpretation of Tonto -- as he was written for this movie -- was well done. The same can be said for Armie Hammer in the lead role. We watched his character evolve into The Lone Ranger in a remarkably believable manner. The character was definitely different when compared at the beginning and ending of the movie. We thought that the concept of Silver, and from where he came, was creative and added well to the story. There was a LOT of laughter, cheering and even some booing (at the villains). The line between the good guys and the bad guys was boldly drawn in the...

Saw it with low expectations, but it's really good
This movie has been getting really bad reviews. My son wanted to see it so I went in with really low expectations. It should have been a complete disaster and a waste of 2 1/2 hours based on the reviews I read. It's not! I'm not even certain some of the critics had even seen the movie based on what I read. I'm not sure what the original story of the Lone Ranger was, but this movie creates a very good back story. Despite it's length, it moves a long quickly and has a lot of humor. Even though Johnny Depp gets top billing, this IS about the Lone Ranger. Yes, Tonto is more important than he was in the old TV series, but how could he not be? The story is told as Tonto tells it to a young boy. He may or may not be the most reliable story teller, but that's part of what makes it fun.

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Planes

It's a movie for KIDS!
Maybe there should be a law that only children should review movies for
children. Asking some adult critic to get off his/her lofty perch and
roll around in the mud of childhood might be a bit of a stretch.

Is "Planes" bland, derivative pablum with a "feel-good" message? Sure,
if you are over 30. I was lucky to see it with my 8-year-old grandson
and his two similarly aged friends. They loved it and talked about the
characters all evening.

Being Disney, it had excellent graphics, funny sight gags and naughty
references that flew (literally at times) over the heads of the kiddies
(vasectomies figure big here). If you are an adult who loves airplanes,
there are cartoon versions of some real beauties especially the Gee Bee
Super Sportster, a barrel-shaped monster from the 1930's, and the
stolid F4U Corsair, modeled after WWII ace Ira Kepford's bird.

As far as the plot; that's unimportant. It is indeed...

Planes not just for Kids
I took my 2 year old to see this twice. He is a huge cars fan so I thought what the heck he will love this.....was I ever so right!! Not only did he sit still the entire movie, I too enjoyed it as well. Would definitely recommend this to any Disney/Pixar collector!!!

A MUST have for our collection
The most important part...my two sons LOVE IT!! I can't wait to give this to them for Christmas. I showed my 3 1/2 yr old and my 18month old the trailer the night before and they were glued to the TV. I took my 3 1/2 year old to see it the next day. It was only his second movie theater experience--the first was the most recent Ice Age movie and we left because he could care less about Ice Age. But he knows the Cars movies by heart, and he can relate to them. He sat through the entire movie, quietly, enthralled in it! I didn't take the little one because I was afraid he wouldn't be able to sit through it-- I wish I would have. Now they both love anything related to Planes. Lil one asks EVERY DAY to watch the trailer on my phone--over, and over, and over! I love to hear him try to say "Chupacabra"! Oldest got to actually build Chupacabra at Lowe's Build and Grow clinic. "Chupe" has flown many miles since! AWESOME kids movie! I just wish I could get it today!

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The Pact [HD]

Very, very scary. Seriously scary.
I just saw this at the Laemmle in North Hollywood. I knew nothing about it, save a 'go see it' from a friend. This is a terrific movie, smart, stylish when it needs to be and very scary. I actually yelled out three times in the theatre... it has a few of those scares. But even better, it's creepy and unnerving. It really gets under your skin. As for the complaints that it is too slow... this is such a tiresome complaint from people about various scary movies. (Full disclosure... I get the same complaint about a ghost story I directed.) I'd go off about attention spans and people needing blood and guts but what's the point. We all like what we like, and I loved this movie. It does have some big scares and some blood but it takes it's time and the movie is all the better for it. I, for one, was on edge from almost the start. Beautifully done, check it out!

Slow-Burning Terror (3.5/5)
The Pact is a slow horror film that mixes tension with jump-out scares. I don't want to spoil the scares, but I will say the movie has similar scares to the frights found in Insidious and kind of like Paranormal Activity (this is not a handheld camera film, by the way). Some of the scares were expected, but still managed to creep me out a bit. In the right environment, it should deliver some spine-tingling frights. I have mixed feelings about the ending though, it's original but moves away from what the the first two acts built. Some may dislike the slow pace, but I felt it worked well. Acting was fine most of the time, and the music was great.

For your information, the film has some blood and gore, terror, and partial nudity (nothing serious or over the top), in case you were planning to watch it with anyone under 17 (it's Not Rated, but it's pretty tamed). Worth 9.99? Maybe for fans of this type of horror, but you should wait for a drop if you're barely interested. I...

This was a pleasant surprise
This movie is eerie, suspenseful and has an ending I didn't see coming.

Another poster commented that "an ending that has been done to death"...really? I don't remember any other movies with an ending quite like this one.

As long as you rent this not expecting big budget special effects, if you like creepy movie you'll be satisfied.

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Marley [HD]

Irie!
Can't say enough good about the Bob Marley documentary. Extremely well done, supremely interesting, wonderfully informing and moving. 5 stars out of 5, if you like Marley at all, you owe it to yourself to see it. What more could this man have done for the world if he had lived longer? It would certainly be a better place, of that I and I have no doubt whatsoever! Could you be loved? Then be loved!

Great.. Great Great!!!!
From a die hard Marley fan... this is first bob documentary that basically reveals the man. All kinds of personal details are revealed including the stories from his children. Towards the end. this movie brought tears to my eyes, because such a great man, father and prophet was gone...

Greatest marley documentar ever made.

JAH Bless!!!
Much Love and Blessing to the Marley family for authorizing this very detailed account of his Majesty's son and messenger - Robert Nesta Marley! The interviews from close family members and friends really set this documentary apart from other works about the great Bob Marley. This documentary will help educate generations upon generations to come that Bob Marley was on a mission to spread Jah's Love for all mankind. One Love to Kevin MacDonald and his team for creating a great piece of art. - JAH Bless

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Star Trek Into Darkness (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD)

Special features are all split up between vendor exclusive
The official Blu-ray has seven mini-featurettes. If this seems like it is a half-assed release, it's because Paramount has divvied up all the other features, including the commentary tracks with the cast and director J.J. Abrams, and several additional featurettes. The list of missing content on the U.S. wide-release Blu-ray (which is what is being sold on Amazon) includes 5 more featurettes (The Journey Continues... Again, Rebuilding the Enterprise, Full of Wrath, Kirk & Spock and Visual Preferences), plus the commentary with J.J. Abrams and the crew and a theatrical trailer. The featurettes and trailer are likely what's on the Bonus Discs at Target and Best Buy and the CinemaNow downloads (Best Buy U.S. appears to have its content via CinemaNow download while the same content is on a Bonus Disc in Canada), and the commentary is obviously with iTunes. All this means, if you buy the "normal version" here on Amazon, you're getting less than half the special features created for the...

Paramount is ripping YOU off!
I know you want to. I want to. BUT DON'T DO IT!
Don't buy this blu-ray. Paramount marketing thought it would be a good idea to make retailers feel special (not amazon though) and split up all the special features, created by the filmmakers, for the fans. So no commentary (even though it exists). And only a small portion of special features.

What does this mean? If you want all the special features created for this release, you have to buy 3 different versions of the blu-ray plus the itunes version (for the director's commentary).

This is not a good practice to support. Don't let these idiots take advantage of you. While it sucks to not be able to own this sci-fi gem, look at the release calendar for paramount following this. Expect similar practices for World War Z.

The best way to show these jerks they're wrong is to not buy this movie.

Live long and prosper

BRILLIANT !!!!
OK folks first of all, this is a movie. J.J. is not trying to re-invent the wheel here. What J.J. Abrams has accomplished here is to re-imagine a burned out brand and series (that I loved as much as any true fan) and had the guts to go where no director has gone before with it. He shows his total respect for the best of the previously done films, his respect for the fans of the original films, and bravely creates a marvelous environment for the future of this series. I cannot tell you the last time I have sit in a darkened movie theater (full of fans and first timers) and had so much fun listening to the audience ooh and aah at what they were seeing and hearing from the screen. I along with them laughed, oohed, aah-ed, and even shed a tear, as this movie unfolded, and cannot remember the last time I felt so satisfied in seeing a film.

To all of the families with teens and tweens out there, Yes! this is the whole family movie experience you've been waiting for (and to...

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Letters To God [HD]

iloveJesus
This is an incredible movie. It lit a fire within me- I now want to know Jesus better. Unfortunately, it is in only a few theaters. I drove from Woodland Hills Ca, to Simi valley to see it and it was well worth the trip. When it comes out on Video I will buy it for my friends and family.

Great Uplifting Story
The movie has a wonderful message and more than being sad it was uplifting.

While the movie does tug at your heart strings. Letters to God is a good movie. We want Tyler to get better. We want his family and friends to be strong. We want everyone who is touched by his story to find the Lord.

The acting is good. The storyline moves and you find yourself really caring about these people. I love the scenes of Tyler and his friend Samantha. Tyler and his brother. Brady the mailman who eventually is saved by Tyler's Letters to God are all very moving.

Not overly religious? Don't worry.
While it is obviously a religious movie, I don't believe messages are crammed down your throat as in some religious themed movies. The movie is a feel good movie with a beautiful message of friendship, strength, inspiration, prayer, second chances and dignified endings.

Definately a Movie to see!
This is probably the best movie I've seen in a long, long time! I was thrilled to see a movie that totally smashed the modern non-religious mentality. Thank God that this story has been told! I hope and pray to see more like it.

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Taking Control

No sophomore slump here--a fantastic Season 2 for a top-notch legal drama!
WARNING: This review contains spoilers for Season 1. If you have not watched it, please don't read this review.

This DVD set is for Season 2 of the award-winning legal drama, The Good Wife, starring Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick, the "good wife" of the title of the series. I'll try not to repeat myself too much from the review I previously posted on Amazon for Season 1 which is located here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RBHXRDL3D0W5C/ref=cm_cr_dp_cmt?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B003FSTN52&nodeID=130&tag=&linkCode=#wasThisHelpful.

A summary of the main events of Season 1 are as follows: Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies) is publicly humiliated as the "good wife" of a cheating politician, Peter Florrick (Chris Noth). What makes it even worse for Alicia's situation is the fact that for years she sacrificed her own legal career on behalf of her disloyal husband. Soon after Peter's relationship with a hooker is exposed to the world and he resigns in disgrace, he is thrown...

If this tv show was a novel..... it would be a real page turner
The exquisitely written and stunningly executed CBS drama "The Good Wife" (created by Michelle King and Robert King) airs here in Australia on Network TEN, and I love it!!!! Season One certainly set the tone for what was to come in Season Two with just the right texture of family and legal drama. But it is the intrigue of intra-office politics taking center stage in Season Two which takes the viewer captive, and leaves you with a thirst for what is to come in the next episode. If this tv show was a novel..... it would be a real page turner. I highly, highly, highly recommend it. And I look forward to the DVD!!!!

Even Better Than First Season
This has become one of my top ten shows on tv. I look forward to it every week. The drama has been greatly enhanced by several developments in the plot and characterization.

First, Michael J. Fox has been added to the cast. He doesn't have a big role but when he is on, he is great. He is a lawyer who will do anything to win his case, including using his significant physical disabilities in order to win the jury's sympathy and understanding. He tries to lure Alicia into his firm and I can see that becoming a real viability for season three. One thing he can do is an incredible job at winning his case during the day and then putting it away at night when he turns to his long term marriage and family. This no other character on the show can manage to achieve, especially Alicia.

Alicia's husband has been kind of the bad guy throughout whereas her old boyfriend, now law boss, has been seen as the good guy. These lines have been considerably blurred this season...

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Four Times that Night

Bava, take two
Mario Bava was one of the most underrated filmmakers of the 20th century. So it's appropriate that the first volume of the "Mario Bava Collection" (or "Bava Box") was one of the best releases of the last year, and reintroduced us to classics of Bava's that had fallen out of view. The second volume just continues that tradition, with big chunks of classic, stylish horror.

"Baron Blood" begins the collection -- Baron Otto Van Kleist was a savage, depraved guy who liked to torture people for fun (think Vlad Tepes), until a witch's curse put him out of commission. Centuries later, his descendent Peter (Antonio Cantafora) returns to his family's gothic castle, and decides that he and visiting student Eva (Elke Sommer) will recite the incantation that will return "Baron Blood" to the world. Of course, he actually DOES return, and soon Peter, Eva and Peter's uncle are forced to battle his psychotic, deformed ancestor.

"Lisa and the Devil" is more or less what it sounds...

More from the Maestro
Having just picked this up, I thought I'd chime in with this second box set from Anchor Bay. While the comparison will seem strange, Like Orson Welles, and this is speaking from public perception, Mario Bava's debut film, 'Black Sunday', was so impressive that many of his subsequent releases were dismissed as sub par or viewed as schlock. Of course, many of these critics overlooked the consistent artistry that could be found throughout Bava's filmography.

While Volume 1 focused on a number of his most iconic and famous films from the early to mid sixties, Volume 2 focus' on his late 60s til mid 70s output, to good effect I might add. His film, 'Four Times That Night' (1968), is a sex comedy with a Rashomon flavored theme. A mild mannered man, and a seemingly virtuous woman have a date, which leads to the kind of mishap that triggers three wildly different perspectives, from the man, woman and a spectator. It's very much a film of the late sixties, fun, good film, but not...

Bay of Blood Lived Up to Its Reputation
I recently bought Bava Box Set, Vol. 2 and "Bay of Blood" was the first movie I watched because I had heard that it launched the slasher genre. It definely lived up to its reputation and made this collection worth buying. I was apprehensive about watching it after reading numerous complaints about the audio quality on the Image release, but I heard every word plainly! The plot was more complex than I had imagined. I had to watch it carefully to understand who was killing who and why. It contained numerous shocks and twists. It was definitely a cross between an Italian giallo and a slasher movie.
I watched many scenes that were indeed duplicated throughout the slasher frenzy of the late seventies and early eighties, especially in the Friday 13th movies. Bay of Blood is a prime example of Mario Bava's influence on other directors.
The bizarre ending was similar to the one in Mario Bava's "Rabid Dogs," another controversial, provocative thriller with a high body...

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Ruff Ruffman Breaks the Mold

Fun show
Great show for kids, fun and educational. It's a combination game show and reality show. If you're looking for something to watch with your kids, try Fetch.

wonderful
My daughter loves this show.. watches it for hours.. and learns alot! it's very entertaining but she is learning the whole time!

Great show for kids
My 6 year old loves it. She really connects with the kids and the format. She can't wait to be a contestant!

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X-TrainFit At Home Workout - Women's Complete Fitness - 8 DVDs

This fitness program really works.
This fitness program really works. You have to commit about an hour a day to complete the program, but we should all be making at least that investment in our personal health anyway right? It offers diverse exercises and workouts to help alleviate boredom and demonstrates the workouts at varying levels of difficulty.
I thought the program might be too tough for me. I was pretty out of shape. I'm also a little older and have a few joint issues.
The modification levels demonstrated allowed me to start out at an easier level and build myself up to the most challenging levels. I did not use the resources on their website or track my workouts at first and that was a mistake as I had a hard time staying motivated (as always), once I read through the training guide though and shared my fitness test with them online, I started using the guide and following the tips they provided me and it made a huge difference. I did the whole program with a small assortment of 5-15lb dumbbells I...

Great Basic Fitness at Home
This is a very thorough fitness routine that hits all body parts and makes it easy for you to get your exercise done at home. The different levels are demonstrated well and exercises are shown with dumbbells and fitness bands. I bought it to round out my week when I couldn't make it to the gym. I gave it three stars because the Main Fitness Instructor's running commentary became increasingly negative and repetitive on every disc ("sandbagging", "take away his man card", "why am I the only one sweating"). The teasing isn't constructive or encouraging, and after a week of the same negative comments I had enough. So now I put the sound on MUTE and work out. Overall, a useful product, just not the type of conversation I want around me when I'm focused on improving myself.

Love it!
I love these workouts! They are challenging & effective. These dvds do not require a lot of equipment & the moves are easy to follow. The trainer is easy going & provides several modifications to each workout. I feel so accomplished when I've completed a workout that I actually look forward to doing the next one. Although its only been a couple weeks I can already feel a difference & truly believe there is alot more to come!

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Power [HD]

Series spinoff based on the novels by Maureen Jennings
Three television adaptions of Maureen Jennings' Victorian William Murdoch novels were so successful, the broadcaster (CITY television in Canada, UKTV in Britain and Granada International) commissioned a full fledged 13 episode series. 14 Gemini award nominations for season one led to the series being renewed for season two.
This collection of episodes from season one has some stellar performances. Thomas Craig as Inspector Brackenreid, Helene Joy (Gemini award winning actress) as Dr Ogden, Jonny Harris as Constable Crabtree, and Yannick Bisson as the handsome and dapper Detective Murdoch, will provide hours of great entertainment and suspense.
Standout episodes in season one include an adaptation of the novel Let Loose the Dogs, Elementary My Dear Murdoch (which features Arthur Conan Doyle), The Glass Ceiling, The Annoying Red Planet, and the touching Child's Play. Highly recommended.

Turn-of-the-century Detective William Murdoch: Not bad, but without the squalor or much depth
Poor William Murdoch. Will he ever get a fair shake in the casting department? He's a police detective in a number of turn-of the-century mysteries set in gas-lit Toronto written by Maureen Jennings. They are good books, well written, detailed and intricate, and Murdoch is a fine protagonist. He's reasonably well educated, worked rough before he became a policeman and is a Catholic in a very Protestant town which has a largely Protestant police force. Murdoch is convinced that beating a confession out of a suspect -- the usual way of solving a crime -- is not as effective as using deduction and the new scientific methods that are being talked about. He's thoughtful, sincere and shrewd. He's not the most popular copper at his station, but he grudgingly earns the respect of his superior and most of his colleagues.

The Murdoch Mysteries is the second attempt by Canadian producers to bring Murdoch to television. The first consisted of three 90-minute programs based on three of...

Especially notable for winning two Geminis and being nominated for twelve more
Set in 1890's Canada, Murdoch Mysteries Season One is a four-DVD thinpack set collecting the first thirteen episodes of this popular mystery series following Detective William Murdoch (played by Yannick Bisson), a sleuth whose genius leads him to discover and use modern techniques such as "finger marks" to catch criminals. His antagonistic boss (Thomas Craig) derides his methods at every turn, but he has willing allies in a beautiful pathologist (Gemini-winner Helene Joy) and an intrepidly inquisitive constable (Johnny Harris). Famous brilliant minds of the era also make appearances, such as Nikola Tesla, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Prince Alfred. Based on the hero of the enjoyable and widely beloved Murdoch novels, Murdoch Mysteries Season One is an excellent adventure sure to please mystery fans, and is especially notable for winning two Geminis and being nominated for twelve more. Special features include episode commentary by stars Yannick Bisson and Jonny Harris, production designer...

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Better the Devil

UPROARIOUSLY NEW FUNNY EVENTS AT PORTWENN
FUN LOL BRITISH COMEDY. If you've not experienced DOC MARTIN prior, get every series now. Series 4 picks right up with the dramatic falling apart of a wedding ceremony from the ending of Series 3. So what can get worse? Everything. About the only thing that compares to the eccentric characters in Portwenn is way back to Mayberry RFD. Is Portwenn a British Mayberry? May-be! It's Cornwall corny. And also a Cornwall (filmed in Port Isaac) beautiful quaint fishing port.

Every weird local is back for Series 4. Rude, grumpy Doc (Martin Clunes) still gags at blood; Aunt Joan (Stephanie Cole) is poorer thus less sane; teacher Louisa (Caroline Cutz) has an obvious situation; receptionist Pauline (Katherine Parkinson) is outrageously funny wanting a man, maybe Large Jr., son of Bert Large (Ian McNeice)plumber turned chef (ugh, don't order the soup); and newcomer Edith (Lia Williams)in charge of romantic mayhem. That's just the short-list of a crazy cast that keeps a tapestry of...

Eccentricities Unabated.....Hooray!
This marvelous 4th season picks up where Season 3 left off and I couldn't be more thrilled. The loons are back in town!

This is British comedy at its best: quirky characters, unique plot twists, and gorgeous scenery leave you alternately chuckling and shaking your head incredulously.

If one egocentric but brilliant physician is good, why not two? An old flame of Doc Martin's surfaces with a predatory gleam in her eye whilst the charming but oft bewildered Louisa faces a new challenge to her love for Doc Martin and an unanticipated complication. Meanwhile, Mrs. Titchell, the chemist (pharmacist), still burns with an unreciprocated crush that's hilariously optimistic.

I could eat this series with a spoon and wait impatiently for each new season. Apparently there are episodes released in Britain that are unavailable here in the States. I saw Martin Clunes on BBC's The Graham Norton Show and learned there are more seasons being filmed even as I write...

excellent show depresses in season 4
Possible spoiler.

It's not like I wanted a totally happy ending. One of the wonderful joys of this show is how unexpected behavior and plot have been. But the characters personalities were written worse and worse! Auntie has gone from arrogant and abrasive to worse plus a hint of dementia. Also so unfeeling about all Martin has done for her. The PC is crazy, Bert and his son are stale, the pharmacist is making a tedious fool of herself, they've even spoiled Pauline in this series: she's as nasty as the rest now. I don't blame the Doc in the least for giving her a mediocre reference. She got the job anyway, didn't she? Louisa could save the relationship with some humor and love, but instead is either tongue-tied or ridiculously belligerent and incredibly hurtful. Martin gets nastier at the same time he continues his medical miracles.

If I could talk to the show's writers, I'd say enough of the conflicts generated by nasty female behavior! That has been a constant...

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Normal Boy/Birth of a Salesman

It's Not Just For Kids, Ya Know
All of Jimmy's adventures are extremely smart, witty & funny, not just the ones on this DVD. The characters and voices,
(except Nick, he's pretty useless) have a perfect balance in the mix of the episodes. The attention to detail in the animation and dialog is outstanding. It's a shame Jimmy is
out-shined by the likes of Toy Story and Shrek. There really is no comparison. Jimmy wins hands down. My 4 year-old nephew
introduced me to Jimmy and I've been hooked ever since.
Like I said, it's not just for kids!

I think this show rocks
I love Jimmy newtron this dvd is quite a good one my favourite episode is "trading faces" where jimmy and cindy swap bodies I love episodes like that. Jimmy creates a brain reading thing then he trys to read cindys mind over the phone then a gust of lightning hits the power box pulling there spirits out and put in to one another then they have to last a school day in one another kind of like FREAKY FRIDAY

Amazingly clever and fast moving.
The Jimmy Neutron cartoons concern a cluster of pre-teen friends, their bird-like school teacher, Jimmy's parents, and others. These cartoons are distinguished by their phenomenal visual details, on par with those in cartoons from PIXAR, especially, MONSTERS, INC. The Jimmy Neutron cartoons are also distinguished by their restraint, in that they rely on their own cleverness as a source of entertainment (and don't rely on chase scenes, or on making cute references to elements of pop-culture).

The Jimmy Neutron cartoons are for people of ten years old and up. The bizarre monsters, brains being taken out, and such, will be too scary for children of six and younger. Many of the Jimmy Neutron's statements about mathematics and molecular biology will only be comprehensible to people with a college education. The Jimmy Neutron series is remarkably savvy and strikingly imaginative. The characters of Jimmy's father and of Carl are an especial delight. The father is a nerd who is...

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My Little Pony: Equestria Girls (BluRay/DVD/Digital) [Blu-ray]

I'm not even kidding - this movie is fantastic
So there are a lot of joke reviews on here right now, but here's some real talk: I just got back from seeing Equestria Girls and it really is excellent. The MLP cast and crew have created a movie that has every bit as much heart, magic, and quality as the series. The humor is still intelligent, the animation is still gorgeous, the characters are still themselves, and the writing is just as snappy and spirited as you'd expect from Meghan McCarthy. Don't judge Equestria Girls without giving it a chance, you'll be missing out on a gem of a film and a worthy addition to this generation of My Little Pony.

Review of EqG Movie only
I felt the movie was good for the target audience of young girls. The only problem was a demon at the end that might scare some of the youngest viewers.

For fans of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, there are lots of easter eggs, such as Scootaloo doing the chicken dance and Fluttershy's meeting Spike paralleling her original meeting Spike as a pony. (For non-fans, Scootaloo is a young pegasus type pony who was called a chicken by one of her friends.) Others aren't as obvious and can only be seen by watching the background characters. Watch to the end of the credits to find all the easter eggs.

Music for the movie was not of the same sort as in the broadcast series. Dan Ingram, who writes the song for MLP also wrote the songs for the EqG movie. But he wrote the songs in a pop music style that will appeal to children. Don't expect "The Art of the Dress" or "Winter Wrap Up". I didn't find the songs very memorable the first time I heard them, but they weren't...

Review from a mother for MOTHERS, 4.5 stars
I tried to find a rating(UNRATED) or review before we went to see this and I was sorely disappointed to find a bunch of bad reviews, but they were all coming from adults. I wanted to know if this would be OK for my children to watch. So here is a review from a MOM.

My girls liked this movie, and I didn't feel bad about taking them. I didn't feel like I had to hide their eyes at any point, or remove them from the theater. Yes they had somewhat skimpy clothes, and Applejack straddling a chair in a skirt was a little over the top(nothing obviously showing), not something I want my girls doing, and that is why I knocked off a star, but I come from the 80's gen that grew up with Barbie and Jem in short skirts, and Teela and She-ra running around in cheek hugging bathing suits, and I turned out to be a fairly conservative parent. So really it's not that big a deal.

It was a genuinely good for kids kind of movie though, and taught about friendship, dealt with...

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Gossip Girl: The Complete Fifth Season

And then it comes back. With a new style.
I have to be honest. When Gossip Girl was renewed for its fifth season I wasn't sure at the beginning. The first half of the fourth season was amazing and then it became bad at the ending (reason of why the show lost a lot of viewers).
But who doesn't love Gossip Girl? I mean, it's one of the most sassy TV series ever. Betrayal, secrets, and more... just at the GG style. The fifth season introduces us to a lot of new plots (and not recycled ones), like Charlie protecting her real identity, Serena working on the movie business, Dan finally getting his book published and Blair preparing her royal wedding. I just think this season made us see a different side of the characters, because they are more mature now, but that doesn't mean that they decisions take the wrong way, why? Because that's what makes a show good: the twists.
Most people say that the show is just getting worse by every episode, but I truly still enjoy it. If you stopped watching the show, watch the fifth...

Great!
I've been a HUGE Gossiup Girl Fan since it aired on 2007 and have stuck with it even when in this season Blair makes some messed up choices. It enraged me at some point, but I just realized it's just a part of her character growth. I love that most characters have develpoed in agood way, and lets not forget those OMFG moments!!!

Leighton and Ed play Chuck and Blair brilliantly, while Blake is the perfect clueless and annoying Serena. Can't wait to re-watch this season!

GET IT NOW!
xoxo!

Everyone loves this show!
I have been watching Gossip Girls avidly for years. I feel bonded with all the characters especially my Blair.
This season is already shaping up to be good...
As for Chuck and Blair ; my ex and I's favorite always consuming love affair you have to watch it...

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The League: The Complete First Season

"Hilarious whether or not you're an NFL fan..."
Not for those easily offended by profanity or sexual innuendo, The League is the most entertaining, refreshingly witty show I've enjoyed since Arrested Development. The humor is simultaneously blatant and subtle, which may be due to the show's semi-scripted nature and the timing and the delivery of the actors, which are very well cast.

You don't need to understand football, or be a fan of the NFL to enjoy The League, although it helps if you are familiar with the teams and the names of the players, if for nothing else to understand why the characters get so excited about the draft order and picks. If you have ever worked in, gone to school with, or been in a situation with a group of friends involved in any ongoing competitive event like a Fantasy Football League you will understand and enjoy this show, provided you have a broad sense of humor.

Tonight was the second season series premiere, and in true FX style it's aired practically every hour. I've watched...

Fans of fantasy football and crude humor, this is for you!
When I first saw the commercials for this show on FX I thought it could be funny. From the first scene I was hooked, this show has to be one of the funniest shows I have seen on television. Bravo to FX for releasing shows like this. If you like Its Always Sunny you may not find it funny after watching the league. The humor is straight in the gutter and although this is an FX show it still has a fair amount of language. Its mostly guy humor, tons of sex jokes, songs about genitalia, drug references, and a deal one couple makes so porn can be watched in the house.

With that in mind, and if you are still reading then you must be into some rotten humor like I am. If so, give this series a shot.

I Hate Fantasy Football, I Love The League
Stumbled across the League on Netflix and became hooked. Whether you love fantasy football, or can't stand it, this show will have you cracking up constantly. Extremely original content.

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Bad to the Drone [HD]

Loved it!
I only wish I had discovered this program while it was still on the air, but then again, this way I can watch as many episodes as I'd like per sitting. It's a great, novel show with constant entertainment value.

It's still a very entertaining show
I have followed all three seasons of this show and still find it a very enjoyable show to watch. It is light hearted and comedic. The character development has been well done. Despite the two negative reviews currently listed for this show - It is definitely worth seeing for yourself if it is to your liking.

Thought it was great!
Best season yet that I've seen hope they keep it up! Has John Carter, Joe and Allison great actors. Wow!!!!

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Scientology - The ex Files

So glad this information is being made available
This documentary is well made and asks the right questions of the right people. The main topic is the Sea Org, which is made up of church members who sign a billion year contract to work for the Church or Scientology. I signed that contract when I was 12, my sister when she was 11. That was 21 years ago and I haven't seen her since.

I'm happy that this information is being made available on Amazon Prime so that anyone who wants to take the time to learn about the Church of Scientology and the Sea Org can do so.

worth watching
I pretty much knew that Scientology was a cult, but this was very insightful and offered more details than I knew. What a sad, sad, mind control "church" that uses manipulation and fear to control people. And the head guy in the documentary pretty much just denied, denied, and denied all of the allegations that tore so many families apart. People need to wake up and see this cult for what it is! Wish it would have been longer and even more detailed. At the VERY MINIMUM, there should be criminal charges brought to these people for using children to work for them.

So true
Was involved with the "church" years ago and on a local level the people were nice but it all became very strange when I encountered anything coming out of the upper levels. Unfortunately a lot of the stuff DOES make sense and that is how they draw in intelligent people but a lot of it also is just nonsense coming off the top of Hubbard's head. Really a police state when you get to the main organization. Careful anyone thinking of checking it out!

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Human Centipede [HD]

I'd Like To Do This To My In-Laws
Most of us loony horror fans have sat around and had that conversation where we come up with some of the most deranged and gruesome ideas we can just for the fun of doing it. Well, Todd Six has had this conversation, and then he went ahead and made a movie out of it.
So, here we have Human Centipede, a movie generating a cult film buzz based solely on it's gimmicky and oddball premise.......and what a premise it is! I do have to give it full points for originality. However, the gimmick is where all originality ceases. The gimmick is really all it has going for it. Otherwise this movie plays out pretty much like any other recent torture porn flick. Remove the Cronenbergism from the film and you could easily have this wacko doctor running a basement torture chamber where he hacks off victims' limbs to create artwork or forces people to listen to Nickelback, or whatever the hell they like to do in torture porn films anymore. Basically it's on par with the standard...

Not Horror, just Torture
This is not a horror movie. It is a movie about human torture. Plain and simple.

The hype about this movie is the confusion that this is art, or even falls within the realm of the horror (or psychological drama) genre. It doesn't. At first I thought this was going to be a very dark-humor "it's so bad, it's good" type movie. No.

It's not scary, it's not humorous, it's not entertaining, and it is very poorly made on a number of levels.

It's not the gross-out factor that bothers me so much. It's that the movie is really about nothing other than a close-up look of human torture with no point or meaning. Mean-spirited is an understatement. Seriously.

If you like horror movies, skip this.

If you like watching people suffer, being mutilated, and being tortured, then you will enjoy this movie.

Another torture porn movie
I had been hearing about this movie for a while. A friend recommended it to me because I liked the first Saw and Hostel movies (though I hated the sequels) and thought this was on par with those. The reason why I hate the sequels to those movies is because they are less plot driven and instead focus more on just the torture aspects to drive the plot. Hence why they are often called torture porn movies. They don't have any real substance outside of the gory torture scenes. Well, after watching the episode of South Park where they made fun of this (along with Apple and the iPad), I decided I had to watch this movie. I was extremely disappointed in it all. The plot to get the young girls to the doctor's house felt extremely forced. After that, the whole movie was built around (what was essentially) torturing these people along with the whole disgusting factor. There wasn't any moment in the movie where I felt like I was going to be sick. I can handle a lot so the disgusting...

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National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets

Great action-adventure film PLUS a cartoon!
Ben Gates is just not doing well at all:

His girlfriend broke up with him
He's living with his father

and....

Ben Gates' Great Grandfather, Thomas Gates, is just about to be nationally recognized as a hero when Mitch Wilkinson steps out and announces he has evidence that Thomas Gates was part of the conspiracy to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln.

In order to clear his ancestor's name, Ben, his sidekick Riley, and Ben's father start to investigate an order of Southern militants. What they discover was that Queen Victoria supported the Southerner's cause and she was attempting to help them find a treasure to finance the war.

Naturally, there's a treasure involved--the famed City of Gold. In order to find this treasure, they must race against Mitch Wilkinson and kidnap the US President to get to the Presidential Book of Secrets, containing information about everything from the City of Gold to Area 51 and the Kennedy...

Monumental Secrets
Short Attention Span Summary (SASS):

1. Civil War dirty secrets are brought to light and set alight
2. Ben Gates' great-great grandfather gets bad name, but isn't completely clueless
3. Ben Gates (Cage) follows cryptic clues to clear the family name.
4. Clues actually lead to mighty big treasure, but that isn't the real prize, apparently.
5. Mitch Wilkinson (Ed Harris) goes to a lot of trouble to get Gates to show him the money
6. Apparently, the money isn't the only issue in his case either
7. Highly impossible but riveting treasure hunt crosses the pond and back
8. Security personnel at Buckingham Palace are not amused
9. Cameras installed for traffic offenses have excellent resolution and can actually come in handy for close-ups of small objects traveling at high speed
10. The President of the United States will drop everything to do a little tunnel exploration with Nicholas Cage.
11. Cage pulls Cheney too
12...

National Treasure Book of Secrets Movie Review
Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer have dived yet again into their secret book to pull out a map that leads to treasures of vast fortune. No, not a legendary city of gold, but the riches that come from storming the box office. National Treasure: Book of Secrets is everything a big budget adventure sequel should be. A bigger story and better action help make Book of Secrets a surprising end of the year crowd pleaser.

Setting out to clear his ancestor's name, Ben Gates is back in treasure-hunting action to unequivocally prove that his family had nothing to do with the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. With his usual cohorts Riley, Abigail and his father, Patrick Gates, the trio must race against the clock to stop a new enemy, Mitch Wilkinson, from uncovering an ancient treasure before they can, or forever risk the Gates name being associated with the death of one of America's greatest presidents.

A hit for Nicholas Cage has been long overdue. Spanning nearly two full...

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Fried Green Tomatoes (Widescreen Collector's Edition)

A fantastic edition for this 15th Anniversary!
Every decade has its chick flicks that define those years and feature a who's who of up-and-coming actresses mixed with veterans. In the 1980s, it was Steel Magnolias and in the 1990s it was Fried Green Tomatoes, a southern folktale based on the novel by Fannie Flagg (who also co-wrote the screenplay).

Fried Green Tomatoes is a beautiful shot film that really evokes the rich, lush setting of the Deep South. Director Jon Avnet also uses warm colours to create an inviting atmosphere that draws the audience in. There is real artistic integrity to the camerawork which gives the film a Classic Hollywood vibe.

Fried Green Tomatoes is the perfect lazy Sunday summer afternoon movie that evokes simpler times. The film makes us appreciate taking the time out of our busy lives to stop and smell the roses as it were. The film espouses a simple yet important message of tolerance and compassion towards one another but not in a preachy way. It is a message that is certainly...

Awesome Movie!
My husband had been asking me to watch this movie with him for years - it was one of his favorites (from before we met), even though he continually called it a "chick flick"... I was hesitant to watch it because I had the idea that it would be a sad movie - and I just don't like movies that leave me blubbering & saddened for the rest of the day.

However, last weekend we finally sat down and watched it together, and I was pleasantly surprised! Although there was 1 or 2 parts that led me to cry, it was not what I would categorize as a "sad" movie - in fact, when I really think about it, it was quite uplifting...

"Fried Green Tomatoes" weaves the life experiences of 3 very different women - 2 of them lived their youth about 50 or 60 years ago, and one is currently 40 something years old.

The story revolves around an "old" woman who is sharing her & her friends life experiences with the younger, 40-something woman. This younger woman is quite depressed,...

Fine Adaptation
I love this movie. I watched it and fell in love with Idgie and Ruth, both wonderfully quirky and southern. I'd marry either in a heartbeat and count my blessings.

The rendering is faithful in many ways to Flagg's book: Whistle Stop teems with life in all its contradictions, the actors portrayals are flawless (especially Masterson's of Idgie), the screenplay is spot-on (probably because Flagg assisted), and the artistry is close to that of the book's (anecdotal flashbacks). That the directors found a town in Georgia and not Alabama doesn't matter. We are transported to a special and endearing place in time, and we want to stay.

Everything about this movie works. Watch it and enjoy.

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A Christmas Carol

My first memories of holiday movies, and still my favourite...relive the timeless magic
As a child, I remember my mother watching this on TV every year. When I was slightly older, I became wrapped up in the magic of "A Christmas Carol," and would eagerly await this version on AMC every year. I never understood why Alastair Sims' 1951 version was heralded as the ultimate version; for me, it was too contrived, too melodramatic, and Sims chews up the scenery.

This 1938 version is a warmhearted take on Dickens' classic tale of greed and redemption. Bob Crachit's family is given a greater role than in the original novel, and the strength of the ensemble cast shines. Reginald Owen as Scrooge was a last-minute replacement, since Lionel Barrymore (Mr. Potter in "It's a Wonderful Life") was ill. Gene and Kathleen Lockhart shine as the Cratchits (their daughter June made her debut in this), Terry Kilburn is a hyper but cute Tiny Tim, Barry McKay makes a dashing Fred, and Leo G. Carroll makes for a frightening Marley's ghost.

The sets of wintertime London are...

This scrooge is my favorite version!
Although I give praise to the 1951 version of "A Christmas Carol" featuring Alastar Sim, I too, favor the 1938 version starring Reginald Owen, and wonder why it hasn't yet been released on DVD. I first saw this version in the mid '60s, and did my best to catch it every year on television (before video tapes). The cast was great, along with the acting! It will always be Number 1, with Alastar Sim's version Number 2!

An update to my review! Reginald Owen's 1938 version of "A Christmas Carol" is now available on DVD - I just got mine Dec. 8th, 2005 - get yours - now!

a Christmas Carol with Victorian feeling
Some people prefer the Alistair Sim version of this tale because Sim is a warmer, more sympathetic Scrooge from the start, but if you want a Scrooge who's more like the Ebeneezer we all remember from reading the book, Reginald Owen does a great job. He's a tough, cantankerous old bird, but that makes his transformation at the end all the more touching. Another wonderful feature of this movie is that it was made in the '30s, so there were people at the studio then who remembered Victorian Christmases firsthand, including Owen, who was born in 1887. Regardless of a few details that have been left out for the sake of brevity, this film has a very authentic look and atmosphere, and the script is excellent.

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New Year's Eve

Just as good as Valentine's Day
I Loved Valentine's Day and so when I heard about this one I was very excited to go see it and it has some of my favorite actresses and actors in it. Of course people will call this film predictable and cheesy just like all the romantic built movies, but honestly there is not one romantic type of movie that is not predictable. Of course you know what's going to happen at the end since it's called a romantic movie. I personally loved this movie, it had a lot of laughs and a couple parts where I got teary eyed. The movie has well put together characters and a very good plot. The ending just like Valentine's Day where it brought characters throughout the movie together some predictable and some were the complete opposite of predictable. I Love this movie and recommend it to anyone who likes romantic comedies or likes Valentine's Day. Who cares what the critics say they are wrong most of the time. Go to enjoy the movie, not to critique it.

Great (unlike Valentine's Day)
I was skeptical about seeing this film because of the numerous negative reviews it received. However, I have to say that this film was excellent. I personally do not like the comparisons to Valentine's Day because I thought that was a horrible movie. New Year's Eve was poignant and introspective. Although, some parts may be cheesy, and yes, it takes awhile for all the storylines to develop, I laughed out loud throughout the whole movie. So I recommend that you give a shot, if you were on the fence like me. I hope that you are pleasantly surprised.

A giant Hallmark Card; Michelle Pfeiffer & Zac Efron are film's saving grace
Although the critics slammed "New Year's Eve" as one of the worst movies of the year, the audiences felt differently rather enjoying it. I kind of liked it. Nice fluff. It's an ensemble cast set up just like in "Valentine's Day" except this one is on "New Year's Eve". Some of the pairings include, Sarah Jessica Parker & Abigail Breslin who play Mother and Daughter offering one of the more bouncier & interesting pairings in the film. Josh Duhamel searches diligently for his soul mate he met & lost one year ago. Jessica Biel & Seth Meyers play husband and wife in one of the more unnecessary subplots in the film. Robert DeNiro & Halle Berry manage to bring deep emotion into the lackluster words printed on the script thus making it believable. Katherine Heigl & Sofia Vergara give us light comic relief in their bits.

Despite the critics attacks on the film they do manage to praise one tiny element within each of their scathing reviews. They loved the Michelle Pfieffer -...

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Persuasion

"-Loving Longest When All Hope Is Gone-"
Jane Austen wrote PERSUASION towards the end of her life, while in her final illness. Thus an atmosphere of bending weariness and quiet resignation pervades this tender romance, infused within provincial life in Regency England, swaying against the backdrop of the Napoleonic wars. I could not help but love this BBC film version unconditionally, so deftly are the gentle qualities of the novel brought forth.

As with her earlier novel, MANSFIELD PARK, Austen filled this story with subdued satire - intertwining a comedy of genteel manners with the unassailable decrees of the human heart. This is the story of Anne Elliot (Amanda Root): a single woman in her late 20's who, eight years previous, on the counsel of her patroness and late mother's friend, Lady Russell (Susan Fleetwood-who sadly died of cancer shortly after this film was made), had refused an offer of marriage from her true love, Captain Frederick Wentworth (Ciaran Hinds) on the grounds of his poor financial...

Beautiful!
For my money, this is absolutely the best Jane Austen adaptation ever done. Unlike some other recent adaptations ("Emma") where the aim seems to be to show beautiful people in lovely costumes surrounded by lovely things, this movie actually wants to portray real people with real emotions, whose clothes get dirty and hair gets windblown when they go for long walks.

I loved that the director didn't cast "Hollywood" types. Amanda Root is perfect as Anne Elliot -- at the beginning faded, tired and resigned to her fate as a spinster aunt who is everyone's confidante, but who cannot confess her own feelings to anyone. There is such a wealth of expressions in her eyes and her subtle gestures. And Ciaran Hinds makes a dashing and handsome Captain Wentworth -- no wonder all the ladies are in love with him! The minor characters too are priceless -- especially Sophie Thompson as Anne's hypochondriac sister, Mary, and Corin Redgrave as the monstrously...

As memorable as the book
As a lifelong fan of the works of Austen I am always leary of film adaptations, for fear they are glorified costume pieces. This film was so remarkably well done, the characterizations complete and fleshed out, it was as "clinging" as the book. It truly stays with you. Cirian Hinds and Amanda Root are wonderful of course, but the rest of the cast is just as ideal. I would recommend it to all but the most cynical non romantics.

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Tracy Anderson Method: Post-Pregnancy Workout

Fabulous Workout for Any Woman
I know this DVD is aimed at post-natal women, but the way it targets common trouble areas like the abs, hips and outer-thighs makes it a wonderful workout for any woman. I did have a baby 16 months ago, and have had a terrible time getting back in shape and losing the baby weight. I keep buying new workout videos, looking for that magically inspirational workout that is going to help me get my body back, with no luck, until now. I am completely hooked on Tracy Anderson! Her DVDs are beautifully produced, the setting is elegant, the music on this DVD is classical and complements the tone of the workout very well. Tracy's demeanor is encouraging and kind, she explains the mechanisms of each move quite well, but she does not talk too much.

The workout itself is about 45 minutes long, and is composed of a brief warm-up, a lot of ab work, some side lying ab work, some leg and glute lifts and squeezes, and then two series of arm exercises, one without weights and one with...

A real workout, but no cardio
I just got this video after seeing Tracy on Oprah. I had my 2nd baby 5 months ago and am trying to get back to my pre-1st baby weight.

Pluses:
- Great encouraging tone and instruction
- New ab, leg and arm exercised that I was not familiar with
- Seems like it is going to be effective (since I could feel my muscles while doing it)
- Classical music in the background rather than obnoxious techno or pop

What you need to know before purchasing:
- You need 3 lb weights. (I did it without them, but Tracy uses them on and off in the video)
- No cardio
- The actual workout (including warm-up and cool-down) is around 50 minutes.

It really works!
I have tried this workout 5 times since I got it. Only 5 times and I can not believe the dramatic change in my stomach. I have definition again in the upper abs and the lower flab where my abs used to be is shrinking at an amazing rate. My son will be 1 in 3 weeks and this is the first real exercise I have done since his birth. I gained 55lbs during my pregnancy. I wish I could do it 4-6 times a week as she suggests but twice seems to be working too. Its really the hardest thing I have ever put my body through and there are some moves I just dont have the strength for but I highly recommend it because it really works!

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Ultimate TV Westerns - 150 Episodes

Ultimate TV Westerns content info
ULTIMATE TV WESTERNS - 150 EPISODES consists primarily of 1950s cowboy shows-- some famous, others obscure. Reported running time for this set is 80 hours-- however, other sources list it as "up to 70 hours" with one specifying 68 hours total.

Regardless, this is a treasure trove of old oaters that's certain to please fans of 1950s TV programming and westerns alike.

COLLECTION CONTENTS--

The Adventures Of Champion - Barry Curtis (1 episode)

The Adventures Of Jim Bowie - Scott Forbes (6 episodes)

The Adventures Of Kit Carson - Bill Williams (6 episodes)

Annie Oakley - Gail Davis (6 episodes)

Bat Masterson - Gene Barry (2 episodes)

Bonanza - Lorne Green (10 episodes)

Buffalo Bill Jr. - Dickie Jones (6 episodes)

The Cisco Kid - Duncan Renaldo (12 episodes)

Cowboy G-Men - Russell Hayden (5 episodes)

Death Valley Days - Sterling Hayden (3 episodes)...

ULTIMATE TV WESTERNS -Blazing Good Value!
There are numerous TV Western collections out there on the dvd praire and all showing real signs of age and neglect. However here is one thats sure to delight anyone who grew up playing cowboys & indians in the 1950's and 60's. Again, the quality isn't too bad considering they haven't been really professionally restored the way most movies are. But remember, when we first used to see them on TV at that time, the TV picture via the old aerial, wasn't always too great either. TV stations before tape, showed these episodes via telecine, that is they physically ran 16mm prints on special movie projectors. Even though the exspensively produced "Bonanza" was the first TV Western to be aired in color, thanks to those RCA sets which the show did so well at selling. The first show to be shot in color was "The Cisco Kid". Years earlier and on a shoe-string budget and with 16mm cameras. The producers were smart to predict that color was coming and gave that particular show an even longer...

Samples of some of the old classics and some obscure
My first frustration was not knowing what episodes are included in the set. On opening the packaging, I was disappointed to see that it is on 4 double-sided discs so there are no directory labels on the discs. Also, the disc id's are on the very small hub rings. Don't bother to check the Mill Creek website for episode contents either.

So, I tediously inserted each DVD and review the menus (flipping for each side) and what do I find... the side B's on two of them won't play in my best DVD player - Incompatible Disc!!

I swapped to a lesser quality DVD player and they play okay. However, the quality of the recordings is really sub-standard. The back of the case says "Digitally Re-Master on 4 DVD's". Take my word for it. Nothing about these recording is remastered!! The recording quality is inconsistant, some are nearly un-watchable, either too light, too dark, or too contrasty which can can make these old Black & white episodes look like they were record off the...

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Dean Martin Celebrity Roast

Unscrupulous salesmanship
Buyer beware. Time Life should be ashamed of themselves regarding the sneaky marketing of these otherwise fine shows.
I bought their 3 Dean Martin Show DVD sets containing the one disc, the two discs and the 6 discs packages. The first two packages were replicated in the 6 disc package. Their Time Life advertizing never specified this replication on the dvd sets or on Amazon. They did the same nonsense to the Carol Burnett Shows of replicating discs. A single disc set is replicated on a 6 disc set, costing me another $12.
Since I opened the packages, Barnes and Noble, my retailer, would not take them back. I was told to deal with Time Life directly. Now what do I do as I am stuck with extra expensive discs?
I will not buy from these "entrepreneurs" again. Again, they have probably reproduced their one disc Roast set by including it in the 6 disc Roast set. They have polluted an otherwise fine brand name.

5.0 out of 5 stars A former NBC Executive & President of The Dean Martin Fan Center
I spent many years at NBC where The Dean Martin Show was taped, and became accustomed to his variety show format. I don't think I ever missed a taping day during the nine years it was in production.

The mood of the country had been changing since the Vietnam War. Shows like "M*A*S*H*" and "All In The Family" and movies like "Silkwood" and "War Games" were edgy, jabbing at the establishment and pushing the boundaries of the perception that "everything is okay." It was a time for change, and the genius of bantering without becoming political worked well in having known celebrities ridiculing and poking unkindly comments at each other.

It was in the ninth and final year that "roasting" a celebrity was incorporated as a part of Dean's show (much like the Friar's Club Roasts in New York City). Dean would be the host (roastmaster) with a celebrity guest (roastee) seated at the head of the table. In turn, a dozen or more celebrity guests would get up one at a time and...

THE only opportunity to sit in the same room with celebrities that beat YOU to heaven... or wherever...
I bought the seven-disc set, and MAN! is it good! There are people on the programs that have been dead for years...
one is introduced as "The o-n-l-y living five-star general, Omar Bradley..."
Last time I saw General-of-the-Army Bradley was at a formation at Panzer Kaserne, in Germany... it was 1981. He was
in a wheelchair, must've been 90+, and died later THAT year, also in that formatiom was General G.S.Patton, Jr. ...
MY! I a-m gettin' OLD. eh?
Well, anyway, the collection is great! Buy it.

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Star Wars Prequel Trilogy (Widescreen Edition)

May the BLU-RAYs be with you
Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Episodes I-VI) [Blu-ray]

I'm a first-generation Star Wars fan since 1977, having seen the original versions of the original three films in the theater one time each as a child, then falling in love with them all over again on VHS in 1987. And I've been a huge fan ever since. The Star Wars Saga is the ultimate epic space opera and film series.

This isn't actually a review of the movies most of you reading this will have seen one or more versions of dozens of times, although this review will discuss some of the changes made to the films.

I actually own the six-film Star Wars Saga blu-ray set linked above, and I reviewed that. The movie discs in this product are 3 of the same discs from the larger Saga set, so I thought I would edit that review down to only discuss the prequel trilogy discs themselves and post it here. This is meant to be an overview with...

It's about THE PRODUCT!! (duh)
I am baffled by some of these reviewers who are climbing a soapbox about the industry and Lucas. For those of us who are patient, a box set with cost saving and a SPECIAL BONUS!! Slim cases so shelf space is minimized!
EXCELLENT!!

About a rush to market, snatching up media related to STAR WARS as soon as it hits the shelf. If you don't like the movies themselves or the packaging or the recording quality that is one thing. Whining about your own gullibility is quite another. Let me clue you in. If Lucas makes or includes special features, enhancements and the like ... he will not fail to promote that. Investigate the product before you buy. And to those of you who didn't even buy any products but are just looking for places to gripe, this is not the appropriate place.

This is the excellent product that I anticipated to the point of not buying any of the movies when they first released to video. It is as much as it promises to be. (I expect the same to...

Just A Consumer Report
I really just want to take a few paragraphs to let you know what this product is.

Basically, each of these movies got a 2-disc release when they were released on DVD. This box set has taken those 2-disc sets, and packaged them into a smaller case so in order to minimize shelf space. The "Original Trilogy" (Episodes 4-6) slimset is a debatable purchase, because it doesn't include the bonus disc that came with an earlier deluxe set. But this "Prequel Trilogy" is a better deal if you're planning to buy these movies.

As for the extras:
* I love "The Phantom Menace" content, especially the 90-minute making-of documentary that shows everything from cast readings to sandstorm carnage to special effects meetings to George Lucas quietly beginning his "Episode II" writing. And say what you will about the quality of the movie, but Fox and LucasFilm did an excellent job of advertising this movie. Even its promotional extras are worth watching.

*...

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A Christmas Tori

Love it. To cute.
I can watch this with my 9 year old daughter and we both get a good laugh. Tori is too cute.

Victorious
Great Show. The Cast Is Awsome N Can Sing And Act. I Love The Singing. The Show Is Very Funny.

fun show
it's hilarious, and the songs are catchy and have awesome lyrics. I also like the plot and the cast that plays Victorious.

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Rambo: The Complete Collector's Set [Blu-ray]

Clearing up the Camouflage
This review will not focus on critiques of the Rambo films, but rather on the details of the various digital home video releases. Since there have been three Rambo complete collection DVD sets and a blu-ray set so far, the contents of the various releases can be a quandary for fans. In 2002, Artisan originally released all 3 movies in a Rambo Trilogy Special Edition DVD Collection. This was an incredible set put together as nothing short of a labor of love. Not only were the movies digitally re-mastered, but the set came with an abundance of special features including commentaries, documentaries, and trailers, most of which were included in a bonus 4th disc. In 2004, Artisan released the Rambo Trilogy Ultimate Edition DVD Set after the Special Edition DVD set went out of print. The Ultimate set was primarily a waste of money for many...

Not nearly "COMPLETE".....
I love the Rambo movies but I have to address something about this new so called "Complete" set coming out on July 27. This new Rambo - The Complete Collector's Set on Blu-ray Disc appears to just be the 4 movies that are out now on blu-ray put into one package. You can actually go ahead and buy the four movies on blu-ray and get everything that is included in this set only in single cases instead of waiting for this green box or 4 disc case or whatever it is exactly. I really doubt it will be a metal tin case like the Complete Collector's Set that came out on DVD a few years back.

Also to be labeled as "Complete" there are a few very obvious things missing.

First off, the biggest and most obvious omission is the new Rambo - Extended Cut that is being released on Blu-ray on its own the exact same day as this set. That's right, a whole new version of the fourth movie with 90 minutes of new extra features and it's being left out. Why it was not included in this...

Explosive!
The Rambo series will forever be classics in film. Simply put, this boxed set is not only a must have for the Rambo fan, rather anyone who enjoys great flicks! This set includes all 4 installments in the Rambo series and packs quite the punch on each disk.

The Good: Includes First Blood, Rambo: First Blood Part II, Rambo III, and Rambo. All updated in HD and looking amazing. Sound is awesome in surround sound and seems cleaned up over the dvd boxed set. Plenty of bonus features to dive into as well. Awesome packaging keeps the case thin and compact unlike some other sets that feel the need to take up "book-sized" space on your shelf.

The Bad: Only thing I don't like is that the version of Rambo(2008) included is simply disc one of the collectors edition. If like me, you like your bonus features you may want to grab the Rambo Trilogy [Blu Ray] instead and opt for the 2 disc version of Rambo.

Other than that, this has been one of my favorite...

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