Eragon (Two-Disc Special Edition) (2006) Review

Eragon (Two-Disc Special Edition) (2006)
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Honestly, I wanted to cry as I sat there in the theater watching this movie. What a waste of ten bucks. If you have read the books, and excitedly waited out the release of the movie, you are undoubtably as disappointed as I am. The books had such scope, like a Lord of the Rings junior. There was no way to get everything important shoved into an hour and a half movie. Why not go ahead and make a 2 and a half hour epic? I'd have watched it!!
Here is what you'll miss in the movie:
-The relationship between Brom and Eragon is very underdeveloped, so much so that when Brom dies, you're like, whoopdeedoo.
-Saphira ages from a tiny dragon into just about full grown in one ridiculous moment.
-Eragon's journey with Murtagh is like, 5 seconds long. No Hadrac desert, no bonding. Again, you could care less about Murtagh in the movie.
-The Dwarven kingdom was UNBELIEVABLY disappointing. If you read the book, you probably had quite a vision workded up in your head, with the Star Rose and all. The movie pretty much annihilates all that. And the dwarves themselves are stupid-looking. You can't slap some armor on a guy with a beard and call them a dwarf.
-Arya is an ELF. Did they really go over on the budget that they couldn't even give her POINTED EARS???
-The battle between Eragon and the Shade is like nothing. I was so bored.
Over all, this movie takes a perfectly paced book and puts it into hyperdrive, taking all the wonder and fun right out of it. You'll sit down to watch this movie and all you'll be able to do is watch in horror as they slaughter it. It is a terrible shame. Had they had a larger CGI budget, blatantly copied some LOTR stuff, and had Mr. Paolini perhaps overseen the novel-to-script process, well, maybe he did, but they just shoved some more money at him and he said, "Whatever, I'm alright with you destroying my cool book. Go for it."
Now, if I were to choose one or two things from the movie that didn't totally and completely suck, I will say this:
Saphira, for the amount of CGI that was spent on her, is perfect. She was totally real. The voice of Rachel Weisz is perfect as well. Eragon, Edward Speelers, he was great too. Too bad he had to over-act in order to compensate for the crappy, crappy dialogue and lack of character development.
If they happen to make a sequel, Lord help us. The second book is even more complex and wide-scoped than the first. It will not translate well based on it's predecessor. I say they scrap the first movie, and make it all over, with a bigger budget, and the fans of the book get all editing priveledges. Then we'd have our Eragon come to life, rather than this horrible, mess of a mutilated movie!!


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In his homeland of Alagaesia, a farm boy happens upon a dragon's egg -- a discovery that leads him on a predestined journey where he realized he's the one person who can defend his home against an evil king.

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Up (Four-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + BD Live) (2009) Review

Up (Four-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + BD Live)  (2009)
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I had no expectations of being disappointed with a Disney/Pixar BD, and being that it took me a whole dedicated day to get through everything, I now feel it was worth every penny. The film was enjoyable, funny, sad, and scary filled with some nice messages about life and loss. I can understand why the majority of my customers loved it.
The Blu clarity is outstanding, and the amount of reference points are extensive, but one that stands out the most for contrast lines would have to be when the house is entering the lair (balloons against the dark cavern). The sound is selectable between 5.1 DTS, 2.0 DTS and Descriptive English. The 5.1 was beautiful with tons of reference points, sometimes excruciating (that bird screeching) but thorough nonetheless. Now for the supplements (all times in minutes):
DISC 1: (BD)
* 5:46 Partly Cloudy short film. Was hilarious. A great depth test for your display with the clouds. Nice little message of tolerance no matter how difficult someone might be.
* 4:40 Dug's Mission. An almost lo-def looking short take on our main dog dealing with the main three baddies on a chase.
* 22:17 Adventure Out There. A must see documentary about the crew taking the actual trip to the Tepui location in South America. A beautiful travel infomercial in itself. Loved how their guide only wore sandles for the ascent and hikes.
* 4:56 Alternate Scenes Ending of Muntz. Sketches and interviews regarding different endings for that bad guy that they had come up with.
* 1:00 How-to on using the Digital Copy.
* Cine Explore option while watching the film. The two directors give their commentary with multiple pop-up screens showing art, ideas, etc.
* Screen Saver. Allows you to set a time period for your screen saver to activate.
* Maximize Your Home Theater. The standard Pixar multi-step process for setting all of your theater capabilities.
DISC 2: (BD)
Documentaries
* 6:24 Geriatric Hero. History behind the creation of our old guy. All of these documentaries are interview oriented with sketches and film clips to supplement.
* 8:26 Canine Companions. In depth analysis on the breed choices, training and dog behavior studied to get the dogs in the film to be more - dog like.
* 9:00 Russel Wild Explorer. Covers the reasons for his character to have the loss and why he was "egg" shaped as opposed to other sketch ideas.
* 5:04 Kevin (bird). Nice reference to the Swiss Family Robinson ostrich; covered the hardest part of any of these animation films - the feathers.
* 4:38 Homemakers Pixar. Enjoyed the work that went into them studying sub-floors and lighting options in making this look so real in the house.
* 6:25 Balloons and Flight. Tells the now famous number of balloons used; some interesting dirigible history; shows the Pixar group using that local Bay Area air service I keep seeing fly around here (research stuff).
* 7:37 Composing for Characters. Have to be into the musical/scoring stuff for this one.
Extras
* Global Guardian Badge Game. After the initial setup of name, difficulty levels and tutorial material, the game has an extensive amount of country/geography material. Customers grouped around and we did fine for the United States section, but we randomly tried Africa and we bombed (some of the countries they were asking for I hadn't heard of in years) - good learning tool though.
* 9:15 Alternate Scene - Married Life. Another sketch/interview piece about more material being removed/added into that section of the film. The scene itself would have been only a minute longer.
* 6:00 montage. A mix of characters doing funny things - will make the kids laugh.
* Screen Saver option.
DISC 3 (DVD)
* Film, plus special features from disc 1. WITH THE EXCEPTION of no Spanish subtitles/language; English only.
DISC 4 (Digital Copy).
* Code both unlocks the copy and gets you the usual points at the Disney site.
Overall, an excellent product no matter how you look at it. The case has that new single hinge, multi-page off center chassis that has proven to be less than durable, but it should suffice for low usage storage. Enjoy.


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Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios take moviegoers up, up and away on one of the funniest adventures of all time with their latest comedy-fantasy. Up follows the uplifting tale of 78-year-old balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen, who finally fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America. But he discovers all too late that his biggest nightmare has stowed away on the trip an overly optimistic 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer named Russell. Their journey to a lost world, where they encounter some strange, exotic and surprising characters, is filled with hilarity, emotion and wildly imaginative adventure.

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M*A*S*H - Season Ten (Collector's Edition) (1972) Review

M*A*S*H - Season Ten (Collector's Edition) (1972)
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Season 10 is probably one of the finest seasons of M*A*S*H since this would be the time that most of the 4077 would get ready for what would be the next to last season of the show. Thus this show would feature some great episodes!! Here is an overview.
1.) That's Show Biz (10/26/1981)
A touring USO show brings an unexpected touch of vaudeville to the 4077th when the star showgirl requires an emergency operation. And wouldn't you know, the comedian is Klinger's hero!
2.) Identity Crisis (11/2/1981)
Father Mulcahy counsels a GI who is plagued by guilt because he has swapped tags with a dead colleague. Meanwhile, B.J. and Charles consider ways of keeping a soldier-salesman quiet.
3.) Rumor at the Top (11/9/1981)
The latest scuttlebutt affects everyone's behavior when a visiting is rumored to be recruiting for a new M*A*S*H unit. The gang fears that the 4077th will be split up.
4.) Give 'em Hell, Hawkeye (11/16/1981)
Hawkeye writes a heartfelt letter to President Harry Truman to protest at the continued fighting in Korea. Meanwhile, Colonel Ditka has promised a much-needed water-heater if the 4077th beautifies the camp.
5.) Wheelers and Dealers (11/23/1981)
On the eve of a big poker game, B.J.'s pride is bruised when he finds out his wife is working as a waitress. And Potter takes driving lessons from Klinger.
6.) Communication Breakdown (11/30/1981)
Winchester infuriates the camp when he hoards his stateside newspapers, and Hawkeye reunites two Korean brothers who have been fighting on opposite sides of the war.
7.) Snap Judgment (Part 1 of 2) (12/7/81)
The military police think they've solved a rash of thefts at the 4077th when they apprehend Klinger with Hawkeye's stolen camera.
8.) Snappier Judgment (Part 2 of 2) (12/14/81)
B.J. and Hawkeye resolve to clear Klinger's name after he chooses Winchester to defend him at his military court-martial.
9.) 'Twas the Day after Christmas (12/28/1981)
To boost post-yuletide morale on Dec 26, Potter has the officers and enlisted men change places for the day.
10.) Follies of the Living - Concerns of the Dead (1/4/82)
Whilst suffering a fever, Klinger communicates with the spirit of a dead soldier, Private Weston, who stays on to witness his own last rites.
11.) The Birthday Girls (1/11/82)
Margaret's birthday plans are spoiled when she and Klinger get stranded on a desolate roadside. Meanwhile, Charles gives a lecture for Margaret, and the surgeons assist in the delivery of a calf.
12.) Blood and Guts (1/18/82)
Hawkeye is outraged when a sensationalistic war correspondent, Clayton Kibbee, reports irresponsible G.I. stunts as tales of military valor. Kibbee: "As for the last two pints of blood, there's no big finale, no heroes. They helped an old soldier, who'd had visions of glory but finally got it through his thick head how tragic and inhumane war can be. Maybe he'll know better next time."
13.) A Holy Mess (2/1/82)
An AWOL soldier, Nick Gillis, seeks sanctuary in the mess tent, after Father Mulcahy's service. At the same time, a special Sunday brunch is due to be served, following the donation of some eggs to the camp by a grateful farmer.
14.) The Tooth Shall Set You Free (2/8/82)
Charles has a serious toothache, but hates the thought of having anything done about it. The doctors suspect prejudice when an inordinate number of black casualties are brought in from a single unit, led by Major Weems.
15.) Pressure Points (2/15/82)
Potter sends for Sidney Freedman when he loses confidence in his surgical abilities, and Winchester loses patience with his bunkmates' sloppiness.
16.) Where There's a Will, There's a War (2/22/82)
Hawkeye goes to help at an aid station, and under heavy shelling he draws up a will, leaving various items to his friends at the 4077th.
17.) Promotion Commotion (3/1/82)
Winchester, Pierce, and Hunnicutt find themselves in the sticky position of having to decide which enlisted men to recommend for promotion. For Winchester it could be a matter of life and death.
18.) Heroes (3/15/82)
Hawkeye is the golden boy of the world press when he treats a celebrity prizefighter, 'Gentleman' Joe Cavanaugh, who has a stroke at the 4077th. Father Mulcahy finds the news hard to take, as Cavanaugh was a hero of his.
19.) Sons and Bowlers (3/22/82)
After losing to the Marines once again, Colonel Potter wishes there was one sport the 4077th were any good at. When Klinger mentions he can bowl, the Colonel decides to have a bowling competition. Unfortunately, he and Klinger are the only 2 good bowlers in the camp, so BJ and Father Mulcahy are "recruited" to the team. Colonel Potter becomes obsessed with winning the game, and excludes Margaret from the team because she helped the team lose at softball. Then the 4077th team hear the Marines have got a "ringer" in their team after pulling some strings..... Meanwhile, Hawkeye finds out his father is in hospital and tries to speak to him over the phone, watched by Charles, who envies Hawkeye's close relationship with his father.
20.) Picture This (4/5/82)
Potter's attempts to assemble the crew for a family portrait are thwarted by a feud between bunkmates Pierce, Hunnicutt, and Winchester. Things are not helped by the efforts of Margaret, Klinger and Mulcahy to bring the Swampmen back together.
21.) That Darn Kid (4/12/82)
Klinger buys a goat, with the intention of getting rich by selling it's milk. Then the goat eats the 4077th's $22,340 payroll, leaving paymaster Hawkeye holding the bag. Meanwhile, Charles also thinks he can make a killing when he sees an ancient vase.
Look fo MASH The final season later this yaer to complete the MASH series! Good luck!

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Relive your favorite M*A*S*H moments with this three-disc DVD Collector's Edition containing all 21 classic Season Ten episodes!They were the 4077 MASH (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) unit stationed three miles from the front during the Korean War. As the war drags on it begins to take a toll on the docs and nurses who day after day fight to save the incoming wounded helicoptered in directly from the front lines. But as much as the gang of the 4077 cared for the wounded soldiers they also cared about each other. And that camaraderie coupled with a liberal dose of hijinks and hilarity served to make their tour of duty in Korea an experience none of them would ever forget.System Requirements:Running Time: 561 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre:TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS UPC:024543241409 Manufacturer No:2234140

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Coraline (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo w/ Anaglyph 3D) (2009) Review

Coraline (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo w/ Anaglyph 3D) (2009)
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My husband and I rented the dual sided version of the film a couple days ago as well as bought two pairs of the dual color 3D glasses.
The film was absolutely beautiful designed and animated. It was also delightfully balanced between trippy and creepy. I'd definitely say that if parents have young children, they should preview the film prior to showing it and use their personal judgment. The narrative has the same threads of menace that haunts original Brother's Grimm tales. The film at times can be rather disturbing. My husband and I humorously traded off with the line, "That is messed up!" several times through out the film. My only critique with the film is that the resolution falls too swiftly and maybe too neatly into place.
The reason my review is three stars is that I fail to see the reason behind packaging the DVD with a 3D version of the film. Even on a HD plasma with unimpaired vision, the dual colored glasses just did not work for me at all. I knew going in that the home television would lose the incredible effect of what dual projection in a theater could create, so I didn't have high expectations. I was merely curious if the industry had gotten better at implementing it over time.
I went in to watching the 3D version expecting to at least get a sense of scene depth similar to an old school View-Master. Unfortunately, I didn't even get that. None of the 3D effects worked for me. Even with a darkened room, my eyes would water while they constantly fought to refocus and make sense of the dual colors. I had to stop watching after about twenty minutes in, because my eyes were just exhausted. The 3D versions also dulls the color scheme. This really doesn't do the original film justice at all. It was rather shocking to see the vivid color difference switching from 3D to the 2D version.
In Conclusion: Skip the 3D gimmick and enjoy the 2D version.

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CORALINE - Blu-Ray Movie

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Arthur's Quest Review

Arthur's Quest
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This was a cute take on the King Arthur legend... Eric Christian Oslen did a great job as the young King Arthur living in modern times. A bit silly at times but overall thoroughly enjoyable!

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AMC Movies: James Cagney Classics (1937) Review

AMC Movies: James Cagney Classics (1937)
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i am a big cagney fan, and i am accustomed to AMC playing quality prints of classic movies, so you can understand my disappointment in seeing these poor quality transfers, especially since it says "digitally remastered" on the front cover. save your money and hopefully a remastered set of cagney movies will appear soon.

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Family Classics 50 Movie Pack Collection (2004) Review

Family Classics 50 Movie Pack Collection (2004)
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FAMILY CLASSICS 50 MOVIE PACK is an outstanding box set of vintage films of superb variety: adventure, comedy, musical, drama, action, fantasy-- all in one great package! The few silent films offered are among the most acclaimed of that era: THE KID, THE GENERAL and THE LOST WORLD (watch for Arthur Conan Doyle, who appears as himself in this last one). This is a collection of features, programmers and shorts that's sure to please every member of your family for years to come. Parenthetical numbers preceding titles are 1 to 10 imdb viewer poll ratings. (updated: 9/6/10)
(6.1) Africa Screams (1949) - Abbott & Costello/Clyde Beatty/Max Baer/Shemp Howard/Joe Besser
(6.6) Beyond Tomorrow (1940) - Harry Carey/C. Aubrey Smith/Charles Winninger
(4.7) The Big Chance (1933) - Mickey Rooney/John Darrow/Merna Kennedy
(5.6) The Big Trees (1952) - Kirk Douglas/Eve Miller/Edgar Buchanan/Alan Hale Jr.
(7.3) The Black Pirate (silent-1926) - Douglas Fairbanks/Donald Crisp/Mary Pickford (cameo)
(7.1) The Blacksmith (silent-1922) - Buster Keaton
(6.9) Brideless Groom (1947) - The 3 Stooges/Emil Sitka
(6.4) Captain Kidd (1945) - Charles Laughton/Randolph Scott/Barbara Britton/John Carradine
(7.0) The Dentist (1932) - W.C. Fields
(7.7) Disorder in the Court (1936) - The 3 Stooges/Bud Jamison
(6.2) Dora's Dunking Doughnuts (1933) - Shirley Temple/Andy Clyde/Ethel Sykes
(7.6) The Eagle (silent-1925) - Rudolph Valentino/Vilma Bánky/Louise Dresser
(6.6) A Farewell to Arms (1932) - Helen Hayes/Gary Cooper/Adolphe Menjou
(7.0) The Fatal Glass of Beer (1933) - W.C. Fields
(6.6) Father's Little Dividend (1951) - Spencer Tracy/Joan Bennett/Elizabeth Taylor/Billie Burke
(6.7) The Flying Deuces - Laurel & Hardy/Jean Parker/James Finlayson
(8.4) The General (silent-1926) - Buster Keaton
(6.6) The Golf Specialist (1930) - W.C. Fields
(6.3) The Great Dan Patch (1949) - Dennis O'Keefe/Gail Russell/Ruth Warrick
(6.9) Gulliver's Travels (animated-1939) - vocals: Jessica Dragonette/Lanny Ross/Jack Mercer (as Gabby)
(6.9) The Inspector General (1949) - Danny Kaye/Walter Slezak/Elsa Lanchester/Alan Hale
(7.6) The Iron Mask (1929) - Douglas Fairbanks/Belle Bennett
(5.0) Jane Eyre (1934) - Virginia Bruce/Colin Clive
(8.3) The Kid (silent-1921) - Charlie Chaplin/Edna Purviance/Jackie Coogan
(6.5) Kid Dynamite (1943) - The East Side Kids
(6.1) The Last Time I Saw Paris (1954) - Elizabeth Taylor/Van Johnson/Walter Pidgeon/Donna Reed
(6.0) Let's Get Tough! (1942) - The East Side Kids/Tom Brown/Robert Armstrong
(7.3) Little Lord Fauntleroy (1936) - Freddie Bartholomew/C. Aubrey Smith/Mickey Rooney
(7.1) The Little Princess (1939) - Shirley Temple/Cesar Romero/Arthur Treacher
(5.5) Long John Silver (Australia-1954) - Robert Newton/Connie Gilchrist
(7.1) The Lost World (silent-1925) - Lewis Stone/Wallace Beery/A. Conan Doyle (as himself)
(6.8) Malice in the Palace (1949) - The 3 Stooges/Vernon Dent
(5.2) Managed Money (1934) - Shirley Temple/Frank Coghlan Jr.
(5.0) The Medicine Man (1930) - Jack Benny
(6.9) My Favorite Brunette (1947) - Bob Hope/Dorothy Lamour/Peter Lorre/Lon Chaney Jr.
(5.9) My Dear Secretary (1949) - Laraine Day/Kirk Douglas/Keenan Wynn/Rudy Vallee
(7.0) Our Town (1940) - William Holden/Martha Scott/Thomas Mitchell
(7.1) The Paleface (silent-1922) - Buster Keaton
(5.5) Pardon My Pups (1934) - Shirley Temple/Frank Coghlan Jr./Dorothy Ward
(5.7) The Racketeer (1929) - Robert Armstrong/Carole Lombard/Hedda Hopper
(6.7) Royal Wedding (1951) - Fred Astaire/Jane Powell/Peter Lawford/Keenan Wynn
(5.2) The Scarlet Letter (1934) - Colleen Moore/Hardie Albright/Alan Hale/William Farnum
(7.5) The Scarlet Pimpernel (UK-1934) - Leslie Howard/Merle Oberon/Raymond Massey/Nigel Bruce
(6.9) Sing a Song of Six Pants (1947) - The 3 Stooges/Vernon Dent
(6.1) The Son of Monte Cristo (1940) - Louis Hayward/Joan Bennett/George Sanders/Clayton Moore
(7.7) A Star is Born (1937) - Janet Gaynor/Fredric March/Adolphe Menjou/Andy Devine
(6.2) That Gang of Mine (1940) - The East Side Kids
(6.4) Till the Clouds Roll By (1946) - June Allyson/Judy Garland/Frank Sinatra/Van Heflin
(6.2) The Time of Your Life (1948) - James Cagney/William Bendix/Broderick Crawford/Ward Bond
(4.7) War Babies (1932) - Shirley Temple

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Item Name: Family Classics 50 Movie Megapack; Studio:Mill Creek Entertainment

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The Cowboy and the Lady (Import PAL) (1938) Review

The Cowboy and the Lady (Import PAL)  (1938)
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I saw this movie as a young teenager, when black and white movies dominated weekends and rainy days! This was a romance that helped set the stage for all I find good in a romance: innocence, humor, drama, passion (the boat scene when he knew he had to marry her that night because of his passion for her), and the down home sweetness and good moral lessons shared, and a happy ending! A hunky leading man and a beautiful woman needing the love of a good man! Romance doesn't get any better than this. Great for the whole family!

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Cracker - The Complete Third Season Review

Cracker - The Complete Third Season
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First of all, I want to say straight out that every Cracker episode prior to this one definitely deserves 5 stars. This one, however, is the final compilation (in UK, it's released as series 1 and 2-- not divided into 3 seasons) and, it's a complete let down to the earlier episodes. White Ghost, the finale (not including the 2006 episode that also has nothing to do with earlier episodes)is the poorest conclusion for a character-driven series that I've ever seen.
During the series, we met Fitz, a brash, alcohol-guzzling, chain-smoking psychologist. He is brilliant. He understands everything going on around him and can read a person like a book. Watching him is an experience. The stories are so well-written and the characters so intense, that this entire series (up until what is sold here as the Third Season) is a joy.
But, the third and final season just doesn't tie up any of the loose ends. It gives some suggestion, but nothing really. And, by Fitz' mention of Penhaligan in the last episode here, any question that you might have felt had been answered was obviously incorrect.
In the episode just prior to White Ghost, we find out Penhaligan has given her resignation. We find out how Cracker truly feels about his wife (well, kind of-- as he walks out of the hospital leaving her standing alone). And, that's that.
In the last episode, we never see any closure. And, Fitz calls home, too, and his wife lives there! And, he asks for Penhaligan to be sent to Hong Kong to help with his case, and she can't come. But, that's all. So, we never find out how these three are now interacting with eachother and that's the biggest letdown after all this character buildup from the prior episodes.
The last episode here is a good episode-- but it belonged somewhere in the middle-- it deserved to be a much earlier episode. For those of us who watched these faithfully, I believe this is a letdown.
Obviously, I still recommend watching it if you've watched the other 2 sets. It's acted well, the writing is excellent, and the plots are tight. It's just a let down since we want some relationship closure.


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Merlin: Series Two, Vol. 1 Review

Merlin: Series Two, Vol. 1
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Merlin Season 2 is even better than season 1! The episodes are exciting and you see a lot of characters evolve toward what they will become in the future... Romance for Gwen--who should she choose Arthur or Lancelot?; Morgana finding out her powers and Arthur developing into the future King of Camelot!

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Negima Box Set Review

Negima Box Set
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It is easy to call "Negima!" the anime equivalent of Harry Potter, but it just isn't so. You have two young boys who can do magic, and there the similarities end. Harry Potter was never chased around romantically by thirty-one junior high school girls each trying to steal a kiss. With Love Hina creator Ken Akamatsu at the helm you know you are in for a good time.
You have to accept this basic premise of "Negima!" before you can enjoy the series. Negi Springfield is a ten-year-old wizard-in-training from Wales, with dreams of becoming the Magister Magi (Master Mage). In the meantime, he has been hired as an English teacher for the Mahora Girls Academy in Japan, as well as being the homeroom teacher for class 2-A. The Mahora Girls Academy is not all it seems at first, as its students include vampires, ghosts and robots, although all the normal students never seem to notice this. Of course, all the girls develop crushes on the cute 10-year old, and hijinks ensue.
The "Negima!" animated series follows the first volumes of the comic for the most part, and then suddenly veers away. The reason for this is that the anime eventually out-paced the comic, and so a new storyline was invented. This storyline, showing up around episode 19 or so, is quite different from the comic and might come as a shock to some. However, it is very well-handled, and I appreciate having two versions of the story.
This "Negima!:Complete Collection (Viridian Collection)" is the second 26-episode complete boxset release from Funimation. The set was previously released as Negima! Box Set The "Viridian Collection" is a stripped down and less expensive version of the series, presented in slim cases and without extra features. I personally really appreciate the thin cases, as it takes up less space in my ever-increasing DVD collection.
Both box sets have revised and re-drawn animation, as the animation from the original TV release in Japan was notoriously terrible. The animated series is also much more "family-friendly" than the comic. Most of the fan-service is implied rather than directly shown, so if you only read "Negima!" for the panties you might be a little disappointed. The English-language script takes the "family friendly" approach even further, and is slightly different from the Japanese. Many of the "double entendres" and sexual humor has been removed.
And while I am not usually a fan of dubbing, a special shout out needs to be done here for Funimation's English-language cast. They have done a great job, even going so far as to give Negi a Welsh accent. This is one case where they might be better than the Japanese original cast. Listening to the "Native Speaking" Negi doing English dictation during his English classes is pretty funny.

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Vampires, robots, sorcery… And that's all before Gym Class! Welcome to Mahora Academy, an all-girls school where the impossible and the enchanting are a part of the curriculum. It's the start of the new school year and emotions run rampant as the girls of Class 2-A meet the newest staff addition – Negi Springfield. A ten-year-old Welsh born prodigy, Negi has more problems than he has students. As a wizard-in-training, this academic appointment is the final requirement in his quest to become a Magister Magorum. But if he messes things up and the girls find out, existence as an exotic ermine will be his fate! When you're the only boy at an all girl's school… magic's the easy part. The Negima Box Set contains all 26 episodes on 6 discs.

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Son of Paleface (1952) Review

Son of Paleface (1952)
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Maybe because I saw "The Paleface" after I saw "Son," I couldn't help but find it to be a much more satisfying and entertaining film. Bob Hope, in his inimitable style, is aptly sarcastic, witty, bumbling, crafty, and just plain funny as the son of the character from the original. Jane Russell seems to parody the sexy image of which she was so famous. Roy Rogers enjoys being the brunt of some of Hope's jibes about the cowboy's "squeaky-clean" persona. Technicolor has never made Trigger look better.
A great enjoyment for the entire family is this classic farce. Mel Brooks must have been influenced when he made "Blazing Saddles" decades later.

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Four years after his hit comedy The Paleface Bob Hope returned to the screen as Junior Potter son of Painless Peter Potter the hapless hero of the first film.The Harvard-bred Junior heads out west to claim his father's inheritance.Returning for the sequel but in a different role is Jane Russell (The Outlaw) as an outlaw named Mike who continually has to save our hapless hero.Also starring in the sequel is the King of the Cowboys himself Roy Rogers and his horse Trigger who portray themselves.Hope teams with the pair to help get to thesequel is the Oscar-winning song "Buttons and Bows."Co-writer and director Frank Tashlin a former cartoonist and screenwriter of the first Paleface also worked with Hope on The Private Navy of Sgt O'Farrell and wrote and directed several Jerry Lewis films such as Cinderfella and The Geisha Boy.System Requirements:Starring: Bob Hope Jane Russell Roy Rogers Iron Eyes Cody and Trigger.Running Time: (approx.) 95 mins/color.Copyright: l952 Columbia Pictures Television.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre:COMEDY Rating:NR UPC:090096098296 Manufacturer No:60982-9

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The Carol Burnett Show - The Collector's Edition / Volume 27 (1974) Review

The Carol Burnett Show - The Collector's Edition / Volume 27 (1974)
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This video of the Carol Burnett Show - volume 27 is exactly what I was looking for and everything is just right with it. So, since this is a review of the product - I must say the video is excellent.
I'm unhappy because I believe the seller was dishonest in their pricing. Originally the video was priced at $129. The price was raised to $150. I understood that there were no others available. I purchased the video for the $150 price. When I returned to Amazon a few days after the video arrived - there was another one listed - same seller - back at the $129 price.

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Grambling's White Tiger (1981) Review

Grambling's White Tiger  (1981)
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As far as I know, this film and the volatile 1970 pic "Halls of Anger" are the only films I know of that deal with the pressures of White students who integrate all-Black schools. This is an account of Jim Gregory's integration of Grambling College's football team in 1968 and the predictable problems he faced. However, the aspect of the racial problems he faces dissapear midway into the film and it becomes a typical go-team football flick. It's valuable as being a rare and fairly accurate look into life at a Black College (several years before "School Daze" and 'A Different World"). However, Bruce Jenner looked WAY too old to be beleivable as an 18-year old college freshman and hamminess abounds, particulrly Geroge Stanford Brown as the Black militant student who makes life rough for Gregory. Show this to a social studies class and see what they think.

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The Cary Grant Signature Collection (Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House / Destination Tokyo / The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer / My Favorite Wife / Night and Day) (1946) Review

The Cary Grant Signature Collection (Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House / Destination Tokyo / The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer / My Favorite Wife / Night and Day) (1946)
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This Signature Series effectively brings together some stellar examples of the suave, urbane sophistication and light-hearted good humor that was Cary Grant. However, the absence of "Bringing Up Baby" and "Dream Wife" from this DVD collection is - quite simply - inexcusable! Having said that, this box set is comprised of 3 hilarious comedies (Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, My Favorite Wife, The Bachelor and the Bobby-soxer), one highly enjoyable musical (Night & Day) and one thrilling WWII drama (Destination Tokyo). "Mr. Blandings" is a sort of 1940s rendition of "The Money Pit" - about a couple desperately trying to build their dream house despite overwhelmingly hilarious adversity. It co-stars Melvyn Douglas and Myrna Loy. "My Favorite Wife" is the most outstanding of the three comedies. It stars Irene Dunne (who previously costarred with Grant in "The Awful Truth"), as Grant's wife - presumed dead at the start of the film, but resurfacing shortly thereafter to throw a monkey wrench into Grant's second marriage to Gail Patrick. "The Bachelor and The Bobby-soxer" is a quaint romantic triangle between Grant, Shirley Temple and Myrna Loy. He's a playboy writer unwillingly and romantically tied to a 17-year-old schoolgirl (Temple) but more interested in her older sister (Loy). "Night & Day" is the outstanding and tuneful musical loosely based on the life of composer, Cole Porter. Actually, there's no hint of Porter's real life in it at all, other than Grant assigned to play the flamboyantly homosexual real-life man as a playfully womanizing heterosexual. Faux reality aside, the film contains wonderful production numbers to some wonderful tunes including "You're The Top" sung by Grant and "My Heart Belongs to Daddy", a Mary Martin specialty that stops the show. "Destination Tokyo" is a stark shift from all the lighthearted playfulness discussed thus far. Grant is the captain of a submarine during WWII, sent to gather information for the coming Doolittle Raid. John Garfield is magnificent as the torpedo man with a bitter grudge against the Axis powers. A tad weighty on war time propaganda, this film is nevertheless, one of a handful of truly outstanding films based upon reality.
THE TRANSFERS: All of these films have been given an upgraded treatment by Warner Brothers and the clean up most definitely shows - most noticeably on "My Favorite Wife" which previously has looked very poor on home video formats. Overall, the gray scale on each of these films (with the exception of "Night & Day" which is in Technicolor) is wonderfully balanced with clean whites and solid blacks. There's very little in the way of age related artifacts for a collection of digital transfers that will surely NOT disappoint. There is some pixelization and edge enhancement present on "Destination Tokyo" as well as considerable film grain present in several rear projection shots from the same film, but these are to be expected in the quality of films of this vintage. Of special note: the Technicolor transfer on "Night And Day" suffers from periodic mis-registration that creates distracting halos or out of focus image quality from time to time. At its best the color is rich and well balanced. The audio is mono for all the titles but very nicely balanced. Of special merit: the songs in "Night And Day" are wonderfully spatial.
EXTRAS: It is somewhat disappointing that the Cary Grant Bio currently airing on Turner Classic movies as part of their month long tribute has not been included as part of this box set. We get only scant features here - some audio commentaries - resourceful if brief - some theatrical trailers and some publicity stills. Perhaps Warner is waiting to do a Cary Grant Vol. II. We'll see.
BOTTOM LINE: This is definitely one to add to your collection. Even if the transfers had not been so beautifully rendered - owning a bit of that old Cary Grant magic is never a waste of money.

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Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream HouseThe Bachelor and The Bobby-SoxerMy Favorite WifeDestination Tokyo Night and Day

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The Incredibles (Four-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2004) Review

The Incredibles (Four-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2004)
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Did you ever read comic books as a kid? Did you ever wish you had super powers? If you answered yes drop everything and go see this movie now. I have been increasingly blown away by the quality filmmaking Pixar has brought to cinemas over the past decade, but The Incredibles marks the first time I've been overwhelmed. Everything you've ever loved about superheroes is addressed in this film, from secret identities to the danger of wearing a cape. Add to the mix an amazingly complex family drama and you have the absolute best film of the year.
Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson), once the super hero of the year is now relegated to a cubicle in an insurance company, still trying to save the day (quietly) one claim at a time. His wife, Helen, a.k.a Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) has also turned in her spandex, using her special powers to juggle the task of raising three kids instead of wrangling villains. Their son, Dash, wants nothing more than to use his super speed to propel him to athletic glory. Violet, who has the ability to turn invisible and enclose her self within a forcefield broods like any normal teenager. The baby, Jack Jack doesn't seem to have any super powers at all, unless you include making funny faces in a high chair.
All of this is due to a Super Hero relocation program enacted by the government after public outcry over property damage and personal injury( a very sharp and poignant jab at our own litigious nature). Forced to hide greatness behind a shroud of mediocrity the Incredible family do their best to blend in with normal society, and for the most part succeed.
Of course events unfold to bring all of the Incredibles super powers to light, and for this to occur you need to introduce the mad genius villain, Syndrome (Jason Lee). Parents, here's where the PG rating comes from, because this is one really, really bad guy. A former superhero fan with an enormous chip on his shoulder Syndrome is like every James Bond baddie rolled into one. His gadgets are unique, insanely cool, and above all extremely deadly. Some dark thematic elements and violence cemented the MPAA's decision to slap Pixar with its first above G rating. However, this movie could not have been done properly without giving the audience such a nefarious nemesis to loathe.
In costume and out you will constantly root for the Incredibles, this movie is what going to the theater is all about, non-stop entertainment. The action sequences are positively synapse blowing. The script is Oscar worthy in its ability to seamlessly weave domestic drama and comic book daring-do. Of course the animation has to be seen to be believed, and your eyes will bulge for the film's duration.
I can't imagine this film not being successful but I hope it destroys box office records and mends the wound that has Pixar and Disney going their separate ways. Because if ever there was a film that demanded a sequel it is The Incredibles. An animation masterpiece!

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Known to the world as superheroes, Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, Bob Parr and his wife Helen were among the world's greatest crime fighters, saving lives and battling evil on a daily basis. Fifteen years later, they have been forced to adopt civilian identities and retreat to the suburbs to live "normal" lives with their three kids, Violet, Dash, and Jack-Jack. Itching to get back into action, Bob gets his chance when a mysterious communication summons him to a remote island for a top secret assignment. He soon discovers that it will take a super family effort to rescue the world from total destruction.
Exploding with fun and all-new bonus features available only on Blu-ray, this spectacular 4-disc combo pack is edge-of-your-seat entertainment for everyone.


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Tron: Legacy (2010) Review

Tron: Legacy (2010)
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"Greetings, programs!"
It was a long time coming, but the wait was worth it. While theatrical sequels to The Last Starfighter and War Games may or may not come out in the near future, and I am left hoping and praying for big-screen adaptations of Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series and Doc Smith's Lenman Series...Tron Legacy is here now (in glorious 3D) courtesy of Disney. I saw it on opening night in 3D with a huge box of kettle corn, a large group of friends...and I was first in line for the showing. Naturally my expectations were high.
The Grid
To be sure, this movie is visually and audibly stunning in every way. Everyone who was tantalized by the trailers and got excited by the visuals will NOT be disappointed with the art design or special effects. As they were leaving the showing before us, many people had neither a positive nor a negative expression on their face. They simply looked...stunned. Shocked. Out of it. And after seeing the movie I think I understand why.
This must be what it felt like to see Star Wars the first time in 1977. Seeing Tron Legacy (especially without seeing the first Tron) is like being transported to an alien planet through an inter-dimensional gateway. There simply has never been anything like this on the big-screen in history. The film cost 170 million according to box office records I read online, and you can see where the money went.
The computer world is literally a city of light. The first time you see it, it takes your breath away. The action sequences featuring light cycles, flying discs, and various flying vehicles are some of the most amazing ever captured. From the moment I saw the visuals that became the film's logo I knew the visual style of this film was spot on and I was going to love it.
The Game Has Changed
When you compare this movie to the first Tron, it's a MAJOR upgrade in just about every way (the one area I think it's inferior is the acting not quite on the same level). The dorky outfits of the first movie have been replaced with the new skin-tight outfits with glowing edges, the discs no longer look like ceramic Frisbees, the light cycles can make curved turns, ect. In truth, this was something I was worried about when I first saw the previews. It seemed to break from the feel of the first Tron film too much. But now...
This is how i feel about the overall feel of Tron Legacy compared to the first: I have seen many animated TV shows that were then made into feature films, and you almost always have the same feeling that characters were changed around, and usually some past events were totally re-written. In a good movie adaptation the essence is maintained but the experience is different (like an alternate telling or a what if?). Thus, while Tron Legacy breaks from many of the traditions of Tron (digital people now look much more like real people, real food exists in the Grid instead of just energy), at its heart it is a continuation of the story, characters, and world you have grown to love.
Flynn Lives
Yes, at its heart, this is the same world you loved when you saw the first Tron, with the same features and flaws. The first Tron was a visual masterpiece with unique music and visual flair, a simple but deep plot, and characters you grew to love on an age-old but engrossing quest to save the computer world and along with it the real world. This film is no different in these fundamentals. The visuals are amazing, the music is astounding, and the main plot is almost identical to the first movie (get out of system, defeat the evil program who rules the computer world with an iron fist).
The now older Kevin Flynn who was trapped in the digital world is no less likable, but expectedly changed as anyone would be after decades spent inside a computer. His son Sam is the kind of guy you immediately like. He's rich but not snobby, attractive but not superficial, a good guy but maybe just lacking some purpose and direction in his life. At any rate, he makes a great protagonist. Jeff Bridges is a bit subdued compared to his other roles lately, but his whacky zen charm still makes him fun to watch. His digital younger (flashback and arch-nemesis) self does not fare as well because while a digital world evil Jeff Bridges that feels a bit unnatural is no problem, when it's supposed to be Kevin Flynn in the past it just comes off as strangely artificial.
Probably the first thing everyone noticed from the trailer besides the light cycles was Olivia Wilde's character Quorra. She manages to be beautiful, innocent, courageous, loyal, child-like, fierce, and in all other ways awesome for the duration of the film. Her acting is flawless. Michael Sheen is totally over-the-top in a role that people will probably either love or hate, and Beau Garrett's Gem and Cillian Murphy's Dillinger will have you wishing they had larger roles. And of course there is one surprise I wasn't expecting regarding an old favorite character. But let's not kid ourselves...the real star of this movie is...the soundtrack!
Derezzed
The soundtrack...to Tron...is one of the greatest soundtracks in history. Please understand, I do not use these terms to describe a soundtrack lightly. My favorite kind of music to listen to is orchestral movie and TV music. From anime soundtracks like Vision of Escaflowne and Magic Knight Rayearth to under-rated scores like A.I. and the New World, I am a HUGE fan of orchestral tracks. I have literally hundreds of movie themes performed by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. I listen to the Star Wars soundtrack from beginning to end. I even recently wrote the Prague Philharmonic an email requesting that they record music on my wish list. That is to say...I take movie musical scores SERIOUSLY.
You should know that I am a fan of Daft Punk's album Discovery. Look it up on Amazon and you'll see my ecstatic review. Some people have unfairly criticized the soundtrack for Tron Legacy, simply because what they wanted was another Daft Punk album, another Discovery. This is NOT a Daft Punk album. This is a FILM SCORE, featuring a full orchestra in addition to the electronic wizardry of Daft Punk. And it is destined to become legendary. From the first moments of the film when the main theme kicked in I was blown away by the music, but there is much more to it than just that the music is phenomenal.
I would say that from 60 to 75 percent of the brilliance of this movie is the film score, and the reason for that is that the film was actually CUT to the film score, rather than the score being cut to the film. What this means, is that the film and its music are almost perfectly synchronized. Anyone who has watched a really good AMV on the Internet has seen the magic that happen when you cut the action to the music and it works magic in this film. The disc battles, light-cycle sequences, and chase scenes and fight scenes (Derezzed being the stand-out) are incredible because of how the music not only fits, but drives these scenes. And when the epic climax of the movie rolls around the music makes it a hundred times better because it is brilliant, and it is so loud, so strong, so appropriate, and so flat-out amazing that it just makes everything WORK. Some have said that they listened to the music on its own in order to more fully appreciate it. I say the opposite. See the movie to appreciate how the music was MEANT to be used. Awesome.
The Creator
Some critics and others might dismiss Tron Legacy as a simple candy-coated popcorn flick with all the depth of Super-Bowl commercial. "Tron Legacy isn't actually trying to be smart"? You have got to be kidding me. But then again...people said EXACTLY the same thing when the first Tron came out, and when the Matrix movie came out as well. I'm starting to think that every time someone says a movie has no plot what they really mean is "I didn't understand it."
This movie is NOT simplistic. The spiritual overtones of Tron once again are pronounced. Love them or hate them, they are what drive this story, not the basic premise of the plot. In the first Tron the Users were seen as gods, the ones who had a plan for everything, the great beings who watched over the Grid with benevolence. When Tron was given a mission by his User, it was akin to pulling The Sword From The Stone or learning to Use The Force. Likewise, Kevin Flynn's User powers are seen from time to time, making him seem like a sort of mythological wizard (Merlyn, Gandalf, or better yet Obi-Wan Kenobi from Star Wars: A New Hope). When the creatures of his self-created Grid turn on him we cannot help but see an allusion to our own world where in films and popular culture everyone sees to be angry at God despite the fact that he made them. This spiritual metaphor does not come off as silly or cheesy (at least in my opinion) but rather lends significant gravity to an otherwise straightforward plot.
There you have it. The new Tron is an amazing film in just about every way. Not perfect, but definitely the best movie to come out in years. The 3D is nice, but not required, as it is not quite up to the par of Alice in Wonderland and Avatar. It would be better to see this film on a digital screen where the wonders of the world of the Grid can really shimmer and pop off the screen in razor sharp detail (the icing on the cake would be digital 3D). I've seen it multiple times in the theater. You should do the same. This one movie you do not want to rent and watch on a tiny TV for your first viewing. You want to see it on the big screen. And then buy the Blu Ray and watch it on your home theater. This is one movie that would show off a high-def setup in spectacular fashion.


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Disney presents a high-tech motion picture unlike anything you've ever seen in an astonishing 3D Combo Pack. Immerse yourself in the digital world of Tron, as celebrated actor Jeff Bridges stars in a revolutionary visual effects adventure beyond imagination. When Flynn, the world's greatest video game creator, sends out a secret signal from an amazing digital realm, his son discovers the clue and embarks on a personal journey to save his long-lost father. With the help of the fearless female warrior Quorra, father and son venture through an incredible cyber universe and wage the ultimate battle of good versus evil. Bring home an unrivaled entertainment experience with Tron: Legacy in jaw-dropping Disney Blu-ray 3D - complete with never-before-seen bonus features that take you even deeper into the phenomenal world of Tron. It's magic in a new dimension.

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