Big Cats Collection

I was disappointed
In the days of LD and VHS NG produced a wide range of interesting reports that concentrated on the animals. Recently there has been a trend towards talking more and more about the background and the people involved, so much so that the animals are almost coming second. This release is entitled Big Cats but in reality is as much about the Jouberts, the Masai and government politics. That is all very well but in no way does this compare with the vividly close to nature presentations from the BBC. A large part of the video is from SD recordings many years ago and the overall video quality is far below say Planet Earth and overall not much better than a DVD. The editing was a bit hit and miss and the subtitles and program advertising from the Lion Warriors segment was particularly muddled and poorly finished.
Overall I was unimpressed and for the price I found it poor value and NOT something I would pop in the player to get closer to say the Lions who were by far the main actors in...

Very nice big cat documentaries
This collection is very well done. There are 5 programs that are included and I will rate each one.

-Big Cat Odyssey ****
Very nice documentary. Four out of five stars because it gives you the depressing facts about lion's shrinking numbers. Other than that, very nice shots and a cool story.

-Leopard Queen ********************
My favorite. Such an amazing story about a leopard that the cameraman became uniquelly attached to. This special is the best out of the collection. Made you walk away feeling good.

-Lion Warriors **
Not the best. This one is about African tribes and their struggle against lions that kill their livestock, so they kill the lions. Made me kinda angry at the tribes for attacking endangered animals, but whatever. This is why its 2 out of five stars.

-Lions on the Edge *****
Great story about lions surviving a severe drought. Does get depressing at one point, but if you just keep repeating "its just the...

I like what I have seen of it.
I have only seen one of the programs,but it is interesting. It is sad though to see how threatened these cats are. If you like big cats it seems worth seeing.

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Real Estate Film School - Mac Edition

Took me to the next level


Everything you need to know.
My PC skills have been somewhat limited, with little or no knowledge of digital
editing or uploading to the web. Then I discovered the two hour plus Real Estate
Film School DVD, which teaches step by step, everything you need to know about
producing a professional quality digital film.

The instructor, a professional cinematographer and editor, takes you through the
complete process, from filming to completely finishing your project on your PC.
If you speak English, and have the ability to focus on the spoken word, you'll
have no problem learning everything you'll need to know to turn out a production
or presentation you'll be proud of.

The advantage in learning from a DVD over going to expensive workshops is
obvious. If you miss a point, simply rewind your DVD and concentrate a little
harder.

The Real Estate Film School DVD was actually designed for the real estate
professional to develope his video...

Dominate your market
If you are serious about selling real estate, and dominating your market, this is the "must have" video. Your competitor's property tours look like they were cuts from The Blair Witch...yours could look like a Hollywood production. If you are the broker of your office, just buy it and let all of your agents watch it! It will make you more money and increase your office's professional image.

I just finished watching this video now and will start implementing what I have learned immediately! Watch my YouTube channel "ElementsRealtyGroup" to see how I grow my video tour library and listings! Next I am buying a Glidecam and Camera Slider.

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Pain Free at Work

Material presented is good, but not particularly new or different
NOTE: I received a free copy of this DVD to review for the web site Metapsychology Online; you can find a more complete version of my review on that site.

In this DVD, physical therapist Chantal Donnelly--who was previously featured in the therapeutic video Strong Knees--has put together a comprehensive approach to preventing the wear and tear on the body that can develop as a result of sedentary office work. Using a series of short chapters, Donnelly educates about crucial topics such as posture and workplace ergonomics, but she also teaches simple exercises designed to alleviate stress and reduce tension.

The Main Menu of the DVD offers options for Play All or Chapters. I have briefly described each chapter below, including approximate times.

INTRODUCTION

PAIN FREE SITTING, 2.5 minutes

In this segment, Donnelly uses a model to demonstrate proper sitting...

good exercises/stretches
There is a lot of informational sessions on the DVD but I found none of them useful. They are quite short and the information described in them is easily available online. However, I did like the exercise segment and have seen improvement in my back and shoulder pain from sitting at the desk. I started off using the dvd 5 days a week and am now down to about 2-3 times a week depending on if I have pain.

Everybody Should Own This!
This DVD is a life saver for anybody who works on a computer, in an office, or at a desk. Who knew how easy it was to be pain free? And this is good for people who don't have pain too because Ms. Donnelly shows you simple ways to keep it that way. This is a great gift to give employees, co-workers, or friends and family.

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breAthe: The Perfect Harmony of Breathing

Great beginning yoga entre for people with physical limitations
I've been following Fabio's course of breathing seriously now for about 3 months. For years, I felt intimidated by doing yoga because of being out of shape and overweight although I've done many meditation practices. I initially started the breathe course because I wanted finally to quit smoking. By the second class I had smoked my last cigarette in this life. This course works well for me because of its simplicity and the clarity of the sequence of movements combined with harmonious breathing. It feels great not to have to worry about complicated movements but gently acquire flexibility and range of motion to the point where I can now do some simple yoga positions. However, this video is not about doing yoga but about breathing properly, which is a great benefit to one's health and state of mind. My only regret is that I waited so long to begin this course. "Breathe" is one of the best practices I have ever done in my 30 year history of meditation practice. Thank you, Fabio!!!

An awesome video!!!
As an instructor of Yantra Yoga and someone who has been trained in the methods found in this video, I can say that from my experience for myself and my students, the benefits of this system of complete breathing are dramatic, many and lasting. I have had students who have stopped smoking immediately, alleviated restless leg syndrome, lowered blood pressure and hypertension, helped relieve many chronic ailments such as tension, insomnia, arthritis, fatigue, nervousness, and the list goes on and on. Not only that, but these methods are simple, not physically challenging and something that one can easily incorporate in daily life, so they can be used by people of all ages and physical conditions! This breathing technique is a sure way to relax more deeply than you have ever done before!!!
The video itself presents the methods developed by Fabio Andrico based in the principles of Yantra Yoga, in a clear, direct and elegant way. It is very easy to use and follow and it is beautiful...

Ground-breaking, simple, yet profound!
I have been a student, practitioner and a teacher of various types of Yoga and meditation for over 30 years. Fundamental to being able to discover a relaxed and calm state of mind is being able have an awareness of the breathing. When the breathing is disordered it is a sign that our mind and emotions are disordered. By learning to breathe in a deep and harmonious way we can more easily calm our mind even in the midst of our often busy and chaotic lives.
In this first-of-its kind DVD Fabio Andrico and Yamila Diaz expertly explain and demonstrate in a simple step-wise fashion the foundation of the `complete' or `abdominal' breathing. There are simple exercises for warming up the body to make it more flexible and amenable to working with the breathing. The instructions for unlocking the abdominal, thorasic, dorsal and clavicular breathing are superb and allow the user to discover, finally, how to breathe with awareness, in a smooth harmonious way. This will have a profound...

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Dead Men Don't Count & Kill and Pray

Damon, Steffen, Castel,... Spaghetti Estravaganza
American actor Mark Damon aka Johnny Yuma is featured in this excellent double billing from Wild East, with genre favorites Anthony Steffen and Lou Castel. "Dead Men Don't Count", the first film, Damon and Steffen are paired up bounty hunters falsely accused of murder in a lawless town ruled by racketeering lawmen... the pistols are loaded, the sun is blazing, the Madrid is scene, the music score is orchestrated to an almost perfect spaghetti western, not to be missed, 85 minutes. The second feature, "Kill And Pray", conceals a dark shade of religious content and theme, similar to director Enzo Castellari's "Keoma". Lou Castel is the son of a preacher, who suddenly discovers how to shoot a pistol like a seasoned pro with a little help from the good book. Mark Damon portrays his darkest, most sadistic role ever in this violent western that also delivers the works, 100 minutes... both films are widescreen with excellent remastered transfers on a double sided disc. The interview with...

great dvd !!!
difficult to find western spaghetti movies with widescreen ! this is the case for this one ! enjoy ! this dvd seller must find a lot of customers !!



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Augusta's Master Plan: From Sherman's March to Arnie's Army

Great history of the Masters and the surrounding area
Based on books by local sports writer Stan Byrdy, this is an excellent video. Perhaps more interesting for those who live in the area as it covers a lot of history about the area itself. This is a "must see" for anyone who loves golf and wants to know more about the history of the Augusta National and The Masters.





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60 Minutes - The Archbishop (March 20, 2011)

Revelation: He Lives In a Delusional World, Not a Different One
I thought this 60 Minutes piece on this RC cleric was very good for delivering the central insight. And the insight could be summed up in the final words in the interview with Morley Safer. FIrst I want to tell you where this man got his blustery, faux-hale-fellow-well-met bravado. It was perfected in the Catholic context by one Bishop Robert Lynch, who arranged the former Pope's first trip to the US. And later was the USCCB top executive. It is a phony tame-macho bluster which is so recognizable, and the former Rector I knew perfected it, and passed it on throughout the US hierarchy. Had it not been for a scandal, he would be sitting in New York. Instead, this ditto-head is there. Morely Safer is a savvy interviewer, and wouldn't let this performer off the hook. In the end, all he could do was muster the pseudo-insight, that you live in your world, and I live in mine, and I am glad you are visiting. NO! Mr Safer was expressing views consistent with living in the real world. This man...





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GONE: The Mystery of the Don Disaster

Great movie
This movie captures the emotions of the little Maine towns that lost so many citizens. I am from Maine, and hadn't heard the story, but found it fascinating. Well done.

So horrible
I don't know what that other reviewer saw, but this was just horrible. I'd rather watch monkeys fling poop at each other than this...which I'm sure the other reviewer has lots of.

Still an intruquing mystery... unsolved, after all these years.
Gone: The Mystery Of The Don Disaster is a video well worth owning.
You cannot sort this mystery out in one sitting.

The Don was a strange looking boat. She was a top-heavy forty four feet long with a nine-and-a-half foot beam. Atop this all was a pipe-framed steering station. Below decks, a large gasoline tank was mounted far forward in her wooden hull. Thirty four people (or was it 36?) were aboard for the Don's last trip. No one came home alive. No one knows why.

This documentary uses historic sources and well done reenacted scenes. The mood is of the early 1940s. The reenactments are gentle backdrops to the telling of the story. The movie was inspired by the research presented in the book Tragedy In Casco Bay by Stacy Welner

There is still a lot of mystery about the Don and its doom. No one knows for sure why she went down or where. This is a dramatic presentation of a classic sea tragedy. The captain who was under pressure running a party...

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Trotsky [Blu-ray]

Don't Start The Revolution Without Me: A Delightful Satire Loses Its Way
"The Trotsky" is one of those films that I wholeheartedly loved for at least half of its running time. A deliciously dark comedy about a Canadian youth who imagines he's the reincarnation of Russian revolutionary leader Leon Trotsky, this film begins as a strong satire of idealism gone awry. The running joke, throughout, is that our hero has very little to rebel against--he's just in love with the idea that he is a relevant trailblazer. But, in fact, he's no trailblazer at all. He's just trying to mirror his life according to the facts of Trotsky's existence--right down to his love life. It's a sly and smart skewering of politics and teen rebellion. The fact that his activism has very little real world context is quite amusing as there is no obvious cause to be fought. But just as the picture had won me over--a subtle shift starts occurring and we're meant to take this arbitrary and absolutely meaningless struggle seriously. A completely implausible, and somewhat creepy, romantic...





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The Endellion String Quartet play Beethoven

Excellent introduction to their full set on CD - a favourite set of mine
The Endellion Quartet was formed in 1979 and is now the resident quartet at Cambridge University. They have become renowned world-wide for their abilities everywhere `setting the audience ablaze' (Daily Telegraph) and for playing with `poise, true intonation, excellent balanceand a beautiful tone' (Grove Dictionary).

All of this is true, not only of this current DVD release but also of their CD recording of the complete Beethoven quartets. Like me therefore, you may be tempted to view this issue as a sort of sampler before adding further to your collection. It is an ideal coupling for that purpose as it contains one quartet from each of the three periods of Beethoven's development - early, middle and late. All three are given fine, possibly revelatory, performances.

You will not be disappointed for indeed, they fulfil all the expectations created by the above quotes. This has been a more involving experience for me than either the much admired earlier Italian...





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Bike-O-Vision Cycling Journey- South Carolina Backroads (Widescreen DVD #11)

Some of my favorite "back roads" to explore on bike!
Last night I did all my cross-training on various machines to the Bike-O-Vision Cycling Journey - South Carolina Backroads.

After 15 or maybe 30 minutes, I was ready to come in and write a review that said, "Beautiful back roads, lots of green trees, but rather boring, not my favorite Bike-O-Vision trip."

Right after thinking those thoughts, the trip changed. We went up King Mountain. We went to little resort towns. Then, my beautiful little town of Beaufort where I've only lived in my imagination, but love it anyway! Then more towns that are just a joy to bicycle through.

Don't give up and think that the long, L-O-N-G, roads at the beginning are all of it. They saved the best for last! Next time I think I'll go straight to the Beaufort part. Loved it!





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Best of Soul Train: Dance Dance Dance

A must have
if you love the honey combs, delfonics, pursade, chi lites, joe texs , al green and many more you will love this two disks sets including the soul train dancers....this is part of history in don cornulis memory iam blessed to have this in procession thank you amazon for having this amazing dvd.

Good, could have been better
I'll start out by saying that for the most part I liked all the performances. The interviews were okay too. The afro-sheen commercials I thought there were too many of them, although it was amusing to see them again after all these years. What bugged me the most was on disc 2 some of the performances were clipped off at the end. Also I would have liked to have seen the Sylvers performance of "Fools Paradise" which they performed on the same episode after "Wish that I could talk to you". Also I would have liked to have seen Dennis Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band playing "Scorpio" as well as the Soul Train dancers stepping to it (I saw them play it on an episode I saw back in the 1970's). I see why some people have complained about the way Time-Life put the Soul Train DVD's together, it seems like they didn't take all the advice they were given to by the people who put the show together in the first place.

Baby Boomers
All the old memories will flood back in your mind, when you watch all the great music that you'll watch. If your a Baby Boomer, it's a must watch.

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The Ark of the Covenant. ByFaith Quest.

Thoroughly entertaining and Educational Quest for the Ark of the Covenant with Stunning Locations
ByFaith - Quest for the Ark of the Covenant is a great DVD of family entertainments, coupled with biblical exploration in so many places in Egypt and Ethiopia. The two explorers look into Tutankhamun's Treasure, Pharaoh Shishak's Siege of Jerusalem, the Queen of Sheba's Ethiopia and the Lost Gold of Solomon's Temple.

As always, the ByFaith team look at the evidence, present the biblical case and look at what is credible and what is not. The DVD is entertaining as well as educational, with some stunning cinematography (especially location, like the Rock Churches or the Steles of Axum) in this documentary of exploration and fact-finding mission. The DVD also uses animation, photos and 3D illustrations and is split into four episodes, or just sit down and watch it through in one sitting as I did - you will not be disappointed.

Thoroughly entertaining and Educational Quest for the Ark of the Covenant with Stunning Locations

OK for newbies to Bibical studies
This is a documentary given in a traveloge type of view, by two evangelists. They travel through the various locations looking for indications of evidence for the Ark's final location.
a bit goofy in some parts, but the whole comes out well.



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Pecker [HD]

not to be missed commentary by John Waters
If you're not a John Waters fan already, you probably won't even be reading this. I won't even comment on the film Pecker, since the critics and other viewers have done a pretty thorough job of that, but I will comment on John Water's running commentary, which is almost as good as the film itself. Even if you have already seen Pecker in a theatre, buy the DVD to hear John's commentary. He is so smart and funny and simply lovable, and he accepts everything and everyone with a wide-open heart. I watch every commentary that is included on DVDs, and without doubt, John Water's is one of the best. After hearing this wonderful commentary, you will love the movie even more!

Instant Waters collection
If, like me, you've been collecting various versions of the Waters films over the years, this will be a welcome addition to your library. I bought the three 2 movie sets individually and then mailed away for the 7th disk that this collection includes. It's got little videos and pictures and other trivia on it. At long last I can finally retire my second generation VHS dubs of Female Trouble and Desperate Living.
Buy this set, and invite your more open-minded friends over. You'll laugh your heads off. These movies literally changed my life (for the better) when I saw them for the first time in my early teens.
Oh, and to knucklehead that gave this set 1 star: Criticizing John Waters' films is like criticizing Picasso's paintings because the people don't look real.

Charm City - Trade Capital of the World!
From Charm City comes another Waters charmer - another minor masterpiece!

From start to finish Pecker is a delight and Waters infuses his script with enough loveable oddball characters to populate an entire city. Whether it's Christina Ricci's obsessive compulsive wreck of a laundress, the sugar addict Little Chrissy, eternally hopeful Mom, sleaze loving Tina or best of all Memama, who's room contains a shrine to the Virgin Mary - and a statute of the Virgin that shrieks "Full of grace! Full of Grace!" there is always someone to watch and enjoy.

Edward Furlong is all wide-eyed innocence - even when he's secretly photographing bottomless lesbian lap dancers at the and male strippers at a gay bar with the unfortunately hilarious name of "The Fudge Palace." Big sister, Tina offers a rip-roaring good time from Martha Plimpton, and Brendan Sexton III is a delight as Pecker's betrayed best friend. Throw in Mary Kay Place (!), Patty Hearst, Mink Stole, Lili Taylor,...

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Getting Played [HD]

Thoroughly Boring
I thought this movie was so boring. It was so trying to be Two can play that game, but nowhere near as good. The practically going straight to video should've been my cue, but alas I gave it a try on account of Vivica. I am very thankful that I did not buy it and only rented it. In my opinion it wasn't funny, it wasn't sexy yet it seemed like it was attempting to be a romantic comedy. I kid you not, the only part in the movie that I did laugh at was Ticia Arnold and the man she was with and the bloopers at the end. That's pretty bad. Trust me, save your money and your time.

Good for cheap
I found it somewhat predictable but overall still enjoyable. Carmen, Stacy, & Vivica provide plenty of PG-13 eye candy for the guys. There are also buff shirtless guys for the ladies.

BILL IS A FOOL FOR REAL
I NEVER LIKED BILL BELLEMAY UNTILL I SEEN THIS FILM,I LAUGHED SO HARD TILL I WAS ROLLING,THE SCENE WHERE HE WAS DANCING FOR VIVICAL FOX,WAS HILARIOUS, YOU GUYS WILL LOVE THIS ONE TRUST ME...LOL

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Give Your Walls Some Soul: This River Has Soul

Too much extra chatter and she doesn't finish a painting
I've just switched from acrylics to acrylics/oil and would like to purchase a set of DVDs showing oil techniques, which are quite different than acrylics. I've rented several in this series and the artist has great tips, and it's revealing to see her process, but she never finished a painting and there is too much digressing.





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Daisy Tells a Secret - parent edition

A Wonderful Educational Tool
This is a great video for educating children on a very sensitive topic. I had searched and searched for just the right video until I found the perfect one in Daisy! I love the addition of Spanish, and also the American Sign Language version and I appreciate the forethought of including multiple cultural and linguistic groups prior to the development of this video. This is a wonderful educational tool!





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The Adventures of Pinocchio [HD]

Charming version of old favorite
Definitely a keeper in the family movie collection. I had already seen the movie and decided to buy it and so when pucrhasing at Amazon I was so surprised at a few poor reviews listed for this movie that I took time to write. It is a great production of a family favorite depicting old time values and morals while entertaining due to engrossing and almost believable characters of this old family favorite. My 6 and 5 yr old kids were enthralled and describe it as their favorite movie ever. Even Dad stayed awake through the entire movie! It may not work for teenagers but for a relaxing family movie evening, you will not be disappointed and I will keep our copy for ever.

Good movie, but not the same as the animated classic
I asked for this movie in 1996 because I was a HUGE Jonathan Taylor Thomas fan.

When I first watched it, I was expecting it to be a lot like the animated Disney version. To a certain extent it is, but there are a lot of scenes in this movie that aren't in the animated version.

What I Didn't Like About the Movie: With live action and JTT's likeness as a puppet, I got a "Toystory" / "Who Framed Roger Rabbit Feel". It just didn't look right. This is minor considering the overall quality of the story.

I did enjoy this movie. It doesn't have content that you have to worry about little ones seeing. Though it isn't destined to be a Disney classic, this is a good movie for the whole family.

Well made fanatsy film.
A lonely puppetmaker (Oscar-Winner:Martin Landau in a Impressive Role), who made a Puppet, the shape of a Little Boy. He wishes one night, that his Puppet would become a Real Boy (Voiced by Jonathan Talyor Thomas) and it came true but in the form of a Puppet.

Directed by Steve Barron (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Coneheads) made a good entertaining film, based on a novel by Carlo Collod`s Fable. Good Supporting Cast including:Genevieve Bujold, Udo Kier, Bebe Neuwirth and Rob Schnieder. This was a Box Office Disappointment in Theaters but it did better on Video. Walt Disney`s animated version is much better but this is bit different from Disney`s Version. Great Special Effects done by Jim Henson`s Creature Shop. Panavision. Grade:B+.

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The Mikado (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

Green & Granville make for pleasant MIKADO
True love never runs smooth in the classic operas of W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. When the son of the Mikado of Japan falls in love with the fair Yum-Yum, he must not only out-wit the man she is to wed (Ko-Ko), but the lovesick Katisha and his own father as well. What follows is a tuneful comedy of errors that has become one of the classics of the musical stage. If nothing else, THE MIKADO has long been regarded as one of the best of the Gilbert & Sullivan creations, with it's sharp satire wedded to the lovely music and Japanese trappings. However, many fans of the Savoy operas have tended to view this 1939 film adapation as somewhat of a mixed bag. While they appreciated the use of stars from the D'Oyle Carte Opera Company, they didn't enjoy seeing the opera trimmed to fit into a 90 minute time frame. Having said that, I will state that this version is a solid enough introduction to the classic show, while preserving the great performances of D'Oyle Carte veterans...

Comparison to Statford Edition
It is certain that the biggest problem with this make of the Mikado is that so many good songs were cut. However, I am glad that they cut out "As someday it may happen" I never liked that in the least. I mostly compare this to the Statford 1986 version. Overall, it wasn't as good, but it is worth seeing both. I think that this is definitely the Mikado to watch first because it is shorter and the sets are so excellent the watching is easier. I tried watching the Statford version and was desparately bored, until I became enough of a Mikado lover from watching this version to watch it again.
I thought that Kenney Baker made a fine Nanki-Poo, he was much better than Stratford's Henry Ingram, who overacted even more, if that's possible. Baker's voice was good for the role. The accent wasn't much of an impediment, though getting an English one may have helped.
I liked this Yum-Yum because she was much different than the Stratford one, she was quiet and graceful while...

famous D'Oyly Carte Players on film
This wouldn't be my first choice for a DVD or VHS Mikado, but IS interesting in its own way. A big technicolor production from 1938, one has the opportunity to see D'Oyly Carte greats Martyn Green and Sydney Granville in action as Ko-Ko and Pooh-Bah. I must disagree with most about Kenny Baker as Nanki-Poo; sure, it is an American approach, but this role isn't high drama--he's a young prince in love, and I think Baker is just fine in the role, and sings it as well, and at times better, than most of the recorded Nanki-Poos, and I've heard them all on records. A pure, sweet, naturally high lyric tenor. I'm not surprised he also gets Yum-Yum's song--he was the main star of the film (this was his heyday in radio and movies.) The costumes are bizarre, and sometimes the sets, and, yes, the plot is messed with, but it still is a fun watch if you can put purist notions aside about Gilbert & Sullivan production. I was a bit amazed, though, how much Martyn Green...

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Shut Up and Shoot Me

shut up and shoot me
Shut up and shoot me was a delightful suprise. It was darkly funny. I found myself liking the assassin and the husband.

Surprise
It's an unusual little film. Set in Prague. It captures the gray bleakness of Prague in the winter rather well. The story moves along at a decent pace, it's somewhat intriguing. It's actually pretty unpredictable up until the last 15 to 20 minutes. I don't want to spoil any enjoyment you might get from watching this film.

Briefly, a young British couple is on the holiday of a lifetime in Prague. He is a very honest, worried, detail-meister, well....British male, worrying if he turned off the iron before they left for their 10 day vacation. She is a beautiful loving woman that tells him to not worry. She ends up instantly killed in a freak accident. He feels lost and without hope to live anymore. The hotel inexplicably hires a driver to take him to the morgue. Our hero husband decides to pay the driver to kill him. The story then takes us through the attempts.

The point at which the film somewhat jumps the shark for me is in the last 15 or 20 minutes. We end up...

Shut Up & See This Film
I saw this almost a year ago on VOD, COMCAST cable was showing it. It was a remarkable funny film about a Young Man losing himself after his wife died from a accident in Rome as I recall.

It is very entertaining and I am looking forward to seeing this film coming out on DVD. I give it all stars for both originality and entertaining.

Bravo!

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Culinary Travels Sonoma-Kendall-Jackson Tomato Festival, Ledson Hotel and restaurant-Great Sonoma Restaurants-Dry Creek Vineyards

So many tomatoes!
This is a well done trip to and through Sonoma and the fantastic Tomato Festival. We have Tomato Festivals in Texas but nothing to compare with this event in Sonoma. Great photography. It makes you want to head to California for the great wines, scenery and food. If you are looking for something unusual to do on a vacation that will satisfy every sensory nerve in your body, check out dates for something like this Festival !





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Africa Rise

The truth
I have been to African countries and am aware that people there are often given the short end of the stick. The movie speaks to that truth on political, economical and social levels. Even those on the team to iron out the true messes in Africa have signs of selfishness in the movie, which just proves it is human nature, regardless of ethnicity, to put one's own interests ahead of other matters. But in the end, African Rise is just that.





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Dylan Thomas: Return Journey

Delicious & Satisfying
DYLAN THOMAS: RETURN JOURNEY is a feast for the soul... an incredible joy that nourishes the heart and satisfies the mind. It is the kind of rare treasure that one would have to grab up when fleeing a burning house. (This assumes you are already a major fan of the Welsh poet and gorge yourself on his every word.) We are greatly indebted to Sir Anthony Hopkins for this great delight.

Delicious & Satisfying
DYLAN THOMAS: RETURN JOURNEY is a feast for the soul... an incredible joy that nourishes the heart and satisfies the mind. It is the kind of rare treasure that one would have to grab up when fleeing a burning house. (This assumes you are already a major fan of the Welsh poet and gorge yourself on his every word.) We are greatly indebted to Sir Anthony Hopkins for this great delight.



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When Rome Ruled

Best Documentary on Ancient Rome I've Seen
I am fascinated by ancient Rome and I am also a longtime documentary buff, so when I accidentally came across this set of discs on Amazon at a reasonable price I bought it without hesitation. I expected that a series with National Geographic's name on it would be a cut above and I wasn't disappointed. After all, it was they who first introduced me as a child to the ancient world in articles about Abu Simbel and the Bayeaux Tapestry.
This is a very good six part 270 minute documentary and I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in this subject, or who just likes good, entertaining and informative documentaries. They have done a good job of walking a line between making a lively and entertaining TV show about the Roman world, and an intelligent treatment about this amazing civilization that informs so much of the modern western world. When I saw titles like "The Real Caligula" and "Secrets of the Gladiators" I thought it might be just a rehash of series like "Rome: Power...

Veni, Vidi, Vici
`When Rome Ruled' is a 3 disc set with 2 episodes on each. They include; Secrets of the Gladiators, the Real Caligula, Doomsday Pompeii, Killing Caesar, Birth of Rome, and Ancient Superpower. Each has English subtitles.

The first, Secrets of Rome is more about the coliseum and some little known facts, such as, Rome was one of the last cities to build a stone structure to house their games because they didn't trust their citizens to gather in large groups, also how the coliseum would have been filled with water. On the other hand, they tell about the wonderful emergency evacuation system, but never even hint at how it would have worked.

Doomsday Pompeii purports itself to be the never before told story of the common people, which is a bit of an exaggeration.
Birth of Rome is also a slight misnomer, it really tells how Caesar constructed many of Rome `s structures (the city was already built) and how the city was controlled by Caesar Augustus after Caesar is...

Incomplete
FYI, this DVD contains 6 parts plus a bonus part. The original National Geographic special, and the DVDs sold on its website, contains 8 parts. This version is missing two episodes. I was not aware of this and will be returning it. I took one star off for the omission. I've viewed parts of this series on the National Geographic channel, however, and it is great and deserves the other stars.

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Culinary Travels Swiss Cheese

old world flavor
I learned some things never knew and enjoyed watching the ways of making cheese. I also become aware of the many regulations that we in America put on our companies and yet other countries do not have these rules and put out a great product.





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Culinary Travels Charleston Historic and Delicious

Ok, but not much content
Wish that there had been more content. Some of the places that they go are a little out-of-the-way of Charleston and they don't really cover a lot of restaurants. Although did discover that they do have a tea plantation in Charleston area.





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Culinary Travels Malt Memories Scotland-Islay-Laphraoig distillery/Aberfeldie-Dewar's distillery/local butcher, baker, and cheesemaker

Lovely look at the Isle of Islay
Those of you interested in the Western Isles of Scotland or the origins of single malt Scotch whiskey should enjoy this well put together video. Slainte' and maybe bon voyage!





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Treme: The Complete First Season [Blu-ray]

First Episode (Pilot)
The premier episode, "Do You Know What it Means", is a work of art. It will easily bear repeated watching because of its outstanding writing and masterful use of the indigenous music.

Not to mention the great acting, many levels of meaning, clever cameos and true-to-life subplots. And most of all: a major media production has finally "got it" about New Orleans, and got it right!

The entire series is "a love letter to New Orleans".

Signed,
A New Orleanian from Treme who has actually lived the show

The music was one strength...
I loved the series. The New Orleans Blues and Jazz music woven throughout the series was fantastic. It was especially interesting as many real and famous musicians were used in the story. The individual characters are interesting and varied. John Goodman was a hoot! Khandi Alexander (CSI: Miami 2002-2009) was really strong, but her stomach here was not. Very different from CSI. Musicians Trombone Shorty, Elvis Costello, and John Boutte, to name but a few, were great. Also the racial mix was a strength to the series and the reality of the real New Orleans and story of Hurricane Katrina.

I especially found the graphics during the credits roll interesting. Who would of thought that mold and fungus stains on walls, floors, and ceilings could look like art. Being interested also in biology and photography, I found the house mold interesting to look at, to itself artistic, even though it is often a serious health hazard. A great idea for a photo project: someone...

New Orleans Moan
I never made it to New Orleans. This show made that lack so poignant. The show was beautifully written, well-acted, great visuals, and the music was incredible! I love all the new (to me) music this show introduced me to. I wish it had gone on.

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The Explosive Generation

A small gem
The Explosive Generation's lurid cover and promo posters promise wanton, defiant delinquents ("Never has youth gone on such a rampage.... Never has a motion picture gone so far in telling their raging story! They're kids with grown-up ideas and grown-up urges, and sometimes they may go too far!").

Not so. The Explosive Generation is a realistic portrayal of the inter-generational tensions that were changing American society in the 1960s. It's about teens experiencing adult feelings and fears, looking for guidance in a world that still treats them as children, and beginning to demand respect -- and fight for it. The issues are real and the characters are realistic.

And William Shatner's sensitive performance, a few years before Star Trek turned him into a blowhard, is a treat.

Students "back-up" a controversial teacher
Basically, William Shatner (in his pre-Captain Kirk days), portrays a high school teacher who dares to answer/address the concerns of his students regarding (GASP!) sexual intercourse, human biology and reproduction.

The other adults in this movie lambaste the hapless teacher (who believed in what he was trying to do for his students), while the students publicly (but silently) protest the treatment that his peers are giving him.

It's definitely worth watching, if for no other reason than to see what happens when students demonstrate their love and respect for someone whom they feel has their very best interests at heart.

It's a "feel good" picture of high school life in small-town America, during the early 1960s.

"Well, there you see the results of your creative teaching methods. How do you like it?"
Tonight, on a very special Blossom... When this high school melodrama was released in 1961, maybe it did trigger a ruckus or two, launched a debate or two. To you and me, THE EXPLOSIVE GENERATION is about as edgy as SISTER ACT and we're wondering what the big hullabaloo is. But fifty years ago, this was probably a touchy subject matter.

Welcome to the good life, California, USA. Where moms are contented homemakers and, sometimes, even president of the local PTA and dads bring in the bacon and rush off to make their tee time. But in Mason High something's brewing. A senior class has convinced its easy-going teacher to conduct a sex survey and engage his students in a frank discussion of teen sex problems. When word of this leaks out, imagine the commotion as panicked parents swarm the principal (Edward Platt), him what's stricken with crumbling resolve, weighed under by bureaucratic duress. What are the odds he'll have his teacher's back?

I guess you can label...

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Antony and Cleopatra [HD]

READ THIS ONE BEFORE BUYING!
This is one of those films that should have been greater that it was. And now happened that Warner Video cut an entire scene out of this edition, specifically the part when Mark Antony has to return to Rome and has to find the words and courage to leave Cleopatra, who tries to get him to stay in Egypt. This is a terrible deed! I cannot believe that they cut a movie secquence just to make space for the documentary feature by Fraser Heston (?) especially since this is a dual layer disc, while the VHS edition featured the complete, uncut movie.
Even Mr. Charlton Heston would have objected to that. I would have appreciated to know this before buying this DVD, but now you know it. Therefore I took one star off the rating.

Besides this, the DVD features no Scene Selection on the menu, and subtittles are limited to English and French. Therefore I took a second star off the rating.

Now the positive points are that the DVD transfer is crisp and trufhful, well made...

Heston 10, Critics 0
Charlton Heston's production is an excellent adaptation. It is not a filmed play, but a movie. Every character, from the leads to the most minor, is well played. As director, even working on a shoestring budget, Heston managed to get in the spectacular action that a stage production can only suggest. As lead actor, he presented an Antony whose strength and weakness made him very human.

Some of Shakespeare's lines were cut, some moved around, and some "translated" into more modern English, i.e. "wanton" for "riggish". Offended purists should remember that Shakespeare was a working playwright,turning out scripts that put groundling feet on the ground and aristocratic rears on seats. Because he was a poetic genius, what he wrote turned out to be great literature, but it is better performed than read.

Heston's movie never went into general theatrical release in this country because the critics killed it. They were wrong.

Not uncut and devastatingly cut for the Cleopatra character
First I must set the record straight: this is not the uncut version. On the cover of the DVD it is written 148 minutes, but the original was 2 hours and 42 minutes long - that is what Heston said on television then in 1972 in Japan. So, about 14 minutes short. Missing are as follows as far as I can remember clearly (I saw it 5 times then, being a great Heston fan):

Act I, sc i: Cleopatra's lines from "Nay, hear them, Antony" to "The messengers!" The perceptive viewers must have noticed that Antony was suddenly wearing a pearl necklace when he says "Let Rome in Tiber melt, ..." which was not there seconds earlier. It was wound by Cleopatra while speaking those lines.
Act I, sc iii, the leave-taking scene with Cleopatra (quite a big chunk)
Act I, sc v, Alexas's appearance "Sovereign of Egypt, hail!" etc.
Prelude to part 2 (I never heard this, but it is on the soundtrack album: 1 min 31 sec.)
Whoever was responsible for that, one must have thought nobody...

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Hallowed End

Short and Sweet.
I picked this up at the Motor City Nightmares horror convention and was quite impressed. I've never really paid too much attention to short films but this movie is making me change my mind. It was well paced and timed perfectly. This movie definitely delivered the goods and didn't leave much to be desired. I'm definitely looking forward to checking out the rest of the Poison Apple film library.

Hallowed End is a Helluva lot of fun!
Hallowed end is a fun movie to watch. I don't know much about pacing or lighting or any of that movie stuff...I just know if you pick this up, you'll enjoy the hell out of it.



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Apocalypse: World War II [Blu-ray]

Apocalypse: World War II
I have at least twenty historical dvds of WWII, and Countless Hollywood movies about WWII. What I believe makes This series and Blu-ray unique is seeing more of a perspective of the civilians during WWII. Many of the historical dvds give the viewer details of the battles, and film and pictures of the battles, but more from a soldiers perspective. I am glad to add this to my collection because I believe it added that civilian perspective. Many people forget that the civilian causaulty rate dwarfed that of the soldiers lost during WWII. The civilians were just as courageous as the soldiers in many instances. Hopefully we will never have to repeat the lessons that so many learned.

Don't Be Fooled - It's Very Average
I have what is apparently the original version of this series which I ordered through Time-Life. It is in English with a rather bland narrator whose voice I don't recognize. While not obviously inaccurate the narration doesn't go into a lot of detail and repeats many well-worn cliches (i.e. Polish cavalry DID NOT deliberately charge German tanks in September 1939; they simply got surprised in the open by a German armored column). Disc 2, which details the first 6 months of the Pacific War, contains very little new info and I quickly became bored watching it.

Time-Life promotes this series as being spectacular and new. A lot of the footage is indeed new, but I also had seen much of it before on history websites. There are also some curious parts in which the script feels like it was solely written to incorporate available footage.

That said, there is some very interesting footage that I had never seen before. Colorized footage of U.S. battleships burning at Pearl...

some new footage but not much
I bought the 4 dvd set from Time Life and watched it today. While some of the footage was new, much of it was stuff I had seen on the history channel and the victory at sea series. Some of the information was informative like the French invasion of Germany after the declaration of war and the fact that Hitler did not pursue the English troops evacuating at Dunkirk although Stukas did sink some of the evacuation craft. Some of the footage fell short of telling the whole story, like the part about the bombing of Monte Cassino in Italy. Much of the new footage focused on the eastern front. While the development of the Soviet air force played a large part in the battle, it was overlooked in this dvd. The pacific war footage showed the battle for Saipan and said that it was the place where B-29s took off to attack Japan, and they covered the atomic bomb drops on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, although those attacks were launched from Tinian and not Saipan. This package wasn't worth it.

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Dogtooth [Blu-ray]

A Psychological Freak Show Designed To Polarize And Disturb Its Audience
Certainly one of the more surprising moments of the 2010 Academy Award nominations had to be the inclusion of the Greek oddity "Dogtooth" among the Best Foreign Film nominees. This psychological freak show seems designed to polarize audiences with its controversial presentation of an isolated family as a horror construct. The film, with relatively no political or social context, is likely to be interpreted in many ways by viewers searching for a grand significance to the proceedings. Having seen the film twice now, however, I'm not sure that I can really establish the filmmaker's true intentions with any veracity. So I won't try. Somewhere between perverse satire, bent domestic drama, and disturbing psychological horror lies the film "Dogtooth"--a challenging and unrepentantly bleak, yet undeniably gripping and fascinating, example of experimental cinema.

"Dogtooth" depicts the unorthodox life of one family. The three teenage children have been raised in a controlled...

a stunning allegory about totalitarianism and propaganda
****1/2

What if you could be the master of your own universe, able to make everything to your own specifications and liking? And what if, in that universe, you could have absolute control over your subjects, so that, not only would they have to do what you told them to, but you could even go so far as to shape the very way they look at the world?

The unnamed middle-aged protagonist (Christos Stergioglou) of "Dogtooth" has created just such a kingdom for himself and his wife (Michelle Valley), tucked away in a rural area of Greece, where the two of them have raised their children - a boy (Christos Passalis) and two girls (Aggelika Papoulia, Mary Tsoni) who are all now in their late teens - in such complete isolation that the kids have virtually no knowledge of the world that lies beyond the fenced-in little compound in which they live. They know only that it is a dangerous and scary place and that none of them will be able to venture out into it until their...

Art House Cinema Meets Hollywood Boulevard
Dogtooth

A mid level industrialist raises his family in an environment devoid of most modern conveniences but imbued with a special hatred of airliners. The telephone is carefully hidden, only his wife knows where it is, a fence erected around the house is also a boundary the children and wife have never trespassed, but most of all, in order to keep his the two daughters and son uncorrupted, (their hatred of airliners and the people who fly on them apparently doesn't count) they have been taught a sanitized language where "zombie" is "a small yellow flower" and the female reproductive region is known as "keyboard". Periodically, the industrialist pimps for the boy, and for a price, procures the services of Christina, a security guard at the plant.

Just when Director Giorgos Lanthimos seems to remove all limits to the level of parental control, Christina shows an interest not only in the boy but also the two sisters, conferring on one of them VHS tapes of Rocky,...

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Tulku

Tulku~~To be Reborn!!
I have been waiting for Tulku for a long time and it didn't disappoint me. Until I received the DVD last week I had seen snippets and anxiously awaited it's release. Gesar Mukpo leads viewers on a journey of a reborn Tibetan Lama, actually the teacher of his father Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. The cultural challenges resulting from this Tibetan experience in the West bridges many social and religious dogma.

Gesar adds color to his experience by interviewing other Western Tulkus as they share their doubt and questions. Gesar travels to India for some of these interviews and concludes with an interview with his spiritual teacher Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, who is also a film producer (The Cup) and also questions the Tulku tradition.

I highly recommend this documentary.

Tulku was a masterpiece
This documentary was enlightening and educational. The Tulku concept is terribly misunderstood by most all westerners and this effort by Gesar - himself a tulku - helps us to know that the title Tulku is not indicative in itself of any particular realization. It is silly to hold such people in some kind of enamored awe without more. These men in the documentary are obviously ordinary people and basic beginners on the Buddhist path. In fact, some don't even seem to have begun. They are reborn from some degree of enlightened past life but still so obviously confused in this one. It shows the necessity of looking past the title when seeking a teacher.

I do wish Gesar had spent more time showing the practice and study exhibited by these men, since I do know that at least one of them does spend much time in retreat. Gesar did not see this practice aspect important for some reason.which really is confusing when one is watching a documentary about people who acheved such...

Intimate portrait
This film is an intimate study in realizing who you are. Strip away the Buddhist framework and its a timeless tale of coming to grips with being human. Very well done, inspiring and reflective without any excuses or proselytizing.

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Tangled (Four-Disc Combo: Blu-ray 3D / Blu-ray / DVD / Digital Copy)

Worthy Addition to Disney's Classic Films
*contains some spoilery bits*

Tangled, Disney's version of the oft-refashioned folk tale Rapunzel, is the studio's 50th animated film and one that is destined for classic status.

The Synopsis:
This latest retelling begins with a tiny piece of sunlight falling to earth and a magical golden flower sprouting where it lands. The flower, and its ability to restore youth, is discovered, used and kept secret by Mother Gothel. When the kingdom's beloved queen falls ill, a search for the flower (apparently its existence wasn't *completely* secret) is successfully undertaken and the healing potion brewed from it restores the queen's health. The flower's magical abilities are also transferred to the hair of the queen's unborn child, Rapunzel. When Mother Gothel discovers this and learns that the magical properties are only retained as long as the hair remains uncut, she kidnaps Rapunzel and raises her as her own child. Claiming that she wants to keep Rapunzel safe from...

*Amazing Disney Film*
Tangled is an amazing movie! The story is very well written and the pace of the movie never gets boring. Alan Menken's score is breathtaking! Easily one of my favorite Disney movies of ALL TIME, and I grew up in the second golden age of The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty And the Beast, ect.
I have seen the movie twice in the theater. I cannot recall EVER going to the see a movie a second time in the theater. I actually might see it again in 3D as it was stunning! Also One of Disney's best villains in my opinion. The psychological aspect of Mother Gothel is deep.

Don't miss this new age Disney classic. Perfect for everyone in your family. It will warm your heart, make you laugh and cry and gives you that Disney magic feeling we have been waiting for since Beauty and the Beast! Amazing!!

I cannot wait for this to come out on Blu-Ray. I even thought about getting a 3D tv..Yeah this movie was that good in 3D for me...haha

Perhaps The Greatest Disney Animated Movie Yet
Disney is very unpredictable. They crank out the movies; some great and some not so great. But their animated movies are a little more trustworthy; most of them are brilliant family fun. "Tangled" may perhaps be the best Disney Animated production yet!!

Tangled is the story of a girl named Rapunzel (played by Mandy Moore), who was kidnapped as a baby and put in a tower, where her "mother" (played by Donna Murphy) takes care of her, telling to stay indoors, where it is safe. Now, 18, Rapunzel's dream is to see (up close) the mysterious floating lanterns that are released through the sky on HER Birthday each year. Her mother forbids it. And thus enters Flynn Ryder (played by Zachary Levi). Flynn Ryder is a wanted thief who stole the crown of the long-lost princess. He seeks refuge in Rapunzel's castle while her mother is away. Thus begins a long adventure; seeking the mysterious floating lanterns, escaping palace guards and evil captors, finding true love, etc...

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The Berliner Philharmoniker in Tokyo - Concert at the Suntory Hall

Better than nothing
I first encountered the Dvorak 8th. in 1962, with Istvan Kertesz and the LSO, and have heard many other versions since. None is finer than the Ivan Fischer/Budapest Phil of a few years back. It's bouncy, vibrant, dance-like and the third movement is a total revelation with all the glissandos and portamento used to accentuate the thrust.

However, this is all about dvd, not cd, so choices are very slim - this one and one on a Dvorak set from the early 90's.My friend "GPK" tells me the latter 8th. is nothing special.

Jansons is always a reliable conductor, but he has his work cut out here with the 2000 vintage BPO trying to make them sound Slavic. This is after all Dvorak's most "Czech" symphony. The BPO try mightily, and they sound like a good German orchestra attempting to penetrae music that's not in their blood. It's not half bad, but it's smoother rather than idiomatic. Very pleasant listening, but it won't knock your socks off as the Fischer cd will...

Sheer beauty
Other reviewers have focused on the 9th Symphony. My reason for buying this was the violin concerto from Shostakovich which has some symphonic characteristics. It is a piece that requires insight and patience to appreciate. The Berliner's under Mariss Jansons' capable baton provide a rock solid musical foundation for Miss Hahn to do her magic with the violin. And magic she does! A brilliant performance, flawlessly played, that brings out both the beauty and emotion (maybe more subtle than other violin players would) of the music. Oh, and Hilary, just one more thing: love your dress!

An enjoyable concert offering some very good performances in a good recording
This well recorded concert originates from the Suntory Hall, Tokyo in 2000. The concert has clearly been designed to satisfy the musical tastes of a wide range of concert goers with a program that centres around the well-known works of Weber and Dvorak plus an excursion into the less well-known territory of a Shostakovich concerto of significance.

The quality of the actual recording is particularly good for its period and is reminiscent of the advanced recording quality of Abbado's earlier concert from the same venue which included one of the best Tchaikovsky 5's available and in widescreen plus DTS 5.1 genuine surround sound. In this case the imaging is crisp and of good colour rendition. The superiority of the imaging is quite obvious on long shots from the rear of the hall where the image does not break up as it so often does on other recordings of that vintage. The camera work offers instrumental detail without straying into the invasive. The sound is good, presented in...

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Symphonies Nos 4 & 5

Mahler at his best
It rarely happens, but I found myself so spellbound while first listening to Valery Gergiev's Mahler Fourth that I immediately played it a second time, following with rapt attention every detail of this outstanding performance. This is Mahler playing at its best: full of underlying tensions, quirky, but highly melodic, dynamic and with deep awareness of every detail and, at the same time, the structure as a whole. Camilla Tilling's radiant soprano and her intonation are perfect in the Finale. Gergiev is one of the most thoughtful, charismatic and humble among the truly great conductors of today. The World Orchestra for Peace (WOP), composed of volunteer principals and prominent players from all over the world, is a stellar ensemble indeed and the two BBC Prom concerts are captured in brilliant video and uncompressed, glorious audio (bravo Unitel!). The Fifth is presented on the same high level, with the necessary gravitas in the first movement, biting ferociousness in the second,...

A dramatic approach to Mahler to contrast with the more sensitive Abbado
This DVD release is of the fine interpretation by Gergiev at the Royal Albert Hall during the Prom concerts. The recording, both sonically and visually is excellent and well up to the high standards I have come to expect of C major. In this case however,there is clearly a more dramatic approach to the visual recording than usual, with frequent angled shots of the superb solo trumpeter taken from a close, low viewpoint for example. Both he and the solo horn player are brought to the front of the stage by Gergiev for special attention at the end and to enthusiastic applause. I have found this essentially dramatic and finely played reading to be a very rewarding interpretation over several playings and a viable additional interpretation to complement that by Abbado at Lucerne.

Very generously, this also has Mahler 4 as an additional item although there will be those who would describe the 5th as the extra item! This too is a fine interpretation and very well well played. The...

an excellent bargain
First off, let me say this is a very generous dvd, well over 2 hours long, with two long Mahler symphonies. This of course would mean nothing if the performances weren't excellent, but thankfully they are both yardsticks.

I actually slightly preferred #5 to #4, but not by much. Gergiev plays the Fifth to the hilt, with a crackerjack finale a good bit faster than Abbado's - very exciting, and brings the house down at this Proms concert at the Albert Hall. My only caveat here is that the adagietto is over 10 minutes long, a pet peeve of mine. This piece was written as a love song which Mahler sent to his wife-to-be Alma in piano score. This is supposed to be a 7-8 minute piece, but most conductors like to milk it so that it sounds like a dirge, not a passionate song of yearning. It is, however played very beautifully, better than most I've heard.

In the Fourth, Camilla Tilling makes a great soloist in the finale, and I also prefer this performance to both of...

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Die Zauberflote

A TRULY SPECTACULAR AND MAGICAL FLUTE
This DVD instantly goes to the the top of the list of great DVD MAGIC FLUTES. This is going to be an easy review because everyone and everything is just right:
1) Tamino-Piotr Beczala is a new tenor to me. He has a sound that has a little bit of Fritz Wunderlich in him; not always consistent, but it is there none the less. I cannot imagine anyone singing it any better today.
2) Pamina-Dorothea Roschmann even outdoes her earlier DVD performance with Colin Davis. She is more involved in this magnificent production.
3) Queen of the Night-Desiree Rancatore is up there with all my favorite Konigins; and I mean Damrau on DVD and Berger, Moser, Deutekom, Popp on CD. She is just as dramatic as Diana Damrau.
4) Papageno-Detlef Roth has a little of Herman Prey in his vocal color. Great singing and acting.
5) Sarastro-Matti Salminen is just perfect.
6) Conductor-Ivan Fischer one of the great interpretations!
7) Sets & Costumes-truly magical. A traditional...

Absolutely wonderful
I was intrigued about the references to special effects in the two reviews already posted and, as these are features I like to see in movies as well as opera I decided to go ahead and get this version of The Magic Flute. I have had the version from The Metropolitan Opera House for many years and acquired the Covent Garden version as soon as it became available. It immediately became a great favorite of mine and I was impressed by the performances of Simon Keenlyside, Dorothea Roschmann and none more so that Diana Damrau as the Queen of the Night.
I have had the opportunity to view this latest version several times and think that in almost all respects it is a more interesting and enjoyable interpretation to see. I love the clarity of the orchestra, the clever and artistic stage-sets, the special effects, the fantastic (in the true sense of the word) costumes and agree with one of the other reviews that almost all of the singers give truly outstanding performances. I would beg to...

The best traditional Zauberflote
The best traditional staging of Die Zauberflöte I've seen, that captures both the high-minded Freemasonry and magic/mysticism of the play: I recommend this above the Met with Battle/Araiza Mozart - Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) / Levine, Battle, Serra, Metropolitan Opera or Bayerische Staatsoper (Popp/Araiza) Mozart - Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)

The scene of Tamino/Pamina going through the tests almost makes it dramatically convincing--although it takes the energy and joy on Roschmann's (Pamina) face to add the final touch. (A director can only do so much with the limited time the music gives.)

No superlatives are too great for Roschmann as Pamina; the 3 boys are also outstanding--as good as actors as the adults. Beczala as Tamino is new to me; not a great actor, but a clear tone...

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IMAX: Hubble [HD]

It Completely Blows My Mind
I've been an astronomy buff ever since I was a small child. So, when I learned that the Denver Museum of Nature and Science was showing a new IMAX movie about the Hubble Space Telescope, I had to see it. The theater hadn't yet upgraded to a 3D projection system, so the version I saw was in 2D. Believe me, that was plenty good enough.

It is said that Hubble is the most famous telescope ever built, and there are about 20 years' worth of fabulous cosmic images to prove it. When NASA initially announced that it was too dangerous for the Space Shuttle to make one last Hubble servicing mission to do needed repairs and upgrades, a lot of us went into mourning. And when they changed their minds, we rejoiced.

The movie is partly about the 2009 servicing mission, along with archival footage from earlier missions. This part is interesting, but not particularly new to me -- the PBS science program Nova has done at least one hour-long segment which goes into much greater...

Great Presentation - High Price alternative..
Excellent 3D bluray to keep on your shelf and showcase the power of your 3DTV.. I'm going to make this review short and sweet and to the point. You can find this at Best Buy for half the retail price as Amazon. Unless they choose to price match, I recommend going to your local BB for the purchase. Just a friendly suggestion, I'm a loyal Amazon fan, but not at the sacrifice of assisting fellow shoppers on a great deal.

Utterly mind blowing
This IMAX 3D movie is not only the best use of 3D that I've seen on my new set up but it's also a fantastic film in its own right. The 3D isn't a 'gimmick' added just to cash in; it's clearly an important tool that scientists use especially when dealing with the vastness of 3D space. The fact that there's gorgeous stereoscopic footage of the original shuttle launch shows that even back then it was considered an essential part of documenting important events.

I've yet to see a more mind-numbing film which educates and informs and yet puts you in your rightful place, showing just how insignificant we all are. And whilst we are shown as naught more than a spec, we are also reminded of how special and unique we are. To aid this goal the narrative is exquisite with planets, stars even entire galaxies referenced in a very human way in so much as to their birth, their childhood and their ultimate demise. The 3D nebula are incredible as are the shots of the Hubble Telescope that...

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The Bob Hope Collection: Vol. 2 (The Great Lover / Paris Holiday / The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell / How to Commit Marriage / Son of Paleface / Cancel My Reservation)

More stars for Bob - less for this DVD release...
I find it harder and harder to accept that in an age of hi-def blu-ray and 3D television we still get older films released on DVD that do not present the entire image as filmed by the director. The pan-and-scan versions of Bob's widescreen films on this set are simply unacceptable. If proper elements were lacking after a thorough search of the (Paramount?) vaults and elsewhere then we should have been duly notified in the package. As it is I find this set no better than the old public domain versions that float around. I applaud Shout! for recognizing a market for Bob Hope films on DVD; I chastise them for not taking us seriously by giving us crappy versions. We're not all old codgers who don't know the difference between P&S and widescreen and don't know when they're being ripped off. I'll gladly pay more for the next set if that's what it takes for them to do it right.

The good, the bad, and the great Hope
Volume 2 is an even wider mix of Bob Hope comedies in one package. Most of these have been previously released; even less spectacular is the prints have been untouched ("The Great Lover" is still dark & scratchy, while "Paris Holiday" retains its splash-colored Technirama).
Why 4 stars instead of 5? Depending on what you like, this volume really shows the difference between Hope at the top of his game, and Hope when he should've called it quits years earlier.
"The Great Lover" (1949) is the earliest offering, showing Hope in fine wisecracking-cowardly-womanizing form as a scoutmaster leading his troupe through Europe (via luxury liner) while crossing paths with a charming murderer & lovely Rhonda Fleming (look for a hilarious cameo from Jack Benny). "Son of Paleface" (1952) is one of my personal faves. A zany sequel to the 1948 original, Hope plays the Harvard-educated "idiot son" of Painless Potter who returns west to inherit his Daddy's fortune while fending off town...

A Nice Collection
It was nice to get a quality release of these Bob Hope Movies but as mentioned before it is very disappointing that these were released in 4:3 instead of 16:9 even thou it mentions 16:9 on the DVD. Why most movie company's continue to think we of the older generation won't purchase the movies we grew up with is beyond me. I'm always searching for the movies from the 50's 60's and 70's that I love and its annoying watching the continued release of the modern crap that is put on disk before the quality from the past. For Bob Hope fans this is a good purchase even thou it's like your watching it as presented on TV in the 70's. It still enjoyable to have a good copy even thou it's not in the original release format.

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The Times of Harvey Milk (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

His life, his legacy; our hope
I was one of the millions who probably heard of Harvey Milk at some point in my life, but never connected any dots to his life. Then one summer day, while housesitting, I found an old VHS tape of this documentary called "The Times of Harvey Milk". Not having anything better to do, I popped it in the VCR and sat back to watch. Two hours later, my life, perspectives, and outlooks were dramatically transformed by meeting Supervisor Harvey Milk. So it is with great excitement that this monumental film which pays tribute to a monumental time finally comes to DVD, and warrants my attention for my 200th review.

"The Times of Harvey Milk" is a transformative documentary both in style and information, created by visionary filmmakers Rob Epstein and Richard Schmiechen. The film not only covers the life of Milk, but the times which surrounded him that allows for a broader, more in-depth story. From the opening moments of the film, we learn of Harvey's untimely death, so as not to aggrandize...

The Fight Before the Storm
That Harvey Milk's election to the San Francisco city council made him the first openly gay elected official in the country certainly justifies this documentary look at his life and career. The fact that this political event coincides with the ascendancy of Anita Bryant, the Moral Majority, and California's controversial Proposition 6 (which sought to make it illegal to employ any gay person as a teacher in the state's public school systems) gives the film a nail-biting second act. But add the fact that Milk and Mayor George Moscone were assassinated by fellow council person Dan White, and you have a riveting truth is stranger than fiction psycho-political drama. The scenes and remembrances of the spontaneous candlelight march from the Castro to City Hall by thousands of citizens are moving and speak of a grief and loss that goes deeper than words. The film goes on to document the Dan White trial, the "Twinkie Defense", and the violent reaction to verdict. Unfortunately, you can't...

Unknown to me, till now...
As I browsed my local library DVD collection I stumbled upon this film and was curious, because I had never heard of Harvey Milk or the tragic story surrounding his political career.

For those of you who do not know, Harvey Milk was the first openly gay elected official in the US (he was a Supervisor for San Francisco.) His time in office had many highlights; however, a fellow Supervisor assassinated him after Milk served only 11-months in office.

Yes, this is a documentary, and although the story is built with tragedy in mind one must remember the good that Milk built upon. His policies helped more then just the gay community, and it is disheartening to see that his story is not more prominently featured.

This was a nice DVD in general, and as documentaries go it is fairly good quality. This is a intriguing and well-done film that all should see, and may it make you a little more aware like it did me.

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Dallas: The Movie Collection

The Dallas Movies
Here we are at last, the final installment of the Dallas releases, the tv-movies. I'll go over them film by film. First up is the Early Years, a great prequel film from 86 written by series creator David Jacobs. It is interesting in it's way, although not entirely in sync with the show. Next is JR Returns, the first reunion sequel. This is a great film, providing an excellent resolution to the series with a great sense of continuity and finality. It was written by Dallas masters Leonard Katzman and Art Lewis and directed by Katzman, who died shortly before it's release. As the main man behind all of Dallas except the dream, it is a fitting tribute to him and Swan Song to his show which he ran and crafted for so long. The next one, War of the Ewings, is not as good, having a new writer come on and in general being extraneous. Finally, the silly 04 reunion which was already on another season release is also going to be here. It's just the cast hanging around as themselves and...

"Finish Your "Dallas" Collection With This"
If you have purchased the entire series of "Dallas" on DVD your collection will not be complete without this fantastic collection of "Dallas" amde-for-TV movies. On this two-disc set viewers get the three films including the prequel that aired on CBS in 1986 while the series was still airing called "The Early Years" which shows the beginnings of Southfork and how the Ewing/Barnes feud began. The last two movies aired after the serial went off the aired and the first "J.R. Returns" aired in 1996 and was quite a ratings bonanza. It featured Larry Hagman , Patrick Duffy and Linda Grey reprising their roles and showed the stronger side of Sue Ellen who was no longer an alcoholic, but a very demanding and conniving business woman. The final film "The War of the Ewings" was not at all well-written mainly because the powers-that-be who helmed the first "Dallas" sequel were not on board, and ultimately it was a ratings failure. This led CBS to cancel any future productions of "Dallas"...

Worth it for JR Returns
if nothing else "JR Returns" finally puts a decent end to the series. The other Tv movie "War of the Ewings" is just plain silly and its so so sad it was the last ever time the characters were seen. As for "The Early Years", it doesnt have much relevance as it is all different actors and the Reunion special was on another set, but "jr Returns"(which is the official final episode as far as Im concerned)is worth the package and on that note, there are no more Dallas to release.

Will Warners now start to release 'Knots Landing" which deserves to have the entire series on DVD.???????Unfortunately the first two seasons didnt sell well, but anyone who knows that series will know, it nevert kicked in properly till season 3 or 4.

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Antique Bakery DVD Collection

Antique Bakery serves up a delicious storyline with a healthy dose of humor and a smidge of mystery on the side
If you like yaoi, this review is geared for you. If you do not, this review will let you know if you have anything to worry about. ;-)

Plot:

If you love gorgeous desserts then go pick up a copy of Antique Bakery. The rest of the story will just be icing on the cake. Get it? Cake? It's a bakery. Ok, I'll stop now. Although Antique Bakery appears to be very lighthearted there is layer of dark undertones and mystery spread throughout that will at times leave you feeling a little uncomfortable, but that's what good story conflict is supposed to do. One moment you find yourself laughing hysterically at Ono's seductive rain dance, the next you're faced with how Tachibana's childhood trauma still affects those around him. Consider Antique Bakery comparable to Junjo Romantica except with conflict that will affect you on a much deeper level.

Character Development:

There are four main characters in the story and each one develops nicely as the story...

wonderful series
This was beautifully drawn and well written. I loved the light yaoi themes mixed with the darker elements and intrigue.

A complete collection is better then just one
I love having complete collections not only does it save more space on your book case but it also has all the episodes that you can watch again and again. This anime had pretty artwork and i love the plot just wish they made more of this anime.

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Ga-Rei-Zero: The Complete Series

short and sweet
I watched this show a while back when it appeared on hulu and overall was very impressed. I went into this knowing absolutly nothing about the original source material and what I found was a concise and satisfying storyline with excellent animation. Like all anime this show does contain some elements that are a little outlandish, one scene in particular towards the end of the series was completely ridiculous, but this aspect is kept to an absolute minimum. Where Garie Zeros really hits is in the emotional impact of the of the bonds formed between the two main charcters and the horrible realities of the events surrounding them. Although the conclusion becomes obvious before the end arrives, and some holes are left open leading into the manga, this is easily one of the most streamlined stories I have encountered in recent history. In short this is a good show for anyone looking for a show that delivers both intense action and a excellent character devolpment without the commitment of a...

5 Star Action & Friendship Anime
Note: This is a review of the anime series and not this particular package deal, because it was written before the deal was available for purchase.

This anime series is a prelude the the storyline of Ga-Rei. It offers solid action, friendship development, character complexity/development, animation quality, and emotional impact. Its soundtrack did not particularly stand out as well as the voice acting. The 3-dimensional animation seems quite poor for the current standards (there is not much of this). There are 12 episodes total and all are normal TV episode length. Warning that the first two episodes are nearly all action, but the third episode begins the main story. The ending to the anime is very predictable due to it being a prelude to Ga-Rei and due to the manor in which the anime presents itself. Overall this anime is for people who are interested in seeing an action packed story of the friendship between two sisters.

Reviewer note: Yumi, who is one of the...

Action, Comedy and Sisterly Love
I really didn't know what to expect from this series. I hadn't heard much about it, only the little clips I stumbled across on youtube. I had thought at first that it was a Yuri, so I avoided it. (Just not my thing.) It wasn't until I read a couple of reviews that I realized that it wasn't.

What it turned out to be was a wonderful and bittersweet story that combines action, humor and love, and love in it's different forms. The beautiful sisterly relationship between Yomi and Kagura, the romantic love and also the love for family.

The animation is fantastic. Beautiful artwork with fluid motions. Less 'freeze frames' during the action scenes than you would see in older anime. You actually get to see the fighting rather than a character brandishing a sword with a fierce look on their face, the frame freezing and then seeing the defeated 'baddy' on the ground.

I watched the dub version of this, and it is probably one of the best I've seen. I was especially...

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