The Worst Witch (The Movie) (2004) Review

The Worst Witch (The Movie) (2004)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
There are several reasons to buy this video, but none of the reasons have to do with this being a high quality film. It isn't. This movie is of very poor quality. It has cheesy special effects, including blue screen flying scenes,poor sound, and stupid songs. Fairuza Balk is delightful as Mildred Hubble, the worst witch at Miss Cackle's International School for Witches. Halloween is approaching, and the school is preparing for the visit of the Grand Wizard, a powerful wizard as well as heart-throb to the witch community. Mildred's arch rival Ethel manages to sabatoge Mildred throughout the movie, and an embarassing encounter with the Grand Wizard is inevitable, especially since Mildred has made the broom squad.
Don't buy this if you want a good flick.
DO buy this if it reminds you of how much you loved it when you were a kid, if you are a kid who loves Halloween, if you are a die-hard Tim Curry or Fairuza Balk fan, or if you are desperate to have something that will tide you over until the publication of the next Harry Potter book.
I love this movie. I'm just not sure why.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Worst Witch (The Movie) (2004)

Made in 1986. Like hocus pocus a bewitching tale of broomsticks and goblins. A family fantasy for all ages.Studio: Bfs Ent & Multimedia LimiRelease Date: 08/24/2004Starring: Diana Rigg Charlotte RaeRun time: 70 minutesRating: GDirector: Robert Young Iii

Buy NowGet 10% OFF

Click here for more information about The Worst Witch (The Movie) (2004)

Read More...

Escape to Witch Mountain (Special Edition) (1975) Review

Escape to Witch Mountain (Special Edition) (1975)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Growing up as a child in the 1970's I remember watching THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY every Sunday evening at 7pm. I of course enjoyed the cartoons but also enjoyed the many live action Dinsey movies such as THE SHAGGY DOG, THE SHAGGY D.A., POLLYANNA, THE WHIZ KIDS movies and of course the WITCH MOUNTAIN movies. I remember looking forward to ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN and would make it a point to never miss this movie when it aired.
The story is about a brother and sister, Tony & Tia, who along with their alien family tried to migrate to Earth but crashed upon arriving. Tony and Tia then try to locate their family with the assistance of a widower while trying to avoid a rich villan who wants to use the kids Extra Sensory Powers (ESP) to further his greedy goals. As a child I actually found this movie to be very scary. I actually feared for Tony and Tia. Now as an adult it has lost the scary aspect. That comes with age I guess. It is still a good watch though.
I have wanted to purchase this film for years so my children could watch it. Now that they are pre-teens and begining to lose their childhood innocence I was finally able to purchase this new DVD. As I suspected they were reluctant to watch this movie and the sequel RETURN FROM WITCH MOUNTAIN. I finally got them to watch the films and they did enjoy the them but obviously it did not have the same effect on them as it did me. However younger children, especially those who have not been spoiled by CGI special effects will no doubt still enjoy the films. I tried to explain to my children that as a grade schooler I had a huge crush on Kim Richards (Tia). I got teased for that and of course when I teased my boy about his attraction to Hillary Duff that was a different matter. Go figure.
The DVD has some nice special features. Interviews, cartoons and other such material. I don't have enough positive things to say about Disney's old movies being offered through their Vault Disney line of products.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Escape to Witch Mountain (Special Edition) (1975)

A vehicle floats in midair ... a coat rack comes to life and attacks a sheriff ... and wild animals are putty in the hands of Tony and Tia Malone in Disney's thrilling fantasy adventure about the psychic powers of two young orphans. Their clairvoyance prompts evil millionaire Aristotle Bolt (Ray Milland) to lure them to his mansion to exploit their powers. While escaping, they meet a friendly camper (Eddie Albert) and begin to unravel the mystery of their origin. Soon, all three are fleeing townspeople who have branded the children witches. But then IT happens! Someone with even greater powers takes over and leads the children -- and the audience -- into a dazzling and unexpected experience ... one that is truly out of this world!

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Escape to Witch Mountain (Special Edition) (1975)

Read More...

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

M*A*S*H - Season Five (Collector's Edition) (1972)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Most shows after a few seasons being to lose their impetus, but MASH proved to be one of those shows that proved the complete opposite, and especially with the fifth season.
By now Harry Morgan as Colonel Sherman T. Potter and Mike Farrell as Captain B.J Hunnicutt were now fully settled in to the full cast as this was their second season. This series would prove significant for two cast members, this was to be Larry Linville's last season as Major Frank Burns and William Christopher's first season as a full cast member as Father Francis J. Mulcahy. I find this strange that they waited until this season to make him so, as he had been there since the first season.
My favouite epsiodes from this season includes the one-hour show to open the season "Bug Out" in which the camp had to move en-masse while Hawkeye, BJ and Margaret had to operate on a patient with spinal injuries. "The Abduction of Margaret Houlihan" in which it is rumoured that Hotlips had been abducted and the appearance of the loony CIA man Colonel Flagg wanting to invade North Korea as a result. "Dear Sigmund" of more in the next paragraph. "Mulchay's War" in which was the first episode where Father Mulcahy played the significant part of him doubting his effectiveness in the camp, and "Movie Tonight" where they watch a bad copy of My Darling Clementine and the entertainment that takes place when projectionist Klinger has to repair it.
The episode that is one of the very best episodes in all 251 episodes is "Dear Sigmund", significant in that the main character and narrator in this episode is Dr Sydney Freedman played by Allan Arbus. Suffering from depression after the suicide of a patient and writing as a form of self-therapy to Sigmund Freud, he watches how the 4077th observes how they cope with the pressures of war, and the paves the way in the future when the originator of a series of practical jokes reveals himself near the end.
This episode written and directed by Alan Alda shows him by this stage becoming a huge part behind the scenes on the show, but in this episode does not show him taking center stage, which anyone who knows the history of the show, knows that is typical of Alan alda realising that is a ensemble show. It was also of no surprise that "Dear Sigmund" won him the 1977 Emmy for Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series, 1977 Director's Guild Award, and 1977 Writer's Guild Award. An episode and season well worth recommending.

Click Here to see more reviews about: M*A*S*H - Season Five (Collector's Edition) (1972)

As the fifth season opens, the Chinese are getting too close for comfort and the 4077 has been ordered to bug-out.Unfortunately, Hawkeye, B.J. and Margaret are in the middle of critical surgery and have to keep going even as the bombing starts.The rest of the 4077 find themselves in an equally dangerous situation upon discovering that the new location that HQ has chosen for them is actually in occupied territory.Luckily the Chinese aredriven back and the 4077 get to bug back to their old location.But the real bomb, as far as Frank Burns is concerned, is when Margaret returns from a medical conference in Tokyo engaged to Lieutenant Colonel Donald Penobscott."How'd Burns take it?" a concerned Colonel Potter asked."Hard," Hawkeye replied. "He was clucking like a chicken last night.For nine straight hours."Potter shook his head."He's heading for a Section Eight." As expected, Klinger was green with envy.

Buy Now

Click here for more information about M*A*S*H - Season Five (Collector's Edition) (1972)

Read More...

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

M*A*S*H - Season Ten (Collector's Edition) (1972)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
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!

Click Here to see more reviews about: M*A*S*H - Season Ten (Collector's Edition) (1972)

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

Buy NowGet 30% OFF

Click here for more information about M*A*S*H - Season Ten (Collector's Edition) (1972)

Read More...

Merlin: Series Two, Vol. 1 Review

Merlin: Series Two, Vol. 1
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
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!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Merlin: Series Two, Vol. 1



Buy Now

Click here for more information about Merlin: Series Two, Vol. 1

Read More...

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

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

(More customer reviews)
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.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Coraline (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo w/ Anaglyph 3D) (2009)

CORALINE - Blu-Ray Movie

Buy NowGet 26% OFF

Click here for more information about Coraline (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo w/ Anaglyph 3D) (2009)

Read More...

Cracker - The Complete Third Season Review

Cracker - The Complete Third Season
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
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.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Cracker - The Complete Third Season



Buy NowGet 64% OFF

Click here for more information about Cracker - The Complete Third Season

Read More...

Negima Box Set Review

Negima Box Set
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
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.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Negima Box Set

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.

Buy NowGet 36% OFF

Click here for more information about Negima Box Set

Read More...

Driving Lessons (2006) Review

Driving Lessons (2006)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
DRIVING LESSONS is a little film that sneaks up on you. What at first seems to be a bit of fluffy nonsense comedy British style is at its base a very fine story about coming of age and the needs for significant friendship of both the young and the elderly. Writer Jeremy Brock ('Mrs. Brown', 'Charlotte Gray', 'The Last King of Scotland') here directs his own screenplay and the result is a cohesive, progressively involving tale filled with fascinating and diverse characters, each performed by sterling actors.
Ben Marshall (Rupert Grint, standing firmly on his own as a developing actor post 'Harry Potter' series) is a quiet, plain little poetic seventeen-year-old living with his bird watching Vicar father (Nicholas Farrell) and his obsessive compulsive, rigid, evangelical do-gooder mother (Laura Linney) in a home where 'needy people', such as the murderous cross-dressing Mr. Fincham (Jim Norton), take precedence over family matters: the mother is by the way having an affair with priest Peter (Oliver Milburn), using Ben as her cover!
Sad Ben is among other things attempting to learn to drive a car. His mother is a poor teacher and decides he needs professional lessons AND needs to get a job to help pay for poor Mr. Fincham's needs. Ben follows an ad and meets Dame Eve Walton (Julie Walters), an elderly has-been actress who is as zany as any character ever created. She hires Ben and the fireworks begin. Through a series of incidents, including a camping trip Evie demands they take, the two learn life's lessons missing from each other's natures: Ben learns self respect and self confidence and Evie finds a true friend who will allow her to drop her stagy facade and be the dear human being she has been hiding.
Julie Walters, always offering the finest skills of acting in every character she creates, finds a role like no other here: she is outlandishly wild and lovable. Rupert Grint is exactly the right choice for the challenged coming of age Ben. The chemistry between the two is as tender as that in the classic film 'Harold and Maude'. Laura Linney is as always a superb actress playing a role quite different from her usual repertoire. And the supporting cast is a panorama of fine characterizations. This film is a delightful surprise and one sure to warm the heart and entertain those who love fine writing and direction and acting - and message! Grady Harp, July 07


Click Here to see more reviews about: Driving Lessons (2006)

Oscar® nominee Laura Linney (Kinsey) stars as Laura Marshall, an overzealous, evangelical Christian do-gooder who fills her home with down-and-out boarders, including a senile, cross-dressing murderous mute. Desperate to expand his horizons, Laura's shy teenage son Ben (Rupert Grint, of Harry Potter fame) lands a job tending to self-proclaimed "Dame" Evie Walton (Oscar® nominee Julie Walters, Billy Elliot), an over-the-hill actress with the mouth of a drunken sailer and an insatiable lust for life. The battle for Ben's soul begins as Evie shanghais Ben away from his repressive roots and takes him on an adventure that transforms him from boy to man. A winning entry at the 2006 Moscow International Film Festival, Driving Lessons is an experience Stephen Farber of Movieline calls "a delightful coming-of-age story."

Buy NowGet 66% OFF

Click here for more information about Driving Lessons (2006)

Read More...

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

The Carol Burnett Show - The Collector's Edition / Volume 27 (1974)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
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.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Carol Burnett Show - The Collector's Edition / Volume 27 (1974)



Buy Now

Click here for more information about The Carol Burnett Show - The Collector's Edition / Volume 27 (1974)

Read More...

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)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
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.

Click Here to see more reviews about: 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)

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

Buy NowGet 17% OFF

Click here for more information about 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)

Read More...

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948) Review

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Yeeup! As Mr. Tersander would say. This is one of my favorite films. While not exactly bust-a-gut funny, it is warmly amusing throughout with a couple of classic lines & scenes (the perplexing storeroom, the "letch", the well, the all-night Wam session etc.), played to perfection with ease and charm (my God those are lost arts, aren't they?) by a cast of pros who are immediately likeable and comfortable to be around.
The story of a New York adman building his dream house in Connecticut being snookered by the "hicks" and then the series of disasters and cost overruns that befall him, the film is played with just the right tone, light and with great good humor, from the falling lintels to the Zuzz-Zuzz water softener.
Some may question the 5 stars, and although it may not be a great movie, I give it all 5 because Grant, Loy and Douglas are a lost breed of irreplaceable class players, and this kind of effortless amusement is pretty much an extinct genre.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948)

Cary Grant is hilarious as a successful New York advertising executive who wants to escape the confines of his family's tiny midtown apartment.So he designs his dream home in the suburbs and discovers the project wasn't as easy as it seemed.The house gets larger.The bills get bigger.The problems just won't go away.Eventually, the whole affair becomes a nightmare-a very funny nightmare-that left audiences laughing in 1948 and will have you in stitches, too.This is the comedic masterpiece that inspired the popular 1987 movie "The Money Pit."It's an adventure in homeowning that strikes a familiar chord with everyone who's ever bought a house.Year: 1948Director: H.C. PotterStarring:Cary Grant, Myrna Loy, Melvyn Douglas

Buy NowGet 14% OFF

Click here for more information about Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948)

Read More...

Gary Cooper MGM Movie Legends Collection (The Cowboy and the Lady / The Real Glory / Vera Cruz / The Winning of Barbara Worth) (1926) Review

Gary Cooper MGM Movie Legends Collection (The Cowboy and the Lady / The Real Glory / Vera Cruz / The Winning of Barbara Worth) (1926)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
It's a shame that Gary Cooper, today, is largely remembered for only "High Noon", his Hawks and Capra films ("Sergeant York" and "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town"), and as Lou Gehrig in "The Pride of the Yankees"; in his day, he was as sexy and popular as Clark Gable, and more esteemed as a cowboy star than John Wayne!
"Gary Cooper MGM Movie Legends Collection" offers a selection of titles that will, hopefully, spark renewed interest in this most charismatic American 'Original'. While, sadly, the collection offers little in bonus features, and, with the exception of "Barbara Worth", appears to be unremastered (which is why I only give it 4 stars), each film is very entertaining!
"The Winning of Barbara Worth" (1926), was, of course, Coop's breakthrough role, after three years of stunt work and bit parts, and is a bona fide classic. As 'Abe Lee', the young cowboy/surveyor suitor of Vilma Banky, his sexy, natural style would steal the film from star Ronald Colman (in Colman's defense, his role was more restrained, and less interesting). The film, based on a best-selling novel about harnessing the Colorado River to irrigate the desert, garnered great reviews and box office, and gave Coop a spectacular 'start'... (5 stars out of 5)
"The Cowboy and the Lady" (1938), a 'modern-day' Western comedy/romance, presented Coop the way 1930s' audiences loved him best, as a slow-talking, incorruptible cowboy irresistible to women, but a 'gentleman', in the best sense of the word! Falling for the daughter of a Presidential hopeful, posing as a maid (Merle Oberon), he marries her, discovers the charade, then storms into a posh political dinner and speaks so much 'common sense' that her family moves to his ranch! With life-long friend Walter Brennan as his sidekick, this is a real charmer! (5 stars out of 5)
"The Real Glory" (1939), released shortly after his classic version of "Beau Geste", another 'action-oriented' adventure, though lacking the "Geste" polish and style. Coop is a military doctor in the 1906 Philippines, who, with friends David Niven and Broderick Crawford, attempts to help the Filipinos fight off an army of insurgents. Action was never producer Sam Goldwyn's forte, and the film lacks the warmth of a "Gunga Din", although it does offer a rousing climax... (2 1/2 stars out of 5)
"Vera Cruz" (1954), produced by Burt Lancaster and Harold Hecht, is a spectacular, large-scale western, filmed in Mexico. Ex-Confederate Cooper and bandit Lancaster are uneasy partners guarding Denise Darcel and millions in gold, during the Mexican Revolution. While the aging Coop wasn't well during production, he still gives a solid performance, although overshadowed by Burt's flashy portrayal; the film offers a
fabulous supporting cast, including Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson, Cesar Romero, and Jack Elam. "Vera Cruz" was a major influence on Sergio Leone, and has achieved legendary status, among fans of the genre! (5 stars out of 5)
There is a LOT to enjoy, in this Gary Cooper collection!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Gary Cooper MGM Movie Legends Collection (The Cowboy and the Lady / The Real Glory / Vera Cruz / The Winning of Barbara Worth) (1926)

Studio: Tcfhe/mgmRelease Date: 05/13/2008Run time: 375 minutes

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Gary Cooper MGM Movie Legends Collection (The Cowboy and the Lady / The Real Glory / Vera Cruz / The Winning of Barbara Worth) (1926)

Read More...

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

M*A*S*H - Season Nine (Collector's Edition) (1972)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
A lot of people like to complain about the later years of M*A*S*H, saying it got too "serious" and that Alan Alda was too full of himself and the show got this whole "anti-war" attitude behind it. The original movie was perceived to have that same attitude by many to this day. I don't think I could do the work the characters in this Army hospital did on a daily (and sometimes more often) basis and NOT hate the war. By season three, we'd lost Henry Blake to a plane crash, and Trapper went home. A couple seasons down the road, Frank Burns went AWOL and that was the end of him. During season eight, Radar went home to take care of the family farm. Those are all realities of war, folks. M*A*S*H was a reflection of that. The war was not a funny place to be. The fact that these people could crack wise when they were up to their elbows in wounded soldiers was merely a reflection of how the human spirit can allow us to do things we never expected to be able to do, even in the face of huge adversity. I never found Col. Potter, Capt. Hunnicutt or Major Winchester inferior to Blake, Trapper and Frank in the least. Different, yes, but definitely not any less funny or less vital to the series' development. ER, now in its 13th season (I think), carries on with just about no one from the first season. People come and people go. I thought Season Nine of M*A*S*H was every bit as valid and as vital as the very first season...maybe for different reasons...but the show worked from strength to strength. I felt Col. Potter was a much more believeable than Henry Blake, not to say Blake wasn't funny. He was. But Harry Morgan brought something else to M*A*S*H that I don't think anyone else could have. Even Charles Emerson Winchester, as different as you could ask for form Frank Burns realized this was a family, not just a team of surgeons stuck in Hell's kitchen, and lo and behold, had his moments of downright nobility. Those who stuck with the show through its entire run saw that. M*A*S*H Season Nine will be a welcome addition to my M*A*S*H collection. Every single season of M*A*S*H had classic episodes...not very many series can claim that. The show still fascinates me and makes me laugh 22 years after it departed first-run network TV. I have them all to this point, and I'll gladly buy the rest!

Click Here to see more reviews about: M*A*S*H - Season Nine (Collector's Edition) (1972)

The perfect comic relief, the perfect holiday gift!

Buy Now

Click here for more information about M*A*S*H - Season Nine (Collector's Edition) (1972)

Read More...

UP (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition + Digital Copy) (2009) Review

UP (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition + Digital Copy) (2009)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
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.


Click Here to see more reviews about: UP (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition + Digital Copy) (2009)

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.

Buy NowGet 38% OFF

Click here for more information about UP (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition + Digital Copy) (2009)

Read More...

Grambling's White Tiger (1981) Review

Grambling's White Tiger  (1981)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
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.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Grambling's White Tiger (1981)



Buy NowGet 47% OFF

Click here for more information about Grambling's White Tiger (1981)

Read More...

Charlie Rose with Alan Rickman; Stephen L. Carter (June 7, 2002) Review

Charlie Rose with Alan Rickman; Stephen L. Carter (June 7, 2002)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This interview was very good. The viewer got a chance to see into the mind of Alan Rickman. He is as eloquent in the interview as if he were onstage or in a movie role. This interview was a great way to see what the man is like as opposed to him playing a role. I would recommend seeing this interview.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Charlie Rose with Alan Rickman; Stephen L. Carter (June 7, 2002)



Buy Now

Click here for more information about Charlie Rose with Alan Rickman; Stephen L. Carter (June 7, 2002)

Read More...